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Adored by the Grumpy Ghost: Mapletown Monster Mates: Book 1
“Catching feelings for the ghost in the attic would be a colossal mistake, and one I can’t afford to make.”A grieving woman eager to start fresh…
Unemployed, broke, and on the verge of homelessness is not how Natalie pictured life in her early 40s, but since being her mother’s caregiver wiped the last of her savings, she’s forced to grieve her mother’s death in a state of panic as she looks for a job. Any job that’ll pay enough to keep a roof over her head.
Luckily, her college roommate just inherited an old Victorian mansion in the mountains of northern New Hampshire, and doesn’t have the time to fix it up or rent it out herself. Natalie can stay rent-free as long as she needs. There’s gotta be a catch, right?
A grumpy ghost set in his ways …
There’s nothing Winston hates more than roommates. Now this irritating blonde woman has moved in, she won’t stop crying, she leaves crumbs everywhere, and she plays way too much Taylor Swift for his liking. It should be easy enough to scare her away.
As much as he hates sharing a space with her, though, he can’t deny his attraction. Those soft lips. Her luscious curves. The adorable scrunch of her nose when she’s frustrated. He can’t get her out of his mind. But this isn’t her house. At some point, she’ll have to leave. How can he keep her by his side when she deserves more than a penniless ghost could ever offer?
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost is a low-stakes, high-heat monster romance featuring a stubborn Victorian ghost MMC eager to scare away his new roommate, and a plus size FMC looking to start fresh in a house that’s haunted.
Unemployed, broke, and on the verge of homelessness is not how Natalie pictured life in her early 40s, but since being her mother’s caregiver wiped the last of her savings, she’s forced to grieve her mother’s death in a state of panic as she looks for a job. Any job that’ll pay enough to keep a roof over her head.
Luckily, her college roommate just inherited an old Victorian mansion in the mountains of northern New Hampshire, and doesn’t have the time to fix it up or rent it out herself. Natalie can stay rent-free as long as she needs. There’s gotta be a catch, right?
A grumpy ghost set in his ways …
There’s nothing Winston hates more than roommates. Now this irritating blonde woman has moved in, she won’t stop crying, she leaves crumbs everywhere, and she plays way too much Taylor Swift for his liking. It should be easy enough to scare her away.
As much as he hates sharing a space with her, though, he can’t deny his attraction. Those soft lips. Her luscious curves. The adorable scrunch of her nose when she’s frustrated. He can’t get her out of his mind. But this isn’t her house. At some point, she’ll have to leave. How can he keep her by his side when she deserves more than a penniless ghost could ever offer?
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost is a low-stakes, high-heat monster romance featuring a stubborn Victorian ghost MMC eager to scare away his new roommate, and a plus size FMC looking to start fresh in a house that’s haunted.
276 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2025
21 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Knox
43 books108 followersIvy Knox is a sci-fi romance author who has a penchant for big, broody aliens covered in muscles who know how to treat their ladies right.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 20, 2025
COZY SMUT AND IM HERE FOR IT!
This was so good, the plus size rep, over40 fmc, and the real feeling of grief and loss.
Screw Beetlejuice! Winston is the ghost with the most. 🤪
Perfect Fall read and so spicy!,
It ticked off all this girls cozy, feral vibes.
Taylor Swift references too!! 💖💖💖
This was so good, the plus size rep, over40 fmc, and the real feeling of grief and loss.
Screw Beetlejuice! Winston is the ghost with the most. 🤪
Perfect Fall read and so spicy!,
It ticked off all this girls cozy, feral vibes.
Taylor Swift references too!! 💖💖💖
October 27, 2025
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost by Ivy Knox was the perfectly fun, sweet and spicy spoopy book I needed for the start of autumn! I was immediately drawn in by well-written and endearing characters and couldn’t put this little book down.
This is a cozy paranormal monster romance that packs a ton of humor and heat into a quick and easy read. Natalia and Winston were both so realistic and hilarious! I couldn’t help gushing about this book to my friends as I was reading it. I also appreciated the exploration of grief and what it means to be a person navigating this world even when you’re not quite sure of your purpose.
I also have to talk about the chemistry and spice in this book, which was phenomenal. I could truly feel Natalie and Winston’s draw towards each other as they got to know one another. The tension and sweet moments had me so invested!
I loved this book and had an amazing time reading it. I loved the setting of Mapletown and the quirky side characters that were introduced. Ivy’s style of writing was also right up my alley - descriptive but casual, with dialogue that had me laughing out loud. I cannot wait to read more books in this series!
This is a cozy paranormal monster romance that packs a ton of humor and heat into a quick and easy read. Natalia and Winston were both so realistic and hilarious! I couldn’t help gushing about this book to my friends as I was reading it. I also appreciated the exploration of grief and what it means to be a person navigating this world even when you’re not quite sure of your purpose.
I also have to talk about the chemistry and spice in this book, which was phenomenal. I could truly feel Natalie and Winston’s draw towards each other as they got to know one another. The tension and sweet moments had me so invested!
I loved this book and had an amazing time reading it. I loved the setting of Mapletown and the quirky side characters that were introduced. Ivy’s style of writing was also right up my alley - descriptive but casual, with dialogue that had me laughing out loud. I cannot wait to read more books in this series!
October 21, 2025
This was a wonderful series opener and a really entertaining, spooky and cozy reading ride. Natalie and Winston did not start off on the best foot but they sure do manage to find their way together. I loved the community this story is set in, with monsters and ghosts, the heartwarming plot, and the very hot spice ;P This really was an emotional read that had me teary or giggling away ;) I also loved the epilogue. This is a well written and engaging romance and I can't wait for the next book :D
October 21, 2025
This was a sweet and spicy book. I don’t have much to say other than it’s a perfect book if you’re looking for a cozy, slightly spooky (or haunted) read for the season. Happy reading!
October 28, 2025
Adored by the Grump Ghost by Ivy Knox is the first in a series of standalones in a paranormal town. Our female main character feels adrift after her mom’s death…not to mention that she’s being evicted. When she gets the chance to live rent free in a new town, she jumps at the chance.Only, the town and house aren’t as normal as they appear, and Natalie soon comes face to fact with her new grumpy and otherworldly roommate.
This book is a cozy, swoony read that had everything I was looking for. I was laughing, squealing, yelling at my kindle, and tearing up more than once. I lost my mother a little over a year ago, and Knox’s writing and Natalie’s grief hit so close to home. Knox’s vivid writing and witty banter had me hooked from the first few pages. Winston is the ultimate book (ghost) boyfriend, and I just really need my own Winston now.
This book has spice, and it’s awesome– but what surprised me most was the depth of the characters. Aside from struggling with the grief of her mother's death, Natalie struggles with her self-worth, body image, and feeling unfulfilled in her life up to this point. All things that most readers can relate to; at least, I definitely related.
This was a short, fun read with all the spice, cozy small town vibes, and paranormal romance you could ask for.
This book is a cozy, swoony read that had everything I was looking for. I was laughing, squealing, yelling at my kindle, and tearing up more than once. I lost my mother a little over a year ago, and Knox’s writing and Natalie’s grief hit so close to home. Knox’s vivid writing and witty banter had me hooked from the first few pages. Winston is the ultimate book (ghost) boyfriend, and I just really need my own Winston now.
This book has spice, and it’s awesome– but what surprised me most was the depth of the characters. Aside from struggling with the grief of her mother's death, Natalie struggles with her self-worth, body image, and feeling unfulfilled in her life up to this point. All things that most readers can relate to; at least, I definitely related.
This was a short, fun read with all the spice, cozy small town vibes, and paranormal romance you could ask for.
October 21, 2025
This is a fun, cozy, paranormal small-town romance, the first in the Mapletown Monster Mates series.
FMC Natalie is down on her luck until her friend offers her an old house in a small town to stay in until she gets back on her feet. Unbeknownst to her, the town is full of friendly monsters and the house is occupied by MMC Winston, a ghost from the early 1900s.
This was a fun, super-spicy read. The couple was adorable together, especially with their contrast, Winston coming from a different era and Natalie from the modern day. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamic flip-flops throughout the book, but ultimately they’re very sweet together.
I enjoyed this first book in the series. Knox seems to be setting things up for other small-town monster couplings, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Spice: 4.5/5
Plot:4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5
*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
FMC Natalie is down on her luck until her friend offers her an old house in a small town to stay in until she gets back on her feet. Unbeknownst to her, the town is full of friendly monsters and the house is occupied by MMC Winston, a ghost from the early 1900s.
This was a fun, super-spicy read. The couple was adorable together, especially with their contrast, Winston coming from a different era and Natalie from the modern day. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamic flip-flops throughout the book, but ultimately they’re very sweet together.
I enjoyed this first book in the series. Knox seems to be setting things up for other small-town monster couplings, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Spice: 4.5/5
Plot:4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5
*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
September 22, 2025
You ever start reading something and you know right away it's going to be a 5 ⭐? That was this for me. It started out amazing and just kept getting better and better. I laughed, I blushed, I swooned, I cried, I fell apart, and I came back together all by the end of it.
Natalie has a heart of gold that she's willing to give to anyone. Putting her life and dreams on hold for others is something she becomes well versed in by the time her mom gets sick. Natalie becomes her mother's primary caregiver and after she loses a hellacious battle with cancer Natalie finds herself broke with no job and face first with an eviction notice. Not something she anticipated at 41 years old. Through a stroke of luck Natalie reconnects with an old friend that has a house she can stay in until she gets on her feet again. Thankful for any and every opportunity she jumps at the chance and moves in right away.
Winston was 37 when died in 1901 and his ghost has remained in the house he built with his own hands ever since. No stranger to loss in life himself he immediately recognizes the hurt in Natalie and finds himself drawn to her. Natalie isn't his first shared house guest in the more than a century he's been haunting the house but she is the first one to make him feel something. "A house with 5 bedrooms, 3 floors, and 2 acres of land, and for the first time in over 100 year, it feels cramped in here."
What starts out as mutual annoyance and inconvenience (I also leave the damn cabinets open and there 100% is an indoor and outdoor broom, Winston 🙄) blossoms into mutual pining and obsession in the absolute best ways. Yearning for someone that you have full access to and choosing to take every moment to appreciate them and make them feel seen and loved his SO important. Having two MCs that have been treated so poorly by former partners come together and mutually show one another that they are worthy and deserving of all this beauty was so wonderful to experience. Problems can be solved, obstacles can be overcome, the biggest things can be made into bite sized annoyances when you have the right person there helping you, encouraging you, loving you through it. "...real love, love that sticks, is when both parties feel like they got the better end of the deal..."
Even when you have a best friend that think she knows what's best but is really just projecting her crappy feelings and attitude on you and your partner because she was ghosted in real life and your real life ghost is beyond dedicated and she's jealous af. 🙄😂 The breakup hurt my feelings and I really wanted to punch Lindsay BUT that romcom grand gesture brought real crocodile tears to my eyes. I will Follow you into the Dark? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! 😭😭😭😭😭
The love, the adoration, the small every day gestures, the treasuring, the caring, the concern, the dedication, all of it was so amazing. That alone made the book 10/10 but the spice that was added too? Holy sh*t, who knew a ghost could be so 🥵🥵🥵 The way Winston worships everything about Natalie's body is so hot. There's no word that can be used other than worship. Everyone needs to get them a partner like him, that sees every single piece and craves it and wants more and more of it. Ahhhhh so perfect. These two are amazing, this book was amazing. Read it, swoon with me 😭
Natalie has a heart of gold that she's willing to give to anyone. Putting her life and dreams on hold for others is something she becomes well versed in by the time her mom gets sick. Natalie becomes her mother's primary caregiver and after she loses a hellacious battle with cancer Natalie finds herself broke with no job and face first with an eviction notice. Not something she anticipated at 41 years old. Through a stroke of luck Natalie reconnects with an old friend that has a house she can stay in until she gets on her feet again. Thankful for any and every opportunity she jumps at the chance and moves in right away.
Winston was 37 when died in 1901 and his ghost has remained in the house he built with his own hands ever since. No stranger to loss in life himself he immediately recognizes the hurt in Natalie and finds himself drawn to her. Natalie isn't his first shared house guest in the more than a century he's been haunting the house but she is the first one to make him feel something. "A house with 5 bedrooms, 3 floors, and 2 acres of land, and for the first time in over 100 year, it feels cramped in here."
What starts out as mutual annoyance and inconvenience (I also leave the damn cabinets open and there 100% is an indoor and outdoor broom, Winston 🙄) blossoms into mutual pining and obsession in the absolute best ways. Yearning for someone that you have full access to and choosing to take every moment to appreciate them and make them feel seen and loved his SO important. Having two MCs that have been treated so poorly by former partners come together and mutually show one another that they are worthy and deserving of all this beauty was so wonderful to experience. Problems can be solved, obstacles can be overcome, the biggest things can be made into bite sized annoyances when you have the right person there helping you, encouraging you, loving you through it. "...real love, love that sticks, is when both parties feel like they got the better end of the deal..."
Even when you have a best friend that think she knows what's best but is really just projecting her crappy feelings and attitude on you and your partner because she was ghosted in real life and your real life ghost is beyond dedicated and she's jealous af. 🙄😂 The breakup hurt my feelings and I really wanted to punch Lindsay BUT that romcom grand gesture brought real crocodile tears to my eyes. I will Follow you into the Dark? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! 😭😭😭😭😭
The love, the adoration, the small every day gestures, the treasuring, the caring, the concern, the dedication, all of it was so amazing. That alone made the book 10/10 but the spice that was added too? Holy sh*t, who knew a ghost could be so 🥵🥵🥵 The way Winston worships everything about Natalie's body is so hot. There's no word that can be used other than worship. Everyone needs to get them a partner like him, that sees every single piece and craves it and wants more and more of it. Ahhhhh so perfect. These two are amazing, this book was amazing. Read it, swoon with me 😭
September 15, 2025
I’m not sure when it happened, but at some point, this curvaceous, clumsy crumb-dropper became the centre of my universe.
“Winston, you haven’t had sex in over a century. Did you really think you’d be able to last?”
AGHHH. Proper feet-kicking-uncontrollable-giggles mode. I absolutely adored the connection between Winston and Natalie!
This story is rather fast paced which I loved, just dived right into our main character Natalie who moves to Mapletown following her mothers death - stripping her identity bare after caring for her nearly her whole adult life. Now, mid forties, Natalie feels kinda lost and is ready to turn a new page. I loved Natalie’s character because she’s always had a hard time with love, and particularly accepting her body. This shows in all her male encounters and it was really refreshing to read about a plus size woman struggling to love herself, as painful as parts of it were!
Her best friend lets her move into a home she’s inherited, while Natalie gets back on her feet. Unbeknownst to Lindsay and Natalie; the house in inhabited by the ghost of grumpy Winston who was left behind when he died, one hundred and twenty something years ago.
“Clothing is cheaper than it was in my day. I know that. A new pair of underwear is, what, thirty cents?”
Natalie and Winston do NOT get along well at first, however their hatred begins to bleed into the summer as time goes on, blurring the sharp, barbed edges of their rebuttals when all of a sudden they’re kissing in the lake and you’re gushing for them!!
While this was sweet and light hearted, the themes bound to the characters like Winston and Ethel are thought provoking and carry a tinge of sadness. It made me love the writing even more, as someone who’s been kissed by the threat of losing my loved one it felt very personal and just really beautiful. Felt my little heart cracking a wee bit when we learn about why Winston is still living in his house…. Gosh that stung. 😭
- I absolutely cackled at the sympathy Vyla gave her upon learning she was straight. LOL! And… “I already bought six bags of Doritos. How many bags do you typically eat per meal??”
- whenever Winston made a meal for her I wanted to crawl into the pages.
- Winston’s baffled disgust when Natalie suggests dog earing the page as a bookmark was fucking adorable. Storming off to see if she’s dine to to her own books, then holding them out of reach and saying she can have them back when she learns to treat books properly…. Adorable
- the SPICE!! Such delicious descriptions and insanely hot sex, just so so good! I’ll always love plus size rep and this was just, chefs kiss.
- the epilogue made me cry. I won’t spoil it but it was a lovely, heartwarming ending to such a delicately sweet book.
Thank you so much for my eARC of this copy. I absolutely LOVED it!
“Winston, you haven’t had sex in over a century. Did you really think you’d be able to last?”
AGHHH. Proper feet-kicking-uncontrollable-giggles mode. I absolutely adored the connection between Winston and Natalie!
This story is rather fast paced which I loved, just dived right into our main character Natalie who moves to Mapletown following her mothers death - stripping her identity bare after caring for her nearly her whole adult life. Now, mid forties, Natalie feels kinda lost and is ready to turn a new page. I loved Natalie’s character because she’s always had a hard time with love, and particularly accepting her body. This shows in all her male encounters and it was really refreshing to read about a plus size woman struggling to love herself, as painful as parts of it were!
Her best friend lets her move into a home she’s inherited, while Natalie gets back on her feet. Unbeknownst to Lindsay and Natalie; the house in inhabited by the ghost of grumpy Winston who was left behind when he died, one hundred and twenty something years ago.
“Clothing is cheaper than it was in my day. I know that. A new pair of underwear is, what, thirty cents?”
Natalie and Winston do NOT get along well at first, however their hatred begins to bleed into the summer as time goes on, blurring the sharp, barbed edges of their rebuttals when all of a sudden they’re kissing in the lake and you’re gushing for them!!
While this was sweet and light hearted, the themes bound to the characters like Winston and Ethel are thought provoking and carry a tinge of sadness. It made me love the writing even more, as someone who’s been kissed by the threat of losing my loved one it felt very personal and just really beautiful. Felt my little heart cracking a wee bit when we learn about why Winston is still living in his house…. Gosh that stung. 😭
- I absolutely cackled at the sympathy Vyla gave her upon learning she was straight. LOL! And… “I already bought six bags of Doritos. How many bags do you typically eat per meal??”
- whenever Winston made a meal for her I wanted to crawl into the pages.
- Winston’s baffled disgust when Natalie suggests dog earing the page as a bookmark was fucking adorable. Storming off to see if she’s dine to to her own books, then holding them out of reach and saying she can have them back when she learns to treat books properly…. Adorable
- the SPICE!! Such delicious descriptions and insanely hot sex, just so so good! I’ll always love plus size rep and this was just, chefs kiss.
- the epilogue made me cry. I won’t spoil it but it was a lovely, heartwarming ending to such a delicately sweet book.
Thank you so much for my eARC of this copy. I absolutely LOVED it!
October 14, 2025
🖤 “From the very first time I touched you, I knew I could never live without you.”
~~~
Natalie is amazing! She’s so kind, caring and compassionate. And I loved Natalie’s strength and resilience. Even more, she is a woman who’d give 100% of herself for the people she cares about even when she doesn’t get the same in return. And even with all the loss she’s been through, Natalie remains an incredible woman with a heart of gold. I loved her so, so much!
And then, there’s Winston! At first sight, this Victorian ghost appears unwelcoming and quite grumpy, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Because underneath his prickly facade is a truly incredible male - noble, caring, thoughtful and protective. Winston is so irresistible and I couldn’t help but adore every single thing about him!
I absolutely loved everything that happened between Natalie and Winston! After losing her mother and while trying to get back on her feet, Natalie moves into her best friend’s mansion, only to discover a very grumpy ghost already occupying the house. I adored Natalie and Winston together! Their chemistry was fantastic and I loved their banters and bickering. They definitely didn’t start on the right foot and were such opposites, but the more time they spent together and the more they got to know one another, the more their bond grew. Even more, I adored Winston for all the ways he took care of Natalie and how they were there for each other when they needed it. And when they finally gave into the undeniable attraction, the passionate moments they shared were so hot! What can I say… that grumpy ghost is full of surprises! Yes, there were a few bumps on Natalie and Winston’s journey towards happiness, but it was all worth it in the end. Those two were absolutely perfect for each other and more than deserved to find healing, happiness and love together!
In addition, the worldbuilding and the storyline were fantastic! I loved Mapletown and all the monsters living in it. And I cannot wait to see what will happen next in this fascinating small town.
Overall, Adored by the Grumpy Ghost is a fun, emotional and very naughty story and a fantastic start of the series!
I loved it!
~~~
Natalie is amazing! She’s so kind, caring and compassionate. And I loved Natalie’s strength and resilience. Even more, she is a woman who’d give 100% of herself for the people she cares about even when she doesn’t get the same in return. And even with all the loss she’s been through, Natalie remains an incredible woman with a heart of gold. I loved her so, so much!
And then, there’s Winston! At first sight, this Victorian ghost appears unwelcoming and quite grumpy, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Because underneath his prickly facade is a truly incredible male - noble, caring, thoughtful and protective. Winston is so irresistible and I couldn’t help but adore every single thing about him!
I absolutely loved everything that happened between Natalie and Winston! After losing her mother and while trying to get back on her feet, Natalie moves into her best friend’s mansion, only to discover a very grumpy ghost already occupying the house. I adored Natalie and Winston together! Their chemistry was fantastic and I loved their banters and bickering. They definitely didn’t start on the right foot and were such opposites, but the more time they spent together and the more they got to know one another, the more their bond grew. Even more, I adored Winston for all the ways he took care of Natalie and how they were there for each other when they needed it. And when they finally gave into the undeniable attraction, the passionate moments they shared were so hot! What can I say… that grumpy ghost is full of surprises! Yes, there were a few bumps on Natalie and Winston’s journey towards happiness, but it was all worth it in the end. Those two were absolutely perfect for each other and more than deserved to find healing, happiness and love together!
In addition, the worldbuilding and the storyline were fantastic! I loved Mapletown and all the monsters living in it. And I cannot wait to see what will happen next in this fascinating small town.
Overall, Adored by the Grumpy Ghost is a fun, emotional and very naughty story and a fantastic start of the series!
I loved it!
September 26, 2025
This was a cute book! Natalie's mother has just passed away and due to medical bills Natalie doesn't have the money for rent, thus she's being evicted. Fortunately, Natalie's friend Lindsay has a house Natalie can stay in so she heads there to move in. Unbeknownst to Natalie the house comes with a ghost, Winston. He's been dead over 100 years and was the person who actually built the house.
Winston makes himself known to Natalie after a few days, and after an initial freak out she comes to accept him. They start off as friends, but the attraction soon grows. Winston was so sweet with Natalie, and I loved that he cooked and looked after her. He was an admitted grump and neat freak, but when he started to find her messiness cute, I knew he was a goner.
What threw me for a bit of a loop was the sudden reveal that the town Natalie had moved to was a monster town with all types of different creatures there. We got no backstory on that, and it looks like future books will be based on those different characters. It wasn't a bad thing, it just didn't feel fleshed out. That being said though I really liked the friends Natalie made at the bar where she worked.
Another thing that was good about the book were the spicy scenes, they were hot! Who knew a century old ghost would rock it in the bedroom. There is a third act conflict that Natalie's best friend Lindsay instigates, and that was frustrating. Lindsay was not being a good friend, and I'm glad Natalie gave her a piece of her mind about it. The ending was really sweet and I am definitely interested in reading the next book in the series.
4/5 on the Spicy Scale
M/F
Death of parent (not on page)
Grief
Paranormal/Contemporary
Winston makes himself known to Natalie after a few days, and after an initial freak out she comes to accept him. They start off as friends, but the attraction soon grows. Winston was so sweet with Natalie, and I loved that he cooked and looked after her. He was an admitted grump and neat freak, but when he started to find her messiness cute, I knew he was a goner.
What threw me for a bit of a loop was the sudden reveal that the town Natalie had moved to was a monster town with all types of different creatures there. We got no backstory on that, and it looks like future books will be based on those different characters. It wasn't a bad thing, it just didn't feel fleshed out. That being said though I really liked the friends Natalie made at the bar where she worked.
Another thing that was good about the book were the spicy scenes, they were hot! Who knew a century old ghost would rock it in the bedroom. There is a third act conflict that Natalie's best friend Lindsay instigates, and that was frustrating. Lindsay was not being a good friend, and I'm glad Natalie gave her a piece of her mind about it. The ending was really sweet and I am definitely interested in reading the next book in the series.
4/5 on the Spicy Scale
M/F
Death of parent (not on page)
Grief
Paranormal/Contemporary
October 21, 2025
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost by Ivy Knox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Mapletown Monster Mates (Book 1)
(ARC Review)
This was such a good read!
Not only was it as cozy and comforting as a hot cuppa on a rainy day it also had key moments of real emotional depth and sensitivity. The depiction of grief was beautifully handled and I cried right alongside Natalie several times.
Natalie’s journey to loving her body the way it is is something most people can relate to and Winston’s obsession with the softest parts of her that have always been sticking points for (the probably small d***ed morons) of her past healed the reader alongside the FMC.
A part that particularly stuck with me was how lived and raw Natalie’s pain/ grief spiral came across-
“It’s like, I’m too tired to smile’”
Winston’s lack of self worth is also heart-breaking and Natalie’s ability to love without inhibition is admirable, if more people had that ability the world would be a better and kinder floating rock to inhabit.
I loved the build up of the relationship between these two, you yearn when they yearn, love when they love and cry when they cry.
Thank you to @twistedtalespr and @ivyknox for the ARC, I loved it!
✨The FMC is in her 40’s, yes please for a grown woman FMC!
✨Natalie is so strong in the face of grief and loss
✨Winston is obsessed and falls hard and fast
✨Plus sized and beautiful FMC
✨He loves every inch of her and heals old wounds
✨The side characters become found family
✨Esther 💔
✨The yearningggg
#twistedtalespr #adoredbythegrumpyghosttt #adoredbythegrumpyghost #ivyknox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Mapletown Monster Mates (Book 1)
(ARC Review)
This was such a good read!
Not only was it as cozy and comforting as a hot cuppa on a rainy day it also had key moments of real emotional depth and sensitivity. The depiction of grief was beautifully handled and I cried right alongside Natalie several times.
Natalie’s journey to loving her body the way it is is something most people can relate to and Winston’s obsession with the softest parts of her that have always been sticking points for (the probably small d***ed morons) of her past healed the reader alongside the FMC.
A part that particularly stuck with me was how lived and raw Natalie’s pain/ grief spiral came across-
“It’s like, I’m too tired to smile’”
Winston’s lack of self worth is also heart-breaking and Natalie’s ability to love without inhibition is admirable, if more people had that ability the world would be a better and kinder floating rock to inhabit.
I loved the build up of the relationship between these two, you yearn when they yearn, love when they love and cry when they cry.
Thank you to @twistedtalespr and @ivyknox for the ARC, I loved it!
✨The FMC is in her 40’s, yes please for a grown woman FMC!
✨Natalie is so strong in the face of grief and loss
✨Winston is obsessed and falls hard and fast
✨Plus sized and beautiful FMC
✨He loves every inch of her and heals old wounds
✨The side characters become found family
✨Esther 💔
✨The yearningggg
#twistedtalespr #adoredbythegrumpyghosttt #adoredbythegrumpyghost #ivyknox
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
Oooooookay okay okay okay listen…
I loved this book.
So, this book is written in first person present and I DID have to talk myself through it at first. It’s not you, it’s me. I have a personal vendetta against present tense and I don’t know why but we can’t let petty things like that get in the way of a good book. Right? Right.
Anyway!
This book is about Natalie who has just lost someone close to her, lost her place to live, and doesn’t currently have a job. You know what Natalie does have? Hope. And for that, we love her.
Natalie moves to this town to start her life over in her 40’s and hijinks ensue. (We don’t give spoilers around here at the good ol’ Devilish After Dark.) She meets Winston, the man who built the century old house and doesn’t particularly like intruders. (Can’t help but love a grumpy king. YES I’m a brat, why do you ask??)
If you were to take Halloweentown, A TINY bit of Casper (ugh, Bill Pullman is such a snack. Much like our dear Winston, actually!!), a Gilmore Girls vibe and a WHOLE lot of ghost on human action, you’d get this book! And it’s glorious.
This is the perfect book to read if you have the whole day to cozy up in a comfy chair or bed with your favorite autumn sweet treat, a candle of some spicy flavor and a cat on your lap.
Oh yeah! And Ethel??? I just love Ethel 😩🖤
I loved this book.
So, this book is written in first person present and I DID have to talk myself through it at first. It’s not you, it’s me. I have a personal vendetta against present tense and I don’t know why but we can’t let petty things like that get in the way of a good book. Right? Right.
Anyway!
This book is about Natalie who has just lost someone close to her, lost her place to live, and doesn’t currently have a job. You know what Natalie does have? Hope. And for that, we love her.
Natalie moves to this town to start her life over in her 40’s and hijinks ensue. (We don’t give spoilers around here at the good ol’ Devilish After Dark.) She meets Winston, the man who built the century old house and doesn’t particularly like intruders. (Can’t help but love a grumpy king. YES I’m a brat, why do you ask??)
If you were to take Halloweentown, A TINY bit of Casper (ugh, Bill Pullman is such a snack. Much like our dear Winston, actually!!), a Gilmore Girls vibe and a WHOLE lot of ghost on human action, you’d get this book! And it’s glorious.
This is the perfect book to read if you have the whole day to cozy up in a comfy chair or bed with your favorite autumn sweet treat, a candle of some spicy flavor and a cat on your lap.
Oh yeah! And Ethel??? I just love Ethel 😩🖤
November 13, 2025
this was cute! it was short and sweet and entertaining! i loved meeting all the monsters and despite spending only a short amount of time with most of them, they all seem like distinct characters instead of just like an ensemble cast in the background.
natalie and winston are very sweet and very playful in a way that feels satisfying and affectionate and fun.
my only complaint with this book is that i hate the third act breakup. i almost always hate a third act breakup, especially when it’s about something that a simple conversation would’ve fixed. i don’t like that during their fight, winston is listing some pretty valid concerns about their relationship, and natalie just goes “i don’t care about that!!” i always hate that moment because it feels like a cop-out. because when you have a character listing their worries as a conversation, it feels like they have to make the other character start getting hysterical about it because if not, then they’d have to write an actual logical conversation that could be worked out instead of having the big dramatic breakup.
because instead of her shouting and crying, she could’ve been like “oh, i see where this is coming from, i know why you’re worried, but actually, that’s no longer important to me, so it’s not a reason we couldn’t be together” or something regular. but that wouldn’t have added the drama or the excuse for the “grand gesture.” and i get that these are conventions of the genre for a reason, it just always irritates me.
natalie and winston are very sweet and very playful in a way that feels satisfying and affectionate and fun.
my only complaint with this book is that i hate the third act breakup. i almost always hate a third act breakup, especially when it’s about something that a simple conversation would’ve fixed. i don’t like that during their fight, winston is listing some pretty valid concerns about their relationship, and natalie just goes “i don’t care about that!!” i always hate that moment because it feels like a cop-out. because when you have a character listing their worries as a conversation, it feels like they have to make the other character start getting hysterical about it because if not, then they’d have to write an actual logical conversation that could be worked out instead of having the big dramatic breakup.
because instead of her shouting and crying, she could’ve been like “oh, i see where this is coming from, i know why you’re worried, but actually, that’s no longer important to me, so it’s not a reason we couldn’t be together” or something regular. but that wouldn’t have added the drama or the excuse for the “grand gesture.” and i get that these are conventions of the genre for a reason, it just always irritates me.
September 25, 2025
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Who knew that I would fall in love with a ghost? This story is an instant 5⭐️ for me. When I started reading, I just knew I would love it.
This book had me tearing up, laughing, pissed off, laughing again, giggling, hot and bothered, and swooning.
I just want to hug Natalie! Death is never easy, and cancer steals our loved ones daily. I was tearing up constantly. On another note, I think we need an intervention for Natalie and all women alike. We need to stop this rapid disease called PPM (Poor P*s Management). We all have been there, and I can seriously say that Natalie and Lindsey are part of the club. A moment of silence for them, please. 😂
Winston is incredibly grumpy yet incredibly gentlemanly. He can be both sweet and a bit of an a-hole. He exudes a sexy, gentlemanly charm. He pays meticulous attention to detail and knows exactly what to say to either get under your skin or over. He’s also protective and demanding.
This book is incredibly charming and comforting. If you liked Casper, this book is for you! However, please be aware that it contains trigger warnings, as it discusses the death of loved ones and grief.
Who knew that I would fall in love with a ghost? This story is an instant 5⭐️ for me. When I started reading, I just knew I would love it.
This book had me tearing up, laughing, pissed off, laughing again, giggling, hot and bothered, and swooning.
I just want to hug Natalie! Death is never easy, and cancer steals our loved ones daily. I was tearing up constantly. On another note, I think we need an intervention for Natalie and all women alike. We need to stop this rapid disease called PPM (Poor P*s Management). We all have been there, and I can seriously say that Natalie and Lindsey are part of the club. A moment of silence for them, please. 😂
Winston is incredibly grumpy yet incredibly gentlemanly. He can be both sweet and a bit of an a-hole. He exudes a sexy, gentlemanly charm. He pays meticulous attention to detail and knows exactly what to say to either get under your skin or over. He’s also protective and demanding.
This book is incredibly charming and comforting. If you liked Casper, this book is for you! However, please be aware that it contains trigger warnings, as it discusses the death of loved ones and grief.
October 5, 2025
This was cute, but it is very low stakes. Other than the obligatory 3rd act breakup, there is almost no tension in the plot. Even the discovery of ghosts and monsters, more generally, is glossed over with no reaction, not once, but twice (two characters). Once, it was such a non-issue that it was even off-page.
This low angst, shallow plotting is often fine for a sweet, cozy romance. And it likely would have been here, except that this book is 268 pages long. That is dragging a wafer-thin plot a looong way. The characters deal with some heavy topics in their past. But other than that, the plot is about as deep a puddle. And it struggled to stretch to the page length.
I did like the main character a lot and appreciate that she is both plus-sized and in her 40s, not to mention child-free and without a successful career. She is relatable, is what I am saying. The MMC is not without issue, but he is also eager to please and careful about his partner. That's a whole lot in his favor.
All in all, if you're just looking for a cotton candy, feel-good read. This will likely fill the bill, but won't do much more.
This low angst, shallow plotting is often fine for a sweet, cozy romance. And it likely would have been here, except that this book is 268 pages long. That is dragging a wafer-thin plot a looong way. The characters deal with some heavy topics in their past. But other than that, the plot is about as deep a puddle. And it struggled to stretch to the page length.
I did like the main character a lot and appreciate that she is both plus-sized and in her 40s, not to mention child-free and without a successful career. She is relatable, is what I am saying. The MMC is not without issue, but he is also eager to please and careful about his partner. That's a whole lot in his favor.
All in all, if you're just looking for a cotton candy, feel-good read. This will likely fill the bill, but won't do much more.
September 21, 2025
This is a fun and whimsical romance that hit me right in the feels.
Natalie is truly down on her luck after losing her mom and getting kicked out of her apartment. Luck turns around in the form of her friend Lindsay. Natalie goes through it in the beginning and it pulled on my heart strings. Winston comes into the picture and shocks Natalie out of her rut. He turns out to be everything she needs and vice versa.
These two together are like a born again virgin(not Winstons fault) in bunny form. Because these two boink like bunnies but respectfully. Winston is an elder and seasoned man 😉
This definitely got me in my feels. It touched on grief and losing a loved one. And it put me back there for a moment so please keep this in mind when reading. I promise the funny moments overshadow the sad without pulling away from the importance.
I fell in love with this Mapletown. Meeting a bunch of the residents has me excited for the next book. Wondering if Lindsay is going to be next?!
Natalie is truly down on her luck after losing her mom and getting kicked out of her apartment. Luck turns around in the form of her friend Lindsay. Natalie goes through it in the beginning and it pulled on my heart strings. Winston comes into the picture and shocks Natalie out of her rut. He turns out to be everything she needs and vice versa.
These two together are like a born again virgin(not Winstons fault) in bunny form. Because these two boink like bunnies but respectfully. Winston is an elder and seasoned man 😉
This definitely got me in my feels. It touched on grief and losing a loved one. And it put me back there for a moment so please keep this in mind when reading. I promise the funny moments overshadow the sad without pulling away from the importance.
I fell in love with this Mapletown. Meeting a bunch of the residents has me excited for the next book. Wondering if Lindsay is going to be next?!
September 22, 2025
Be aware this book is going to break your heart and put it back together all over again!
This was so good, I loved the characters, the story, the town and the pace, everything was amazingly well done!
I loved Winston, he’s literally such a grumpy but in an adorable way, his just all serious about his rules and cleanliness haha but it’s adorable seen him melting piece by piece for Natalie, he just couldn’t help himself… the second time they talk he was already making her breakfast haha
And Natalie, it broke my heart seeing her grief, she has the biggest heart, always making sure the other are fine so I’m over the moon that she gets to have this stubborn ghost who adores the ground she walks and loves her so much!
I found really interesting the age of Natalie’s character, it uncommon to see a FMC in her late thirties and even more in her early forties… I really liked this detail, it gives diversity in the representation of different stages of life
It was such a heartwarming and heartbreaking story! I loved it!
This was so good, I loved the characters, the story, the town and the pace, everything was amazingly well done!
I loved Winston, he’s literally such a grumpy but in an adorable way, his just all serious about his rules and cleanliness haha but it’s adorable seen him melting piece by piece for Natalie, he just couldn’t help himself… the second time they talk he was already making her breakfast haha
And Natalie, it broke my heart seeing her grief, she has the biggest heart, always making sure the other are fine so I’m over the moon that she gets to have this stubborn ghost who adores the ground she walks and loves her so much!
I found really interesting the age of Natalie’s character, it uncommon to see a FMC in her late thirties and even more in her early forties… I really liked this detail, it gives diversity in the representation of different stages of life
It was such a heartwarming and heartbreaking story! I loved it!
October 9, 2025
This is a sweet PNR with two likable and relatable MCs and a town full of interesting people / creatures. Both Natalie and Winston have tragic pasts and self-esteem issues. I love how they both see each other and they help each other deal with these things. Natalie is such a caring person, and Winston is dedicated to taking good care of her. Lucky for her, he can become fully incarnate, but he just can't leave the house and the grounds. Hey, at least he can help with the housework / cooking and with repairing the house!
One thing I feel that this book downplays is the reactions of two humans when they find out that monsters exist; it felt more like it was an incidental revelation, but a lot of the plot depends on this fact. It's great how the townsfolk welcome Natalie with open arms and treat her like she's one of the bunch, even though she is a "normie". I can't wait to see whose story is next in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One thing I feel that this book downplays is the reactions of two humans when they find out that monsters exist; it felt more like it was an incidental revelation, but a lot of the plot depends on this fact. It's great how the townsfolk welcome Natalie with open arms and treat her like she's one of the bunch, even though she is a "normie". I can't wait to see whose story is next in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 17, 2025
I absolutely adored this book! It was a perfect sweet-but-spicy Halloween-time read with equal parts heart, humor, and cozy haunting.
Winston has officially ruined me for all other ghosts. He’s the perfect grumpy dreamboat with a soft center he tries (and fails) to hide.
Natalie herself is also easy to love. She’s been through so much and still manages to open her heart, rebuild her life, and find this unexpected little found family in Mapletown. I loved how she and Winston balanced each other. Her warmth and his prickly charm just worked. I also love that she is in her 40s!
I loved the mentions of Taylor Swift, and that Death Cab for Cutie mention near the end? Full-on tears. And yes, there’s definitely some swoony, open-door spice sprinkled in for those of us who like our ghosts extra passionate.
Ivy Knox nailed that perfect mix of cozy comfort and emotional depth, with enough sass and sweetness to keep me glued to the page. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series. I’m completely hooked.
Winston has officially ruined me for all other ghosts. He’s the perfect grumpy dreamboat with a soft center he tries (and fails) to hide.
Natalie herself is also easy to love. She’s been through so much and still manages to open her heart, rebuild her life, and find this unexpected little found family in Mapletown. I loved how she and Winston balanced each other. Her warmth and his prickly charm just worked. I also love that she is in her 40s!
I loved the mentions of Taylor Swift, and that Death Cab for Cutie mention near the end? Full-on tears. And yes, there’s definitely some swoony, open-door spice sprinkled in for those of us who like our ghosts extra passionate.
Ivy Knox nailed that perfect mix of cozy comfort and emotional depth, with enough sass and sweetness to keep me glued to the page. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series. I’m completely hooked.
October 5, 2025
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost gets 5⭐️ and 1👻
Definitely a great read to kick off spooky season!!! Please suspend any and all preconceptions about what a ghost is physically capable of when reading for maximum vibes and enjoyment.
AND, for extra feels, please read the bonus epilogue 😭
The question we’re all wondering … how does one acquire a man like Winston?
We have…
Plus size FMC in her 40s!!!
Age gap (she’s 41, and he died when he was 38 … but like 120 years ago????)
Roommates to lovers (he’s haunting her current abode)
Grumpy/sunshine
He 🏁 in his ghost pants (pls don’t ask me how ghost fluids work)
Caretaking
Small town occupied by monsters and witches!!!!
TW:
Death of family members (off page) with on page grief
Death by OD of a side character (off page)
Fatphobia (Natalie is doing her best ❤️)
History of miscarriages (off page)
History of terrible exes (off page)
Thank you Ivy for the ARC!!!
Definitely a great read to kick off spooky season!!! Please suspend any and all preconceptions about what a ghost is physically capable of when reading for maximum vibes and enjoyment.
AND, for extra feels, please read the bonus epilogue 😭
The question we’re all wondering … how does one acquire a man like Winston?
We have…
Plus size FMC in her 40s!!!
Age gap (she’s 41, and he died when he was 38 … but like 120 years ago????)
Roommates to lovers (he’s haunting her current abode)
Grumpy/sunshine
He 🏁 in his ghost pants (pls don’t ask me how ghost fluids work)
Caretaking
Small town occupied by monsters and witches!!!!
TW:
Death of family members (off page) with on page grief
Death by OD of a side character (off page)
Fatphobia (Natalie is doing her best ❤️)
History of miscarriages (off page)
History of terrible exes (off page)
Thank you Ivy for the ARC!!!
October 18, 2025
For what it is, this was a solid five-star ghost smut read. I knew what I was getting into, and it delivered in every way. It’s funny, spicy, surprisingly sweet, and honestly way more charming than I expected a “grumpy ghost romance” to be.
Natalie was such a relatable FMC. She's in her 40s, broke, grieving, PLUS SIZE and just trying to start over. And Winston? The ultimate grumpy ghost. He’s sarcastic, stubborn, and somehow still swoon-worthy even though, well… he’s dead. Their banter made me laugh, and their chemistry was unexpectedly hot for a haunting.
This book doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is...cozy, weird, sexy, and just plain fun. If you want a quick, spicy paranormal romance with a big heart and a side of ridiculousness, this one’s it. I’ll definitely be reading more from Ivy Knox and the Mapletown Monster Mates series. I loved everyone in the entire town! 😂
Natalie was such a relatable FMC. She's in her 40s, broke, grieving, PLUS SIZE and just trying to start over. And Winston? The ultimate grumpy ghost. He’s sarcastic, stubborn, and somehow still swoon-worthy even though, well… he’s dead. Their banter made me laugh, and their chemistry was unexpectedly hot for a haunting.
This book doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is...cozy, weird, sexy, and just plain fun. If you want a quick, spicy paranormal romance with a big heart and a side of ridiculousness, this one’s it. I’ll definitely be reading more from Ivy Knox and the Mapletown Monster Mates series. I loved everyone in the entire town! 😂
October 28, 2025
This story was absolutely adorable. Natalie is a 40 year old single woman having some issues with life after her mother’s death. Her best friend is there to help her out in giving her a home to stay temporarily after being evicted. As she is in this new home, the permanent resident Winston, makes himself known to her. Winston is a ghost who resides in the home he made since his death.
Natalie is less than impressed with the resident ghost and instead of arguing about her staying, they come to an agreement on how to assure they can remain as roommates and live well together. Natalie learns that her new town of residence, Mapletown, is a town where monsters live in harmony. There is a protection spell around the town but because she was invited in she’s able to stay amongst them.
This cute story goes through the ups and downs of finding love in your 40s despite all of your problems.
I look forward to reading all the future stories in Mapletown.
Natalie is less than impressed with the resident ghost and instead of arguing about her staying, they come to an agreement on how to assure they can remain as roommates and live well together. Natalie learns that her new town of residence, Mapletown, is a town where monsters live in harmony. There is a protection spell around the town but because she was invited in she’s able to stay amongst them.
This cute story goes through the ups and downs of finding love in your 40s despite all of your problems.
I look forward to reading all the future stories in Mapletown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
"Can I Keep You"
I loved the sweet and spicy new book from Ivy Knox, “Adored by the Grumpy Ghost: Mapletown Monster Mates.” Paranormal Romance featuring Grumpy Victorian Ghost Wiston is a mix of 1995 Casper 1995 and Nick Miller from New Girl. Grieving Natalie works hard to be sunny, soft, sweet, and kind of strong. Knox does a fantastic job of exploring grief deeply and excels at themes of trauma, hurt, comfort, and love as caregiving. Winston is only soft for her; he’s truly obsessed with Natalie and wants to care for her. “Adored by the Grumpy Ghost” is sweet and spicy with an amazing happily-ever-after (trust the process). I enjoyed all the Elder Millennial Vibes and Show References. I love all the interesting monster side characters and look forward to seeing who gets future books.
I loved the sweet and spicy new book from Ivy Knox, “Adored by the Grumpy Ghost: Mapletown Monster Mates.” Paranormal Romance featuring Grumpy Victorian Ghost Wiston is a mix of 1995 Casper 1995 and Nick Miller from New Girl. Grieving Natalie works hard to be sunny, soft, sweet, and kind of strong. Knox does a fantastic job of exploring grief deeply and excels at themes of trauma, hurt, comfort, and love as caregiving. Winston is only soft for her; he’s truly obsessed with Natalie and wants to care for her. “Adored by the Grumpy Ghost” is sweet and spicy with an amazing happily-ever-after (trust the process). I enjoyed all the Elder Millennial Vibes and Show References. I love all the interesting monster side characters and look forward to seeing who gets future books.
September 12, 2025
4.5 stars. This story is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and steamy, small town, male ghost (Winston)/female human bartender (Natalie), contemporary fantasy romance. I adored that Natalie was genuinely content with her life choices and that she chose to love, in general, even though she had been hurt before. I empathised with Winston’s historical trauma and current persona, and enjoyed seeing him relax into a caring and involved partner. I enjoyed the developing relationship and steamy intimate moments. I enjoyed the supportive and engaged secondary characters and there are several I’m hoping to see stories for later in the series!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
September 30, 2025
I'm one of *those* people, you know, the ones that get distracted by a missing word, a grammatical mistake, an accident mix up of pronouns, etc... It's like a Lego on carpet or a dribble of ketchup on a white shirt.
Anyways...there are a few of those oopsies scattered throughout the book, but even so, I LOVED this book and can't wait for more! The residents of the town are not what you'd expect and I loved watching the relationships evolve as the characters made discoveries and grew throughout the book. Heartbreak, grief, perseverance, strength, love, and self worth are strong themes in this book. Tag along as Natalie grieves the drastic changes in her life while adjusting to a new town, new (old?) house, and a surprise housemate!
Anyways...there are a few of those oopsies scattered throughout the book, but even so, I LOVED this book and can't wait for more! The residents of the town are not what you'd expect and I loved watching the relationships evolve as the characters made discoveries and grew throughout the book. Heartbreak, grief, perseverance, strength, love, and self worth are strong themes in this book. Tag along as Natalie grieves the drastic changes in her life while adjusting to a new town, new (old?) house, and a surprise housemate!
August 20, 2025
Rating: 4.5 stars / Spice: 3/5 peppers —- Gahhhhh such a fun read! It's cozy, spicy, sweet, and relatable (particularly for those of us who grew up with a giant crush on the 90s version of Casper the Ghost). I felt a real connection with Natalie, who is curvy, kind, and a little bit shy, and I really enjoyed reading a romance with an older FMC (in her 40s). I loved everything about this haunted little story, but especially Winston's absolute adoration for Natalie's curves! —- What to Expect: - Haunted House - Roommates - Grumpy x Sunshine - Curvy FMC in her 40s - Small Supernatural Town - Grief Rep
September 22, 2025
This is a paranormal romance with grumpy sunshine and forced proximity. Also some light stalking and he cares for her.
Our FMC is down on her luck and has just lost her mom and is dealing with all the things that go with that. When her friend lets her move into her house that she inherited from her grandmother, but unbeknownst to them there is already an occupant in that house And that is where our MMC comes in. He is the ghost of the house and he is not happy about having new people in his home, but our FMC quickly changes his mind about at least having her in his home.
This does have a few darker things as parental loss, loss of a child, loss of a spouse, some mental abuse, adjacent.
Our FMC is down on her luck and has just lost her mom and is dealing with all the things that go with that. When her friend lets her move into her house that she inherited from her grandmother, but unbeknownst to them there is already an occupant in that house And that is where our MMC comes in. He is the ghost of the house and he is not happy about having new people in his home, but our FMC quickly changes his mind about at least having her in his home.
This does have a few darker things as parental loss, loss of a child, loss of a spouse, some mental abuse, adjacent.
September 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost by Ivy Knox
This was a cute and cozy paranormal romance. I found myself laughing out loud frequently. I absolutely lost it when I read, "That's how Billy do!" 🤣 There's plenty of heart and spice, too. Natalie is the perfect sunshine, even though life has dealt her so many blows. Winston is grumpy in the best way. They are so good together! I think my favorite part was when Winston went berserk over the use of bookmarks. Because he was absolutely right, of course! 😊
I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Ivy Knox, and Twisted Tales PR for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost by Ivy Knox
This was a cute and cozy paranormal romance. I found myself laughing out loud frequently. I absolutely lost it when I read, "That's how Billy do!" 🤣 There's plenty of heart and spice, too. Natalie is the perfect sunshine, even though life has dealt her so many blows. Winston is grumpy in the best way. They are so good together! I think my favorite part was when Winston went berserk over the use of bookmarks. Because he was absolutely right, of course! 😊
I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Ivy Knox, and Twisted Tales PR for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️
October 7, 2025
Adored by the Grumpy Ghost by Ivy Knox was such a cozy, heartwarming paranormal romance! After losing her mom and her savings, Natalie moves into her friend’s old mansion and discovers it is haunted by Winston, a grumpy ghost who is impossible not to love.
Their friendship-to-lovers journey was so sweet. Winston’s attempts to stay annoyed while secretly cooking her breakfast were adorable, and Natalie’s warmth and resilience made her easy to root for. I also loved seeing a romance with a heroine in her 40s!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Their friendship-to-lovers journey was so sweet. Winston’s attempts to stay annoyed while secretly cooking her breakfast were adorable, and Natalie’s warmth and resilience made her easy to root for. I also loved seeing a romance with a heroine in her 40s!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 21, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This book is honestly such a gem. Winston was mistreated in his first marriage and then died a horrible death. His first wife made him feel useless. Enter Natalie, a plus-size woman who moves into the house he occupies. I love Winston and Natalie’s dynamic. I mean, how can you not? Natalie is so kind to Winston, and that's exactly what Winston deserves. In turn, Winston is absolutely entranced with Natalie. Natalie actually stands up for him. If you want a book that is so spicy it will knock your socks off, has gentle, kind characters, and body positivity, look no further than this book. You won’t regret adding this read to your TBR.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This book is honestly such a gem. Winston was mistreated in his first marriage and then died a horrible death. His first wife made him feel useless. Enter Natalie, a plus-size woman who moves into the house he occupies. I love Winston and Natalie’s dynamic. I mean, how can you not? Natalie is so kind to Winston, and that's exactly what Winston deserves. In turn, Winston is absolutely entranced with Natalie. Natalie actually stands up for him. If you want a book that is so spicy it will knock your socks off, has gentle, kind characters, and body positivity, look no further than this book. You won’t regret adding this read to your TBR.
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