Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall

Ghosts of Rowan Vale #1

by Sharon Booth

The first in a delightfully warm, cosy and romantic new series with a fantasy twist, for fans of the BBC series Ghosts. Can Callie give some needy ghosts their happy-ever-afterlife, while making Rowan Vale her own forever home?

When single mum Callie visits Rowan Vale with her daughter, she is enchanted. The beautiful Cotswold village is run as a living museum, allowing tourists to see history in action. But there's more to the place than meets the eye...

To the residents' surprise, Callie is observed talking to several villagers she simply shouldn’t be able to see - as they’re ghosts.

The elderly owner of the village, Sir Lawrence Davenport, then makes an astonishing offer: to sell Callie the whole estate for a tiny sum, if she agrees to protect the village’s present tenants and its headstrong spirits.

With a spectral lord of the manor and his imperious wife, a naughty 1940s schoolgirl and William Shakespeare's former tutor among them, it seems Callie’s role as owner wouldn’t be easy.

And that’s without the added complication of Sir Lawrence’s disinherited grandson, the gorgeous Brodie.

Rowan Vale and Callie may need each other. But is this a match made in heaven or hell?

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Fiction, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Chick Lit

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2025

Reviews

[Alina ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm, comforting read with a touch of ghostly charm. I really enjoyed the setting—Harling Hall was atmospheric and full of character. The mix of quirky, heartfelt characters (both living and spiritual) made for an engaging and feel-good story.

Sharon Booth balances humor, emotion, and a light supernatural thread beautifully. My only small gripe was that the pacing dipped a bit in the middle, but overall, this was a lovely escape.

Perfect for fans of cozy fiction with a whimsical twist.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Liked the ghosts more!

When single mother Callie Chase visits Rowan Vale on a school trip, the last thing she expects is to see ghosts. Turns out, the elderly Sir Lawrence Davenport, the village head, can also see them and has been their keeper for years. He even offers to sell the place to Callie for a teeny sum so that she could be his successor.

After much hesitation, Callie agrees. However, becoming the new owner of a village filled with humans and ghosts is easier said than done! Can she handle the responsibilities? Will the ghosts accept her?

The story comes in (mostly) Callie’s first-person POV and the third-person POV of another character.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the series, so it takes some time to set the stage and introduce us to various characters, living and dead. The cast is pretty large, so you may want to make notes.

The ghosts are pretty quirky and have distinct personalities. In fact, I liked them more than some of our living folk! Florrie is a little monkey, though you can’t help but fall in love with her.

While it took me a lot of time to warm up to Callie, I loved Immi pretty soon (not at the beginning, but when she gets a dialogue). I tried my best to empathize with the FMC, but it wasn’t easy. Though she has good intentions, her approach is a bit all over the place.

Immi, on the other hand, is a delight to read. I so wished she would have more space in the book. She sometimes acts like a tween but is a really lovely girl. Mia is another character I like a lot.
Bordie is the male main lead, though I didn’t see him as anything other than a trope – the handsome, brooding guy with a soft heart. Good that romance isn’t central to the plot, and I read this for the ghosts. Otherwise, the rating would have tanked.

The pacing is uneven. The first half is spent on the setting, but quite a few things happen in the second half. This doesn’t leave space for the romance to develop organically. Since this is any way to be a series, maybe we could have limited this one to attraction and ended it in a slightly different manner.

To summarize, Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall has an interesting premise and even more interesting ghosts in a beautiful village. It deals with important themes like self-esteem, found family, friendships, etc. I’m curious to see what the next book will deal with!

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #KindredSpiritsatHarlingHall

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day—cozy, comforting, and promising something sweet. I was fully on board for the vibes: a haunted old village, a sprinkle of charm, and what seemed to be an easy, heartwarming read. And for readers looking for just that—a light, breezy escape—this book might just hit the spot.

Let’s talk pros first:
👻 It’s perfect if you're in the mood for something low-stakes and easy to digest.
👻 The side characters were hands-down the highlight! They were fun, eccentric, and added flavour when the main plot started to… well, fizzle. Honestly, the side characters carried this book on their fictional backs.

Now for the not-so-cozy cons:
🎃 The main romance? Yikes. The love interest felt like a different person in every chapter—mysterious and charming one minute, dull and vague the next. Was he rewritten mid-draft? Who knows. The only thing that's certain? He changed his personality based on the scene the author wanted to write.
🎃 Insta-love is a hard sell, and I still don’t understand how people fall in love within a month, especially when all they do is tiptoe around haunted hallways and miscommunicate.
🎃 Speaking of plot… where was it? Apart from chatting with ghosts and awkward bonding moments, not much really happened.
🎃 Everyone in this book (except the unrealistically rational 11-year-old daughter) seemed to have left their common sense in another draft.
🎃 The world was full of quirky townsfolk and ghostly encounters, which helped set the scene, but many character introductions went nowhere. Like being handed puzzle pieces to a puzzle that doesn’t exist.
🎃 And the emotional drama? It felt less like meaningful character development and more like a filler arc. Combine that with endless miscommunication and a frustrating level of stubbornness from literally every character, and this story could’ve been at least 100 pages shorter with no real loss.

Final thoughts:
Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall had the bones of a charming ghostly tale, but the heart of it got a bit lost in melodrama and uneven writing. If you’re here for the vibes and quirky side characters—go for it! Just don’t expect too much from the plot or romance.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Seriously so cozy and sweet!
If you’ve seen the show “Ghosts” and enjoyed it, you will absolutely eat this book up!

Just like most cozy style books, it is very slow moving. It took me a bit to fully get invested but I’m so glad I stuck it out!

Callie is a very stubborn and insecure woman, frustratingly I saw a lot of myself in her. 😂 But taking the chance on moving to the estate when it fell to her, she opened up an amazing new world that was far from “normal” (iykyk).

Reading her come to terms with her reality and gift after being so ashamed of it for so long, and seeing how truly beautiful it was through the eyes of her daughter… loved it.

I was so excited to realize at the end of the book that this was going to be a series. Soooo glad about that because I’m DYING to know more about the ghosts! And I have a prediction for Brodie that I am very curious to see if I’m correct.

My only gripe is that the romance felt a bit rushed and forced. I could have used more pining, longing glances, forced proximity, etc. The romance plot truly didn’t turn up until the 80% mark and I could have done without it, but I think I can see where it’s leading to be more prevalent in the next book. Totally fine with that, I just could have used more pining. Lol

If you liked “Ghosts” the show, and like cozy paranormal/fantasy books I cannot recommend this enough.

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow my blog, you know that I am a fan of the tv show Ghosts, both the BBC and the US versions. So that little bit in the blurb had me signing up to review this one right away! This is a cozy little story with a bit of romance and lots of fun ghosts to get to know, definitely reminding me in a way of that tv show.

Callie starts out thinking about how nice it would be if only she could have enough money to have a nice home for her and her daughter with a yard, or garden as they call it in England I believe. Then, when her being able to see ghosts turns into the opportunity to actually get these things, at first she doesn’t want to take it. You see growing up, her parents had shamed her about being able to see ghosts, they didn’t really believe her, and eventually she did so much to ignore the ghosts, that as far as she knew, she didn’t see them anymore. But coming on a field trip as a chaperone with her daughter to Harling Hall, a place set in the past, partly because of all the ghosts there, and her ability to ignore them is gone. You see this place has a tradition of whoever owns it is someone who can see the ghosts and talk to them, etc. Now these ghosts are from ALL time periods and of course did die around the location. There is an ancient Roman centurion, a soldiers from world war I, and people who lived during world war 2. Models from the 60s, and even a Hollywood starlet. All ages as well, elderly, teens, and children.

Soon she realizes that taking the estate for the measly price of 10 pounds, the contract has always been to sell the estate to the next owner for that little, well it is going to be in the best interest for both her and her daughter. Callie has other issues that make it hard for her to want to just take over this enormous new responsibility. Such as dyslexia, and just not having ever been a part of something like this. The current owner/residents, Sir Lawrence Davenport, or Lawrie, and his grandson Brodie, are great to have around, and she asks them to stay, but as it’s never been done that way, and Lawrie is very much a stickler, they say they can’t.

All of the different ghosts have their stories, some funny, some sad, some just very unique and with interesting historical connections. There’s a bit of an attraction between Callie and Brodie, but of course with Brodie being about to leave, both kind of agree there’s no use in starting anything. So this of course leads to longing and frustration as it comes down to the very moment when one of them must say something. There’s a bit of miscommunication with that, of course. The romance is limited to a few kisses and some tingly feelings when Callie thinks about Brodie and kissing him.

I definitely enjoyed the story, and am interested in seeing how this will become a series as it says this is the first one. Will we continue with Callie and Brodie and Immy, her daughter, and how the ghosts are around the property? I mean, like the tv show? Or will there be another romance? Maybe Mia? I’ll definitely be interested to see where it goes next!

Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is entertaining and cozy! Callie is a single mom who visited Rowan Vale with her daughter, Immy. They can see ghosts, and Rowan Vale needed a new owner who can take care of the manor house, the village, and the residents who are living and dead. Callie and Immy agreed move to Rowan Vale and take over the manor house. Brody Davenport's family have been the caretakers for generations, but he did not inherit the sight. The ghosts were really fun! They were well written and had different personalities that just worked well. I liked Callie, Brody and Immy! The romance between Callie and Brody was cute, but I needed a little more on page time between them. Still, this one is worth a read!

[Jennifer Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this cozy paranormal romance! I loved the character development between all the characters and you were able to see many sides to each character. I am eager to learn more about the residents of Rowan Vale! The stubbornness of many of the characters both living and dead were frustrating, although I was able to see how that stubbornness moved the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC copy!

[Jitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

This was such a delight to read. As all cozy books it was quite slow, but it did not bother me at all.

Callie can see ghosts. Not just the ones from her family, but all. This makes her the perfect successor of the estate. Reckless as she is, she dives in head first bringing her daughter Immi along. She learns how to deal with the estate, her own problems and the grandson of the old landlord.

Now, for what I liked. I absolutely adored the vibes. It was all so cozy, fun and delightful. I really enjoyed the ghosts. They all come from different time periods and they act accordingly to that, from the way they dress to the way they talk. Imogen was such a fun character, maybe sometimes a bit old for her age, but she was my absolute favourite.

Callie, however, she was quite annoying at times. Her approach was all over the place and so not consistent that it low-key made me mad at one point. And another thing I disliked is personal at it is just part of the whole cozy thing. I’d love for there to be a bit more conflict, that is more difficult to overcome.

Overall, an absolute delight to read and I’d recommend it fully!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shall I start with the setting? If Rowan Vale, nestled in the beautiful Cotswolds, was a real place, I’d have immediately booked a short break to pay it a visit – it’s beautifully described, a living history museum, somewhere I know I’d love. Single mum Callie really wants to spend more time with her daughter Immi, and that’s how she finds herself there as one of the parents accompanying her class on a school outing. She assumes the pair of soldiers brawling on the station platform at Harling’s Halt are actors employed by the estate, but it doesn’t create the best first impression. And when exploring the estate, she’s surprised to see barefoot children behaving particularly badly – and decides to visit the Hall to make an official complaint.

But she’s just the person ailing and elderly Sir Lawrence Davenport has been waiting for – they’re not actors but ghosts, and he’s ready to hand over the management of the estate to someone who’s able to see and engage with them, and to make sure they’ll be looked after into the future. For a nominal payment, he’ll do a handover and move on – it’s the way things have always been done, and how he came to be managing the estate – although that doesn’t go down too well with his distinctly fanciable but very disgruntled grandson Brodie, who’s rather more reluctant to give up his home. But the deal is sealed, and Callie starts to find out – with some trepidation – what her job entails.

With the help of a rather lovely model village and a few friendly villagers, she finds there are a large number of ghosts to be looked after, and not all of them delighted with the change of ownership. Some live with them at the Hall – a pair of old retainers (one far more welcoming than the other) and one of those misbehaving children – but many others are scattered around the estate, including a Roman soldier, a former teacher of William Shakespeare, an irate clergyman, a Hollywood actress, and a former barman at the local pub. She feels the need to approach the task in her own way, while ruffling more than a few feathers – but slowly builds bridges with Brodie, indispensable for a whole range of tasks around the estate, and someone she becomes increasingly attracted to.

I’m slipping into telling the story, and I really mustn’t – but I must say that I found the whole book a total delight. Callie herself, often very much out of her depth, is so very likeable – and I really loved her daughter Immi, taking things far more in her stride than her mother could ever have imagined or hoped for. The whole story is something so very different, the product of a wonderful imagination – and all the characters, whether ghostly or not, superbly drawn, along with all their relationships and interactions. And Callie’s developing romance with Brodie was beautifully handled – gentle and slow-burn, but with an attraction you could really feel.

As a standalone, it’s a thoroughly lovely read – but also the most perfect first book in a new series, and I’m so looking forward to the next one. I should mention, I think, that I’ve never seen the TV series Ghosts – if it has a similar premise, maybe I should, but it’s certainly not essential. And I’m a touch ashamed to say that I’ve never read anything by Laurie Gilmore or Lucy Jane Wood either – but this was a book and storyline that I absolutely loved, tremendously engaging, and I honestly couldn’t recommend it more highly.

[Lisa Rackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story and cannot wait to read the second one 🙈. So different a romantic comedy with a supernatural twist along with a serious feel good factor.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Callie Chase has the struggle of trying to balance work life with raising her child Immi as a single mother with the added complication of being able to see and communicate with ghosts. She’s reminded of this fact chaperoning a school trip after repressing it as a child, and ends up the owner of a manor and the person that ghosts in the village of Rowan Vale turn to if they have problems.

Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall by Sharon Booth is a very laidback, cosy story that would probably be more appropriate debuting at Halloween given the subject matter! The ghosts are the best part of the story, naturally, and the fun is whenever they’re on the scene. It might actually serve the author to include a little who’s who in the next volume to help keep everyone straight, as there’s a large cast of both living and dead, but with stories like this, lots of characters are a good thing. Keeps the door open for all sorts of future hijinks and all that.

I had a few things I didn’t love with the story, however. I think the switch in narrator could have been handled more deftly, like in the beginning when Callie sees the three children and the next chapter it’s from their viewpoint. The dialogue is repeated, and it feels repetitive because I JUST finished reading that. It might have been better if it had simply gone straight to them rather than been from Callie’s viewpoint at all.

Another thing: Callie is kind of rude. She didn’t read the instructions for the care of the village and manor (sure she’s got a disability, but she should have made an effort? Brodie even created a more manageable guide she did not read entirely) and then she flew off the handle about things that she’d understand if she would have taken the time to view the information. She also expected to be IMMEDIATELY seen as an authority and taken seriously when she JUST stepped into the role; I think it would take anyone a period of adjustment to get used to dealing with a new person instead of the people you’ve turned to for decades/your entire life.

She’s also explicitly told to defer to and respect ghost’s wishes—it’s why she’s needed in the first place—so she decided to repeatedly try to run roughshod over Agnes and then Lawrie, getting in a snit about it being HER house now. I know Agnes isn’t very welcoming, and Callie was right, but Callie was downright nasty to her and what she said later on about her and Florrie to Lawrie is reprehensible. Just completely gross. And then to boot she wanted to restrict her own daughter, trying to keep her at home or at school and away from any contact with ghosts because SHE had bad experiences; I get it’s a sort of “oh no, im doing what my parents did” type deal, but it’s still frustrating. I think if I knew Callie personally, I’d have some BIG quarrels with her.

The relationship between Brodie and Callie was nonexistent. It felt like any sort of moments that could show the deepening of their feelings happened off-page. They didn’t really spend much time together, and so their mutual anguish at the thought of parting didn’t make me yearn for them to sort out their misunderstandings and make a confession to each other.

A positive: LOVE the whole notion of a ghost found family/adopted family. Aubrey, Agnes, and Florrie’s connection was so, so sweet.

This book series has a lot of potential, and I think it could be something really fun. It’s worth a shot now, and I’m excited to see how the world will flesh out in further volumes.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

So let’s digest the rollercoaster ride I went through while reading this book.

The first 30% was so relaxing that I was convinced it would be a solid 4/5 read. It gave off cozy Melinda Gordon vibes, and as a big Ghost Whisperer fan, I immediately sank into the story and world. Unfortunately, that was a bit premature.

By the time I hit 40%, reality set in. I also realized just how much of a blasphemy the main character is. She’s infuriating, alright? And since the book is told almost entirely from her point of view, I felt stuck with her. I just refuse to accept that her child, Imogen, has more common sense than Callie. Honestly, probably Florrie does too.

I have a problem with characters (and people, to be honest) who assume things and then act on those assumptions instead of having grown-up conversations. Last time I checked, Callie was supposed to be an adult.

Meanwhile, Callie just assumes everything, she’s rude to everyone, and her attitude and decision-making make me think she’s about as bright as a blackout. Her character seems to be built out of three things: financial issues, being a bad mother, and a traumatic childhood.

I was hoping my interest in Brodie and some of the ghosts would balance out my issues with Callie, but it didn’t. The deeper you get into the story, the more inauthentic the dialogue feels, the more inconsistent and bland the characters become, and their decisions and feelings start bending unnaturally to serve the plot—with no clear, on-page development or emotional revelation to justify it.

What bothered me the most is that Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall lacks any real action or progression in the plot. I honestly don’t understand how, in the second half of the book, literally nothing happened. Nothing. The entire book revolves around the setting we have been introduced to in the beginning, and if you've read the first few chapters, you've basically read the next twenty.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the ARC!

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie accompanies her daughter and other school children on a trip to Rowan Vale, and falls in love with the Cotswold village. She also sees strangely dressed people, and is seen speaking with villagers that she should not be able to see at all, and who turn out to be ghosts.

The owner of the village, Sir Lawrence Davenport, in consultation with the ghosts and his grandson, make Callie a strange offer: he'll sell the entire village to her for a miniscule amount, as long as she agrees to move there and protect its ghosts.

Callie and her daughter accept the offer, and pretty soon Callie is up to her eyeballs in strong personalities and traditions the ghosts and the living are reluctant to change or break, even if it would mean their lives could be improved. Callie eventually wins everyone over, and even finds romance with Brodie, Davenport's grandson.

The story is cozy, romantic, and sweet. It's soothing because ultimately people see the errors of their ways, or agree to work together, or put aside conflicts, and things are solved and people are happy. Callie becomes more confident over the course of the story (she's suffering from a lack of self esteem at the book's outset), the setting seems idyllic, and the story explores found family (one of my favourite tropes) over the course of the novel.

3.5 stars.

This is the first in a series, and I'll probably be checking out book two.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Mel]

I loved this book so much. It was such a heartwarming story, and all the characters were so interesting. Rowan Vale, it's history, and the ghosts who live there are all well developed and make the story more interesting. This story did have a cosy feel to it based on the village setting, but the stakes were very much real, and there were several internal and external conflicts throughout. I think the author did well at making this story unique. I really liked how it worked and how the owner of Harling Hall had to be able to see ghosts. Rowan Vale was such a nice place and a great setting. I just had a great time with this book. My only complaint was that it ended! In the last chapter, I wanted to read more and more. The antics that the ghosts get up to and the mischief they caused was so fun to read about. The romance subplot was so cute and complimented the story well and fit in with everything else going on. I don't want to give too much away, but I think this is a great book for anyone who loves historical fiction or just stories with supernatural elements.

If you enjoyed the TV show ghosts, then you will definitely enjoy this book. But the book is unique in how it tells the story of the ghosts and the village of Rowan Vale.

Thank you to the author and Boldwood Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghosts and beautiful estate fall into a woman’s lap after a chance meeting. But talking to ghosts and dealing with the property is not as easy as it seems. Finding her way she becomes my main problem in the story, her character felt too pushy and a stickler for the rules. Multiple situations where her opinions went against others and her managing to overrule them. Not that anything she thought was wrong but the way she went about everything was not for me. The characters were interesting especially being able to read the ghost pov, I loved that the FMC was able to change things. Noticing that things were not right she gave them a more comfortable afterlife and I see her doing more. Which is why it bothered me so much that I don’t like her personality lol. The romance in the story felt forced, not much of a connection with the MMC. They have interactions and you can see it lead somewhere but it’s rushed at the end and we miss seeing yearning, chemistry and spark between the characters. I can definitely see myself reading more of the series I just hope the author takes more time building connections with the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books publishing I received a ARC for an honest review !

[Tigs ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ☆:– Thanks NetGalley for this ARC! 👻💐🌲✨

Overall this was such a cute and cozy paranormal read — easy to get into and enjoyable overall. The characters were likeable (special shoutout to Brodie and Florie, who were both absolute sweethearts).

I loved the setting ��� a charming manor in the Cotswolds that Callie inherits, complete with a found family dynamic. While the plot wasn’t particularly eventful, I still loved reading about the resident ghosts, their fascinating pasts, and the village life.

Florie’s character development was the best for me — her story was interesting, and her growth throughout the book was chef’s kiss perfection 😗.

That said, I struggled to warm to the main character, Callie. While her stress was understandable given the pressure she faced, she often came across as quite self-centred and, at times, unnecessarily rude. Like me personally if I was to receive a whole estate that was in the cotsworld, you best believe I would be the happiest thing aliveeee.

As for the romance … I didn’t really feel much chemistry between Brodie and Callie. For most of the book, it leaned more towards a paranormal story, with the romance only kicking in during the last 15–20%. Their connection felt a bit forced, and I’d have loved to see their relationship explored in more depth.

All in all, a cozy and entertaining read — perfect for fans of gentle paranormal stories with a touch of found family charm! I feel like if you enjoy Laurie Gilmores books you would enjoy this sort of read. 🫶😛

[Staci (stacisbookishprobs) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a chance to read this early!

Lately I have really come to love more cozy types stories unfortunately this one just wasn’t a hit for me.

I only have 2 really major complaints about this book and the first is nothing remotely happens for the first 50% of this book. I know it’s a cozy story but I did expect something at least interesting to happen and it did not. I guess this is more slice of life type of story which might not be my thing. My second major complaint is Callie, our main character. I found her just kinda awful. There was just something about how she spoke to people that just really rubbed me the wrong way.

The part I did enjoy from this story was all the ghosts. I really would’ve liked to got to know them more in this book. I found their personalities so interesting.

Overall just wasn’t the book for me. I see why people have enjoyed it so far but I just wanted more

[Leandra Bramham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This was a nice book which flowed along well for an easy read but I felt it could have been so much more.

I really didn’t gel with the protagonist, Callie. I had hoped this character would develop throughout the book but she didn’t and even the love interest felt forced and I found that I didn’t care whether they got together or not.

I hoped that the take of multiple ghosts from different eras interacting with the living cast members would add an interest depth to the plot but it didn’t, it just seemed to tick along.

I really loved that the author didn’t go over the top with the hauntings, that would have been an easy route to go down, so I really appreciated that she didn’t do this just for the “Hollywood” affect.

It was however, a cosy and twee (in the right way) read and I would definitely read other books by this author.

[Loveann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this so much, but I just didn't. The book started off great, we got a lot of information about the characters and the village. And then around 30% it just dropped off. It didn't feel like the story was progressing and if it was, it was at a snails pace. At first I didn't love the ghosts POV, but I ended up enjoying them a lot more than Callie's. Callie was just a main character I didn't connect with and she kept saying the wrong things at the wrong time. Over and over again. How many times did she tell Brodie that he was lucky he couldn't see ghosts and then a rift would grow between them? With that being said, normally a good romance can make up an iffy plot for me, but not this time. I love cozy paranormal romance books, but this one didn't hit the mark for me.

[Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

Looking for a cute and cozy story featuring ghosts? This was such an amazing read! I finished this all in one day. The background of the ghosts and their involvement in the storyline is incredible. The characters are so real and relatable, yet it remains whimsical. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though it is not what I’ve been reading lately. I’m looking forward to the next books in this series!

4.5 stars!

[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

All single mom Callie wants is to spend more time with her growing daughter, Immi. And while a lot of things are spread thin at their home (time and money, for example), the last thing Callie wants is for Immi to grow up feeling anything but loved. So, when the opportunity arises for her to assist with a school trip to the village of Rowan Vale, Callie takes the chance without thinking twice. And, at first, everything seems better than perfect; the village practically oozes charm, the children are relatively well-behaved, and so what if there are misbehaving actors at the train station?

However, when its revealed the men Callie scolded for fighting weren't just actors dressed as WWII soldiers, but ghosts, and that the entire village is populated by, well, another sort of population; Callie and her daughter are given the opportunity of a lifetime.

This was a charming spooky season read for any time of the year! It was a bit slow to start, but by the end I was so glad to have stuck it out. Booth does a fantastic job of juggling such a large cast of characters, and I am so excited to be returning to Rowan Vale in the second book of this series to uncover more secrets!

[Kelly Tollefson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This cozy "romance" was seriously so fun. If you're a fan of "Ghosts" or any paranormal / cozy read, you'll love this new book set to drop tomorrow. The cast of characters were well developed, and I could just picture Harling Hall and the different shops within the village. I am looking forward to this being a series and to see where the author takes us next in the Rowan Vale.

[Nicole CSJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved the ghosts. Couldn’t deal with Callie.

DNF at 80%

[Lynne Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, packed full of wonderful characters, full of humour and just an easy read.

[Jess Carradice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cosy read for the 'ber months!

[Maja Åström · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly given an ARC of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an absolutely stunning novel about finding home, finding love, and finding family, no matter the day and age. I had no idea so many of my likes and interests could be combined in a book and be done so well! This book has history, romance, AND ghosts?! I was hooked from the very start. Sharon Booth writes beautifully, it was so easy to read, it flowed all the way through, but it still packed a punch and had so much depth and emotion. I loved this book and will definitely buy a physical copy of it to have it in my bookshelf and available to lend to friends. Five out of five stars, I can’t fault it.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant and engaging read. Ideal if you like BBC'S Ghosts

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK: KINDRED SPIRITS AT HARLING HALL
AUTHOR: SHARON BOOTH
PUB DATE: MARCH 2025
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REVIEW- 3.8 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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THINGS I LIKED
1. The setting, I loved Rowan Vale, Harling Hall, and its residence. It was creative and I enjoyed it.
2. I liked the FMC, Callie, she was an amazing character and a wonderful mother. I also liked how she took charge of the estate and owned up to her status there. It was very nice to see.
3. I also liked the other side characters, including the ghosts, they were fun to read about.
4. I liked almost everything about the book
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THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
1. There was less romance. The book felt like more of a women's fiction than romance. Even Brodie, the love interest was more of a side character instead of the main one. It took a while before any progress in their relationship was shown.
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I liked reading this book. It was different and it had a unique storyline. I was disappointed by the lack of romance, but I still liked reading it and I would definitely recommend it.
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[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. This book sounded so amazing, so I was so excited to receive it. ❤️ My opinions are my own and are freely given.

I have never read (or even heard of the author) a single book by Sharon Booth before, but I am so delighted to have stumbled across this novel on the NetGalley site. The blurb references the TV show Ghosts 👻 which is one of the reasons I chose to read the book.

Even with so many side characters, as there are so many ghosts (sooo many), there aren't any flat characters. The only problem, though that's more a general romance genre problem overall, is meeting someone and falling in love with someone in the span of a month. So much you are talking about forever. I much prefer a slow burn. :)

Definitely would recommend this book and can't wait to read the next one!

[Steve Garbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

a nice easy read. entertaining