Haunting Joy

Phantom Hearts

by A.L. Hawke

Peace ends in the spirit of joy.

Alec was seeking a respite from city life. He thinks he has discovered it on Plymouth Crest, a manor overlooking the forest and a beautiful lake, golden in the sun. But Alec was warned the house is haunted by a murdered pop singer and Hollywood star.

Footsteps and howling winds soon disturb his sleep. One night, he finds an intruder, Joy, standing barefoot among broken glass in the kitchen. He chases her out. But she returns, enchanting him with laughter and boundless energy. It’s not long before Alec falls in love.

Joy ends when a belligerent character shows up and claims ownership of the house. Alec and Joy have a plan to evict him and bring some resolution to past horrors. If they fail, Alec’s dreams will crumble, and Joy might be subjected to a fate worse than death. But if they succeed, Alec and Joy might be separated forever—and so may end joy. To save Joy—and also have hope of being together—they need a bold plan, bringing them face to face with evils buried in the past, and finding a path to a shared future.

Haunting Joy is a standalone novel in The Phantom Hearts Series. All three books were grouped into this collection with the common theme of supernatural romance and ghostly suspense. Each novel can be enjoyed separately as a complete standalone story without reading the preceding, or subsequent, book.

Content This novel contains sexual scenes, adult situations, and profanity.

Genres: Audiobook

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2025

About the author

A.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.

Reviews

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Along with one other, as of early March, this is my favorite book of the year.

Guys aren't supposed to say this kind of thing, but I don't ever remember crying this much from a book (kind of a "Joy Pain", as Pia Melody would say).

As the leading female character's name is Joy, one could take that as a pun, but it isn't meant that way.

I really don't get how Mr Hawke isn't better known, compared to him Stephen King is talentless.

The plot is basically a Male human & a female ghost truly fall in love, but there is so much more going on.

Mr Hawke seems to have an amazing intellect, I've never read a bad book from him, & some like this one are beyond belief excellent. His thought process must be truly amazing. I fell in love with Joy the ghost.

I couldn't recommend this more highly. If you read it, I don't think you'll regret the time.

This is part of a series; but works fine as a standalone; the three books are only lightly connected if at all.

OK for teens, maybe a strong "G".

I was given the chance to read an Advanced Reader's Copy at no charge, & I am leaving a review that is not biased by that.

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness, this is such a wonderful story. Alec is an author and has been looking for someplace away from the city where he can write. He finally found what he was looking for Plymouth Crest. It is a beautiful old manor house in surprisingly good condition. But locals are quick to warn him that the house is haunted by its original owner, a young popstar and actress who was murdered, but her body never found.
Wow, just wow! These characters are all absolutely fascinating. The are so well written and compelling that I couldn’t put this book down! I guess the most startling thing about this book is that Alec falls in love with the ghost haunting his home, and that she loves him back. I cried at the end of this book! I think this is a must-read paranormal romance, and I highly recommend it to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC I received from Hidden Gems.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I was entertained by this story. I loved the setting of the story which was in a country manor overlooking a forest and a lake. I understood Alec's desire for peace and quiet especially since he was an author. I was intrigued by his first meeting with Joy, and I appreciated the occasional hints which alluded to something more to the character. I was surprised by the twists. I was entertained by Alexa Elmy's narration as her performance added to the story's aura. I was given a copy of the audiobook through Spotify. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic haunting supernatural romance that once started, I just could not put it down! It’s a captivating read as we follow Alec to a peaceful retreat only to discover that it is in fact haunted by a murdered pop star whose body was never found! Brrrrr chills. It’s a wonderful read and both Joy and Alex are incredible characters and their story is enthralling and absolutely fascinating and the author spun a tale filled with twists and turns and a few surprises and intense moments, that had me glued to the pages and unable to stop reading.

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 2 out of 5]

🤔Not the book I was expecting.


After months of searching, Alec and his real estate agent had finally found the perfect house to buy.

Located on a wooded hill, built in the 90s, it had a certain charm...

****

It took me a really long time to finally finish this surprising, but rather disappointing, paranormal novel.

I enjoyed some parts of the story, but ultimately it wasn't the book I was hoping for at all.

Furthermore, I didn't connect with the characters at all, and I'm not sure I fully understood the ending. I'm disappointed.

Not a book for me. Sorry.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting Joy is a love story of a different type, and so is the drama. The characters are lovable, and you can imagine them living in a small town somewhere. The storyline has some intense moments, but it mostly tells the story of two people who fall in love under some very strange circumstances. Though unbelievable, it is quite a believable tale. I could not put the book down and read it in one sitting. It is a different type of page-turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dot Morrow]

I listened to this book and enjoyed the story. I love how the setting was out in the forest and lake away from everyone. Alec is a write and moved from California and finds out that a ghost is in the house. This story has a different twist and turns in it that you don't see coming. The love that exists between Daisy, Alec and Joy is something else and last for years. I have laughed, cried and got mad but the story is great.
Love the author and the narrator.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

'...they need a bold plan, bringing them face to face with evils buried in the past, and finding a path to a shared future.'

The characters were very well written. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.

Grab a copy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A house will bring two lost souls together but the house is haunted. They need to work together to save their love as others try to break them up. A brilliant journey of love against the odds
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was soon invested in their story

[Margarita Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance. A man buys a haunted house and eventually become friends with the ghost. I like the characters with good world description.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gail Brittingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book until the very end. The characters love for each other and their friendship with Daisy lasted a lifetime. Very happy I got to read this book. I cried also.

[Ally Doby (Schleicher) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Book: 4.75 stars; Audio: 4.85 stars*