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Ghost of a Chance
It’s a cozy, spicy, spooky season treat in this opposites-attract romance
between a mystery writer who pretends to talk to ghosts and
the one-night stand who might actually be haunted…
Kirsty Henson is an expert at one faking it. A mystery writer with a hit series, she knows her success relies on pretending she can talk to ghosts. It’s all fun and games until a steamy casual encounter sends Jasper Cotton careening into her life.
Jasper is haunted…literally. His college roommate’s spirit is trapped in an old physics book—and has a weird obsession with Judge Judy. Desperate for a solution, Jasper turns to Kirsty for help. But when they investigate, neither can deny the supernatural or romantic sparks!
Between a ghost who won’t quit, Kirsty’s big secret and a mystery tied to Jasper’s past, they’re in for more than otherworldly flirtation. With a little help from beyond, Kirsty and Jasper are about to discover the only thing stronger than life or death might just be love.
Ghost of a Chance is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting.
between a mystery writer who pretends to talk to ghosts and
the one-night stand who might actually be haunted…
Kirsty Henson is an expert at one faking it. A mystery writer with a hit series, she knows her success relies on pretending she can talk to ghosts. It’s all fun and games until a steamy casual encounter sends Jasper Cotton careening into her life.
Jasper is haunted…literally. His college roommate’s spirit is trapped in an old physics book—and has a weird obsession with Judge Judy. Desperate for a solution, Jasper turns to Kirsty for help. But when they investigate, neither can deny the supernatural or romantic sparks!
Between a ghost who won’t quit, Kirsty’s big secret and a mystery tied to Jasper’s past, they’re in for more than otherworldly flirtation. With a little help from beyond, Kirsty and Jasper are about to discover the only thing stronger than life or death might just be love.
Ghost of a Chance is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2025
14 people are currently reading
7175 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Garbera
801 books662 followersKatherine Garbera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 novels, which have been translated into over two dozen languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. She is the mother of two incredibly creative and snarky grown children. Katherine enjoys drinking champagne, reading, walking and traveling with her husband. She lives in Kent, UK, where she is working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
September 29, 2025
Ghost of a Chance by Katherine Garbera
Contemporary ghostly romance. Harlequin Afterglow.
Jasper Cotton is haunted. His college roommate’s spirit is inside an old physics book. The ghost makes itself known by flickering lights, Judge Judy at 6:00am and refusing to allow the book to be forgotten somewhere. Jason doesn’t know how to get rid of a ghost but decides to ask mystery writer Kirsty Henson for help after they had a steamy one-night stand. Kirsty doesn’t actually talk to or hear ghosts but has written about them. She likes Jasper and figures she can help him deal with his trauma of losing his friend. As she tries to ask questions to help Jasper deal with loss, the two become closer, their attraction still simmering. And then she hears someone speaking in her ear and it’s not Judge Judy.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook performed by Regina Reagan who created believable characters that come alive as the story unfolds. There are distinct voices and clear emotions as they follow the ghost and open their hearts.
I found my usual speed of 1.5 to be the most comfortable and compatible with local conversations.
Great read for the upcoming Halloween season. Jasper’s ghost is good at making himself be heard! Fun chemistry, er, physics, for Jason and Kirsty as they work their way through issues, and ghosts, and feelings. She’s a little bit goth and prefers solitude. He’s a little bit nerdy and really wants to spend more time with Kirsty.
It reads a bit new adult though she’s clearly past newbie status as an author and 27.
Loved the epilogue and recap.
Clever and compelling.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio.
Contemporary ghostly romance. Harlequin Afterglow.
Jasper Cotton is haunted. His college roommate’s spirit is inside an old physics book. The ghost makes itself known by flickering lights, Judge Judy at 6:00am and refusing to allow the book to be forgotten somewhere. Jason doesn’t know how to get rid of a ghost but decides to ask mystery writer Kirsty Henson for help after they had a steamy one-night stand. Kirsty doesn’t actually talk to or hear ghosts but has written about them. She likes Jasper and figures she can help him deal with his trauma of losing his friend. As she tries to ask questions to help Jasper deal with loss, the two become closer, their attraction still simmering. And then she hears someone speaking in her ear and it’s not Judge Judy.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook performed by Regina Reagan who created believable characters that come alive as the story unfolds. There are distinct voices and clear emotions as they follow the ghost and open their hearts.
I found my usual speed of 1.5 to be the most comfortable and compatible with local conversations.
Great read for the upcoming Halloween season. Jasper’s ghost is good at making himself be heard! Fun chemistry, er, physics, for Jason and Kirsty as they work their way through issues, and ghosts, and feelings. She’s a little bit goth and prefers solitude. He’s a little bit nerdy and really wants to spend more time with Kirsty.
It reads a bit new adult though she’s clearly past newbie status as an author and 27.
Loved the epilogue and recap.
Clever and compelling.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio.
July 20, 2025
This book had so much promise. The FMC is an author that writes cozy mysteries whose readers believe she can speak to ghosts (just like her main character). She runs into a guy who’s been lugging around a physics textbook haunted by his dead roommate. After an almost hook-up they run into each other again and Kirsty finds herself agreeing to help with crossing this ghost into the afterlife. I was sold on this description, but unfortunately this story didn’t work for me in a number of ways.
I was hoping for great banter, a haunting nosey ghost, and a budding romance. What I got was a book that read as a paranormal romcom without any actual comedy and banter that was so mechanical I couldn’t enjoy it. The MCs frustrated me the entire time. Just when I thought their arcs would lead to growth, their walls immediately shot back up and the dialogue would get childishly petty. It was hard for me to imagine them as the 25 & 30 year olds they were meant to be. Sadly I felt no emotion from any character and the big secret at the end was all too predictable and unsatisfying.
**Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
I was hoping for great banter, a haunting nosey ghost, and a budding romance. What I got was a book that read as a paranormal romcom without any actual comedy and banter that was so mechanical I couldn’t enjoy it. The MCs frustrated me the entire time. Just when I thought their arcs would lead to growth, their walls immediately shot back up and the dialogue would get childishly petty. It was hard for me to imagine them as the 25 & 30 year olds they were meant to be. Sadly I felt no emotion from any character and the big secret at the end was all too predictable and unsatisfying.
**Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
September 10, 2025
I think I would have enjoyed this more in print.
The narrator's voice did not fit the story for me.
Felt like my granny was reading a book to me...except uncomfortable because this book has sexytime scenes in it and no one wants their granny reading sexytime scenes out loud to them.
Or maybe you do? You do you.
The narration just didn't work my brain.
Felt like more of a thriller or historical fiction voice and as a result I didn't vibe with it.
The plot is intriguing, so maybe give it a go in print and tell me what ya think.
Thank you NtGalley & Harlequin Audio for my ALC.
The narrator's voice did not fit the story for me.
Felt like my granny was reading a book to me...except uncomfortable because this book has sexytime scenes in it and no one wants their granny reading sexytime scenes out loud to them.
Or maybe you do? You do you.
The narration just didn't work my brain.
Felt like more of a thriller or historical fiction voice and as a result I didn't vibe with it.
The plot is intriguing, so maybe give it a go in print and tell me what ya think.
Thank you NtGalley & Harlequin Audio for my ALC.
September 6, 2025
✨ Initial Vibes
Paranormal romance with a side of emotional healing? Yes please. Ghost of a Chance is a warm, witty, and quietly thoughtful story about grief, connection, and all the small, strange choices that shape our lives. Bonus: the cover is adorable—Kirsty in her goth-girl glory with Jasper resting his head in her lap? Instant heart eyes.
📖 What It’s About
Kirsty is a mystery writer who fakes ghost-sensing powers and she meets Jasper, a skeptical producer who’s actually haunted by the ghost of his college roommate, Paul. As Kirsty tries to keep up her act, and Jasper wrestles with unresolved grief and guilt, they slowly fall for each other.
❤️ What I Loved
• The vibe. Funny, flirty, a little spooky, and emotionally sincere, it’s the perfect paranormal comfort read.
• Kirsty. She’s clever, kind, and confidently goth without ever feeling like a caricature. I loved her voice and the way she carried her own wounds with dignity.
• Jasper. Emotionally shut-down media man with a haunting? Say less. His arc is tender, and his growth felt earned.
• The ghost. Paul’s presence adds depth, not just paranormal flair. His interactions with Jasper are some of the most moving moments in the book.
• The theme. The book does a beautiful job examining how random decisions, what train you catch, what party you attend, who you call back, can ripple through your entire life. That sense of fragile fate is what gave the story real staying power for me.
💭 Final Thoughts
This is a cozy paranormal romance with just enough melancholy to give it weight. If you’ve ever been haunted by the thought of what if, this one’s for you. It’s about ghosts, sure, but more than that, it’s about living with the past, finding new ways forward, and learning how to love someone and let yourself be seen.
🧠 Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(4 stars for goth girls, ghost boys, and the emotional honesty tucked inside the banter.)
Paranormal romance with a side of emotional healing? Yes please. Ghost of a Chance is a warm, witty, and quietly thoughtful story about grief, connection, and all the small, strange choices that shape our lives. Bonus: the cover is adorable—Kirsty in her goth-girl glory with Jasper resting his head in her lap? Instant heart eyes.
📖 What It’s About
Kirsty is a mystery writer who fakes ghost-sensing powers and she meets Jasper, a skeptical producer who’s actually haunted by the ghost of his college roommate, Paul. As Kirsty tries to keep up her act, and Jasper wrestles with unresolved grief and guilt, they slowly fall for each other.
❤️ What I Loved
• The vibe. Funny, flirty, a little spooky, and emotionally sincere, it’s the perfect paranormal comfort read.
• Kirsty. She’s clever, kind, and confidently goth without ever feeling like a caricature. I loved her voice and the way she carried her own wounds with dignity.
• Jasper. Emotionally shut-down media man with a haunting? Say less. His arc is tender, and his growth felt earned.
• The ghost. Paul’s presence adds depth, not just paranormal flair. His interactions with Jasper are some of the most moving moments in the book.
• The theme. The book does a beautiful job examining how random decisions, what train you catch, what party you attend, who you call back, can ripple through your entire life. That sense of fragile fate is what gave the story real staying power for me.
💭 Final Thoughts
This is a cozy paranormal romance with just enough melancholy to give it weight. If you’ve ever been haunted by the thought of what if, this one’s for you. It’s about ghosts, sure, but more than that, it’s about living with the past, finding new ways forward, and learning how to love someone and let yourself be seen.
🧠 Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(4 stars for goth girls, ghost boys, and the emotional honesty tucked inside the banter.)
August 1, 2025
3.5 Stars Rounded Down ⭐️
Ghost of a Chance was a fun paranormal romantic comedy and perfect for a cozy fall read!
Kirsty, the FMC, is an author who writes cozy mysteries and may have given her readers the idea that she, like her book's main character, has some psychic abilities. She gets herself into a bit of a mess when she is approached by Jasper, the MMC, and he wants her to exorcise a spirit that's been plaguing him for 5 years ever since his roommate died.
I wasn't sold on either of the main characters in this book, but I learned to tolerate them both while reading this book. I also figured out the mystery way before the reveal, which was a bit unfortunate.
Overall, I felt like this book was a fun paranormal romance with a side of mystery. This was my first book by this author, and I'd definitely like to read more by her.
Expected Publication Date: September 30th, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ghost of a Chance was a fun paranormal romantic comedy and perfect for a cozy fall read!
Kirsty, the FMC, is an author who writes cozy mysteries and may have given her readers the idea that she, like her book's main character, has some psychic abilities. She gets herself into a bit of a mess when she is approached by Jasper, the MMC, and he wants her to exorcise a spirit that's been plaguing him for 5 years ever since his roommate died.
I wasn't sold on either of the main characters in this book, but I learned to tolerate them both while reading this book. I also figured out the mystery way before the reveal, which was a bit unfortunate.
Overall, I felt like this book was a fun paranormal romance with a side of mystery. This was my first book by this author, and I'd definitely like to read more by her.
Expected Publication Date: September 30th, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 22, 2025
ALC 3.5 Stars!
An author who mostly writes fiction with paranormal elements meets a man who has a haunted book he has been carrying around and can't get rid of and sparks fly.
The FMC, Kirsty, has been a fictional writer for many years and often has one of her characters have the ability to talk to ghosts. She has also claimed that she is able to communicate with ghosts as a selling point for her novels. She always thought this was just a publicity characteristic, until she actually has a paranormal interaction of her own! She is invited to go on a talk show to chat up her new book release when the MMC, Jasper, who she had actually almost had a one night stand with the previous night, asks her to help him with a spirit he believes is trapped in a physics book he cannot get rid of.
Both characters work to find out who is the spirit in the book and how they can banish it so it will stop harassing Jasper. I loved that this spirit would turn Judge Judy on in the early morning hours and wake up Jasper. I'm such a Judge Judy fan lol.
While these characters are working on this mystery, they form a relationship that goes beyond a one night stand and end up falling in love once they can get past their reservations. I did find it tiresome for Kirsty to continue to push Jasper away, which was part of her stereotypical "black cat" character trope. The spice scenes were spicyyy which I wasn't expecting from this cute cover, but I'm not complaining!
The ghost that was revealed to be possessing the book was predictable, which is why I gave this book a 3.5 star rating. Overall, I would recommend this book for readers who like short paranormal romances with spice.
I received this book for review purposes from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An author who mostly writes fiction with paranormal elements meets a man who has a haunted book he has been carrying around and can't get rid of and sparks fly.
The FMC, Kirsty, has been a fictional writer for many years and often has one of her characters have the ability to talk to ghosts. She has also claimed that she is able to communicate with ghosts as a selling point for her novels. She always thought this was just a publicity characteristic, until she actually has a paranormal interaction of her own! She is invited to go on a talk show to chat up her new book release when the MMC, Jasper, who she had actually almost had a one night stand with the previous night, asks her to help him with a spirit he believes is trapped in a physics book he cannot get rid of.
Both characters work to find out who is the spirit in the book and how they can banish it so it will stop harassing Jasper. I loved that this spirit would turn Judge Judy on in the early morning hours and wake up Jasper. I'm such a Judge Judy fan lol.
While these characters are working on this mystery, they form a relationship that goes beyond a one night stand and end up falling in love once they can get past their reservations. I did find it tiresome for Kirsty to continue to push Jasper away, which was part of her stereotypical "black cat" character trope. The spice scenes were spicyyy which I wasn't expecting from this cute cover, but I'm not complaining!
The ghost that was revealed to be possessing the book was predictable, which is why I gave this book a 3.5 star rating. Overall, I would recommend this book for readers who like short paranormal romances with spice.
I received this book for review purposes from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 23, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up
Thank you to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for the free copy of this book!
Initially, I really liked the idea of this book. Jasper and Kirsty meet at a concert and go home together, buuut Jasper is being haunted by a ghost, and this ultimately ruins their night together. The majority of the subsequent story is them trying to figure out why and how to get rid of the ghost. It was definitely a cute story at first.
As the book went on, it became clearer and clearer that there was not much chemistry between these two characters. I struggled with how stiff the dialogue felt, and overall, it sounded like the FMC and MMC kept having the same conversations/arguments over and over. It became tiresome. There’s also quite a bit of miscommunication and with it, some hypocrisy on one character’s part that I was not a fan of.
There are some cozy mystery aspects that kept me going here, but just know that it’s fairly predictable. There is also some spice included.
It ultimately became a slog to read and took me entirely too long to finish. While it fits the theme of a spooky season read, I think there are better options out there for paranormal romances that have characters with more chemistry. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me.
As always, take my (and any book reviewer’s) opinions with a grain of salt. You may love this! It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Thank you to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for the free copy of this book!
Initially, I really liked the idea of this book. Jasper and Kirsty meet at a concert and go home together, buuut Jasper is being haunted by a ghost, and this ultimately ruins their night together. The majority of the subsequent story is them trying to figure out why and how to get rid of the ghost. It was definitely a cute story at first.
As the book went on, it became clearer and clearer that there was not much chemistry between these two characters. I struggled with how stiff the dialogue felt, and overall, it sounded like the FMC and MMC kept having the same conversations/arguments over and over. It became tiresome. There’s also quite a bit of miscommunication and with it, some hypocrisy on one character’s part that I was not a fan of.
There are some cozy mystery aspects that kept me going here, but just know that it’s fairly predictable. There is also some spice included.
It ultimately became a slog to read and took me entirely too long to finish. While it fits the theme of a spooky season read, I think there are better options out there for paranormal romances that have characters with more chemistry. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me.
As always, take my (and any book reviewer’s) opinions with a grain of salt. You may love this! It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
September 20, 2025
This was a good paranormal romance. I liked the overall concept of this book, but I didn’t love the characters in this one and had a hard time connecting with them. I did enjoy the paranormal and mystery aspects of this book. This was a good read for the fall season, but it wasn’t a favorite of mine.
Read this if you like:
📖 Opposites attract
📖 Author FMC
📖 Ghost stories
📖 Some spice
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Read this if you like:
📖 Opposites attract
📖 Author FMC
📖 Ghost stories
📖 Some spice
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
August 14, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a really cute and cozy autumnal paranormal/romance read. The ending was very emotional and wholesome. Overall I very much enjoyed it and think this is the perfect book for a rainy day in the colder months.
October 28, 2025
This was such a great read for this Halloween season. It's full of poltergeist shenanigans and a steamy romance. I loved that this spirit would turn Judge Judy of all things. It was such a funny little tidbit that never failed to make me smile.
I did find it a bit hard to connect with the story, but I think that that was my emotional state and not the book's fault.
Overall, I liked the concept of this book, and the paranormal aspects. This was a good read for the fall season.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the audio ARC!
I did find it a bit hard to connect with the story, but I think that that was my emotional state and not the book's fault.
Overall, I liked the concept of this book, and the paranormal aspects. This was a good read for the fall season.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the audio ARC!
July 14, 2025
✨3.5 stars✨
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Ghost of a Chance, but it was pleasantly a cozy mystery just like the ones that our FMC Kirsty writes! Our story follows Kirsty a faux medium and Jasper who has been carrying around a haunted book since his roommate died five years ago. He corners Kirsty when she is interviewing with his boss about her newest book and the two of them are pulled into a mini series about his haunting and his hope that Kirsty can exorcise his life. These two were very angsty, Jasper is our resident lost boy and Kirsty a goth icon. I liked the story and the premise but I wasn’t the biggest fan of Jasper, he was younger than Kirsty and he drove me pretty bananas with how he wouldn’t tell her all the details of something. That being said I was relieved when they finally got together because I did find them well suited and the spice was a good time! If you are looking for something spooky and fall themed, I’d recommend adding this one to the tbr!
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Ghost of a Chance, but it was pleasantly a cozy mystery just like the ones that our FMC Kirsty writes! Our story follows Kirsty a faux medium and Jasper who has been carrying around a haunted book since his roommate died five years ago. He corners Kirsty when she is interviewing with his boss about her newest book and the two of them are pulled into a mini series about his haunting and his hope that Kirsty can exorcise his life. These two were very angsty, Jasper is our resident lost boy and Kirsty a goth icon. I liked the story and the premise but I wasn’t the biggest fan of Jasper, he was younger than Kirsty and he drove me pretty bananas with how he wouldn’t tell her all the details of something. That being said I was relieved when they finally got together because I did find them well suited and the spice was a good time! If you are looking for something spooky and fall themed, I’d recommend adding this one to the tbr!
July 15, 2025
Finally I was able to down load a copy which contained more than the first three pages!
I received an ARc from NetGalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review.
This had a great premise and combined a gentle paranormal thread along with a romance between the two protagonists. I have enjoyed this author’s stories and I think she writes very well, but I found this a little slow and overwritten at times. There were occasions Imwas thinking - “get a move on already! ‘
I anticipated the ‘surprise’ very early on in the book but that was okay. An enjoyable and emotionally satisfying romance.
I received an ARc from NetGalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review.
This had a great premise and combined a gentle paranormal thread along with a romance between the two protagonists. I have enjoyed this author’s stories and I think she writes very well, but I found this a little slow and overwritten at times. There were occasions Imwas thinking - “get a move on already! ‘
I anticipated the ‘surprise’ very early on in the book but that was okay. An enjoyable and emotionally satisfying romance.
July 16, 2025
An author who writes about ghost stories (and *may* have implied to people she could also communicate with ghosts) finds herself working to exorcise one from a physics book.
Paranormal romance with fun banter and a slow burn. Both cozy and spicy.
Thanks to Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Ghost of a Chance to come out September 30, 2025.
Paranormal romance with fun banter and a slow burn. Both cozy and spicy.
Thanks to Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Ghost of a Chance to come out September 30, 2025.
July 20, 2025
Ghost of a Chance is Katherine Garbera at her best. With its unique plot and unusual (and fun) characters, this hot, sexy story hits all the right spots. Ghost of a Chance is one of my favorites. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
September 15, 2025
Let me start off my saying that I really love this book. At first I was a little put off the fmc, Kirsty. I didn't feel like I really connected to her or her story-- someone who is super cool but chooses to hide so much of themselves away. Still, around 25% of the way into this story, I was hooked on the plot.
I wouldn't classify this as a paranormal romance as much as it is a paranormal story with a romance subplot. The romance here was nice, but it wasn't nearly as cool as the premise of the haunted book and the journey that these characters go on. At times, I almost forgot about the romance between Kirsty and Jasper because the story was so much about their own personal growths.
The author did a great job with this ghost mystery. There was ONE TINY LINE about 75% of the way through that was a lightbulb moment for me about the answer to the mystery. Then I spent the last quarter of the book yelling at the characters for not realizing it.
The narration was a nice fit for Kirsty and Jasper! The narration in the story switches seamlessly between third person limited for K and J, and the narrator was able to keep that seamless feeling.
This is a slow burn, insta-attraction, black cat x golden retriever, ghost story that was a lot of fun and perfect for the start of the fall. I want SO BADLY to give this story 5 stars because it was great, but I feel like it was trying to do two things at once: a ghost mystery and a romance...and while both were good, neither were as great as they could have been with more time and development. Still, this was great and I will be purchasing the book when it's out.
Thank you so much to the author, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. This is my own personal review.
I wouldn't classify this as a paranormal romance as much as it is a paranormal story with a romance subplot. The romance here was nice, but it wasn't nearly as cool as the premise of the haunted book and the journey that these characters go on. At times, I almost forgot about the romance between Kirsty and Jasper because the story was so much about their own personal growths.
The author did a great job with this ghost mystery. There was ONE TINY LINE about 75% of the way through that was a lightbulb moment for me about the answer to the mystery. Then I spent the last quarter of the book yelling at the characters for not realizing it.
The narration was a nice fit for Kirsty and Jasper! The narration in the story switches seamlessly between third person limited for K and J, and the narrator was able to keep that seamless feeling.
This is a slow burn, insta-attraction, black cat x golden retriever, ghost story that was a lot of fun and perfect for the start of the fall. I want SO BADLY to give this story 5 stars because it was great, but I feel like it was trying to do two things at once: a ghost mystery and a romance...and while both were good, neither were as great as they could have been with more time and development. Still, this was great and I will be purchasing the book when it's out.
Thank you so much to the author, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. This is my own personal review.
January 26, 2026
Ghost of a Chance has a genuinely fun and promising setup: she’s pretending to be experienced with the supernatural — a fake medium, essentially — while he is very much being genuinely haunted. If that isn’t the blueprint for a rom-com, I don’t know what is.
That premise is what initially hooked me, and it sets up plenty of opportunities for chaos, humor, and escalating misunderstandings. Unfortunately, while the story does follow through in a technically competent way, the execution stays cute and simple rather than fully leaning into the comedy. Since the book was never going to be a horror anyway, I kept wishing it had gone harder on the comedic beats — more awkward moments, more absurdity, more laugh-out-loud situations born from the contrast between her act and his very real haunting.
Because the direction of the story becomes fairly clear early on, I found myself reading it slowly and mostly picking it up when I had nothing else lined up. It’s not that the book is bad — it’s just not particularly gripping. The narrative moves smoothly, but without enough tension or surprise to make it hard to put down.
That said, it’s still an easy and pleasant read. If you want something light, low-commitment, and straightforward, this book does exactly that. I just wish it had taken more risks with its premise and leaned fully into the rom-com potential it so clearly had.
A decent, middle-of-the-road read — enjoyable in the moment, but ultimately a missed opportunity to be something sharper and funnier.
That premise is what initially hooked me, and it sets up plenty of opportunities for chaos, humor, and escalating misunderstandings. Unfortunately, while the story does follow through in a technically competent way, the execution stays cute and simple rather than fully leaning into the comedy. Since the book was never going to be a horror anyway, I kept wishing it had gone harder on the comedic beats — more awkward moments, more absurdity, more laugh-out-loud situations born from the contrast between her act and his very real haunting.
Because the direction of the story becomes fairly clear early on, I found myself reading it slowly and mostly picking it up when I had nothing else lined up. It’s not that the book is bad — it’s just not particularly gripping. The narrative moves smoothly, but without enough tension or surprise to make it hard to put down.
That said, it’s still an easy and pleasant read. If you want something light, low-commitment, and straightforward, this book does exactly that. I just wish it had taken more risks with its premise and leaned fully into the rom-com potential it so clearly had.
A decent, middle-of-the-road read — enjoyable in the moment, but ultimately a missed opportunity to be something sharper and funnier.
September 9, 2025
3.5 Stars rounded up
Ghost of a Chance is a cozy paranormal romcom with some fun banter and a fair amount of spice! This book was a cute story about an author that writes cozy paranormal mysteries and may or may not be able to communicate with ghosts.
I really enjoyed the storyline of the book and I loved the ending, but I struggled to really connect to the characters. They both continuously didn't share information with each other, and then when the truth comes out they just move on like it didn't matter. While I love how it ended the end felt really rushed especially with how slowly and detailed they were with the rest of the story.
Overall a nice ghosty story to get me in the mood for fall!
Thank you Netgalley and Lia Katherine Garbera for the Audio ARC. My thoughts and review are my own and have not been biased by the fact.
Ghost of a Chance is a cozy paranormal romcom with some fun banter and a fair amount of spice! This book was a cute story about an author that writes cozy paranormal mysteries and may or may not be able to communicate with ghosts.
I really enjoyed the storyline of the book and I loved the ending, but I struggled to really connect to the characters. They both continuously didn't share information with each other, and then when the truth comes out they just move on like it didn't matter. While I love how it ended the end felt really rushed especially with how slowly and detailed they were with the rest of the story.
Overall a nice ghosty story to get me in the mood for fall!
Thank you Netgalley and Lia Katherine Garbera for the Audio ARC. My thoughts and review are my own and have not been biased by the fact.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2025
Paranormal / Supernatural Romance | Mystery | Ghost | College Romance | Spicy Cozy Romantic Comedy | Thirty-Something FMC
The blurb, cover, and title drew me to this book. But it was a real struggle for me to find a hook to keep me atuned to the story. It should have been a quick read, but after trying to read and get into it after 4 hours and not getting any further than 10% was a little alarming. Less than 300 pages should have taken me a max of 6 hours to read (non-stop). Despite this, I pushed on... but alas decided to stop at 27% as it was just flat and detached for me, which was disappointing as the description seemed so interesting.
DNF🌟 eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Afterglow Books / Harlequin Romance
The blurb, cover, and title drew me to this book. But it was a real struggle for me to find a hook to keep me atuned to the story. It should have been a quick read, but after trying to read and get into it after 4 hours and not getting any further than 10% was a little alarming. Less than 300 pages should have taken me a max of 6 hours to read (non-stop). Despite this, I pushed on... but alas decided to stop at 27% as it was just flat and detached for me, which was disappointing as the description seemed so interesting.
DNF🌟 eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Afterglow Books / Harlequin Romance
October 2, 2025
It took me some time to get into the dialogue between the MCs but the storyline itself was good! At 70% I had a “aha!” moment and sped through the remainder of the story. I liked the setting and the vibes and think it’s a perfect October read.
You could tell that Jasper was younger than Kristy but they complimented each other nicely. I love that they both were so connected to their moms. And that their jobs and extracurricular activities both tied them to her.
Thank you NetGalley, harlequin romance, and Katherine Garbera for the ARC opportunity!
You could tell that Jasper was younger than Kristy but they complimented each other nicely. I love that they both were so connected to their moms. And that their jobs and extracurricular activities both tied them to her.
Thank you NetGalley, harlequin romance, and Katherine Garbera for the ARC opportunity!
September 1, 2025
"If there was one thing she understood better than most it was how a missing person could take up more of your life than the people who were in it every day."
this was a cute read, but I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the main characters… and they both annoyed me a bit, so maybe that was why I didn’t love their romance.
I quite liked the mystery, it’s definitely the best part of this book. and the halloween and new england vibes were immaculate, I could feel the crisp days coming.
however, the ending and epilogue felt really rushed and the pop culture references were also a bit of a miss, mostly because there were typos in the names or they weren’t referenced correctly (Darth Vadar twice? House of Dragons instead of House of the Dragon, etc).
all in all it was an enjoyable read which would be better had I read it during october because the autumn vibes in it are perfect, but I wasn’t sad to leave these characters behind.
thanks to the author for the ARC
this was a cute read, but I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the main characters… and they both annoyed me a bit, so maybe that was why I didn’t love their romance.
I quite liked the mystery, it’s definitely the best part of this book. and the halloween and new england vibes were immaculate, I could feel the crisp days coming.
however, the ending and epilogue felt really rushed and the pop culture references were also a bit of a miss, mostly because there were typos in the names or they weren’t referenced correctly (Darth Vadar twice? House of Dragons instead of House of the Dragon, etc).
all in all it was an enjoyable read which would be better had I read it during october because the autumn vibes in it are perfect, but I wasn’t sad to leave these characters behind.
thanks to the author for the ARC
November 29, 2025
This was such a cosy read and everything I needed. I couldn’t put this book down. I loved getting to know the characters and see their relationships develop. Definitely a cosy read for the winter. I’ll definitely be back for more.
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September 12, 2025Title: Ghost Of A Chance
Author: Katherine Garbera
Synopsis: Kirsty Henson is an expert at one faking it. A mystery writer with a hit series, she knows her success relies on pretending she can talk to ghosts. It’s all fun and games until a steamy casual encounter sends Jasper Cotton careening into her life.
Jasper is haunted…literally. His college roommate’s spirit is trapped in an old physics book. Desperate for a solution, Jasper turns to Kirsty for help. But during their investigation, neither can deny the supernatural or romantic sparks!
Between a ghost who won’t quit, Kirsty’s big secret and a mystery tied to Jasper’s past, they’re in for more than otherworldly flirtations. With a little help from the beyond, Kirsty and Jasper are about to discover the only thing stronger than life or death might just be love.
Review: I wanted to love it but I couldn’t the premise was promising but the characters themselves felt very juvenile and it was hard to picture them as 30 and 25 years old. This romance felt way too fast and I didn’t believe it! I did enjoy the paranormal/ mystery aspect but the romance fell flat. However, I must commend the audiobook narrator who did a wonderful job!
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to listen to this arc in advance!
Author: Katherine Garbera
Synopsis: Kirsty Henson is an expert at one faking it. A mystery writer with a hit series, she knows her success relies on pretending she can talk to ghosts. It’s all fun and games until a steamy casual encounter sends Jasper Cotton careening into her life.
Jasper is haunted…literally. His college roommate’s spirit is trapped in an old physics book. Desperate for a solution, Jasper turns to Kirsty for help. But during their investigation, neither can deny the supernatural or romantic sparks!
Between a ghost who won’t quit, Kirsty’s big secret and a mystery tied to Jasper’s past, they’re in for more than otherworldly flirtations. With a little help from the beyond, Kirsty and Jasper are about to discover the only thing stronger than life or death might just be love.
Review: I wanted to love it but I couldn’t the premise was promising but the characters themselves felt very juvenile and it was hard to picture them as 30 and 25 years old. This romance felt way too fast and I didn’t believe it! I did enjoy the paranormal/ mystery aspect but the romance fell flat. However, I must commend the audiobook narrator who did a wonderful job!
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to listen to this arc in advance!
September 26, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin audio for this audiobook.
I really loved the premise of this book. The MFC, Kristy, is a cozy mystery writer and she has this series where the main character talks to ghosts. The thing is that her fans also think she has that ability, but does she really? One night, she goes to a concert and meets a guy, Jasper, and they hit it off. They go back to his place for a one night but things start going off, because in a shocking turn of evennts, Jasper is actually haunted. When he realises who she really is the next day, he pleads for her to help the ghost cross.
You see, this was a fantastic premise for me. I love myself some slightly spooky romance. I think it's a perfect nod to my paranormal days. Where this was lacking, is that I was never hooked on the characters or felt like they had actually something growing between eachother.
They both had a great evolution in the story and healed in different ways through the book which was great to read, but I didn't feel the need for them to end up together. They just kept hiding stuff from eachother and it bothered me.
The narration wasn't one of my favorite, I didn't feel like it matched the characters much and sometimes while listening I had a harder time distinguishing which pov we were following.
I think this is a fun and easy romance if you're looking for something laid back.
I really loved the premise of this book. The MFC, Kristy, is a cozy mystery writer and she has this series where the main character talks to ghosts. The thing is that her fans also think she has that ability, but does she really? One night, she goes to a concert and meets a guy, Jasper, and they hit it off. They go back to his place for a one night but things start going off, because in a shocking turn of evennts, Jasper is actually haunted. When he realises who she really is the next day, he pleads for her to help the ghost cross.
You see, this was a fantastic premise for me. I love myself some slightly spooky romance. I think it's a perfect nod to my paranormal days. Where this was lacking, is that I was never hooked on the characters or felt like they had actually something growing between eachother.
They both had a great evolution in the story and healed in different ways through the book which was great to read, but I didn't feel the need for them to end up together. They just kept hiding stuff from eachother and it bothered me.
The narration wasn't one of my favorite, I didn't feel like it matched the characters much and sometimes while listening I had a harder time distinguishing which pov we were following.
I think this is a fun and easy romance if you're looking for something laid back.
September 24, 2025
This is my first time reading a book by Katherine Garbera. It definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to find her back list. I love finding new authors. I was glued to my headphones listening to this super fun and well crafted story. The characters were very well developed. The character growth was top notch along with the writing and the conflict. I listened to this entire book in one day. The plot was just fun and unique.
This was such an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this for a fun fall listen.
Kirsty is a writer of ghost mysteries while Jasper works at a tv station and is stuck with a ghost in his old roommate’s physics book. I loved Jasper and Kirsty’s connection, and the spicy scenes were hot. These two get tangled into a mystery of their own trying to get Jasper’s old roommate to leave Jasper alone. I loved all the ghostly aspects especially Judge Judy. There was lots of good emotion and humor in this story. The narrator did a great job bringing this story to life!
I received this book from Harlequin Audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This was such an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this for a fun fall listen.
Kirsty is a writer of ghost mysteries while Jasper works at a tv station and is stuck with a ghost in his old roommate’s physics book. I loved Jasper and Kirsty’s connection, and the spicy scenes were hot. These two get tangled into a mystery of their own trying to get Jasper’s old roommate to leave Jasper alone. I loved all the ghostly aspects especially Judge Judy. There was lots of good emotion and humor in this story. The narrator did a great job bringing this story to life!
I received this book from Harlequin Audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2025
I was looking forward to this book after reading the premise.
It's a pass.
This book is so clunky and stiff. There isn't much to it, honestly. There's no personality, no chemistry, and no reason for a haunting. There was also no depth anywhere.
This book reads like the author is a bit older and is trying to be cool (the Star Wars references all the time? For who?). Also, the narrator sounds old so it felt like my mother was reading a book written about twenty-somethings. It was rough. Also, you lose a lot when you don't have a male narrator for a male POV.
I looked forward to this but it was a flop. Sorry.
It's a pass.
This book is so clunky and stiff. There isn't much to it, honestly. There's no personality, no chemistry, and no reason for a haunting. There was also no depth anywhere.
This book reads like the author is a bit older and is trying to be cool (the Star Wars references all the time? For who?). Also, the narrator sounds old so it felt like my mother was reading a book written about twenty-somethings. It was rough. Also, you lose a lot when you don't have a male narrator for a male POV.
I looked forward to this but it was a flop. Sorry.
September 22, 2025
Story: 2 ⭐️
Steam: 3 🔥
Audio: 2 🎧
Ok so unfortunately this was a miss for me.
I think it’s partially the story/writing itself but also a big issue I had was the narrator. From the beginning the narrator sounded way too old for the characters. The writing already felt like an older person writing as a young character. It just felt weird. Then the narrator just made that more pronounced. No one wants their grandma reading smut to them 😅
While the plot was interesting, it was just kinda boring in execution. The romance was meh. I didn’t really like either MC so that was tough to get through.
Unfortunately this one was a pass for me.
Steam: 3 🔥
Audio: 2 🎧
Ok so unfortunately this was a miss for me.
I think it’s partially the story/writing itself but also a big issue I had was the narrator. From the beginning the narrator sounded way too old for the characters. The writing already felt like an older person writing as a young character. It just felt weird. Then the narrator just made that more pronounced. No one wants their grandma reading smut to them 😅
While the plot was interesting, it was just kinda boring in execution. The romance was meh. I didn’t really like either MC so that was tough to get through.
Unfortunately this one was a pass for me.
October 7, 2025
I was drawn in by the premise of the book, and stayed for the sweet and paranormal vibes. Kirsty and Jasper had me hooked from their meet cute at the concert and almost hookup to re-meeting in very different circumstances. I liked watching Kirsty try to navigate her fictional clairvoyant persona with a very real ghost/haunting. I loved how sweet Jasper is and appreciated his journey through his grief. This was a sweet and cozy fall read for sure, but it still brought the tears out at the end.
September 15, 2025
DNF 48%
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I wanted to love this because the premise was so intriguing, but it just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t seem to connect with either main character and kept putting the book down to read something else.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I wanted to love this because the premise was so intriguing, but it just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t seem to connect with either main character and kept putting the book down to read something else.
July 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
This was a super cute paranormal romance. It had great spooky season vibes, but it was definitely more focused on the romance.
I really loved the two main characters, they were so lovable from the very beginning. The side characters were also great and added to the story.
The book was also very funny and fun, I had a great time reading this.
This was a super cute paranormal romance. It had great spooky season vibes, but it was definitely more focused on the romance.
I really loved the two main characters, they were so lovable from the very beginning. The side characters were also great and added to the story.
The book was also very funny and fun, I had a great time reading this.
October 3, 2025
in honor of the spooky season.
This one delivers exactly what it promises, it's kind of like a Hallmark Christmas movie, that instead takes place during Halloween and modifies it's tropes after that.
Didn't feel so much for the characters, or the mystery really. It was very predictable and I had it figured out halfway through. But still a fun quick read for the season that doesn't do too much.
This one delivers exactly what it promises, it's kind of like a Hallmark Christmas movie, that instead takes place during Halloween and modifies it's tropes after that.
Didn't feel so much for the characters, or the mystery really. It was very predictable and I had it figured out halfway through. But still a fun quick read for the season that doesn't do too much.
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