Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop: Ghosts of Rowan Vale, Book 2

Ghosts of Rowan Vale #2

by Sharon Booth

Fans of Heidi Swain, Lucy Jane Wood and the BBC series Ghosts will love this heart-warming, cosy, romantic novel with a magical twist.

The beautiful Cotswold village of Rowan Vale is run as a living museum, allowing tourists to see history in action. But there’s more to the place than any visitor would guess...

Fifty-something Shona grew up in the village and now runs its vintage, 1940s-themed teashop. Not everyone knows that the previous manager, her great-aunt Polly, still lives there too… as a ghost!

When newcomer Max arrives, hoping to find out more about the place where his German grandfather was a prisoner of war, both Shona and Polly are unsettled. Shona, because handsome, interesting Max is the first man to catch her eye since her divorce, and Polly, because she must finally confront the terrible truth about her past.

A 1940s-themed weekend planned for the village brings the families’ connections to a head and tragic secrets to light.

Can Shona help her ghostly great-aunt to find love and forgiveness once more, while also creating her own happy ever after?

The second in the comforting, feel-good, romantic series with a dash of fantasy that started with Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall .

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Ghosts, Fiction, Cozy, British Literature

Audible Audio

First published June 25, 2025

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the second book, maybe even a little more than the first one. I adore this world, it's a magical place and the ghost are such captivating characters.

Shona, a fifty-something woman, is running the 1940s themed teashop. Living there is her great-aunt Polly, even do she died in 1948. Max is a newcomer, who is connected to the village in more ways than one. His arrival sends sparks flying, not only for Shona, but for Polly too. He wants to know more about his grandfather, who was a German prisoner of war and was working on the farm in the village. Shona wants to help him uncover the truth, but that might cause more harm than good. Some secrets are better left buried..

While Shona and Max were compelling characters in their own right, I didn't feel connected to them. But, I did feel connected to Polly. I loved her so much. Her story honestly broke my heart. She was murdered and the mystery of the night it happened was woven into the whole book. While I did guess the outcome pretty early on, I still cried when we were told the whole story. But, the end did caught me by suprise.
To me, the ghost are the center of the story and I love hearing their stories.
I did loved the glimpses we got into Callie and Brodie though, I missed them.

This was a great story, we got some insight into the life in Rowan Vale during the war and the heartbreak that followed it. All while the village was getting ready to have a 1940s weekend.
It was slow at times, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The family aspect of this story was truly amazing.

I do hope we get many, many more books. I would love to meet all the ghosts. We still have so many unanswered questions, I can't wait for the next book.

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC.*

[Alina ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

☆☆☆ ½

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is the second book in Sharon Booth’s Ghosts of Rowan Vale series, and it continues the cosy, comforting tone that readers will recognize from the first installment. Set once again in the charming village of Rowan Vale, the story blends gentle romance, a touch of mystery, and a whisper of the supernatural in a way that’s warm and inviting.

This time, the narrative centers around the upcoming 1940s weekend—a promising and fun idea—but I found myself wishing it had been more of a focus. Given how central the event is to the premise, it felt surprisingly underdeveloped. The pacing also slowed in the middle, which made the story feel a little uneven overall.

Still, the book has some lovely highlights. The big twist surrounding the mystery was genuinely unexpected and added emotional weight to the story. It was a satisfying surprise that elevated the narrative and gave it more depth than I anticipated. The romantic thread is sweet and understated, and the magical elements add just the right touch of whimsy.

While it didn’t quite hit all the marks for me—mainly due to pacing and a somewhat underused central plot device—Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is a heartwarming, easy read perfect for a cosy afternoon. Fans of the series will enjoy returning to Rowan Vale, and the ending makes it clear there’s more to look forward to.

[elizabeth rose]

A ghost, a teashop, and a tangled past—this cosy romance blends the supernatural with a vintage twist, all set in a picture-perfect Cotswold village. 👻

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is a gentle, feel-good read with a unique twist: a ghostly great-aunt, a teashop frozen in time, and secrets buried deep in the village’s past. Set in the beautifully quaint Cotswold village of Rowan Vale—a living museum full of charm and nostalgia—this story blends cosy romance with a supernatural whodunnit.

The real standout for me was the dual-layered mystery: uncovering the truth behind Polly’s decades-old murder, and its unexpected link to Max, a newcomer tracing his German grandfather’s wartime past. That slow unravelling of secrets gave the book its emotional core and kept me turning the pages. Polly the ghost added mischief, warmth, and plenty of unfinished business.

While the pacing felt a little slow in places, the premise was intriguing, the setting was gorgeous, and the ghostly mystery kept me invested.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A cosy, paranormal mystery wrapped in 1940s nostalgia. Perfect for fans of warm village fiction with a touch of the unexpected.

[Karelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay- I initially got this as an eARC and I must admit it took me a bit to finally get a review BECAUSE I loved it so much that I had to stop myself and read the previous book 😅
Yes, I think you can read out of order but TRUST ME, you’ll enjoy the first one AND enjoy the second one even more.
So cute!!

[c_reads_books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5

A cute return to Harling Hall!
I enjoyed coming back to Harling Hall for this second book in the series, and the second-chance romance between Max and Shona was really sweet - I was rooting for them the minute Shona admitted to herself that she had a little crush on him. Max’s search for answers about his German POW grandfather was interesting as I don’t read a lot of historical fiction (but am obviously well aware of WWII) and the way this was integrated with the village’s 1940s themed weekend helped set the tone for the book.

I will say though that I would have liked more of Shona & Max’s story and a bit less of Polly’s POV, or that the two elements were interwoven more or something; they felt a little separate (even though they were two angles of the same story). And it’s for that reason that I’ve given it the 3.5 rating.

That said! I am looking forward to returning for the Christmas instalment when it comes out!

Thank you to Booth, Boldswood Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read & honestly review Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop prior to its release.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Booth’s Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is a stunning romantic paranormal fantasy masterpiece! I laughed, cried and was speechless at times. It is such a perfect story in so many ways. Without question, I adore this new series set in Rowan Dale! The first book is truly magnificent and I loved it but the second just took me a notch higher! It is incredibly moving, shining with wisdom and bursting with powerful lessons. It conveys boldly the importance of family and the power of forgiveness to set a heart free. Fresh starts, healing of past wounds, recovering from losses and accepting new loves are all beautifully woven into this unique tender tale.

Despite all the initial humour in this novel, there is a serious, complex murder mystery that delves into layers of social issues connected to war. Sharon deals with these topics respectfully and poignantly. Family devotion is at the heart of the plot but Prisoners of War and PTSD are part of the tightly knitted fabric. We get to see what it was like for Germans to be prisoners in a war camp. But also after the war ended, many were detained and forced to help rebuild Britain. This would have been distressing to those who just wanted to go home. The moral dilemma of this action is explored. Also, the conflicts in communities that arose because British citizens did not trust Germans to live among them. For they were seen as the enemy they fought against and who wreaked havoc on their lives. Yet, while these Germans gained more freedom to move within the community, romantic relationships occurred between German men and British women. It was not an easy existence for these couples. With feelings of betrayal and mistrust rampant, they had a lot to overcome. Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop explores these possible scenarios in some of the characters which helps us see what it was like to be in these situations.

PTSD, an endless negative by-product of war, is seen through some of the characters’ experiences and the havoc it created. This illness caused individuals to act in ways they never would have previously. It was not understood in the 1940s and many onlookers would have judged unfairly.

The novel has two points of view which are divided between vintage teashop manager Shona and her great - aunt Polly, a ghost. These likeable women take us into their worlds – one of the living with current concerns and the other wondering why she remained in spirit on this earth. Seeing events through their eyes presented some interesting observations and also revealed their similarities and differences. Shona can see her great-aunt but no other ghosts. Yet being able to talk to Polly is very useful, especially when the events of her death are under scrutiny. Polly has harboured secrets to protect certain persons but when Max arrives into town to visit his daughter and find out more about his German grandfather’s time as a prisoner of war, Polly is forced to tell the truth of what she knows to restore one man’s reputation. There are lots of twists and turns in this mystery to uncover the facts of a shooting that occurred in the past.

I loved the various characters, including recurring ones, that kept the plot sailing along. I was truly pinned to the pages! I enjoyed the lighter elements of the 1940s theme with the Vintage Teashop and the special 1940s party. Plus revisiting the more serious aspects of the historic time period such as the lasting effects of war on participants and their descendants.

This is a wonderful novel that I cannot praise enough for its originality, humour, depth, creative plot, fascinating characters of unusual ghost residents dwelling with the living. It is a story about healing, forgiveness, love, family and community. Beautifully delivered, respectfully handled, this divine mix of light and shade, passion and humour is an absolute delight to read. 5 Stars

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Hafezah · Rating 2 out of 5]

[ARC REVIEW] My rating: 2.5*

As a millennial who grew up watching Melissa Joan Hart’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch, I’ve always loved cozy, witchy, magical books! So I was super excited to read this one. While there’s nothing wrong with it, it just wasn’t quite for me and didn’t match my personal taste :(

Let’s get into that:
1. I only just realized it’s a sequel, which probably explains why I felt lost and felt like I was missing a backstory.
2. It introduced WAY too many characters - over two dozen in the first 20%! I couldn’t keep up and felt disconnected from everyone, including the FMCs. Because of the numerous characters, it didn’t give me much chance to feel any emotional connection for… anyone. And that sucks because that’s one of the things I look for in a book - connection to the characters that will ‘pull’ and allow me to immerse in the story.
3. The plot fillers were slow and I thought it didn’t add much to the plot. I got incredibly bored, unfortunately, and skipped a handful of chapters here and there, only to find out that I missed nothing important.

Overall, definitely in the cozy mystery, feel-good cute-ish category. But because of the overload of characters and the unsatisfying ending (that I will not get into in order not to spoil it), I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped. Maybe if I felt more connected with the characters, maybe then I’d have been more invested and generally less bored :( Ugh I really wanted to like this.

***

Big thanks to NetGalley for having this on the platform, and to the Boldwood Books team for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC! Appreciate you guys.

[Poorvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sharon Booth, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sending the ARC of this novel.

Ghosts, romance, secrets... and tea!

This delightful novel invites readers into a world where the past never quite lets go as if time feels almost suspended here. Step into the nostalgic charm of Rowan Vale, a Cotswold village where history lives and sometimes lingers beyond the grave. In this beautifully woven tale of love, loss and long buried secrets, Shona, a woman finding her way again after heartbreak, runs a 1940s themed teashop alongside the spirited ghost of her great-aunt Polly.

The teashop is also home to the ghost of great-aunt Polly, a spirited (and at times, rather opinionated) presence who once ran the place in its heyday. Polly isn’t just lingering for sentimental reasons—she has unfinished business, secrets buried deep in wartime shadows, and a heart still tethered to old regrets.

When the dashing Max arrives searching for clues to his family’s wartime past, he stirs up more than just memories. As romance brews and a haunting mystery unfolds, Shona must help Polly face the truth she’s hidden for decades and perhaps find her own chance at love again.

As the village prepares for a 1940s reenactment weekend, old wounds surface and long held secrets unravel. The story gracefully shifts between past and present, offering a moving exploration of forgiveness, healing and second chances. Polly’s ghostly arc is particularly poignant – an aching reminder that sometimes love lingers long after life, waiting to be resolved.

With its misty lanes, spectral whispers and stolen glances over teacups, it is a story that leaves you believing in the power of love across time and the possibility of new beginnings at any age.

Some lines from this book -

Love's a funny thing and you can't just turn it off like a tap, even when the other person's gone from you. The ache remains.

I just like happy endings, I admitted. Nothing wrong with that, is there?

You know, you could still go back to university, he said eagerly. You could do your teaching qualification. It's never too late.
Maybe I will one day. Or maybe I'll do something else.
Something else?
Yeah. I don't know what. I'm not sure I'm cut out for teaching.
But it's what you always wanted to do!
Things don't always work out how we planned, though, do they, Dad? Things change. People change. You just have to go with the flow. And here I am.

Grief is a very strange thing. It comes in waves. Sometimes, it's manageable, like tiny waves lapping on a shore, and one can almost forget the loss one has suffered. Almost. But at other times, it's a savage onslaught. Like a tidal wave, crashing down upon you and wiping out everything else, so all you can think about is how to survive. Sometimes, in the darkest moments of early grief, you wonder if it's worth the struggle.

Death is part of life, and we must all find our own way after the loss of loved ones. I have far more days of gentle waves than tidal waves now. Today is a good day and I'm grateful for that.

You are who you are, and it suits you. There is nothing more attractive than a woman who is comfortable with herself.

I honestly think you're being too hard on yourself. We can only do the best we're capable of at the time. When grief comes along and knocks us off our feet, it's all we can do to keep our heads above the water. We don't always have the strength to hold up other people, too, even the ones we're responsible for and love more than anything. Believe me, I know.

It was, after all, what everyone had to do at some point. Bad things happened. Life was like a huge wave that swept you off your feet, and just when you thought you were managing the current, the tide would change direction and carry you further from the shore. The trick was never to try to swim against the tide. Let the wave carry you along and you might well end up on a far nicer beach than the one you'd originally headed for.

[Essentially Bookish Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is a warm, whimsical, and subtly profound novel that blends cosy romance, light paranormal elements, and a dual-layered historical mystery, all set in the picturesque village of Rowan Vale. Sharon Booth has crafted a charming story that draws the reader in with a unique premise—mixing vintage nostalgia, ghostly encounters, and the long shadows of World War II.

The story follows Shona, manager of the quaint teashop, who finds herself in conversation with the ghost of her great-aunt Polly—an irreverent and lovable presence with secrets of her own. When newcomer Max arrives in Rowan Vale, searching for answers about his grandfather’s wartime past, his story becomes entangled with the mystery of Polly’s untimely death decades earlier.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is the atmosphere—Rowan Vale feels like a character in itself, with its 1940s aesthetic and community spirit. The blend of romance and mystery works well, especially as the story gently uncovers truths buried deep in personal and national history. The exploration of forgiveness, generational trauma, and the lingering effects of war adds surprising emotional depth.

That said, I did find the pacing a little slow in parts particularly in the middle sections where the narrative took its time to unravel key events. While the gentle tempo fits the cosy, reflective tone of the novel, I occasionally wished for a quicker progression to maintain momentum.

Still, the characters more than made up for it. Shona is relatable and grounded, while Polly—as a ghostly guide with wit and unfinished business—adds both heart and humor. Max’s storyline brings in a rich historical dimension, highlighting lesser-known aspects of the post-war period, such as German prisoners of war being held in Britain long after the conflict ended. Booth handles these themes with sensitivity, giving the story a deeper emotional resonance without ever feeling heavy-handed.

The supernatural elements are light and accessible, not overpowering, which makes this a perfect read even for those who don’t typically go for ghost stories. The mystery surrounding Polly’s death is compelling and full of clever twists, and the final revelations are satisfying and emotionally rewarding.

Overall, Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is a beautifully balanced story of love, loss, healing, and hope—with a comforting cup of tea always close at hand. It’s a lovely blend of cosy fiction, historical insight, and gentle magic. A strong 4-star read for anyone who enjoys heart-warming village tales with a twist of the unexpected.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this is your first visit to Rowan Vale – and yes, you could most certainly enjoy this book without having read the first in the series – you’ll soon feel surprisingly comfortable there. And you’ll discover that there are ghosts among the residents of the living history museum in the Cotswolds, mostly only seen by some members of their families – although the new owner Callie took on her role because she’s able to interact with them all.

But this time, it’s Shona who we get to know rather better – universally liked, she’s in her 50s, long divorced and now living with her dad, and runs the village’s 1940s teashop. And in the flat upstairs, there’s her great aunt Polly – she was killed in 1948 (and it’s an incident no-one talks about – the murderer’s identity is still unknown), but now enjoys spending time in the teashop, staving off loneliness and keeping track of everything that’s going on in the village.

And she can soon see that Shona – who’s rather given up on any possibility of romance – is attracted to newcomer Max. He’s the father of Rissa, one of the land girls at the farm – and he’s rather horrified to find his daughter living with the family he believes were implicated in the death of his German grandfather, who spent time in Rowan Vale while a prisoner of war and never came home. As he doggedly tries to uncover the full story – ruffling a lot of feathers along the way – Shona does her utmost to help, but more secrets are revealed than either of them expected.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of the village preparing for a 1940s weekend – one of Callie’s new initiatives planned to appeal to visitors and to the ghosts from that time that are still around. There’s bunting everywhere, the shop windows are suitably decorated with wartime memorabilia, Brief Encounter is playing at the vintage cinema, the speakers are blaring Glenn Miller and songs from the time, everyone gets dressed up – but the ongoing story has a rather darker edge, as the truth about events of the past slowly emerges.

The characters are simply wonderful – I loved Shona with all my heart, trying to do the right thing by everyone whatever the personal consequences. Max was a lovely surprise too, with layers to his personality and history that were slowly uncovered – and I really believed in their slow-burn and gentle romance, along with all the barriers in its way. And as for Polly – her personal story was unexpected, and absolutely heartbreaking. The family relationships were beautifully drawn too – Shona’s with her daughters and father Jimmy, Max’s more complicated one with daughter Rissa, and Polly’s with the family she loves while wrestling with her own difficult memories and wartime secrets.

I absolutely loved the ghosts – distinct and very real personalities, all with their own stories. It was particularly good to get to know Harmony Hill (what a great character!), a 1940s Hollywood starlet who Shona tries to get involved in the events of the weekend, but who ultimately plays a rather more significant role in the story. Then there’s Isaac, the seventeenth century landlord of the village pub causing real complications by listening in to conversations – and the 1920s Reverend Silas angrier than ever about the influx of visitors. And as for the Roman centurion Quintus Severus, constantly patrolling the village perimeter – he has his own part to play in the cleverly constructed and quite wonderful story.

There’s humour, there’s drama, and there’s heartbreak – and the author’s emotional touch is faultless. The pacing is perfect, and the 1940s mystery kept me engaged throughout – but so did many aspects of the present day story, especially the desire for Shona and Max to have their own happy ending. The world the author has built is something so very special – such an imagination, such superb storytelling, and this book delighted me every bit as much as the first in the series. I’m very much looking forward to my next visit…

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second installment in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series. I´m going to kick off this review by saying that I´ve never read the first book. Even without reading the first book, I enjoyed this one. There was just enoguh information about the setting and events of the first book that everything was clear to me as a reader, without spoiling too much about book 1. So I´m considering reading that one as well eventually.

About this book: It is a cozy story set in a very english town which also happens to be filled with ghosts. In this book we follow Shona the manager of the tea shop and the story of her murdered aunt Polly, who is a ghost.
This book doesn't have many surprises. Fairly early on you connect the dots about what is happening and who will be ending up together. Which is not a bad thing. That made this for just a fun cozy read with not too many high stakes. You know from the beginning there will be a happy ending and sometimes you just need a book like that.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wished your summer read could mix ghostly goings-on, unexpectedly enchanting romance, twisty murder mysteries, and postcard-perfect countryside charm—this book is calling your name. Think: Agatha Christie took a stroll through a rom-com and got haunted along the way.

Rowan Vale is a village with a difference. It is run as a 1940s museum, and there are some extra special inhabitants – some ghosts. Not everyone can see them – mainly family members, but the new owner, Callie is in that position because she can see and hear all of the ghosts. When Max comes into town to find his daughter, he realises that she is working on the Farm where his Grandfather was a prisoner of war. Shona, the café owner finds herself drawn to Max, but her late Aunt Polly is distraught as his arrival stirs up memories she’d rather keep buried—including the one that ended with her untimely death.

It’s got all the ingredients: wartime history, hidden truths, haunted romance, and that irresistible small-town setting where everyone knows everyone—but not necessarily everything. I really enjoyed it.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the first book in this series… I know I know BUT will I be?? YES MA’AM!! This was super cozy and cute and very much putting me into a fall/paranormal romance mood. I haven’t read a book with ghosts in them yet and this one didn’t let me down. I really enjoyed this small town vibe within the story and the everyone knows everyone. The beginning was a bit slow to get into though it didn’t stop me from enjoying the rest. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read an arc of this book!

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved the first book I was happy to get right into the story and Rowan Vale which is an unique location.
The living and the ghosts have a special bond and it’s hard to have a favourite character but Shona who runs the vintage teashop was a likeable and realistic character who loves cakes.
Max who visits the tea room has something he’s searching for concerning his grandfather. A 1940’s themed weekend is planned, a mystery to solve and a romance all make this an exciting, engaging read.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3⭐️ Personally, I wasn’t a super fan of this book. I felt the characters were a bit flat and unengaging. The love story aspect felt forced and I didn’t love having to read the whole “oh at my age” thing repeatedly. I liked that the Shona and Max were over 50, that felt refreshing.

While I loved the idea of the ghosts, I felt there were way too many characters and things going on. I mean it is a second in a standalone series so I’m sure the first would give you more context, but as I didn’t read the first I’m not sure. I didn’t love that Shonas perspective was written in first person while Polly’s was written in third.

Overall not for me, but could be for someone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an ARC for my honest opinion.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first one in the series for its originality and quaint setting and, while both of those were present in this one, they didn’t pack the same punch as the first. For some reason, I had a difficult time telling the different between which characters were ghosts and which ones were alive in the present day. It could be the sheer number of characters that were in this one that made it so confusing. The story was still touching and sweet but I just didn’t warm to the characters the same way I did in the first one.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Karen Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you boldwood books and NetGalley for the arc I fully enjoyed it

It was good I like the characters and the plot it’s about a ghost a teashop a village and supernatural things it was fun romance cozy read

Also after reading this I realised it’s book 2 I now need to read book 1

[Sherry Priddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun Ghostly romance. This series has been great. I'm usually not the romantic reader, but I love the ghost. So I'm glad I read it. Not disappointed.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful read. It was great learning more about the ghosts of Rowan Vale. I adore Quintus Severus!

[Lynne Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the Rowan Vale series, meeting new characters along with old .
Great storyline and an easy read, unputdownable!!

[jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

having loved the first book by the author, i quickly accepted the offer of the next instalment.
it didn’t disappoint, it’s still full of ghostly going’s on but also filled with love and families and friends.
this is a hug in a book and my only negative is i’m sad i have finished it!
please tell me there will be more?!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving this series. The premise is just SO GOOD, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were sequel after sequel with this much scope for stories.

This novel has it all from old mysteries solved, romance, new characters, misunderstandings and family love and loyalty. I like the protagonist being a curvy 52 year old woman who is a true teashop owner through and through.

I like that the community of ghosts is revealing so much more than before and having little parts to play throughout, for example Isaac and his naughty eavesdropping to the vicar (Silas?) finally getting a smile on his face and even some ghosts from loooong ago joining in the fun.

The 1940's event sounds so amazing and I wish I could have been there myself. Buckling in for the next installment and hope it will be a Victorian Christmas theme! Loving the series and seriously jealous that it isn't real so I can visit.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

[Georgina Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, but reads really well as a standalone. We’re introduced to the ghosts and residents of this cute little village as they prepare for a 1940’s weekend. This causes a bit of a stir to begin with, what about the ‘60’s hairdressers and other “newer” businesses?

But all soon calms down and preparations are well underway, then a newbie walks into the tea shop and sets Shona’s heart racing! I really like Shona, such a lovely lady who’s had a lot gone on in her life but is quite content now. She falls for Max in a big way and gets caught up trying to solve a mystery with him that could uncover past family and village secrets that are best left alone.

This is such a lovely cosy fun book that I read most of it in one day and bought the first one too! I can’t wait to read that one and hope there’s more to come from the ghostly village.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice cozy little book. I did think it started out a bit slow. It had some surprises I wasn’t expecting.
While I enjoyed this book I think I liked the first one best.

[Milena Ognjanovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
I loved the first book in this series so I was very happy when I received an offer of the ARC for the sequel.
I loved this even more than the first one I liked that the romance was between an older couple. Shona was a very likeable character. Polly's story was heartbreaking and I'm very satisfied with how everything turned out for her. I hope there will be more books in this series. I love all the ghost characters and would love to read more of their stories.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts and a mystery with a love story. yes, please. I adored this book. I loved getting to know Shona and her family and her great Aunt Polly who was murdered in 1948. The mystery surrounding her death. I loved getting to know some of the other ghosts. The writing is fantastic and hooks you right away. I wish I could walk the town of Rowan Vale and maybe even see a ghost. I'm hoping there's more to this series because I'm obsessed.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Dorothy Parker style:
I found myself on the blog tour for the second book in this series, and it occurred to me (with the slow horror of realizing one has left the iron on while vacationing in Vienna) that I had, in my infinite negligence, failed to review the first. Naturally, I decided to atone the way any self-respecting book reviewer does: by smudging my lipstick, sighing deeply, and writing one review for both. Efficiency, darling—it’s next to godliness.
Sharon Booth, bless her storytelling heart, has written other series that were perfectly charming, but this one? This one pirouetted past them all and gave me that rare and bewildering feeling one might call... enjoyment.
In The Kindred Spirits of Harling Hall, we’re introduced to a heroine who talks to ghosts with the ease most people reserve for houseplants. Callie, the new gal in town, has the dubious honor of being qualified to protect said town solely on the basis of her spiritual party line to the afterlife. The village? Quaint. The ghosts? Chatty. The magic system? Delightfully structured, like a very polite séance with rules.
It's a tale of finding oneself—or several versions of oneself, depending on how many spectral former selves are floating about—and attempting to fit into a village filled with living people and dead ones who still think they run the neighborhood watch.
Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop begins with a 1940s-themed weekend (because nothing says community bonding like ration cards and tea dances) and introduces Shona, who runs a charming teashop with the unsolicited assistance of her ghostly Aunt Polly. Enter Max, who turns up looking for family, stirs some long-buried secrets (as one does), and provides ample opportunity for brooding, revelations, and perhaps—if the lighting is right—romance.
The entire series is a warm cashmere throw in book form. Rowan Vale is the sort of place one escapes to when reality feels rather too much like a Monday with a migraine. It made me smile, occasionally sigh, and absolutely forget to water my ficus. I consider that a strong endorsement.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the digital copies, though any opinions—witty or otherwise—are entirely mine.

My original review:
I'm on the blog tour for the second instalment in this series, but I noticed I hadn't written a review for the first book (my bad), so I decided to write a combined review of both.
First things first: I've read other series by Sharon Booth, and this is my favourite so far.
There's a lovely setting, humour, emotion, and well-done, intriguing world-building. I loved how the magic system works and how the relationship with ghosts shapes the story.
I appreciated how the characters’ journeys, the paranormal elements, and the relationships were all well balanced.
The Kindred Spirits of Harling Hall is a lovely and well-plotted cosy fantasy that introduces the reader to this quaint village. Callie is the new girl in town, but she's also the one who meets the requirements to protect and own the village: she can communicate with ghosts—all of them.
This is a story about discovering new sides of oneself, trying to be accepted in a small community by both the living and the dead, and falling in love—even if your romantic interest might be an enemy.
Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop begins with Callie proposing a 1940s-themed weekend event for the village. Shona, the owner of the teashop, runs it with the help of the ghost of her Aunt Polly.
Max, a visitor searching for his uncle, uncovers old secrets, brings Polly’s past into the spotlight, and maybe sparks some new love stories.
It’s another cute and heartwarming book. I loved catching up with the characters and seeing how they’ve evolved. The world-building expands beautifully, with more detail and depth.
Rowan Vale is a lovely series—an excellent cosy fantasy that helps me relax, smile, and feel good.
Strongly recommended if you're looking to have fun and escape from the bleakness of reality.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the digital copies. All opinions are my own.

[Janis Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought myself this book on Amazon Kindle as I’d previously received book one in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series as a Netgalley ARC, and had just received book three...only to realise I’d not read book two! And, as the book was very reasonably priced as an eBook on Kindle, I bought it to ensure I could give a decent review on the ARC of book three.

So, thank you Me. The decision to read this book is my choice and any reviews given are obligation free.

Okay, so this is book two in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series. And quite an improvement on book one. I mean, I really did enjoy book one (Kindred Spirits of Harling Hall) but it did suffer from those “first book in a series” jitters. And a lot of wordy world building,

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is, thankfully, not as overly word without reason. And I really liked the jump to different character’s points of view. Instead of it being written in the first person focussing on Callie and ghosts from the “big house” (Harling Hall) as was book one, we now see Rowan Vale and it’s ghosts through the eyes of present and past managers of the 1940s themed tea shop. And I must give kudos to Ms Booth for making them distinctly different people and personalities to the former “main” characters.

Some authors, especially when writing in the first person, have little to no variation in their characters. Even when they are main characters in different series! They just seem carbon copies given new names and locations.

This is not the case in Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop at all. Yes, same location, to a point. But very distinctly different, well- rounded characters. Big thumbs up from me. Makes the series seem even more open to interesting possibilities and entertaining stories in the future.

Also, being half-German, I did like the respectful way the topic of “the war” and the harsh reality of both sides was portrayed. Even to this day too many people show war time Germans as villains. Some were, but even more were just ordinary people forced to fight a war they didn’t agree with. So, thank you.

But enough about me, back to the book!

It was well paced, not as sluggish in places as the first book was. There was an excellent consistency between book one and two too. So, excellent copy editing in place. I do love consistency in a series.

The characters were distinct individuals, well thought out and likable. And there was just that right balance of both stories balancing their own suspense and intrigue as they intertwined perfectly.

I’m so happy I was right when I thought book one was the beginning of a potentially great new series! As Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop has not disappointed, and I’m looking forward to book three.

Book nerd moment – this book was well formatted as a Kindle eBook. And there were no major typos or plot clangers that I can remember. And I do tend to remember those, especially in books I’ve spent money to get.

Would I recommend this book to others?

Yes I would. It’s a nice little Cotswolds (UK) based cosy. If you like a cosy mystery that doesn’t always involve crime (but might!), has a touch of the supernatural, then you should enjoy Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop. But I strongly recommend you read Kindred Spirits of Harling Hall first.

Would I buy this book for myself?

Well, having already said I bought it, we all know the answer to this part. And, no, I did not regret buying it either!

In Summary: A good second book in what seems to be an interesting and fun new series.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is book 2 in the very quirky series Ghosts of Rowan Vale where Aunt Polly, along with her modern family live, and have done so for many generations.
Rowan Vale is a beautiful tourist village which has been carefully restored to days of yesteryear, where people can come to sample the past through the many shops that grace the township; Shona Bannerman is the manager of the Vintage Teashop which has been managed by her family for more than eighty years.
The difference with Rowan Vale is it has a village full of Ghosts who live there and have done so for many years, some for centuries. The new owner of the Village, Callie Chase has a gift that allows her to see and talk with all the Ghosts in residence, whereas others can see some or none at all.
Callie comes up with the idea to have a theme weekend set during the War years which while agreed to by the current day villagers, is met with scepticism from the ghostly residents, but the decision to proceed is accepted by all, eventually.
Aunt Polly is a very popular figure around the town, having passed away in 1948, she was murdered, thinks it is a great idea and when Shona Bannerman nee Deakin, her niece asks if it will distress her, she says it will not. The murderer was never caught and if Aunt Polly knew who it was, she has carefully locked that memory away, not to be disturb at any cost.
When a stranger comes to town asking questions about the men held there as Prisoners of War a change begins to take place within the close-knit Deakin family and other members of the community.
Max is good looking, well dressed and in some distress about what he perceived happened to his beloved grandfather while he worked in Rowan Vale. He and Shona meet, and she finds there seems to be some sort of attraction between them, which she finds surprising as she has no inclination at all to invite another man into her life after the shattering end to her marriage.
As the past starts to give up its secrets, a decision must be made as to how much of the past should be revealed and how much harm it will do to the living with the retelling of crime committed more than seventy years ago.
Entertaining and most enjoyable Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop is the prefect excuse to spend the afternoon on the couch revelling in a well written, cozy mystery which will keep you guessing

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop by Sharon Booth is book two in a series about a village inhabited by ghosts. People of the town can see them—but only if they’re related, and even then not EVERYONE can see them. Bit of a bummer if your whole family can have a chat with grandma except you. The first book was from the viewpoint of a young girl ghost named Florrie as well as Callie, the new owner who can see ALL the ghosts (that is, after-all, what allowed her to become the person overseeing the town). This book is from the viewpoint of Shona Deakin (or is it Bannerman?) and her great-aunt Polly, who was murdered in 1948.

The focus is what happened to Polly that night, a mystery suddenly brought into the forefront when the grandson (Max) of a German POW soldier has arrived in Rowan Vale seeking answers of what awful atrocity was committed toward his grandfather during and just after the war.

I really enjoy that we’re going from someone else’s perspective in this one. I didn’t love Callie, but I was pleased to be tagging along with Shona. She’s curious but also thoughtful of other people’s feelings, and her romance with Max was sweet. I found it to be more believable and fun than Brodie and Callie, and I also thought they were given more time to interact and develop feelings, which was nice.

I guessed (correctly) what had happened to Polly, why it happened, and who was involved almost immediately, but that only made it more fun for me to see if I was right. The clues are there but it’s never in a “I wish the author would just get to the reveal already” way. It made the suspense of waiting for the shoe to drop that much more delightful.

So! I liked this book more than the first one—and the first one was decent—and I wonder where the author will go next. There are plenty of possibilities (Harmony Hill, Quintus Severus, Brooke and Danny…) with many directions available, which only leaves me excited for more stories from Rowan Vale! For a possible audience, I would recommend it to anyone who loves a very soft, chaste romance as well as ghostly shenanigans and mysteries.

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