What do you think?
Rate this book
To Divorce A Ghost
A grieving widower. A meddling ghost. A second chance at love.
Owen’s dream was simple; move to a quiet seaside town, restore a gorgeous Victorian home, and build a life with his husband, Lucas. But dreams don’t always survive reality. After a tragic accident took Lucas’s life, Owen was left with a crumbling house, a failing pumpkin patch, and a heart too broken to move on. For three years, he’s been stuck in a routine of sweatpants and microwave dinners, haunted by grief…and by Lucas himself.
Lucas, however, has had enough. Watching Owen waste away from the afterlife is unbearable, and he’s determined to help. Even if he has to break a few ghostly rules. His brilliant idea? List Owen’s empty guest room on a queer-friendly vacation rental site. Maybe a fresh presence in the house will shake Owen out of his funk.
Enter Gabriel; overworked, overwhelmed, and desperately in need of a break. Forced into a mandatory vacation by his boss and unwilling to stay in his apartment with his roommate’s freeloading brother, Gabriel books a last-minute stay in a historic Victorian. He expects peace, maybe a little charm. What he doesn’t expect is a brooding, devastatingly sexy host…or the lingering ghost of his dead husband.
Owen wants nothing to do with love. Gabriel isn’t looking for romance. But Lucas? Lucas has other plans. And with a ghost tugging at the strings of fate, both their hearts and lives are bound to be transformed.
Owen’s dream was simple; move to a quiet seaside town, restore a gorgeous Victorian home, and build a life with his husband, Lucas. But dreams don’t always survive reality. After a tragic accident took Lucas’s life, Owen was left with a crumbling house, a failing pumpkin patch, and a heart too broken to move on. For three years, he’s been stuck in a routine of sweatpants and microwave dinners, haunted by grief…and by Lucas himself.
Lucas, however, has had enough. Watching Owen waste away from the afterlife is unbearable, and he’s determined to help. Even if he has to break a few ghostly rules. His brilliant idea? List Owen’s empty guest room on a queer-friendly vacation rental site. Maybe a fresh presence in the house will shake Owen out of his funk.
Enter Gabriel; overworked, overwhelmed, and desperately in need of a break. Forced into a mandatory vacation by his boss and unwilling to stay in his apartment with his roommate’s freeloading brother, Gabriel books a last-minute stay in a historic Victorian. He expects peace, maybe a little charm. What he doesn’t expect is a brooding, devastatingly sexy host…or the lingering ghost of his dead husband.
Owen wants nothing to do with love. Gabriel isn’t looking for romance. But Lucas? Lucas has other plans. And with a ghost tugging at the strings of fate, both their hearts and lives are bound to be transformed.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
7 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
R.R. Mangold
6 books46 followersR.R. Mangold grew up in a tiny Oregon town, where she fell head over heels for theater, fashion, and writing—basically anything that would let her play dress-up and write about it. She eventually made her way to a fashion school in Los Angeles, where she filled journals with scribbles of movie plots, play ideas, and novel outlines. Finally, she decided her dreams couldn’t hide in the shadows anymore, and To Touch A Reaper became her debut published work!
She’s a storyteller at heart. Her work centers on emotional, character-driven narratives—often with paranormal or speculative elements. R.R. crafts tales about love, grief, healing, and transformation. Whether it's a ghost lingering in a Victorian home or a celestial being falling for a mortal, her stories feel layered, heartfelt, and deeply human even when wrapped in the supernatural.
Her stories often center queer protagonists and explore love, loss, and emotional intimacy. She treats those relationships with nuance, care, and often a touch of spice.
When she’s not writing, R.R. is likely hanging out with her husband, two kids, and her loyal hounddog in Utah. You’ll find them either gaming like pros or hunting for the coolest rocks around!
She’s a storyteller at heart. Her work centers on emotional, character-driven narratives—often with paranormal or speculative elements. R.R. crafts tales about love, grief, healing, and transformation. Whether it's a ghost lingering in a Victorian home or a celestial being falling for a mortal, her stories feel layered, heartfelt, and deeply human even when wrapped in the supernatural.
Her stories often center queer protagonists and explore love, loss, and emotional intimacy. She treats those relationships with nuance, care, and often a touch of spice.
When she’s not writing, R.R. is likely hanging out with her husband, two kids, and her loyal hounddog in Utah. You’ll find them either gaming like pros or hunting for the coolest rocks around!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 17, 2025
This is a heart warming and steamy romance! This was the perfect read for fall. Loved the cozy vibes and made me wish that I was at a small town bed and breakfast.
August 19, 2025
This was such a cute little romance story. Just the right amount of spice and romance. I would like to know more about the mix up with the reaper. But, I’m definitely going to be reading more from this author.
October 4, 2025
One of R.R. Mangold's superpowers is making me cry over fictional characters. I think me a few years ago could have really used this book. Finding love again after loss teeters on hard thought process in my opinion. On one hand, you want to see someone find happiness and love again, but then there's the idea of how can I love someone else. The thing is that we are allowed to have multiple loves if that is how our path treads. Owen most certainly deserved to be able to love again. He lost his husband so young.
This book is multi-POV and we follow Lucas, Owen, and Gabriel. Lucas is dead and hasn't been able to move on. He's tired of watching Owen, his husband, waste away his life. He wants Owen to truly live and find love. So by pure determination, he is able to put the listing for the house live and open for guests.
Gabriel's work is forcing him on vacation because a big contract is coming up and they want him clear headed. Gabriel just so happens to be looking for a place to stay when this beautiful victorian home pops up
This was such a cozy fall-coded book. It was fun watching as Owen really gave into the idea of falling in love again and Gabriel learning to be himself.
What You Can Expect
📖Cozy with Elements of Grief
📖MM Romance
📖Restoring a Home and a Heart
📖Meddling Ghost
📖Small Town
I would have loved to know how Lucas died. Perhaps we get that in the novella?
This book is multi-POV and we follow Lucas, Owen, and Gabriel. Lucas is dead and hasn't been able to move on. He's tired of watching Owen, his husband, waste away his life. He wants Owen to truly live and find love. So by pure determination, he is able to put the listing for the house live and open for guests.
Gabriel's work is forcing him on vacation because a big contract is coming up and they want him clear headed. Gabriel just so happens to be looking for a place to stay when this beautiful victorian home pops up
This was such a cozy fall-coded book. It was fun watching as Owen really gave into the idea of falling in love again and Gabriel learning to be himself.
What You Can Expect
📖Cozy with Elements of Grief
📖MM Romance
📖Restoring a Home and a Heart
📖Meddling Ghost
📖Small Town
I would have loved to know how Lucas died. Perhaps we get that in the novella?
October 5, 2025
This book will make you laugh, cry and swoon, a cute ghostly story
A grieving widower and a reluctant ghost. A meddling ghost with a plan. Sometimes it takes a stranger and a little paranormal interference to help you find your way home again.
Owen and Lucas had a dream; they bought a Victorian home in a beautiful seaside town. However, that dreamed died the day Lucas passed away in a tragic accident. Owen’s heart is broken; he has too much grief and the ghost of Lucas is everywhere. If Owen really realized is that Lucas is watching him!
Lucas has been watching Owen, and has had enough of Owen not moving on, not coming to terms with life. He decides Owen needs a guest, there is a guest room, so he puts an ad in a queer friendly vacation rental site – Will this shake Owen enough? Do you believe in ghosts?
Meet Gabriel, he needs a break he works hard and has been forced into a mandatary vacation by his boss. Gabriel needs an escape from his life so he books a stay at the historic Victorian house, peaceful, but will that be what he gets?
Owen is confused how this happened, and he doesn’t want anything to do with a new love and Gabriel doesn’t need or want a relationship. But! Lucas has other ideas for these two!
This was a cute romance, these two are meant to be together, the author wrote this very well regarding dealing with grief and the courage to grow and move on.
Did I miss it, how did Lucas Die?
A grieving widower and a reluctant ghost. A meddling ghost with a plan. Sometimes it takes a stranger and a little paranormal interference to help you find your way home again.
Owen and Lucas had a dream; they bought a Victorian home in a beautiful seaside town. However, that dreamed died the day Lucas passed away in a tragic accident. Owen’s heart is broken; he has too much grief and the ghost of Lucas is everywhere. If Owen really realized is that Lucas is watching him!
Lucas has been watching Owen, and has had enough of Owen not moving on, not coming to terms with life. He decides Owen needs a guest, there is a guest room, so he puts an ad in a queer friendly vacation rental site – Will this shake Owen enough? Do you believe in ghosts?
Meet Gabriel, he needs a break he works hard and has been forced into a mandatary vacation by his boss. Gabriel needs an escape from his life so he books a stay at the historic Victorian house, peaceful, but will that be what he gets?
Owen is confused how this happened, and he doesn’t want anything to do with a new love and Gabriel doesn’t need or want a relationship. But! Lucas has other ideas for these two!
This was a cute romance, these two are meant to be together, the author wrote this very well regarding dealing with grief and the courage to grow and move on.
Did I miss it, how did Lucas Die?
September 7, 2025
I've seen a lot of requests lately for cozy fall vibes and this is the book I'm going to start recommending! It also has a lot more than just cozy, as it really does take quite a deep look into grief and how it can feel to be in the thick of it as well as how it feels when you finally start to come out of it. It's very much a character driven story and I loved watching how realistically these two fell for each other and realized exactly what they each individually needed out of life. At different points my heart was reaching out to all 3 of the people involved (you get Lucas's POV too and it definitely tugs on those heart strings), but I thought the resolution was well handled. Spice was minimal, but it fit with where they were at and their own fears of the relationship. Their HEA is one I firmly believe in.
I do think that there were some loose ends that I would have really liked to be addressed (how exactly did Lucas die?!), but overall it was a sweet cozy fall story.
I do think that there were some loose ends that I would have really liked to be addressed (how exactly did Lucas die?!), but overall it was a sweet cozy fall story.
August 22, 2025
This book had me in my feels. Watching Owen navigate life after the loss of his husband and feeling like he will never be able to move on, only to be surprised by the right person at the right time. UGH my heart.
Throughout this book, the romance between Owen and Gabriel blooms so organically while both of them are growing and changing. Owen learning to be himself again, while coming to terms with the fact that Lucas must move on and Gabriel realizing that the being able to positively influence the community that started loving him as soon as he got there was more important that the stiff working life that he was used to.
Also the ending had me ABSOLUTELY sobbing. So touching.
Throughout this book, the romance between Owen and Gabriel blooms so organically while both of them are growing and changing. Owen learning to be himself again, while coming to terms with the fact that Lucas must move on and Gabriel realizing that the being able to positively influence the community that started loving him as soon as he got there was more important that the stiff working life that he was used to.
Also the ending had me ABSOLUTELY sobbing. So touching.
February 28, 2026
Cute, low angst spin on a love story
I thought this book was super cute. I hadn't read a book with this premise before and I really enjoyed the spin. Giving the ghost a voice was so beautiful and heartbreaking in the best way. I sobbed and cheered. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because of the many errors I encountered throughout the entire book. Each time it would take me out of the adorable world created. I'm not an author so I don't know the world of publishing and editing, but , for me, the errors were distracting from the story.
I thought this book was super cute. I hadn't read a book with this premise before and I really enjoyed the spin. Giving the ghost a voice was so beautiful and heartbreaking in the best way. I sobbed and cheered. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because of the many errors I encountered throughout the entire book. Each time it would take me out of the adorable world created. I'm not an author so I don't know the world of publishing and editing, but , for me, the errors were distracting from the story.
September 3, 2025
ARC review
I thought this was a cute story. I just had an issue with the formatting and sentences and the repetition in internal dialogue. Drove me nuts a little. I was able to look past it enough to finish the book though.
Overall a cute read. Definitely fall vibes with the paranormal aspect, and the pumpkin patch of course.
I can understand Owen's hesitation. Moving on after losing your love is never easy.
I thought this was a cute story. I just had an issue with the formatting and sentences and the repetition in internal dialogue. Drove me nuts a little. I was able to look past it enough to finish the book though.
Overall a cute read. Definitely fall vibes with the paranormal aspect, and the pumpkin patch of course.
I can understand Owen's hesitation. Moving on after losing your love is never easy.
September 4, 2025
A super cute read that is perfect for the fall!
This story deals with love, loss, and the courage it takes to learn to love again. Owen and Gabriel are absolutely perfect for each other and their connection proves that sometimes the right person comes into your life just when you need them to. If you are looking for a sweet romance with just a little bit of spice then this book needs to be on your fall reading list!
ARC review
This story deals with love, loss, and the courage it takes to learn to love again. Owen and Gabriel are absolutely perfect for each other and their connection proves that sometimes the right person comes into your life just when you need them to. If you are looking for a sweet romance with just a little bit of spice then this book needs to be on your fall reading list!
ARC review
September 19, 2025
This book was the perfect read to get me into the fall vibes. If that's what you're looking for, I would recommend giving this a try. If you're sensitive to grief, then I don't recommend you read this. This does end on a happy note! I thought this was beautifully written and a good book to read in the fall... things tend to be gloomy in the colder months, and this helps you remember the light.
September 19, 2025
Touching!
I loved this book! It felt like hanging out in a gay Stars Hollow, but even more incredible than that sounds! I loved the contemporary world references including Serendipity, one of my most favorite movies, and the Joey Tribbiani sandwich thing 😂 they were perfect!
I loved this book! It felt like hanging out in a gay Stars Hollow, but even more incredible than that sounds! I loved the contemporary world references including Serendipity, one of my most favorite movies, and the Joey Tribbiani sandwich thing 😂 they were perfect!
February 23, 2026
3.5 stars! this was so sweeeeeet! I found it in an indie bookstore a few months ago and I just got around to reading it. I really loved it, it was so cute and soft. not nearly as Halloween/Fall coded as i thought it would be!
August 9, 2025
Heartwarming and beautifully written. I ended the book in overwhelmed, happy tears with a chest full of love for these 2 men. What starts heartbreaking ends in perfection!
September 9, 2025
Cozy spooky romance again!
Owen, a sad widower whose spouse and dreams died. However, one of the dreams came with strings requiring some work.
Gabriel, a hardworking landscape architect, needs some time off before their next project.
Lucas, the ghost previously married to Owen is going to get involved.
One of the characters is based on an acquaintance, and there is an Elon Musk type character. I love the casserole dish exchange next door. And the Easter eggs from RR's previous works are fun too.
The outstanding feature of this book is the internal dialogue of all three of these men. Great discussions around disabilities.
While this is not directly related to To Touch A Reaper and To Train a Demon, I think it is in the same universe.
Read for : spooky vibes, cozy vibes, MM romance, second chance, life changes. Oh and the pumpkins.
Owen, a sad widower whose spouse and dreams died. However, one of the dreams came with strings requiring some work.
Gabriel, a hardworking landscape architect, needs some time off before their next project.
Lucas, the ghost previously married to Owen is going to get involved.
One of the characters is based on an acquaintance, and there is an Elon Musk type character. I love the casserole dish exchange next door. And the Easter eggs from RR's previous works are fun too.
The outstanding feature of this book is the internal dialogue of all three of these men. Great discussions around disabilities.
While this is not directly related to To Touch A Reaper and To Train a Demon, I think it is in the same universe.
Read for : spooky vibes, cozy vibes, MM romance, second chance, life changes. Oh and the pumpkins.
September 20, 2025
This book screams 🎃 fall vibes 🎃 with a cozy paranormal romance element that got me in my feels. Owen is a man whom is grieving the loss of this beloved husband. He finds it so difficult, nearly impossible to let go of the love of his life. Understandably so. I can relate to being so deeply in love with someone that it feels like it would kill you to let go. But at the end of the day, it’s best to let go of something you want, so it no longer continues to hurt you. Grief is not one size fits all but with the right person in your corner (Gabriel), sharing a bond can help you make amends with your past and maybe get you closer to the closure you’re searching for.
(YouTube/TikTok: JaylenePryorReads)
(YouTube/TikTok: JaylenePryorReads)
October 24, 2025
This is a cozy romance that beautifully explores love, loss, and the process of moving forward. Both characters are trapped in different ways—one as a ghost lingering after death, and the other weighed down by grief for his late husband. Everything begins to change when the ghost lists their bed-and-breakfast online, and someone new answers. What follows is a sweet story of romance, rediscovering passions, and learning how to move on after loss. Heartfelt, tender, and healing—this is a wonderful read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews