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Between the Walls
When James Thorne and his recently divorced dad move into their new house, in a new town, looking for a new start, James can’t help thinking about all he’s left behind.
Missing his best friend, his high-maintenance boyfriend, and troubled by the paranormal occurrences rattling his nerves, James wishes he’d never moved.
But when his presence awakens Nathaniel, the ghost of a seventeen year old trans boy who has haunted the walls of this house since the 1700s, things take a surprising turn.
After a false start or two, Nathaniel and James hit it off, an easy connection that could become something more.
But only if they survive.
Because Nathaniel isn’t the only ghost haunting this house.In the basement hides a dark entity, longing to escape, to claim their souls.
Can James and Nathaniel cross the boundaries of the living and the dead in order to see each other and themselves for who they truly are?
Missing his best friend, his high-maintenance boyfriend, and troubled by the paranormal occurrences rattling his nerves, James wishes he’d never moved.
But when his presence awakens Nathaniel, the ghost of a seventeen year old trans boy who has haunted the walls of this house since the 1700s, things take a surprising turn.
After a false start or two, Nathaniel and James hit it off, an easy connection that could become something more.
But only if they survive.
Because Nathaniel isn’t the only ghost haunting this house.In the basement hides a dark entity, longing to escape, to claim their souls.
Can James and Nathaniel cross the boundaries of the living and the dead in order to see each other and themselves for who they truly are?
- GenresYoung AdultQueerHorror
284 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2025
1 person is currently reading
203 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 7, 2025
genuinely forgot the main characters were supposed to fall in love 😭
dnf
October 18, 2025dnf @23%
bored
bored
October 12, 2025
Absolutely loved this book! The mix of mystery and romance was perfect. Read in a day as I just needed to know more and couldn’t put it down!
October 1, 2025
3.5/5 stars
Between the Walls is a queer YA horror romance about a teenage boy and the trans ghost haunting his new home. After his parents’ divorce, James moves with his dad to a shabby house in a new town, leaving behind his witchy best friend and demanding boyfriend. But the house isn’t empty—Nathaniel, a trans teenage boy who died in the 1700s, has been trapped there for centuries. As James and Nathaniel grow closer, they must also face the danger of a malevolent spirit that James and his father accidentally reawaken.
I enjoyed this book, but I think it would have been more effective as a novella. The plot often felt stretched, and a tighter focus could have heightened both the pacing and the tension instead of letting the story linger too long over just a few days. That said, the novel still managed to build an eerie atmosphere, a steady sense of dread, and some genuinely chilling moments with unexpected twists. Some of the prose occasionally felt dated to me, though this may not be an issue for every reader.
The romance was tender and endearing, even if it developed a bit quickly. Both James and Nathaniel came across as distinctly teenage, still growing into themselves in thoughtful ways. I especially appreciated how Nathaniel’s transgender identity was woven into the story and how introspective his character was. James, meanwhile, stood out for his relationships beyond the romance—his father doing his best as a single parent, his boyfriend who tests his patience, and his best friend who remains a steady source of support. What frustrated me, though, was the reliance on the miscommunication trope for the romance, which felt unnecessary and only served to pad a thinner plot.
Though a bit uneven, Between the Walls balances chills with a heartfelt exploration of identity and connection
*Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press for sending me an early copy
Between the Walls is a queer YA horror romance about a teenage boy and the trans ghost haunting his new home. After his parents’ divorce, James moves with his dad to a shabby house in a new town, leaving behind his witchy best friend and demanding boyfriend. But the house isn’t empty—Nathaniel, a trans teenage boy who died in the 1700s, has been trapped there for centuries. As James and Nathaniel grow closer, they must also face the danger of a malevolent spirit that James and his father accidentally reawaken.
I enjoyed this book, but I think it would have been more effective as a novella. The plot often felt stretched, and a tighter focus could have heightened both the pacing and the tension instead of letting the story linger too long over just a few days. That said, the novel still managed to build an eerie atmosphere, a steady sense of dread, and some genuinely chilling moments with unexpected twists. Some of the prose occasionally felt dated to me, though this may not be an issue for every reader.
The romance was tender and endearing, even if it developed a bit quickly. Both James and Nathaniel came across as distinctly teenage, still growing into themselves in thoughtful ways. I especially appreciated how Nathaniel’s transgender identity was woven into the story and how introspective his character was. James, meanwhile, stood out for his relationships beyond the romance—his father doing his best as a single parent, his boyfriend who tests his patience, and his best friend who remains a steady source of support. What frustrated me, though, was the reliance on the miscommunication trope for the romance, which felt unnecessary and only served to pad a thinner plot.
Though a bit uneven, Between the Walls balances chills with a heartfelt exploration of identity and connection
*Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press for sending me an early copy
October 17, 2025
Between the Walls is one of these books that you can't stop reading once you start.
A truly original and moving romance novel, with equal measures of paranormal elements and lots of suspense. The story follows James who moved to a new house with his recently divorced dad. The house is haunted by the spirit of Nathaniel, a young trans man who he slowly forms a connection with.
It's beautifully written and I loved how the story showed you the perspective and inner thoughts of both the romantic protagonists. This made you really relate with the characters through their journey on a bittersweet emotional level.
Nathaniel isn't the only spirit that occupies the house, as a villainous deity also dwells in it. Creating havoc and chaos with lots of unexpected turns and events which really keep you on your toes!
Absolutely loved everything about this book and if you are a fan of the paranormal, fantasy, queer fiction, romance or anything really this is the book for you.
A truly original and moving romance novel, with equal measures of paranormal elements and lots of suspense. The story follows James who moved to a new house with his recently divorced dad. The house is haunted by the spirit of Nathaniel, a young trans man who he slowly forms a connection with.
It's beautifully written and I loved how the story showed you the perspective and inner thoughts of both the romantic protagonists. This made you really relate with the characters through their journey on a bittersweet emotional level.
Nathaniel isn't the only spirit that occupies the house, as a villainous deity also dwells in it. Creating havoc and chaos with lots of unexpected turns and events which really keep you on your toes!
Absolutely loved everything about this book and if you are a fan of the paranormal, fantasy, queer fiction, romance or anything really this is the book for you.
October 20, 2025
I liked the two main characters, but I would have appreciated a lot more romance! ❤️
James came across as rather mature, struggling to navigate his new life but retaining an innate kindness. Nathaniel was adorable, a trans guy with the biggest heart. Their romance moved incredibly quickly, they seemed to only exchange a few fleeting moments together before becoming infatuated. I would have loved more romance, more time together, more build up of their affection.
The paranormal plot, which dominated, felt a little drawn out and repetitive, but there was a little intrigue in who ‘the entity’ was and how that tied into Nathaniel’s story to keep it interesting.
I appreciated the trans representation and the exploration of Nathaniel’s trans identity from his own time, 1700s, but I’d liked to hear even more of his story.
Overall, there were some sweet moments but I wanted less ghost fighting more romance.
🌳⏱️🪞
James came across as rather mature, struggling to navigate his new life but retaining an innate kindness. Nathaniel was adorable, a trans guy with the biggest heart. Their romance moved incredibly quickly, they seemed to only exchange a few fleeting moments together before becoming infatuated. I would have loved more romance, more time together, more build up of their affection.
The paranormal plot, which dominated, felt a little drawn out and repetitive, but there was a little intrigue in who ‘the entity’ was and how that tied into Nathaniel’s story to keep it interesting.
I appreciated the trans representation and the exploration of Nathaniel’s trans identity from his own time, 1700s, but I’d liked to hear even more of his story.
Overall, there were some sweet moments but I wanted less ghost fighting more romance.
🌳⏱️🪞
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews