She knew she’d been ghosted. She just didn’t think he would be so literal about it.
Rae Alderwood has been a medium her whole life, but she’s never been particularly happy about it. If it were up to her, she would blend in with her vintage wallpaper. While she may wish away her Gift, her conscience still demands she help any spirit in need. She’s willing to help the dead, but the living don’t need to know her secret.
Rae has all but given up on most relationships outside of her family. She’s content to spend her days managing The Veil, her eclectic aunt’s oddities and occult shop, and hanging out with her prickly younger sister, Wren.
When Rae sets up a dating profile at the behest of her sister, she matches with Dean Crawford. Against her better judgment, she agrees to go on a date with him. It’s the best date she’s ever been on, but when Dean ghosts her, Rae can’t help but wonder what went wrong.
Weeks later, Dean shows up at her apartment, only this time, he’s decidedly less alive. Now, Rae and Dean must figure out what happened to him so he can move on. Rae is determined to do her job, and she’s unwilling to let their feelings complicate things—even if Dean is a massive flirt who wears against her best defenses. Nothing about Dean’s death is adding up, but their attraction makes sleuthing sexy, if not a little dangerous.
Rae and Dean know they’re together on borrowed time. Can they protect their hearts and solve the mystery of Dean’s death? Will Rae ever be able to return to her monotonous life again once they do?
Ghosted is for fans of Meg Cabot’s The Mediator (but for adults), CBS’ Ghost Whisperer, and for anyone who’s thought a ghost boyfriend sounds kinda hot.
I write stories with a lot of heart and a little heat. My books range from cozy slice of life tales to paranormal romance with a touch of murder mystery.
Thank you to Megan Bowen and her team for the ARC copy of this book!
Wow. This book was giving Ghost Whisperer with a mystery and love interest twist.
This was such a fun read. I adored all of the characters, and am truly hoping that a second book comes following Wren.
The idea behind this book was so original, and I found myself rooting for the characters throughout the entire reading experience. From the main characters Dean and Rae, to the side characters, there wasn’t a time where I wasn’t wanting the best for them (except maybe uncle Ivan).
If you’re looking for a book to add to your fall TBR, definitely give this one an add!
I am so honored to have received an ARC of this book. As soon as I read the synopsis, I was immediately intrigued.
The story is so original and captivating and I loved all the characters. It got me ready for spooky season and had me giggling and even crying. The next book can’t come soon enough!
If you take Casper and Nancy Drew, swirl them around to make a potion, you have Ghosted. A fun and easy read that leaves you wanting to find love, even after death.
Megan Bowen's Ghosted delivers a delightful blend of supernatural intrigue and undeniable chemistry, making for a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. While not without its minor quibbles, this novel successfully captures the essence of a "ghost boyfriend" trope with charm and a compelling narrative.
The premise is immediately intriguing, Rae Alderwood, a reluctant medium who would rather be invisible, finds herself unexpectedly entangled with a man who quite literally ghosts her – only to reappear on her doorstep as a spirit. This "what if" scenario is a fantastic hook, and Bowen executes it with skill. Rae's internal conflict between her desire for normalcy and her innate ability to help the departed is relatable and well-developed. Her life, centered around the charmingly eccentric "The Veil" shop and her relationship with her sister Wren, feels grounded and provides a solid foundation for the extraordinary events that unfold.
The budding romance between Rae and the spectral Dean is undoubtedly the heart of the story. Dean, despite his incorporeal state, is portrayed as a charismatic and persistent flirt, whose charm manages to chip away at Rae's defenses. The banter between them is sharp and witty, and the development of their connection feels organic, even with the inherent complications of his undead status. Bowen masterfully balances the burgeoning romantic tension with the overarching mystery of Dean's untimely demise, creating a palpable sense of urgency and desire. The "sleuthing sexy" aspect is certainly present, adding a layer of excitement to their interactions.
The mystery surrounding Dean's death is well-crafted and kept me guessing. The investigation, driven by Rae's unique abilities and their shared determination, is engaging. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader invested, and the pieces gradually fall into place without feeling rushed or convoluted. The stakes feel real, despite Dean's ghostly condition, and the question of how their relationship can possibly survive, even temporarily, adds a poignant layer to the unfolding events.
What earns Ghosted its four-star rating is its overall charm and satisfying execution of its premise. The characters are likable, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the mystery is compelling. Bowen's writing is accessible and flows well, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
However, there were a couple of areas that prevented a perfect score. At times, Rae's resistance to her own abilities felt a tad repetitive, though I understand it's central to her character. Additionally, while the supporting characters are present and serve their purpose, they occasionally felt a little underdeveloped compared to the central duo. These are minor points, however, in an otherwise strong narrative.
In conclusion, Ghosted by Megan Bowen is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys paranormal romance with a good dose of mystery. It's a story that will make you believe in second chances, even after death, and leave you rooting for Rae and Dean. If you're looking for a book that's both heartwarming and suspenseful, with a touch of the supernatural, you won't want to miss this one. It's a captivating narrative that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to Megan Bowen for the opportunity to read this eARC of Ghosted. I confirm this review is honest and my own thoughts.
Ghosted has been a highly anticipated read for me this year as I’ve been following Megan since the start of her writing journey, and really enjoyed her first novel Like Home. So when she announced that she was going to be writing the ‘ghost love story’ that started off as a coincidental Easter Egg novel in Like Home I couldn’t wait and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Ghosted has such an interesting premise and twist on the ‘star crossed lovers’ trope, I was super eager to see how it would develop and play out. It turned into such a fun read that also packed a punch with heart and emotion. Megan has such a way with her writing that not only has you swooning and giggling like a teenager over the MMC, but what I especially love are her analogies that are so cleverly written I find myself highlighting so much.
The characters in this story are all so great and relatable in different ways. Rae’s relationship with her sister was hilarious and I loved her whole family with their individual quirks and gifts. Most of all though, I was smitten with Dean (the MMC) who was so sweet, cute and dorky at times it made him so so lovable. That first date with Rae got me so much. So when things took ‘that’ turn with the plot (that we know is coming), I genuinely felt so much for him and Rae and was gripped to find out how they would navigate things and what would happen!
This made me laugh and cry so if you are looking for a rom com with mystery and heart for spooky season, I highly recommend this!
✨ Ghosted by Megan Bowen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5) Spice: 3.5 🌶
This story was such a surprise! The connection between Dean and Rae was sooo good and had me forgetting half the time that Dean is, well.... a ghost 👻. The chemistry was spicy, quirky, and impossible not to root for.
At the same time, that lingering sadness hits hard how are they meant for each other when they only had one date? I really felt for Rae and what she was missing out on. The mystery woven into the romance added depth I wasn’t expecting, and it kept me invested beyond just the love story.
The ending? WOW. I couldn’t help but smile knowing that even though Dean was gone, Rae and Dean still got their version of a happy ending. It wrapped up beautifully. 🥹💫
Such a quick, fun read once you dive in. This book is quirky, emotional, and spicy in all the right ways. I very much enjoyed it!
Thank you @author.megan.bowen for allowing me to read this ARC I cant wait to see what other stories us readers can get lost in.
this book got me out of my reading slump. it fit the spooky season without being super scary. the chemistry between the two maim characters was *chefs kiss*. it had romance, ghosts, mystery, and family. I already want to read it again...
I didn't know that I was needing a cutesy ghost story until I read this book! Absolutely loved this story and how it ended! I felt so satisfied after reading this but man, i can't wait for more. Megan, you got yourself a new fan!!
I loved how Dean helped Rae break down her walls and how she finally accepted who she is. I loved her and Wren's relationship as sisters and how Wren also helped Rae become her best self. I hated what happened to Dean but I'm glad him being a ghost didn't stop him from falling in love. I loved following along with Rae and Dean as they solved Dean's untimely death and ugh I just loved this story! This one's a great book to read for spooky szn!
It is hard to put into words how much I loved this book. The characters pulled me in immediately and I fell in LOVE with Rae and Dean. It made me laugh out loud, broke my heart, and put it back together again. If you’re looking for a book that is FULL of heart, brings out every emotion, has that cozy small town feel, with a mystery worth solving, FUN spice, and spooky occult vibes, this book is for you! It literally couldn’t be further up my alley if it tried, and it was an EASY 5 star read for me. It made me feel so deeply that I felt it in my chest. My heart ached, felt like it was going to burst. I had butterflies, giggled, kicked my feet, and fanned my face. I am so grateful that I was able to read this ARC
Thank you so much to Megan Bowen and her team for the ARC to review!!
I loved this sweet book! I'll be honest, I first picked up this book at bedtime and said "I'll just read one chapter." Ten chapters later......... I could not put it down. I had to force myself to go to bed, only to wake up wanting to read more.
The New England fall setting is perfect for curling up with a cozy blanket and a cup of coffee or cocoa. The small-town vibes are immaculate.
Rae is hilarious, lovable and so genuine; I enjoyed exploring the world through her eyes. Dean is kind, caring, hot, and the perfect book boyfriend. All of the characters were well rounded and nothing felt frivolous, each ghost and every interaction served to help move the story forward.
You will laugh, you will cry and in the end this beautiful story will stick with you long after you've finished reading.
This book is perfect for readers who love spooky vibes but don't like full on scares, love a cozy mystery, and want to feel all the feels.
Thank you to the author, Megan Bowen, for the free review copy in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Let me first start by saying that I absolutely loved this book!
Rae Alderwood is a medium who works in her aunt’s mystical oddities and occult shop, ‘The Veil’. Rae has been a medium for the whole of her life and yes, she sees dead people. She works with the ghosts and their unresolved issues to help them cross over to the other side at peace.
Almost given up on relationships, Rae sets up a dating profile where she meets Dean. After what she thought was the perfect first date, unfortunatley, Dean ghosts her. Weeks later he turns up at Rae’s apartment, only he’s dead. He too is now a ghost who needs Rae’s help to cross over and putting her own feelings aside, Rae reluctantly agrees to help him.
The premise of the book is summed up in one sentence on the front cover ‘She knew she’d been ghosted. She just didn’t think he would be so literal about it’. But whilst you know what’s going to happen going into the book, Megan still manages to keep the tension and allow the reader to feel all the feelings when it actually happens. This is one of the hallmarks of a fantastic author.
On paper, this book might sound a little farcical, but it totally works. The book has a unique story to others currently on the market in this genre. It’s a light read with fun, likeable characters (even the grumpy ones). It’s the perfect cosy romance for the autumn.
From the very first page, Ghosted had me captivated. What starts as a sweet, almost magical first date between Rae and Dean takes a haunting twist when Dean vanishes who only reappear as a ghost. That supernatural hook, mixed with the emotional pull of their story, made this book truly addictive.
Rae’s life as a medium was such a fun element, and the way she balanced the living and the dead gave the story a playful yet poignant atmosphere. Watching her grow fearless,embracing her gifts, her voice, and her heart was like seeing her spirit finally come alive. Her connection to Dean’s family brought warmth and reminded me that love doesn’t always stop at the grave.
And let’s talk about Rae and Dean, their chemistry was electric. Even with all the spectral barriers between them, the romance was swoony, tender, and yes, plenty spicy. Somehow Bowen made a ghostly love story feel both believable and sizzling.
The side characters weren’t just there for background, but they added layers of humor, loyalty, and heart, making the world around Rae and Dean feel full of life (and afterlife). And that ending? It was beautifully haunting and devastating all at once...I was left sobbing like a baby, in the best way possible.
Ghosted is more than just a romance! It’s a love story that transcends life and death. If you’re looking for something charming, emotional, steamy, and a little spooky, this book will absolutely haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Wow. I loved this book so much more than I expected to. I’m not usually one for paranormal vibes, but this was unlike anything I’ve ever read. Everything about Ghosted was done so well. The build of characters, the murder mystery plot. It was all surprisingly… cozy. Rae and Dean meet on a dating app and go on one date that goes exceptionally well. But then, Dean ghosts Rae. Quite literally. She sees him again weeks later and they begin to try to solve his murder that was first said to be a suicide. Throughout trying to solve Dean’s murder, Rae and Dean fall more for each other and begin to build a relationship. Will Rae and Dean figure out how to have a happily ever after? Have you ever wondered if you can have spicy time with a ghost? Add this one to your fall TBR to find out.
Thank you so much to Megan for an ARC of Ghosted! Cannot wait for what’s next.
read if you love: she’s a medium, he’s a ghost, opposites attract, single POV, magical realism, witchy vibes, murder mystery, plus size FMC, hot lawyer x alt girl
At its core, Ghosted is a celebration of life both here in the physical world and beyond and a deep reflection on the complexities of human (and ghostly) relationships.
Rae, manger of an oddities and occult shop, is also a medium, a secret she has long kept hidden except from those closest to her. After her sister convinces her to join a dating app, she is matched with Dean. The two share an electric first date, but then he ghosts her, or so she thinks. Much to Rae’s surprise, Dean shows up a few weeks later, only this time as a ghost. The two embark on a journey to discover what really happened to Dean as murky details surrounding his passing emerge.
This book is part romance and part mystery with so much heart. The magical realism elements and witchy vibes make this the perfect read for spooky season.
The ending of this book is so touching and beautiful. It perfectly encapsulates the full breadth of the human experience. I grew to love the captivating characters and the ending tore me apart while somehow also providing a deep sense of comfort.
This book does deal with sensitive topics, so please check the trigger warnings before diving in.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Megan for the opportunity to read Ghosted early for an honest review.
I loved the premise of this book so much! I was a huge fan of Meg Cabot’s mediator series and ghost whisperer growing up and loved how this tied those things together so well. We meet Rae who a the manager of her Aunts small occult shop and a secret medium. She goes on a date with Dean and they hit it off and of course want to meet again. A goes back and nothing, she thought she had been ghosted and ends up finding Dean had literally ghosted her. We follow them both as they work through what’s happened. It was a fun mix of real life and murder mystery. It was so much fun as they navigated the twists and turns of a ghostly relationship and finding out what happened. I definitely teared up at the end. If you love good fall/halloween vibes, hit ghosts, and murder mystery then I highly recommend this book!
Rae Alderwood doesn’t date - so when her date with Dean Crawford is one for the storybooks, she is super excited to see where things progress. The only problem? He ghosts her… literally!
Rae runs her an occult shop in her small town, but has a secret… she can see ghosts and communicate with them. She helps the wayward souls find eternal rest, and is very surprised (and concerned) to see Dean needs her spiritual help!
It’s Casper for adults - it’s fun, it’s witchy, it’s mysterious! This was the perfect transition read to welcome in the fall season. All the characters are likable, and the combo romance-and-murder-mystery spoke to my bookish heart the moment I read the blurb. This book is highly recommended!
Megan is a great writer and I am so proud of her successes and a novelist 💜
I want to say Thank you to Author Megan Bowen for having the opportunity to ARC read this book. This book is going to be perfect for a fall time TBR list!! It has ghosts and love what more could a girl ask for!! I read the book in under 13 hours it was a perfect read from start to finish it grasps you in and then makes you tear up at moments but not all bad !! I cant wait until the book comes out I will be for sure adding this to my bookshelf !!
Ghosted by Megan Bowen is a masterpiece of contemporary literature and my reason for saying so is heavily objective, thank you very much. My reasoning is simple: Rae is me and I am Rae. I have never before felt so seen as a millennial woman who grew up fat and mentally ill in a judgmental town in the mid-2000s. I may be projecting a bit, but I believe in my bones Ms Bowen knows this struggle well. This kind of representation only comes with lived experience.
Everything Dean said to Rae hit home and allowed me to see myself as my partner sees me. I may have shrunken greatly in size in recent years, but there will always dwell inside me the eight-year-old girl sobbing into her mother’s chest in a department store be abuse nothing fit. The same tween who couldn’t share clothes with friends who may not have all liked her very much. The young adult who had so much love to give and received so little consideration, admiration, or respect from her first boyfriend.
Nowadays I am the gothic witchy girl with the found family of supportive friends. I love going to occult shops and tethering my lost family members’ memories to me in symbolic ways. I have even approached organized religion as a means of better connecting with them. My apartment is full of witchy things and I am happiest in all black. I think back to the mean and popular girls who are nowadays WASPs with their perfectly curlicued babies in matching gingham rompers with embroidered monograms, the ones who never left that town and married the wealthy men nearby, settling down for their white picket American dreams of subservience. They may look at me strangely if they see me now, but Rae’s announcement of her disregard for these girls’ opinions healed the thirteen year old inside of me that wanted to stop existing because she had no one’s approval.
Just like Rae expressed so beautifully, we only ever needed our own.
Megan Bowen, thank you for Rae and Dean. This is easily my favorite read of the year, and I struggle to think of a 2024 read that was better. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book early. I will cherish my copies.
A had the opportunity to read this book ahead of the release date via ARC.
Spice: 2 (not taking into account he is a ghost)
My Trigger note: death obviously we are dealing with ghost and the after life here. (For full trigger list refer author page)
Recommend to someone looking for a cozy paranormal mystery romance.
I went in knowing I was getting a ghost romance and came out more than happy on the other side. This story delivers on all fronts of a ghostly romance. This was the ultimate second chance romance.
After making his very much alive introduction to us, Dean returns in ghost form. He might have lost his life but he definitely didn’t lose his humor or flirtatious nature in the transition. He goes right back to pursuing Rae . Rae’s medium abilities definitely makes dating harder. So why not date the hot guy that literally went ghost mode on you while you help him with his unfinished business.
The book is funny, sweet, romantic and spicy all in a mystery paranormal romance package. It gave me cozy paranormal vibes. I really enjoy the author’s writing style. Rae & Dean are probably one of the cutest couples I’ve read in a long time. Green flags all around. Their banter was some of my favorite. I also enjoyed the sister sister banter between Rae and Wren While the plot around Dean is heavy in nature it plays out in a way that makes it almost feel lower stakes than it is which gives space for the romance story to really shine through rather than the death.
I was a little concerned about how the HEA would play out here when we are starting with an MMC that already met his end but I was happy surprised that the author found a way to give our MCs the HEA they deserved.
The spice isn’t anything too crazy unless you factor in that he is a ghost and can literally go through clothes, furniture and rules of gravity that don't apply to him. He definitely has a mouth on him though which adds to the spice.
This was my introduction to this author and look forward to reading more by them as I enjoyed the writing style very much.
For anyone who has ever hidden the most interesting part of themselves to fit in.
This one had me hooked from the DEDICATION ALONE. Miss Megan, you get me.
🔮 The concept of this novel is top tier!! We have Rae Alderwood who owns and runs her aunt’s occult and oddities shop, while also using her gift of seeing ghosts to help other ghosts resolve their unfinished business and bring closure to their loved ones. She is an absolute gem who only wants the best for those she’s aiding. And Dean. OH DEAN. The hot lawyer that Rae goes on an amazing first date with, only to end up as a ghost himself??? And the pair of them end up working together to solve the mystery of what REALLY happened to Dean??? OH YES. YES YES YES.
🔮 I LOVED the magical realism! It was written so beautifully into the story and made for some truly magical moments (both heartwarming and heartbreaking). Rae’s family members all have some form of a Gift, and it was a treat to see how all their gifts work together. Rae’s grumpy/prickly sister Wren was one of my favourite side characters and I REALLY hope to read more about her in subsequent novels.
🔮 The tension in this novel is absolutely DELICIOUS. You would think that as far as the premise goes, you could piece together how this story ends, but DEAR READER. LET ME TELL YOU. Megan has a wonderful way of writing in such a way that grips you and leaves you wanting more. Between the cliffhangers, the small town drama, and the desire to know what will become of Rae and Dean, I couldn’t get enough.
This novel is absolutely an ode to those of us who have hidden the best parts of ourselves for the sake of fitting in. We have all been there, and it’s because of novels like this that we are one step closer to healing those parts of ourselves. One story and step at a time.
✨ Huge thank you to Megan Bowen for providing me with an ARC of Ghosted! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. ✨
👻 Paranormal Romance 👻 Mystery 👻 Lawyer x Alt Girl 👻 Magical Realism
ARC Review- Ghosted centers around 29 year old Massachusetts native and clairvoyant Rae Alderwood, who is as of late, down on her luck not only in her career but also in love. When Rae matches with 33 year old lawyer, Dean Crawford, on dating app MatchStik she is cautiously optimistic. As it turns out, the pair hit it off and make plans to see each other again; only they don’t realize at the time, that their future date is not going to go exactly as anticipated. When Megan gets ghosted by Dean, she is left mulling over what went wrong, that is until Dean decides to just “pop in” and surprise her in his not so alive anymore form. With confusion over what happened to Dean reigning supreme, he and Megan team up to uncover just what caused his ghostly disposition. Will Megan and Dean be able to uncover the truth surrounding his untimely death or will their new-found feelings muddy the waters of helping his soul move on? I immediately fell in love with these characters. FMC, Rae, is family-centered with a realistic outlook on life and a shiningly sarcastic personality, while Dean is a dedicatedly loyal cinnamon roll who’s gushing with sass and a swoon-worthy personality. Their witty dialogue, banter, and sizzling chemistry is the tour de force of opposites attract. Also note worthy, are the colorful side characters lending their eclectic personalities to the story including Rae’s aunt Clarissa, sister Wren, and Dean’s father Jack. Oh, and I simply cannot write this review without noting that the story’s ending made my heart just about explode with happiness and awww (**insert teary eye emoji**)!! I love author Megan Bowen’s writing style, and her ability to guide her readers through the entire rainbow of emotions; from side splitting laughter to full on tugging at your heart strings. To date, her stories have combined romance with just the right amount of spice and coziness to touch my heart and soothe my soul. I will be highly recommending this story to romance readers whom enjoy sweet love stories with a zest of spice and a HEA.
Ghosted is a story begins with a medium, Rae Alderwood, who has all but given up on love, but is thrown into a dating website by her sister Wren. When the app match “dings” she’s pleasantly surprised by the man that appears on her screen. She decides to go on a date with Dean Crawford, and has the time of her life. She can’t wait for their second date, but it never comes and she believes she’s been “ghosted” by him. Come to find out, she was right…but just not in the way she thought!
This book was like a warm hug, or a sip of delicious hot chocolate on a cool autumn day. From the first page I was hooked, and continued to fall in love with the characters as the pages turned.
All of the characters in this story are so well developed, you feel personally invested in each one of their stories, Rae and Dean particularly as they are the main characters. Bowen carefully crafted this story to have me both hanging of the edge of my seat while also destroying my box of tissues as she tugged on my heart strings!l with each chapter!
It is a story of that focuses on finding your inner worth and peace, discovering love can come when we least expect it , and that time is so precious that it’s important that we make sure to make each and every moment count.
The banter, and wit between these characters is top notch, and the love between Rae and Dean is incredibly beautiful. It’ll make you swoon for days, and want to buy your partner a pirate costume. 😏😏IYKYK.
This will definitely be a fall time comfort read for me! I enjoyed every single page of it, and I know you will too! Thank you Megan Bowen for allowing me to ARC read your beautiful book! ♥️
Thank you to Megan Bowen for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rae is a medium who has always been able to see ghosts, a secret she keeps closely guarded until she meets Dean on a dating site. He’s a gorgeous, successful lawyer, and their first date is electric with easy banter, instant chemistry, and a steamy kiss that leaves Rae reeling.
Rae is hurt when Dean appears to ghost her. She has written him off for good when he appears in her apartment... as a literal ghost. As the two work together to unravel the mystery of Dean's death, Rae finds herself falling for him in ways she never expected. But if she helps him pass on, she risks losing him forever.
The vibes of this post are as varied as the book itself! It was equal parts humorous - Rae and Wren have some FANTASTIC one-liners - and tender. You know, like life tends to be. Despite having only gone on one (excellent) date, I was heavily invested in Rae and Dean as a couple. Their connection felt so real and had me rooting for them to find a way to be together forever.
If you are looking for a spooky-sweet romance with heart, heat, and a touch of the otherworldly, add Ghosted to your TBR!
She knew she'd been ghosted, she just didn't think he was going to be so literal about it.
Rae, a medium in a Massachusetts town, has been out of the dating game for awhile and has been pushed to recreate a profile on a dating app by her sister, Wren. After a great first date with Dean, she's on cloud nine... until she realizes that she's been ghosted. And it hurts.
After weeks of stewing, she's trying to get back to her normal life, but due to rent increases for the family's occult and oddity shop she manages for her aunt, she might lose everything she's known. Trying to distract herself from her pain from being ghosted, she tries focusing on how she can hone her skill to benefit the shop. That is, until Dean invades her thoughts and shows up on her doorstep. Dead. Devastated, Rae decides to help Dean find out what happened to him.
I don't know what was in this book, but it had me crying multiple times. I think it was just the way that Rae and Dean's relationship grew as they spent time together and my inability to cope with her having to lose him when he crossed over to the other side. This book was just... so much more than I was expecting. If you're looking for a book romance that is perfect for spooky season, this one might be it. Megan Bowen's writing and depth of her characters just really resonated with me. I'll be buying this one myself when it's out on 9/15.
Thank you to Megan Bowen for gifting me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I swear Megan Bowen tricked me. I sat down with a cozy little witchy romance in mind and instead she handed me a story that made me laugh like an idiot, swoon like a teenager, and cry ugly tears into my sleeve.
Rae was such a CHARACTER. A COMFORT CHARACTER. My GIRL. Medium, occult shop queen, sarcastic alt heroine who’s been hiding her gift but still can’t resist helping every lost soul that crosses her path.
Dean is a HOT LAWYER (EMPHASIS ON HAWT), smooth as hell, goes on the best first date ever and then… yeah… ghosts her. Literally. The man died and still managed to be fine as hell.
This book is everything:
👻 Ghost boyfriend but make it swoony and spicy 💀 Mystery with actual stakes, I was gasping and clutching my blanket like a Victorian widow 🌙 Small-town witchy vibes, oddities shop, tarot, family drama, and WREN, omg Wren, give her her own book immediately 🔥 Tension so good I thought my Kindle might combust
Megan Bowen. The woman that she is. She wrote poetry wrapped in ghost stories, humour that had me cackling, and heartbreak so sharp I SOBBED This was cozy, spooky, hilarious, romantic. BRILLIANT.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five ouija boards. Five haunted kisses. Five ugly-cry breakdowns on my couch.
Megan, you have me haunted. You have me HOOKED. You have me ready to sell my soul for Wren’s book next.
BECAUSE THERE'S GONNA BE A NEXT BOOK RIGHT, MEGAN!?
If you ever wondered if you can have sexy time with a ghost, you might get answers from this book 👻
It’s a cozy, a bit spooky romance with a touch of mystery. There are in-the-feels moments (if you tear up easily, prepare the tissues), but also a lot of cute, swoony and giggly scenes!
Single POV but done in such a way that you don’t really need the second POV!
I’m not into paranormal vibes, like, at all, but I liked it here! It’s very well done, not overwhelming for someone not-into-any-paranormal-or-fantasy-things. It’s very cozy, but also beautifully written, nicely paced and with well build characters (I pay a lot of attention to how side characters are build). The murder mystery part of the plot is a nice touch. It’s not done in thrillery way but makes you hooked and waiting for the reveal without any angsty feelings. It’s much more complex than just a romance story! Don’t get me wrong, the romance (and spice 😉) is there, but there are way more layers here and somehow it’s very well balanced. Simply a well written novel, perfect for fall/Halloween season, but tbh you can pick it up any time of the year!
I was debating between 4 and 5, but what the hell, I’m on a roll here and giving it full 5! What tripped the scale was the sisters+mom+aunt dynamics and the part with how messy Rae is and her mother cleaning tendencies (very relatable! 🙈😅😅)
What do you do when you have a gift? A very special gift…that might just make interacting with others a touch difficult?
Rae Alderwood comes from a family where all the women have a ‘gift’. Her gift—being able to see & interact with the dead. It’s a gift at times, she wishes she didn’t have—but she’ll help those that come & ‘ask’ for help so that they can move on.
What happens when her younger sister convinces her to ‘reactivate’ her dating profile? Well..she’s matched with Dean Cawford & decides to give him a chance…they meet up for a Saturday night date, have a great time together & they agree to figure out when they can have another date.
The following morning, things start to get a little ‘crazy’…especially when her aunt “suggests” that she might start offering medium services (to help ‘cushion’ the business account)…at the same time Rae is wondering why Dean hasn’t gotten back in touch.
Fast forward when Rae ‘accidentally’ calls Dean up…only to find out that the reason he ‘ghosted’ her was because…well he’s now a ghost…it seems that the day after their date…someone possibly killed him.
What happens? Do they figure out who killed Dean? Does he ‘move’ on? Answers & more in the pages of Ghosted.
Five out of five stars for this slow-burn paranormal romance mystery.