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A step-by-step guide to surviving a haunted house
This isn’t your friendly neighbourhood ghost story.
Dawson Miller may not have the most conventional of lives, but he’s worked hard and he’s happy with the path he’s taken. He’s a successful social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers, his budding music career is gaining traction, and he’s just inherited a house in the WA Wheatbelt with his best friend and stepbrother, Chip. Despite having to manage an anxiety disorder, life is pretty sweet.
Tate "Chip" George has a steady job, is great at sports, and is well liked. On the surface, he’s got his life together. Beneath all of that, he’s a 24 year old demisexual virgin who is in love with his best friend and stepbrother. It’s been a long time since he’s lived with Dawson and he’s rather worried that moving to a small, rural town together will make it much harder to move on and finally accept that he can’t have what he so desperately wants.
When they discover that the old farmhouse they’ve inherited from Grandpa Miller is haunted, they must work together to solve a century-old murder and help lay a vengeful ghost to rest, whilst navigating the changing landscape of their relationship. They’ll fight for their lives, make startling discoveries, and clean their kitchen.
So. Damn. Much.
For a full list of content warnings, please see the inside of the book or visit the author's website.
Dawson Miller may not have the most conventional of lives, but he’s worked hard and he’s happy with the path he’s taken. He’s a successful social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers, his budding music career is gaining traction, and he’s just inherited a house in the WA Wheatbelt with his best friend and stepbrother, Chip. Despite having to manage an anxiety disorder, life is pretty sweet.
Tate "Chip" George has a steady job, is great at sports, and is well liked. On the surface, he’s got his life together. Beneath all of that, he’s a 24 year old demisexual virgin who is in love with his best friend and stepbrother. It’s been a long time since he’s lived with Dawson and he’s rather worried that moving to a small, rural town together will make it much harder to move on and finally accept that he can’t have what he so desperately wants.
When they discover that the old farmhouse they’ve inherited from Grandpa Miller is haunted, they must work together to solve a century-old murder and help lay a vengeful ghost to rest, whilst navigating the changing landscape of their relationship. They’ll fight for their lives, make startling discoveries, and clean their kitchen.
So. Damn. Much.
For a full list of content warnings, please see the inside of the book or visit the author's website.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
6 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Addison Acres
9 books34 followersAddison Acres has a big smile and a gentle temperament which leads many to believe that she is sweet and innocent. Given that she loves to write raunchy taboo stories with a hefty dash of kink, this is patently untrue.
Addision lives in Australia, swears like a pirate, and is a profound supporter of the Oxford comma.
Come join her Facebook group, Addison's Addicts.
Addision lives in Australia, swears like a pirate, and is a profound supporter of the Oxford comma.
Come join her Facebook group, Addison's Addicts.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 25, 2025
It had flaws, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
First, the horror is no joke. I know it said it would be there, but it's still a romance so I honestly expected a mild haunting. Charlotte Miller was not mild. The story of how she died and the gory depictions of her when her ghost goes off and loses it's head? It was so much more than I expected and I loved it. The haunting elements are a tad predictable in the end and I saw that possession coming a mile away, but the story still kept me gripped in ways I didn't expect from a predominantly romantic story. If it was just a horror story, I'd probably go 3 or 3.5 because the thought of there actually being a bite really makes that one scene memorable.
The romance, though, was so good. I love Chip being a demi man who has only ever loved Dawson, his lifelong friend who eventually became his step-brother when their parents married. Dawson was straight, but has always understood that sexuality isn't set in stone. As a teenager, he helped Chip find his identity as demi pan, so Dawson never freaked out when he came to realize he was attracted to Chip. I really love how Dawson's low libido from his meds was discussed and how it's really a story about their love for each other without focusing on spicy scenes that just wouldn't have made sense for the characters. I love my spicy reads, but always appreciate it more if it actually serves a purpose to the story.
This is my first time reading this author and I'm impressed. It's not flawless, but it's memorable. The story is crafted with thought and intent. Even elements that were predictable were never done in the exact way you would have guessed. Honestly, I think what impressed me most is that they didn't take the obvious route of having Dawson turn his social media into a paranormal investigation channel as so many content creators do in real life because spooky stuff gets views. The way he kept the haunting private was real and relatable to me, which is rare for me to say when reading a story where a character relies on social media for income. So I have got to say that I recommend this as a something different kind of read in romance, but know going in that there will be blood.
First, the horror is no joke. I know it said it would be there, but it's still a romance so I honestly expected a mild haunting. Charlotte Miller was not mild. The story of how she died and the gory depictions of her when her ghost goes off and loses it's head? It was so much more than I expected and I loved it. The haunting elements are a tad predictable in the end and I saw that possession coming a mile away, but the story still kept me gripped in ways I didn't expect from a predominantly romantic story. If it was just a horror story, I'd probably go 3 or 3.5 because the thought of there actually being a bite really makes that one scene memorable.
The romance, though, was so good. I love Chip being a demi man who has only ever loved Dawson, his lifelong friend who eventually became his step-brother when their parents married. Dawson was straight, but has always understood that sexuality isn't set in stone. As a teenager, he helped Chip find his identity as demi pan, so Dawson never freaked out when he came to realize he was attracted to Chip. I really love how Dawson's low libido from his meds was discussed and how it's really a story about their love for each other without focusing on spicy scenes that just wouldn't have made sense for the characters. I love my spicy reads, but always appreciate it more if it actually serves a purpose to the story.
This is my first time reading this author and I'm impressed. It's not flawless, but it's memorable. The story is crafted with thought and intent. Even elements that were predictable were never done in the exact way you would have guessed. Honestly, I think what impressed me most is that they didn't take the obvious route of having Dawson turn his social media into a paranormal investigation channel as so many content creators do in real life because spooky stuff gets views. The way he kept the haunting private was real and relatable to me, which is rare for me to say when reading a story where a character relies on social media for income. So I have got to say that I recommend this as a something different kind of read in romance, but know going in that there will be blood.
October 26, 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Addison Acres' A Step by Step Guide to Surviving a Haunted House is a captivating journey into the lives of Dawson and Chip, two stepbrothers who inherit an aged farmhouse in the secluded town of Brockman, Western Australia. Inheriting this 100+ year-old property from Dawson's grandfather, the two move into their new rural home, quickly discovering that life in Brockman holds more than just country charm and open fields. The haunting presence that lurks in the farmhouse entwines them in a gripping tale that blends horror and romance in surprising ways.
The heart of the story lies in the evolving bond between Dawson and Chip. Their relationship blooms amid the uncertainty and mystery surrounding Dawson’s lineage and the eerie atmosphere of their inherited farmhouse. The emotional depth of their connection is beautifully drawn, capturing both the sweetness of discovering love and the complicated feelings that arise from being enveloped in a haunted legacy. The romantic element, while central, is skilfully intertwined with an underlying tension as they uncover dark secrets connected to Dawson’s ancestry—a story both unsettling and intriguing.
Acres crafts a wonderfully atmospheric setting with haunting descriptions of the farmhouse and its ominous secrets, making it feel as if the house itself is a character. While some may find the horror aspects secondary to the romance, the book succeeds in creating a world where each aspect enhances the other, drawing readers into an exploration of love and lineage against a backdrop of supernatural suspense.
Overall, A Step by Step Guide to Surviving a Haunted House delivers a compelling story that balances romance with intrigue. With Dawson and Chip's emotional journey at the forefront, it’s a tale of discovery and resilience, one that lingers in the mind well after the last page.
Perfect for readers who love a good romance seasoned with a touch of mystery and a dash of ghostly chills.
Addison Acres' A Step by Step Guide to Surviving a Haunted House is a captivating journey into the lives of Dawson and Chip, two stepbrothers who inherit an aged farmhouse in the secluded town of Brockman, Western Australia. Inheriting this 100+ year-old property from Dawson's grandfather, the two move into their new rural home, quickly discovering that life in Brockman holds more than just country charm and open fields. The haunting presence that lurks in the farmhouse entwines them in a gripping tale that blends horror and romance in surprising ways.
The heart of the story lies in the evolving bond between Dawson and Chip. Their relationship blooms amid the uncertainty and mystery surrounding Dawson’s lineage and the eerie atmosphere of their inherited farmhouse. The emotional depth of their connection is beautifully drawn, capturing both the sweetness of discovering love and the complicated feelings that arise from being enveloped in a haunted legacy. The romantic element, while central, is skilfully intertwined with an underlying tension as they uncover dark secrets connected to Dawson’s ancestry—a story both unsettling and intriguing.
Acres crafts a wonderfully atmospheric setting with haunting descriptions of the farmhouse and its ominous secrets, making it feel as if the house itself is a character. While some may find the horror aspects secondary to the romance, the book succeeds in creating a world where each aspect enhances the other, drawing readers into an exploration of love and lineage against a backdrop of supernatural suspense.
Overall, A Step by Step Guide to Surviving a Haunted House delivers a compelling story that balances romance with intrigue. With Dawson and Chip's emotional journey at the forefront, it’s a tale of discovery and resilience, one that lingers in the mind well after the last page.
Perfect for readers who love a good romance seasoned with a touch of mystery and a dash of ghostly chills.
October 30, 2024
I love haunted house stories and when they're also M/M, it's my kryptonite! This was an amazing read. The ghost story and the budding romance between Chip and Dawson are intertwined so well that it strikes a perfect balance. I was just as intrigued by Charlotte's story as I was by the MCs' developing relationship. I also loved the insight into Australian small-town life. It gave the story extra layers and a very realistic view.
This isn't a high-heat story - yes, there are a couple of steamy scenes, but they're not the sort that I find myself skimming through because they're so long and involved. Chip is demi and pan and I loved the rep. The fact that Dawson's sex drive is affected by his medications was just so refreshing. Yes, books are an escape but Acres has a knack of making her books simultaneously realistic but also entertaining. It's not something I come across too often these days.
Be wary of the trigger warnings at the start of the book.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and if you're into haunted house stories as well as the slight taboo of stepbrothers, this is a must for your TBR.
This isn't a high-heat story - yes, there are a couple of steamy scenes, but they're not the sort that I find myself skimming through because they're so long and involved. Chip is demi and pan and I loved the rep. The fact that Dawson's sex drive is affected by his medications was just so refreshing. Yes, books are an escape but Acres has a knack of making her books simultaneously realistic but also entertaining. It's not something I come across too often these days.
Be wary of the trigger warnings at the start of the book.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and if you're into haunted house stories as well as the slight taboo of stepbrothers, this is a must for your TBR.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
The story was light to read, and the first few chapters flew by quickly as I emerged in the story. Here and there the written lines made me smile or even laugh, while their innocent attraction that started blooming between the two main characters made me all giggling and blushing inside. By the time the spooky events started, I wasn't able to move away from the screen. It was so vividly described that it began to ache as the the diaries passages were read. The last sentence of the last chapter... Huh... I don't know why... But a chill ran down my skin. And it was quite a strong one.
Catharsis: the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
The author did an outstanding work with this story. I strongly recommend it!
Catharsis: the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
The author did an outstanding work with this story. I strongly recommend it!
April 21, 2025
Absolutely Brilliant
OH...... WOW....... Absolutely Brilliant was hooked from the start could not put it down love a good ghost story and this is one is a cracker full of twists and turns stepbrother's and best friends Chip and Dawson inheriting a house not realising it's haunted and having to work together to solve a murder mystery it's spooky, chilling full of secrets and the slow burn romance of Chip and Dawson is done so beautifully recommend so much.
OH...... WOW....... Absolutely Brilliant was hooked from the start could not put it down love a good ghost story and this is one is a cracker full of twists and turns stepbrother's and best friends Chip and Dawson inheriting a house not realising it's haunted and having to work together to solve a murder mystery it's spooky, chilling full of secrets and the slow burn romance of Chip and Dawson is done so beautifully recommend so much.
May 7, 2025
Step By Step
Love the book and have no idea how to write a review that doesn’t reveal important plot points that will spoil a future readers pleasure in discovering the fun.
All I can say is FINALLY an author has come up with a truly original story that has an original plot line, isn’t hokey, has well conceived characters and the book holds the readers interest from the beginning to the end. Thank you Addison Acres. You’ve just become a favorite author in the MM genre.
Love the book and have no idea how to write a review that doesn’t reveal important plot points that will spoil a future readers pleasure in discovering the fun.
All I can say is FINALLY an author has come up with a truly original story that has an original plot line, isn’t hokey, has well conceived characters and the book holds the readers interest from the beginning to the end. Thank you Addison Acres. You’ve just become a favorite author in the MM genre.
September 3, 2024
I love spookem books and this is soooo spookem!! I don't want to put any spoilers but if you love a slow burn but hugely endearing love story with an absolutely brilliant plot (with a surprising twist or two!) then this is definitely the story for you. This author is rapidly becoming a firm favourite of mine.
August 31, 2024
Beta Read - 4.5 stars.
Spooky, spicy and really sweet too!
Spooky, spicy and really sweet too!
October 29, 2024
There's spice, a murder mystery, ghosts (and ghost possessio ), and stepbrother's confessing their love for each other. What more can you ask for? Inheriting a haunted house is one thing, but then having to solve the murder of one of ancestor while trying not to get killed by another ancestor is something else. Definitely a fun story to read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews