What do you think?
Rate this book
Haunt Your Heart Out
A dashing ghost hunter and the bookseller who made up the ghosts he’s chasing wind up entangled in more ways than one in this steamy contemporary romance from the author of Text Appeal, perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Chloe Liese.
Homebody Lex McCall loves her sleepy Vermont town and quiet bookstore job. After her family, friends, and exes all moved away to seek futures elsewhere, Lex set one no dating tourists, newcomers, or anyone else who is bound to leave her behind. When the bookshop owner, eager to offload the supposedly haunted building, offers to sell the store to Lex at an unbeatable price, Lex jumps at the chance to further put down roots.
Then handsome stranger James stops by the bookstore. Lex assumes he’s just another tourist passing through, but it turns out he’s part of a ghost-hunting documentary crew that’s looking into the many “verified” ghost stories in town. Lex can’t resist getting involved—especially because these so-called ghosts are actually made up stories from Haunted Happenings, her hobby vlog from a decade prior. Worried her ghost-faking secret will get out and ruin her chance to buy the store, she tampers with the ghosthunters' research and skews the results. After all, James’s stay is only temporary and her career dreams come first.
But as they spend more time together, Lex realizes she’s falling for James. Worse, there’s more at stake than her simply being found out and losing his his mission isn’t as frivolous as it seems and her interference may cost him much more than a spooky story. This not-quite-ghost-story is sure to delight Gilmore Girls fans and anyone who loves flirty romances with a little extra spirit.
Homebody Lex McCall loves her sleepy Vermont town and quiet bookstore job. After her family, friends, and exes all moved away to seek futures elsewhere, Lex set one no dating tourists, newcomers, or anyone else who is bound to leave her behind. When the bookshop owner, eager to offload the supposedly haunted building, offers to sell the store to Lex at an unbeatable price, Lex jumps at the chance to further put down roots.
Then handsome stranger James stops by the bookstore. Lex assumes he’s just another tourist passing through, but it turns out he’s part of a ghost-hunting documentary crew that’s looking into the many “verified” ghost stories in town. Lex can’t resist getting involved—especially because these so-called ghosts are actually made up stories from Haunted Happenings, her hobby vlog from a decade prior. Worried her ghost-faking secret will get out and ruin her chance to buy the store, she tampers with the ghosthunters' research and skews the results. After all, James’s stay is only temporary and her career dreams come first.
But as they spend more time together, Lex realizes she’s falling for James. Worse, there’s more at stake than her simply being found out and losing his his mission isn’t as frivolous as it seems and her interference may cost him much more than a spooky story. This not-quite-ghost-story is sure to delight Gilmore Girls fans and anyone who loves flirty romances with a little extra spirit.
292 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2024
202 people are currently reading
18753 people want to read
About the author
Amber Roberts
2 books159 followersAmber Roberts writes contemporary romance about unabashedly nerdy characters in ridiculous situations. She lives with her husband, two children, and formerly feral cats in the Vermont woods, where eating maple creemees is a year-round activity. She spends her time copywriting, forgetting to water her plants, and awkwardly replying “you too” at inappropriate moments. Follow her on Twitter @ARobertsWrites and Instagram @AmberRobertsWrites.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
December 20, 2024
✩ 2 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Small Town
➼ FMC Works at a Bookstore
➼ Strangers-to-Lovers
➼ Fake Ghosts
➼ MMC in Town for Ghost Hunting Documentary
➼ She’s a former Paranormal Vlogger
➼ Film Kink
➼ Mental Health Rep
➼ He’s Bi/She’s Pan
➼ First Person POV
I’ve developed the opinion that a female protagonist that works in a bookstore is pretty much the kiss of death for a book. It always sounds so cozy and ideal, but the plot never delivers. She could have at least been the owner, but instead she was essentially working a dead end job there. She claimed to love the bookstore, but the owner didn’t allow her any creative freedom in her work there despite the fact that she was running the entire store on her own.
Half the plot seemed focused on telling the reader why she loved the town and had to stay there while the other half centered around how lonely and unhappy she was. She had major abandonment issues to the point where she would push people away and avoid developing relationships on the off chance that people might leave. She villainized her parents but for the most part, they only seemed guilty of wanting to have her close and spend more time with her. It’s definitely true that they wanted her to come to them on their terms, but they didn’t seem nearly as bad as she made them out to be. They also had some solid points since there was really nothing for her there in the town. The bookstore wasn’t hers and none of her living family was still in residence.
She was working hard to purchase the bookstore and keep her house, but I think a better character arc would have been for her to leave. At least go travel and experience more of what the world has to offer. It was hard to root for her success in purchasing the bookstore when the narrative suggested that would be a recipe for a lonely life. When the HEA arrived, it was expected, but it still felt out of place.
The MMC was fine, but not too memorable. I really could have personally done without the film kink scene. I get that it tied in with him filming the documentary, but it really didn’t work for me. Based on the cover, I expected this to be a little cozier. I’m pretty disappointed there wasn’t any actual paranormal activity included. I also didn’t like that she was purchasing the bookstore based on false pretenses and made up ghosts that she created, but the ending did somewhat salvage this…
I had high hopes for this book, but sadly it was mostly a disappointment. Read it if you must, but I won’t be recommending it.
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: My niece and nephews built a snowman today in my hometown so a book with a snowy cover felt like the right choice!
Gonna try to make it to 250 books by the end of the year! We’ll see if I can pull it off… 16 to go! Wish me luck!
What to Expect:
➼ Small Town
➼ FMC Works at a Bookstore
➼ Strangers-to-Lovers
➼ Fake Ghosts
➼ MMC in Town for Ghost Hunting Documentary
➼ She’s a former Paranormal Vlogger
➼ Film Kink
➼ Mental Health Rep
➼ He’s Bi/She’s Pan
➼ First Person POV
I’ve developed the opinion that a female protagonist that works in a bookstore is pretty much the kiss of death for a book. It always sounds so cozy and ideal, but the plot never delivers. She could have at least been the owner, but instead she was essentially working a dead end job there. She claimed to love the bookstore, but the owner didn’t allow her any creative freedom in her work there despite the fact that she was running the entire store on her own.
Half the plot seemed focused on telling the reader why she loved the town and had to stay there while the other half centered around how lonely and unhappy she was. She had major abandonment issues to the point where she would push people away and avoid developing relationships on the off chance that people might leave. She villainized her parents but for the most part, they only seemed guilty of wanting to have her close and spend more time with her. It’s definitely true that they wanted her to come to them on their terms, but they didn’t seem nearly as bad as she made them out to be. They also had some solid points since there was really nothing for her there in the town. The bookstore wasn’t hers and none of her living family was still in residence.
She was working hard to purchase the bookstore and keep her house, but I think a better character arc would have been for her to leave. At least go travel and experience more of what the world has to offer. It was hard to root for her success in purchasing the bookstore when the narrative suggested that would be a recipe for a lonely life. When the HEA arrived, it was expected, but it still felt out of place.
The MMC was fine, but not too memorable. I really could have personally done without the film kink scene. I get that it tied in with him filming the documentary, but it really didn’t work for me. Based on the cover, I expected this to be a little cozier. I’m pretty disappointed there wasn’t any actual paranormal activity included. I also didn’t like that she was purchasing the bookstore based on false pretenses and made up ghosts that she created, but the ending did somewhat salvage this…
I had high hopes for this book, but sadly it was mostly a disappointment. Read it if you must, but I won’t be recommending it.
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: My niece and nephews built a snowman today in my hometown so a book with a snowy cover felt like the right choice!
Gonna try to make it to 250 books by the end of the year! We’ll see if I can pull it off… 16 to go! Wish me luck!
May 13, 2024
This is a heartwarming story that blends the spirit of Halloween and Christmas, offering the best of both worlds. The story follows Lex, who resides in a small town far from her family. Battling anxieties since her teenage years, she has learned to tame them over time. She has crafted a life she wouldn't trade for anything: residing in the memory-laden house inherited from her grandfather, despite its financial strain, and working in a bookstore where her love for literature finds solace, though she's frustrated by the owner's resistance to her improvement ideas. Throughout it all, she knows she can always rely on her best friend, Natalie. However, Lex's stable world is thrown into disarray when James enters the picture.
I particularly enjoyed the banter between the two protagonists; Lex exhibits wit and rhetorical flair, while James comes across as mature and caring. I also appreciated the subplot with the ghost stories, showing off Lex and Natalie's fearless streak, and the cozy vibe of the Hallmark-style small town.
What slightly threw me off was the pacing, which felt a bit slow at times, and the lack of communication between the characters towards the end, which seemed unnatural compared to their earlier direct exchanges. Nevertheless, reading this book remains a cozy delight for fans of small-town romance.
Thanks NetGalley, Amber Roberts, and Alcove Press for a chance to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I particularly enjoyed the banter between the two protagonists; Lex exhibits wit and rhetorical flair, while James comes across as mature and caring. I also appreciated the subplot with the ghost stories, showing off Lex and Natalie's fearless streak, and the cozy vibe of the Hallmark-style small town.
What slightly threw me off was the pacing, which felt a bit slow at times, and the lack of communication between the characters towards the end, which seemed unnatural compared to their earlier direct exchanges. Nevertheless, reading this book remains a cozy delight for fans of small-town romance.
Thanks NetGalley, Amber Roberts, and Alcove Press for a chance to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
October 10, 2024
this was so cute & such a vibe for spooky season!
April 4, 2024
This book is downright adorable. Spooky vibes during Christmas time? It somehow worked so well.
Haunt Your Heart Out is about Lex, a thirty something woman who lives in the small, “snowglobe” town of Stowe, Vermont and works at the local bookstore. After dropping out of college due to struggling with her mental health Lex thinks she’s content with her life, and never leaving Stowe until she meets James, the paranormal documentary filmmaker while he’s investigating the ghost stories of Stowe. Lex tries to resist James’ charm, knowing all tourists eventually leave but as he wears her down, she has to consider everything she’s ever thought she wanted in her life.
It was refreshing for there to be a FMC in their thirties instead of early twenties, like many romances have. It was also great to see LGBTQ+ representation with Lex identifying as pansexual and James as bi.
While there is a third act “breakup” it was different than the typical romance tropes. The problem felt like it was solved so quickly and James’ decision, while it was what I hoped for felt sudden in terms of the progression of the story. It also felt like Lex and James had so much chemistry in the beginning, but that faded as the book went on.
Thank you NetGalley, the author Amber Roberts and the publisher Alcove Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶🏻
Haunt Your Heart Out is about Lex, a thirty something woman who lives in the small, “snowglobe” town of Stowe, Vermont and works at the local bookstore. After dropping out of college due to struggling with her mental health Lex thinks she’s content with her life, and never leaving Stowe until she meets James, the paranormal documentary filmmaker while he’s investigating the ghost stories of Stowe. Lex tries to resist James’ charm, knowing all tourists eventually leave but as he wears her down, she has to consider everything she’s ever thought she wanted in her life.
It was refreshing for there to be a FMC in their thirties instead of early twenties, like many romances have. It was also great to see LGBTQ+ representation with Lex identifying as pansexual and James as bi.
While there is a third act “breakup” it was different than the typical romance tropes. The problem felt like it was solved so quickly and James’ decision, while it was what I hoped for felt sudden in terms of the progression of the story. It also felt like Lex and James had so much chemistry in the beginning, but that faded as the book went on.
Thank you NetGalley, the author Amber Roberts and the publisher Alcove Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶🏻
October 15, 2024
My favorite part of listening to this audiobook is that it helped me fall asleep easily due to it being incredibly boring. 10/10 for sleep. 2/10 for entertainment.
I also feel like the synopsis for this is a complete bamboozle.
I also feel like the synopsis for this is a complete bamboozle.
June 11, 2025
I strangely haven't got much to say about this romance. It was well written enough. I liked it, but didn't love it. I don't think I'll ever want to re-read it, which is the mark of a book that I really enjoyed.
I completely understand Lex's desire to own the bookstore that she works in. I kind of understand her desire to stay in her little village in Vermont. Her fear of being left was completely comprehensible. Aren't we all worried about that at our core? Or is that just me?
This will sound odd, coming from a woman who gets freaked out by her own imagination when reading ghost stories, but there wasn't nearly enough paranormal activity involved in the plot of this novel. James was getting stressed by supposed ghostly phenomena and I was unimpressed. I should be checking under my bed, but I had no desire to do so.
Recommended for romance readers who don't require mystery or paranormal angles to get them interested.
I completely understand Lex's desire to own the bookstore that she works in. I kind of understand her desire to stay in her little village in Vermont. Her fear of being left was completely comprehensible. Aren't we all worried about that at our core? Or is that just me?
This will sound odd, coming from a woman who gets freaked out by her own imagination when reading ghost stories, but there wasn't nearly enough paranormal activity involved in the plot of this novel. James was getting stressed by supposed ghostly phenomena and I was unimpressed. I should be checking under my bed, but I had no desire to do so.
Recommended for romance readers who don't require mystery or paranormal angles to get them interested.
October 17, 2024
DNF @ 80 pages. Lex is boring. Her life is boring. Her interest in James is boring. James is boring. Why is the plot so weak and boring? Lex’s parents are atrocious. I cannot imagine reading 200+ more pages of this story. The cover is A+ but the story is a D.
March 12, 2024
Absolute pumpkin spice perfection in book form, Hallmark meets Halloween in this spooky-themed contemporary romance. Don't expect a paranormal romance or real hauntings, this is definitely more Stars Hollow than Sleepy Hollow. I personally loved the Gilmore Girls and Good Witch vibes of the feel-good story, which follows a small town bookseller who reluctantly relies on out-of-towners and seasonal trade to keep the second-hand bookstore afloat.
Lex describes her home as a "snowglobe of a town" and I'd have to agree. Her best friend makes a living in her family's Christmas focused businesses such as a tree farm and horse-drawn sleighs. They both rebelled in their youths by adding some fuel to the fire of local legends and ghost stories, filming hauntings and ghost hunting for their YouTube vlogs. Though the channel died long ago, their legacy lives still lives on to this day and draws some filmmakers to the town to start their own investigation. This is a very low-stakes and cozy read, it reminds me of a made-for-TV Christmas movie.
The story does take a more emotional turn when Lex and her love interest bond over their lack of familial support. I really connected with Lex's ferocious independence and struggle to advocate for her own wants and needs in the face of her parent's disapproval. Her problems with loneliness and her mental health were also really relatable, particularly in the face of living up to the plans her parents had for her future. I think seeing Lex confront this troubling dynamic and her relationships with and perceptions of the rest of her family was very healing and added depth to what otherwise would have been a sugary sweet romance plot.
Thank you Alcove Press & Amber Roberts for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Lex describes her home as a "snowglobe of a town" and I'd have to agree. Her best friend makes a living in her family's Christmas focused businesses such as a tree farm and horse-drawn sleighs. They both rebelled in their youths by adding some fuel to the fire of local legends and ghost stories, filming hauntings and ghost hunting for their YouTube vlogs. Though the channel died long ago, their legacy lives still lives on to this day and draws some filmmakers to the town to start their own investigation. This is a very low-stakes and cozy read, it reminds me of a made-for-TV Christmas movie.
The story does take a more emotional turn when Lex and her love interest bond over their lack of familial support. I really connected with Lex's ferocious independence and struggle to advocate for her own wants and needs in the face of her parent's disapproval. Her problems with loneliness and her mental health were also really relatable, particularly in the face of living up to the plans her parents had for her future. I think seeing Lex confront this troubling dynamic and her relationships with and perceptions of the rest of her family was very healing and added depth to what otherwise would have been a sugary sweet romance plot.
Thank you Alcove Press & Amber Roberts for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 26, 2024
Hello! I wrote this book and since people are now reading ARCs, now seems like a great time to drop some content notes here before blocking this page on all of my devices!
While there are ghosthunters in HYHO, this isn’t a paranormal/horror/scary book—I'm too chicken (I can’t even watch trailers for scary movies). If you’re like me and prefer not to hang out with actual ghosts, this might be a good option for you!
For those who like to know what they're getting into before reading, there are a few CWs to consider:
Happy reading!
While there are ghosthunters in HYHO, this isn’t a paranormal/horror/scary book—I'm too chicken (I can’t even watch trailers for scary movies). If you’re like me and prefer not to hang out with actual ghosts, this might be a good option for you!
For those who like to know what they're getting into before reading, there are a few CWs to consider:
Happy reading!
March 1, 2024
Read this from NetGalley and it was Spookily cute!!! This book was so cute. I LOVED the mmc! His personality reminded me of a mixture of Sam and dean from the tv show supernatural. I was blushing just as hard as the fmc. The fmc was so independent and quirky, I loved it. It made me laugh so many times that I lost count. It had a few steamy parts that had me blushing as well! Would definitely recommend 🥰
March 25, 2024
3.5 🌟’s
Very cute book that I honestly wish I read during the fall, it’s got a really cozy setting that makes you feel like you’re in cute little autumn town.
I really loved the fmc in this, I related to a lot of her struggles and understood where she was coming from with her anxiety’s and unwillingness to see change. The romance did feel a little bit lacking to me and the communication between characters was frustrating at times.
Overall really solid book and I had a wonderful time reading it. Thank you NetGalley for this Arc
Very cute book that I honestly wish I read during the fall, it’s got a really cozy setting that makes you feel like you’re in cute little autumn town.
I really loved the fmc in this, I related to a lot of her struggles and understood where she was coming from with her anxiety’s and unwillingness to see change. The romance did feel a little bit lacking to me and the communication between characters was frustrating at times.
Overall really solid book and I had a wonderful time reading it. Thank you NetGalley for this Arc
October 20, 2024
This was an odd one for me. I loved the anxiety rep of the female main character, Alex. It was very truthful in its representation and felt uncomfortable a lot of the time. I imagine this will be one of those books where she is named ‘unlikeable’ for this reason.
However, the plot felt like it wasn’t paced to keep the story engaging, moving forward, or creating chemistry. It often felt like many of the moments, miscommunications and misinterpretations of information were just thrown in there just so we could get to the end, but didn’t serve much purpose other than to slow the book down.
For this reason, the chemistry between the two characters started out strong, but then fizzled out toward to end, where it almost felt like the climax of their relationship had already happened by 30%.
It does all end with a happy ending of course, but its predictability and strange pacing meant that it all felt redundant by the end.
Overall, the story held fantastic anxiety representation of a 30+ pan woman searching for home, in a town that felt a bit like stars hollow with a giant cemetery.
However, the plot felt like it wasn’t paced to keep the story engaging, moving forward, or creating chemistry. It often felt like many of the moments, miscommunications and misinterpretations of information were just thrown in there just so we could get to the end, but didn’t serve much purpose other than to slow the book down.
For this reason, the chemistry between the two characters started out strong, but then fizzled out toward to end, where it almost felt like the climax of their relationship had already happened by 30%.
It does all end with a happy ending of course, but its predictability and strange pacing meant that it all felt redundant by the end.
Overall, the story held fantastic anxiety representation of a 30+ pan woman searching for home, in a town that felt a bit like stars hollow with a giant cemetery.
August 12, 2024
haunt your heart out is a spooky,season and cozy romance perfect for the autumn vibes! There are definitely the Hallmark movies with the Gilmore girls vibes!
This book felt like an escape and i would say a very fun one! The characters are very easy lovable and i loved to read about their development.
The more you read the more the story improves and it takes a more emotional turn!
Thank you to Random House UK for gifting me a digital copy of Haunt Your Heart Out in exchange for my honest review.
This book felt like an escape and i would say a very fun one! The characters are very easy lovable and i loved to read about their development.
The more you read the more the story improves and it takes a more emotional turn!
Thank you to Random House UK for gifting me a digital copy of Haunt Your Heart Out in exchange for my honest review.
Read
October 16, 2024Im so sad to say that this book for me personally was a dnf
I dont know why i couldn’t get i to it, i like in the beginning the fmc but after that i dont know it made me less excited to read the book which is a bummer because it was the perfect book for fall season
Thank you so much to the publisher for the arc
I dont know why i couldn’t get i to it, i like in the beginning the fmc but after that i dont know it made me less excited to read the book which is a bummer because it was the perfect book for fall season
Thank you so much to the publisher for the arc
February 29, 2024
This was certainly a delightful read. This book follows the story of homebody Lex McCall, who loves her small town and quiet job at a bookstore. After being left behind by her family, friends, and exes, Lex has one rule: no dating tourists, newcomers, or anyone who is bound to leave her behind. But when the opportunity to buy the bookstore she works at arises, she can't resist putting down roots and making a permanent home in her beloved town.
Just when she thinks she has everything figured out, handsome stranger James walks into her life. At first, Lex assumes he's just another tourist passing through, but it turns out he's part of a ghost-hunting documentary crew investigating the many 'verified' ghost stories in town. As a former hobby vlogger of ghost stories herself, Lex can't resist getting involved and tampering with the ghosthunters' research to protect her secret. But as she spends more time with James, she starts to develop feelings for him and realizes that her interference may have bigger consequences than just losing his affection. I loved the dynamic between Lex and James. Their banter and chemistry kept me hooked from the very beginning.
Although the book is marketed as a romance, it also has a hint of mystery and suspense woven into the plot. The twist towards the end caught me by surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I also appreciated the message of not letting fear hold you back from following your dreams and taking risks. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with a touch of mystery and a small-town setting. It's the perfect book to curl up with on a cozy evening.
Just when she thinks she has everything figured out, handsome stranger James walks into her life. At first, Lex assumes he's just another tourist passing through, but it turns out he's part of a ghost-hunting documentary crew investigating the many 'verified' ghost stories in town. As a former hobby vlogger of ghost stories herself, Lex can't resist getting involved and tampering with the ghosthunters' research to protect her secret. But as she spends more time with James, she starts to develop feelings for him and realizes that her interference may have bigger consequences than just losing his affection. I loved the dynamic between Lex and James. Their banter and chemistry kept me hooked from the very beginning.
Although the book is marketed as a romance, it also has a hint of mystery and suspense woven into the plot. The twist towards the end caught me by surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I also appreciated the message of not letting fear hold you back from following your dreams and taking risks. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with a touch of mystery and a small-town setting. It's the perfect book to curl up with on a cozy evening.
August 26, 2024
I was initially intrigued to this book because of its plot. The idea was new to me because I haven't read a romance novel about ghosthunters. This book had a great beginning, but it ended up being a little bit longer than I would have liked.
The bond between Alex and James was adorable, and the characters were likeable overall. However, I didn't think their relationship was quite realistic enough. Once the main characters were together, there wasn't much of a narrative to keep me engaged, and it became boring and repetitious. Additionally, there are a number of miscommunications and generally unsatisfactory communication amongst all the characters.
This book has the most perfect warm winter vibes, and I adore the part about the haunting sites. But setting the story in December also meant that Christmas aspects would take the place of any potential Halloween mischief that would work perfectly with the ghost theme.
This book may still appeal to those who like cozy, flirtatious romance, even though it wasn't as unique as I had hoped. It still was a nice read.
The bond between Alex and James was adorable, and the characters were likeable overall. However, I didn't think their relationship was quite realistic enough. Once the main characters were together, there wasn't much of a narrative to keep me engaged, and it became boring and repetitious. Additionally, there are a number of miscommunications and generally unsatisfactory communication amongst all the characters.
This book has the most perfect warm winter vibes, and I adore the part about the haunting sites. But setting the story in December also meant that Christmas aspects would take the place of any potential Halloween mischief that would work perfectly with the ghost theme.
This book may still appeal to those who like cozy, flirtatious romance, even though it wasn't as unique as I had hoped. It still was a nice read.
dnf
April 8, 2024Unfortunately, I am not a fan of this one. I can’t say much about it, as I have almost no reflections on this book. I found it boring and hard to get into. I will say, though, that the whole ghost stories vibe was fun - but not necessarily as a spring-read. The characters had some funny banter, but I didn’t feel much tension between them and their relationship was just bland. Also, I could not relate to the FMC at all - her decision making skills had me baffled. Overall, reading this book did not bring any enjoyment whatsoever.
February 29, 2024
I was totally drawn to the Gilmore vibes of this one, plus the dreamy cover! I enjoyed the romance between these characters who are working at cross purposes. It was the perfect read for a wintry day. It felt cute and cozy and was oh so fun!
October 8, 2024
I really, really enjoyed this opposites attract, forced proximity, small town romance that sees Lex, a former ghosterhunting Vermont vlogger turned want to be bookstore owner pairing up new to town, James, who is working on a paranormal ghost documentary. Sparks fly between the two as the film different haunted places around town and James travels home with Lex for Christmas.
This was great on audio narrated by Mara Wilson and perfect for fans of books like Love and other conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe. There is also great queer rep (he's bi, she's pan) and great mental health rep (Lex drops out of college because of mounting depression). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: some open door scenes
This was great on audio narrated by Mara Wilson and perfect for fans of books like Love and other conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe. There is also great queer rep (he's bi, she's pan) and great mental health rep (Lex drops out of college because of mounting depression). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: some open door scenes
June 25, 2024
This book knows the way to my heart. A small-town girl who runs a secondhand bookstore, and a city boy who loves books just as much as she does? It's just a recipe for success. I loved Haunt Your Heart Out from start to finish!
Want to read
February 29, 2024I was fortunate enough to read an early version of this story, and I immediately fell in love with the characters (especially James, who is mine, and no one else can have him). I also love the setting so much. I mean, bookstore, ski resort town in Vermont, wintertime?? Can you get any cozier than that? Amber Roberts has a talent for coming up with unique takes on beloved tropes, and that really shines through in this one. And of course the narrative voice is perfect, per usual. Very excited for this one to hit shelves!!
October 10, 2024
I could have liked this if I hadn’t disliked the FMC so much. The writing & plot were good though.
September 26, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Alex McCall is the textbook small town homebody. She lives in the house her grandfather built, works at her local bookstore, and has a found family with the people of her town. Most importantly, she doesn’t get involved with tourists or those who don’t stick around. When a handsome stranger enters her bookshop, her predictable life is thrown for a loop.
This book was super cozy and cute. I liked watching our characters’ slow decent into love, and some of the spice was steamy but still pretty PG-13. I liked our FMC’s journey with her mental health and learning to advocate for her feelings with her family. I really, really liked our MMC and found his steadfast character to be super endearing and adorable.
Tropes in this story:
✨Small town romance & cozy vibes
✨Strangers to lovers
✨She works at a bookstore; he’s in town for work
✨Anxiety rep
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley, but my review is all my own.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Alex McCall is the textbook small town homebody. She lives in the house her grandfather built, works at her local bookstore, and has a found family with the people of her town. Most importantly, she doesn’t get involved with tourists or those who don’t stick around. When a handsome stranger enters her bookshop, her predictable life is thrown for a loop.
This book was super cozy and cute. I liked watching our characters’ slow decent into love, and some of the spice was steamy but still pretty PG-13. I liked our FMC’s journey with her mental health and learning to advocate for her feelings with her family. I really, really liked our MMC and found his steadfast character to be super endearing and adorable.
Tropes in this story:
✨Small town romance & cozy vibes
✨Strangers to lovers
✨She works at a bookstore; he’s in town for work
✨Anxiety rep
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley, but my review is all my own.
June 30, 2024
I love a book set in a small town, complete with charming stores and quirky characters. It's even better when there's a bookstore and a hint of ghosts involved!
The main characters, Lex and James, brought a lot to the story. Lex manages a small, not-so-successful bookstore called Dog-Eared (such a cute name) in a town where her family has lived for generations. James comes to town to help film a documentary on local hauntings and myths. While the ghosts in the book were more local legends than actual spirits, their presence added a nice touch 👻.
Both Lex and James share a love for books and animals, and their complex family dynamics made them relatable. However, while the setting was charming, the budding romance wasn't as convincing to me. Since the story is told from Lex's first-person POV, her character felt well-developed, but James seemed a bit two-dimensional, which perhaps can sometimes happen with single POV stories.
Overall, "Haunt Your Heart Out" is a cute and charming book. Although I expected more spookiness based on the title, the story still captured the spirit (pun intended) of a cozy small-town romance. I'd recommend this to readers who enjoy books set in Stars Hollow-like towns with delightful characters.
3.75/5 ⭐
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters, Lex and James, brought a lot to the story. Lex manages a small, not-so-successful bookstore called Dog-Eared (such a cute name) in a town where her family has lived for generations. James comes to town to help film a documentary on local hauntings and myths. While the ghosts in the book were more local legends than actual spirits, their presence added a nice touch 👻.
Both Lex and James share a love for books and animals, and their complex family dynamics made them relatable. However, while the setting was charming, the budding romance wasn't as convincing to me. Since the story is told from Lex's first-person POV, her character felt well-developed, but James seemed a bit two-dimensional, which perhaps can sometimes happen with single POV stories.
Overall, "Haunt Your Heart Out" is a cute and charming book. Although I expected more spookiness based on the title, the story still captured the spirit (pun intended) of a cozy small-town romance. I'd recommend this to readers who enjoy books set in Stars Hollow-like towns with delightful characters.
3.75/5 ⭐
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2024
The charm of a small town, ghost stories, and sweet characters… make this book a super cozy read. The idea is original, and I really enjoyed it. I particularly appreciated the parts taken from the documentary of the protagonists. I loved the setting and the little bookstore. The characters are truly cute and sweet… you’ll fall in love with them. Not enough? There’s also an adorable little dog!
It’s a bit like the Nightmare Before Christmas of books… ghost stories, but there’s also Christmas involved. So, it’s perfect for Halloween, but also for the holiday season!
My bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofmind...
My booktube: https://youtube.com/@_stateofmind_?si...
It’s a bit like the Nightmare Before Christmas of books… ghost stories, but there’s also Christmas involved. So, it’s perfect for Halloween, but also for the holiday season!
My bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofmind...
My booktube: https://youtube.com/@_stateofmind_?si...
August 31, 2025
Super boring and instalove. Lol not great
December 31, 2024
I am so sad but this was a one star read for me.
With an added star for the cute cover. (EDIT: taken away when weighed against my other reads…!)
At the same time, I have an issue with the cover. I read the Penguin UK edition, which features the graveyard with leaves. Yes fine perfect because spooky season. Right? NOPE! It is set around Christmas IN VERMOMT which means snow everywhere.
Anyway, to the story.
Cute small town book seller meets hunky big city guy to hunt ghosts with? Yes please!
But– that is the whole book. Nothing happens. Not even in a cosy low-stakes way.
I was so bored that I DNF’s at around 120 pages in. Which is after a steamy scene that did nothing for me and I bet so did nothing for the FMC and the MMC.
Sad to say that this was the second bad time I had with a book by this author.
With an added star for the cute cover. (EDIT: taken away when weighed against my other reads…!)
At the same time, I have an issue with the cover. I read the Penguin UK edition, which features the graveyard with leaves. Yes fine perfect because spooky season. Right? NOPE! It is set around Christmas IN VERMOMT which means snow everywhere.
Anyway, to the story.
Cute small town book seller meets hunky big city guy to hunt ghosts with? Yes please!
But– that is the whole book. Nothing happens. Not even in a cosy low-stakes way.
I was so bored that I DNF’s at around 120 pages in. Which is after a steamy scene that did nothing for me and I bet so did nothing for the FMC and the MMC.
Sad to say that this was the second bad time I had with a book by this author.
March 22, 2024
Haunt Your Heart Out is such a sweet story! I really loved Lex and how cozy Roberts' made Stowe, Vermont! I've only been there once, but that's exactly how my Gilmore-Girls-brain pictures it. The romance was so sweet and I loved everything about James from his baseball cap to his dog, Lulu! Such a sweetheart! I loved all the ghostlore and friendly apparitions and the cozy bookstore Lex runs. This warm and gentle romance is perfect for the holiday season!
October 9, 2024
It was okay. Didn't really keep my attention. There were some parts I liked but nothing that wowed me.
October 13, 2024
If I could give this zero stars I would. Main character was too whiny and I feel like I got catfished with the blurb on the back of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews