Old Flames

by Nadine Gonzalez

Old flames ignite and the past never truly dies in a haunting new romance from USA Today bestselling author Nadine Gonzalez.

Author Jules Levy Jones is running—from her past, from her grief, and from the only man who ever really sparked her interest. Drawn to Key West for a prestigious literary festival, she finds herself back in Leo White’s orbit, and she knows she can’t run any more.

A brooding horror writer with demons of his own, Leo is more captivating than ever—and he’s determined not to let Jules walk away from him again. Not even when she confesses she’s being haunted by eerie whispers and chilling visions.

As the tropical heat rises, so does the tension between them. But Key West’s historic Aurora Inn holds more than just romance: Could the ghosts following Jules be echoes from her past? Or are they part of something more sinister?

Caught between a love they’re scared to embrace and a supernatural mystery that demands to be solved, Jules and Leo must face the ghosts of the past that threaten to consume them both.

This is a story of love, loss, and the spirits that bind us, perfect for fans of:
• Slow Burn
• Rivals to Lovers
• Second-Chance Romance
• Close Proximity
• Books About Books
• Diverse Romance
• Ghostly Atmosphere

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Books About Books, Contemporary Romance

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Savannah Borza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC! This was such a nontypical romance and I really enjoyed it! It was refreshing to read something in the genre I like but with a storyline that doesn’t follow the popular tropes, giving a new change of pace. The narrator was amazing. I don’t think I’ve heard a narrator do that many different voices (and well) since I listened to the Game of Thrones audiobooks like 5 years ago.

[Michelle’s Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half of this book worked better for me than the first part but overall, this book fell flat for me. I didn’t get the chemistry between Leo and July at all. The ghost story also wasn’t for me. The audio was great though!

[Cristina]

DNF! I couldn’t connect with the writing!

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a great time with this one.

The Key West setting was absolutely perfect. Between the historic inn, the tropical atmosphere, and the ghostly mystery woven throughout the story, it had such an immersive vibe. I could practically feel the warm ocean air while I was reading.

I really enjoyed the second chance romance between Jules and Leo. Their history gave the relationship so much emotional depth, and the slow burn kept me invested from beginning to end. Mixing romance with a supernatural mystery was a fun combination, and I loved trying to piece everything together alongside the characters.

The atmosphere was definitely the standout for me. It was equal parts cozy, mysterious, and romantic, with just enough spooky moments to keep things interesting without overwhelming the love story.

If you’re looking for a romance with a beautiful setting, a touch of the paranormal, and a heartfelt second chance love story, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up. It was a great read, and now I kind of want to book a trip to Key West.

[Michelle Camacho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Old Flames, and I have to admit… I never even read the blurb before requesting it. I saw Nadine Gonzalez’s name on NetGalley, hit request immediately, and hoped for the best. I’m so glad I did because this book was such a fun surprise!

I wasn’t expecting the paranormal elements, but they made this story so much fun. A group of writers gathering at what may or may not be a haunted estate? I was hooked from the very beginning. The eerie setting, the mystery surrounding the house, and the possibility of ghosts and even time travel kept me completely invested.

Julia and Leo’s story was so easy to root for. Ten years after meeting, fate brings them back together, and watching Leo fight for the woman he never stopped loving was one of my favorite parts of the book. Julia is understandably more guarded because of everything she’s been through, but seeing her slowly open herself up again made their second chance feel earned and believable.

I also loved that the supporting characters felt just as important as the romance. Every writer brought something different to the story, and I found myself just as invested in discovering their secrets as I was in uncovering what really happened inside that mysterious house.

By the end, everything came together beautifully. The mystery, the romance, the friendships, and the paranormal elements blended together so well, and I loved learning what happened to each of the characters after everything was revealed.

If you’re looking for a romance that mixes second chances, mystery, paranormal twists, and just the right amount of spooky atmosphere, Old Flames is definitely worth picking up.

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review: I think I would’ve preferred multiple, or at least dual narrators for this audiobook, but it was decent overall.

📝 Story Review: The blurb for this one sounded really interesting, but I wasn’t a fan of the execution. For me, I didn’t feel the connection between the two MC’s. They saw each other and spoke for like 5 mins… then 10 years later are reunited and apparently he’s never forgotten her and says he’s been in love with her all these years? 🤔 I didn’t feel the supposed chemistry between them, nor did I like the FMC very much.

As for the paranormal/historical mystery aspect of the story, I enjoyed that part, but would’ve preferred that to be its own story, separate from this romance story… and wasn’t a huge fan of how it was all woven together, but then again, that’s just my perspective.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Spice Level: 🌶️ 1.5/5

Tropes 👇

- Literary Festival
- Key West
- Historic Inn
- Paranormal Activity
- Love Triangle Historical Mystery
- Palm Readings
- Rivals to Lovers
- Second Chances
- Close Proximity
- Author MC’s
- BIPOC rep
- LGBTQ rep (side characters)

CW’s 👇

- Mention of racism/slavery
- Grief over loss of a parent
- Falling out with parents
- Alcohol use
- Drug use

Audio Release Date: August 18, 2026
Audio Run Time: 7 hrs, 54 mins
Narrated By: Aure Nash
Genre: Multicultural Romance; Paranormal Mystery
POV: Third Person; Dual

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC in return for my honest review.

[Kelly Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Nadine Gonzalez, and Harlequin Audio for the advanced listening copy of Old Flames(8/18/2026).
This was my first book by Nadine Gonzalez, but it definitely won't be my last.
What I loved most about this story was the way it incorporated elements of a haunting to immediately pull me in. The periodic timestamps marking strange events created a constant sense of suspense, and I found myself eager to uncover what would happen next. The history surrounding both the inn and Key West added another layer to the story, making it feel rich and immersive. I'm typically not a fan of magical realism, but it was woven into the story so naturally that it enhanced the plot rather than distracting from it.
I also really enjoyed both Jules and Leo as characters. Watching them continually find their way back to each other—even when Jules was determined to keep her distance—made their romance feel earned. While their relationship developed over a relatively short period of time, it was clear their connection had been building for much longer. After everything Jules had been through, I was especially happy to see her get the happily ever after she deserved.
Finally, Aure Nash's narration was absolutely outstanding. She effortlessly gave each character a distinct voice, accents included, making it easy to stay immersed in the story from beginning to end.

[✨Alexis✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up from 2.5)

Thank you to Harlequin Audio, Nadine Gonzalez, and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

Old Flames had such a unique premise that immediately caught my attention—second chance romance, two speculative fiction authors, a haunted inn in Key West, and a supernatural mystery? I was all in. The atmosphere was definitely the strongest part of the story, and I loved the ghostly vibes woven throughout.

That said, I never fully connected with Jules and Leo’s romance. Their history was interesting, but I found myself wanting more emotional depth and chemistry to really sell me on their reunion. At times, the pacing felt uneven, and I wasn’t always sure if the story wanted to lean more into the romance or the paranormal mystery.

The narration was enjoyable and kept me engaged even during the slower sections, and I appreciated how the spooky elements added something different from a typical second-chance romance.

Overall, while this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I think readers who enjoy atmospheric romances with paranormal elements, haunted settings, and a slower-burn second chance relationship will likely have a better experience than I did.

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't what I was expecting and the more and more I got into it the more I liked it. I am a fan of fated love, but I am not a big fan of insta-love so there were times it felt like it was a little too much for me, but Leo was the absolute sweetest. I enjoyed the spooky story in the background here, it was hard to keep up with what was happening at times with all the lore that was thrown around, but I really did like that there was a magical aspect to this book.
Leo and Jules had met ten years earlier on one of the worst nights of their lives. They are both authors and arrive at this convention with a few others as well. They all become fast friends but weird things start happening. Leo and Jules are really the only ones that are invested in seeing it through till the end and finding out what was really going on.
I liked the side characters and thought it was an easy read. 3.5 stars.

[kennedy parrish · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ Rounded up. Wasn’t super impressed by this, mostly because it felt like the author read two Emily Henry books and just tried to mash the plots up together in a new setting. Also though because there was a very disengaging shift that happened part way through this book where we go from following a full cast of complex dynamics and building a found family to following just the FMC and MMC. The infatuation that began between them 10 years prior to the events of the book didn’t really feel substantial enough to sustain a decade long fascination with one another, which made the speed of the romance really difficult to believe or cheer for. Positives were the atmosphere and setting, more so in the beginning of the book when the scene is being set in Key West

[Bossmanaries Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The excitement of getting this read was for the good narrator as well as a good slow burn and enemies to lovers story. Aure Nash showed up to class this day and was prepared for her final exam in Narration 400 course and no curve was needed. 🎧 Audiobook Narration: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 However, my disappointment came with the cross pollination of genres for horror and romance. I wanted it to produce and have me in awe, yet I did not that desired effect and was left wanting just Jules and Leo to have passionate relations.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the ALC.

Rating: 3.25 stars

[Haerlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Flames" defies expectations. It's a romance novel, where the romance is found not in the spice, but in the history and yearning. Several authors convene on a haunted mansion for inspiration, which leads to forced proximity and second chance tropes. It's also a slow burn and has magical realism elements. I enjoyed this book for its storytelling elements and would categorize it more as a women's fiction than I would a romance, and that is not a bad thing.

As for the cover, it’s stunning and hints at the Caribbean influence in the story, but it doesn’t quite match the book’s vibe for me. Maybe incorporating shadows or ghostly specters could bridge that gap.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC review!

Old Flames was good! It was different than what I usually read, but it was a fun time. It started out kind of slow, but the second half picked up and stayed pretty fast-paced.

I really enjoyed the narrator! I would have sworn there were at least two narrators with how well she did at differentiating between characters. I was able to listen at 2x speed with no issues with the audio.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and MIRA for this eARC!

[Layne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the paranormal aspects tied into this romance book. The ending however felt abrupt. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.