You’re the One That I Haunt

by Katie Jung

A debut speculative romcom for fans of MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING and THE DEAD ROMANTICS, in which a woman must team up with a distractingly handsome ghost to save her childhood crush (and love of her life) from a generational curse.

Libby Lakoski has two major problems. First, she’s secretly in love with her best friend, Carter Coldwell, and second, he’s marrying someone else. For fifteen years, Carter’s affluent life on the Upper East Side has been the definition of “home” for Libby, a stark contrast to her shoebox apartment and absent mother. Carter’s the only person who has ever made Libby feel chosen, and she’s not ready to give up on him. Sure, his fiancée is a British diamond heiress, but Carter and Libby have years of history filled with runs in Central Park and late-night pizza. Not to mention, she’s the only one who knows his family is cursed.

But then a third problem presents itself—or, himself. Trip Coldwell is Carter’s handsome, smart, flirtatious cousin who also happens to be a ghost. Trip’s “unfinished business” is to break the Coldwell curse, but the solution hinges on Carter getting married. Unfortunately, Libby is the only living person who can see him, and her objective is the exact opposite.

Appealing to Libby’s unrequited crush, Trip enlists her help to break the curse before Carter is affected. As they follow a trail of clues across New York City, Libby learns more about Trip and the complicated dynamics of the Coldwell family. She finds herself questioning just how much Carter reciprocated her friendship, feeling perplexed by a growing attraction to Trip, and worse, fantasizing about actually touching him. With the countdown to the wedding in full swing, Libby must choose between breaking the curse and holding tight to her best friend forever.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Halloween, Adult

Paperback

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

Katie Jung lives in Syracuse, New York with her husband and three children. By day, she works in climate change communications, but spends her evenings writing stories with happier endings. YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I HAUNT was selected for the 2024 SmoochPit Mentorship Program. When she's not daydreaming about her characters, you can find Katie walking the golf course near her house (often listening to an audiobook), having solo dance parties in her car, or chasing after her kids with a cup of coffee that's most likely gone cold. Connect with her on all social media platforms at @katiejungwrites.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

One word: OBSESSED. If you want a man who pines and yearns!?! Look no further, because Trip will become your new favorite ghost boyfriend.

Seriously, if you love 2000s rom coms, you've come to the right place. You're the One That I Haunt takes place in New York City and is about our heroine Libby who has been in love with her best friend for years. Except her best friend comes back from London with a fiancé. And at one of their parties, she takes a break in the family's library and comes face to face with a ghost, who just so happens to be her best friend's cousin. Very hot cousin. And he needs her help. Trip is in a coma and asks for Libby's help to break a family curse before the wedding. These twooooo. Omg. They are falling so hard for one another as they try to break this curse together, and time is ticking to literally save Trip's life. I loved their journey towards breaking the curse and their chemistry!? The TENSION!? Imagine yearning for someone you literally can't touch even if you tried. I was so obsessed with these two and this book is for sure a favorite of the year.

I know this one doesn't come out for a few months, but pleeasseee preorder this one and pick it up when it releases! We need more ghost romances and I'm so happy Katie Jung absolutely delivered with this one!

[Sarah • ia for a while]

OMG I GOT THE ARC 😭💗 I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED TO READ THIS 🥹🤭

[Aleshka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so lucky to be an early reader for this book and YOU WANT THIS ONE ON YOUR SHELF! Trip and Libby have a permanent place in my heart. Katie is a debut author to watch!

[felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

update:
Without reading the blurb, I said to myself, “Wow, this is if the Dead Romantics and Best friend’s Wedding had a baby”

It is giving off, Best friend’s wedding, love that movie


pre-read
I am excited to start a new book especially from a debut author. It doesn’t hurt that it’s magical realism with an unattainable MMC, a ghost 👻


Thank you Penguin Random House and Katie Jung for the e-ARC via Netgalley

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips]

ARC Received! SO excited!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this book. You want banter? You want chemistry, you want angst, jealousy, drama? This book has it all and ghosts too!!

What drew me to this book is the ghost romance. I’ve loved this trope since Meg Cabot wrote her Mediator series and Savannah and Jesse rode off into the HEA sunset. You don’t tend to see actual ghost falling in love, typically it’s more of ghost hunter/witch paranormal enthusiast so I was delighted to find this novel.

This is set in modern day NYC and our FMC Libby is beyond in love with her best friend Carter of 15 years. But he’s getting married and he wants her to help with his wedding. On top of that Libby worries about Carter’s family curse. Every male has died by taxi, odd right? Well unfortunately one of his relatives, his cousin Trip gets hits with the curse and ends up in a coma. While escaping a pressure cooker of a bridal party Libby finds the ghost of Trip in the Coldwell’s library. She being the only one to see him, he asks her to help him. And how can she not when if she doesn’t it could mean the curse could end Carter too. So together they must try to solve the curse, while Libby befriends the bride, and worries about her best friend. Oh also the part where Trip is a very attractive, snarky ghost who Libby may be falling for.

Katie Jung does romance right with this amazing ghost read.

Thank you so much to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the arc.

[Noi (in & out)]

love me a pun

[Lindy Magallanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story is a chefs kiss when it comes to the classic romcons we grew up on. We get to follow the story of Libby who has been hopelessly in love with her best friend Carter for half her life. Sadly Carter is engaged to another woman and he’s also cursed. Libby loves Carter enough to do anything to try to break the curse; which involves her teaming up with Carters cousin, who happens to be a ghost.

I read the book in just a few short days, it was a silly and fun romance with a side of spooky. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a lighthearted read with plenty of sweet moments and mystery.

[ೀ valeriaaa (school !)⊹ ᰔ]

saw this on insta and it sounded amazing i ran here to add it so fast. fall 2026 pls come sooner!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review

4.5⭐️ Trip is such a yearner. I loved this story so much and was so captivated by the side plot I read this in one sitting. It felt a bit insta love but that’s also what I like, when a man is obsessed with her from the start. I wish we got some POVs from him but either way I felt the yearning and tension. Obsessed is an understatement of how I feel about this book.

[aurelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I LOVE a paranormal romance. And ones with ghosts no less. 👻🌇💕

This was everything I wanted it to be and more. I loved the whole story line, the curse, the main characters, and everything in between! I think romances with ghosts can be a little tricky but this was done so wonderfully.

Libby being Polish and having a Babcia was also so insanely cool to read because I don’t think I’ve ever read a romance with a FMC with Polish heritage!! That alone made the whole read worth it. You best believe I will be purchasing this the second it comes out!

Thank you for the ARC review!! All thoughts are honest

(I’m already manifesting a book with Sabrina and Zuri)

[Savannah Mattair · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I love a good magical realism romance especially if there’s a ghost/spirit and this didn’t disappoint!
The cover is so cute add that with the name I just had to pick this up and I’m so glad I did!
I loved Libby as our main character. Her personal growth was a strong theme in this novel. I really enjoyed seeing her realize, with trips help, that she can be herself. He helped her realize she doesn’t have to be who she thinks others want her to be cough cough Carter…
And Trip? I adored him!
Libby and Trip together? Magical! The chemistry & tension was top tier.
I enjoyed reading about the curse and family drama also. All of the side ventures that Libby and Trip went on were interesting.
Honestly all of the characters were amazing. The relationship Libby & Sabrina created was so fun and comforting. Im glad they had each other to lean on. I wished we got more of Zuri but I liked the few glimpses we did get.

This was such a solid debut novel and I can’t wait to see what Katie has in store for us next! I need 10 more like pronto!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!

[Passant Alaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This was a very fun read!
I’ve had fun throughout the whole book, I loved Libby and the character development that happened to her through the book. I also loved every character in that book but mostly and my favorite was Trip. He was super funny and omg that filthy mouth of his knows how to say ALL the right words !

I loved the chemistry between him and Libby and how this Elz Vs Libby nickname felt like he was rebranding her and introducing her to who she really was, hence how he called her Libby in their conflict .

I felt like I needed a more solid purpose for the curse ? Or something more whimsical? I’m not sure how I feel about the whole curse thing to be honest but I still loved the whole thing regardless

Thank you netgalley and Viking penguin for the ARC. I had so much fun

[Shannon Farley]

Pre Read:
Ghost paranormal romance... Yes please! ❤️And a debut author, color me intrigued! Looking forward to starting this ARC😊

[Kari Ann Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭 (PUB 09.22) is a ghosty contemporary romance debut that absolutely charmed me. For fans of T𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴/𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘓𝘐𝘬𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯/𝘔𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥'𝘴 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨.

The chemistry, angst and yearning was off the charts. Warm, engaging prose balances witty banter with heartfelt emotion, while an intriguing magical mystery keeps the pages turning. What I loved is how heavier themes of grief, family, fate, and healing are woven without eve losing the sense of charm & humor. While a paranormal/ghost trope has been done before- this felt fresh and fun in a new way. My only wish is waiting until the release since it's perfect for fall reading.

[Andi]

Ehhhh. I made it 25% in before throwing up my hands.

There is too much insta touching, fantasized notions, and oggling over how the man looks. He also is a ghost... but changes clothes as often as Liz Taylor did in Cleopatra. Make it make sense? Because his body is currently in an ICU unit strapped to IVs and monitors, in a t-shirt and sweatpants.

Also: This ain't slowburn. Slowburn is not realizing feelings or having any notion of anybody doing anything. Yet. He pinned her against the wall with his hands on either side of her looking dangerously close to kissing her. And he was oggling (and groaning) her while she was braless in a t-shirt and sweats.

Out of respect for the author I won't rate this, but I will put my thoughts down as a reference.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Book Review✨

This book was so good! Honestly, I was surprised by how much I loved it!

I really liked Libby’s character. At first, I was devastated for her. I wanted Carter to come to his senses and realize Libby was perfect for him. I wanted to dislike Sabrina’s character for being his fiancée because Libby was clearly the better choice. But as I kept reading, I seriously couldn’t dislike Sabrina, even if I tried. And Carter just needs some alone time to discover himself… if you’re always chasing after someone, it’s not worth it.

I loved the meet cute with Trip. The office scene was so fun. I loved how he followed her around and would just randomly show up. Cute things like wearing her AirPods so she could talk to him without looking crazy were so fun.

I hated that they couldn’t even touch. I wanted that for them so badly. I wanted the curse broken so they could be together. The story overall was just so cute! It championed knowing your worth and choosing what’s right for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin Publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dotti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

Katie Jung’s You’re the One that I Haunt is a fun paranormal romance. We begin our story meeting Libby at her best friend Carter’s engagement dinner. Libby has been in love with Carter for over a decade, and when she gets overwhelmed at the dinner, she goes into the family library—and promptly meets Carter’s cousin Trip, who happens to be a ghost. Trip and Carter have a family curse looming over them and need it solved to save Carter’s life and regain Trip’s, and Libby agrees to help Trip break the curse.

This story was very cute and fun. Libby starts out the story very insecure, but has a lot of positive growth throughout the story. Both Libby and Trip grow as a result of their relationship with each other, rather than as a result of the circumstances of the larger plot. The characters are engaging and interesting, and Libby’s complicated history with Carter is relatable. The pacing in the book was generally good, following standard romance pacing.

I do think the family curse itself felt a little thin. Some of the reveals felt underwhelming, and the final climax for the puzzle felt deemphasized. Our story spent so much time assembling the various pieces of the puzzle, and the final assembly felt anticlimactic. The actual motives for the curse felt ambiguous, and the scene seemed too much like an explanation and not enough like a reveal. I would have rather had a little more information, given through different sources.

I also felt like they spent a lot of time talking about Libby’s tendency to overwork without really explaining what she did for a living. We see her tutoring a young woman to help with college credits, and reading grant proposals, but also calling Carter to talk about different organizations, and she’s a lawyer? It seems like she works for some kind of foundation giving money away, but she refers to herself as a project manager. It seemed like the author wanted her to be a do-gooder but didn’t want us to feel weighed down by the details. It would have been nice to have a way that her job impacted the story, rather than being an excuse or an afterthought.

The story has one explicit scene near the end of the book, detailing intimate activities including intercourse. There is also a scene in the middle of the book involving non-intercourse intimacy.

Altogether, this was a really fun, cute contemporary paranormal romance. The characters had a lot of good growth, and there was a fun quest to accomplish and mystery to solve. I enjoyed my time reading it and would definitely recommend it to someone who wants a fun romance with a hint of ghost sex.

Thank you to Katie Jung, Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

[Beth Szerdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Katie Jung, Viking Penguin, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of You’re the one that I Haunt. This review is my own.

Libby’s in love with her best friend. But what happens when she has to team up with his cousin to end a family curse? And by the way, this cousin is a ghost. This debut speculative romance has everything - characters that grow, humor and joy, heartfelt friendships, diverse representation, and that perfect touch of a haunting. I absolutely devoured this story and can’t wait to pick up a trophy copy when it comes out in September (how beautiful is that cover!).

Perfect for fans of speculative romance, and even those a little hesitant to try speculative. This one doesn’t ask the reader to lean too far out of reality and reads like a romcom with emotional depth and true character development. Add this to your TBR!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I was so prepared for this to be my favorite debut of the year. I saw a post by the author on Instagram and requested the arc right away on NetGalley. Self-reflection, a touch of magical realism, and romance all thrown into one, this should be something I love, right? Dear reader, you'd be wrong.

The characterization, which a novel like this hinges on, fell very flat to me. I kept waiting for these to feel like believable characters (especially Trip) but they never really did. Libby's supposed to be a lawyer and incredibly smart, but Jung never really shows us that she is. She's constantly bumbling around and acting so dense. The only thing I did really like was that she did realize that her friendship with Carter was unhealthy, but I wish that had resolved in a slightly different way.

The romance was ok, but also kept flip-flopping from zero to 100 real quick and definitely was not closed door.

Overall, very much not for me. Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[chelle_reads_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super cute and fun read. I fell in love with Trip right away and was very invested in a HEA. The story was easy to follow and a good read. The ending is a little odd to me. With the coma lasting so long I don’t think he would be picking people up and running in the sand but I’m not a doctor so who knows.

[Tyler McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

When will it be MY turn to be haunted by a beautiful rich man?!?!!!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

*May contain spoilers…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 🌶️ • 👻👻🥰🥰

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to read it ahead of time. This was such a fun read, I finished it in less than 48 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it, specially the characters and the paranormal storyline.

I adored Tripp, his character is such a gem. I loved his wittiness, boldness, and growth. I really enjoyed his and Libby’s adventure and working partnership. Libby is a quirky character, and I enjoyed her many “selves” (she seemed to act differently around everyone, which was interesting to see). It was great watching her evolve and become more confident.

I also appreciated the side characters, especially Sabrina, I would love her to get her own story ♡.

I would have loved to see more build-up for the MMC and FMC. The infatuation, especially on the MMC side, felt a bit quick. I kept expecting some kind of hidden connection from their past.

I couldn’t wait for the ending, and I was pleasantly satisfied.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin Book and Viking Penguin for this ARC!

I absolutely adored this book! I love anything with a ghosty twist like dead romantics to ghost whisperer and this one definitely fit the bill. We meet Elzbieta/Elz/Libby, who for 15 years pined after her best friend, on the cusp of him getting married to someone else everything in her world turned upside down and a hot ghost with a slutty little earring shows up asking for her help. Trip, our hot ghost, knows there is a curse against his family and he thinks the only way to break the curse is with Elz’s help. The book is filled with growth, banter, twists and turns and so much yearning/tension. I loved how Trip really sees Elz and she grows so much. I was rooting for her the entire time and loved how much she grew through out the book. The mystery element of the curse had me on my toes trying to figure out how to break it. Plus the friendships that grew between some of the characters was just so good! Overall if you love banter, yearning, he falls first, hint of magic, strong female friendships, and family drama then I highly recommend this one!

[Just Blue Through Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to Viking Penguin for the ARC of You're the One that I Haunt by Katie Jung.

I'll be honest -- as a teenager I was obsessed with Meg Cabot's Mediator series, so I am an absolute sucker for any book about solving a mystery with a handsome ghost - so, while I hate the punny title trend currently happening in romance, I read the description and thought, yes, this is for me. I was not disappointed - this is a super cute debut.

I think the description of the book is accurate, so I won't rewrite it in my own words.

I will expand though on the characterization, starting with Libby-- I think she's relatable in a lot of ways -- 20-something trying to find her place in the world but minimizing and doubting herself. That is the real crux of the story and one Jung does a great job developing and expanding. Libby wants to be chosen by the people around her, by success, etc. but she doesn't know how to choose herself. She has a ton of amazing qualities, she tries to lift up those around her, and she's convinced herself to be comfortable with what she has instead of thinking to ask for more. We see her do it in her friendships, in love, in work, in all her actions, even though those around her call her on it continuously. It was nice to watch how she develops to the point she does, and to realize so much of the story is about her loving herself, which does pull it a bit further from a traditional romance plot but in a satisfying way. I also loved that Libby's relationship with Sabrina wasn't a catty jealousy thing - it's 2026, we don't need to bring women down -- and Jung made their friendship and their conversations feel really authentic and natural, even if one of them is a diamond heiress.

Trip is generally well-laid out on the page. Jung walked a very tricky line with Libby having feelings for Carter for so long, and then her developing them for Trip. Having Libby constantly be reflecting on herself and her relationships helped to show she was truly falling for Trip, but it does mean that between those conflicting feelings developing and the inability to touch Trip/see him consistently, that the growth of their relationship felt more dependent upon Libby than on Trip as really equal contributors. Libby is right to be doubtful on if a ghost is a viable relationship option, and Trip at first comes on very strong before recognizing there are aspects of himself that he can approve upon if he gets a second chance at life. I do wish we actually got to see more of Trip pre-accident. Because he and Carter had a falling out we only know what Trip tells us about his family and his distance from them, and we do learn things about him, but it did feel like there was a bit of a wall to really getting to know him and why he wanted to change so much for Libby. He's still a great character and there romance is really flirty and fun and he helps to push Libby into seeing her worth, but I feel like there was more I wanted from this because it seemed like Carter was getting a similar page count and at times it felt a bit more of a love triangle than not.

Carter, god, I feel like so many women will read this and think of the similar Carter in their own lives even if they aren't from oil money. Jung nailed that.

The paranormal aspects were fun - both in terms of the witchier callings and the ghost actions. I do wish we got a bit more from Libby's grandmother about the gifts or if Libby generally showed more interest in them, but it's okaty those weren't there because that would keep moving this story further from romance. The mystery was interesting (but what is in that Carmichael family breadbox!?) and came to a solid conclusion, and if it seemed a bit convenient here or there, it was still a really fun ride. I also loved all of Libby's Polish references for names and food, etc.

All in all, it's a really cute read, it has depth in characterization and in plot and reads more like chick lit (in the best way) than just a romance. Jung is one to keep a look out for in future releases, and my Mediator loving heart is happy to also have this on my shelf.

[sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars rounded up

You're the one that I haunt was my favourite type of romance which is a romance book with an exciting & adventurous subplot eg. road trip, hunting for hidden treasure, or in the case for this book: working with a 'ghost' to break a centuries old curse. I love when a romance book has more plot that just two people falling in love, that there's actually something moving the storyline. I would say this book was a little bit slow in the middle section, where it was more just normal day to day life and some of those parts did feel a bit boring or repetitive.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of this book, there's unrequited feelings for the best friend since childhood, wedding planning, a ghost, a curse and most of all finding yourself, what you deserve and your place in the world.

Our main character Libby goes through huge character development through this book from quite a meek and shy character who lets herself be pushed around, to someone who knows what they want and going out there to get it. I loved her as a character because she felt real and genuine from the beginning so watching her self discovery journey was even more rewarding.

The romance was super interesting because for the majority of the book our mmc is a ghost/astral projection, and they're hanging out and getting to know each other and slowly falling in love without ever being able to touch or actually physically be with each other so the yearning was top tier and made the ending so satisfying.

This book discusses grief, childhood trauma and strained familial relationships but I felt they were all handled meaningfully and with care. I loved the relationship between out main character and her grandmother who was her primary caregiver in her childhood also. you could really feel how much these two women loved and cared for each other, and the grandma really reminded me of my own which I loved.

I also really enjoyed the writing style, some books you have to get used to the writing before you can really get lost in the book but from the first chapter I could tell that I enjoyed the way this author wrote, and for a debut that is very impressive. I will definitely be looking out for future books released from this author!

my only issue with this arc was sadly the formatting of the eARC when sent to my kindle. It would cut off mid sentence so sentences were often split between 2 or 3 lines and it made it quite hard to get into the flow of the book as it wasn't written correctly. For this reason I ended up taking a long time to read the book because despite the fact I was genuinely enjoying the story, it was difficult to actually pick up and read as it took effort to follow. I think that took me out of the book a bit and may be why it ended up taking me almost two moths to read, and maybe ended up affecting how much I enjoyed the book overall hence it not being a five star read. I'm certain these formatting issues will be resolved for the actual ebook before publishing but wanted to note it as a reason I had a hard time reading the book.

Overall this was a fun paranormal romance and I will definitely be recommending this to other readers and reading more from this author

[Kelsey reviews•books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately for me, this book as felt rushed in the emotional development and pacing. This would be a “Maybe” in “Woud I Recommend?” But please also read rave reviews to get a balanced perspective.

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. This book comes out September 22.
─────────────────────────

○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– FMC: Elzbieta “Libby” Lakoski (aka “Elz”). Nearing 30. An attorney in juvenile law. Doesn’t understand why she can see him, but no one else can...
– MMC 1: Carter Coldwell. Libby’s best friend. Is trying to avoid death by taxi due to a family curse. Comes from a rich NYC family.
– MMC 2: Trip Coldwell. Carter’s cousin. Has some hurdles to overcome. Wears earrings. Dog person.
– Location: NYC
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 2 open-door spicy scenes (but not overly explicit)
– Tropes: love triangle, paranormal romance, generational family curse, mystery, they can’t touch, he falls first, yearning, he’s rich/she’s not
– Content warning: being raised by a grandparent, parent with addiction struggles, forced marriage situation, unrequited love
– Representation: LGBTQIA+ minor side characters

─────────────────────────

🎯 My Thoughts:

This was a difficult book for me to rate because there was so much heart behind it. For a debut, the author created a unique premise that blended romance, mystery, and magical realism in a way that immediately drew me in, and I appreciated the themes of self-worth and personal growth woven throughout Libby’s journey.

One of my favorite aspects was watching Libby begin to recognize her value. The paranormal elements also kept me engaged and gave the story an intriguing atmosphere.

That said, I struggled with the pacing and emotional progression of the romance. The premise suggested more of a slow burn, but the shift in Libby’s feelings felt much more immediate than I expected. Because so much emphasis was placed on her long-standing feelings for one of the MMCs early on, I wanted more gradual development and emotional buildup between Libby and the other MMC to fully invest in their connection.

I also found some of the emotional and paranormal storylines underdeveloped by the end. Certain resolutions felt rushed, and I would have loved more depth surrounding the family curse and character dynamics to strengthen the emotional payoff.

Overall, while this didn’t completely work for me as a romance, I still think it showed a lot of promise. The premise felt fresh, the story was engaging, and I’d definitely be interested in reading what this author writes next.

─────────────────────────

↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Haunted House by Mackenna Grace

╰┈➤ ❝You weren’t there when I needed you to be, hopin’ you’re right where you wanna be, even if it’s not with me...’Cause a ghost never leaves a haunted house.❞

─────────────────────────

⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven————✧———————Plot Driven
Fast Burn—————✧——————Slow Burn
Sweet—————✧——————Spicy
Light/Fluffy————✧———————Heavy/Emotional



•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•

[Cozystephaniereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're the One That I Haunt completely stole my heart. It was romantic, funny, mysterious, magical, and emotional in all the best ways. I went into this expecting a paranormal rom-com and got so much more.
Libby has been in love with her best friend, Carter Coldwell, for fifteen years. Unfortunately, Carter is about to marry someone else. While taking a moment for herself during his engagement party, Libby encounters Carter's cousin, Trip. The only problem? Trip is currently in a coma, and Libby is somehow able to see and communicate with his spirit. The Coldwell family has been plagued by a curse for generations. If they can't break it before the wedding, Trip will die. Together, Libby and Trip race against time to uncover the truth, break the curse, and maybe discover something even more unexpected along the way.
I absolutely loved these characters. Libby starts the story stuck in a life that no longer serves her. She's spent years loving someone who doesn't truly see her, shaping herself around what she thinks Carter wants rather than embracing who she really is. Watching her grow throughout the story was incredibly satisfying.
And then there's Trip. Trip sees Libby for exactly who she is. He encourages her to stop shrinking herself and start taking up space in her own life. Their banter is top-tier from the very beginning, but what made me fall in love with him was how deeply he cared about her. At one point, he tells Libby that he doesn't want her to feel used and that she doesn't have to help him break the curse. This man would rather die than make her feel like a tool. If that isn't romance, I don't know what is.
The supporting cast was equally fantastic. Zuri was the kind of fiercely loyal best friend everyone deserves, and Sabrina completely surprised me. Rather than becoming the stereotypical obstacle, she was genuinely kind, supportive, and easy to love in her own right.
The romance was everything I wanted. The slow burn was perfection, the forced proximity worked beautifully, and the paranormal elements added such a unique twist to the relationship. "Ghosts-to-lovers" may not be an official trope, but after reading this book, I think it absolutely should be.
The mystery surrounding the family curse kept me engaged throughout, and the magical realism blended seamlessly with the romance. Once I started reading, I genuinely did not want to put it down. One of my favorite moments was when Trip brought Libby to his home and showed her around. It was such a simple but meaningful scene that allowed them to truly get to know one another on a deeper level.
I honestly have no critiques. This book delivered everything I wanted: romance, mystery, humor, heart, and characters I couldn't stop rooting for. If you enjoy paranormal romance, slow-burn love stories, magical realism, and banter-filled relationships that will make you smile nonstop, pick this one up immediately. One word: Enchanting.
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin, and Katie Jung for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been 24 hours and my heart is still palpitating, mouth smiling, just thinking about this book! 💕

It's been a WHILE since I've read a slow burn this hot! The ultimate forbidden, can't touch romance! I already cannot wait to reread it! This book feels *exactly* like the Darcy hand flex in the 2005 adaptation! Please make a movie of this book 🥹😭🙏🏻 A MUST READ this fall!!

Libby Lakoski is secretly in love with her cursed, longtime best friend, Carter Coldwell. Carter just surprised Libby with his engagement to a stunning and sweet diamond heiress from London- how thoughtful of him! 😩 At their engagement party, Libby meets his estranged, bad boy/pirate vibe cousin Trip Coldwell... who happens to be struggling with temporal displacement. Trip is older, wiser, emotionally intelligent, a stud with tattoos, and no one else can see him. He's fallen to the family curse just like his forefathers! This curse is tricky- but allowing it to continue means Carter will lose his life too! Libby can't let that happen, so she teams up with Trip to save Carter from certain death. I loved Jung's logic in dealing with the curse and the mystery around it all. You're The One That I Haunt has all the best aspects of a good romance, mystery, and thriller: intrigue and heart pounding situations!

Besides the fabulous plot, Jung's character depth, development, and humor amidst her main characters is outstanding! There's growth, unspoken tension, chemistry literally electrifying the air around them, and delicious flirting. And 50% in, are you kidding me?!?!? I think I drooled 😂

Without giving away too much, YTOTIH ends with a full, incredibly satisfying denouement, wrapping the story up in such a delicious bow. A gift to readers. The last 10 seconds? Oh sweet heavens 😭😭😭

Goosebumps/jaw dropping moments:
"Or did you miss that day in preschool?"
"Should I curtsey? Give a royal wave?"
"No one puts Libby in a corner"
"He rolls his tongue over his teeth."
"No it's my privilege."
"The kind some people would- pardon my wording- die for."
"Oh, sweet boy."
"Asphyxiation by Lorax."
"I can't wait to see what you do." 😭

Troupes: paranormal romance, forbidden romance, unrequited love, love triangle, low self-esteem FMC, knight in shining armor MMC, he falls first, quest, requisite break-up, slow...burn, HEA
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 2/5 👀
Triggers:

Huge thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the honor of enjoying this ARC!

[buveurdencre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical and immersive, Katie Jung stuns in her debut romance novel, You’re the One that I Haunt. Elzbieta ‘Libby’ Lakoski is a program manager who has been in love with her best friend, Carter, for fifteen years. At sixteen, Carter confides in Libby that his family is cursed and knows how he will die. In the present time, Libby attends Carter’s engagement party and learns about his move to England from his sister. Upset with Carter not telling her, Libby retreats into an empty room where she meets Trip Coldwell, Carter’s cousin. Trip overhears Libby’s plan of breaking up the wedding, and an argument ensues, resulting in Libby pushing Trip, only for her finger to go right through him. Trip informs Libby that he is somewhat of a ghost, and she could help him return to his body and stop the Coldwell curse before it takes Carter, too. As Libby and Trip work together to find a way to end the curse, their attraction towards each other grows, feelings are developed, and Libby wonders if Trip is her future and not Carter.

Libby and Trip were such an endearing couple. Their banter, support, and encouragement were the foundation that shaped and built their eventual relationship. Libby’s vulnerabilities, accomplishments, and desire to be chosen were all seen by Trip, and his constant reassurances motivated her to become confident enough to choose herself. Likewise, Trip instantly was able to understand and acknowledge Libby’s importance, while Libby was the only one who truly saw Trip, even when he was in his ghostly apparition form. She recognized his pain and guilt regarding his father and provided comfort and consolation to him. Together, their relationship was complementary, supportive, and tender. Not to mention passionate, nurturing, and loving as well. 

Katie Jung is an exceptionally promising new author, and I am thoroughly impressed and in awe that this radiant novel is her debut. Despite it being a love story, it is also a reflective story of realizing your value, knowing your worth, and finding and reclaiming your sense of self. This was such a cozy and heartwarming read, and I enjoyed every second of it. I can’t wait to read what else Jung has in the future, but I’m giddy with anticipation.

Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.