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How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House
In this spooky Summerween romance, an amateur ghost hunter and a supernatural skeptic team up for a haunted home renovation project. But is their relationship the real fixer upper?
Amity Callaway is sick of being known as the weird girl. As annoyed as she is that her recently divorced mom just moved them across the country to the tiny, quirky town of Harlow’s Rest, Massachusetts, it could be the fresh start she needs.
Until Amity discovers their absolute disaster of a new house is supposedly haunted.
Theo Hargrave, amateur ghost hunter and son of the local general contractor, is a true believer. When he shows up on their property with his EMF reader in hand, Amity is ready to debunk all his theories. She’s definitely not staring at the small scar through his eyebrow or his ridiculously soft lips.
But even Amity can admit their home renovation is doomed. Nothing is going right, from the paint that refuses to dry to the fixtures that keep coming loose. So Amity and Theo strike a deal—his family’s construction expertise for her help investigating the house’s supernatural secrets. Even scarier than ghosts, though? Amity’s growing feelings for Theo.
Amity Callaway is sick of being known as the weird girl. As annoyed as she is that her recently divorced mom just moved them across the country to the tiny, quirky town of Harlow’s Rest, Massachusetts, it could be the fresh start she needs.
Until Amity discovers their absolute disaster of a new house is supposedly haunted.
Theo Hargrave, amateur ghost hunter and son of the local general contractor, is a true believer. When he shows up on their property with his EMF reader in hand, Amity is ready to debunk all his theories. She’s definitely not staring at the small scar through his eyebrow or his ridiculously soft lips.
But even Amity can admit their home renovation is doomed. Nothing is going right, from the paint that refuses to dry to the fixtures that keep coming loose. So Amity and Theo strike a deal—his family’s construction expertise for her help investigating the house’s supernatural secrets. Even scarier than ghosts, though? Amity’s growing feelings for Theo.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
June 11, 2026
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe was such a great read! I found myself smiling so many times while reading.
Amity is forced to move across the country with her mom where she meets Theo and with the help of both old and new friends, the two work together to prove (or disprove) if Amity's new home is haunted or not. I could not put this one down!
I love all the characters and the inclusivity. I felt like I could really relate to Amity's plight and I loved her character growth in search of accepting and loving herself. If I was 18 again, I'd absolutely SWOON over Theo! He's everything I'd hope to raise a future son to be. Arden is one of my favorite side characters, Matt is hilarious, and Taylor is who we all want in a BFF. Amity's mom and Theo's dad are two phenomenal representations of parents doing their best for their kids.
There are themes of past bullying, grief, parents divorce, parent loss, self-conciousness, anxiety, and more included in this one, so make sure you're comfy broaching these topics before you jump in. Some are more prevalent than others, but you know you best.
While this is my first of Jenny L. Howe's works, I'm officially smitten. I've preordered a signed copy from a local indie bookstore and fully intend to both gush about it and look into Jenny's backlist. How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House is not only a book I'd reread, but one I'd recommend to my niblings and future children.
Amity is forced to move across the country with her mom where she meets Theo and with the help of both old and new friends, the two work together to prove (or disprove) if Amity's new home is haunted or not. I could not put this one down!
I love all the characters and the inclusivity. I felt like I could really relate to Amity's plight and I loved her character growth in search of accepting and loving herself. If I was 18 again, I'd absolutely SWOON over Theo! He's everything I'd hope to raise a future son to be. Arden is one of my favorite side characters, Matt is hilarious, and Taylor is who we all want in a BFF. Amity's mom and Theo's dad are two phenomenal representations of parents doing their best for their kids.
There are themes of past bullying, grief, parents divorce, parent loss, self-conciousness, anxiety, and more included in this one, so make sure you're comfy broaching these topics before you jump in. Some are more prevalent than others, but you know you best.
While this is my first of Jenny L. Howe's works, I'm officially smitten. I've preordered a signed copy from a local indie bookstore and fully intend to both gush about it and look into Jenny's backlist. How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House is not only a book I'd reread, but one I'd recommend to my niblings and future children.
September 20, 2026
A YA ghost hunting romance where the MC's name is Amity? You're speaking my language!!
First off, the cover is beautiful, and the insides match. It's geared towards older YA readers who are on their way to college, and the topics explored cover exactly that.
There's also a lot of character growth throughout the book. Amity's former classmates were awful to her, and she's a bit insecure, but being in this new town, meeting new people, helps her realise that being weird IS cool.
Obviously, I loved the romance. It was so sweet, and, more importantly, patient. Every time Amity was unsure about how to proceed, Theo would step back and not treat her any differently.
He didn't pressure her into anything, or make her feel bad about not being ready or comfortable, he let her do things at her own pace, making him one of the best YA book boyfriends ever.
All the paranormal elements made the story even better. I can't believe how few ghost hunting romance books we have, because every single one hits right.
Bonus points for Dale, the non-chipmunk squirrel!! I can't wait to read more books by Howe.
First off, the cover is beautiful, and the insides match. It's geared towards older YA readers who are on their way to college, and the topics explored cover exactly that.
There's also a lot of character growth throughout the book. Amity's former classmates were awful to her, and she's a bit insecure, but being in this new town, meeting new people, helps her realise that being weird IS cool.
Obviously, I loved the romance. It was so sweet, and, more importantly, patient. Every time Amity was unsure about how to proceed, Theo would step back and not treat her any differently.
He didn't pressure her into anything, or make her feel bad about not being ready or comfortable, he let her do things at her own pace, making him one of the best YA book boyfriends ever.
All the paranormal elements made the story even better. I can't believe how few ghost hunting romance books we have, because every single one hits right.
Bonus points for Dale, the non-chipmunk squirrel!! I can't wait to read more books by Howe.
August 17, 2026
In this adorably haunted small town romance we have two young adults sleuthing through history into each others hearts. I kinda got x files Scully and Mulder vibes from these two which was so fun. One totally open to believing in all the possibilities and then our opposites attract over there who has to disprove everything!!! The romance was sweet, and awkward as Amity has been dealing with a lot of fitting in issues. I totally got goose bumps at parts as this definitely is a ghost story at heart !! A lot of sweet, fun and haunting moments!!
September 9, 2026
This charming YA romance follows Amity, who has to move to Harlow’s Rest, Massachusetts, just before starting college. She’s leaving her best friend behind and moving into a house that everyone in town says is haunted. Theo Hargrave, who believes in ghosts, wants to investigate Amity’s new home. Amity, hoping to prove him wrong, makes a deal: Theo and his family will help fix up the house, and in return, she’ll help Theo find out if it’s really haunted. As they spend more time together, Amity realizes there might be something more frightening than ghosts: falling in love.
This YA romance is a great choice for Fall. I enjoyed seeing Amity and Theo together. They’re total opposites, and it was fun to read their arguments as they explored the house, and Amity tried to debunk Theo’s theories. While I liked the romance, I especially appreciated Amity’s character growth. At first, she struggled with social anxiety and fitting in, but as the story went on, it was great to see her become more confident and start making choices for herself. I think new adults would enjoy this book because it covers topics they might relate to.
If you want a cozy, fun YA romance with a bit of the paranormal, this book is a perfect pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Book for the opportunity to review How (not) to Renovate a Haunted House.
This YA romance is a great choice for Fall. I enjoyed seeing Amity and Theo together. They’re total opposites, and it was fun to read their arguments as they explored the house, and Amity tried to debunk Theo’s theories. While I liked the romance, I especially appreciated Amity’s character growth. At first, she struggled with social anxiety and fitting in, but as the story went on, it was great to see her become more confident and start making choices for herself. I think new adults would enjoy this book because it covers topics they might relate to.
If you want a cozy, fun YA romance with a bit of the paranormal, this book is a perfect pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Book for the opportunity to review How (not) to Renovate a Haunted House.
July 4, 2026
Got an arc from work, 4.5/5
This is an older ya that really feels like it cares for that transitory period teenagers go through, and I really appreciate that. It’s goofy and cringey-cute in that way that teens are, and it’s a good summerween read. I really loved how organic the relationships, both platonic and romantic, felt; I would want to be friends with these characters when I was their age. It especially hit home for me as someone who, like Amity, had shitty friends turn on me and talk shit in a chat behind my back, so I FELT THAT and it GUTTED ME. Genuinely wish I’d had a book like this at that age, maybe I would’ve believed sooner that I would find my people.
This is an older ya that really feels like it cares for that transitory period teenagers go through, and I really appreciate that. It’s goofy and cringey-cute in that way that teens are, and it’s a good summerween read. I really loved how organic the relationships, both platonic and romantic, felt; I would want to be friends with these characters when I was their age. It especially hit home for me as someone who, like Amity, had shitty friends turn on me and talk shit in a chat behind my back, so I FELT THAT and it GUTTED ME. Genuinely wish I’d had a book like this at that age, maybe I would’ve believed sooner that I would find my people.
Did Not Finish
August 29, 2026dnf at chapter 6
i’m going to respectfully step away from this one. i found myself intentionally avoiding reading it further, so i’m going to set it down and walk away. it’s always a hit or miss with me and ya books—i think i would have really loved this when i was 12, but at 28, i’m not into it.
⇩ (very minor spoilers, all notes mentioned were within the first 5 chapters) ⇩
reading notes:
• this is making me cringe so much
• amity seems 12, not 17. i would also be mad about very suddenly moving across the country and having to figure out college plans again, but also… have some respect for your mom and what she’s going through? she’s giving you a free college education?? sorry you can’t go on your taco trip?? maybe do it before the move instead of stomping around???
• in what way is amity weird? and who is making her feel that way? herself? she has a loving mom, an amazing best friend, and her bff’s awesome girlfriend. i guess maybe it’s because she doesn’t have any other friends or that she’s new to town and lives in the town’s haunted house. but embrace your weirdness!! individuality is incredible!!
• i’m personally not a huge fan of scenes featuring extensive facetiming, mentioning things like “youtube.com” lol, and having problems with netflix removing movies etc… (but that’s what i get for reading contemporary books. some things work for me, others don’t)
• i thought she loved the time period the house was built in…so why does she hate the period-accurate decorations in the house?
i’m going to respectfully step away from this one. i found myself intentionally avoiding reading it further, so i’m going to set it down and walk away. it’s always a hit or miss with me and ya books—i think i would have really loved this when i was 12, but at 28, i’m not into it.
⇩ (very minor spoilers, all notes mentioned were within the first 5 chapters) ⇩
reading notes:
• this is making me cringe so much
• amity seems 12, not 17. i would also be mad about very suddenly moving across the country and having to figure out college plans again, but also… have some respect for your mom and what she’s going through? she’s giving you a free college education?? sorry you can’t go on your taco trip?? maybe do it before the move instead of stomping around???
• in what way is amity weird? and who is making her feel that way? herself? she has a loving mom, an amazing best friend, and her bff’s awesome girlfriend. i guess maybe it’s because she doesn’t have any other friends or that she’s new to town and lives in the town’s haunted house. but embrace your weirdness!! individuality is incredible!!
• i’m personally not a huge fan of scenes featuring extensive facetiming, mentioning things like “youtube.com” lol, and having problems with netflix removing movies etc… (but that’s what i get for reading contemporary books. some things work for me, others don’t)
• i thought she loved the time period the house was built in…so why does she hate the period-accurate decorations in the house?
August 22, 2026
listen I know it’s YA but it was just SO childish and I feel like the author was trying too hard to check off many many boxes
September 17, 2026
This is a really cute, young adult, paranormal romance centered around a haunted house.
I love the humor mixed in, love the LGBTQ positive storyline. My only critique is that the author should be careful when using their in conjunction with a pronoun while also using their as in multiple people, in the same paragraph or two. It made it confusing for me.
I'd rate this book as a 4 star overall.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC
I love the humor mixed in, love the LGBTQ positive storyline. My only critique is that the author should be careful when using their in conjunction with a pronoun while also using their as in multiple people, in the same paragraph or two. It made it confusing for me.
I'd rate this book as a 4 star overall.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC
August 11, 2026
Sometimes, a book tries to have too many things going on and doesn’t quite live up to it. Not this one! This had everything it said it would: ghost haunt, romance, teen angst, and all with the perfect ratio of each. I loved getting to know Amity and her friends, watching her fall in love for the first time, and rid her house of ghosts all at the same time. There were even some home renovation projects thrown in to bring it all together. I loved this story and highly recommend it for a fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
April 13, 2026
I loved this book so much!!
First—can we talk about the cover??
• Leni??
• Orangey perfection??
• PLUS SIZED CUTIES???
Immediate yes. No notes.
This book was so adorable I couldn’t help but slap a big ol’ 5 stars on it with zero regret.
Amity (and yes, her name is Amity and I’m obsessed) is just a regular girlie living in California with her mom, getting ready to start college. Then life said “plot twist”: her parents split, the house is getting sold, and her mom lands a job all the way in Massachusetts. Because of her age and the fact that she’s getting a free ride to college, Amity has no choice but to go… not that she’d leave her mom anyway because she’s low-key adorable.
And the house they move into? An old, charming fixer-upper that is very much 100% haunted.
Enter Theo, ghost hunter extraordinaire (self-proclaimed, amateur) and contractor working with his dad, who gets hired to help fix up the house. These two team up to figure out what’s going on with the haunting so Amity and her mom can actually settle in and start fresh.
And listen… I loved Amity and Theo. They were so ridiculously cute together. The banter? The teamwork? The soft, lovey moments?? I was blushing. I was giggling. I was eating it UP.
Also, Amity wanting to be an archivist?? Okay nerd, I see you and I love you. And the puns in this book, top tier. Truly.
I had such a fun time with this one and I really hope more people pick it up because it’s just pure cozy, spooky, adorable goodness.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher!!
First—can we talk about the cover??
• Leni??
• Orangey perfection??
• PLUS SIZED CUTIES???
Immediate yes. No notes.
This book was so adorable I couldn’t help but slap a big ol’ 5 stars on it with zero regret.
Amity (and yes, her name is Amity and I’m obsessed) is just a regular girlie living in California with her mom, getting ready to start college. Then life said “plot twist”: her parents split, the house is getting sold, and her mom lands a job all the way in Massachusetts. Because of her age and the fact that she’s getting a free ride to college, Amity has no choice but to go… not that she’d leave her mom anyway because she’s low-key adorable.
And the house they move into? An old, charming fixer-upper that is very much 100% haunted.
Enter Theo, ghost hunter extraordinaire (self-proclaimed, amateur) and contractor working with his dad, who gets hired to help fix up the house. These two team up to figure out what’s going on with the haunting so Amity and her mom can actually settle in and start fresh.
And listen… I loved Amity and Theo. They were so ridiculously cute together. The banter? The teamwork? The soft, lovey moments?? I was blushing. I was giggling. I was eating it UP.
Also, Amity wanting to be an archivist?? Okay nerd, I see you and I love you. And the puns in this book, top tier. Truly.
I had such a fun time with this one and I really hope more people pick it up because it’s just pure cozy, spooky, adorable goodness.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up— full review to come!
July 15, 2026
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC e‑book. I’m glad I had the chance to read this early!***
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️ stars. Review: How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House is an engaging, charming YA paranormal romance that surprised me in all the best ways. One of the first things that drew me in was the plus‑size representation. A rarity in YA romance and I absolutely loved seeing characters with real, relatable bodies at the center of the story. The cover art is also fantastic: playful, spooky, and instantly eye‑catching.
The premise itself was fun: a haunted house, a skeptical heroine, and a sweet, earnest ghost‑hunter young man teaming up to uncover supernatural secrets.
I normally don’t gravitate toward romance, but I found this one genuinely cute. Amity and Theo’s chemistry is warm and believable, and their dynamic mirrors what other reviewers describe as “palpable” and supportive, especially as Amity navigates insecurities tied to past bullying. Those emotional layers added depth to the story and made the relationship feel more meaningful.
That said, the middle section did slow down for me. While the setup and character introductions were strong, the pacing dipped during the renovation and investigation sequences. It lagged a bit before picking up again toward the end.
Still, the overall experience was delightful. The blend of spooky elements, heartfelt character growth, and gentle romance makes this a great pick for readers who enjoy paranormal stories with humor and heart. Even as someone who rarely reads romance, I found myself rooting for these characters and enjoying the quirky, haunted‑house chaos.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️ stars. Review: How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House is an engaging, charming YA paranormal romance that surprised me in all the best ways. One of the first things that drew me in was the plus‑size representation. A rarity in YA romance and I absolutely loved seeing characters with real, relatable bodies at the center of the story. The cover art is also fantastic: playful, spooky, and instantly eye‑catching.
The premise itself was fun: a haunted house, a skeptical heroine, and a sweet, earnest ghost‑hunter young man teaming up to uncover supernatural secrets.
I normally don’t gravitate toward romance, but I found this one genuinely cute. Amity and Theo’s chemistry is warm and believable, and their dynamic mirrors what other reviewers describe as “palpable” and supportive, especially as Amity navigates insecurities tied to past bullying. Those emotional layers added depth to the story and made the relationship feel more meaningful.
That said, the middle section did slow down for me. While the setup and character introductions were strong, the pacing dipped during the renovation and investigation sequences. It lagged a bit before picking up again toward the end.
Still, the overall experience was delightful. The blend of spooky elements, heartfelt character growth, and gentle romance makes this a great pick for readers who enjoy paranormal stories with humor and heart. Even as someone who rarely reads romance, I found myself rooting for these characters and enjoying the quirky, haunted‑house chaos.
September 4, 2026
Reading this made me home sick for Massachusetts in autumn 😭
But honestly I thought this was incredibly cute and so well written. You can absolutely tell the care and research that went into writing this. I cannot wait to read more by Jenny Howe!
But honestly I thought this was incredibly cute and so well written. You can absolutely tell the care and research that went into writing this. I cannot wait to read more by Jenny Howe!
September 18, 2026
4.5 ⭐️’s. This was ADORABLE!!! Perfect book to read while we’re getting in the Halloween spirit!
September 17, 2026
Reluctantly moving to the quirky town of Harlow’s Rest, Massachusetts, Amity Callaway discovers her family’s new fixer-upper may be haunted. When amateur ghost hunter Theo offers his family’s renovation expertise in exchange for her help investigating the house, Amity soon finds herself dealing with supernatural secrets and unexpected feelings for Theo.
This was such a fun read! Jenny L. Howe’s humor really comes through on the pages, and I enjoyed that even more after having met her a couple of times. I really liked Amity as the main character. She was insecure, and moving across the country definitely didn’t help with that. I loved watching her grow throughout the story without her even realizing how much she was changing. As she befriends Theo and some of his friends in Harlow’s Rest, she slowly starts to come out of her shell.
Theo was such a cinnamon roll, and I loved watching their relationship develop. I also really appreciate that Jenny L. Howe writes plus-size main characters, and I thought that representation worked especially well here because Amity’s insecurities were such an important part of her story. Her relationship with her mom was endearing, too, and I absolutely loved Dale the squirrel!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and honestly, I would have liked Amity and Theo’s story even without the haunted house, but the paranormal element made it the perfect fall read for me. I especially liked that it was an actual haunted house and not something else causing all the scares. Harlow’s Rest was such a cute town (and not Rehoboth, iykyk!), and while the story wasn’t overly spooky, it definitely had its moments. There is absolutely no way I would be going in that closet!
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:
This was my first audiobook narrated by Darcey Rhoads, and I thought she was great as Amity. You could really feel all of Amity’s angst and emotions through her narration. This was such a fun and enjoyable listen, and I even caught my husband chuckling at parts when I made him listen to it in the car with me. That says a lot!
Thank you PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a fun read! Jenny L. Howe’s humor really comes through on the pages, and I enjoyed that even more after having met her a couple of times. I really liked Amity as the main character. She was insecure, and moving across the country definitely didn’t help with that. I loved watching her grow throughout the story without her even realizing how much she was changing. As she befriends Theo and some of his friends in Harlow’s Rest, she slowly starts to come out of her shell.
Theo was such a cinnamon roll, and I loved watching their relationship develop. I also really appreciate that Jenny L. Howe writes plus-size main characters, and I thought that representation worked especially well here because Amity’s insecurities were such an important part of her story. Her relationship with her mom was endearing, too, and I absolutely loved Dale the squirrel!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and honestly, I would have liked Amity and Theo’s story even without the haunted house, but the paranormal element made it the perfect fall read for me. I especially liked that it was an actual haunted house and not something else causing all the scares. Harlow’s Rest was such a cute town (and not Rehoboth, iykyk!), and while the story wasn’t overly spooky, it definitely had its moments. There is absolutely no way I would be going in that closet!
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:
This was my first audiobook narrated by Darcey Rhoads, and I thought she was great as Amity. You could really feel all of Amity’s angst and emotions through her narration. This was such a fun and enjoyable listen, and I even caught my husband chuckling at parts when I made him listen to it in the car with me. That says a lot!
Thank you PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
September 24, 2026
Just a cute fall romance brought together by the paranormal and it was exactly what I needed! 3.75/5
September 20, 2026
A spooky haunted house, a cute ghost hunter, and a book loving skeptic make this YA mystery romcom a perfect fall reading escape.🍂👻🏚️
June 13, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and random house publishing for allowing me to read this arc for a honest review
This book was a five star read for me. I am all about plus size fmc. This was written so well and I sat down and read this in one sitting it was def a page turner
April 23, 2026
An excellent romantic light horror story. I genuinely laughed aloud a few times and was creeped out enough to stop reading a chapter or two at night. This story balances the nuances of first love with navigating living in a haunted house. Jenny Howe is quickly becoming an absolute standout in YA literature, and this book is another hit. Highly recommend.
August 17, 2026
Jenny does it again! 🧡👻
How to (Not) Renovate a Haunted House is what Summerween dreams are made of and truly everything I could hope for in a fat-positive book (especially for teens).
Jenny is always so tender and delicate while also being honest in examining systemic anti-fatness through writing confident, unapologetic, beautiful fat characters. This is so important for teens (and adults alike) of all sizes to see represented in media. Any character embracing the space they take up in the world without apology is BEAUTIFUL.
Yet again, I wish I had this book when I was a teen. In addition to the way it could have helped me see my own body as beautiful and loveable and not in need of shrinking - I, and so many other teens, could (have) benefit(ed) from so many topics here. Jenny touches on important conversations around physical intimacy and stigma/expectations for teens, complex parental relationships, and the exquisite loneliness that can be felt when searching to be seen and loved for your whole self.
All while being sweet and charming and dare I say…a little spoopy!
Jenny, you really do something so special with every book you write, and I won’t stop until I get everyone I love to pick up your books! Your work makes the world just a little bit less lonely, and a whole lot more wonderful!
Unequivocal five stars!
How to (Not) Renovate a Haunted House is what Summerween dreams are made of and truly everything I could hope for in a fat-positive book (especially for teens).
Jenny is always so tender and delicate while also being honest in examining systemic anti-fatness through writing confident, unapologetic, beautiful fat characters. This is so important for teens (and adults alike) of all sizes to see represented in media. Any character embracing the space they take up in the world without apology is BEAUTIFUL.
Yet again, I wish I had this book when I was a teen. In addition to the way it could have helped me see my own body as beautiful and loveable and not in need of shrinking - I, and so many other teens, could (have) benefit(ed) from so many topics here. Jenny touches on important conversations around physical intimacy and stigma/expectations for teens, complex parental relationships, and the exquisite loneliness that can be felt when searching to be seen and loved for your whole self.
All while being sweet and charming and dare I say…a little spoopy!
Jenny, you really do something so special with every book you write, and I won’t stop until I get everyone I love to pick up your books! Your work makes the world just a little bit less lonely, and a whole lot more wonderful!
Unequivocal five stars!
June 12, 2026
Title: How (not) To Renovate A Haunted House
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Random House Children’s Books
Expected Release Date: 07|21|2026
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Main Characters: Theo & Amity
Book Type: Standalone
This was such a cute YA romance with spooky and some horror(ish) themes. I adored both characters, Theo and Amity and Amity’s mom was such a great addition too.
I loved the dynamic between Amity, a total ghost skeptic determined to prove they aren’t real, and Theo, a passionate ghost hunter trying to convince her otherwise. Their banter and constant bickering made their personalities shine and kept things so fun!
The author also did a beautiful job bringing depth to Amity’s character. From her experiences as a plus-size girl to navigating her anxiety, everything felt real and I definitely related to her. I especially loved how comfortable she became opening up to Theo and how genuinely he listened.
Overall, this was a great read and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books and Author Jenny Howe for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Random House Children’s Books
Expected Release Date: 07|21|2026
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Main Characters: Theo & Amity
Book Type: Standalone
This was such a cute YA romance with spooky and some horror(ish) themes. I adored both characters, Theo and Amity and Amity’s mom was such a great addition too.
I loved the dynamic between Amity, a total ghost skeptic determined to prove they aren’t real, and Theo, a passionate ghost hunter trying to convince her otherwise. Their banter and constant bickering made their personalities shine and kept things so fun!
The author also did a beautiful job bringing depth to Amity’s character. From her experiences as a plus-size girl to navigating her anxiety, everything felt real and I definitely related to her. I especially loved how comfortable she became opening up to Theo and how genuinely he listened.
Overall, this was a great read and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books and Author Jenny Howe for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
July 20, 2026
Jenny L. Howe books are always such a treat! Thank you delacorte for the ARC. I think Jenny’s YA romances remain my favorite! This one follows Amity as she moves across the country with her mom for college and her mom’s new job. The catch is they are forced to move into a haunted fixer upper mansion. On the first day she sees Theo who is trying to ghost hunt at her house. They end up in an agreement where his father’s construction business is helping fix her house for a discount while he gets to hunt ghosts in her house.
This is an adorable paranormal romance. I think my fav part was how gentle the romance was. How Theo was never shy of his feelings and Amity would look down and be like oh we’re holding hands? Oh he’s touching me? Oh this is feelings? Theo always showed up even when Amity was nervous or scared and it was all the little tender moments I noticed that really made me love this couple. It really felt believable for a young love romance at a pace I was definitely moving at at that age.
Symbols: doll, painting, haunted house, Massachusetts, hammer, YouTube, ghost hunting, ghost
This is an adorable paranormal romance. I think my fav part was how gentle the romance was. How Theo was never shy of his feelings and Amity would look down and be like oh we’re holding hands? Oh he’s touching me? Oh this is feelings? Theo always showed up even when Amity was nervous or scared and it was all the little tender moments I noticed that really made me love this couple. It really felt believable for a young love romance at a pace I was definitely moving at at that age.
Symbols: doll, painting, haunted house, Massachusetts, hammer, YouTube, ghost hunting, ghost
August 24, 2026
Jenny L. Howe was my professor for a Disney Literature class in college and I remember her talking about her first book coming out and I am mad at myself for not reading any of her books sooner. This is YA, which I don't typically read anymore and I LOVED this. It's a spooky romance, which is way up my alley and the book also discusses serious topics that someone that is coming of age would deal with, which I appreciated. Also, I work at a library and the main character wants to be a librarian and she gets a job at a local library in the town she just moved to and it was so awesome to read about someone else also being a library worker and reading about what I do on almost a daily basis. I loved pretty much every character and didn't want to put the book down and even when I had to, I kept thinking about it. The spookiness with the blend of romance was immaculate and I think it was done very well. I really enjoyed Jenny's writing and I cannot wait to read her backlist. I highly recommend giving this a try if you like a good fun YA novel or even reading any of her adult books, as I am sure they are just as amazing.
July 21, 2026
This was a cozy and adorable read for me. This book starts with Amity living in Cali getting ready to head off to college. But life had other thoughts and her parents split selling the house with her mom getting a new job in Massachusetts. They move to a new home that's old, beautiful, and something they didnt suspect haunted. They hire Theo which is a contractor working with his father. Amity and Theo team up so her mother can not only settle and begin a new life but to have a fresh start for the both of them. This book had me kicking my feet and giggling more times than I could count. The cute Banter between Amity and Theo not only was the topping on the cake but also the entire cake. If you want a cute cozy read with paranormal elements then this is the read for you. I highly recommend! I got this from Netgalley for free and this is my voluntary review.
August 13, 2026
This ghost story for the teenaged audience has it all. Teen angst tops the list when a girl with confidence issues is forced to move across the country. She has much on her plate, including one of the worst dads possible. When Amity wants just a little attention, he replies that he has done his duty raising her. Over and done.
Luckily, Amity's mom has purchased a haunted house. Of course, Amity doesn't believe in ghosts...yet. But there is hope for her because the house also needs a ton of repairs.
To the rescue is Theo Hargrave, a boy her age who is a ghosthunter extraordinaire AND who has a carpenter father.
Marvelously written, this novel sucks you in, all the way to a much-anticipated exorcism at the end.
Luckily, Amity's mom has purchased a haunted house. Of course, Amity doesn't believe in ghosts...yet. But there is hope for her because the house also needs a ton of repairs.
To the rescue is Theo Hargrave, a boy her age who is a ghosthunter extraordinaire AND who has a carpenter father.
Marvelously written, this novel sucks you in, all the way to a much-anticipated exorcism at the end.
August 24, 2026
OH MY GOD I DID IT I FINISHED IT
Okay so idk if it was just a slow start or what, but I also haven't read every day so smh I legit read the majority of it today anyways...
OKAY
Where was this representation at like over a decade ago? If I had YA stuff like this, my self-esteem would've been through the roof. Like I literally imagined myself as Amity (also still unsure how I feel about this name LOL) but I would love more of this like lemme see what college is like for you girl!!!
Also why is it like 9/10 the dad? SCREW YOU DAD
Okay so idk if it was just a slow start or what, but I also haven't read every day so smh I legit read the majority of it today anyways...
OKAY
Where was this representation at like over a decade ago? If I had YA stuff like this, my self-esteem would've been through the roof. Like I literally imagined myself as Amity (also still unsure how I feel about this name LOL) but I would love more of this like lemme see what college is like for you girl!!!
Also why is it like 9/10 the dad? SCREW YOU DAD
August 28, 2026
This was cute! A fun spooky YA romance perfect for a quick, fall read! Amity has to move to a small town with her mother before her school year starts. When she gets there she meets Theo, who has a paranormal YouTube channel and he is sure her new house is haunted. To gain access to the house, he makes a deal to help renovate it and during the process they grow close. It was a really fun read! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!
August 16, 2026
Such a sweet YA romance with a spooky mystery!! 👻🧡
August 25, 2026
Fun cute Fall read.
August 30, 2026
This was fun for a YA book - I liked the setting and the haunted house storyline.
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