Haunted Hearts

by Lucy Vale

I have no business wanting a man like Will Holloway.

Grumpy. Gorgeous. Maddening as hell. He’s the architect hired to rip the heart out of the Hawthorne Bay Public Library—the building I’m fighting like hell to save. And as far as Will’s concerned, I’m nothing but a thorn in his side.

Yeah, well. Feeling's mutual.

Or at least…it was.

Because the longer we clash, the harder it gets to ignore the heat simmering between us. The way he looks at me—like he sees straight through every defense I’ve built.

And when the ghosts of Hawthorne Bay begin to stir, I start to wonder what else Will might be hiding beneath that rough exterior.

I’m just not sure what scares me more—what’s haunting the library…
…or that letting him close might be the one thing that finally haunts me for good.

Genres: Romance

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 6, 2025

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Will, the architect, is fantastic. Will, the love interest, not so much. The way he talks about women - how they all look at him, is a huge turn-off. His dirty talk is icky. Lydia is a fun character, but the things she takes personally is ridiculous. It's weird to have her up in arms over an ex having a new girlfriend after Will's already been knuckles deep in there!!! Her falling in love is written pretty well, but Will's love comes out of left field. The ghostly stuff was kind of fun, and I did love that that was how they came together.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A secrets and spirits wo-fi romance

My Review: Haunted Hearts by Lucy Vale is book #1 in the new Hawthorne Bay series. This small town enemies to lovers romance was released on 10/14/25.

About the Book: "I have no business wanting a man like Will Holloway.

Grumpy. Gorgeous. Maddening as hell.

And as far as Will’s concerned...

[The] Feeling's mutual."

In My Own Words: An architect and a librarian are at cross purposes, regarding a town centerpiece. What started as enemies in close proximity ended with...

About the Couple: Will and Lydia were explosive together. Whether they exchanged angsty banter or whether they demonstrated intense displays of affection, their coming together proved interesting.

My Final Say: This supernatural romance was fast and furious just as much as it was ghostly and suspenseful. It had a heartwarming element where both leads were concerned. The story was quite original. It should be interesting to see what comes next in this series.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chemistry/Heat Factor: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Crimson Arcana Press), and to NetGalley for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I appreciate the opportunity.

[Daytona Ameigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant about this book, mainly because of the Ghostly Twist vibe. I am so glad that I pushed that thought away because I absolutely loved this book!

I was so intrigued by the ghostly twist. It gave the book just enough suspense and mystery that I couldn't put the book down. I finished it in 2 hours! I loved that Lydia was so passionate about saving something she loves because of the memories it holds. I have a personal connection to that. Although the book did make me want to throw it across the room because Will was pissing me off 😂

I can't wait for her next book! I will definitely recommend her to anyone who needs some book recs!

[Kenna Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Haunted Hearts as an ARC. Lucy Vale is now my absolute favorite author. From page one I didn't want to put this book down. I dont do spoilers so here's what I'll say, the authors way with words is impeccable, she has you completely engrossed very quickly, she writes unique content from my experience, and her characters are relatable. Lydia and Will are both grumpy but also both sunshine I love this. The text messages at the beginning of some of the chapters are hilarious and add an extra umph to the book. If you liked Casper as a kid and liked Ghost Whisperer you will love this. 10/10💫 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 Beautifully and thoughtfully written.

[Amy G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers with fall vibes, a touch of paranormal activity, and the perfect amount of spice...loved it. No notes! A great little autumn read!

[Stephanie Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me all the feels and had me hooked right away. Haunted Hearts pulls you in with the classic push-and-pull of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic and then surprises you with an ending that’s much deeper and more emotional than expected.

The characters are incredibly relatable, making it so easy to fall in love with them and root for their journey. It’s the perfect blend of swoony romance and heartfelt twists, leaving you with both smiles and a touch of ache in the best way.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with a meaningful edge, this one delivers. A solid 5-star read that I’ll definitely be recommending!

[Amanda McShan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely genuinely obsessed with this book!

This was a heart warming, sweet, fun read and literally one of the best reads I’ve had this fall!!

I am so excited for what’s coming next. An absolute must read!!

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to more…
I really enjoyed Lucy’s story from start to finish.
It had a great storyline, all the characters were fun and relatable, it was at times spicy and had a paranormal element to it which I loved.
The main characters Will and Lydia were enemies from the start while having a deep attraction to each other that they couldn’t deny.
There was lots of angst and tension between the two as they were pitted against each other regarding the alterations to the library that Lydia works at.
Great start to a series.
I’m looking forward to reading stories from each of the other members in Will’s family.

[Tierra Prunty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute read for the holiday season.
Will and Lydia were the cutest.
Can’t wait to see what happens to the town and the rest of the group.

[BeccaFay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Lydia Chandler & Will Holloway.

Lydia is the assistant librarian at the local library where her mom was the librarian and she practically grew up there. The whole building is laced with childhood memories for Lydia.
Will is the architect who’s designing the renovations for the library with plans to bring it up to code and modernize it.

Of course Lydia HATES Will. Especially after their first encounter at the local coffee shop 🤦🏻‍♀️ Will also doesn’t like Lydia as she’s standing in the way of his future and financial stability he so desperately needs.
Somewhere along the way, the enemies definitely become lovers. Meanwhile Will is keeping a secret from Lydia. 2 actually, 1 being a ghostly secret.

Let me say that I absolutely LOVED this book! I was expecting the ghostly side of it to be more, but by the end I understood what the title meant. I felt the hatred from the characters. I felt the utter betrayal that Lydia felt and I almost had to stop reading to catch my breath 😠 as someone who lost their mom, the letter from Lydia’s mom for sure got me in my feels and brought a couple tears to my eyes. What a special gift from beyond the grave that I’m sure many (including me) could only hope to get.
This was my first book I’ve read by the author, but it certainly won’t be my last! I very much enjoyed the writing style and character development and depth. The spice was SPICY 🥵 and not overly done. I would’ve liked a little more romance, but that’s just my personal preference and it didn’t take away from the story at all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Kerri Wells Goetzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunted Hearts by Lucy Vale swept me off my feet in the best way possible. This book is the perfect storm of small town charm, enemies to lovers tension, and a touch of ghostly mystery that lingers long after you finish the last page.

Lydia isn’t just an assistant librarian, she’s a fierce protector of the Hawthorne Bay Public Library, the place where she grew up and where every corner holds a memory of her mom. Will is the broody architect whose job is to tear down the library Lydia is trying to save. From their first coffee shop run in to their heated battles, I could feel the sparks flying between them even when they couldn’t stand each other.

I was worried about the "ghosts and hauntings," but it isn’t just about ghosts; it’s about memories, secrets, and the kind of love that scares you because it’s so real. When Lydia discovers the truth about Will’s hidden past, the heartbreak and betrayal hit like a gut punch. When Will found her mother’s letter and shared it with her...it was such a beautiful, bittersweet moment that gave the story even more depth.

This was my first Lucy Vale book, but it definitely won’t be my last. Haunted Hearts is a moody, swoony, ghost tinged romance with real emotional weight, perfect for readers who want a little heart with their hauntings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Arcana Press for the ARC.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a cute romcom! It was such a fun they don’t like each other to love each other. Lydia was a fun FMC and Will was a good MMC. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the series!! This ending was pretty perfect for the book!!

[Jessica Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enemies to lovers, small town romance e story with a ghostly twist.

This story had some cute and spicy moments that I quite enjoyed. I enjoyed the texting banter amongst the siblings and their family dynamic. I also enjoyed how Will used his gifts to bring Lydia peace.

I do think that Zeke’s ghost involvement was a little too much and just didn’t make sense to me. I hope his story line is a little smoother in the next book.

3.5 stars!

[Shelby Spurlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunted Hearts was the perfect mix of spice and sass, with just the right amount of fall vibes to set the scene. 🍂 The crisp, moody atmosphere made the banter and chemistry feel even more electric. Just when I was cozying into the romance, the story took me on an emotional roller coaster I didn’t see coming. Steamy, witty, and unexpectedly heartfelt—this book delivered big time!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I’m so excited to be apart of my first ARC team! This was such a great read for some cozy fall vibes. 🍂🍁 I’d 100% recommend it for your fall TBR

[Kelly Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book completely took me by surprise...... in the best possible way. Once again, I judged a book by its cover (and I’ll admit it, I never love covers with people on them… I don’t know why, but it’s just a thing for me 😅). Thankfully, I was lucky enough to be accepted to read this one, because wow — I loved it.

From the first chapter, I was hooked. The banter? Absolutely hilarious. The sibling dynamic between Will and his brothers and sister had me laughing out loud, and the back-and-forth between Autumn and Lydia was just as good. The dialogue sparkles: sarcastic, sharp, and full of heart.

And then there’s the spice. Absolute perfection. 🔥

But what really sealed the deal for me was the dedication:
“To every 90’s girl who watched Casper and absolutely melted when Devon Sawa whispered, ‘...Can I keep you?’ This one’s for you.”
This 90s girl’s heart didn’t stand a chance. Will and Lydia’s romance was everything, funny, tender, heartbreaking at times, a little haunted (literally), and utterly swoon-worthy.

If you love small-town charm, enemies-to-lovers chemistry (and yes, the chemistry really be chemistry-ing), and a touch of ghostly nostalgia, you need to read this book. I’m already counting down the days until the next instalment — Zeke’s story, who we’re introduced to here!

Thank you to Crimson Arcana Press for giving me an ARC and an opportunity to read Will and Lydia's story.

[Simran · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you, Lucy, for this ARC!!

The plot had such an interesting and unique concept, a ghost-seeing male main character and a librarian at the heart of the story. I loved how their paths crossed in such a natural and almost magical way. The chemistry between them was really nice, and the storyline itself felt refreshing and different from what I usually read. Maybe the book didn’t click exactly enough for me to give it a full five stars, but I absolutely loved the creativity behind it and the way the story unfolded. It had that quiet charm that stays with you even after finishing it.

Lydia was such a wonderful main character. She’s deeply connected to the library because of her mother’s memories, and that emotional attachment really came through in her chapters. I found her POVs surprisingly touching at times. Usually, I find female leads in romance novels a bit repetitive or annoying, but Lydia genuinely stood out.

As for Will Halloway, he was an absolute charm. I loved how protective he was of both his siblings and Lydia. There’s something really warm about his personality, and his sense of responsibility made him all the more likable. Overall, both characters balanced each other beautifully and made the story come alive.

[SH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydia is the assistant librarian at the local library, and she has devoted her life to preserving the building that holds her happiest childhood memories. After losing her mother, who once ran the library, and growing up with an absent, alcoholic father, the library has always been Lydia’s safe haven. But her mission to protect it is threatened when Will, a determined architect, arrives with plans to modernize and renovate the space. What begins as a clash of ideals quickly turns into undeniable attraction. Lydia and Will may try to resist, but as sparks fly between them, both must confront the ghosts of the past and the tension between preservation and change.
This is a spicy, emotionally grounded romance with several open-door scenes and two strong, well-drawn characters. Lydia’s love for the library and Will’s quiet complexity make for a compelling pairing. I found this to be a story about love and loss. It has a touch of nostalgia, with a whole lot of chemistry.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lindy Dierks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught me off guard. This is my first book by this author, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a solid, fun read. A small town, enemies to lovers story. Lydia was strong willed and passionate about her cause. I loved that about her. She’s a librarian trying to protect the integrity of the library. Will is an architect hired to remodel the library.
This book was well written with great conflict and a storyline that kept me interested from start to finish. There was great spice and fun banter.
In the beginning, I thought maybe the characters spent a bit too much time thinking about how hot they were for each other. I thought maybe things could have happened a bit more organically. It didn’t change my enjoyment of the story. It was just something that popped in my head when I first began reading. Lydia and Will had a great connection and the chemistry was hot. The emotion was deep and satisfying. A fun read. I would definitely read more by this author. I received this book from Crimson Arcana Press and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth Szumski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Haunted Hearts as an ARC.

I started Haunted Hearts incredibly excited to read a ghostly book that includes a library, and finished it with my expectations being blown away!

The journey Lucy Vale takes these two passionate leads on is everything I never knew I wanted in a hauntingly good tale.

Will, with his sense of duty toward his family and heart-breaking guilt over things a young man should never feel guilty about.

Lydia, the fierce yet sensitive woman who just wants to hold onto the love she used to know.

The way they clash and crave at the same time. The tension was incredible, and very well-written. The spicy scenes were *chefs kiss*

These characters drew me in so fully and quickly that I had no hope of being able to put the book down!

10/10! I can't wait to read more from Lucy Vale!

[JANELLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a small town, enemies to lovers romance with a bit of haunting ghostly magic.

With the description, I thought there would be a lot more emphasis on the ghostly part - but this was handled delicately and was beautiful. Lydia is the fierce protector, assistant librarian that is trying to turn the library into a historical landmark so it can't be changed. Will is the architect that is there is modernize the library. And man do they butt heads and argue. I enjoyed the storyline, the characters are entertaining - Will's brothers are super fun. I'd love to see these characters in their own stories.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

[Lisa Corrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a romance that has the perfect blend of spice and sass then I highly recommend this book. Lydia just wanted to preserve the one place she felt closest to her mother, the local library. Enter Will, the architect in charge of renovating what Lydia considered her one true safe space. They both understand that a relationship would be unwise and unprofessional but the chemistry is undeniable. Lydia and Will navigate their relationship with sass, spice and a maybe a ghost or two. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

[Readstoforget · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. Haven’t read a romance book with ghosts included before but I would again. It’s hardly believable at times especially towards the end but if you overlook that fact it is entertaining. Our MMC and his family can see/hear ghosts and he connects with our FMC’s mother. It’s weird but it’s good. The betrayal wasn’t anywhere near a huge gut punches but it was decent and the grovel was also decent. Really I’d say it’s rather low angst for what it is.

[Raina Blanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book of this author I've read, but definitely will read all her books now. Charming story about a librarian and an architect. Lydia hates Will right from the start, and Will can't get her out of his head. Lydia fights desperately to keep 'her mother's' library the same. With tons of secrets that will shock and amaze you. 5 star

[Bookish_Nurse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
5⭐️ Spice 4/5🌶️
Haunted Hearts is the perfect mix of romance, mystery, and the supernatural. It kept me hooked from start to finish. I devoured the whole book in two days. The chemistry between the characters was electric, and the spice top tier. A hauntingly beautiful love story of healing and redemption that I couldn’t put down!

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! I was skeptical about the "ghostly" part but it was done so well! The texting banter between the siblings had me dying laughing. I always love a good enemies to lovers trope and this did not disappoint! Can't wait for Zeke's story.

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will is the architect who is set to ruin the library Lydia wants to preserve as a memory to her mother. An enemies to lovers romance, I liked how it was told from both points of view. Looking forward to the next books in this series.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that Lydia wanted to save the library that holds the memory of her mother. I enjoyed the enemy’s to lovers in the book. Will is a great grumpy character, great banter and spice with each other. This was my first read by this author but it won’t be my last.

[Cathy Moir-Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spicy And Spirited Little Romance !!!

A spicy and sweet romance about two people haunted by their pasts and trying to work up the courage to grab hold of their future. Looking forward to book two !!!

[Joni Ekovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as an ARC read - very easy read with a cozy plot and some paranormal elements. Some spicy scenes but is plot focused.