What do you think?
Rate this book
Happily Ever Afterlife: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26A hauntingly good sapphic paranormal romance from USA Today bestselling author Emma R. Alban.
A struggling writer falls for the hot ghost mom she meets in the iconic Dakota Building in a romance perfect for fans of The Dead Romantics.
Frannie's awful boss, celebrated literary novelist Henry L. Olsen, just told her that her latest manuscript is a dud—again. Frustrated and lonely, Frannie stomps around the ninth floor of the famously haunted Dakota Building in Manhattan, desperate for something to change. And then, something does.
Bridgette, the ghost of a little girl from 1889, appears out of nowhere and asks Frannie to play catch. Shocked, and wildly curious, Frannie says yes to the ghostly invitation, and soon meets Bridgette's ghost-brother, Michael . . . and the children's exceedingly attractive and aloof 1960s ghost mom, Elsa.
Fascinated, and more than a little flustered, Frannie starts secretly writing a book about Elsa (a.k.a. Hot Ghost Mom). And while her boss is on book tour, through a mutual affection for musicals, banter, and the ghost children, Frannie and Elsa slowly become friends, until Frannie finds herself tumbling head over heels in love with a ghost tied to a building she couldn't afford to live in over four lifetimes.
Now, Frannie either has to give up her ambitions of becoming a novelist to remain Henry's assistant in the Dakota forever, or somehow free her ghost family from their immortal home. With her career, future, and heart on the line, can Frannie find a way to write them all a happily ever after . . . life?
Emma R. Alban brings her signature swoon-worthy writing to another gorgeous sapphic love story that will have every reader yearning for their own Hot Ghost Mom.
A struggling writer falls for the hot ghost mom she meets in the iconic Dakota Building in a romance perfect for fans of The Dead Romantics.
Frannie's awful boss, celebrated literary novelist Henry L. Olsen, just told her that her latest manuscript is a dud—again. Frustrated and lonely, Frannie stomps around the ninth floor of the famously haunted Dakota Building in Manhattan, desperate for something to change. And then, something does.
Bridgette, the ghost of a little girl from 1889, appears out of nowhere and asks Frannie to play catch. Shocked, and wildly curious, Frannie says yes to the ghostly invitation, and soon meets Bridgette's ghost-brother, Michael . . . and the children's exceedingly attractive and aloof 1960s ghost mom, Elsa.
Fascinated, and more than a little flustered, Frannie starts secretly writing a book about Elsa (a.k.a. Hot Ghost Mom). And while her boss is on book tour, through a mutual affection for musicals, banter, and the ghost children, Frannie and Elsa slowly become friends, until Frannie finds herself tumbling head over heels in love with a ghost tied to a building she couldn't afford to live in over four lifetimes.
Now, Frannie either has to give up her ambitions of becoming a novelist to remain Henry's assistant in the Dakota forever, or somehow free her ghost family from their immortal home. With her career, future, and heart on the line, can Frannie find a way to write them all a happily ever after . . . life?
Emma R. Alban brings her signature swoon-worthy writing to another gorgeous sapphic love story that will have every reader yearning for their own Hot Ghost Mom.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Emma R. Alban
5 books881 followersRaised in the Hudson Valley, Emma now lives in Los Angeles, enjoying the eternal sunshine, ocean, and mountains. When she isn't writing books or screenplays, she can usually be found stress baking with the AC on full blast, skiing late into the spring, singing showtunes at the top of her lungs on the freeway, and reading anywhere there’s somewhere to lean.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Read
July 5, 2026👻💕 Happily Ever Afterlife 💕👻
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Sapphic Romance
• Ghost Romance
• Found Family
• Writer FMC
• Haunted Building
• Paranormal Romance
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Sapphic Romance
• Ghost Romance
• Found Family
• Writer FMC
• Haunted Building
• Paranormal Romance
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Alcove Publishing. Thanks to both for giving me the opportunity to read this one early.
First off, I love the cover. I also love the concept. I've enjoyed Emma R. Alban's period romances, especially the most recent one, so when I heard she was doing something contemporary I was interested, especially because I'm also always up for a good supernatural romance. There's something about someone falling for a dead person that's got the potential for some excellent angst, and there is indeed plenty of that.
Frannie is the assistant/editor to a Straight Middle Aged White Man author who overworks her (although he pays her well enough), but is also encouraging her to write her own novel. She's written several, and he's rejected all of them as not having enough of HER in them. They work in one of those insanely expensive Central Park West apartment co-ops where the apartments cost millions and have killer views of the park. One day, she runs into a ghost child, and this leads to her meeting the rest of the kid's found family (a brother and a Hot Ghost Mom).
Hot Ghost Mom is also a great character (and honestly, it's very believable that a twentysomething lesbian who works too much and isn't into socializing would fall for her lol). She died in the 60s and lived in the building back then with her girlfriend (or, back then, her "good friend" and "roommate"). The two of them initially clash, but eventually fall in love.
One of the harder parts of this kind of romance is making it believable, and I think the author did a good job of making Frannie the type of person who would a) pretty immediately accept the existence of ghosts and b) fall for a Hot Ghost Mom. (I do sort of wish they'd gone into the previous lives of the two kids, but considering they died at ages 8 (in the 1890s) and 10 (in the 1920s), they probably weren't that uplifting; haunting a building would probably be a step up from whatever it was they were doing when they died)
I thought the love story was very sweet, and Frannie's author struggles were obviously drawn from personal experience.
The big roadblock isn't necessarily that Hot Ghost Mom (aka Elsa) is dead, it's that she's trapped in a building where the apartments are so far out of Frannie's price range that she won't be able to stay with them once she leaves her job as White Guy Author's assistant (which she eventually has to because she sells her own book for an insane amount of money and is going to go on her own publishing journey). Frannie thinks she can transport the ghosts across the street to a (slightly less insanely expensive) apartment she can actually afford, but Elsa is reluctant because she doesn't want Frannie to waste her life being in love with someone who can never leave her apartment building and so can't accompany her anywhere, can't meet her parents in their home, etc.
(It was funny that one of the big roadblocks was the price of real estate in Central Park West, but that's the modern world for ya.)
I won't reveal what eventually happens, but the ending is probably the only reason I didn't give this five stars, so make of that what you will. It was going really well up until then. Oh, one other gripe, I sort of wish White Guy Author had gotten a bit more pushback about his behavior towards Frannie, or at least would have acknowledged that he overworked her and took her for granted. He's self-absorbed and clueless rather than malicious, but that doesn't really make having Frannie work 12 hour days and pick up his groceries any less irritating.
Anyway, I still recommend this book. It's a cute romance with a relatively novel spin on the ghost love story, and the author's writing is just as clever and entertaining as it is in her Regency romances. I read it in a single day, which is something I'm hardly ever able to do anymore (my ADHD only gets worse as I get older), so I was that excited about finding out what happened next. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it early. If you want to know what my biggest issue is, I'll include it below.
SPOILERS
Here's the thing, when I pick up a romance, I want a happy ending. That's one of the big reasons I read romances. Even if their circumstances might not be perfect or 100% assured, a romance to me should end with the main couple unambiguously together. They may still need to go to therapy to work through their issues, or figure out a way to move closer to one another, but they'll be together...
If I'm reading literary fiction, I'm fine with some ambiguity. If you want to end it with a fadeaway as someone is staring up at an apartment building, or someone walking towards a train station to board a train that will possibly take them to their lover, it's fine because the expectation isn't the same. (Example: While reading the Safekeep, I had no idea what was going to happen to the two women in the end, and as long as it made sense for the story, I was prepared for them either to reconcile or not)
All that to say, this book has an incredibly ambiguous ending. Now, for a large part of the book, the characters debate whether a romance needs to have a happy ending, or whether a bittersweet ending is somehow more poetic, so I feel like that's part of why the author did it, to sort of reinforce that theme and allow the reader to walk away with whatever they wanted. So, I understand why the author did it, and obviously it's her book so it doesn't really matter what I think... (I personally choose to interpret the ending as "why yes they did live happily ever after" and it can absolutely be taken that way.)
But sometimes I need things to be spelled out for me so I can definitively say "YES THEY'RE SO HAPPY TOGETHER". Maybe pre-2016 I wouldn't care as much, but man, I need all the good vibes I can get, and having to write a whole Note in my phone with reasons Frannie and Elsa definitely were happy together forever... that's not as much fun as just knowing lol.
(And yes I understand this may not bother everyone, and that on the scale of things, it's a pretty minor gripe, which is why the book still gets 4 stars and a totally unambiguous recommendation from me, I just had to put it out there in the world.)
First off, I love the cover. I also love the concept. I've enjoyed Emma R. Alban's period romances, especially the most recent one, so when I heard she was doing something contemporary I was interested, especially because I'm also always up for a good supernatural romance. There's something about someone falling for a dead person that's got the potential for some excellent angst, and there is indeed plenty of that.
Frannie is the assistant/editor to a Straight Middle Aged White Man author who overworks her (although he pays her well enough), but is also encouraging her to write her own novel. She's written several, and he's rejected all of them as not having enough of HER in them. They work in one of those insanely expensive Central Park West apartment co-ops where the apartments cost millions and have killer views of the park. One day, she runs into a ghost child, and this leads to her meeting the rest of the kid's found family (a brother and a Hot Ghost Mom).
Hot Ghost Mom is also a great character (and honestly, it's very believable that a twentysomething lesbian who works too much and isn't into socializing would fall for her lol). She died in the 60s and lived in the building back then with her girlfriend (or, back then, her "good friend" and "roommate"). The two of them initially clash, but eventually fall in love.
One of the harder parts of this kind of romance is making it believable, and I think the author did a good job of making Frannie the type of person who would a) pretty immediately accept the existence of ghosts and b) fall for a Hot Ghost Mom. (I do sort of wish they'd gone into the previous lives of the two kids, but considering they died at ages 8 (in the 1890s) and 10 (in the 1920s), they probably weren't that uplifting; haunting a building would probably be a step up from whatever it was they were doing when they died)
I thought the love story was very sweet, and Frannie's author struggles were obviously drawn from personal experience.
The big roadblock isn't necessarily that Hot Ghost Mom (aka Elsa) is dead, it's that she's trapped in a building where the apartments are so far out of Frannie's price range that she won't be able to stay with them once she leaves her job as White Guy Author's assistant (which she eventually has to because she sells her own book for an insane amount of money and is going to go on her own publishing journey). Frannie thinks she can transport the ghosts across the street to a (slightly less insanely expensive) apartment she can actually afford, but Elsa is reluctant because she doesn't want Frannie to waste her life being in love with someone who can never leave her apartment building and so can't accompany her anywhere, can't meet her parents in their home, etc.
(It was funny that one of the big roadblocks was the price of real estate in Central Park West, but that's the modern world for ya.)
I won't reveal what eventually happens, but the ending is probably the only reason I didn't give this five stars, so make of that what you will. It was going really well up until then. Oh, one other gripe, I sort of wish White Guy Author had gotten a bit more pushback about his behavior towards Frannie, or at least would have acknowledged that he overworked her and took her for granted. He's self-absorbed and clueless rather than malicious, but that doesn't really make having Frannie work 12 hour days and pick up his groceries any less irritating.
Anyway, I still recommend this book. It's a cute romance with a relatively novel spin on the ghost love story, and the author's writing is just as clever and entertaining as it is in her Regency romances. I read it in a single day, which is something I'm hardly ever able to do anymore (my ADHD only gets worse as I get older), so I was that excited about finding out what happened next. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it early. If you want to know what my biggest issue is, I'll include it below.
SPOILERS
Here's the thing, when I pick up a romance, I want a happy ending. That's one of the big reasons I read romances. Even if their circumstances might not be perfect or 100% assured, a romance to me should end with the main couple unambiguously together. They may still need to go to therapy to work through their issues, or figure out a way to move closer to one another, but they'll be together...
If I'm reading literary fiction, I'm fine with some ambiguity. If you want to end it with a fadeaway as someone is staring up at an apartment building, or someone walking towards a train station to board a train that will possibly take them to their lover, it's fine because the expectation isn't the same. (Example: While reading the Safekeep, I had no idea what was going to happen to the two women in the end, and as long as it made sense for the story, I was prepared for them either to reconcile or not)
All that to say, this book has an incredibly ambiguous ending. Now, for a large part of the book, the characters debate whether a romance needs to have a happy ending, or whether a bittersweet ending is somehow more poetic, so I feel like that's part of why the author did it, to sort of reinforce that theme and allow the reader to walk away with whatever they wanted. So, I understand why the author did it, and obviously it's her book so it doesn't really matter what I think... (I personally choose to interpret the ending as "why yes they did live happily ever after" and it can absolutely be taken that way.)
But sometimes I need things to be spelled out for me so I can definitively say "YES THEY'RE SO HAPPY TOGETHER". Maybe pre-2016 I wouldn't care as much, but man, I need all the good vibes I can get, and having to write a whole Note in my phone with reasons Frannie and Elsa definitely were happy together forever... that's not as much fun as just knowing lol.
(And yes I understand this may not bother everyone, and that on the scale of things, it's a pretty minor gripe, which is why the book still gets 4 stars and a totally unambiguous recommendation from me, I just had to put it out there in the world.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Possible Spoilers*
Happily Ever Afterlife sounds extraordinarily corny, however, I found it to be a sweepingly romantic dramedy. While the book certainly dabbles in the supernatural, the resident ghost, Elsa, doesn’t read like a cheap ouija board spirit.
The ghost lore was pretty easy to understand. Elsa and her two children, Bridgette and Michael have been stuck in a haunted apartment building for many decades. Due to the nature of their deaths, the three are poltergeists, and attached to the building's electrical line. They don’t age in appearance, but certainly have learned many life lessons. I like how up-to-date Elsa and her kids are. Instead of going for an antique aesthetic, Alban wrote the ghosts as knowing how electronics work. Bridgette and Michael play the Switch. The three still have stuff to learn, but laptops and social media aren’t treated like snazzy new inventions.
The main character, Frannie, is the classic down on her luck writer in New York. She works unacceptable hours as an assistant for a well-meaning but demanding boss. What stood out was her ability to love. I adored her maternal relationship with Bridgette and Michael. She carries around hair ties to rebraid hair. If that isn’t mom coded, I don’t know what is. She tracks down books so that Michael can pursue his interests. When she snaps at Bridgette, Frannie takes accountability, apologizes, and strives to do better going forward. She treats the kids like beings worthy of respect.
I wish that we had gotten Elsa’s perspective. Frannie is perfectly likeable, but Elsa is the gorgeous, well-dressed sapphic ghost from the 1960s. I wanted to hear about Elsa’s (after)life from her, not second hand through Frannie. Elsa’s previous partner left her stuck in the apartment building, deciding that having a semi-visible immortal girlfriend during the mid twentieth century didn’t sound fun. While somewhat valid, it left Elsa with abandonment issues. She eventually becomes the protective mother of two wandering ghost children.
Elsa and Frannie work oddly well together. They debate the fine arts, crack jokes, and have movie nights with Bridgette and Michael. I loved reading about the holidays that they celebrated throughout the year. Elsa and the kids join Frannie in celebrating Jewish holidays. No fuss, no religious conversation. The family just takes part in holidays that are important to them. Frannie and Elsa try to be selfless and put the other’s happiness above all else, which admittedly does cause some problems.
I appreciated the open definition of family. Frannie and Elsa aren’t a cishet (or fully alive) couple with biological children. That doesn’t diminish the connection and love. My one note would be that Elsa using the term “douchebag” isn’t sexy. Frannie finds Elsa calling her boss a loaded term for a vaginal hygiene product attractive. I feel as though we could do better. If you’re looking for a romcom with a slightly chaotic cast of ghosts, supportive roommates, and a fun sapphic love story, this is a good pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Happily Ever Afterlife sounds extraordinarily corny, however, I found it to be a sweepingly romantic dramedy. While the book certainly dabbles in the supernatural, the resident ghost, Elsa, doesn’t read like a cheap ouija board spirit.
The ghost lore was pretty easy to understand. Elsa and her two children, Bridgette and Michael have been stuck in a haunted apartment building for many decades. Due to the nature of their deaths, the three are poltergeists, and attached to the building's electrical line. They don’t age in appearance, but certainly have learned many life lessons. I like how up-to-date Elsa and her kids are. Instead of going for an antique aesthetic, Alban wrote the ghosts as knowing how electronics work. Bridgette and Michael play the Switch. The three still have stuff to learn, but laptops and social media aren’t treated like snazzy new inventions.
The main character, Frannie, is the classic down on her luck writer in New York. She works unacceptable hours as an assistant for a well-meaning but demanding boss. What stood out was her ability to love. I adored her maternal relationship with Bridgette and Michael. She carries around hair ties to rebraid hair. If that isn’t mom coded, I don’t know what is. She tracks down books so that Michael can pursue his interests. When she snaps at Bridgette, Frannie takes accountability, apologizes, and strives to do better going forward. She treats the kids like beings worthy of respect.
I wish that we had gotten Elsa’s perspective. Frannie is perfectly likeable, but Elsa is the gorgeous, well-dressed sapphic ghost from the 1960s. I wanted to hear about Elsa’s (after)life from her, not second hand through Frannie. Elsa’s previous partner left her stuck in the apartment building, deciding that having a semi-visible immortal girlfriend during the mid twentieth century didn’t sound fun. While somewhat valid, it left Elsa with abandonment issues. She eventually becomes the protective mother of two wandering ghost children.
Elsa and Frannie work oddly well together. They debate the fine arts, crack jokes, and have movie nights with Bridgette and Michael. I loved reading about the holidays that they celebrated throughout the year. Elsa and the kids join Frannie in celebrating Jewish holidays. No fuss, no religious conversation. The family just takes part in holidays that are important to them. Frannie and Elsa try to be selfless and put the other’s happiness above all else, which admittedly does cause some problems.
I appreciated the open definition of family. Frannie and Elsa aren’t a cishet (or fully alive) couple with biological children. That doesn’t diminish the connection and love. My one note would be that Elsa using the term “douchebag” isn’t sexy. Frannie finds Elsa calling her boss a loaded term for a vaginal hygiene product attractive. I feel as though we could do better. If you’re looking for a romcom with a slightly chaotic cast of ghosts, supportive roommates, and a fun sapphic love story, this is a good pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
💀✨ Happily Ever Afterlife by Emma R. Alban ✨💀
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📅 Publication Date: September 29, 2026
🏢 Publisher: Alcove Press
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC of Happily Ever Afterlife by Emma R. Alban!
I absolutely loved this book. The premise alone hooked me instantly, but the execution made it truly special. A paranormal found family made up of ghosts from different eras, plus a human who becomes part of their world? I was completely sold from page one.
The ghost family was the heart of this story. Bridgette (1889) and Michael (1923) were incredibly well written—children frozen in time at eight and ten years old, yet carrying the emotional weight of over a century of existence. They felt like “old children” in the most bittersweet and beautiful way. Elsa (1964), the more guarded and reluctant member of the group, added a compelling dynamic, especially as she slowly began to open up. And Frannie’s over-the-top author boss brought just the right amount of chaos and humor to the story.
Frannie and Elsa’s romance completely won me over. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved the way their relationship developed—slow, emotional, and full of yearning without ever feeling drawn out. Their connection felt authentic, making every moment between them even more impactful.
What surprised me most was how emotional this book became. It balances hope, sadness, and joy beautifully, particularly through the lens of a found family that quite literally cannot move on from one another or from their past lives. I became deeply invested in whether Frannie and Elsa could find a way to be together long-term, and that emotional tension carried me through the entire novel.
The concept of ghosts living alongside a human in a shared space was both charming and unique. I loved this unconventional, deeply bonded family and the way they cared for one another despite everything they had endured.
My only small complaint is that I never wanted it to end—I would have happily spent much more time in this world with these characters.
Overall, Happily Ever Afterlife is a beautifully emotional, cozy, and heartfelt paranormal romance featuring incredible found-family dynamics and a romance that delivers on yearning, tenderness, and genuine connection.
💀 What to Expect 💀
✨ Paranormal sapphic romance
💀 Ghost found family
✨ Historical child ghosts (1889, 1923, 1964)
💀 Slow-burn yearning romance
✨ Cozy, emotional atmosphere
💀 Unique contemporary-paranormal blend
A stunning, heartfelt read that completely won me over.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📅 Publication Date: September 29, 2026
🏢 Publisher: Alcove Press
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC of Happily Ever Afterlife by Emma R. Alban!
I absolutely loved this book. The premise alone hooked me instantly, but the execution made it truly special. A paranormal found family made up of ghosts from different eras, plus a human who becomes part of their world? I was completely sold from page one.
The ghost family was the heart of this story. Bridgette (1889) and Michael (1923) were incredibly well written—children frozen in time at eight and ten years old, yet carrying the emotional weight of over a century of existence. They felt like “old children” in the most bittersweet and beautiful way. Elsa (1964), the more guarded and reluctant member of the group, added a compelling dynamic, especially as she slowly began to open up. And Frannie’s over-the-top author boss brought just the right amount of chaos and humor to the story.
Frannie and Elsa’s romance completely won me over. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved the way their relationship developed—slow, emotional, and full of yearning without ever feeling drawn out. Their connection felt authentic, making every moment between them even more impactful.
What surprised me most was how emotional this book became. It balances hope, sadness, and joy beautifully, particularly through the lens of a found family that quite literally cannot move on from one another or from their past lives. I became deeply invested in whether Frannie and Elsa could find a way to be together long-term, and that emotional tension carried me through the entire novel.
The concept of ghosts living alongside a human in a shared space was both charming and unique. I loved this unconventional, deeply bonded family and the way they cared for one another despite everything they had endured.
My only small complaint is that I never wanted it to end—I would have happily spent much more time in this world with these characters.
Overall, Happily Ever Afterlife is a beautifully emotional, cozy, and heartfelt paranormal romance featuring incredible found-family dynamics and a romance that delivers on yearning, tenderness, and genuine connection.
💀 What to Expect 💀
✨ Paranormal sapphic romance
💀 Ghost found family
✨ Historical child ghosts (1889, 1923, 1964)
💀 Slow-burn yearning romance
✨ Cozy, emotional atmosphere
💀 Unique contemporary-paranormal blend
A stunning, heartfelt read that completely won me over.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to preface this review by saying that I typically don’t read romance or books that would mention things or people in the real world.
I had a hard time adjusting to reading about celebrities who exist in the real world, but at the same time, it was something I knew I had to get used to! I couldn’t raise an eyebrow every time Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ was mentioned. Despite the setting being in modern Los Angeles and the constant reminder that this book would reference things you would see in real life, I felt that some dialogues wouldn’t be said in normal daily conversations. I appreciate the attempt to try to include commentary, especially since this is an LGBTQ+ book, but it fell short to me that a kid (even though they have been stuck in a kid’s body for years) would be talking about genderfluidity. There was also a scene where Frannie educates Elsa about asexuality in the middle of a conversation. I think there was an attempt at making the discussion normalized (like how discussions about topics like sexuality should be, of course!), but it made me feel like it was included just to include something.
I understood the connection being sparked between Frannie and Elsa because of their shared interest; however, I found issue with the fast connection because Elsa didn’t feel like a fully fleshed-out character aside from being the 'Hot Ghost Mom' who loves musicals and literature. What does Frannie know about her and what does she see? I also felt that their admittance of one another's feelings was too simple and early.
I quite enjoyed Frannie’s relationship with Bridgette and Michael more than her relationship with Elsa. I wanted Frannie to also stop referring to the kids as just her friends or her family. It would’ve been nice to read that she sees them as hers as well!
Towards the end of the book, I was able to enjoy Elsa more because of her defiance and her grit. To me, that showed who she is and how much she has endured in the Dakota. I felt that she was sincere in her willingness to let Frannie go so that Frannie wouldn’t lose herself just to keep them.
I enjoyed the latter part of this book because of how much characterization was given to the characters. They were cute and sweet, too. This book may just not be for me, and that’s okay! This may be someone else's cup of tea, and the author should still be proud of herself for writing this and putting it out to the world.
I am incredibly grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to get a copy of this ARC!
Publishing date: September 29, 2026
I had a hard time adjusting to reading about celebrities who exist in the real world, but at the same time, it was something I knew I had to get used to! I couldn’t raise an eyebrow every time Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ was mentioned. Despite the setting being in modern Los Angeles and the constant reminder that this book would reference things you would see in real life, I felt that some dialogues wouldn’t be said in normal daily conversations. I appreciate the attempt to try to include commentary, especially since this is an LGBTQ+ book, but it fell short to me that a kid (even though they have been stuck in a kid’s body for years) would be talking about genderfluidity. There was also a scene where Frannie educates Elsa about asexuality in the middle of a conversation. I think there was an attempt at making the discussion normalized (like how discussions about topics like sexuality should be, of course!), but it made me feel like it was included just to include something.
I understood the connection being sparked between Frannie and Elsa because of their shared interest; however, I found issue with the fast connection because Elsa didn’t feel like a fully fleshed-out character aside from being the 'Hot Ghost Mom' who loves musicals and literature. What does Frannie know about her and what does she see? I also felt that their admittance of one another's feelings was too simple and early.
I quite enjoyed Frannie’s relationship with Bridgette and Michael more than her relationship with Elsa. I wanted Frannie to also stop referring to the kids as just her friends or her family. It would’ve been nice to read that she sees them as hers as well!
Towards the end of the book, I was able to enjoy Elsa more because of her defiance and her grit. To me, that showed who she is and how much she has endured in the Dakota. I felt that she was sincere in her willingness to let Frannie go so that Frannie wouldn’t lose herself just to keep them.
I enjoyed the latter part of this book because of how much characterization was given to the characters. They were cute and sweet, too. This book may just not be for me, and that’s okay! This may be someone else's cup of tea, and the author should still be proud of herself for writing this and putting it out to the world.
I am incredibly grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to get a copy of this ARC!
Publishing date: September 29, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 4.0★
Listen. If you tell me a book is about a bisexual writer falling in love with a ghost MILF haunting an old New York building, I’m already halfway sold.
Happily Ever Afterlife more than delivers on the premise. Emma R. Alban writes with her trademark warmth and emotional sincerity that makes the (fairly PG-13) F/F romance at the heart of this story easy to root for, and I especially enjoyed the found-family dynamic that develops around Elsa and her children. The queer representation is lovely and thoughtful, as always with Alban’s books, and the romance feels both heartfelt and deeply sincere. Fans of musical theater will also find more than a few gems in this one to laugh over.
That said, I did have a few reservations. Even by sapphic romance standards, I struggled a little with how quickly Frannie went from “intrigued by Hot Ghost Mom” to “I am prepared to spend literal eternity with this woman and her children.” U-Hauling is one thing; eternal commitment is another. I also found myself wishing for a bit more closure in a few storylines. Frannie’s dismissive boss spends most of the novel being a jerk, undervaluing her work, and belittling her writing (being “commercial” isn’t necessarily bad, but when Henry said it, it felt demeaning), and he never really gets the reckoning I felt he deserved. Likewise, Elsa’s history with Joan left me wanting some kind of emotional resolution, especially after Frannie’s failed attempt to orchestrate an apology behind Elsa’s back. On a much smaller note, Frannie’s roommate Jonathan seemed to ghost (ha!) for long stretches of the book; by the end, I felt like he could have been omitted entirely and the story would have been just fine.
Still, the strength of the romance and Alban’s lovely prose carried me through. As Frannie says near the end of the novel: “Look, real life is seldom so fantastic. Real people don’t go around meeting ghosts, and falling in love with them, and saving them. But isn’t it wonderful to live in a world where they do, just for a few pages?” If you’re looking for a heartfelt queer paranormal romance, and the phrase “Hot Ghost Mom” sparks immediate joy, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Listen. If you tell me a book is about a bisexual writer falling in love with a ghost MILF haunting an old New York building, I’m already halfway sold.
Happily Ever Afterlife more than delivers on the premise. Emma R. Alban writes with her trademark warmth and emotional sincerity that makes the (fairly PG-13) F/F romance at the heart of this story easy to root for, and I especially enjoyed the found-family dynamic that develops around Elsa and her children. The queer representation is lovely and thoughtful, as always with Alban’s books, and the romance feels both heartfelt and deeply sincere. Fans of musical theater will also find more than a few gems in this one to laugh over.
That said, I did have a few reservations. Even by sapphic romance standards, I struggled a little with how quickly Frannie went from “intrigued by Hot Ghost Mom” to “I am prepared to spend literal eternity with this woman and her children.” U-Hauling is one thing; eternal commitment is another. I also found myself wishing for a bit more closure in a few storylines. Frannie’s dismissive boss spends most of the novel being a jerk, undervaluing her work, and belittling her writing (being “commercial” isn’t necessarily bad, but when Henry said it, it felt demeaning), and he never really gets the reckoning I felt he deserved. Likewise, Elsa’s history with Joan left me wanting some kind of emotional resolution, especially after Frannie’s failed attempt to orchestrate an apology behind Elsa’s back. On a much smaller note, Frannie’s roommate Jonathan seemed to ghost (ha!) for long stretches of the book; by the end, I felt like he could have been omitted entirely and the story would have been just fine.
Still, the strength of the romance and Alban’s lovely prose carried me through. As Frannie says near the end of the novel: “Look, real life is seldom so fantastic. Real people don’t go around meeting ghosts, and falling in love with them, and saving them. But isn’t it wonderful to live in a world where they do, just for a few pages?” If you’re looking for a heartfelt queer paranormal romance, and the phrase “Hot Ghost Mom” sparks immediate joy, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
I'm beyond thrilled that Emma R. Alban decided to write a paranormal romance with a historical aspect. I am a huge fan of her historical sapphic romances and paranormal stories. I knew that this book was going to be good. The characters are well-written. I enjoyed how this story is about an inspiring author trying to write a book and falling in love with a ghost in the building. Frannie's romance with the hot ghost mom was full of tension. I love sapphic romances. I liked that we got to see their friendship turning into a relationship only when they built trust. I absolutely adore the ghost children. They were so adorable. I also enjoyed getting to know her friend Gretchen and seeing hints of her romance with a ghost hunter. This book will be perfect for the fall. I hope we get more books from her with paranormal aspects.
This book felt like a debut into the genre. In the first 40-50% of the book, the story flowed smoothly. I had a hard time understanding what was going on when the scenes kept changing rapidly. For example, we would get a scene of Frannie doing mundane work as an author's assistant, then her interacting with the ghosts, and then her working with her friend and the ghost hunter to learn more about ghosts. To me, it felt like scenes were running into each other. But after the 50%, this started to smooth out and became much easier to read. I do think this book would have been 5 stars if the first 50% was like the last. My other problem was the ending. I don't like ambiguous endings. I honestly had no idea how things ended because I was so confused. I'm glad it ended in a happy ending, but I would have loved to see them living their lives together.
Regardless of the negatives. I enjoyed this book. I will be buying a physical copy. I can't wait to listen to the audiobook. I know it's going to be amazing. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Emma R. Alban, and Alcove Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm beyond thrilled that Emma R. Alban decided to write a paranormal romance with a historical aspect. I am a huge fan of her historical sapphic romances and paranormal stories. I knew that this book was going to be good. The characters are well-written. I enjoyed how this story is about an inspiring author trying to write a book and falling in love with a ghost in the building. Frannie's romance with the hot ghost mom was full of tension. I love sapphic romances. I liked that we got to see their friendship turning into a relationship only when they built trust. I absolutely adore the ghost children. They were so adorable. I also enjoyed getting to know her friend Gretchen and seeing hints of her romance with a ghost hunter. This book will be perfect for the fall. I hope we get more books from her with paranormal aspects.
This book felt like a debut into the genre. In the first 40-50% of the book, the story flowed smoothly. I had a hard time understanding what was going on when the scenes kept changing rapidly. For example, we would get a scene of Frannie doing mundane work as an author's assistant, then her interacting with the ghosts, and then her working with her friend and the ghost hunter to learn more about ghosts. To me, it felt like scenes were running into each other. But after the 50%, this started to smooth out and became much easier to read. I do think this book would have been 5 stars if the first 50% was like the last. My other problem was the ending. I don't like ambiguous endings. I honestly had no idea how things ended because I was so confused. I'm glad it ended in a happy ending, but I would have loved to see them living their lives together.
Regardless of the negatives. I enjoyed this book. I will be buying a physical copy. I can't wait to listen to the audiobook. I know it's going to be amazing. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Emma R. Alban, and Alcove Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of the only romance books I've ever read where main characters were ghosts. I enjoyed a lot about this book from the silly scenes with the haunting, to the found family aspect. I wasn't sure how to feel about the ghostly romance at first, but the build up turned out very sweet, and Elsa and Frannie were adorable around each other.
However, as much as I really liked the relationships between Elsa, Frannie, Bridgette, and Michael, I do think that a life with ghosts would be an incredibly difficult thing. Never being able to explain your partner, or have them experience any part of the outside world with you would be unimaginable. Then there's the matter of Frannie ageing and them not. As well, the end solution to move them to another building and be tied to that location and apartment forever also seems unlikely. It'd be incredibly expensive, and you would never be free to move elsewhere, and if they were evicted for any reason, that would be the end. Plus, convincing Gretchen and Brad to live there forever too and help with costs would be unlikely. Frannie only really knew them both a short time, and if they ever both wanted a family or new place to live there'd be that to contend with.
Overall, while I did enjoy the romance and the idea of the book, I found myself not quite able to believe in the happy ending. I found too many aspects of it bittersweet or unsustainable. However, with the fact of our characters being ghosts, I don't think there's really any way it could have ever turned out perfectly. Alban did a good job forging the happiest ending possible for the difficult situation the characters were in. But, like Elsa, I'm just not fully convinced it's enough. In the end, ghost books just might not be for me, but for those who enjoy them, this one was pretty good. 3.4/5 stars.
This was one of the only romance books I've ever read where main characters were ghosts. I enjoyed a lot about this book from the silly scenes with the haunting, to the found family aspect. I wasn't sure how to feel about the ghostly romance at first, but the build up turned out very sweet, and Elsa and Frannie were adorable around each other.
However, as much as I really liked the relationships between Elsa, Frannie, Bridgette, and Michael, I do think that a life with ghosts would be an incredibly difficult thing. Never being able to explain your partner, or have them experience any part of the outside world with you would be unimaginable. Then there's the matter of Frannie ageing and them not. As well, the end solution to move them to another building and be tied to that location and apartment forever also seems unlikely. It'd be incredibly expensive, and you would never be free to move elsewhere, and if they were evicted for any reason, that would be the end. Plus, convincing Gretchen and Brad to live there forever too and help with costs would be unlikely. Frannie only really knew them both a short time, and if they ever both wanted a family or new place to live there'd be that to contend with.
Overall, while I did enjoy the romance and the idea of the book, I found myself not quite able to believe in the happy ending. I found too many aspects of it bittersweet or unsustainable. However, with the fact of our characters being ghosts, I don't think there's really any way it could have ever turned out perfectly. Alban did a good job forging the happiest ending possible for the difficult situation the characters were in. But, like Elsa, I'm just not fully convinced it's enough. In the end, ghost books just might not be for me, but for those who enjoy them, this one was pretty good. 3.4/5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely LOVED this book! Sapphic love story? Sold. Sapphic GHOST love story?? I’m sat.
When Frannie first encountered Bridgette made me giggle! Bridgette is adorable and forever 8 years old. When she introduced Frannie to Michael, her “older brother”, who’s forever 10, my heart felt for them for finally having someone to play or even talk to.
Hot Mom Ghost… she was such an interceding character and I love that it even took us a while to learn her name. Even though I loved still calling her Hot Ghost Mom! Elsa being the black cat type to Frannie’s golden retriever energy made the dynamic so much fun to see played out. I don’t blame Elsa (Hot Ghost Mom) for being so protective over the children and wanting to keep Frannie away, but once Frannie and Elsa FINALLY had their moment to get to know each other, it was all down hill from there.
The side characters were good additions to the story and even though Frannie’s boss, Henry, worked her to the bone it was nice to see that he actually believed in her as a writer and pushed and pushed her to write a book that sounded like her. Once Gretchen and Brad were on the same page of the ghost family it made me so happy that they wanted to help see if Michael’s plan of moving their energy to a different location so they could finally leave the Dakota.
I do love that Elsa believed in Frannie’s work so much that she slipped Frannie’s finished manuscript into Henry’s work. Seeing Frannie get the deal of her dreams to sell her book because Elsa believed in her was so heartwarming, even though Frannie was upset at first.
From chapter 32 until the end I was crying, mind you I was on an airplane finishing up this book, the open ending destroyed me because I REALLY want to know if they made it or not. So I’m choosing to believe that they made it and they lived Happily Ever Afterlife.
Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for the Advance Readers Copy!
When Frannie first encountered Bridgette made me giggle! Bridgette is adorable and forever 8 years old. When she introduced Frannie to Michael, her “older brother”, who’s forever 10, my heart felt for them for finally having someone to play or even talk to.
Hot Mom Ghost… she was such an interceding character and I love that it even took us a while to learn her name. Even though I loved still calling her Hot Ghost Mom! Elsa being the black cat type to Frannie’s golden retriever energy made the dynamic so much fun to see played out. I don’t blame Elsa (Hot Ghost Mom) for being so protective over the children and wanting to keep Frannie away, but once Frannie and Elsa FINALLY had their moment to get to know each other, it was all down hill from there.
The side characters were good additions to the story and even though Frannie’s boss, Henry, worked her to the bone it was nice to see that he actually believed in her as a writer and pushed and pushed her to write a book that sounded like her. Once Gretchen and Brad were on the same page of the ghost family it made me so happy that they wanted to help see if Michael’s plan of moving their energy to a different location so they could finally leave the Dakota.
I do love that Elsa believed in Frannie’s work so much that she slipped Frannie’s finished manuscript into Henry’s work. Seeing Frannie get the deal of her dreams to sell her book because Elsa believed in her was so heartwarming, even though Frannie was upset at first.
From chapter 32 until the end I was crying, mind you I was on an airplane finishing up this book, the open ending destroyed me because I REALLY want to know if they made it or not. So I’m choosing to believe that they made it and they lived Happily Ever Afterlife.
Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for the Advance Readers Copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This has an amazing premise. I'm a sucker for a paranormal romance anyway, but the idea of a found family of ghosts who all died at different points in history and the human who joins them is charming, and I loved all of the characters to pieces. Children Bridgette (1889) and Michael (1923) beautifully encapsulated being stuck at ages eight and ten respectively but also having been around for a long, long time - they're basically old children, and that's not easy to show. Elsa, the mom of the group (1964), is much less trusting, though no less desperate for human interaction. All three of them, plus heroine Frannie and her over-the-top author boss, are beautifully written and realized.
My caveat is that the plot isn't quite tight enough. It takes relatively little time for Frannie to break down Elsa's walls, which means that there's a 40/60 split in terms of "getting together" and "angst," which is not ideal. I prefer an 80/20 split, because angst in romance novels can be a drag on the plot. In this case, I would have preferred that the solution to the problem be found and executed in about 75 fewer pages. Alban's writing is excellent, but this balance just didn't work for me and there were moments when I considered skipping ahead or skimming. (I did neither, but I thought about it.)
As a 250 page book, this would be amazing. As it is, it's very good, but heavier than it strictly needs to be. I'm sure that the ending will bother some readers; I didn't love it, but from a literary standpoint, I respect it, so my issue remains that it simply takes too long to get there.
EDIT: I have spent two days thinking, and I have come to the conclusion that the ending is somehow very unsatisfying. I'm not sure why, but the more I think about it, the more it annoys me.
My caveat is that the plot isn't quite tight enough. It takes relatively little time for Frannie to break down Elsa's walls, which means that there's a 40/60 split in terms of "getting together" and "angst," which is not ideal. I prefer an 80/20 split, because angst in romance novels can be a drag on the plot. In this case, I would have preferred that the solution to the problem be found and executed in about 75 fewer pages. Alban's writing is excellent, but this balance just didn't work for me and there were moments when I considered skipping ahead or skimming. (I did neither, but I thought about it.)
As a 250 page book, this would be amazing. As it is, it's very good, but heavier than it strictly needs to be. I'm sure that the ending will bother some readers; I didn't love it, but from a literary standpoint, I respect it, so my issue remains that it simply takes too long to get there.
EDIT: I have spent two days thinking, and I have come to the conclusion that the ending is somehow very unsatisfying. I'm not sure why, but the more I think about it, the more it annoys me.
June 23, 2026
Bisexual writer X ghost hottie momma in a paranormal sapphic romance? Say LESSSSS!!!
Frannie and Elsa are a romance for the ages! The relationship is a slow-burn that is filled with yearning and unquestionable chemistry. (And every scene discussing the nuances of the Alphabet Mafia was written so wonderfully.) It unfolds so beautifully before your eyes and you never want their story to end— both as a reader, and because you want to know how the relationship between a ghost and a human can possibly work in the long-term. You are rooting for them to find a way the entire time, which in my opinion makes this one of the more successful romantic paranormal romances I have read.
Also on the subject of ghosts: I loved their *found ghost family* and the child ghosts. They add to the emotional depth of this story and pull at your heartstrings. Their playfulness and ability to be inquisitive kids while simultaneously possessing insightful commentary that would be inappropriate for a child to have because they have existed as ghosts for so long, really worked for me.
My one minor annoyance was that Frankie doesn’t even know her name is Elsa until 24% in! I know it lends to the slow burn and shows the development of trust and friendship, but at the same time reading “Hot Ghost Mom” paragraph after paragraph so many many pages started to make the phrase turn into gibberish mush in my brain.
Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on September 29, 2026!
Thank you to Emma R. Alban and Alcove Press for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Frannie and Elsa are a romance for the ages! The relationship is a slow-burn that is filled with yearning and unquestionable chemistry. (And every scene discussing the nuances of the Alphabet Mafia was written so wonderfully.) It unfolds so beautifully before your eyes and you never want their story to end— both as a reader, and because you want to know how the relationship between a ghost and a human can possibly work in the long-term. You are rooting for them to find a way the entire time, which in my opinion makes this one of the more successful romantic paranormal romances I have read.
Also on the subject of ghosts: I loved their *found ghost family* and the child ghosts. They add to the emotional depth of this story and pull at your heartstrings. Their playfulness and ability to be inquisitive kids while simultaneously possessing insightful commentary that would be inappropriate for a child to have because they have existed as ghosts for so long, really worked for me.
My one minor annoyance was that Frankie doesn’t even know her name is Elsa until 24% in! I know it lends to the slow burn and shows the development of trust and friendship, but at the same time reading “Hot Ghost Mom” paragraph after paragraph so many many pages started to make the phrase turn into gibberish mush in my brain.
Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on September 29, 2026!
Thank you to Emma R. Alban and Alcove Press for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars! Cute and paranormal! But it could just a little bit more “oomph”.
The first thing I noticed about this story was that there is some good chemistry between the main characters, Frannie and Elsa.
I really liked them together, and I especially liked the pacing of their progression as well.
It isn’t super slow, while also not being a “love at first sight”, sort of situation.
The development of their relationship is great, which is something I can appreciate.
Though, I must that that despite their chemistry and special bonding that I love, something about it just didn't quite land for me.
I think it’s that while I really enjoyed and cared for the characters together, I didn’t connect with them much individually.
On their own, they both just seemed a little bit blander to me. Neither had what I would consider to be a super interesting life or backstory outside of their relationship. Which hey! Perhaps that is part of the beauty of them finding their other half.
They’re cooler when they’re in love.
I have to say I really love the concept of a ghost family (though I am shocked at how little of a reaction Frannie has to finding out that ghosts are real, and living in her apartment building?!).
I think it's a fun and unique play on paranormal romance and blended families.
Overall, It’s okay!
It isn’t perfect, but also not bad either.
Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press and author Emma R. Alban, for providing me with the eARC of “Happily Ever Afterlife”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 29, 2026
The first thing I noticed about this story was that there is some good chemistry between the main characters, Frannie and Elsa.
I really liked them together, and I especially liked the pacing of their progression as well.
It isn’t super slow, while also not being a “love at first sight”, sort of situation.
The development of their relationship is great, which is something I can appreciate.
Though, I must that that despite their chemistry and special bonding that I love, something about it just didn't quite land for me.
I think it’s that while I really enjoyed and cared for the characters together, I didn’t connect with them much individually.
On their own, they both just seemed a little bit blander to me. Neither had what I would consider to be a super interesting life or backstory outside of their relationship. Which hey! Perhaps that is part of the beauty of them finding their other half.
They’re cooler when they’re in love.
I have to say I really love the concept of a ghost family (though I am shocked at how little of a reaction Frannie has to finding out that ghosts are real, and living in her apartment building?!).
I think it's a fun and unique play on paranormal romance and blended families.
Overall, It’s okay!
It isn’t perfect, but also not bad either.
Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press and author Emma R. Alban, for providing me with the eARC of “Happily Ever Afterlife”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 29, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Emma R. Alban, don't ever stop! Alban takes a shot at contemporary romance in her newest, Happily Ever Afterlife, and I couldn't be happier. Frannie works as an assistant to a famous author while she also tries to get her own career as a writer going. But one day, she discovers that his Upper West Side building is haunted by two precocious children and a hot ghost mom. The more time she spends with them, the more she grows to love them. But they are tied to the building. And this place is decidedly out of her price range. Maybe with some help from her boss and friends, she can make all her dreams come true.
Overall, this was pretty fun, but I prefer Alban's historicals. Frannie hates her boss, but he doesn't seem that bad to me. Sure he's kinda arrogant and he does keep her working too long each day, but a lot of that seems to be Frannie. It feels like he's just oblivious and if she brought it up, he'd acquiesce pretty quickly. It also felt like he was on board with ghosts, so why didn't she just tell him? Elsa was also out of line when she keeps "helping" Frannie when she explicitly told her not to. Then it felt really weird that she was SO against a relationship with Frannie. I mean, I get some hesitation, but went too overboard. And it felt like she was deciding for Frannie rather than let her make her own decision. 🤷♀️ Still, I loved the kids and most of the other characters and this made for an interesting story.
Overall, this was pretty fun, but I prefer Alban's historicals. Frannie hates her boss, but he doesn't seem that bad to me. Sure he's kinda arrogant and he does keep her working too long each day, but a lot of that seems to be Frannie. It feels like he's just oblivious and if she brought it up, he'd acquiesce pretty quickly. It also felt like he was on board with ghosts, so why didn't she just tell him? Elsa was also out of line when she keeps "helping" Frannie when she explicitly told her not to. Then it felt really weird that she was SO against a relationship with Frannie. I mean, I get some hesitation, but went too overboard. And it felt like she was deciding for Frannie rather than let her make her own decision. 🤷♀️ Still, I loved the kids and most of the other characters and this made for an interesting story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
tysm to netgalley for the earc of this book!!
I thought I was going to adore this book the same way I adored her historical romances but I fear this one just didn't hit the same. I feel like every character who was introduced to the ghosts after Frannie & Elsa started dating just took it without any concerns and just accepted it, including the ghost hunter, who I would've thought would at least want proof, he just accepted her words at face value. The relationships between Frannie & the ghosts were so cute but it felt very rushed, and we didn't get to see those relationships develop a ton, they just insta clicked.
I also despised the ending omg I hate an ambiguous ending especially in romance
I feel like there could have been a much bigger deep dive on how ghosts are created and the different types of ghosts/why they are that way, because I feel like it was brought up and just wasn't explained further. How did they figure that out? Why is it that way?
All in all I liked this book but I feel like a lot could have been more fleshed out and the ending just made it feel unfinished.
tysm to netgalley for the earc of this book!!
I thought I was going to adore this book the same way I adored her historical romances but I fear this one just didn't hit the same. I feel like every character who was introduced to the ghosts after Frannie & Elsa started dating just took it without any concerns and just accepted it, including the ghost hunter, who I would've thought would at least want proof, he just accepted her words at face value. The relationships between Frannie & the ghosts were so cute but it felt very rushed, and we didn't get to see those relationships develop a ton, they just insta clicked.
I also despised the ending omg I hate an ambiguous ending especially in romance
I feel like there could have been a much bigger deep dive on how ghosts are created and the different types of ghosts/why they are that way, because I feel like it was brought up and just wasn't explained further. How did they figure that out? Why is it that way?
All in all I liked this book but I feel like a lot could have been more fleshed out and the ending just made it feel unfinished.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in a known haunted building in NYC, this is the story of Frannie - an assistant to a famous author and terrible boss - who aspires to be a writer as well and finds herself surprisingly befriending a family of ghosts: two kids and a very hot mum.
This is the premise of the story and I will not give away much else, as in my mind the less you know when getting into it, the better - reserve yourself the right to be surprised, even by the small things.
However, this is a sapphic paranormal romance, is it not? We all want to know the answer to the immediate question in all of our heads: Does Frannie and the very hot ghost mum...?
I won't tell you the answer to that, but if you ask me, it is good of enough reason to give the book an opportunity and find out.
And... right from the start, I just could not put this book down. And not just because that ONE question, but because all the ones that follow.
The story is hilarious from chapter one and you'll find yourself having a lot of fun, as well as you are guaranteed to have a full range of emotions before you reach the end.
Moreover, while it is incredibly tender, emotional and heartwarming, it is also bittersweet and... angsty as fuck - probably not in the way you'd think - I had my heart out for half of it and my eyes blurry on occasion (which is so very rare for me).
The family dynamics gave it an additional layer that glued everything together just right and that makes it impossible not to surrender and root for the deemed impossible.
I enjoyed the concept of these ghosts too and the way they are not bound to stand still in time, but quite the opposite, really - while still being eternally the same age and spirit - pun intended.
Also, the way it was weaved, beautifully put together, focusing on the details, the small moments and the essence of each of the characters, enables the story to build and grow based on what truly matters, fueling the notion that Love is unconditional and boundless, even when everything feels out of place.
Personally, I don't think there would be a real way to end this story well , but this is not about being real, is it? So I am still emotionally working through that last chapter, but... in the meanwhile... let me just tell you it is a book I recommend!
With some slight vibes that reminded me of "The Haunting of Bly Manor" (a personal favorite series of mine), it hit the right places and does not let us forget that "Dead doesn't mean gone".
If you keep an open mind (and I mean open... this will not work by conventional standards), are hopelessly romantic and have a steady heart, you have all you need to enjoy this book. (oh, and a... maybe a box of tissues, just in case).
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
This is the premise of the story and I will not give away much else, as in my mind the less you know when getting into it, the better - reserve yourself the right to be surprised, even by the small things.
However, this is a sapphic paranormal romance, is it not? We all want to know the answer to the immediate question in all of our heads: Does Frannie and the very hot ghost mum...?
I won't tell you the answer to that, but if you ask me, it is good of enough reason to give the book an opportunity and find out.
And... right from the start, I just could not put this book down. And not just because that ONE question, but because all the ones that follow.
The story is hilarious from chapter one and you'll find yourself having a lot of fun, as well as you are guaranteed to have a full range of emotions before you reach the end.
Moreover, while it is incredibly tender, emotional and heartwarming, it is also bittersweet and... angsty as fuck - probably not in the way you'd think - I had my heart out for half of it and my eyes blurry on occasion (which is so very rare for me).
The family dynamics gave it an additional layer that glued everything together just right and that makes it impossible not to surrender and root for the deemed impossible.
I enjoyed the concept of these ghosts too and the way they are not bound to stand still in time, but quite the opposite, really - while still being eternally the same age and spirit - pun intended.
Also, the way it was weaved, beautifully put together, focusing on the details, the small moments and the essence of each of the characters, enables the story to build and grow based on what truly matters, fueling the notion that Love is unconditional and boundless, even when everything feels out of place.
Personally, I don't think there would be a real way to end this story well , but this is not about being real, is it? So I am still emotionally working through that last chapter, but... in the meanwhile... let me just tell you it is a book I recommend!
With some slight vibes that reminded me of "The Haunting of Bly Manor" (a personal favorite series of mine), it hit the right places and does not let us forget that "Dead doesn't mean gone".
If you keep an open mind (and I mean open... this will not work by conventional standards), are hopelessly romantic and have a steady heart, you have all you need to enjoy this book. (oh, and a... maybe a box of tissues, just in case).
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
June 23, 2026
Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me but I really wanted to love it because the premise was right up my street.
I’ve read this authors latest historical romance and I didn’t really gel with the writing as it was third person present tense, I’m not sure why I thought that this would be different but that’s one of the reasons I really struggled with this book. I sadly just couldn’t lose myself in the story and I typically can read in any tense and any pov but I find this one difficult.
I do think the characters were compelling though and the set up was interesting. Frannie is easy to like and root for and Elsa was mysterious and had me wanting to continue on.
Like others have already said this book was a little too long I think it could have worked really well as a novella because things did drag a little in the middle. I also wasn’t a massive fan of the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending me the arc. All opinions are my own
I’ve read this authors latest historical romance and I didn’t really gel with the writing as it was third person present tense, I’m not sure why I thought that this would be different but that’s one of the reasons I really struggled with this book. I sadly just couldn’t lose myself in the story and I typically can read in any tense and any pov but I find this one difficult.
I do think the characters were compelling though and the set up was interesting. Frannie is easy to like and root for and Elsa was mysterious and had me wanting to continue on.
Like others have already said this book was a little too long I think it could have worked really well as a novella because things did drag a little in the middle. I also wasn’t a massive fan of the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending me the arc. All opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.
So the reason I wanted to read this is genuinely because I saw this on Netgalley and thought, doomed sapphic romance? I'm in! Friends, this story was beautiful, bittersweet, heartwrenching and witty all at the same time. I loved every moment of reading this book, and genuinely found myself both cackling and crying throughout. The writing was beautiful, and flowery, and gentle and everything I could ever want in a sapphic romance. I found myself being conflicted on whether I wanted a happily ever after with this one or not, and genuinely this story made it so that you had to understand the complexities of all the outcomes that could have happened. Which is why to me, the ending was perfect. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a beautiful sapphic love story, I would also recommend a pack of tissues near you at all times.
So the reason I wanted to read this is genuinely because I saw this on Netgalley and thought, doomed sapphic romance? I'm in! Friends, this story was beautiful, bittersweet, heartwrenching and witty all at the same time. I loved every moment of reading this book, and genuinely found myself both cackling and crying throughout. The writing was beautiful, and flowery, and gentle and everything I could ever want in a sapphic romance. I found myself being conflicted on whether I wanted a happily ever after with this one or not, and genuinely this story made it so that you had to understand the complexities of all the outcomes that could have happened. Which is why to me, the ending was perfect. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a beautiful sapphic love story, I would also recommend a pack of tissues near you at all times.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3,5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the digital ARC.
Frannie and Elsa have great chemistry and the kids are adorable. I also enjoyed a lot the bits about Frannie’s job and the publishing world. I always love it when romances give more depth to the characters outside of the relationship.
On the other hand, I feel the story drags a little. Probably because they get together around 40% of the book and I prefer it when it takes a little longer, but that’s me, not the book’s fault.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the digital ARC.
Frannie and Elsa have great chemistry and the kids are adorable. I also enjoyed a lot the bits about Frannie’s job and the publishing world. I always love it when romances give more depth to the characters outside of the relationship.
On the other hand, I feel the story drags a little. Probably because they get together around 40% of the book and I prefer it when it takes a little longer, but that’s me, not the book’s fault.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book filled me with so many emotions: hope, sadness, and joy being the main ones.
Frannie and Elsa are so perfect for each other — but with the very real problem of Elsa literally being dead, I spent so much of the book anxious to see how they could ever be together long term as a family with Bridgette and Michael.
The romance is slow burn and the yearning between them is so incredibly powerful. The only thing that kept this book from being 5⭐️ is the ending. I did not feel like it was complete and I did not feel like the potential was fulfilled.
I still highly recommend this sapphic romance for its powerful and emotional middle.
I received an Advanced reader copy of this book at no cost, and am freely offering my opinion.
Frannie and Elsa are so perfect for each other — but with the very real problem of Elsa literally being dead, I spent so much of the book anxious to see how they could ever be together long term as a family with Bridgette and Michael.
The romance is slow burn and the yearning between them is so incredibly powerful. The only thing that kept this book from being 5⭐️ is the ending. I did not feel like it was complete and I did not feel like the potential was fulfilled.
I still highly recommend this sapphic romance for its powerful and emotional middle.
I received an Advanced reader copy of this book at no cost, and am freely offering my opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚ARC REVIEW📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.25 Stars)
🗓PUB DATE: September 29, 2026
👩❤️💋👩Sapphic Romance
👻Paranormal
👩👩👧👧Found Family
📖Bookish Thoughts💭: I thought the romance was a bit cheesy at times. Maybe wanted more of a slower burn as well. It seems like it went from 0-100 really quick 😅 I felt like the pace started to drag half way through and I had a hard time staying with it, even though I felt compelled to find out what happens. I really liked the ghost children and their relationship with Frannie. I thought the ending was very unsatisfying. I think the average reader won't like how it ends. It seemed much longer than it needed to be. It could definitely be 270-290 pages instead. It is still one of the better sapphic romances I've read despite the downsides and I'm glad I had a chance to read it. I still think it will make for a fun Halloween read.
🙏Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press and Emma R. Alban for the ARC.🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.25 Stars)
🗓PUB DATE: September 29, 2026
👩❤️💋👩Sapphic Romance
👻Paranormal
👩👩👧👧Found Family
📖Bookish Thoughts💭: I thought the romance was a bit cheesy at times. Maybe wanted more of a slower burn as well. It seems like it went from 0-100 really quick 😅 I felt like the pace started to drag half way through and I had a hard time staying with it, even though I felt compelled to find out what happens. I really liked the ghost children and their relationship with Frannie. I thought the ending was very unsatisfying. I think the average reader won't like how it ends. It seemed much longer than it needed to be. It could definitely be 270-290 pages instead. It is still one of the better sapphic romances I've read despite the downsides and I'm glad I had a chance to read it. I still think it will make for a fun Halloween read.
🙏Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press and Emma R. Alban for the ARC.🙏
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Happily Ever Afterlife releases September 29, 2026
Frannie has been an assistant to a best-selling author for three years now, and all she wants is to be able to write a manuscript that her boss deems good enough to pass onto his literary agent.
They say the best thing is to write what you know, and Frannie just so happens to know a family of ghosts in the apartment building where she works.
Cozy and hopeful. Emma R. Alban nailed the setting and found family dynamics of her paranormal romance! The conflict surrounding the electrical lines was really interesting, and I loved the way Elsa and Frannie bonded over media.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Happily Ever Afterlife releases September 29, 2026
Frannie has been an assistant to a best-selling author for three years now, and all she wants is to be able to write a manuscript that her boss deems good enough to pass onto his literary agent.
They say the best thing is to write what you know, and Frannie just so happens to know a family of ghosts in the apartment building where she works.
Cozy and hopeful. Emma R. Alban nailed the setting and found family dynamics of her paranormal romance! The conflict surrounding the electrical lines was really interesting, and I loved the way Elsa and Frannie bonded over media.
June 24, 2026
I am a big fan of Emma R. Alban’s writing! Her three period piece books are some of my favorites! And she really knocked it out of the park with the genre change up! It was so fun stepping into the world of the Dakota Building! What a cute story about found family! Not only with the ghosts but with Gretchen and Brad too! Frannie and Elsa’s relationship was so beautiful and loved the adventures with the kids! I am grateful to live in a time where we get to have these delightful and fun queer books! This will have you wanting to believe and fight for a happy ending!
I received an eARC from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
I received an eARC from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a romance that feels like a warm hug with a touch of magic, Happily Ever Afterlife is one to add to your TBR. Set inside the famously haunted Dakota building, this cozy paranormal romance blends slow-burn sapphic love, found family, and heartfelt self-discovery into something truly special. I completely fell in love with Frannie, Elsa, and their unforgettable ghost family—their relationships are filled with tenderness, humor, and so much heart. While the ending leaves a little room for interpretation, the emotional journey is absolutely worth it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC!
#HappilyEverAfterlife #NetGalley
Pub. date: Sep. 29th 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC!
#HappilyEverAfterlife #NetGalley
Pub. date: Sep. 29th 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was adorable! I loved it so much! Truthfully the whole book was just wholesome but also well balanced with just the right amount of seriousness. The thing the made me deduct stars is that I literally have no clue who it ended… like all this build up hoping it would go well to leave us on a cliff hanger before the epilogue and I was left confused and unsatisfied with the ending. Maybe it’s a me thing but I’m just confused on what the outcome was. Overall is was a cute read, I’m just confused and have questions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
THIS IS EMMA ALBAN AT HER BEST! I didn’t expect to go into this book and fall this hard in love with it.
I thought this title was such a well done standalone romance. I enjoyed the calm cozy feeling that the reader immediately gets upon meeting the ghosts of the Dakota building. This is found family executed perfectly, and the reader just gets to fall in love with the characters.
A heartwarming, paranormal romance with beautifully done character growth and a (if slightly ambiguous) happily ever after.
THIS IS EMMA ALBAN AT HER BEST! I didn’t expect to go into this book and fall this hard in love with it.
I thought this title was such a well done standalone romance. I enjoyed the calm cozy feeling that the reader immediately gets upon meeting the ghosts of the Dakota building. This is found family executed perfectly, and the reader just gets to fall in love with the characters.
A heartwarming, paranormal romance with beautifully done character growth and a (if slightly ambiguous) happily ever after.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 stars
Happily Ever Afterlife is a charming sapphic paranormal romance book with palpable chemistry and interesting ghost-related lore!
What I liked most about Happily Ever Afterlife:
~ Queer FMCs!
~ Fun romance with great chemistry!
~ Engaging story and paranormal lore!
Overall rating: 3.5/5 stars
💙Romance: ★★★★☆ 4/5
🦋Diversity: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
📘Plot / lore: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
🖋️Writing: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
Thank you Alcove Press for providing me with a ARC of this e-book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Happily Ever Afterlife is a charming sapphic paranormal romance book with palpable chemistry and interesting ghost-related lore!
What I liked most about Happily Ever Afterlife:
~ Queer FMCs!
~ Fun romance with great chemistry!
~ Engaging story and paranormal lore!
Overall rating: 3.5/5 stars
💙Romance: ★★★★☆ 4/5
🦋Diversity: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
📘Plot / lore: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
🖋️Writing: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
Thank you Alcove Press for providing me with a ARC of this e-book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you so much to netgalley for providing this arc!
sadly, i wasn't a huge fan of this one. i think it may be that emma r. alban just isn't the author for me, which is okay! this book felt a little bit too silly for me (and i usually love this kind of magical realism, afterlife centred story), but it was almost like we were thrown into things too quickly, and our main character showed no real surprise. i found the romance itself to be a little insta-lovey, and the writing to be a bit disjointed. certainly not a bad book by any means, but not a new favourite.
sadly, i wasn't a huge fan of this one. i think it may be that emma r. alban just isn't the author for me, which is okay! this book felt a little bit too silly for me (and i usually love this kind of magical realism, afterlife centred story), but it was almost like we were thrown into things too quickly, and our main character showed no real surprise. i found the romance itself to be a little insta-lovey, and the writing to be a bit disjointed. certainly not a bad book by any means, but not a new favourite.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Semi Opposites attract but also they somehow worked perfectly together? 🫶🏻 On paper they shouldn’t work since one of them is technically not even alive… but hey who’s to say that can stop true love. I loved the beginning of the book the main FMC (Frannie) called the other FMC “Hot ghost mom”, every time she said that I cracked up because I too would label someone by that. I loved the idea of found family even though there’s stark differences, because at the end of the day that doesn’t really matter. The ending broke my heart a bit…
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
iconicometer: 💅🏼💅🏼💅🏼💅🏼.5
spiceometer: 0.5
✨ she has pink pony club as her ringtone lmao that's so gay
✨ playing mario kart with ghosts is goals tbh
✨ having the hots for the ghost of a hot and mean older woman?? GAY AS FUCK
✨ imagine being a ghost and doing petty things to haunt down those who were shitty to you when you were alive like burning their toast and making sure their bathroom keeps leaking
✨ sometimes writing a book truly is the best manifestation technique
✨ I literally cried???
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC and to the author for trusting me with it 🧡
spiceometer: 0.5
✨ she has pink pony club as her ringtone lmao that's so gay
✨ playing mario kart with ghosts is goals tbh
✨ having the hots for the ghost of a hot and mean older woman?? GAY AS FUCK
✨ imagine being a ghost and doing petty things to haunt down those who were shitty to you when you were alive like burning their toast and making sure their bathroom keeps leaking
✨ sometimes writing a book truly is the best manifestation technique
✨ I literally cried???
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC and to the author for trusting me with it 🧡
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Happily Ever Afterlife by Emma R. Alban was a charming blend of romance, humor, and supernatural fun. The afterlife setting gave the story a fresh, whimsical feel, while the characters were lovable and easy to invest in. I enjoyed the balance of heartfelt moments and lighthearted banter, and the romance kept me turning the pages. It's a cozy, entertaining read that's perfect if you're in the mood for something a little magical.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews