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The Haunting Between Us
Heartstopper meets The Haunting of Hill House in this queer coming-of-age romance and ghost story.
Cameron can’t believe the boy of his dreams just moved into the house of his nightmares.
Sixteen-year-old Cameron Walsh dreads the haunted Victorian mansion across the street, where the ghost of the White Lady roams the halls. When he sees her through the bay window, his ghost-hunting friend Abby wants to investigate. But then the new owners pull up, and Cameron is captivated by the brooding, handsome boy moving in. He longs for a boyfriend, but years of bullying have shattered his self-esteem.
Sixteen-year-old Hugo Cruz and his father flip old houses, moving often, fleeing from the grief at the loss of Hugo’s mother. They unknowingly move into the most haunted house in Port Townsend, Washington. From day one, Hugo encounters shadows that move by themselves, locked doors without keys, and hidden rooms. He hides the mysteries from his superstitious father, not wanting to uproot their lives.
When the White Lady becomes impossible to ignore, Hugo turns to Cameron to help uncover the house’s dark history. They soon form a bond that goes beyond friendship, but as their feelings deepen, the White Lady's wrath intensifies. Entangled in a web of sinister secrets, they risk not only their love but their very existence.
Cameron can’t believe the boy of his dreams just moved into the house of his nightmares.
Sixteen-year-old Cameron Walsh dreads the haunted Victorian mansion across the street, where the ghost of the White Lady roams the halls. When he sees her through the bay window, his ghost-hunting friend Abby wants to investigate. But then the new owners pull up, and Cameron is captivated by the brooding, handsome boy moving in. He longs for a boyfriend, but years of bullying have shattered his self-esteem.
Sixteen-year-old Hugo Cruz and his father flip old houses, moving often, fleeing from the grief at the loss of Hugo’s mother. They unknowingly move into the most haunted house in Port Townsend, Washington. From day one, Hugo encounters shadows that move by themselves, locked doors without keys, and hidden rooms. He hides the mysteries from his superstitious father, not wanting to uproot their lives.
When the White Lady becomes impossible to ignore, Hugo turns to Cameron to help uncover the house’s dark history. They soon form a bond that goes beyond friendship, but as their feelings deepen, the White Lady's wrath intensifies. Entangled in a web of sinister secrets, they risk not only their love but their very existence.
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2025
236 people are currently reading
5767 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
November 28, 2024
I have some very conflicted feelings with regards to this book.
I think that there is incredible value in books like this one getting published and I appreciate what they do in allowing a safe place for young people to explore their own gender and sexual identity. Books like this just weren’t available when I was the age of the target audience, and I find myself sometimes a bit envious cause I would have loved to have more access to more mainstream queer media (and wasn’t just fan made on the internet).
This book features the components of a fun haunted house story with a historical mystery at the heart of it all. However, I think that it had a bit of an identity crisis. In trying to spilt itself between the ‘Heartstopper’ vibes and the ‘Haunting of Hill House’ vibes kind of just left both facets feeling unfulfilled. I found myself feeling kind of put out by how conveniently the end of the story gets tied up and there is one plot point that is driving me to absolute madness (view spoiler).
Hugo and Cameron have their cute moments together and I commend the author for trying to tackle some important and valuable topics such as the insecurity teenagers feel in their own bodies, dealing with racism and bullying, finding community and navigating the challenges of coming out to your parents and the excitement of your first partner and managing boundaries and consent. I think that because of the personality split I mentioned above, the execution of some of these story lines felt a little clumsy and like they had been tacked on because the author wanted to talk about them and not because they organically fit in with the story.
Unfortunately for me, the writing style fell flat and the dialogue at times felt a bit cheesy and it really detracted from the overall reading experience.
And look, I will 100% acknowledge I am not the target audience for this book and that perhaps the reading experience would be significantly different if I was. It’s been a long time since I was in the YA bracket, but I still like to read some of the new releases to see how the genre is travelling. But this one didn’t work for me, and I am sad about it. I really hope that it does find its people though, cause like I said above, for a young person looking to see their own coming of age experience reflected in what they are reading this might really resonate.
On a completely random note, how stunning is that cover!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this story.
(If I thought the Goodreads app was garbage on iPhone I was not prepared for how much worse it is on the Google OS)
I think that there is incredible value in books like this one getting published and I appreciate what they do in allowing a safe place for young people to explore their own gender and sexual identity. Books like this just weren’t available when I was the age of the target audience, and I find myself sometimes a bit envious cause I would have loved to have more access to more mainstream queer media (and wasn’t just fan made on the internet).
This book features the components of a fun haunted house story with a historical mystery at the heart of it all. However, I think that it had a bit of an identity crisis. In trying to spilt itself between the ‘Heartstopper’ vibes and the ‘Haunting of Hill House’ vibes kind of just left both facets feeling unfulfilled. I found myself feeling kind of put out by how conveniently the end of the story gets tied up and there is one plot point that is driving me to absolute madness (view spoiler).
Hugo and Cameron have their cute moments together and I commend the author for trying to tackle some important and valuable topics such as the insecurity teenagers feel in their own bodies, dealing with racism and bullying, finding community and navigating the challenges of coming out to your parents and the excitement of your first partner and managing boundaries and consent. I think that because of the personality split I mentioned above, the execution of some of these story lines felt a little clumsy and like they had been tacked on because the author wanted to talk about them and not because they organically fit in with the story.
Unfortunately for me, the writing style fell flat and the dialogue at times felt a bit cheesy and it really detracted from the overall reading experience.
And look, I will 100% acknowledge I am not the target audience for this book and that perhaps the reading experience would be significantly different if I was. It’s been a long time since I was in the YA bracket, but I still like to read some of the new releases to see how the genre is travelling. But this one didn’t work for me, and I am sad about it. I really hope that it does find its people though, cause like I said above, for a young person looking to see their own coming of age experience reflected in what they are reading this might really resonate.
On a completely random note, how stunning is that cover!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this story.
(If I thought the Goodreads app was garbage on iPhone I was not prepared for how much worse it is on the Google OS)
October 28, 2025
4.25 stars
December 3, 2024
⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️
Haunted houses and young love. Will Hugo and Cam survive the Crimson House and its ghosts?
Young me would have ate this up. It was a perfect mix of sweet gushy romance and spooky moments. The paranormal plot line was well done, if maybe a bit basic, but just creepy enough to give you chills.
After about 60%, my interest fizzled out a bit and there was a pretty big gap of not really much happening. The ending helped pull it back a bit and it was a satisfying conclusion, and overall I enjoyed The Haunting Between Us.
I liked the side characters and the romance, the ghost hunting and spooks. And if I put myself in a YA mindset, turn off my stupid adult brain, I can overlook the plot holes and just enjoy the book for what it was meant to be.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- YA
- Paranormal thriller
- Bullying & homophobia
- Mild violence
- Past death of a parent
- Closed door spice/fade to black
- Insecure MC/body positivity
Pre-read Update — Not gonna lie, I stopped reading the blurb after ‘Heartstopper meets Haunting of Hill House’. Excited to dive into this ghost-y story.
This is my dream guy. And he’s moving into the house of my nightmares.
Haunted houses and young love. Will Hugo and Cam survive the Crimson House and its ghosts?
Young me would have ate this up. It was a perfect mix of sweet gushy romance and spooky moments. The paranormal plot line was well done, if maybe a bit basic, but just creepy enough to give you chills.
Something reflects the light—an orb shining in the darkness. The orb blinks. It’s an eye staring back at me.
After about 60%, my interest fizzled out a bit and there was a pretty big gap of not really much happening. The ending helped pull it back a bit and it was a satisfying conclusion, and overall I enjoyed The Haunting Between Us.
I liked the side characters and the romance, the ghost hunting and spooks. And if I put myself in a YA mindset, turn off my stupid adult brain, I can overlook the plot holes and just enjoy the book for what it was meant to be.
Perhaps this is my happy place, holding Cameron’s hand.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- YA
- Paranormal thriller
- Bullying & homophobia
- Mild violence
- Past death of a parent
- Closed door spice/fade to black
- Insecure MC/body positivity
Pre-read Update — Not gonna lie, I stopped reading the blurb after ‘Heartstopper meets Haunting of Hill House’. Excited to dive into this ghost-y story.
June 8, 2025
"Heartstopper" meets "The Haunting of Hill House" in this LGBTQ, coming-of-age romance and ghost story. Cameron can’t believe the boy of his dreams just moved into the house of his nightmares. Every place has their local legends, and for Port Townsend, it’s the long, unsolved tale of Crimson House, as a new tenant soon learns in Winters’ supernatural YA novel.
Sixteen-year-old Cameron Walsh has lived in the town of Port Townsend, Washington, his entire life, and when handsome Hugo Cruz moves into the haunted Crimson House across the street, it feels as if fate is bringing them together.
The house was, until recently, abandoned. It had been the site of incidents both uncanny and inexplicable over many years. These incidents included ghost sightings, mysterious kidnappings, and even suspicious deaths; so, it was no wonder that Cameron has traumatic memories associated with it.
When Cameron meets 16-year-old Hugo, things change, and a fascination that might be romance, begins to start between them. After a new friend, chole, who was psychic, and her girlfriend Maya, joined their circle, things in the "Crimson House" become even stranger, if that was even possible. The little group, which also now includes Cameron’s best friend, Abby, is determined to solve the mysteries of the house and uncover the truth about the apparition known as the "White Lady", that haunts the house.
We now have ghost-hunting, spirituality, and a tangled history in the story, all lending the proper fodder for a proper haunted house tale. There is a bit of a side issue going on with the characters who are all learning what it means to be "completely themselves", even if it often feels that the world is against them. The story can be described as engaging, sweet, and very realistic. The characters friendships all feel real and meaningful, and the author has handled the complex topics, such as anti-gay bigotry, family trauma, grief, and mental illness, all with a great amount of sensitivity. There are also several moments of levity which was necessary but unexpected.
This is the monthly read for June for my group of LBGTQ 12–17-year-old, readers, who hopefully will find Cameron’s struggles with insecurity to be particularly relatable and understandable. From the book: “I turn away fast, a wave of self-consciousness washing over me. I wrap my arms around my stomach and shrink down, trying to be small and invisible.” No one should ever feel they need to be invisible.
Another issue covered in the book is Hugo’s sudden changing relationship with his widowed father after their recently shared loss of his mother, combined with Cameron’s troubled relationship with his father. It so well effectively revealed how LGBTQ+ youth can often times find it hard to be themselves even with their own families and with the changes that sees more acceptance in the world that they are growing to adulthood in today.
Overall: The author has written not only a beautiful supernatural story, but a story filled with love, friendship, and personal discovery, creating both a heartwarming and frightening tale by turns. Good job Mr. Winters...thank you.
Sixteen-year-old Cameron Walsh has lived in the town of Port Townsend, Washington, his entire life, and when handsome Hugo Cruz moves into the haunted Crimson House across the street, it feels as if fate is bringing them together.
The house was, until recently, abandoned. It had been the site of incidents both uncanny and inexplicable over many years. These incidents included ghost sightings, mysterious kidnappings, and even suspicious deaths; so, it was no wonder that Cameron has traumatic memories associated with it.
When Cameron meets 16-year-old Hugo, things change, and a fascination that might be romance, begins to start between them. After a new friend, chole, who was psychic, and her girlfriend Maya, joined their circle, things in the "Crimson House" become even stranger, if that was even possible. The little group, which also now includes Cameron’s best friend, Abby, is determined to solve the mysteries of the house and uncover the truth about the apparition known as the "White Lady", that haunts the house.
We now have ghost-hunting, spirituality, and a tangled history in the story, all lending the proper fodder for a proper haunted house tale. There is a bit of a side issue going on with the characters who are all learning what it means to be "completely themselves", even if it often feels that the world is against them. The story can be described as engaging, sweet, and very realistic. The characters friendships all feel real and meaningful, and the author has handled the complex topics, such as anti-gay bigotry, family trauma, grief, and mental illness, all with a great amount of sensitivity. There are also several moments of levity which was necessary but unexpected.
This is the monthly read for June for my group of LBGTQ 12–17-year-old, readers, who hopefully will find Cameron’s struggles with insecurity to be particularly relatable and understandable. From the book: “I turn away fast, a wave of self-consciousness washing over me. I wrap my arms around my stomach and shrink down, trying to be small and invisible.” No one should ever feel they need to be invisible.
Another issue covered in the book is Hugo’s sudden changing relationship with his widowed father after their recently shared loss of his mother, combined with Cameron’s troubled relationship with his father. It so well effectively revealed how LGBTQ+ youth can often times find it hard to be themselves even with their own families and with the changes that sees more acceptance in the world that they are growing to adulthood in today.
Overall: The author has written not only a beautiful supernatural story, but a story filled with love, friendship, and personal discovery, creating both a heartwarming and frightening tale by turns. Good job Mr. Winters...thank you.
January 19, 2025
I liked this. It was creepy enough to keep me entertained.
The romance felt a bit too sweet sometimes, but it was okay.
I do have to say that the writing felt a bit simplistic at times. Especially the dialogue.
The romance felt a bit too sweet sometimes, but it was okay.
I do have to say that the writing felt a bit simplistic at times. Especially the dialogue.
December 18, 2024
So, where do I start??
Cameron and Hugo's story begins when Hugo and his dad move into the "haunted" and abandoned house across the street. Initially, their relationship gets off to a rocky start, but it doesn’t take long to smooth out. Soon after, they join forces with Cameron's friends to uncover the mysterious occurrences and help Hugo face the entity haunting his new home.
The romance development felt authentic and organic. You can’t help but root for them, even though I have to admit they can be a bit frustrating at times. But… they’re teenagers, so what else do you expect? Cameron is openly out and proud, while Hugo isn’t. Hugo’s fears surrounding his identity feel realistic and logical, and I think the author did a great job portraying the emotional turmoil a teenager goes through when figuring themselves out, especially when they’re unsure how to tell their parents, or how their parents might react. The inner monologues never felt whiny.
Cameron also struggles with body image issues because he was bullied as a child. At times, his insecurities hit him so hard that all I wanted to do was wrap him in a blanket and hug him until he felt better. Hugo and his friends are supportive, and it’s really sweet to read about. It warmed my heart. I wish I had friends like that when I was younger, struggling with similar insecurities.
The spooky Heartstopper vibes had me hooked from start to finish. The author did a great job with the setting, descriptions, and overall ambiance of the house. As the blurb says and promises, this really feels like Heartstopper and The Haunting of Hill House had a baby! I never knew I needed this in my life, but I’m so happy I read it.
When a book has a larger cast of side characters, it can be hard to care about each one individually, but the author made it easy to get attached to them for different reasons. They don't feel interchangeable, nor is it difficult to distinguish the characters
I'd like to thank NetGalley , Maelstrom Press and the author for trusting me and giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cameron and Hugo's story begins when Hugo and his dad move into the "haunted" and abandoned house across the street. Initially, their relationship gets off to a rocky start, but it doesn’t take long to smooth out. Soon after, they join forces with Cameron's friends to uncover the mysterious occurrences and help Hugo face the entity haunting his new home.
The romance development felt authentic and organic. You can’t help but root for them, even though I have to admit they can be a bit frustrating at times. But… they’re teenagers, so what else do you expect? Cameron is openly out and proud, while Hugo isn’t. Hugo’s fears surrounding his identity feel realistic and logical, and I think the author did a great job portraying the emotional turmoil a teenager goes through when figuring themselves out, especially when they’re unsure how to tell their parents, or how their parents might react. The inner monologues never felt whiny.
Cameron also struggles with body image issues because he was bullied as a child. At times, his insecurities hit him so hard that all I wanted to do was wrap him in a blanket and hug him until he felt better. Hugo and his friends are supportive, and it’s really sweet to read about. It warmed my heart. I wish I had friends like that when I was younger, struggling with similar insecurities.
The spooky Heartstopper vibes had me hooked from start to finish. The author did a great job with the setting, descriptions, and overall ambiance of the house. As the blurb says and promises, this really feels like Heartstopper and The Haunting of Hill House had a baby! I never knew I needed this in my life, but I’m so happy I read it.
When a book has a larger cast of side characters, it can be hard to care about each one individually, but the author made it easy to get attached to them for different reasons. They don't feel interchangeable, nor is it difficult to distinguish the characters
I'd like to thank NetGalley , Maelstrom Press and the author for trusting me and giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2024
What a fun read! I love a ghost story, but a queer ghost story is 1000x better!
Paul Michael Winters did something truly awesome. He created loveable and relatable characters and one hell of a story. I was completely invested in the lives of the characters and wanted nothing but their success. In some similar books I've read, the author has a difficult time of balancing the romance and other elements of the story where the other elements of the story are lost to the romance portion. Winters succeeded where others haven't. He was able to push the romance angle while also keeping the ghost story aspect front and center. Every bit of this story was well thought out and very strong. The romance felt authentic and the ghost story was fun and unique.
I cannot wait to read more by this author. I highly recommend!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Paul Michael Winters did something truly awesome. He created loveable and relatable characters and one hell of a story. I was completely invested in the lives of the characters and wanted nothing but their success. In some similar books I've read, the author has a difficult time of balancing the romance and other elements of the story where the other elements of the story are lost to the romance portion. Winters succeeded where others haven't. He was able to push the romance angle while also keeping the ghost story aspect front and center. Every bit of this story was well thought out and very strong. The romance felt authentic and the ghost story was fun and unique.
I cannot wait to read more by this author. I highly recommend!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 27, 2025
Awesome ghost story!
I thoroughly enjoyed this! The characters and the plot were both fantastic! I will definitely check out more of this author's work! Five stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed this! The characters and the plot were both fantastic! I will definitely check out more of this author's work! Five stars!
January 15, 2025
Did someone say Heartstopper meets The Haunting Of Hill House? MY TWO FAVORITE SHOWS!?!?!?!
I am so happy I found PM Winters on bookstagram & requested this book!
I feel like sometimes I overdo it on the books that are heavy a romance only plot. So this was a very refreshing read for me. Winters did a lovely job balancing an adorable young adult romance with the haunted house storyline. I crave queer YA stories & suspenseful movies, so this felt like the best of both my worlds coming together. I almost feel like this book was specifically written for me. Cameron & Hugo have quickly become 2 of my all time favorite characters.
This is the first PM Winters book I have read & I will be coming back for more!!!
Read if you’re looking for…
* LGBTQ+ Characters
* Haunted Houses
* Fast pacing
* Something spooky but not terrifying
* Teenage angst
* Coming of age
* Ghost hunting friends
👻🏠🏳️🌈👨❤️💋👨
A major thank you to the publisher, the author, & to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I am so happy I found PM Winters on bookstagram & requested this book!
I feel like sometimes I overdo it on the books that are heavy a romance only plot. So this was a very refreshing read for me. Winters did a lovely job balancing an adorable young adult romance with the haunted house storyline. I crave queer YA stories & suspenseful movies, so this felt like the best of both my worlds coming together. I almost feel like this book was specifically written for me. Cameron & Hugo have quickly become 2 of my all time favorite characters.
This is the first PM Winters book I have read & I will be coming back for more!!!
Read if you’re looking for…
* LGBTQ+ Characters
* Haunted Houses
* Fast pacing
* Something spooky but not terrifying
* Teenage angst
* Coming of age
* Ghost hunting friends
👻🏠🏳️🌈👨❤️💋👨
A major thank you to the publisher, the author, & to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 24, 2025
DNF @ 70%
I honestly can’t bring myself to finish this. The book started off strong and I was enjoying it quite a bit. Ghostie stuff happens early on and there’s mystery and budding romance. But then it fizzles. The pacing is…not good. I thought I was going to call it quits at 50%, but then it started to pick up only to fizzle. Again.
So much of this felt hokey. They’re teenagers with all this ghost hunting equipment. We get scenes from different classes they’re in and lunchroom scenes. Then the two MCs are having some kissing time. It was interesting with the ghost stuff, but the other stuff fell flat. Sometimes it just skims over things like “the next few days pass uneventfully” and it feels off. One of the teens is even a “psychic” but she doesn’t call herself that. Hokey.
All these crazy hauntings happen and the kid doesn’t even tell his father what’s going on. Everyone’s parents are constantly going away for the weekend and these kids are left to do their investigations on their own. The boy who lives in the haunted house kept feeling like he didn’t know what to do. TELL YOUR FATHER, THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO!!!! I wanted to slap these kids over the head!
It really failed to hold my interest.
To top it off, there were several times where I felt I was being given a “be true to yourself” lecture. There’s a way to incorporate this stuff into the narrative without it sounding preachy. This was not it. I usually enjoy YA stories, but this felt too immature for me.
I honestly can’t bring myself to finish this. The book started off strong and I was enjoying it quite a bit. Ghostie stuff happens early on and there’s mystery and budding romance. But then it fizzles. The pacing is…not good. I thought I was going to call it quits at 50%, but then it started to pick up only to fizzle. Again.
So much of this felt hokey. They’re teenagers with all this ghost hunting equipment. We get scenes from different classes they’re in and lunchroom scenes. Then the two MCs are having some kissing time. It was interesting with the ghost stuff, but the other stuff fell flat. Sometimes it just skims over things like “the next few days pass uneventfully” and it feels off. One of the teens is even a “psychic” but she doesn’t call herself that. Hokey.
All these crazy hauntings happen and the kid doesn’t even tell his father what’s going on. Everyone’s parents are constantly going away for the weekend and these kids are left to do their investigations on their own. The boy who lives in the haunted house kept feeling like he didn’t know what to do. TELL YOUR FATHER, THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO!!!! I wanted to slap these kids over the head!
It really failed to hold my interest.
To top it off, there were several times where I felt I was being given a “be true to yourself” lecture. There’s a way to incorporate this stuff into the narrative without it sounding preachy. This was not it. I usually enjoy YA stories, but this felt too immature for me.
December 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Maelstrom Press for an early release copy of The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters.
The Haunting between us was a bit of a disappointing read for me, I liked the mystery elements and how the story went about exploring them. I thought it was intriguing and it made me want to read more to see where the story went with the mystery/hauntings. I liked Chloe’s element it was an interesting addition to the story however I think I would have enjoyed it more if one of the main characters had that element instead. I also enjoyed Hugo’s dad as a character even though we don’t get many scenes with him, the dad just felt so supportive and I liked him. I didn’t mind Cameron’s parents and sibling but Hugo’s dad was definitely one of the more likable characters.
I thought about dnfing this book multiple times for plenty of reasons but I did finish it. I don’t particularly think this writing style is for me, the characters often felt too shy/wimpy, the crush stage of their relationship just felt awkward to read about, and the romance feels weird in general. These characters also felt a little too immature for me and I wasn’t particularly interested or routing for them while reading. Rating 2.5
The Haunting between us was a bit of a disappointing read for me, I liked the mystery elements and how the story went about exploring them. I thought it was intriguing and it made me want to read more to see where the story went with the mystery/hauntings. I liked Chloe’s element it was an interesting addition to the story however I think I would have enjoyed it more if one of the main characters had that element instead. I also enjoyed Hugo’s dad as a character even though we don’t get many scenes with him, the dad just felt so supportive and I liked him. I didn’t mind Cameron’s parents and sibling but Hugo’s dad was definitely one of the more likable characters.
I thought about dnfing this book multiple times for plenty of reasons but I did finish it. I don’t particularly think this writing style is for me, the characters often felt too shy/wimpy, the crush stage of their relationship just felt awkward to read about, and the romance feels weird in general. These characters also felt a little too immature for me and I wasn’t particularly interested or routing for them while reading. Rating 2.5
January 5, 2025
First off - MAJOR cover love! That’s what first got my interest, I absolutely love this cover!
This is being comped to Heartstopper and the Haunting of Hill House and as odd as that pairing might be, it's also pretty accurate LOL. The romance is so sweet and schmoopy, with lots of first moments for Cameron and Hugo as they both get to experience all the firsts of young love.
But let’s talk about the horror elements and that house especially - it was kinda terrifying LOL. I absolutely loved the backstory and history of the house and its residents. It was creepy, well written, and also surprising since there were some things that I definitely didn't see coming. For me, this was the highlight of the book.
I also really loved their friend circle and all the amazing queer rep. I just think back to my own high school years - 2000 - and how books like this just weren’t out there. I think it’s so great that people can see a book with this cover and pick up queer books now.
I'd love to see this author take on more horror, I thought that was so well done! The romance sometimes felt a bit *too* sweet for me at times? That's my only slight issue with this. Lots of giggling and the word "adorable" used frequently lol. But I really enjoyed this read!
I received a copy for a bookstagram tour. My thoughts are my own.
This is being comped to Heartstopper and the Haunting of Hill House and as odd as that pairing might be, it's also pretty accurate LOL. The romance is so sweet and schmoopy, with lots of first moments for Cameron and Hugo as they both get to experience all the firsts of young love.
But let’s talk about the horror elements and that house especially - it was kinda terrifying LOL. I absolutely loved the backstory and history of the house and its residents. It was creepy, well written, and also surprising since there were some things that I definitely didn't see coming. For me, this was the highlight of the book.
I also really loved their friend circle and all the amazing queer rep. I just think back to my own high school years - 2000 - and how books like this just weren’t out there. I think it’s so great that people can see a book with this cover and pick up queer books now.
I'd love to see this author take on more horror, I thought that was so well done! The romance sometimes felt a bit *too* sweet for me at times? That's my only slight issue with this. Lots of giggling and the word "adorable" used frequently lol. But I really enjoyed this read!
I received a copy for a bookstagram tour. My thoughts are my own.
May 22, 2025
Teen boy lives next to a haunted house and new neighbors (dad and another teen boy) move in to renovate it. Teen boys fall in love and they get haunted by ghosts.
The story in general was a cute teen romance with the haunted house aspect and the ghosts tied up really well with the story. But the book tried to be a bit too much at once for a quite short book, with putting body issues, coming out to your parents, queer friend group, teen romance, dead parents, siblings and the haunted house mystery all in one story with not enough time to explore all of it. While it makes it realistic it was a bit chaotic too. Also our guy Cameron really falls for Hugo within one short glimpse across the street…
It’s said to be a mix of Heartstopper and Haunting on Hill House and I feel like it tried to be Heartstopper a bit too much at times while also adding ghosts.
Overall a fun book though and the main characters were cute, I awww-ed at them a few times.
The story in general was a cute teen romance with the haunted house aspect and the ghosts tied up really well with the story. But the book tried to be a bit too much at once for a quite short book, with putting body issues, coming out to your parents, queer friend group, teen romance, dead parents, siblings and the haunted house mystery all in one story with not enough time to explore all of it. While it makes it realistic it was a bit chaotic too. Also our guy Cameron really falls for Hugo within one short glimpse across the street…
It’s said to be a mix of Heartstopper and Haunting on Hill House and I feel like it tried to be Heartstopper a bit too much at times while also adding ghosts.
Overall a fun book though and the main characters were cute, I awww-ed at them a few times.
January 8, 2025
Adorably cute!
In The Haunting Between Us, Cameron instantly falls for the boy who moved next door, the brave, handsome insecure Hugo. The problem: Hugo's house is haunted, and Cameron knows that from his previous exploration of it.
As the sparks fly, so do the paranormal phenomena and the ghosts of the Crimson House threaten to sabotage the teenage romance. Cameron, Hugo and their friends will have to solve the mystery of the White Lady and shed light to the house's the dark past before it breaks them apart...
Paul Michael Winters knows how to make your fall in love with his characters no matter the genre! This book has a more YA feel than Together In A Broken World, with the chemistry of the two main characters being just as good and gratifying for the reader! The plot ocsillates between teenage adventure and horror, with some of the twists catching me completely by surprise!
For both fans of paranormal YA and cute M/M stories, Paul Michael Winters' story will not disappoint you!
Edit: The book is out now!
Thank you Paul Michael Winters for the ARC!
In The Haunting Between Us, Cameron instantly falls for the boy who moved next door, the brave, handsome insecure Hugo. The problem: Hugo's house is haunted, and Cameron knows that from his previous exploration of it.
As the sparks fly, so do the paranormal phenomena and the ghosts of the Crimson House threaten to sabotage the teenage romance. Cameron, Hugo and their friends will have to solve the mystery of the White Lady and shed light to the house's the dark past before it breaks them apart...
Paul Michael Winters knows how to make your fall in love with his characters no matter the genre! This book has a more YA feel than Together In A Broken World, with the chemistry of the two main characters being just as good and gratifying for the reader! The plot ocsillates between teenage adventure and horror, with some of the twists catching me completely by surprise!
For both fans of paranormal YA and cute M/M stories, Paul Michael Winters' story will not disappoint you!
Edit: The book is out now!
Thank you Paul Michael Winters for the ARC!
December 30, 2024
Book #555
5 ⭐️
Okay so lets start this review thank you to the author for letting me read an ARC for this novel i was very excited for this one as i loved his first book and think hes great at writing! This cover caught my eye because the detail is amazing with all the colors and the cute photo this novel follows 2 guys after we learn that a house with history and eeriness is across the street from camerons house which he had something happened to him in that house and everyone always talks about that specific house on that street so then we meet a boy who moves into the actual house and cameron has eyes on him because he finds him cute a friendship at school later blossoms into a romance and i will say it was very wholesome and cute however they find themselves actually having to figure out whats going on with this house with a group of friends which i loved the whole group i thought it was so wholesome and the perfect friend group people would want in school! I loved the LGBTQ+ rep in this novel as well. This book definitely had me wanting to know the history of the house and why the strange things were happening i love how the author did such a great job explaining the history of the house as we read the novel and everything until the end comes together and we had twists and turns as well as really cute moments. I really love how supportive of eachother the whole group was and they all had one thing in common finding out the truth and stuff about the house. This novel had eerie moments as well which i loved. Paul did a great job making the reader really love both characters and the stories they shared about themselves and finding themselves regarding overcoming insecurities and coming out it was a really great novel! Great work paul! I look forward to more of your work in the future!
5 ⭐️
Okay so lets start this review thank you to the author for letting me read an ARC for this novel i was very excited for this one as i loved his first book and think hes great at writing! This cover caught my eye because the detail is amazing with all the colors and the cute photo this novel follows 2 guys after we learn that a house with history and eeriness is across the street from camerons house which he had something happened to him in that house and everyone always talks about that specific house on that street so then we meet a boy who moves into the actual house and cameron has eyes on him because he finds him cute a friendship at school later blossoms into a romance and i will say it was very wholesome and cute however they find themselves actually having to figure out whats going on with this house with a group of friends which i loved the whole group i thought it was so wholesome and the perfect friend group people would want in school! I loved the LGBTQ+ rep in this novel as well. This book definitely had me wanting to know the history of the house and why the strange things were happening i love how the author did such a great job explaining the history of the house as we read the novel and everything until the end comes together and we had twists and turns as well as really cute moments. I really love how supportive of eachother the whole group was and they all had one thing in common finding out the truth and stuff about the house. This novel had eerie moments as well which i loved. Paul did a great job making the reader really love both characters and the stories they shared about themselves and finding themselves regarding overcoming insecurities and coming out it was a really great novel! Great work paul! I look forward to more of your work in the future!
December 25, 2024
{ 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕒𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕌𝕤 }
by Paul Michael Winters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮: Heartstopper meets The Haunting of Hill House in this queer coming-of-age romance and ghost story.
Length: 378p
Source: ARC - NetGalley, Maelstrom Press
Release Date: January 7, 2025
•••••••
|| 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴. ||
What an absolutely FANTASTIC queer paranormal horror story. It played out exactly like it should have. The twists were twisty and the turns were 90 degrees. And the plot? The plot was SO GOOD. The romance? The SWEETEST.
|| “𝗜 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘇.”
“𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗮, 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗵.” ||
I’m serious, y’all. This was such a fun read. I really loved our MMCs, Cameron and Hugo. Hugo moves in across the street from Cameron. The only problem? The house Hugo moved into is called the Crimson House and it’s haunted.
Oh man, the story progression, the character development, the friend group and parental dynamics. Such a complex, well thought out story from start to finish.
|| 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲—𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻. ||
Sometimes a book just connects with you and this is one of those books for me. I love haunted stories and this one was, of course, a bit predictable but the execution was fantastic, so I enjoyed it anyway. And the epilogue was so cute and then that last scene! Loved it! This one will especially be a fun read during the fall!
{I received a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}
•
•
•
by Paul Michael Winters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮: Heartstopper meets The Haunting of Hill House in this queer coming-of-age romance and ghost story.
Length: 378p
Source: ARC - NetGalley, Maelstrom Press
Release Date: January 7, 2025
•••••••
|| 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴. ||
What an absolutely FANTASTIC queer paranormal horror story. It played out exactly like it should have. The twists were twisty and the turns were 90 degrees. And the plot? The plot was SO GOOD. The romance? The SWEETEST.
|| “𝗜 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘇.”
“𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗮, 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗵.” ||
I’m serious, y’all. This was such a fun read. I really loved our MMCs, Cameron and Hugo. Hugo moves in across the street from Cameron. The only problem? The house Hugo moved into is called the Crimson House and it’s haunted.
Oh man, the story progression, the character development, the friend group and parental dynamics. Such a complex, well thought out story from start to finish.
|| 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲—𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻. ||
Sometimes a book just connects with you and this is one of those books for me. I love haunted stories and this one was, of course, a bit predictable but the execution was fantastic, so I enjoyed it anyway. And the epilogue was so cute and then that last scene! Loved it! This one will especially be a fun read during the fall!
{I received a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}
•
•
•
January 11, 2025
This is a hauntingly beautiful story that needs to be on your shelves, I’ve never devoured a book so fast!
I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters. This was one of the last books I read in 2024 and couldn’t have ended it on a better note. A haunted house story with queer characters?! Yes please!! The premise involves Hugo and his father rebuilding homes, and at this location in particular, something seems off. Cameron who lives across the street from said home, spots Hugo one night and forms a crush on him. Cameron also has history with the house and as the two boys grow closer, their friends become intrigued with the house, and it too has something awakened. I really enjoyed all the characters in this book, and while yes some were not meant to be liked I think it’s important to show real things lgbt people deal with when it comes to other people’s reactions.
On that note, the approach to body issues was handled delicately and made me want to give Cameron a hug. As a Latino, I also love seeing that representation as well. The writing was pretty good with both the romance aspect as well as the haunting. Their slow burn of a romance was cute especially considering some bumps in the road, I couldn’t help but root for them. The haunting aspect was very creepy at times, the setting and ambiance were described so well. I could totally see the ghost and that face gave me the creeps! There are plenty of laughs, awes and scares in this book, I recommend adding this to your collection!
Thanks so much to @coloredpagesbt @pmwintersauthor for providing me with this gifted copy!
I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters. This was one of the last books I read in 2024 and couldn’t have ended it on a better note. A haunted house story with queer characters?! Yes please!! The premise involves Hugo and his father rebuilding homes, and at this location in particular, something seems off. Cameron who lives across the street from said home, spots Hugo one night and forms a crush on him. Cameron also has history with the house and as the two boys grow closer, their friends become intrigued with the house, and it too has something awakened. I really enjoyed all the characters in this book, and while yes some were not meant to be liked I think it’s important to show real things lgbt people deal with when it comes to other people’s reactions.
On that note, the approach to body issues was handled delicately and made me want to give Cameron a hug. As a Latino, I also love seeing that representation as well. The writing was pretty good with both the romance aspect as well as the haunting. Their slow burn of a romance was cute especially considering some bumps in the road, I couldn’t help but root for them. The haunting aspect was very creepy at times, the setting and ambiance were described so well. I could totally see the ghost and that face gave me the creeps! There are plenty of laughs, awes and scares in this book, I recommend adding this to your collection!
Thanks so much to @coloredpagesbt @pmwintersauthor for providing me with this gifted copy!
July 2, 2025
I loved this book. Queer romance and scary ghosts! Plus, an awesome friend group! Its like this book was written just for me.
Could I point out a few things other people might criticize? Sure. But none of them were things I mind, so I'm not going to quell my joy.
If you want a spooky, sweet summer read, pick this one up.
Could I point out a few things other people might criticize? Sure. But none of them were things I mind, so I'm not going to quell my joy.
If you want a spooky, sweet summer read, pick this one up.
February 9, 2025
love a good boy meets boy meets ghost story. this was better than just good.
October 24, 2025
I really enjoyed this. The author did a good job of spending equal time on the romance part of the book and the horror/paranormal part. The romance between Hugo and Cameron was sweet and spicy and I enjoyed their journey through the story together. I found the boys' situations with coming out to their parents and friends to be realistic and well done and was very unimpressed with Cameron's dad. The paranormal part was interesting and kept me guessing the whole way and the twists, while not totally surprising, were entertaining. The side characters had some depth to them and reminded me of the various characters in the Scooby Doo cartoons when they were doing their ghost searches. This was a great horroromance for the Halloween season.
December 18, 2024
*eARC provided by Maelstrom Press
Honestly I ate this book up. It was the perfect blend of sweet and spooky while also tackling real life conversations about teenage boys struggling with body image and insecurity. The growth of both characters was interesting to watch however at points the dialogue was incredibly cheesy.
The plot did manage to give me the creeps for a bit which I very much appreciated.
All in all this was a really cute story, it’s not going to change your life but it’ll make you smile
Honestly I ate this book up. It was the perfect blend of sweet and spooky while also tackling real life conversations about teenage boys struggling with body image and insecurity. The growth of both characters was interesting to watch however at points the dialogue was incredibly cheesy.
The plot did manage to give me the creeps for a bit which I very much appreciated.
All in all this was a really cute story, it’s not going to change your life but it’ll make you smile
December 31, 2024
“The Haunting Between Us” is a beautifully written and fast-paced story following two boys, Hugo and Cameron, and the connections they develop (and secretly share!) between each other and the infamous Crimson House. Paul Michael Winters does an incredible job of making the respective voices of Hugo and Cameron stand apart from each other, emphasizing their own inner turmoils, traumas, and insecurities. They were believable characters from start to finish, and their journey from neighbors to friends to lovers carefully portrays how humans form these connections. Of course, the haunting backdrop of the Crimson House ups the stakes for both Hugo and Cameron as they and their group of paranormal investigator-friends attempt to piece together the jumbled history of the White Lady and her relatives. I honestly loved how the characters unraveled this history because it was never predictable and actually shocked me as the story progressed. I also thought that while this book included supernatural elements, it was not too unrealistic, and was balanced nicely with the other pieces that makes this book an amazing YA M/M novel.
You have to read Paul Michael Winter’s second novel! It will draw you in to its intrigue just like the Crimson House!
You have to read Paul Michael Winter’s second novel! It will draw you in to its intrigue just like the Crimson House!
January 9, 2026
2025: 5.0
This was soooo good! And it was *actually* spooky!
This was soooo good! And it was *actually* spooky!
January 1, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I'd call this an enjoyable book! I loved the haunted house aspect (take me back to October, I beg), and thought the spooky/mystery element was done well in terms of vibes. Both of the main characters were really sweet, which was nice to see. I really don't get into the whole I'm-gonna-be-your-bully-first-then-fall-in-love-with-you dynamic. Makes me roll me eyes. So to watch these boys go from strangers to friends to more was really sweet. Sometimes their dialogue did get a bit immature and cringy, though, which was hard to read. But more often than not, it was sweet and fun.
I also really loved how much Cameron and Hugo helped each other. They both had things to overcome, and watching them genuinly care for each other and help each other was really sweet. I'm also a sucker for a good dad character, so I adored Hugo's dad.
The writing flowed pretty effortlessly, which was nice. Wasn't my favorite prose, or anything. But still carried me along the story with ease and didn't feel clumsy outside of some of the dialogue like mentioned above. I think the biggest factor was just the lack of emotional investment for me personally, but still a thoroughly enjoyable read.
October 19, 2024
Heartstopper meets The Haunting of Hill House
Paul Michael Winters delivers another stellar book that will have you on the edge of your seat
Cameron and Hugo meet when Hugo moves to the house across the street. When strange things start to happen in his house Hugo will need the help of Cameron and his friend to discover the secret of Crimson House.
Ok, this book was amazing, the bond between the MCs could be felt from the start, Hugo helped Cameron navigate and overcome his insecurities without pressuring him and always caring for him. And Cameron always was there for Hugo and his journey with his dad. The romance aspect of the book was very well done and balanced.
The Crimson house mistery. At the halfway point I thought that I had it figured out, I was very proud of myself thinking I was the next Nancy Drew of books but no, I was so wrong.
The story behind Crimson house and their horrors was really well done, didn’t fall into the usual route you could take with mistery books, instead gave us real stakes and an amazing payoff.
This book is perfect not only for Halloween but for all seasons. Come for the romance and stay for the mistery or misteries.
All the stars to this book, I loved it all.
Paul Michael Winters delivers another stellar book that will have you on the edge of your seat
Cameron and Hugo meet when Hugo moves to the house across the street. When strange things start to happen in his house Hugo will need the help of Cameron and his friend to discover the secret of Crimson House.
Ok, this book was amazing, the bond between the MCs could be felt from the start, Hugo helped Cameron navigate and overcome his insecurities without pressuring him and always caring for him. And Cameron always was there for Hugo and his journey with his dad. The romance aspect of the book was very well done and balanced.
The Crimson house mistery. At the halfway point I thought that I had it figured out, I was very proud of myself thinking I was the next Nancy Drew of books but no, I was so wrong.
The story behind Crimson house and their horrors was really well done, didn’t fall into the usual route you could take with mistery books, instead gave us real stakes and an amazing payoff.
This book is perfect not only for Halloween but for all seasons. Come for the romance and stay for the mistery or misteries.
All the stars to this book, I loved it all.
December 14, 2024
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Maelstrom Press for an arc of this book.
This is described as Heartstopper meets The Haunting of Hill House and I think that description is pretty fitting.
This book handles all the confusing issues of being a teenager, bullying, the all consuming first love and the complex feelings that come along with that, fumbling your way around intimacy while not being ready for going all the way, parents’ problems becoming your problems, friends and family and just overall navigating teenage chaos, and then throws in a little ghost hunting on the side.
Like in Heartstopper queerness is very much at the center of this story, but I feel like the added element of a spooky haunted house makes it appeal to a different group of readers than Heartstopper, and we need these stories told in every shape and form, so I think that’s great.
Now I recognize that this book is YA and it’s very clear that it’s written for a younger audience. I struggled a bit with the very descriptive writing style as it is simply not my favorite, that is a personal preference.
For that reason my subjective rating for this leans towards 3,5 stars, but objectively I would give it a 4 as I very much enjoyed this story and the mystery of 16 Sycamore Lane.
This is described as Heartstopper meets The Haunting of Hill House and I think that description is pretty fitting.
This book handles all the confusing issues of being a teenager, bullying, the all consuming first love and the complex feelings that come along with that, fumbling your way around intimacy while not being ready for going all the way, parents’ problems becoming your problems, friends and family and just overall navigating teenage chaos, and then throws in a little ghost hunting on the side.
Like in Heartstopper queerness is very much at the center of this story, but I feel like the added element of a spooky haunted house makes it appeal to a different group of readers than Heartstopper, and we need these stories told in every shape and form, so I think that’s great.
Now I recognize that this book is YA and it’s very clear that it’s written for a younger audience. I struggled a bit with the very descriptive writing style as it is simply not my favorite, that is a personal preference.
For that reason my subjective rating for this leans towards 3,5 stars, but objectively I would give it a 4 as I very much enjoyed this story and the mystery of 16 Sycamore Lane.
November 25, 2024
I couldn’t put this down!! This book was described as Heartstopper meets the haunting of hill house, and this is a pretty accurate description.
There’s spooky vibes with a malicious entity, detailed history surrounding the house and a sordid mystery surrounding disappearances. We also get some great queer representation that made me want to giggle and kick my legs in the air when our two MMC’s meet. We get some tough family dynamics as the story explores why Hugo’s dad made them move and also why Cameron’s dad is still stuck on the idea of Cameron being gay.
Truly loved this, there’s some real found family moments for the characters, solid connections and the purest romance I’ve read in a while.
There’s spooky vibes with a malicious entity, detailed history surrounding the house and a sordid mystery surrounding disappearances. We also get some great queer representation that made me want to giggle and kick my legs in the air when our two MMC’s meet. We get some tough family dynamics as the story explores why Hugo’s dad made them move and also why Cameron’s dad is still stuck on the idea of Cameron being gay.
Truly loved this, there’s some real found family moments for the characters, solid connections and the purest romance I’ve read in a while.
January 7, 2025
Safe to say I really enjoyed this book! A queer spooky read?? Yes PLSSSS.
I loveddd the characters (minus Bryce ofc), and liked how diverse they all were. I actually love when books focus on the difficult parts of being queer as well as the good, I know it’s not for everyone, but I found a lot of this story reflected my personal experiences, which was both emotional AND a positive to me (as it’s nice to not feel completely alone).
It did feel a lil cheesy at times, but seeing as this was YA, it felt like it fitted the vibe quite well.
This book gave me heartstopper X scooby doo X the haunting of hill house vibes which imo is a big slay!
I loveddd the characters (minus Bryce ofc), and liked how diverse they all were. I actually love when books focus on the difficult parts of being queer as well as the good, I know it’s not for everyone, but I found a lot of this story reflected my personal experiences, which was both emotional AND a positive to me (as it’s nice to not feel completely alone).
It did feel a lil cheesy at times, but seeing as this was YA, it felt like it fitted the vibe quite well.
This book gave me heartstopper X scooby doo X the haunting of hill house vibes which imo is a big slay!
January 12, 2025
Really enjoyed this one!!! A sweet YA romance that realistically depicts the struggles of modern queer teens without bludgeoning the reader on the head with heavy trauma plus a haunted house story with just the right amount of creepy. The paranormal parts were actually my favorite. Some twists managed to pleasantly surprise me. The narrator Andrew Gibson also did a great job with the two boys voices. I recommend! 🖤👻
January 13, 2025
Fantastic read.
Setting a gay YA story in an old haunted house is my kind of book.
Loads of twists and turns to make you keep reading this book.
Setting a gay YA story in an old haunted house is my kind of book.
Loads of twists and turns to make you keep reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews