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Wayward Winter: Shady Spirits Book 5
What’s a holiday without a family reunion?
Enid heads home for her sister’s big announcement, but she’s barely home long enough to find out about the new family cat before everything goes sideways. On Christmas Eve, a family friend announces a young girl has vanished without a trace, and it’s all hands on deck for a city-wide search.
Between visits to sketchy psychics, discovering the truth about Grandma’s death, and impromptu reunions with childhood bullies, Enid, Ollie, and Waffles will have to work for their happy holiday this year.
Enid heads home for her sister’s big announcement, but she’s barely home long enough to find out about the new family cat before everything goes sideways. On Christmas Eve, a family friend announces a young girl has vanished without a trace, and it’s all hands on deck for a city-wide search.
Between visits to sketchy psychics, discovering the truth about Grandma’s death, and impromptu reunions with childhood bullies, Enid, Ollie, and Waffles will have to work for their happy holiday this year.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2025
17 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 31, 2025
Book 4 is still my favorite, hands down—the stakes, the plot, the emotional tension… it all really worked for me. I did enjoy Book 5, but it took a while for me to fully get invested, honestly until around the 70% mark. This one felt more like it could’ve been a strong novella between books rather than a full novel, mostly because the stakes felt lower and there wasn’t much in the way of new internal conflict. The mom/daughter tension is there, but since it’s been ongoing for so long, it didn’t feel especially fresh until the ending.
That said, I loved the last 25% (especially the scene at the church and why I gave it a 5 star instead of 4). Jen Bair absolutely knows how to land an ending, it’s one of the things I consistently enjoy most about her writing. The creepy ghosts at the beginning and the reveal about what happened to Enid as a child were genuinely disturbing! That kind of trauma would mess someone up for life, and it added a dark emotional layer.
The writing itself is smooth and easy to sink into, though I did notice some repetition, which is another reason this felt like it might’ve shined more as a shorter installment. I still enjoyed the characters a lot, even if I’ve now accepted that Randall (one of my favorites 😭) has officially been bumped to minor character status. Tragic, but it is what it is.
Enid is strong as FMC and I love her, I still do. She's badass and yet there is vulnerability in her that makes her feel oh so relatable. Did I mention I love her?
Ollie is definitely sweet, and realistically, yeah, I’d probably pick him in real life. But I don’t read books for realism, and “too cute” isn’t really my thing, so while I like him, I’m not totally sold on him as the love interest. That’s very much a personal preference, though.
Overall, a solid entry with a strong ending, great atmosphere, and some genuinely effective emotional beats, even if it didn’t quite hit the same highs as Book 4 for me.
That said, I loved the last 25% (especially the scene at the church and why I gave it a 5 star instead of 4). Jen Bair absolutely knows how to land an ending, it’s one of the things I consistently enjoy most about her writing. The creepy ghosts at the beginning and the reveal about what happened to Enid as a child were genuinely disturbing! That kind of trauma would mess someone up for life, and it added a dark emotional layer.
The writing itself is smooth and easy to sink into, though I did notice some repetition, which is another reason this felt like it might’ve shined more as a shorter installment. I still enjoyed the characters a lot, even if I’ve now accepted that Randall (one of my favorites 😭) has officially been bumped to minor character status. Tragic, but it is what it is.
Enid is strong as FMC and I love her, I still do. She's badass and yet there is vulnerability in her that makes her feel oh so relatable. Did I mention I love her?
Ollie is definitely sweet, and realistically, yeah, I’d probably pick him in real life. But I don’t read books for realism, and “too cute” isn’t really my thing, so while I like him, I’m not totally sold on him as the love interest. That’s very much a personal preference, though.
Overall, a solid entry with a strong ending, great atmosphere, and some genuinely effective emotional beats, even if it didn’t quite hit the same highs as Book 4 for me.
December 9, 2025
‧₊˚✧ 4.5 ✧˚₊‧
Another ARC? Yes, another ARC, let's keep the ball rolling before the end of the year. I just finished this amazing fifth (!) installment of the Shady Spirits series and my first thought? 'Oh no. I'm done and have to wait again', which says a lot about how I like this series.
I will forever recommend this series to everyone I ever talk to, because it has been one of my favorite reads this year. The liveliness of the characters, the general feeling of fun and relaxing even in tense situations, and the amazing and fluent pacing of this series and this story just bring everything together so well.
What did I like about Wayward Winter?
- Go Enid for correcting a doofus’s English!
- Enid's little spat with the Montgomery brothers and her teaming up with her sister was glorious.
- The scene of Enid exposing the psychic had me in giggles.
- Waffles, but also a piece of advice for her soul: girly, don't stare at cats, they see it as aggressive.
- The ghost announcements gave me life.
- Hooray for loads of character development in this one!
- Ollie being a rascal and making me do a little happy dance on the couch, hehehehe.
In conclusion I had the best time in this universe again. It was a mystery layered with the general paranormal theme of the book. I can only have fun while reading this series and the extra bit of romance was just the cherry on top. So are you looking for a series but also a palate cleanser? Look no further, the solution is here!
Another ARC? Yes, another ARC, let's keep the ball rolling before the end of the year. I just finished this amazing fifth (!) installment of the Shady Spirits series and my first thought? 'Oh no. I'm done and have to wait again', which says a lot about how I like this series.
I will forever recommend this series to everyone I ever talk to, because it has been one of my favorite reads this year. The liveliness of the characters, the general feeling of fun and relaxing even in tense situations, and the amazing and fluent pacing of this series and this story just bring everything together so well.
What did I like about Wayward Winter?
- Go Enid for correcting a doofus’s English!
- Enid's little spat with the Montgomery brothers and her teaming up with her sister was glorious.
- The scene of Enid exposing the psychic had me in giggles.
- Waffles, but also a piece of advice for her soul: girly, don't stare at cats, they see it as aggressive.
- The ghost announcements gave me life.
- Hooray for loads of character development in this one!
- Ollie being a rascal and making me do a little happy dance on the couch, hehehehe.
In conclusion I had the best time in this universe again. It was a mystery layered with the general paranormal theme of the book. I can only have fun while reading this series and the extra bit of romance was just the cherry on top. So are you looking for a series but also a palate cleanser? Look no further, the solution is here!
December 31, 2025
Our quirky ghost whisperer is home for the holidays in this Christmas installment of Jen Bair’s Shady Spirits series.
Enid and her mother have a tenuous truce over Enid’s ability to see and speak to ghosts, but their peace is put to the ultimate test in Wayward Winter.
When Clara, a neighbor girl, goes missing on Christmas Eve, Enid and her family spearhead efforts to find her. But as Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day, the chances of finding Clara alive dwindle. The situation gets worse when a ghost agrees to tell Enid where Clara is in exchange for a very public revelation of Enid’s abilities. She faces a choice. Will she share her secret with the entire community and ruin the holidays for her family? Or will she keep her secret at the risk of Clara never making it home?
Wayward Winter seems to mark a turning point in Enid’s journey. She finally gets some closure with her family, and her romance with her cute ghost boyfriend, Ollie, evolves too. Although the series’ main plot lines take a holiday, the final chapters leave readers with enough of a cliffhanger to know plenty of problems are waiting to welcome Enid back to Georgia.
Enjoyable as a stand-alone tale or in its proper place in the Shady Spirits series, this relationship-focused holiday story is the perfect winter read for people looking for a gritty tale with the good vibes of a Hallmark movie.
Enid and her mother have a tenuous truce over Enid’s ability to see and speak to ghosts, but their peace is put to the ultimate test in Wayward Winter.
When Clara, a neighbor girl, goes missing on Christmas Eve, Enid and her family spearhead efforts to find her. But as Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day, the chances of finding Clara alive dwindle. The situation gets worse when a ghost agrees to tell Enid where Clara is in exchange for a very public revelation of Enid’s abilities. She faces a choice. Will she share her secret with the entire community and ruin the holidays for her family? Or will she keep her secret at the risk of Clara never making it home?
Wayward Winter seems to mark a turning point in Enid’s journey. She finally gets some closure with her family, and her romance with her cute ghost boyfriend, Ollie, evolves too. Although the series’ main plot lines take a holiday, the final chapters leave readers with enough of a cliffhanger to know plenty of problems are waiting to welcome Enid back to Georgia.
Enjoyable as a stand-alone tale or in its proper place in the Shady Spirits series, this relationship-focused holiday story is the perfect winter read for people looking for a gritty tale with the good vibes of a Hallmark movie.
December 20, 2025
I'm still in awe at how I found this series and how good it is. This novel is on the simpler side of things. Ghosts take a backseat for this one, allowing the human world to shine and resolving a few things from Emid's past. It wraps up the plotline about Enid's family and unresolved childhood trauma.
It was a very interesting read and a good one for character development. We get to see Enid finally realizing that not everything is about her and some people have been affected by her childhood antics and weirdness. I especially loved the awkward and emotional conversations between her and Trina and her mom. It was very effective for getting to know the POV of other secondary characters.
Once again, this was a very easy read and something I really enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading the rest and with the clues that have been dropped in this book, I'm wondering what the author is planning for Enid. I'm here for it all!
It was a very interesting read and a good one for character development. We get to see Enid finally realizing that not everything is about her and some people have been affected by her childhood antics and weirdness. I especially loved the awkward and emotional conversations between her and Trina and her mom. It was very effective for getting to know the POV of other secondary characters.
Once again, this was a very easy read and something I really enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading the rest and with the clues that have been dropped in this book, I'm wondering what the author is planning for Enid. I'm here for it all!
December 11, 2025
Another fantastic installment in jen's riveting series. Enid returns home for her sister's big announcement which is put on hold by a missing teenager. Can Enid put her past behind her and help find the missing girl before it's too late? Full of twists, turns and action, this book may be the best one yet... And the ending
.. left me crying. Can Enid, Ollie and Waffles solve the case of the missing teen and handle all the ghostly shenanigans they gave? Can Enid recover her relationship with her mom, sister and dad? And what is Trina's big announcement? Read this amazing book to find out. Jen is one of my favorite authors of all time and I am excited for what's coming next. Just a fantastic series I can't put into words how much I enjoy.
.. left me crying. Can Enid, Ollie and Waffles solve the case of the missing teen and handle all the ghostly shenanigans they gave? Can Enid recover her relationship with her mom, sister and dad? And what is Trina's big announcement? Read this amazing book to find out. Jen is one of my favorite authors of all time and I am excited for what's coming next. Just a fantastic series I can't put into words how much I enjoy.
December 4, 2025
After finishing this, I’m hoping this series goes on forever. I’ve said with another series that I’m not a fan of couples that consist of a live person and a ghost, but this series, especially after this latest, is making me a believer! Enid and Ollie are just so darn cute together. In this, Enid headed home because her sister insisted, and then the whole family gets involved in a teen’s disappearance. I felt so many emotions with this one; it was less suspense (still some though!) and more like a turning point for Enid in her life. I can’t say much, but I just loved this latest and can’t wait to read more. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
December 15, 2025
"What’s a holiday without a family reunion?
Enid heads home for her sister’s big announcement, but she’s barely home long enough to find out about the new family cat before everything goes sideways. Christmas Eve, a family friend announces a young girl has vanished without a trace, and it’s all hands on deck for a city-wide search.
Between visits to sketchy psychics, discovering the truth about grandma’s death, and impromptu reunions with childhood bullies, Enid, Ollie, and Waffles will have to work for their happy holiday this year."
I honestly thought nothing could of beaten book 4 for bringing out all the feels but Wayward Winter definitely hits the mark..... Coming home for the Holidays certainly doesn't end up the way Enid had hoped, but shes making the best out of a difficult situation while trying to keep the peace with her Mom, realising some home truths, making peace with her past & hints at a possible future (& finding new ways to describe Mals personalities 🤣)
I love how this one focuses on the difference between young Enid & how she grew up & adult Enid with her confidence with moving to Peach Grove & all that shes discovered, "I was definitely unique. I was a living who saw ghosts. I had sentient soul magic. I had powerful ancestors, a flirtatious cartel boss who liked to double as my body guard, and a semi-casual relationship with the Void Cat," including making her own little "family"
Abso-ducking-lutely brilliant & a fantastic Christmas-y addition to the Shady Spirits series
Enid heads home for her sister’s big announcement, but she’s barely home long enough to find out about the new family cat before everything goes sideways. Christmas Eve, a family friend announces a young girl has vanished without a trace, and it’s all hands on deck for a city-wide search.
Between visits to sketchy psychics, discovering the truth about grandma’s death, and impromptu reunions with childhood bullies, Enid, Ollie, and Waffles will have to work for their happy holiday this year."
I honestly thought nothing could of beaten book 4 for bringing out all the feels but Wayward Winter definitely hits the mark..... Coming home for the Holidays certainly doesn't end up the way Enid had hoped, but shes making the best out of a difficult situation while trying to keep the peace with her Mom, realising some home truths, making peace with her past & hints at a possible future (& finding new ways to describe Mals personalities 🤣)
I love how this one focuses on the difference between young Enid & how she grew up & adult Enid with her confidence with moving to Peach Grove & all that shes discovered, "I was definitely unique. I was a living who saw ghosts. I had sentient soul magic. I had powerful ancestors, a flirtatious cartel boss who liked to double as my body guard, and a semi-casual relationship with the Void Cat," including making her own little "family"
Abso-ducking-lutely brilliant & a fantastic Christmas-y addition to the Shady Spirits series
December 30, 2025
Love this series
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews