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I Haunt It That Way: A Spicy Spooky Fall Enemies to Lovers Romance
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26She wanted her dream cabin. She’s getting her worst nightmare.
Creaky floorboards, crisp fallen leaves, chilly evenings by the bonfire… Thora Williamson thinks she knows what to expect when she moves into her family’s long-abandoned mountain cabin for a fresh start. Instead, she gets the surprise of her life when Lee Halliday—her ex’s best friend and her own personal nemesis—pulls up in the driveway.
What’s even worse? The place is not a simple fixer-upper, and Lee is determined to help with the renovation. But no amount of elbow grease will fix the mysterious phone calls or the unsettling sense they’re not alone.
The more Thora and Lee work together, the more it becomes clear this cabin has unfinished business… and so do they. As eerie autumn nights lead to unexpected sleeping arrangements—Thora Is the cabin trying to push them closer, or keep them here forever?
Creaky floorboards, crisp fallen leaves, chilly evenings by the bonfire… Thora Williamson thinks she knows what to expect when she moves into her family’s long-abandoned mountain cabin for a fresh start. Instead, she gets the surprise of her life when Lee Halliday—her ex’s best friend and her own personal nemesis—pulls up in the driveway.
What’s even worse? The place is not a simple fixer-upper, and Lee is determined to help with the renovation. But no amount of elbow grease will fix the mysterious phone calls or the unsettling sense they’re not alone.
The more Thora and Lee work together, the more it becomes clear this cabin has unfinished business… and so do they. As eerie autumn nights lead to unexpected sleeping arrangements—Thora Is the cabin trying to push them closer, or keep them here forever?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Isabelle Popp
3 books94 followersIsabelle Popp's first attempt at writing a romance novel came in middle school, when she began a story about a weirdo girl who could photosynthesize. That project was abandoned, but she has plenty of other silly ideas in the hopper. When she isn't reading or writing, she's probably knitting, solving crossword puzzles, or scouring used book stores for vintage Gothic romance paperbacks. Originally from New York, she's as surprised as anyone that she lives in Indiana. Let's Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 22, 2026
I liked Lee and Thora. How their relationship was. Their history and reasons for not progressing anything before.
I really liked Lee’s temperament and his purposeful actions.
I loved the title, it attracted my poor millennial soul.
If anything, I felt like the story could be longer. This would give more time, as the progress of the relationship felt a little sudden at points and didn’t seem as organic. Which was a shame as there were other points where it was and it worked well.
I really liked Lee’s temperament and his purposeful actions.
I loved the title, it attracted my poor millennial soul.
If anything, I felt like the story could be longer. This would give more time, as the progress of the relationship felt a little sudden at points and didn’t seem as organic. Which was a shame as there were other points where it was and it worked well.
Want to Read
August 6, 2025One thousand percent here for this book just on the title alone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
👻 I Haunt It That Way 👻
Truthfully, this book was a bit underwhelming. I was hoping for more of a fun rom com paranormal romance, but this leaned much more somber in tone. I also really struggled with Thora. She came across a little irritating and off putting for me personally. And the first 100 pages felt somewhat directionless.
That said… the spice was surprisingly good 👀🔥
What to Expect
👻 Haunted cabin
🔥 Enemies to lovers
🛠️ Forced proximity
😤 Ex’s best friend
🌲 Isolated mountain
🛏️ Only one bed
_ _ _
⭐ Final Rating: 3 Stars
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
📝 Thank you to Harlequin Afterglow Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Truthfully, this book was a bit underwhelming. I was hoping for more of a fun rom com paranormal romance, but this leaned much more somber in tone. I also really struggled with Thora. She came across a little irritating and off putting for me personally. And the first 100 pages felt somewhat directionless.
That said… the spice was surprisingly good 👀🔥
What to Expect
👻 Haunted cabin
🔥 Enemies to lovers
🛠️ Forced proximity
😤 Ex’s best friend
🌲 Isolated mountain
🛏️ Only one bed
_ _ _
⭐ Final Rating: 3 Stars
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
📝 Thank you to Harlequin Afterglow Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 3, 2026
I’ll be honest, the cover and the title are what attracted me to the book, and I didn’t even read the synopsis properly, I dived straight in basically blind. And I loved loved loved it! I haven’t read a paranormal romance that actually made me grip my Kindle in so long.
This book encompassed mystery, creepiness and romance really well, jumping from one to another but without feeling random or forced.
I do admit the beginning of the book, maybe the first 10–15%, felt a bit slow, but then, as the storyline-setting bit was finished, the book really gets into the actual action.
One minute, a chapter was making me feel uneasy from the creepy and eerie things that were happening, the next was making me blush from the steamy scenes. I loved it.
It was a lot spookier than I expected, which is not a bad thing, but I would’ve loved some more depth on the transition from “enemies” to lovers.
1.5 🌶️
Tropes
Haunted cabin
Ex’s best friend
Only One Bed
Forced proximity
Grumpy x sunshine
Golden retriever MMC
Enemies to lovers
Thank you, Harlequin & NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book encompassed mystery, creepiness and romance really well, jumping from one to another but without feeling random or forced.
I do admit the beginning of the book, maybe the first 10–15%, felt a bit slow, but then, as the storyline-setting bit was finished, the book really gets into the actual action.
One minute, a chapter was making me feel uneasy from the creepy and eerie things that were happening, the next was making me blush from the steamy scenes. I loved it.
It was a lot spookier than I expected, which is not a bad thing, but I would’ve loved some more depth on the transition from “enemies” to lovers.
1.5 🌶️
Tropes
Haunted cabin
Ex’s best friend
Only One Bed
Forced proximity
Grumpy x sunshine
Golden retriever MMC
Enemies to lovers
Thank you, Harlequin & NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2026
I struggled a little bit getting into the writing style of this one, but the story itself was really fun and engaging. I loved the secluded haunted cabin setting and the mysterious vibes. The author does a great job at blending cozy, spooky, and romantic elements making for a really enjoyable read.
Read thing you like:
→ Enemies to lovers
→ Only one bed
→ Forced proximity
Thank you @netgalley and @hqn_shamelessromantics for the gifted copy of the book.
Read thing you like:
→ Enemies to lovers
→ Only one bed
→ Forced proximity
Thank you @netgalley and @hqn_shamelessromantics for the gifted copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Firstly, I'm conflicted about rating this book three or four stars as I feel like each half of the book deserves different ratings, but for now I'm going with three. That's a positive three, by the way.
This book was a great mix of romance, mystery, paranormal and comedy. One page I was swooning over the small moments between Thora and Lee, the next I was looking over my shoulder after something creepy happened at Juniper (the large cabin/ manor the book is mostly set at). The plot was very comfortable, aside from Thora and Lee being possibly haunted by Juniper and being forced together, nothing really goes wrong until the inevitable third act breakup, and the story mostly focuses on grief and finding the right person at the right time.
The romance felt a little forced at first, Thora was definitely a bit harsh towards Lee and in return Lee was just so smitten with her that he let it all slide. Once it got to the halfway mark a lot of past grievances were cleared and it began to feel a lot more genuine and meaningful. I liked that they both had history and there's always been elements of Lee's crush on Thora. The fat representation was also really sweet and well written, especially with the spicy scenes, I always love seeing a big girl represented properly in romance novels.
The settings were so autumnal and creepy, whilst also being cosy. The ending wraps everything up in a perfect HEA, which I enjoyed. Overall, this was a sweet yet spicy, eerie but emotional read which I'd recommend for anyone looking for something on the shorter side that includes all the yummy cliché romance tropes!
3.5/ 5 🌟
Firstly, I'm conflicted about rating this book three or four stars as I feel like each half of the book deserves different ratings, but for now I'm going with three. That's a positive three, by the way.
This book was a great mix of romance, mystery, paranormal and comedy. One page I was swooning over the small moments between Thora and Lee, the next I was looking over my shoulder after something creepy happened at Juniper (the large cabin/ manor the book is mostly set at). The plot was very comfortable, aside from Thora and Lee being possibly haunted by Juniper and being forced together, nothing really goes wrong until the inevitable third act breakup, and the story mostly focuses on grief and finding the right person at the right time.
The romance felt a little forced at first, Thora was definitely a bit harsh towards Lee and in return Lee was just so smitten with her that he let it all slide. Once it got to the halfway mark a lot of past grievances were cleared and it began to feel a lot more genuine and meaningful. I liked that they both had history and there's always been elements of Lee's crush on Thora. The fat representation was also really sweet and well written, especially with the spicy scenes, I always love seeing a big girl represented properly in romance novels.
The settings were so autumnal and creepy, whilst also being cosy. The ending wraps everything up in a perfect HEA, which I enjoyed. Overall, this was a sweet yet spicy, eerie but emotional read which I'd recommend for anyone looking for something on the shorter side that includes all the yummy cliché romance tropes!
3.5/ 5 🌟
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🌶️🌶️/5
I Haunt It That Way is a cute romance with a little ghostly twist. It follows Thora as she returns to her uncle George’s home after purchasing it at auction. The house holds a lot of memories for her, along with some lingering guilt about not being there for him in the end. She plans to fix it up, settle in, and focus on writing her book. However, things get complicated when Lee, an old college acquaintance and her ex-husband’s best friend, comes back into her life.
Thora and Lee have some history, mostly rooted in Thora’s resentment toward Lee because of his close relationship with her uncle. As some ghostly antics start happening in the house, the two are drawn closer together.
Overall, I enjoyed this. It’s a cute story and I liked both Thora and Lee, but I wanted a little more from their relationship. It felt like it lacked some depth, especially when it came to fully selling their feelings for each other. Lee’s feelings felt clearer (he seemed to have carried a torch for Thora for years), but I wanted more development on Thora’s side. I would have loved a bit more insight into how her feelings grew and shifted so their connection felt more balanced.
As far as pacing, the story moved well overall, but it did take me a bit to get into. The writing style needed some getting used to, but once the story picked up, I found myself enjoying it more.
In the end, this was a solid, enjoyable read with a fun paranormal element. I just wish it had gone a little deeper so the love story landed a bit better for me. If you’re looking for a cute, low-stakes romance with minimal angst and some ghostly elements, this is worth picking up.
✨ Thank you to Harlequin Romance and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review.
I Haunt It That Way is a cute romance with a little ghostly twist. It follows Thora as she returns to her uncle George’s home after purchasing it at auction. The house holds a lot of memories for her, along with some lingering guilt about not being there for him in the end. She plans to fix it up, settle in, and focus on writing her book. However, things get complicated when Lee, an old college acquaintance and her ex-husband’s best friend, comes back into her life.
Thora and Lee have some history, mostly rooted in Thora’s resentment toward Lee because of his close relationship with her uncle. As some ghostly antics start happening in the house, the two are drawn closer together.
Overall, I enjoyed this. It’s a cute story and I liked both Thora and Lee, but I wanted a little more from their relationship. It felt like it lacked some depth, especially when it came to fully selling their feelings for each other. Lee’s feelings felt clearer (he seemed to have carried a torch for Thora for years), but I wanted more development on Thora’s side. I would have loved a bit more insight into how her feelings grew and shifted so their connection felt more balanced.
As far as pacing, the story moved well overall, but it did take me a bit to get into. The writing style needed some getting used to, but once the story picked up, I found myself enjoying it more.
In the end, this was a solid, enjoyable read with a fun paranormal element. I just wish it had gone a little deeper so the love story landed a bit better for me. If you’re looking for a cute, low-stakes romance with minimal angst and some ghostly elements, this is worth picking up.
✨ Thank you to Harlequin Romance and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had way too much fun reading this.
I Haunt It That Way completely tricked me into thinking I was going to read “just a little bit” and then suddenly I was at the end like… oh, okay, guess I live here now. It’s fast, addictive, and has just enough chaos to keep things interesting the whole time.
The tension? Top tier. And I don’t just mean the romantic tension (although… yeah, that too). There’s this constant “something is not right here” feeling in the background, and I loved how it never fully lets you relax. It made everything feel a little sharper and more intense.
Thora and Lee drove me insane but in the way that keeps you hooked. There’s so much history and stubbornness between them, But I’m not even going to pretend honesty….Thora irritated me at times. The way she kept blaming Lee for her uncle’s death felt so unfair and honestly just… weird. I get that grief makes people act irrationally, but it definitely had me side eyeing her more than once.
And listen the spice? It delivers. It’s not just thrown in randomly either, it actually feels earned because of how much tension builds beforehand.
If I had one complaint, it’s that I lowkey wanted more. Not because anything felt lacking, but because I wasn’t ready to be done with it yet. I would’ve happily stayed in this story a little longer.
And the ending? I loved it. That full-circle moment where you realize what you’re actually reading was such a fun touch. It could’ve felt cheesy, but it didn’t, it just worked and made everything land even better.
Overall, this was a quick, slightly chaotic (in a good way), spooky romance. If you like tension, banter, spice and spooky stuff, you’ll eat this up.
I Haunt It That Way completely tricked me into thinking I was going to read “just a little bit” and then suddenly I was at the end like… oh, okay, guess I live here now. It’s fast, addictive, and has just enough chaos to keep things interesting the whole time.
The tension? Top tier. And I don’t just mean the romantic tension (although… yeah, that too). There’s this constant “something is not right here” feeling in the background, and I loved how it never fully lets you relax. It made everything feel a little sharper and more intense.
Thora and Lee drove me insane but in the way that keeps you hooked. There’s so much history and stubbornness between them, But I’m not even going to pretend honesty….Thora irritated me at times. The way she kept blaming Lee for her uncle’s death felt so unfair and honestly just… weird. I get that grief makes people act irrationally, but it definitely had me side eyeing her more than once.
And listen the spice? It delivers. It’s not just thrown in randomly either, it actually feels earned because of how much tension builds beforehand.
If I had one complaint, it’s that I lowkey wanted more. Not because anything felt lacking, but because I wasn’t ready to be done with it yet. I would’ve happily stayed in this story a little longer.
And the ending? I loved it. That full-circle moment where you realize what you’re actually reading was such a fun touch. It could’ve felt cheesy, but it didn’t, it just worked and made everything land even better.
Overall, this was a quick, slightly chaotic (in a good way), spooky romance. If you like tension, banter, spice and spooky stuff, you’ll eat this up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The vibe of this is actually a bit spookier than I thought it would be! Which I will never complain about.
It actually has some creepier moments, as opposed to just being “cute spooky”.
It also has a deep, autumnal atmosphere. This I love love LOVE.
the setting really is gorgeous and vividly written. I can feel the chilly fall air and hear those crispy dead leaves. 🍁
The author really did an awesome job on it.
Nice going on the plus size FMC representation. I don’t see this in books often!
So I think it’s a great addition to this, especially since it’s mentioned a few times- but isn’t like a focal point of the story. (Aka: Thora was written with multiple traits aside from just this! Another thing I applaud.)
My little gripe with this (and the soul reason I didn’t rate it higher), is that it I personally thought it could benefit from some more personality!
There are some eccentric moments, and a few stranger elements that give it an interesting feel. But, it sort of felt forced. The “different” vibe didn’t feel natural all the time.
Overall, it’s good! Perhaps it needs a bit less of a mellow tone. I would love to see it keep that same spooky autumn feel- but with an added layer of enthusiasm or emotionality from the characters. I still think it’s done well though!
I think it would hit especially hard when it’s seasonally appropriate.
Thank you to Netgalley, Afterglow books by Harlequin and author Isabelle Popp, for providing me with the eARC of “I Haunt it That Way”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 25, 2026
It actually has some creepier moments, as opposed to just being “cute spooky”.
It also has a deep, autumnal atmosphere. This I love love LOVE.
the setting really is gorgeous and vividly written. I can feel the chilly fall air and hear those crispy dead leaves. 🍁
The author really did an awesome job on it.
Nice going on the plus size FMC representation. I don’t see this in books often!
So I think it’s a great addition to this, especially since it’s mentioned a few times- but isn’t like a focal point of the story. (Aka: Thora was written with multiple traits aside from just this! Another thing I applaud.)
My little gripe with this (and the soul reason I didn’t rate it higher), is that it I personally thought it could benefit from some more personality!
There are some eccentric moments, and a few stranger elements that give it an interesting feel. But, it sort of felt forced. The “different” vibe didn’t feel natural all the time.
Overall, it’s good! Perhaps it needs a bit less of a mellow tone. I would love to see it keep that same spooky autumn feel- but with an added layer of enthusiasm or emotionality from the characters. I still think it’s done well though!
I think it would hit especially hard when it’s seasonally appropriate.
Thank you to Netgalley, Afterglow books by Harlequin and author Isabelle Popp, for providing me with the eARC of “I Haunt it That Way”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 25, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. I was immediately drawn to the cover and the title of this book and was excited to get an ARC. Thora works for an author, Bryony Brooks, who passes away and leaves her money to Thora. Thora then begins contemplating her life, realizes that her marriage to Cody isn't working, and decides to start exploring her own dreams. After her divorce, Thora learns that her family's cabin is being sent to an auction as the taxes haven't been paid. Thora decides to buy it as its full of memories and the perfect place to begin writing her own book. When Thora gets there, she is surprised by a visitor, Lee. Lee is her ex husband's best friend and her nemesis. He is there to see her Uncle George. Unbeknownst to Lee, Uncle George passed away. Thora reluctantly lets Lee stay to grieve Uncle George. Thora and Lee then begin to get know each other, become friends, see the spookiness surrounding the house, and fall for each other. I enjoyed seeing them bond over their love for Uncle George and love of the house. I also enjoyed seeing Thora grow as a character as she realized more about her own choices and decisions especially regarding how she had Lee all wrong as he had been there and cared about her all along. I also enjoyed Thora and Lee's relationship with her cousin, Mack. This was a fast and easy read, but I think certain parts of the story could have been fleshed out more to give the characters a little more depth and explore more of the spooky elements.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A surprise inheritance sends Thora to her family’s cabin…where the house is haunted and her least favorite person is already there.
First of all, the title made me laugh. It brought me in.
I’m kind of torn on this one. I ended up rating it a 3, but it’s a 3.5 in spirit. Like a solid, pretty enjoyable read.
The premise really pulled me in, and I loved the fall cabin vibes. Creaky floors, crisp leaves, spooky energy. It actually got kind of scary at times, which I wasn’t fully expecting! Like, genuinely scared me, ha! It definitely felt different from a typical romance in that way.
I also really appreciated the plus size FMC representation. It’s mentioned, but not treated like her whole identity, which I thought was really well done.
That said, the writing felt a little basic at times, especially the dialogue, and the enemies-to-lovers tension didn’t fully land for me. (Like, it took a lot for me to try to understand how Thora could hate Lee that much based on almost nothing...) The dynamic felt a bit forced, and I didn’t totally buy the chemistry.
It did pick up for me in the middle, and I ended up enjoying it more as it went on. And also… surprisingly spicy?? Like, very solid spice.
Overall, I liked it. It’s a fun, slightly spooky, cozy read. I feel like it will hit even harder during peak spooky season.
Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Books, and Isabelle Popp for the eArc!
First of all, the title made me laugh. It brought me in.
I’m kind of torn on this one. I ended up rating it a 3, but it’s a 3.5 in spirit. Like a solid, pretty enjoyable read.
The premise really pulled me in, and I loved the fall cabin vibes. Creaky floors, crisp leaves, spooky energy. It actually got kind of scary at times, which I wasn’t fully expecting! Like, genuinely scared me, ha! It definitely felt different from a typical romance in that way.
I also really appreciated the plus size FMC representation. It’s mentioned, but not treated like her whole identity, which I thought was really well done.
That said, the writing felt a little basic at times, especially the dialogue, and the enemies-to-lovers tension didn’t fully land for me. (Like, it took a lot for me to try to understand how Thora could hate Lee that much based on almost nothing...) The dynamic felt a bit forced, and I didn’t totally buy the chemistry.
It did pick up for me in the middle, and I ended up enjoying it more as it went on. And also… surprisingly spicy?? Like, very solid spice.
Overall, I liked it. It’s a fun, slightly spooky, cozy read. I feel like it will hit even harder during peak spooky season.
Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Books, and Isabelle Popp for the eArc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really fun mix of spooky cabin vibes and tense, slightly messy romance.
You immediately get thrown into the setup, which I liked. Thora heads to this isolated family cabin for a fresh start, only to find Lee already there, and the tension is instant. Their history gives the story a nice edge, and the ex’s best friend dynamic adds to that underlying frustration and chemistry.
The haunting is more eerie than scary, but it works well for the tone. The unsettling phone calls and that constant feeling of being watched create a solid atmosphere without taking over the romance.
The romance itself is fast and very much driven by proximity and tension. It leans spicy, and the forced closeness definitely plays into that. I did wish we had a bit more emotional depth between them, because their shared history feels like it could have hit harder.
It is definitely a quick read, and that comes with some rushed elements, especially toward the end, but it also makes it really easy to fly through.
If you want something short, slightly spooky, and romance-forward with a tense dynamic, this is a great pick.
You immediately get thrown into the setup, which I liked. Thora heads to this isolated family cabin for a fresh start, only to find Lee already there, and the tension is instant. Their history gives the story a nice edge, and the ex’s best friend dynamic adds to that underlying frustration and chemistry.
The haunting is more eerie than scary, but it works well for the tone. The unsettling phone calls and that constant feeling of being watched create a solid atmosphere without taking over the romance.
The romance itself is fast and very much driven by proximity and tension. It leans spicy, and the forced closeness definitely plays into that. I did wish we had a bit more emotional depth between them, because their shared history feels like it could have hit harder.
It is definitely a quick read, and that comes with some rushed elements, especially toward the end, but it also makes it really easy to fly through.
If you want something short, slightly spooky, and romance-forward with a tense dynamic, this is a great pick.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an ARC read from NetGalley. I loved the FMCs new found money and how she wanted to bless those around her with it. The MMC was a sweet guy who got blamed for things that were outside his realm of just wanting to be there for the FMCs uncle. I got lost in the love story of them both but in some instances the falling for felt hurried, once you saw that they were in love after a week of living together at the haunted house. The MMC was always very thoughtful and didn't want to disturb the FMC even though she was being mean to him for reasons he didn't know. I liked how he wanted to care for her which was something she wasn't used to from her previous marriage to his best friend. This book was a cute from enemies to lovers even though it was one sided from her part, but once she gave in and they were happy. Sad how no one cared about her uncle passing and it took the house to burn to realize his body was still in the house. It was a cute, cozy, and mysterious book.
May 5, 2026
This was an interesting take on a haunted house story. The main character Thora has inherited her uncle’s cabin and after going through a divorce, decides to live there for a while and work on the book she is writing. Her ex husband’s best friend Lee shows up and ends up staying there as well, and the two of them have to contend with all kinds of weird things happening in the house.
These kind of paranormal romance stories have become quite popular and this one felt unique in terms of the paranormal aspects. I really enjoyed the explanation for the haunting and how that was handled. The ending was surprising to me as well and while I was somewhat shocked by it, I found the explanation satisfying (I’m being vague because of spoilers).
However, I had some issues tonally with the book. It felt unsettled at times, like it wasn’t sure whether it wanted to be a horror story or a romance. The romantic elements didn’t really fit into the story; all these creepy things were happening around them and not only did they decide to stay in the house, but they ended up sleeping together as well!
I also didn’t really like that Lee was the best friend of Thora’s ex husband. Not only is that a little weird, but she also hasn’t been divorced that long when they get together. A couple of months maybe?
This was a quick read and would be good for spooky season. It never gets too scary but the haunted house had plenty of character.
These kind of paranormal romance stories have become quite popular and this one felt unique in terms of the paranormal aspects. I really enjoyed the explanation for the haunting and how that was handled. The ending was surprising to me as well and while I was somewhat shocked by it, I found the explanation satisfying (I’m being vague because of spoilers).
However, I had some issues tonally with the book. It felt unsettled at times, like it wasn’t sure whether it wanted to be a horror story or a romance. The romantic elements didn’t really fit into the story; all these creepy things were happening around them and not only did they decide to stay in the house, but they ended up sleeping together as well!
I also didn’t really like that Lee was the best friend of Thora’s ex husband. Not only is that a little weird, but she also hasn’t been divorced that long when they get together. A couple of months maybe?
This was a quick read and would be good for spooky season. It never gets too scary but the haunted house had plenty of character.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such an entertaining one-sitting read. I went in expecting a light spooky romance and ended up getting a perfect mix of tension, atmosphere, and just the right amount of spice.
The cabin setting was everything. It had that classic “something is off” feeling from the start, and the little eerie details kept building in the background while the story focused on Thora and Lee being stuck together. I love when a setting feels like its own character, and this one definitely did.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done really well here. There’s history, tension, and that constant push and pull that makes you want to keep reading just to see when everything finally snaps into place. The forced proximity just made it even better.
It’s quick, it’s fun, and it hits that cozy spooky romance vibe perfectly. Great for when you want something atmospheric but not too heavy, with just enough edge to keep things interesting.
The cabin setting was everything. It had that classic “something is off” feeling from the start, and the little eerie details kept building in the background while the story focused on Thora and Lee being stuck together. I love when a setting feels like its own character, and this one definitely did.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done really well here. There’s history, tension, and that constant push and pull that makes you want to keep reading just to see when everything finally snaps into place. The forced proximity just made it even better.
It’s quick, it’s fun, and it hits that cozy spooky romance vibe perfectly. Great for when you want something atmospheric but not too heavy, with just enough edge to keep things interesting.
May 7, 2026
The title had me expecting something a little cheekier, a little more playful spooky… and this leans much more serious than that. 👻
That said, I liked the dynamic between Thora and Lee, especially the long-term pining and that steady, quietly supportive energy from him. What really grounded their connection was their shared grief and shared love for her uncle and the cabin, something that once created tension between them but ultimately became what brought them together.
For me, it came down to an expectation mismatch. The story takes its ghost elements and emotional arcs very seriously, and while there are a few lighter moments, it didn’t quite deliver on the tone I was expecting going in.
Overall, a pretty good read with a strong central relationship, just not quite what I was hoping it would be. 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I liked the dynamic between Thora and Lee, especially the long-term pining and that steady, quietly supportive energy from him. What really grounded their connection was their shared grief and shared love for her uncle and the cabin, something that once created tension between them but ultimately became what brought them together.
For me, it came down to an expectation mismatch. The story takes its ghost elements and emotional arcs very seriously, and while there are a few lighter moments, it didn’t quite deliver on the tone I was expecting going in.
Overall, a pretty good read with a strong central relationship, just not quite what I was hoping it would be. 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely love anything a lil ghosty, a lil paranormal and a lil bit autumn and this book is EXACTLY that! I Haunt It That Way is the perfect blend of spooky, cosy, and spicy. Isabelle’s writing is sharp, funny, and completely bingeable! I flew through it in one sitting.
Lee is the ultimate green flag, balancing out Thora, who’s navigating grief and life after divorce, and their dynamic adds both heart and tension. The paranormal elements are subtle but effective; more eerie than terrifying...which really sets the mood without feeling overdone and corny.
With just the right mix of chaos, emotional growth, and spice, this is a well-rounded rom-com that’s perfect for spooky season. Safe to say, I’ll be picking up more from this author ASAP.
Thank you to the Author, Harlequin Romance and NetGalley for an eARC, all opinions are my own.
Lee is the ultimate green flag, balancing out Thora, who’s navigating grief and life after divorce, and their dynamic adds both heart and tension. The paranormal elements are subtle but effective; more eerie than terrifying...which really sets the mood without feeling overdone and corny.
With just the right mix of chaos, emotional growth, and spice, this is a well-rounded rom-com that’s perfect for spooky season. Safe to say, I’ll be picking up more from this author ASAP.
Thank you to the Author, Harlequin Romance and NetGalley for an eARC, all opinions are my own.
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April 2, 2026Thora Williamson is from a family that was wealthy 3 generations ago, but the only thing left is Juniper cabin in the mountains. When she divorces her husband and her boss dies, leaving her a lot of money, the cabin seems like the perfect place to get away and figure out what's next. After all, the cabin's occasional spookiness is exactly what she needs to inspire the children's book she wants to write. She's always loved it there, even if it's been a while since her last visit. But not long after she arrives, her nemesis Lee shows up. At first she's annoyed. But soon she realizes that he isn't the callous jerk she thought he was. As they become closer and the cabin's antics become more serious they must work together to ensure a happy ending.
I got an advance copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I got an advance copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
April 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down. Thank you netgalley and Isabelle Popp for the e-arc!
This was a very fun, spooky romance, but left me wanting more at the end. We meet Lee and Thora, both characters that I became absolutely enthralled with. I love how Thora is unafraid to be herself and how we watch her build her confidence. Lee’s patience was honestly amazing to read. I feel like we get a lot of miscommunication for no reason and the characters don’t listen to each other—but that was not the case in this story!
The setting of Juniper made the book feel more SPOOOOOKY, especially being almost completely secluded in the woods in a creaky mansion with stories for every room. I couldn’t really understand why Thora hated Lee, or said she hated him, so much. From going to close friends to just not talking threw me for a loop, especially since her ex-husband is his best friend. I wanted a little more drama on that front, with an “I choose you” moment, but I was also glad to see healthy adult conversations regarding relationships.
I felt that the romance built up too fast in terms of book pacing, but in terms of Lee pining after Thora? A definite slow burn.
This was a lot of fun and I’ll definitely be reading this authors other book during the upcoming fall season!
This was a very fun, spooky romance, but left me wanting more at the end. We meet Lee and Thora, both characters that I became absolutely enthralled with. I love how Thora is unafraid to be herself and how we watch her build her confidence. Lee’s patience was honestly amazing to read. I feel like we get a lot of miscommunication for no reason and the characters don’t listen to each other—but that was not the case in this story!
The setting of Juniper made the book feel more SPOOOOOKY, especially being almost completely secluded in the woods in a creaky mansion with stories for every room. I couldn’t really understand why Thora hated Lee, or said she hated him, so much. From going to close friends to just not talking threw me for a loop, especially since her ex-husband is his best friend. I wanted a little more drama on that front, with an “I choose you” moment, but I was also glad to see healthy adult conversations regarding relationships.
I felt that the romance built up too fast in terms of book pacing, but in terms of Lee pining after Thora? A definite slow burn.
This was a lot of fun and I’ll definitely be reading this authors other book during the upcoming fall season!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🩷Golden Retriever MMC
🩶Opposites Attract
🖤Paranormal Spooky Romance
❤️Banter filled
This was a fun, shorter read. I applied for this arc immediately based off the title alone, as a millennial I was obviously obligated to!
If you are a lover of banter and paranormal romance then this book might be a good fit for you! I really enjoyed the mmc, Lee, who was a complete golden retriever. The chemistry between the two seemed a tad inorganic and forced due to the length of the book, so that has a big impact on my rating.
This story was a combination of paranormal romance, comedy, and mystery which I found enjoyable, but felt the book was too short to experience the full range of the characters. Overall it was enjoyable, but I wouldn’t pick it up again.
🩶Opposites Attract
🖤Paranormal Spooky Romance
❤️Banter filled
This was a fun, shorter read. I applied for this arc immediately based off the title alone, as a millennial I was obviously obligated to!
If you are a lover of banter and paranormal romance then this book might be a good fit for you! I really enjoyed the mmc, Lee, who was a complete golden retriever. The chemistry between the two seemed a tad inorganic and forced due to the length of the book, so that has a big impact on my rating.
This story was a combination of paranormal romance, comedy, and mystery which I found enjoyable, but felt the book was too short to experience the full range of the characters. Overall it was enjoyable, but I wouldn’t pick it up again.
May 16, 2026
I struggled with this one.
Title? great, absolutely caught my attention.
Delivery? not what I was expecting.
I didn't understand the relationships. I struggled with the weird hatred, which made it hard for me to see the romance. It seems like they had a good friendship in college, but Thora hates Lee for...being close with her great uncle? Was it just self resentment as she was never there because of her work? She also always kept a key to the house close to her heart but didn't visit.
Aside from some weird things, there was not enough haunting or ghostly apparitions for my liking. I did enjoy the miscommunication of what happened when George passed, but it didn't satisfy the haunting I wanted.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
Title? great, absolutely caught my attention.
Delivery? not what I was expecting.
I didn't understand the relationships. I struggled with the weird hatred, which made it hard for me to see the romance. It seems like they had a good friendship in college, but Thora hates Lee for...being close with her great uncle? Was it just self resentment as she was never there because of her work? She also always kept a key to the house close to her heart but didn't visit.
Aside from some weird things, there was not enough haunting or ghostly apparitions for my liking. I did enjoy the miscommunication of what happened when George passed, but it didn't satisfy the haunting I wanted.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
March 20, 2026
~ NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW ~
2.5 stars (rounded up)
10% in and i was feeling bored but was determined to stick it out. it finally started to pick up around 15% but it still didn't get that much better. at first there were random references to suspicious activities that she experienced but that we as readers never knew happened so it feels like we are being left out of knowing parts of the story... finally at about 28% their romance connection feels forced, but also so does the fmc's distaste for him. truthfully it didnt get much better for me. i appreciated that the fmc was pust size though so that was a yay.
2.5 stars (rounded up)
10% in and i was feeling bored but was determined to stick it out. it finally started to pick up around 15% but it still didn't get that much better. at first there were random references to suspicious activities that she experienced but that we as readers never knew happened so it feels like we are being left out of knowing parts of the story... finally at about 28% their romance connection feels forced, but also so does the fmc's distaste for him. truthfully it didnt get much better for me. i appreciated that the fmc was pust size though so that was a yay.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️3.5 stars rounded up⭐️
I'd always say that I'd rather a book try to do something interesting and end up not quite perfect, than just rehash well worn paths in a lacklustre fashion. "I Haunt it That Way" is firmly in the first camp. It was so charming throughout, with a misstep in the third act, that its satisfying ending doesn't quite rectify. The supernatural element is more emotional than scary or dark. Lee is a tip tier book boyfriend, but I'm glad that the dual POV wasn't utilised as it gave the story intrigue.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'd always say that I'd rather a book try to do something interesting and end up not quite perfect, than just rehash well worn paths in a lacklustre fashion. "I Haunt it That Way" is firmly in the first camp. It was so charming throughout, with a misstep in the third act, that its satisfying ending doesn't quite rectify. The supernatural element is more emotional than scary or dark. Lee is a tip tier book boyfriend, but I'm glad that the dual POV wasn't utilised as it gave the story intrigue.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Harlequin Romance for the chance to read and review this book.
The premise sounded fun, a haunted house with a romance story! It was right up my alley, however it just kinda fell flat for me and I wanted more out of the story.
The pacing just seemed too quick, only a week taking place. The romance was rushed and there was not enough story to the ‘haunting’ to really satisfy.
Lee/Leaf/Leroy was probably the saving grace of this story. His character was kind, sweet, a bit too forgiving. But he made the book enjoyable.
The premise sounded fun, a haunted house with a romance story! It was right up my alley, however it just kinda fell flat for me and I wanted more out of the story.
The pacing just seemed too quick, only a week taking place. The romance was rushed and there was not enough story to the ‘haunting’ to really satisfy.
Lee/Leaf/Leroy was probably the saving grace of this story. His character was kind, sweet, a bit too forgiving. But he made the book enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a quick romance read. I loved the supernatural glimpses, but wish there was more of them! Thora and Lee were an okay lead couple. Their romance developed quickly and I would not necessarily call it enemies to lovers since it was more she thought they were enemies, but he had been into her since college. And then she fell for him pretty quickly in present day. I wish it was more of a true enemies to lovers with the banter and everything that goes along with it. The creepy haunted house setting and ghostly encounters were fun for a romance!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I Haunt it That Way is a paranormal romance written by Isabelle Popp. The love story was about second chances. It featured Thora and Lee along with mysterious happenings in Thora’s childhood home.
If you like paranormal activities,spicy scenes, and a golden retriever MMC, you should check this story out. I enjoyed the banter between Lee and Thora. I also enjoyed Thora’s personality. She realized that she’d been complacent and unhappy.
April 7, 2026
I loved the characters separately and enjoyed the overall plot. The past history and why a relationship had not evolved into more made a lot of sense to me. Overall, I liked them as a couple. On occasion, the relationship didn’t feel like it flowed organically. It felt clunky and forced at times. Still an enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. The reviews stated above reflect my own opinion. This review is spoiler free.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. The reviews stated above reflect my own opinion. This review is spoiler free.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 3/5
I really enjoyed the mix of real life relatable moments, book love, and a touch of the paranormal. The enemies to lovers tension was great, and Lee’s infuriating yet intriguing way of talking kept me hooked. I was not as sold on the backstory behind the hauntings. It could have stayed a simple haunted house without tying everything to George. Still, the writing flowed smoothly, the pacing worked, and I finished it in under a day.
Spice: 3/5
I really enjoyed the mix of real life relatable moments, book love, and a touch of the paranormal. The enemies to lovers tension was great, and Lee’s infuriating yet intriguing way of talking kept me hooked. I was not as sold on the backstory behind the hauntings. It could have stayed a simple haunted house without tying everything to George. Still, the writing flowed smoothly, the pacing worked, and I finished it in under a day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dnf at 45%
The spooky vibes of this book are everything. I was enjoying Thora finding and doing what she wants out of life, instead of living her life for her ex-husband, who doesn’t care. But I found that I was getting frustrated with this book. So it’s best if I stop reading it
here.
Thank you to NetGalley, Isabelle Popp, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The spooky vibes of this book are everything. I was enjoying Thora finding and doing what she wants out of life, instead of living her life for her ex-husband, who doesn’t care. But I found that I was getting frustrated with this book. So it’s best if I stop reading it
here.
Thank you to NetGalley, Isabelle Popp, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ I Haunt It That Way✨
A solid ⭐️ 3 stars. I’m a sucker for a spooky season read, even more so with an eerie atmosphere. This one is spicy but I wanted a little more from the character development.
What to expect:
🌙 Paranormal Romance
🏚️ Haunted Cabin
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🤎Only One Bed
💫 HEA
🍂 Seasonal read
📒 Releasing 25 August 2026
Thank you Afterglow Books by Harlequin & NetGalley for the advanced copy
A solid ⭐️ 3 stars. I’m a sucker for a spooky season read, even more so with an eerie atmosphere. This one is spicy but I wanted a little more from the character development.
What to expect:
🌙 Paranormal Romance
🏚️ Haunted Cabin
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🤎Only One Bed
💫 HEA
🍂 Seasonal read
📒 Releasing 25 August 2026
Thank you Afterglow Books by Harlequin & NetGalley for the advanced copy
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