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Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places
“Swoony and spooky.”—NPR
Love brings down the haunted house in this captivating romance from the acclaimed author of The Romantic Agenda.
Lucky Hart has a special affinity for the supernatural but almost no one takes parapsychology seriously. She’s estranged from her family, lost her friends, and has been rejected from graduate school. Twice. But her big break finally arrives when she gets insider info about a troubled production company. Every actor on their new show mysteriously quits after spending three nights inside Hennessee House, an old Victorian with a notorious reputation.
After scheming her way onto the show to investigate, Lucky meets Maverick Phillips and chemistry instantly crackles between them. He tempts her in ways no one ever has, challenging and supporting her, and making her finally feel seen. Their connection is so palpable everyone notices it–including Hennesee House.
Now Lucky and Maverick’s relationship has a the lonely, sentient house desperate for her undivided attention. As love begins to clash with career, Lucky refuses to choose one over the other because everyone deserves a happily ever after, even houses with haunted hearts. But when all her plans begin backfiring one-by-one, she realizes that if she wants to have it all? She'll have to risk everything.
Love brings down the haunted house in this captivating romance from the acclaimed author of The Romantic Agenda.
Lucky Hart has a special affinity for the supernatural but almost no one takes parapsychology seriously. She’s estranged from her family, lost her friends, and has been rejected from graduate school. Twice. But her big break finally arrives when she gets insider info about a troubled production company. Every actor on their new show mysteriously quits after spending three nights inside Hennessee House, an old Victorian with a notorious reputation.
After scheming her way onto the show to investigate, Lucky meets Maverick Phillips and chemistry instantly crackles between them. He tempts her in ways no one ever has, challenging and supporting her, and making her finally feel seen. Their connection is so palpable everyone notices it–including Hennesee House.
Now Lucky and Maverick’s relationship has a the lonely, sentient house desperate for her undivided attention. As love begins to clash with career, Lucky refuses to choose one over the other because everyone deserves a happily ever after, even houses with haunted hearts. But when all her plans begin backfiring one-by-one, she realizes that if she wants to have it all? She'll have to risk everything.
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First published May 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
June 30, 2025
the REAL haunting was the disappointment we found along the way.
and we found so many:
the names in this — lucky, maverick, rebel — are so insane as to actually continually take me out of the story. it's like reading a quirky romance novel while a series of "unique baby names i love but am not going to use" instagram reels autoplays at the same time.
beyond that, the romance (which is, yes, the plot), centers around maverick (sigh), who is a supernatural ghost hunter type tv show guy, being extremely protective of lucky (don’t even get me started), who is…also a supernatural type tv show ghost person.
i do not like Alpha Male Protection type setups at the best of times and this particular one is just ridiculous. this is the rough equivalent of the vp of your department calling you at 9:45 am every monday through friday while you write emails because he’s worried for your safety. THIS IS JUST WHAT BOTH OF YOU DO FOR A LIVING.
she also says at one point, completely seriously, that she avoids anywhere she thinks ghosts might be. she says this in conversation with her ghost-hunter love interest, while in their second haunted location, while in the midst of filming their second ghost-centered project.
there are so many moments like that: very self-serious, emotional conversations that actually have no connection to what is literally going on. i don't know if i've ever felt this before, let alone said it, but it seems like this book was written on vibes. no plot, no plan. just whatever happens happens, logic be damned.
this book is so weird, and so unnecessarily long, and so frustrating. i can't quote to you from my ARC but it also feels...the polite term would be "under-edited."
i can really see why so many of the reviews are from readers who couldn't get through it.
bottom line: i didn't DNF this book, but i might as well have.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
and we found so many:
the names in this — lucky, maverick, rebel — are so insane as to actually continually take me out of the story. it's like reading a quirky romance novel while a series of "unique baby names i love but am not going to use" instagram reels autoplays at the same time.
beyond that, the romance (which is, yes, the plot), centers around maverick (sigh), who is a supernatural ghost hunter type tv show guy, being extremely protective of lucky (don’t even get me started), who is…also a supernatural type tv show ghost person.
i do not like Alpha Male Protection type setups at the best of times and this particular one is just ridiculous. this is the rough equivalent of the vp of your department calling you at 9:45 am every monday through friday while you write emails because he’s worried for your safety. THIS IS JUST WHAT BOTH OF YOU DO FOR A LIVING.
she also says at one point, completely seriously, that she avoids anywhere she thinks ghosts might be. she says this in conversation with her ghost-hunter love interest, while in their second haunted location, while in the midst of filming their second ghost-centered project.
there are so many moments like that: very self-serious, emotional conversations that actually have no connection to what is literally going on. i don't know if i've ever felt this before, let alone said it, but it seems like this book was written on vibes. no plot, no plan. just whatever happens happens, logic be damned.
this book is so weird, and so unnecessarily long, and so frustrating. i can't quote to you from my ARC but it also feels...the polite term would be "under-edited."
i can really see why so many of the reviews are from readers who couldn't get through it.
bottom line: i didn't DNF this book, but i might as well have.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
July 7, 2024
3 stars—I liked it.
I was lured by the flowery purple cover, y'all. Plus the idea of a romance taking place in a haunted house. Lucky Hart is the cheeky young psychic who has been the successful candidate to star in a show about a caretaker of Hennessee House. The previous attempts have ended quickly, but Lucky hopes to live up to her name. During her interview process, she butts heads with the money man Xander, owner of the house. I expected him to become the romantic interest but I was way off base. Instead it's the rather misnamed Maverick Phillips who has the usually brash Lucky stammering and blushing.
As psychic women main characters go, Lucky is neither the best nor the worst. I didn't find myself wanting to shake her but I couldn't find a way to care much about her either. The whole production team was available to be used as found family, but the author chose to only involve half of them in any meaningful way. Even those relationships felt rather thin. Maverick was totally the wrong name for the very cautious, introverted love interest. I did like the addition of his daughter Rebel, who did at least try to live up to her label.
I far prefer enemies to lovers as the premise for a romance, so Xander would have been a better choice from my perspective. but to each their own.
I know there is an audience out there for this book. I never thought I'd say this, but it was too tame for me. If I, Queen of the Cowardly, can read a ghost book after dark, it is not nearly edgy enough.
I was lured by the flowery purple cover, y'all. Plus the idea of a romance taking place in a haunted house. Lucky Hart is the cheeky young psychic who has been the successful candidate to star in a show about a caretaker of Hennessee House. The previous attempts have ended quickly, but Lucky hopes to live up to her name. During her interview process, she butts heads with the money man Xander, owner of the house. I expected him to become the romantic interest but I was way off base. Instead it's the rather misnamed Maverick Phillips who has the usually brash Lucky stammering and blushing.
As psychic women main characters go, Lucky is neither the best nor the worst. I didn't find myself wanting to shake her but I couldn't find a way to care much about her either. The whole production team was available to be used as found family, but the author chose to only involve half of them in any meaningful way. Even those relationships felt rather thin. Maverick was totally the wrong name for the very cautious, introverted love interest. I did like the addition of his daughter Rebel, who did at least try to live up to her label.
I far prefer enemies to lovers as the premise for a romance, so Xander would have been a better choice from my perspective. but to each their own.
I know there is an audience out there for this book. I never thought I'd say this, but it was too tame for me. If I, Queen of the Cowardly, can read a ghost book after dark, it is not nearly edgy enough.
June 16, 2024
This was very different for me. Slower than my other stuff and has more cosy mystery vibes.
We have a haunted house, where a TV is being filmed, and our FMC is trying to uncover the mystery.
The FMC is asexual.
There is romance and intrigue.
The MMC is a single dad and the kid is precious.
"Thank you for wanting to be my friend. When I said I didn't have any earlier, that was me not wanting to be presumptuous. It's hard to leave the pity party when I've lived there for so long that I've started to pay rent."
"I didn't realize I was looking for someone until you found me... I saw your picture and thought to myself, oh s**t, she's coming whether I'm ready or not, and I wasn't. I wasn't at all prepared for how quickly you'll turn my entire existence upside down."
"I have never been this vulnerable in my life. I have shared with you things I planned to take to my grave... but you ruined that when you promised to keep me safe..."
We have a haunted house, where a TV is being filmed, and our FMC is trying to uncover the mystery.
The FMC is asexual.
There is romance and intrigue.
The MMC is a single dad and the kid is precious.
"Thank you for wanting to be my friend. When I said I didn't have any earlier, that was me not wanting to be presumptuous. It's hard to leave the pity party when I've lived there for so long that I've started to pay rent."
"I didn't realize I was looking for someone until you found me... I saw your picture and thought to myself, oh s**t, she's coming whether I'm ready or not, and I wasn't. I wasn't at all prepared for how quickly you'll turn my entire existence upside down."
"I have never been this vulnerable in my life. I have shared with you things I planned to take to my grave... but you ruined that when you promised to keep me safe..."
March 18, 2024
Overall: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Plotline: 3.5/5
World-Building: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Spice Factor: 1
Themes: 3.5/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment Factor: 3/5
Review: The supernatural element was fascinating, and I loved how the haunted house mystery evolved throughout the story. The romance, however, almost felt like a footnote. As a romance, this fell very flat for me as the MCs didn't have the best chemistry, and I felt like all their important conversations were like running around in circles. The supernatural plot line was far more fascinating, and I wanted the story to lean more into that, but every time we had a breakthrough, we would shift dramatically to romance for no reason. I liked that some of the conversations around sexual orientation and education about asexuality. However, there was a point where it felt too educational and took me out of the story. I think the Haunted House was excellent; it had its own personality and was well thought out.
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Characters: 3/5
Plotline: 3.5/5
World-Building: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Spice Factor: 1
Themes: 3.5/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment Factor: 3/5
Review: The supernatural element was fascinating, and I loved how the haunted house mystery evolved throughout the story. The romance, however, almost felt like a footnote. As a romance, this fell very flat for me as the MCs didn't have the best chemistry, and I felt like all their important conversations were like running around in circles. The supernatural plot line was far more fascinating, and I wanted the story to lean more into that, but every time we had a breakthrough, we would shift dramatically to romance for no reason. I liked that some of the conversations around sexual orientation and education about asexuality. However, there was a point where it felt too educational and took me out of the story. I think the Haunted House was excellent; it had its own personality and was well thought out.
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2024
I went in expecting spooky gothic vibes and got cozy mystery vibes. Not mad about it though, just not what I expected and a little too slow for my taste.
gave-up-on
April 11, 2024I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for a chance at reading this book early.
As an asexual person, I am always looking for books with an ace leading lady (or male). So finding this, I assumed it would be a book for me.
Unfortunately, I had to DNF it at 25%.
I found the character interesting but the plot sadly wasn't interesting enough - it moved at such a slow, leisurely pace. I started wondering if there was anything really, truly haunted about it? The romance also wasn't really developing or making me feel there was any sort of 'asexual' vibes (this could be how my asexuality is on the spectrum since everyone's experience is not the same).
I do have other books written by the author with asexual main characters, and I am willing to try those out before thinking this one was a proper judge on the author (when there aren't that many asexual / ace writers).
So, I hope other readers enjoy it - for me, I just felt it wasn't what I was looking for.
Out of respect for the author I will not be rating this book.
As an asexual person, I am always looking for books with an ace leading lady (or male). So finding this, I assumed it would be a book for me.
Unfortunately, I had to DNF it at 25%.
I found the character interesting but the plot sadly wasn't interesting enough - it moved at such a slow, leisurely pace. I started wondering if there was anything really, truly haunted about it? The romance also wasn't really developing or making me feel there was any sort of 'asexual' vibes (this could be how my asexuality is on the spectrum since everyone's experience is not the same).
I do have other books written by the author with asexual main characters, and I am willing to try those out before thinking this one was a proper judge on the author (when there aren't that many asexual / ace writers).
So, I hope other readers enjoy it - for me, I just felt it wasn't what I was looking for.
Out of respect for the author I will not be rating this book.
June 22, 2024
I am a sucker for haunted house and paranormal investigation stories, so the premise of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places inevitably captured my attention. The set-up for the romance was also intriguing (asexual FMC and allosexual MMC, who is a single dad), so I decided to give the book a go.
Honestly, I should’ve heeded the reviews. Every aspect of this story is executed shallowly. The haunted Hennessee House, its investigation, Lucky’s backstory, her romance with Maverick, the found family trope – it’s all disappointingly surface-level. I got bored halfway through and only kept reading to find out how the Hennessee mystery would wrap up. The resolution was mildly interesting but unfortunately not very satisfying, mainly because the investigation process was so wishy-washy (Lucky did not feel like an experienced paranormal investigator) and overshadowed by the lackluster romance. There were some valuable conversations about asexuality as a spectrum, but ultimately the romance just made me feel like pursuing a relationship with an allosexual person as an ace person is kind of not worth it lmao. If I were Lucky, I would’ve given up on Maverick ages ago. He was nice, I guess, but most of the time he just got in Lucky’s way.
Anyway, if you want to read something just for the sake of reading, you could give this book a go, but I wouldn’t actively recommend it.
Honestly, I should’ve heeded the reviews. Every aspect of this story is executed shallowly. The haunted Hennessee House, its investigation, Lucky’s backstory, her romance with Maverick, the found family trope – it’s all disappointingly surface-level. I got bored halfway through and only kept reading to find out how the Hennessee mystery would wrap up. The resolution was mildly interesting but unfortunately not very satisfying, mainly because the investigation process was so wishy-washy (Lucky did not feel like an experienced paranormal investigator) and overshadowed by the lackluster romance. There were some valuable conversations about asexuality as a spectrum, but ultimately the romance just made me feel like pursuing a relationship with an allosexual person as an ace person is kind of not worth it lmao. If I were Lucky, I would’ve given up on Maverick ages ago. He was nice, I guess, but most of the time he just got in Lucky’s way.
Anyway, if you want to read something just for the sake of reading, you could give this book a go, but I wouldn’t actively recommend it.
October 7, 2024
Here's another book with a great title and a synopsis that really didn't play out the way I thought it would. There's was such potential with this premise and I was expecting more of a paranormal romance than we got. It was entirely too long clocking in around 400 pages most of which were repetitive conversations about the mc's ace status and how she wanted to take things slow but at the same time seemed upset her love interest wasn't trying to pressure her into anything.
What started out as an interesting story about a woman with ESP who signs up for a ghost hunting show where she lives in a haunted house, soon devolved into a bland small town romance with a single dad and his precocious child. There wasn't enough time devoted to the house or the inner workings of it beyond surface level talk.
What started out as an interesting story about a woman with ESP who signs up for a ghost hunting show where she lives in a haunted house, soon devolved into a bland small town romance with a single dad and his precocious child. There wasn't enough time devoted to the house or the inner workings of it beyond surface level talk.
October 6, 2024
3.7 stars
September 3, 2024
3.5 ⭐ This story had a lot more to it! I expected a much lighter, fun read from this based on the description and the cover. However, I appreciate the story, all of the characters (including the house), and the connections between characters go much deeper.
While I didn't enjoy the romantic connections, I thoroughly enjoyed the house connections and how it interacted with different people. I thought the paranormal occurrences were really interesting- that's what kept me on the hook to keep reading.
Overall, a fun read with some complexities that don't completely overshadow the basic premise: is Hennessee House haunted?
While I didn't enjoy the romantic connections, I thoroughly enjoyed the house connections and how it interacted with different people. I thought the paranormal occurrences were really interesting- that's what kept me on the hook to keep reading.
Overall, a fun read with some complexities that don't completely overshadow the basic premise: is Hennessee House haunted?
Read
May 31, 2024A cozy haunted house rom-com with fantastic Ace representation!
June 10, 2024
This book has a phenomenal title and an amazing premise, but then again, what else to expect from a culture and a time period where advertising reigns supreme? See, a childhood craving for horror and an adulthood lusting for queerdom makes for odd company when the transition period is grounded in high expectations regarding quality prose and no small understanding of characterization/theme, and it's a rare occasion when something filters through the highfalutin odes of Library Journal and the frenzied baying of BookTok and gives me something promising to look forward to. Add in this work being yet another that easily made its way to my workplace's shelves, and of course I was able to make room for it as soon as it dropped. Unfortunately, 'show, not tell' once again reveals itself to be the bugbear of the hour, as contrary to popular belief, no amount of "non-problematic" communication puzzle pieces hurled at the reader from all sides can guarantee mood, or suspense, or even characterization that is both differentiable and consistent. All it does is swell a 200+ page story to nearly the 400+ page mark, scrub 75% of the character names from the reader's immediate recall, and almost entirely drain the life out of the penultimate denouement. In any case, I did appreciate what bits and pieces of ace rep I got that wasn't bogged down with whiplash logorrhea and cutesified child labor, but I gotta say: if you don't put the explanation pen down and let the story breathe for longer than a page or two, you're going to drown the baby before it's even experienced the bathwater.
Read
June 19, 2024DNF @ 41%
i don't wanna talk about it
i don't wanna talk about it
dnf
June 16, 2024DNF @ 16%
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance, Netgalley, and PRH Audio for providing advanced copies of this book. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
I really wanted to love this! In fact this appeared on my most anticipated releases of the year list. Unfortunately I just didn't find myself invested in any aspect of this story.
I'm always on the lookout for more ace romances so I was so excited to pick one up from an own voices author on top of that.
But despite the cool setting, paranormal elements, and tropes I typically like, I felt no draw to ever pick this book up. I wasn't finding myself invested in the characters, their interactions, or even show they were filming. I put this down and it sat untouched for 2 full weeks.
If I'm actively avoiding picking up a book, it's usually time to dnf...
I really want to give this author another try though!
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance, Netgalley, and PRH Audio for providing advanced copies of this book. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
I really wanted to love this! In fact this appeared on my most anticipated releases of the year list. Unfortunately I just didn't find myself invested in any aspect of this story.
I'm always on the lookout for more ace romances so I was so excited to pick one up from an own voices author on top of that.
But despite the cool setting, paranormal elements, and tropes I typically like, I felt no draw to ever pick this book up. I wasn't finding myself invested in the characters, their interactions, or even show they were filming. I put this down and it sat untouched for 2 full weeks.
If I'm actively avoiding picking up a book, it's usually time to dnf...
I really want to give this author another try though!
May 22, 2024
DNF at 21%, 3 stars because I didn't finish it and it seems unfair to go lower than that.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC, unfortunately it wasn't for me.
I really tried but I just found this incredibly boring. The haunted house didn't really feel very haunted, the main characters were likable enough I guess but I didn't feel much of a connection to them and I think they're supposed to be in their late 20s/30s but it felt like reading about teenagers with insta lust.
The constant phone calls were so boring, nothing really happened other than the MC staying in her room and phone calls?? The magic, for want of a better word, element was kind of confusing it felt like being dropped in the middle of a story not the beginning.
Now I can acknowledge 21% isn't much so maybe I gave up to soon but I won't force myself to find out if nothing has happened so far.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC, unfortunately it wasn't for me.
I really tried but I just found this incredibly boring. The haunted house didn't really feel very haunted, the main characters were likable enough I guess but I didn't feel much of a connection to them and I think they're supposed to be in their late 20s/30s but it felt like reading about teenagers with insta lust.
The constant phone calls were so boring, nothing really happened other than the MC staying in her room and phone calls?? The magic, for want of a better word, element was kind of confusing it felt like being dropped in the middle of a story not the beginning.
Now I can acknowledge 21% isn't much so maybe I gave up to soon but I won't force myself to find out if nothing has happened so far.
June 3, 2024
Besides the title (which sounds like a country song and kept getting stuck in my head...) I thought this book would be right up my alley with a paranormal themed romance. I enjoyed the beginning!
However, the book got confusing when it transitioned from Lucky's story in the house to Rebel's show. I listened to the audiobook and honestly thought I'd missed something. The vibe of the book is very much Half Thought-Out Ideas Loosely Threaded Together.
I understand that there is an audience for ace romances, but this very much bored me as I did not relate to it. I wish the description of the book mentioned this as I would've either been ready for it and not thought twice about it when it was brought up in the story, or could've avoided reading this altogether.
However, the book got confusing when it transitioned from Lucky's story in the house to Rebel's show. I listened to the audiobook and honestly thought I'd missed something. The vibe of the book is very much Half Thought-Out Ideas Loosely Threaded Together.
I understand that there is an audience for ace romances, but this very much bored me as I did not relate to it. I wish the description of the book mentioned this as I would've either been ready for it and not thought twice about it when it was brought up in the story, or could've avoided reading this altogether.
March 5, 2024
The balance between the paranormal and the romance was fairly even and I love how those two plot point effected each other. It was fun and I love the idea that haunting doesn’t have to scary or bad, it could be something very human instead. I liked every character including the house itself. Also the asexuality rep was fantastic and eye-opening to those maybe a little less informed about the different experiences within the asexual community.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
August 11, 2024
Way too long and the plot made no sense!
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June 10, 2024disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is a slower-paced, character-driven novel as we follow Lucky, Black, bisexual, ace, ESP-powered MC, who gets a new job as the caretaker of the allegedly haunted Hennessee House, and works alongside the tv/podcasting team to discuss what is going on inside the house. Lucky gets to know Maverick, his kid Rebel, and the rest of the team as she unravels more about herself too. She can read people with her ESP when she first meets them and looks into their eyes, which is wild, and so damn cool, but also why she wears glasses to shield herself from doing this all the time, as it is draining!
Rebel, Maverick's kid, and how the team treats Rebel as a valid part of their team: "Watching them each talk to Rebel was fascinating. Under the hurt and disappointment, Lucky realized they were taking Rebel seriously. Being an intern wasn't some fun, honorary title because Maverick couldn't find a sitter. She really was a part of their team, held to the same standards as everyone else. Progressive discipline and all." (49) I appreciated this commentary on treating kids with dignity and respect, and giving them more credit than most folks do. Rebel was goofy, adventurous, brave, and like, her dad made his bed with naming her "rebel," idk mannnnn!
Maverick gave Lucky so much credit and validation too, both in Lucky's writing, her sexuality, her occupation, and her feelings. Maverick really is a wonderful LI, who affirms and tries to listen with an open mind and heart. Many cishet men could learn a thing or two from him, and I'm genuinely begging them to read *one* modern romance novel. Maverick was patient, gentle, and sincerely curious in getting to know Lucky. He was exactly the LI that Lucky needed, and I rooted for them to find their way to each other. "You can tell a person who they are after meeting them once. You're full of stories waiting to be written." (107) This is in response to Lucky claiming no one is interested in anything she has to write beyond essays and blog posts. Maverick isn't dismissing her feelings, but he is challenging the way she speaks poorly about herself.
"She was so close to falling apart and he just sat there next to her. Patiently waiting and refusing to let her fake her way through an answer." (151)
Cishetwhite man of the year award goes to Maverick. I love him, your honor!!!
"He's the worst. I hate him."
"Yeah," Lucky agreed, fully aboard the sarcasm train. "It's kind of annoying how much he believes in people. How dare he." (172)
Truly, this just adds to Maverick's character of believing in, rooting for, and empowering people, especially the femmes around him. An icon if you will.
"You called me a collector. What is that?"
"That's who you are. You search for people and bring them in, give them somewhere to belong." (331)
*sobs*
The representation of Lucky as ace was lovely; Claire Kann writes her characters with such great care, and Lucky is so precious. Lucky feels unlovable, and as if no one will understand her, so she simply chooses to disengage from those relationships, rather than be left behind again and again. She leaves before anyone else can leave her, which is a specific heartache. Her family and friends had abandoned her and belittled her occupation/sexual orientation/interests, so finding folks who actually want to learn about her and encourage her to share her experience about being ace, and any other aspects about her is brand new, and uncomfortable because she almost can't believe people care this way. Lucky dialogues with Georgia about being ace (Georgia's brother is ace), and we slowly see Lucky break down her walls, and understand what chosen family could mean. That was lovely, and I appreciated that she was brave in sharing her feelings around sex and attraction.
Claire Kann notes she is a horror fan, and I can understand why she wrote this paranormal romance. It was a bit goofy, silly, but still invited reflection from this sentient house. I thought the way the house's intentions and how it operated was fascinating, and loved that commentary. It was another example of displaying this human need to try to provide what others need, and to want to be paid attention to. I love that about the horror genre in general.
Sometimes, it felt like a slog to get through, specifically between 30-60%. The pacing fell off a bit for me, and even though some of the chapters were indeed super short, I feel like another run through of shortening certain parts of this book would have been helpful to keep it a bit more succinct.
Overall, it was a fun, eerie, swoon-worthy story, and one that I'd gladly watch if it was optioned and adapted for tv!
Random things I loved about Lucky:
"Look, I'm not trying to be difficult, but I answered the question." (128)
I'm going to use this response when someone does not take my answer as sufficient
"I noticed you're an avid ketchup person."
"It's true. I am," she said. "But I hate tomatoes."
she is me and I am her!!!!!! This tomato-hater representation was everything, thank you!
"That's how I know people can do bad things and still be a fundamentally good person. They've just lost their way and need time to sort it out. But knowing that doesn't change how much they hurt me in the process."
It also didn't mean she had to forgive them or give them a second chance. That was for her to decide. (216)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
This is a slower-paced, character-driven novel as we follow Lucky, Black, bisexual, ace, ESP-powered MC, who gets a new job as the caretaker of the allegedly haunted Hennessee House, and works alongside the tv/podcasting team to discuss what is going on inside the house. Lucky gets to know Maverick, his kid Rebel, and the rest of the team as she unravels more about herself too. She can read people with her ESP when she first meets them and looks into their eyes, which is wild, and so damn cool, but also why she wears glasses to shield herself from doing this all the time, as it is draining!
Rebel, Maverick's kid, and how the team treats Rebel as a valid part of their team: "Watching them each talk to Rebel was fascinating. Under the hurt and disappointment, Lucky realized they were taking Rebel seriously. Being an intern wasn't some fun, honorary title because Maverick couldn't find a sitter. She really was a part of their team, held to the same standards as everyone else. Progressive discipline and all." (49) I appreciated this commentary on treating kids with dignity and respect, and giving them more credit than most folks do. Rebel was goofy, adventurous, brave, and like, her dad made his bed with naming her "rebel," idk mannnnn!
Maverick gave Lucky so much credit and validation too, both in Lucky's writing, her sexuality, her occupation, and her feelings. Maverick really is a wonderful LI, who affirms and tries to listen with an open mind and heart. Many cishet men could learn a thing or two from him, and I'm genuinely begging them to read *one* modern romance novel. Maverick was patient, gentle, and sincerely curious in getting to know Lucky. He was exactly the LI that Lucky needed, and I rooted for them to find their way to each other. "You can tell a person who they are after meeting them once. You're full of stories waiting to be written." (107) This is in response to Lucky claiming no one is interested in anything she has to write beyond essays and blog posts. Maverick isn't dismissing her feelings, but he is challenging the way she speaks poorly about herself.
"She was so close to falling apart and he just sat there next to her. Patiently waiting and refusing to let her fake her way through an answer." (151)
Cishetwhite man of the year award goes to Maverick. I love him, your honor!!!
"He's the worst. I hate him."
"Yeah," Lucky agreed, fully aboard the sarcasm train. "It's kind of annoying how much he believes in people. How dare he." (172)
Truly, this just adds to Maverick's character of believing in, rooting for, and empowering people, especially the femmes around him. An icon if you will.
"You called me a collector. What is that?"
"That's who you are. You search for people and bring them in, give them somewhere to belong." (331)
*sobs*
The representation of Lucky as ace was lovely; Claire Kann writes her characters with such great care, and Lucky is so precious. Lucky feels unlovable, and as if no one will understand her, so she simply chooses to disengage from those relationships, rather than be left behind again and again. She leaves before anyone else can leave her, which is a specific heartache. Her family and friends had abandoned her and belittled her occupation/sexual orientation/interests, so finding folks who actually want to learn about her and encourage her to share her experience about being ace, and any other aspects about her is brand new, and uncomfortable because she almost can't believe people care this way. Lucky dialogues with Georgia about being ace (Georgia's brother is ace), and we slowly see Lucky break down her walls, and understand what chosen family could mean. That was lovely, and I appreciated that she was brave in sharing her feelings around sex and attraction.
Claire Kann notes she is a horror fan, and I can understand why she wrote this paranormal romance. It was a bit goofy, silly, but still invited reflection from this sentient house. I thought the way the house's intentions and how it operated was fascinating, and loved that commentary. It was another example of displaying this human need to try to provide what others need, and to want to be paid attention to. I love that about the horror genre in general.
Sometimes, it felt like a slog to get through, specifically between 30-60%. The pacing fell off a bit for me, and even though some of the chapters were indeed super short, I feel like another run through of shortening certain parts of this book would have been helpful to keep it a bit more succinct.
Overall, it was a fun, eerie, swoon-worthy story, and one that I'd gladly watch if it was optioned and adapted for tv!
Random things I loved about Lucky:
"Look, I'm not trying to be difficult, but I answered the question." (128)
I'm going to use this response when someone does not take my answer as sufficient
"I noticed you're an avid ketchup person."
"It's true. I am," she said. "But I hate tomatoes."
she is me and I am her!!!!!! This tomato-hater representation was everything, thank you!
"That's how I know people can do bad things and still be a fundamentally good person. They've just lost their way and need time to sort it out. But knowing that doesn't change how much they hurt me in the process."
It also didn't mean she had to forgive them or give them a second chance. That was for her to decide. (216)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2024
2.5/5 🌟
RTC
RTC
May 13, 2024
Many thanks to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the gifted print and audiobook copies. Below is my honest review.
Lucky Hart is finally getting her break. She has unique abilities but hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase them. So when she is selected as the fourth caretaker of a haunted house reality TV show (the first three all quit), she knows she’s found the perfect place to let her ESP abilities shine. The house quickly takes her in a way it did not with previous caretakers. Lucky is also quickly taken by Maverick, one of the show’s producers, and his young daughter Rebel. As her relationship with Maverick evolves, it almost seems that the house becomes jealous. Can Lucky bridge this huge opportunity, a sentient house, and a potential love interest at the same time?
This sweet story was about connections, loneliness, and being honest about what you want. The house itself was an interesting metaphor for the emotions of the characters. Rebel, Maverick’s young daughter, stole almost every page she was on and was an essential character in the story - which I enjoy as some books forget to give the children space in the story. The romance elements were incredibly thoughtful. Lovely identifies as asexual, and the author deftly educates readers through Maverick’s education and growing understanding. I did feel like it wrapped up quickly, but this is a sweet read to add to your spooky season TBR!
Lucky Hart is finally getting her break. She has unique abilities but hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase them. So when she is selected as the fourth caretaker of a haunted house reality TV show (the first three all quit), she knows she’s found the perfect place to let her ESP abilities shine. The house quickly takes her in a way it did not with previous caretakers. Lucky is also quickly taken by Maverick, one of the show’s producers, and his young daughter Rebel. As her relationship with Maverick evolves, it almost seems that the house becomes jealous. Can Lucky bridge this huge opportunity, a sentient house, and a potential love interest at the same time?
This sweet story was about connections, loneliness, and being honest about what you want. The house itself was an interesting metaphor for the emotions of the characters. Rebel, Maverick’s young daughter, stole almost every page she was on and was an essential character in the story - which I enjoy as some books forget to give the children space in the story. The romance elements were incredibly thoughtful. Lovely identifies as asexual, and the author deftly educates readers through Maverick’s education and growing understanding. I did feel like it wrapped up quickly, but this is a sweet read to add to your spooky season TBR!
July 5, 2024
As an Ace individual, when I placed a hold for this book I had no knowledge that it had it had Asexual representation. I only learned when the main character, Lucky, identifies being ace halfway through the book. Does this novel have good Asexual representation? I guess… but only because it feels like the characters are literally reading informational websites/brochures on asexuality to the reader. The book gets 2 stars ⭐️ though since ace representation is unusual.
To be fair though, this entire book was bogged with meaningless conversations which often did not advance the plot. Three-quarters through the book I just started skipping entire conversations.
It’s unfortunate, because I think the premise and plot could have been great. It reminded of the made for TV Disney Movie ‘Smart House’ (1999), but haunting sentience VS technology sentience. So much could have been done with the plot of this book if the author wasn’t so focused on meaningless dialogue.
To be fair though, this entire book was bogged with meaningless conversations which often did not advance the plot. Three-quarters through the book I just started skipping entire conversations.
It’s unfortunate, because I think the premise and plot could have been great. It reminded of the made for TV Disney Movie ‘Smart House’ (1999), but haunting sentience VS technology sentience. So much could have been done with the plot of this book if the author wasn’t so focused on meaningless dialogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
So reading about a haunted house sounds like it would be scary but actually I just ended up thinking of Casita from Encanto. 😭 A sentient but lonely house meets a vivacious but lonely “ESP girlie”. Throw in a single dad, his adorable daughter, a prickly new best friend, and LOTS of discussion about asexuals and you get a recipe for wacky hijinks. Very cute!
Best part is the Pokémon reference to Gengar. Ghost kitty?! However, the tiny tidbits of lore about him made me think he was going to be a bit more fantastical than just a stray cat. But I do love that he seemed to know and respect Lucky from the get go.
As my friend said, the amusement park side quest was a bit jarring. I’ll agree. Also the “found family” aspect is really just limited to Maverick, Rebel, and Georgia. (Poor Stephen and Xander and Chase lmao)
Best part is the Pokémon reference to Gengar. Ghost kitty?! However, the tiny tidbits of lore about him made me think he was going to be a bit more fantastical than just a stray cat. But I do love that he seemed to know and respect Lucky from the get go.
As my friend said, the amusement park side quest was a bit jarring. I’ll agree. Also the “found family” aspect is really just limited to Maverick, Rebel, and Georgia. (Poor Stephen and Xander and Chase lmao)
August 17, 2024
A new fav from Claire Kann! Part reality tv romance, part haunted house story, this book features Lucky, a Black, neurodivergent, paranormal investigator with ESP who is also on the Ace spectrum. When Lucky is picked to be on a show featuring a haunted house, she ends up reluctantly falling for one of the producers, Maverick, a single dad who falls hard for her first. Interesting, with a unique plot and GREAT Ace rep, this was great on audio narrated by Zenzi Williams and perfect for fans of haunted house stories. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
August 13, 2024
Honestly I’m not sure why the ratings and reviews for this are so low. It’s a purple book with florals and a cat im not sure how “scary” anyone thought that could get 😂
The book is exactly what it advertised. I really enjoyed Lucky and her ESP. The story was well laid out and enjoyable. It was slow in some moments to where it could have been shorter but I liked it for what it was. Nice, simple and chill. Good palette cleanser.
The book is exactly what it advertised. I really enjoyed Lucky and her ESP. The story was well laid out and enjoyable. It was slow in some moments to where it could have been shorter but I liked it for what it was. Nice, simple and chill. Good palette cleanser.
November 1, 2024
2.5/3⭐️ this book was 100 pages longer than it needed to be lol I liked the idea of the book more than the execution
July 6, 2024
This has more of a cozy mystery vibe than a haunted vibe in my opinion, which is a bit disappointing.
I do love Claire Kann though and admire her for continuing to give us unapologetic asexual rep.
Rebel is 100% the best part of this book and I love that she was a fully fleshed out character and not just the kid of the love interest.
This was still an enjoyable read but I did expect a bit more haunting than just a sentient house.
I do love Claire Kann though and admire her for continuing to give us unapologetic asexual rep.
Rebel is 100% the best part of this book and I love that she was a fully fleshed out character and not just the kid of the love interest.
This was still an enjoyable read but I did expect a bit more haunting than just a sentient house.
May 13, 2024
Read this if you like:
•asexual rep
•haunted houses
•slow burn
The premise of this one was so fun. It was slow at time for me but overall enjoyable. Thank you PRH for ALC
•asexual rep
•haunted houses
•slow burn
The premise of this one was so fun. It was slow at time for me but overall enjoyable. Thank you PRH for ALC
October 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I was intrigued by the concept of this book and was quickly hooked on the mystery of Hennessee House.
What kept it from being a 4 or 5 star read for me was that the book was doing so much that I felt it could have been a bit longer to flesh out the backstories of all three main characters (Lucky, Maverick, and, yes, House). I had several questions that I felt were unanswered. That said, Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places was fast-paced and clearly full of compassion and care for said characters and their struggles.
Recommended to:
- fans of The Haunting of Hill House, Monster House, and HGTV viewers
- people who scream "no" when someone goes in the basement in a horror movie
- folks seeking thoughtful asexuality representation in a romance novel
This book will be a great spooky season RomCom for anyone who can wait that long. Perhaps don't read this in the dark by yourself... Or do. 👻
Thank you Berkley for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I was intrigued by the concept of this book and was quickly hooked on the mystery of Hennessee House.
What kept it from being a 4 or 5 star read for me was that the book was doing so much that I felt it could have been a bit longer to flesh out the backstories of all three main characters (Lucky, Maverick, and, yes, House). I had several questions that I felt were unanswered. That said, Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places was fast-paced and clearly full of compassion and care for said characters and their struggles.
Recommended to:
- fans of The Haunting of Hill House, Monster House, and HGTV viewers
- people who scream "no" when someone goes in the basement in a horror movie
- folks seeking thoughtful asexuality representation in a romance novel
This book will be a great spooky season RomCom for anyone who can wait that long. Perhaps don't read this in the dark by yourself... Or do. 👻
Thank you Berkley for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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