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With All My Haunted Heart
A witch hired to ethically haunt a small-town B&B instead finds herself spellbound by her non-magical client in this cozy and enchanting sapphic romance.
Steadily losing clients to the new DIY-magic shop on the other side of town, Pippa Ainsley is getting desperate. Instead of paying the witch to correct their magical maladies, local mundanes have been taking their chances with the cheaper—and unpredictable—crystals and herbal blends. So when Pippa’s best friend hires her to inspect his newly acquired bed-and-breakfast for ghosts, she doesn’t think twice about it.
That is, until she learns that his unfairly attractive co-owner, Elle Thompson, doesn’t want Pippa to rid their business of spirits. She wants Pippa to give them an edge over the competition by haunting their B&B.
It’s the perfect challenge for Pippa’s experimental magic, but just because she could figure it out, doesn’t mean it’s a smart or safe idea. But Elle is persistent, and the financial boost could save her own business if Pippa succeeds. Soon, Pippa finds herself testing the limits of her magic… and her ability to stop the growing attraction she feels toward Elle, a woman with a painful secret of her own.
Steadily losing clients to the new DIY-magic shop on the other side of town, Pippa Ainsley is getting desperate. Instead of paying the witch to correct their magical maladies, local mundanes have been taking their chances with the cheaper—and unpredictable—crystals and herbal blends. So when Pippa’s best friend hires her to inspect his newly acquired bed-and-breakfast for ghosts, she doesn’t think twice about it.
That is, until she learns that his unfairly attractive co-owner, Elle Thompson, doesn’t want Pippa to rid their business of spirits. She wants Pippa to give them an edge over the competition by haunting their B&B.
It’s the perfect challenge for Pippa’s experimental magic, but just because she could figure it out, doesn’t mean it’s a smart or safe idea. But Elle is persistent, and the financial boost could save her own business if Pippa succeeds. Soon, Pippa finds herself testing the limits of her magic… and her ability to stop the growing attraction she feels toward Elle, a woman with a painful secret of her own.
Audible Audio
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Isabel Sterling
7 books1,785 followersIsabel Sterling is a master coach and author of sapphic romance for teens and adults. Their novels include These Witches Don’t Burn, This Coven Won’t Break, The Coldest Touch, and the forthcoming With All My Haunted Heart. She lives with her spouse and fur-babies in Central New York, where the winters are frigid, the summers are too hot, and autumn is perfect.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
September 3, 2026
Yearny af witch falls for hot muscle mommy while they work together to haunt muscle mommy’s new inn.
Really freaking cute, with lots of emotional depth, and cozy witchy fall vibes to the max!
Perfect read for the season!
Whats to love...
- witchy fall vibes
- friendship & found family
- exploration of grief
- muscle mommy + hot witch
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Really freaking cute, with lots of emotional depth, and cozy witchy fall vibes to the max!
Perfect read for the season!
Whats to love...
- witchy fall vibes
- friendship & found family
- exploration of grief
- muscle mommy + hot witch
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
April 29, 2026
💫🕯️💜 With All My Haunted Heart💜🕯️💫
Sapphic Romance 🫱🏽🫲🏽 Cozy Paranormal
Oh this was so cute and cozy. Literally all of my favorite things. Sapphic love, witches, ghosties, magic, and found family.
Pippa might be one of my favorite witchy FMCs of all time. I loved her so much, and my heart hurt for her just as much. I definitely have beef with her mom.
It took me a bit longer to warm up to Elle, and I didn’t always love her choices, especially toward the end. But I did come around to her, and I really liked her with Pippa.
This story balances cozy, fun moments with heavier themes like grief and family estrangement. I thought those were handled really well. There is a lot of emotional reflection and healing throughout the book. The author’s note at the end made this book even more heartfelt.
👻What to Expect
• Sapphic romance
• Witch FMC
• Small town B&B
• Ethical haunting
• Experimental magic
• Found family
• Cozy paranormal romance
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Sapphic Romance 🫱🏽🫲🏽 Cozy Paranormal
Oh this was so cute and cozy. Literally all of my favorite things. Sapphic love, witches, ghosties, magic, and found family.
Pippa might be one of my favorite witchy FMCs of all time. I loved her so much, and my heart hurt for her just as much. I definitely have beef with her mom.
It took me a bit longer to warm up to Elle, and I didn’t always love her choices, especially toward the end. But I did come around to her, and I really liked her with Pippa.
This story balances cozy, fun moments with heavier themes like grief and family estrangement. I thought those were handled really well. There is a lot of emotional reflection and healing throughout the book. The author’s note at the end made this book even more heartfelt.
👻What to Expect
• Sapphic romance
• Witch FMC
• Small town B&B
• Ethical haunting
• Experimental magic
• Found family
• Cozy paranormal romance
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 8, 2026
With All My Haunted Heart is a cozy and magical sapphic romance full of warmth and wonder! The story follows Pippa, a witch struggling to keep her magic shop afloat, who agrees to haunt her best friend’s new B&B at the request of his co-owner, Elle. As Pippa works to give the B&B a new life, she quickly finds herself falling for the brash and enticing Elle, all while navigating the limits of her magic. This was such a cozy and charming read! I absolutely loved all the magic and wonder that came with Pippa and Elle falling for each other. The two were so perfect for one another and I appreciated that they had to work to come together and stop denying their feelings. Aside from the romance, the magic and all the hauntings added the perfect dash of awe to this book, and in combination with the emotional moments, made for the sweetest read. Between the found family and all the cozy moments, I cannot recommend this book enough!
What to expect:
🔮Sapphic Yearning🔮
✨Paranormal Romance✨
🔮Grief🔮
✨Haunted B&B✨
🔮Found Family🔮
✨Small Town✨
🔮Witch x Human🔮
~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
What to expect:
🔮Sapphic Yearning🔮
✨Paranormal Romance✨
🔮Grief🔮
✨Haunted B&B✨
🔮Found Family🔮
✨Small Town✨
🔮Witch x Human🔮
~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2026
Who wouldn’t want to stay at a haunted B&B and actually get to interact with the ghosts?
This storyline was such a cool concept, and it was very clear there was at least some research into the different products Pippa used when dealing with all things witchy.
At first I was a little iffy about Elle, she seemed really closed off and I felt like we didn’t get to learn a lot about her until close to the end.
Pippa was my absolute fave, I seriously felt like there was no faults that were her own, and she went through some CRAP with her family.
This book felt pretty low-stakes, but man did it tug at my heart a few times. There were a lot of emotions to be had between all of the characters.
I do wish there had a bit more when it came to Pippa and Elle’s relationship, I just didn’t feel a big enough connection between them. It was overall a solid read though, LOVED a few things Pippa did with her magic ;)
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
This storyline was such a cool concept, and it was very clear there was at least some research into the different products Pippa used when dealing with all things witchy.
At first I was a little iffy about Elle, she seemed really closed off and I felt like we didn’t get to learn a lot about her until close to the end.
Pippa was my absolute fave, I seriously felt like there was no faults that were her own, and she went through some CRAP with her family.
This book felt pretty low-stakes, but man did it tug at my heart a few times. There were a lot of emotions to be had between all of the characters.
I do wish there had a bit more when it came to Pippa and Elle’s relationship, I just didn’t feel a big enough connection between them. It was overall a solid read though, LOVED a few things Pippa did with her magic ;)
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
March 7, 2026
Pippa's magic business is struggling—but when her friend asks her to go against her usual instincts and bring ghosts to his new B&B rather than banishing them, well...it's a challenge. But one she's up for. Especially because her friend's business partner is just about as intriguing as the magic challenge...
This was super cute. I'm reminded a bit of The Faraway Inn in the way magic works here—there are kinks to work out, but it's mostly fairly light. For Pippa, magic is something creative; she has, for various reasons, turned away from the type of magic her family uses, and her days (when she has the clients, anyway) are spent counteracting curses and banishing ghosts. Haunting (instead of un-haunting) a B&B has its own unique set of challenges, starting with finding ghosts who will be a good fit for the place, and I thoroughly enjoyed Pippa's thought processes as she figured out what was possible and what was necessary.
The stakes stay relatively small in the book (big for the people involved, but not always more broadly) but there are some pretty heavy themes. I avoid spoilers, but readers who have had significant loss might want to check the trigger warnings. They're in there for a reason, though, and those themes inform the way the relationship shakes out. I like the relationship quite a lot—both characters taking care to ensure that they help the other with their baggage—though I think I would have liked to learn a bit more about Elle. I'm not sure Pippa really gets the closure that she deserves (her family, man!), and I did wonder whether there might be setup for a future book, or if not setup then at least a door left intentionally open.
I'd love to see a future book that involves the ghosts more; there are some fun characters among them, and it would be super fun to see what hijinks the ghosts get up to when...well, when they're bored, or when there's a problem that can best be solved by people without corporeal bodies...I don't know if this is meant to be a series eventually, but I'd happily read more.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
This was super cute. I'm reminded a bit of The Faraway Inn in the way magic works here—there are kinks to work out, but it's mostly fairly light. For Pippa, magic is something creative; she has, for various reasons, turned away from the type of magic her family uses, and her days (when she has the clients, anyway) are spent counteracting curses and banishing ghosts. Haunting (instead of un-haunting) a B&B has its own unique set of challenges, starting with finding ghosts who will be a good fit for the place, and I thoroughly enjoyed Pippa's thought processes as she figured out what was possible and what was necessary.
The stakes stay relatively small in the book (big for the people involved, but not always more broadly) but there are some pretty heavy themes. I avoid spoilers, but readers who have had significant loss might want to check the trigger warnings. They're in there for a reason, though, and those themes inform the way the relationship shakes out. I like the relationship quite a lot—both characters taking care to ensure that they help the other with their baggage—though I think I would have liked to learn a bit more about Elle. I'm not sure Pippa really gets the closure that she deserves (her family, man!), and I did wonder whether there might be setup for a future book, or if not setup then at least a door left intentionally open.
I'd love to see a future book that involves the ghosts more; there are some fun characters among them, and it would be super fun to see what hijinks the ghosts get up to when...well, when they're bored, or when there's a problem that can best be solved by people without corporeal bodies...I don't know if this is meant to be a series eventually, but I'd happily read more.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 ⭐
With All My Haunted Heart is a cozy fantasy romance about Pippa, a witch whose business is going downhill. When she's offered a job haunting a small-town B&B recently acquired by Elle and one of her dear friends, she's hesitant to accept, knowing that messing with spirits isn't something to take lightly. But when she finally accepts, she quickly discovers the job is much more complicated than she expected, all while the real trouble might not be the ghosts at all.
This was actually my first time reading one of Isabel's books, so I wasn't sure what to expect going in. Thankfully, this one grabbed my attention right away, and I had absolutely no trouble finishing it in one sitting. The pacing stayed pretty consistent throughout, and the story was engaging enough that I never felt like I had to force myself to keep reading.
One of my favorite aspects was definitely the magic. I feel like witchy books sometimes don't quite capture that dreamy, whimsical quality I want from their magical elements, but this one really did. Isabel's writing made the supernatural side of the story feel charming and immersive, and I loved getting to know more about Pippa's work as a witch. Her abilities were also genuinely interesting because they weren't simply the same powers I've seen a million times before, which made her magic feel much more distinctive.
But truth be told, the real heart of this book isn't the magic or the romance.
It's family.
Pippa was such a lovable FMC, and I found myself empathizing with her almost immediately. She's constantly trying to fix things whenever something goes wrong, even when that means putting other people's feelings ahead of her own. The glimpses we get into her past helped me understand where so many of her insecurities came from, notably her fear that people might only value her for what she can do rather than for who she actually is.
And that one hit me HARD.
I've been in that position before, so I immediately wanted to give Pippa the biggest hug. She had so much love to give while simultaneously being terrified that everyone she cared about would eventually leave her behind. What really impressed me, though, was that she never completely allowed that fear to control her. Her family situation in particular showed me how much strength she actually carried underneath all those insecurities.
And while I was truly happy to see her reconnect with her sister and watch their relationship become stronger... I have to admit that this particular storyline felt a little too convenient for me. Their reconciliation happened in a way that didn't feel entirely natural, and I think I needed a little more buildup before their eventual makeup.
I also really liked the concept behind the B&B and its purpose as a place where family could come together. Even though things didn't work out exactly as Elle had envisioned, there was something incredibly touching about her determination to preserve her relative's memory in whatever way she could. That became one of the most poignant threads in the story, especially as the novel explores grief and what it means to lose someone.
The book made me think about how far we'd go for the people we love and how sometimes our desire to protect someone can make it incredibly difficult to let them go. I appreciated that the book didn't try to give us a perfect, fairytale version of family either. We get to see the messy parts alongside the beautiful ones, and I think that made the relatable family dynamics of the story feel much more grounded.
Now... the romance.
I wouldn't say it was the strongest element for me, and this is probably where I struggled the most.
At first, I was actually enjoying Pippa and Elle's progression. And although I wouldn't call this a slow burn, I think "medium burn" describes it much better. Initially, that worked for me, but around the halfway point, I found myself becoming increasingly disconnected from their relationship.
My biggest problem was how one-sided it seemed.
Pippa was constantly putting herself out there, prioritizing Elle's feelings, respecting her boundaries, and trying to understand where she was coming from. But I didn't feel that same level of care reflected back toward Pippa. I kept waiting for Elle to show me that she cared just as deeply, and unfortunately, I never completely got there.
Since we only experience the story through Pippa's POV, we don't get direct access to Elle's thoughts, so I had to rely on her actions to understand what she was feeling. And for me, those actions weren't quite enough. A lot of the time, it seemed like Pippa was doing all the pursuing while Elle kept opening up and then immediately pulling away.
And eventually... it started to frustrate me.
What made it harder was that Elle didn't really communicate the reasons behind her behavior on her own. We eventually learn (kind of) about how her past relationships affected her, but I wish that information had come into the mix earlier. If I'd understood what she was carrying from the beginning, I probably would've had a much easier time connecting with her.
Instead, by the end, I felt pretty disconnected from their relationship, which unfortunately made their romantic conclusion less satisfying for me than I would've hoped.
I had a somewhat similar experience with Xander and Pippa's friendship. I could tell there was a solid foundation between them, and some of their interactions were very sweet, but I often felt like Xander was stuck between being Elle's best friend and being Pippa's friend. At times, it seemed like he didn't value his friendship with Pippa quite as much as she valued theirs, so although I enjoyed their dynamic in certain moments, I never became completely invested in it.
Overall, With All My Haunted Heart ended up being much more emotional than I expected, and honestly, I'm glad it was. Beneath all the cozy witchy vibes and fantastical elements, there's a story with quite a lot to say about grief, family, love, belonging, and finding the courage to live as your authentic self.
It wasn't a perfect read for me, especially when it came to the romance, but there was still so much warmth here. I think readers who enjoy cozy fantasy, emotional family stories, witchy magic, and characters navigating complicated relationships will find something special in it.
And if you're in the mood for something heartfelt and just a little bit magical, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up.
Thank you NetGalley & publisher for the early read!
With All My Haunted Heart is a cozy fantasy romance about Pippa, a witch whose business is going downhill. When she's offered a job haunting a small-town B&B recently acquired by Elle and one of her dear friends, she's hesitant to accept, knowing that messing with spirits isn't something to take lightly. But when she finally accepts, she quickly discovers the job is much more complicated than she expected, all while the real trouble might not be the ghosts at all.
This was actually my first time reading one of Isabel's books, so I wasn't sure what to expect going in. Thankfully, this one grabbed my attention right away, and I had absolutely no trouble finishing it in one sitting. The pacing stayed pretty consistent throughout, and the story was engaging enough that I never felt like I had to force myself to keep reading.
One of my favorite aspects was definitely the magic. I feel like witchy books sometimes don't quite capture that dreamy, whimsical quality I want from their magical elements, but this one really did. Isabel's writing made the supernatural side of the story feel charming and immersive, and I loved getting to know more about Pippa's work as a witch. Her abilities were also genuinely interesting because they weren't simply the same powers I've seen a million times before, which made her magic feel much more distinctive.
But truth be told, the real heart of this book isn't the magic or the romance.
It's family.
Pippa was such a lovable FMC, and I found myself empathizing with her almost immediately. She's constantly trying to fix things whenever something goes wrong, even when that means putting other people's feelings ahead of her own. The glimpses we get into her past helped me understand where so many of her insecurities came from, notably her fear that people might only value her for what she can do rather than for who she actually is.
And that one hit me HARD.
I've been in that position before, so I immediately wanted to give Pippa the biggest hug. She had so much love to give while simultaneously being terrified that everyone she cared about would eventually leave her behind. What really impressed me, though, was that she never completely allowed that fear to control her. Her family situation in particular showed me how much strength she actually carried underneath all those insecurities.
And while I was truly happy to see her reconnect with her sister and watch their relationship become stronger... I have to admit that this particular storyline felt a little too convenient for me. Their reconciliation happened in a way that didn't feel entirely natural, and I think I needed a little more buildup before their eventual makeup.
I also really liked the concept behind the B&B and its purpose as a place where family could come together. Even though things didn't work out exactly as Elle had envisioned, there was something incredibly touching about her determination to preserve her relative's memory in whatever way she could. That became one of the most poignant threads in the story, especially as the novel explores grief and what it means to lose someone.
The book made me think about how far we'd go for the people we love and how sometimes our desire to protect someone can make it incredibly difficult to let them go. I appreciated that the book didn't try to give us a perfect, fairytale version of family either. We get to see the messy parts alongside the beautiful ones, and I think that made the relatable family dynamics of the story feel much more grounded.
Now... the romance.
I wouldn't say it was the strongest element for me, and this is probably where I struggled the most.
At first, I was actually enjoying Pippa and Elle's progression. And although I wouldn't call this a slow burn, I think "medium burn" describes it much better. Initially, that worked for me, but around the halfway point, I found myself becoming increasingly disconnected from their relationship.
My biggest problem was how one-sided it seemed.
Pippa was constantly putting herself out there, prioritizing Elle's feelings, respecting her boundaries, and trying to understand where she was coming from. But I didn't feel that same level of care reflected back toward Pippa. I kept waiting for Elle to show me that she cared just as deeply, and unfortunately, I never completely got there.
Since we only experience the story through Pippa's POV, we don't get direct access to Elle's thoughts, so I had to rely on her actions to understand what she was feeling. And for me, those actions weren't quite enough. A lot of the time, it seemed like Pippa was doing all the pursuing while Elle kept opening up and then immediately pulling away.
And eventually... it started to frustrate me.
What made it harder was that Elle didn't really communicate the reasons behind her behavior on her own. We eventually learn (kind of) about how her past relationships affected her, but I wish that information had come into the mix earlier. If I'd understood what she was carrying from the beginning, I probably would've had a much easier time connecting with her.
Instead, by the end, I felt pretty disconnected from their relationship, which unfortunately made their romantic conclusion less satisfying for me than I would've hoped.
I had a somewhat similar experience with Xander and Pippa's friendship. I could tell there was a solid foundation between them, and some of their interactions were very sweet, but I often felt like Xander was stuck between being Elle's best friend and being Pippa's friend. At times, it seemed like he didn't value his friendship with Pippa quite as much as she valued theirs, so although I enjoyed their dynamic in certain moments, I never became completely invested in it.
Overall, With All My Haunted Heart ended up being much more emotional than I expected, and honestly, I'm glad it was. Beneath all the cozy witchy vibes and fantastical elements, there's a story with quite a lot to say about grief, family, love, belonging, and finding the courage to live as your authentic self.
It wasn't a perfect read for me, especially when it came to the romance, but there was still so much warmth here. I think readers who enjoy cozy fantasy, emotional family stories, witchy magic, and characters navigating complicated relationships will find something special in it.
And if you're in the mood for something heartfelt and just a little bit magical, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up.
Thank you NetGalley & publisher for the early read!
September 17, 2026
3.5 stars. With All My Haunted Heart is a sapphic paranormal romance with a witch heroine who gets hired to “ethically haunt” a B&B that the other heroine co-owns. It does cover heavier emotional topics so definitely check CW.
Pippa is a witch who owns a business that helps others with hexes, breaking curses/spells, etc. She runs into her college friend who wants to hire her to help his new B&B with ghosts. When Pippa arrives she’s assuming she’s riding the place of ghosts, but then she meets the co-owner Elle who informs her she actually wants Pippa to haunt the place with ghosts instead.
The romance in this was so sweet to see play out. Elle starts cooking and baking for Pippa and wants her to move into the B&B as she’s working on the haunting. We do get some fun ghostbuster-action with Pippa’s work and even ghost hunting with Elle & Pippa as they’re trying to find possible ghosts to haunt the B&B before the opening on Halloween. I think I needed a little more with the romance or the plot (or both), but overall one I’d recommend to others depending on the type of fall/paranormal romance they’re in the mood for.
CW: loss, grief, death, family estrangement. Discussions about the cause of death for multiple ghosts in addition to the on-page death of a terminally ill child (Chapter 24).
Pippa is a witch who owns a business that helps others with hexes, breaking curses/spells, etc. She runs into her college friend who wants to hire her to help his new B&B with ghosts. When Pippa arrives she’s assuming she’s riding the place of ghosts, but then she meets the co-owner Elle who informs her she actually wants Pippa to haunt the place with ghosts instead.
The romance in this was so sweet to see play out. Elle starts cooking and baking for Pippa and wants her to move into the B&B as she’s working on the haunting. We do get some fun ghostbuster-action with Pippa’s work and even ghost hunting with Elle & Pippa as they’re trying to find possible ghosts to haunt the B&B before the opening on Halloween. I think I needed a little more with the romance or the plot (or both), but overall one I’d recommend to others depending on the type of fall/paranormal romance they’re in the mood for.
CW: loss, grief, death, family estrangement. Discussions about the cause of death for multiple ghosts in addition to the on-page death of a terminally ill child (Chapter 24).
September 19, 2026
BABESSSSS I need to talk about this one because I have FEELINGS.
With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling is a witch x mundane, bi x lesbian, quirky ghost roommates, found family, cozy paranormal romance, and I was HERE for it. Pippa is a witch hired to ethically deal with ghosts at a small-town B&B. Elle is the unfairly attractive co-owner who wants something very different. Add a rival DIY-magic shop, a whole lot of heart, and Pippa testing the limits of her magic AND her self-control... yes. Yes please.
What I loooovved the most was the emotional growth we saw in Pippa. You can TELL the author poured her heart into this book. The found family is so beautiful, and so pivotal to queer culture (and people everywhere). There are heavier topics in here too, like grief, a toxic family, and the healing that comes after. The deconstruction of negative self talk in particular hit me right where I live. This book came at the perfect time in my own healing journey, and I am so grateful for that.
I listened to the audiobook and Jeremy Carlisle Parker is a STELLAR narrator. Her ability to evoke emotion is incredible. Every character gets a performance that is unique and lively, so you always know exactly who is in the room, and the quirky ghost roommates absolutely sparkle. The grief and healing moments land so hard in her voice, and the humor lands just as well. This was the ABSOLUTE right choice for absorbing this novel. The raw talent brings this magnificent story to life.
The spice is woven right into the story, and the FOREARMS, babes. Every time Pippa salivated over Elle's forearm, I felt that in my SOUL. There is nothing like a sexy forearm on a woman. No notes.
Okay, now the cover. I am OBSESSED. The two women are KISSING on the front of a trad pub sapphic book, and I don't know if I've ever seen that before. I can't stop staring at it, so of course I got the print too. I NEED MORE CLINCH COVERS. LET THE LADIES LOCK LIPS. 💋
So why 4 stars and not 5? My one hangup is the third act breakup. I would have loved a different approach to this because these characters have been through a lot and I would have loved to have seen them lean on each other… aaand, because it feels like every trad pub romance sticks one in there and it's just overdone for me. That's a personal line in the sand, not a knock on the book.
With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling is a witch x mundane, bi x lesbian, quirky ghost roommates, found family, cozy paranormal romance, and I was HERE for it. Pippa is a witch hired to ethically deal with ghosts at a small-town B&B. Elle is the unfairly attractive co-owner who wants something very different. Add a rival DIY-magic shop, a whole lot of heart, and Pippa testing the limits of her magic AND her self-control... yes. Yes please.
What I loooovved the most was the emotional growth we saw in Pippa. You can TELL the author poured her heart into this book. The found family is so beautiful, and so pivotal to queer culture (and people everywhere). There are heavier topics in here too, like grief, a toxic family, and the healing that comes after. The deconstruction of negative self talk in particular hit me right where I live. This book came at the perfect time in my own healing journey, and I am so grateful for that.
I listened to the audiobook and Jeremy Carlisle Parker is a STELLAR narrator. Her ability to evoke emotion is incredible. Every character gets a performance that is unique and lively, so you always know exactly who is in the room, and the quirky ghost roommates absolutely sparkle. The grief and healing moments land so hard in her voice, and the humor lands just as well. This was the ABSOLUTE right choice for absorbing this novel. The raw talent brings this magnificent story to life.
The spice is woven right into the story, and the FOREARMS, babes. Every time Pippa salivated over Elle's forearm, I felt that in my SOUL. There is nothing like a sexy forearm on a woman. No notes.
Okay, now the cover. I am OBSESSED. The two women are KISSING on the front of a trad pub sapphic book, and I don't know if I've ever seen that before. I can't stop staring at it, so of course I got the print too. I NEED MORE CLINCH COVERS. LET THE LADIES LOCK LIPS. 💋
So why 4 stars and not 5? My one hangup is the third act breakup. I would have loved a different approach to this because these characters have been through a lot and I would have loved to have seen them lean on each other… aaand, because it feels like every trad pub romance sticks one in there and it's just overdone for me. That's a personal line in the sand, not a knock on the book.
October 2, 2026
I procrastinated for such a long time on this book, and I genuinely regret it, because it was so good!
Ever-so-slightly spooky, witchy and romantic! All with a plot that is actually unique and super fun too.
A purposely haunted bed and breakfast? With perfectly curated ghostly residents, hand picked for their ability to connect and vibe with future guests?
This would be a total hit in the real world.
Consider it booked from now until 2070.
I should also mention that I love the way this is written.
This reads so incredibly smoothly, and it does not really slow or lag, Even during the smaller, less significant moments- it wasn’t dull.
At no point was I feeling eager to rush the story along, or to “get to the good part”, because honestly? The whole thing was the good part. And the writing compliments it so well.
I think the only small critique I could give this, was that the whole situation with Elle’s niece felt a bit anti-climatic.
There was just a lot of build up for a very fast ending. Almost like the author wasn’t entirely sure what to do with that part of the story.
Which is a little bit of a downer I think. But not enough to affect my rating, or to dim the way I enjoyed the book as a whole.
Overall, it’s a really enjoyable story with great characters and lovely writing as well!
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley publishing and author Isabel Sterling for providing me with the eARC of “With all my Haunted Heart” in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 08, 2026
Ever-so-slightly spooky, witchy and romantic! All with a plot that is actually unique and super fun too.
A purposely haunted bed and breakfast? With perfectly curated ghostly residents, hand picked for their ability to connect and vibe with future guests?
This would be a total hit in the real world.
Consider it booked from now until 2070.
I should also mention that I love the way this is written.
This reads so incredibly smoothly, and it does not really slow or lag, Even during the smaller, less significant moments- it wasn’t dull.
At no point was I feeling eager to rush the story along, or to “get to the good part”, because honestly? The whole thing was the good part. And the writing compliments it so well.
I think the only small critique I could give this, was that the whole situation with Elle’s niece felt a bit anti-climatic.
There was just a lot of build up for a very fast ending. Almost like the author wasn’t entirely sure what to do with that part of the story.
Which is a little bit of a downer I think. But not enough to affect my rating, or to dim the way I enjoyed the book as a whole.
Overall, it’s a really enjoyable story with great characters and lovely writing as well!
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley publishing and author Isabel Sterling for providing me with the eARC of “With all my Haunted Heart” in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 08, 2026
September 27, 2026
WHAT A CUTE BOOK! Okay yes I yelled it because it was just so fun. The magic is great, this was my main reason for wanting to read this one because I am a sucker for magic and magic systems. This book is nice and cozy and just chock full of paranormal romance. Pippa is cute and I loved how hard she was working to get the B&B up and running. Elle is a special character all in her own. I mean I am also described as brash at times so I felt a connection to her. Together they were just too cute!
September 11, 2026
This is a Paranormal Fantasy FF Romance. I felt this book had a lot of good messages throughout this book, and I really enjoyed reading it. I loved all the ghosts in this book, and I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. This was a good read with so much packed init. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
April 28, 2026
2.5 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
I wanted to like this one, I really did. It has all my favorites; sapphic, spooky, haunting, ghosts, a bed and breakfast. But it just fell flat for me and I really struggled. I was basically speed reading to get through it towards the end.
The characters weren’t great, or very fleshed out. The magic system was very “but why” to me and the world building didn’t do it for me.
I liked the tackling of grief and real world problems they faced but overall it was a big miss
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc
I wanted to like this one, I really did. It has all my favorites; sapphic, spooky, haunting, ghosts, a bed and breakfast. But it just fell flat for me and I really struggled. I was basically speed reading to get through it towards the end.
The characters weren’t great, or very fleshed out. The magic system was very “but why” to me and the world building didn’t do it for me.
I liked the tackling of grief and real world problems they faced but overall it was a big miss
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc
Read
September 14, 2026Thank you to PRH Audio for a copy of this ALC.
I loved this book so much! I knew I would because I’m a huge fan of this Isabel Sterling’s YA books. I was so excited to see she had an adult debut coming and it did not disappoint.
The magical elements were fun and interesting to read about, I really liked Pippa (my poor heart went out to her with her family history), and I was so intrigued by Elle. Both plots surrounding the budding romance and figuring out how to ethically haunt a B&B had me hooked.
While this book is largely a cozy fantasy, be emotionally prepared. I was listening to this audiobook while mowing my lawn during one emotionally tough scene, and I ended up bawling my eyes out while trying not to crash my riding mower 🙈
Jeremy Carlisle Parker’s narration was perfection. She definitely added layer and depth to already amazing storytelling. I highly recommend the audiobook and book in general!
I loved this book so much! I knew I would because I’m a huge fan of this Isabel Sterling’s YA books. I was so excited to see she had an adult debut coming and it did not disappoint.
The magical elements were fun and interesting to read about, I really liked Pippa (my poor heart went out to her with her family history), and I was so intrigued by Elle. Both plots surrounding the budding romance and figuring out how to ethically haunt a B&B had me hooked.
While this book is largely a cozy fantasy, be emotionally prepared. I was listening to this audiobook while mowing my lawn during one emotionally tough scene, and I ended up bawling my eyes out while trying not to crash my riding mower 🙈
Jeremy Carlisle Parker’s narration was perfection. She definitely added layer and depth to already amazing storytelling. I highly recommend the audiobook and book in general!
September 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this, the exploration of grief and the overall story was quite good. Docked off one star for the Taylor Swift mentions, just signals the book as overwhelmingly white woman targeted.
I got an arc from Berkeley Publishing in exchange for an honest review
I got an arc from Berkeley Publishing in exchange for an honest review
July 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the gifted ARC!
I went into this one expecting a cozy, witchy romance and ended up getting so much more. It still had all the cozy vibes I was hoping for, but it also had so much heart. By the time I finished, I was completely invested in the characters and their journey.
I loved the whole idea of ethically haunting a bed and breakfast. It was such a unique premise, and the magic felt whimsical without ever taking away from the emotional side of the story. Pippa and Elle were so easy to root for, and I loved watching their relationship grow. The banter, the tension, and the vulnerability between them all felt really natural.
What surprised me most was how much this story explored grief, healing, and family. It balanced those heavier topics really well while still keeping that cozy fantasy feel. There were definitely a few emotional moments that caught me off guard. And whatever you do, don’t skip the author’s note. I had no idea how personal this story was until I read it, and it honestly made me look back on the entire book differently. It completely devastated me and made me appreciate the story even more.
If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy with magic, ghosts, a sweet sapphic romance, and more emotional depth than you might expect, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
I went into this one expecting a cozy, witchy romance and ended up getting so much more. It still had all the cozy vibes I was hoping for, but it also had so much heart. By the time I finished, I was completely invested in the characters and their journey.
I loved the whole idea of ethically haunting a bed and breakfast. It was such a unique premise, and the magic felt whimsical without ever taking away from the emotional side of the story. Pippa and Elle were so easy to root for, and I loved watching their relationship grow. The banter, the tension, and the vulnerability between them all felt really natural.
What surprised me most was how much this story explored grief, healing, and family. It balanced those heavier topics really well while still keeping that cozy fantasy feel. There were definitely a few emotional moments that caught me off guard. And whatever you do, don’t skip the author’s note. I had no idea how personal this story was until I read it, and it honestly made me look back on the entire book differently. It completely devastated me and made me appreciate the story even more.
If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy with magic, ghosts, a sweet sapphic romance, and more emotional depth than you might expect, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
October 5, 2026
cozy paranormal & queermance fall vibes!
my witchy senses are tingling!
—⊹₊⟡⋆ 💜 ”as the last of the ghostly residue bleeds from me into the earth, i pull more magic, funneling it through me for a final deep clean. i press magic into the ground, supporting the earth’s natural ability to neutralize spiritual waste.”
bisexual fmc x lesbian love interest! flawless cover & rep!!
pippa is a witch who’s an outcast by her family.
she’s steadily losing clients so she gets landed a job to ethically haunt b&b for a friend and becomes spellbound.
i idolized her & elle’s slowish burn adventure into their enchanting relationship feeling the instant chemistry, being immediately smitten, & the concept of inviting ghosts in.
even the experiments & usage of crystals. it’s a magic system.
it exists side by side effortlessly. test the limits of your magic!
their witchy banter tugged my heartstrings, their queermance is brimmed with whimsical warmth & charming wonder contrasted to the heavier themes like grief, healing, (etc…)
i advise taking a peek at this story if you’re needing a comfy & sweet queer romance novel for the fall!
trigger warning, there’s a death of a child.
i’ve been just itching to read this since june when i requested for the arc. unfortunately i didn’t get approved (i didn’t get declined either) bummer but i am glad the time has come that i’ve read this
—⊹₊⟡⋆ 💜 ”i’m going to marry you someday.”
“is that your proposal?”
“no, love.” she kisses me again, deeper this time. full of promise.
“when i propose for real, i’m going to sweep you off your witchy feet.”
my witchy senses are tingling!
—⊹₊⟡⋆ 💜 ”as the last of the ghostly residue bleeds from me into the earth, i pull more magic, funneling it through me for a final deep clean. i press magic into the ground, supporting the earth’s natural ability to neutralize spiritual waste.”
bisexual fmc x lesbian love interest! flawless cover & rep!!
pippa is a witch who’s an outcast by her family.
she’s steadily losing clients so she gets landed a job to ethically haunt b&b for a friend and becomes spellbound.
i idolized her & elle’s slowish burn adventure into their enchanting relationship feeling the instant chemistry, being immediately smitten, & the concept of inviting ghosts in.
even the experiments & usage of crystals. it’s a magic system.
it exists side by side effortlessly. test the limits of your magic!
their witchy banter tugged my heartstrings, their queermance is brimmed with whimsical warmth & charming wonder contrasted to the heavier themes like grief, healing, (etc…)
i advise taking a peek at this story if you’re needing a comfy & sweet queer romance novel for the fall!
trigger warning, there’s a death of a child.
i’ve been just itching to read this since june when i requested for the arc. unfortunately i didn’t get approved (i didn’t get declined either) bummer but i am glad the time has come that i’ve read this
—⊹₊⟡⋆ 💜 ”i’m going to marry you someday.”
“is that your proposal?”
“no, love.” she kisses me again, deeper this time. full of promise.
“when i propose for real, i’m going to sweep you off your witchy feet.”
September 20, 2026
3.75 Rounded up.
There was a lot about this book I loved—the magic easily woven into the world, the friendships, the ghosts! I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters and appreciated the way things unfolded. This story is such a beautiful commentary on grief and tenderly explores heartbreaking territory in a really lovely way.
That said, there were a couple things that irked me.
1. The poltergeist story felt unfinished. Where did it go? Why was it angry? Where did it come from? It felt like some loose ends that needed to be tied up
2. honestly this is the biggest one for me: The constant italics reminders of Pippa’s falling out with her family. I get it happening a few times, but once we get the full story, I don’t think it’s necessary to continue doing. It’s easy to connect the dots of this trauma with her current experiences and I found the reminders to be very repetitive. I understand that the author primarily writes YA so perhaps she is used to reminding her readers of a character’s history, but with this being an ‘adult novel,’ I found it to be annoying and unnecessary.
All of that said, I really enjoyed this novel and would happily pick up future novels written by Isabel Sterling!
There was a lot about this book I loved—the magic easily woven into the world, the friendships, the ghosts! I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters and appreciated the way things unfolded. This story is such a beautiful commentary on grief and tenderly explores heartbreaking territory in a really lovely way.
That said, there were a couple things that irked me.
1. The poltergeist story felt unfinished. Where did it go? Why was it angry? Where did it come from? It felt like some loose ends that needed to be tied up
2. honestly this is the biggest one for me: The constant italics reminders of Pippa’s falling out with her family. I get it happening a few times, but once we get the full story, I don’t think it’s necessary to continue doing. It’s easy to connect the dots of this trauma with her current experiences and I found the reminders to be very repetitive. I understand that the author primarily writes YA so perhaps she is used to reminding her readers of a character’s history, but with this being an ‘adult novel,’ I found it to be annoying and unnecessary.
All of that said, I really enjoyed this novel and would happily pick up future novels written by Isabel Sterling!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
October 7, 2026pippa should've get the fuck out of that bnb and let xander and elle figure shit out omg they're so insufferable 😭 xander being evasive and not willing to hear pippa's side and elle for being a dick pushover like wdym she antagonizes pippa for not wanting to do work that didn't align with Her morals, but when pippa agrees she makes it so difficult for pippa by rejecting every ghost candidate for the bnb and THEN make herself the victim when she's the one being difficult and also not giving any solution to help but instead kept lording around and acting like she's victimized because pippa is frustrated??? 😭 yeah i can't keep reading if the pattern is elle being a piece of shit and apologizing while also flirting it feels so insincere
September 29, 2026
This really surprised me! I think my expectations were kinda low going in, thinking it was just gonna be a fluffy fall read, but I ended up really enjoying it. It was both sweet and spicy, had some delicious yearning, single POV, and the world felt grounded and real. I have a very soft spot for Pippa and want all the best for her 🥲
May 27, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A lovely cozy, witchy sapphic romance with paranormal elements. Pippa is an experimental witch who is struggling to keep her small business afloat. When her best friend Xander reaches out to request her witch services at his new B&B, Pippa is surprised to learn that she’s being asked to ethically haunt the property rather than cleanse it of spirits. Pippa meets Elle at the B&B, who is Xander’s childhood friend and business partner. Elle is rigid and standoffish, nothing like the wild child Xander had described from his stories.
I loved the friendship between Pippa, Xander, and Elle. The found family and small community around the haunted B&B, including the ghosts who agree to reside on the property, were my favorite parts of the story. I was not a fan of insta-love aspect of the romance between Pippa and Elle. But I did enjoy the creative ways magic was used in the bedroom. Overall, this book was warm and engaging, and ready made for spooky season.
Thank you to Berkley for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
A lovely cozy, witchy sapphic romance with paranormal elements. Pippa is an experimental witch who is struggling to keep her small business afloat. When her best friend Xander reaches out to request her witch services at his new B&B, Pippa is surprised to learn that she’s being asked to ethically haunt the property rather than cleanse it of spirits. Pippa meets Elle at the B&B, who is Xander’s childhood friend and business partner. Elle is rigid and standoffish, nothing like the wild child Xander had described from his stories.
I loved the friendship between Pippa, Xander, and Elle. The found family and small community around the haunted B&B, including the ghosts who agree to reside on the property, were my favorite parts of the story. I was not a fan of insta-love aspect of the romance between Pippa and Elle. But I did enjoy the creative ways magic was used in the bedroom. Overall, this book was warm and engaging, and ready made for spooky season.
Thank you to Berkley for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 8, 2026
I wanted to love this one more than I did. I thought there was a lot of cute cozy vibes with the B & B setting and a really beautiful found family that made my little heart happy. However I struggled with the character development in this and really feeling the connection between the two characters. I wanted to believe in the romance more and maybe I would if their communication was better but there was just constant assuming based on their pasts that just never seemed to really change as the book went on. Characters not having good communication is something that tends to bother me a lot in books so this could be a personal issue for me but it took me out of the story too many times. But outside of that the magic was interesting and I loved the addition of the ghosts.
(Also for TW- if you are sensitive to child loss and child abuse I would skip the authors note or just beware if you want to read the authors note at the end because it does talk about the loss of a child)
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
(Also for TW- if you are sensitive to child loss and child abuse I would skip the authors note or just beware if you want to read the authors note at the end because it does talk about the loss of a child)
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some Haunts Need a Little Heart
All My Haunted Heart is such a fun mix of ghosts, magic, sapphic romance, and emotional weight that somehow manages to feel both delightfully lighthearted and surprisingly heartfelt. Beneath all of witchy charm and spiritual chaos is a sweet story about a group of friends who have spent so much time questioning whether they’re too much, not enough, or simply too difficult to love. With all the complicated feelings hiding underneath the supernatural chaos, this story ended up being every bit as captivating as it was entertaining.
Pippa is a struggling witch trying to save her business and has been offered a huge payout to ethically haunt a new Bed and Breakfast. Her bubbly, positive exterior hides just how deeply she’s internalized the idea that she’s never good enough, especially after being cast aside by her family. Watching her slowly realize just how talented she actually is, particularly as she experiments with new magic techniques, made her journey so impactful. Elle is her opposite on the surface—aloof and intensely guarded after a toxic relationship taught her to wall herself off from everyone around her. Both women are carrying the same fundamental fear of being misunderstood and rejected once people see too much of them, watching both slowly recognize their own worth was just as meaningful as watching their romance unfold.
Their relationship is where all those emotional threads really come together. While the attraction is immediate (and neither wants to be the first to acknowledge it), the forced proximity of working together slowly turns that attraction into genuine trust. Elle putting so much faith in Pippa to pull off the haunt while Pippa is quietly terrified of failing both her best friend and the woman she’s falling for made every little moment between them feel significant. Add in the complicated feelings they both have around Xander’s recent heartbreak and their fear of having to remain hidden, their growing willingness to be vulnerable with each other becomes something much bigger than a simple whirlwind romance. There’s such a beautiful tenderness in two women who have spent so long believing they have to protect themselves finally finding someone who makes it feel safe to let those walls down.
Xander and the ghosts add so much fun and heart to the story. Even while dealing with his own fresh heartbreak, Xander continues showing up for both women, supporting Pippa when those deeply ingrained thoughts of failure start taking over and encouraging Elle to trust that people can genuinely care about her without expecting the worst. The ghosts themselves were such a whimsical addition and I loved how delicately Sterling approaches the afterlife and the idea of moving on. Each ghost has a distinct story and emotional purpose, making even their smaller appearances feel meaningful. The unique approach to magic here and the way it exists within a legal system adds an unexpected layer of tension to what could otherwise have been a purely whimsical magical element. With Pippa’s own estranged family heading that department, we learn just how far she and the others are willing to push themselves to live their dreams.
All My Haunted Heart is a magical reminder that being loved doesn’t require being perfect, useful, or easy to understand. Sometimes, it just means finding the people who see you exactly as you are and choose to stay. For all the ghosts haunting this story, it’s really Pippa and Elle’s pasts that linger the longest—and seeing them find a way forward together is what made this one hit so hard. Their story is tender without being sappy, emotional without losing its fun, and full of the kind of love that makes you believe maybe none of us are as difficult to love as we’ve been taught to believe.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the chance to read this ARC!!!
Favorite Quotes:
"The people who were supposed to love you the most acted like you were disposable. It's normal to guard your heart after something like that."
"Her face twitches like she's fighting a smile. A thrill of victory washed through me. I want to make her smile. I want to hear her laugh just to prove it's possible."
"As if there’s any chance I’d deny her. Not even every touch is like lightning against my skin. I take her hand in mine, relishing the warmth."
"That’s what I want. To be claimed as hers. This new feeling of certainty doesn’t take away the fear, but it makes it matter so much less."
"I know without a shadow of a doubt that I love this woman. That no matter what happens, she has my whole heart."
All My Haunted Heart is such a fun mix of ghosts, magic, sapphic romance, and emotional weight that somehow manages to feel both delightfully lighthearted and surprisingly heartfelt. Beneath all of witchy charm and spiritual chaos is a sweet story about a group of friends who have spent so much time questioning whether they’re too much, not enough, or simply too difficult to love. With all the complicated feelings hiding underneath the supernatural chaos, this story ended up being every bit as captivating as it was entertaining.
Pippa is a struggling witch trying to save her business and has been offered a huge payout to ethically haunt a new Bed and Breakfast. Her bubbly, positive exterior hides just how deeply she’s internalized the idea that she’s never good enough, especially after being cast aside by her family. Watching her slowly realize just how talented she actually is, particularly as she experiments with new magic techniques, made her journey so impactful. Elle is her opposite on the surface—aloof and intensely guarded after a toxic relationship taught her to wall herself off from everyone around her. Both women are carrying the same fundamental fear of being misunderstood and rejected once people see too much of them, watching both slowly recognize their own worth was just as meaningful as watching their romance unfold.
Their relationship is where all those emotional threads really come together. While the attraction is immediate (and neither wants to be the first to acknowledge it), the forced proximity of working together slowly turns that attraction into genuine trust. Elle putting so much faith in Pippa to pull off the haunt while Pippa is quietly terrified of failing both her best friend and the woman she’s falling for made every little moment between them feel significant. Add in the complicated feelings they both have around Xander’s recent heartbreak and their fear of having to remain hidden, their growing willingness to be vulnerable with each other becomes something much bigger than a simple whirlwind romance. There’s such a beautiful tenderness in two women who have spent so long believing they have to protect themselves finally finding someone who makes it feel safe to let those walls down.
Xander and the ghosts add so much fun and heart to the story. Even while dealing with his own fresh heartbreak, Xander continues showing up for both women, supporting Pippa when those deeply ingrained thoughts of failure start taking over and encouraging Elle to trust that people can genuinely care about her without expecting the worst. The ghosts themselves were such a whimsical addition and I loved how delicately Sterling approaches the afterlife and the idea of moving on. Each ghost has a distinct story and emotional purpose, making even their smaller appearances feel meaningful. The unique approach to magic here and the way it exists within a legal system adds an unexpected layer of tension to what could otherwise have been a purely whimsical magical element. With Pippa’s own estranged family heading that department, we learn just how far she and the others are willing to push themselves to live their dreams.
All My Haunted Heart is a magical reminder that being loved doesn’t require being perfect, useful, or easy to understand. Sometimes, it just means finding the people who see you exactly as you are and choose to stay. For all the ghosts haunting this story, it’s really Pippa and Elle’s pasts that linger the longest—and seeing them find a way forward together is what made this one hit so hard. Their story is tender without being sappy, emotional without losing its fun, and full of the kind of love that makes you believe maybe none of us are as difficult to love as we’ve been taught to believe.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the chance to read this ARC!!!
Favorite Quotes:
"The people who were supposed to love you the most acted like you were disposable. It's normal to guard your heart after something like that."
"Her face twitches like she's fighting a smile. A thrill of victory washed through me. I want to make her smile. I want to hear her laugh just to prove it's possible."
"As if there’s any chance I’d deny her. Not even every touch is like lightning against my skin. I take her hand in mine, relishing the warmth."
"That’s what I want. To be claimed as hers. This new feeling of certainty doesn’t take away the fear, but it makes it matter so much less."
"I know without a shadow of a doubt that I love this woman. That no matter what happens, she has my whole heart."
September 10, 2026
With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling is a whimsical, magically charged sapphic romance with a side of solid found-family love.
Witch Pippa struggles to keep her business afloat, and then her best friend offers her a well-paying gig to bring in ghosts to haunt his new bed-and-breakfast, as opposed to her regular ghost-removal jobs. Xander's childhood best friend and now business partner, Elle, has personal reasons for wanting a haunting that go beyond simply getting an edge over competitors. After starting off on the wrong foot, Pippa and Elle warm up to each other and lean into their attraction on the down low to spare their mutual best friend the details in light of his recent devastating breakup.
Both women are around 30 and have their own family and past-relationship baggage that challenges their ability to trust. The medium-burn romance has decent chemistry and some sweet moments, along with mid-level spice. The sex magic was a nice addition.
The story is told in the first person from Pippa's point of view, so we don't get as much insight into Elle. That makes it a little difficult to connect with her character, as she comes across as a bit cold at times. I still like both main characters and support the pairing (although both could benefit from more therapy). I really appreciated the final declarations.
Pip has seriously toxic parents, and I was angry for her. I like how strong and creative she is and how she manages to carry on when things are tough.
The cool witchy magic is fun and different.
The best-friend-group bond is goals, and the overall found family is important and provides solid support.
With All My Haunted Heart examines what it means to love unconditionally and how that doesn't always come from the family you are born into.
The overall pacing was even. The third-act breakup wasn't my favorite, but it propelled some character growth for both mains.
Quoteworthy:
...and more than the musty books and burning incense of my actual childhood, Xander smells like home.
I press magic into the ground, supporting the earth’s natural ability to neutralize spiritual waste.
...healing is the only magic I’m completely inept at performing. My parents— and the constant ache in my back— are both disappointed by that.
"...sometimes it’s easier to want a broken past than face an uncertain future.”
The shame doubles over itself like a writhing mound of snakes, the coiling and flexing of cold, sliding skin.
I really enjoyed this feel-good story. It was interesting and easy to read. I recommend it for sweet and cozy Halloween vibes.
Bonus points for one of my favorite microtropes: terms of endearment—“love” and “baby.”
#witches #magic #smalltown #bedandbreakfast #fall #Halloween #holidayseason #bestfriends #foundfamily #toxicfamily #grief #deathofalovedone #ghosts #cutebaby #cutecats #birep #icequeen
#gayrep #nonbinaryrep #transrep #mediumburn #midlevelspice #sexmagic #3rdactbreakup #HEA #epilogue
I received a review copy from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
Witch Pippa struggles to keep her business afloat, and then her best friend offers her a well-paying gig to bring in ghosts to haunt his new bed-and-breakfast, as opposed to her regular ghost-removal jobs. Xander's childhood best friend and now business partner, Elle, has personal reasons for wanting a haunting that go beyond simply getting an edge over competitors. After starting off on the wrong foot, Pippa and Elle warm up to each other and lean into their attraction on the down low to spare their mutual best friend the details in light of his recent devastating breakup.
Both women are around 30 and have their own family and past-relationship baggage that challenges their ability to trust. The medium-burn romance has decent chemistry and some sweet moments, along with mid-level spice. The sex magic was a nice addition.
The story is told in the first person from Pippa's point of view, so we don't get as much insight into Elle. That makes it a little difficult to connect with her character, as she comes across as a bit cold at times. I still like both main characters and support the pairing (although both could benefit from more therapy). I really appreciated the final declarations.
Pip has seriously toxic parents, and I was angry for her. I like how strong and creative she is and how she manages to carry on when things are tough.
The cool witchy magic is fun and different.
The best-friend-group bond is goals, and the overall found family is important and provides solid support.
With All My Haunted Heart examines what it means to love unconditionally and how that doesn't always come from the family you are born into.
The overall pacing was even. The third-act breakup wasn't my favorite, but it propelled some character growth for both mains.
Quoteworthy:
...and more than the musty books and burning incense of my actual childhood, Xander smells like home.
I press magic into the ground, supporting the earth’s natural ability to neutralize spiritual waste.
...healing is the only magic I’m completely inept at performing. My parents— and the constant ache in my back— are both disappointed by that.
"...sometimes it’s easier to want a broken past than face an uncertain future.”
The shame doubles over itself like a writhing mound of snakes, the coiling and flexing of cold, sliding skin.
I really enjoyed this feel-good story. It was interesting and easy to read. I recommend it for sweet and cozy Halloween vibes.
Bonus points for one of my favorite microtropes: terms of endearment—“love” and “baby.”
#witches #magic #smalltown #bedandbreakfast #fall #Halloween #holidayseason #bestfriends #foundfamily #toxicfamily #grief #deathofalovedone #ghosts #cutebaby #cutecats #birep #icequeen
#gayrep #nonbinaryrep #transrep #mediumburn #midlevelspice #sexmagic #3rdactbreakup #HEA #epilogue
I received a review copy from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
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Pippa Ainsley is a witch struggling to keep her magic shop open against the influence of competing business, so she accepts a request from her best friend to join him on his post-massive-breakup project - opening a B&B - a haunted B&B - and Pippa is responsible for ethically sourcing the spirits in residence. She immediately bumps heads with his business partner, Elle, who looks as delicious as the pastries she bakes.
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I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, but the explorations of grief, of terminal cancer, of losing a child, and the fear of friendships changing wrapped me up and wouldn’t let me go.
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Pippa and Xander’s friendship was one I really enjoyed watching unfold - there’s a long standing attachment but with Pippa’s abandonment issues (valid as they are), she sees minor changes or Xander treating people different or people calling him a different nickname like “Alex” to be a sign that he doesn’t need her around anymore, instead of more people adding to the richness of his life. I really resonated with Pippa’s need to be needed in the lives of the people she loves and her struggle to understand that being wanted for who she was was enough. And I think a lot of other readers will feel that part of her as well.
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There is the death of a child from a terminal illness included in this story so this book may not be for everyone, but from my own perspective as a cancer patient who had to face the likelihood of their own mortality during treatment, I thought it was incredibly well done. And the touch of Sterling adding the name of their own lost child to one who gets a happy ending was both heartwrenching and heartwarming at the same time.
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I also noticed - this was another single POV romance that I’ve loved (I really think single POV romance is my jam now). It just works so well to have Pippa’s POV as the only POV here, it gives room and reason for her doubts to fester and the reveal of Elle’s reasoning behind wanting a haunted B&B makes everything click into place for the reader in a very satisfying way.
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With this adult debut, Sterling has solidified themselves as an author I want to read more from without question. And I can’t wait to see what news we get about Book 2 in this universe 💜 Maybe we’ll get really lucky and see this world again next fall 👀
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍
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*I received an eARC from Berkley & NetGalley and a finished copy from Berkley. All opinions are my own.*
.
Pippa Ainsley is a witch struggling to keep her magic shop open against the influence of competing business, so she accepts a request from her best friend to join him on his post-massive-breakup project - opening a B&B - a haunted B&B - and Pippa is responsible for ethically sourcing the spirits in residence. She immediately bumps heads with his business partner, Elle, who looks as delicious as the pastries she bakes.
.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, but the explorations of grief, of terminal cancer, of losing a child, and the fear of friendships changing wrapped me up and wouldn’t let me go.
.
Pippa and Xander’s friendship was one I really enjoyed watching unfold - there’s a long standing attachment but with Pippa’s abandonment issues (valid as they are), she sees minor changes or Xander treating people different or people calling him a different nickname like “Alex” to be a sign that he doesn’t need her around anymore, instead of more people adding to the richness of his life. I really resonated with Pippa’s need to be needed in the lives of the people she loves and her struggle to understand that being wanted for who she was was enough. And I think a lot of other readers will feel that part of her as well.
.
There is the death of a child from a terminal illness included in this story so this book may not be for everyone, but from my own perspective as a cancer patient who had to face the likelihood of their own mortality during treatment, I thought it was incredibly well done. And the touch of Sterling adding the name of their own lost child to one who gets a happy ending was both heartwrenching and heartwarming at the same time.
.
I also noticed - this was another single POV romance that I’ve loved (I really think single POV romance is my jam now). It just works so well to have Pippa’s POV as the only POV here, it gives room and reason for her doubts to fester and the reveal of Elle’s reasoning behind wanting a haunted B&B makes everything click into place for the reader in a very satisfying way.
.
With this adult debut, Sterling has solidified themselves as an author I want to read more from without question. And I can’t wait to see what news we get about Book 2 in this universe 💜 Maybe we’ll get really lucky and see this world again next fall 👀
.
.
Hisses & Kisses 🐍
.
*I received an eARC from Berkley & NetGalley and a finished copy from Berkley. All opinions are my own.*
September 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a digital ARC of this novel!
This book has such a cute premise. It follows Pippa, a witch having difficulty keeping her magical business open due to new competition springing up nearby. When a close friend from college invites her to take on a job haunting his new bed and breakfast, she reluctantly agrees, despite her concerns with his co-owner and about whether the magic is even possible. As she undergoes the project, Pippa encounters all sorts of challenges, like recruiting ghosts to live in the manor, overcoming past trauma, and even falling for her friend's business partner. It's a paranormal, sapphic romance that explores themes of family abandonment, grief, and building your own found family.
I really wanted to love this novel, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me.
I'll start with a few positives. This book does have an entertaining plot, especially if you like witchy, Halloween stories. It's also easy to read, with a first-person present perspective that flows smoothly. The magic is fun; Pippa is often inventing her own spells using crystals, sigils, and more. If you're looking for a quick read for spooky season, this isn't a bad pick. However, there are a lot of things that I think could have been stronger.
I had a hard time getting a grasp of the characters. Pippa spends so much time telling the reader about the anxiety and stress she feels after being abandoned by her family five years ago. It's mentioned early on and then repeated many times throughout the story. This took up so much space that it was tough for me to learn much else about her. She seems likeable enough, but I think the plot about her past could have been handled with more subtlety to give her personality more room to shine. The other characters felt a bit flat. I liked her college friend, Xander. But, again, it felt like Pippa spent too much time telling us her thoughts about him rather than letting readers see him for themselves. And the love interest, Elle, was just sort of there. I felt like her character was never explored enough for me to feel any particular way about her.
Another thing I struggled with was the pacing. The first half felt pretty slow, while the second half was almost rushed. There were frequently moments when Pippa would mention her plans for something interesting (like recruiting more ghosts), but then the chapter would end, and the next one would pick up days later after she was already done and focused on something else. It happened with the romance, too. I don't mind fade-to-black scenes, but it's a bummer when important character development is left out and then only referenced in passing later.
My last major issue with this novel may be due to a disconnect between how the book appears to be marketed and what it's truly about. The cover and description seem very lighthearted and cozy. However, the story is not actually all that light. There is a content warning at the beginning, which I appreciate, but even with that in mind, I felt like a huge percentage of the plot was about very serious topics (financial struggles, family abandonment, grief, the terminal illness of a child, childhood trauma, relationship trauma... the list goes on) and not much time was left for the warm and sweet moments I had expected. I would have loved to have spent more time learning about the manor, meeting the ghosts, and letting Pippa and Elle's relationship grow. The atmosphere could have been further developed, too.
This story didn't meet my expectations. However, it's not a bad book. If you're looking to read a thoughtful story about the themes I described above that happens to feature paranormal elements and a romance, you might like this. If you're looking for a sapphic romance that is full of Halloween coziness, though, this may be too heavy for you.
2 stars out of 5 stars.
This book has such a cute premise. It follows Pippa, a witch having difficulty keeping her magical business open due to new competition springing up nearby. When a close friend from college invites her to take on a job haunting his new bed and breakfast, she reluctantly agrees, despite her concerns with his co-owner and about whether the magic is even possible. As she undergoes the project, Pippa encounters all sorts of challenges, like recruiting ghosts to live in the manor, overcoming past trauma, and even falling for her friend's business partner. It's a paranormal, sapphic romance that explores themes of family abandonment, grief, and building your own found family.
I really wanted to love this novel, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me.
I'll start with a few positives. This book does have an entertaining plot, especially if you like witchy, Halloween stories. It's also easy to read, with a first-person present perspective that flows smoothly. The magic is fun; Pippa is often inventing her own spells using crystals, sigils, and more. If you're looking for a quick read for spooky season, this isn't a bad pick. However, there are a lot of things that I think could have been stronger.
I had a hard time getting a grasp of the characters. Pippa spends so much time telling the reader about the anxiety and stress she feels after being abandoned by her family five years ago. It's mentioned early on and then repeated many times throughout the story. This took up so much space that it was tough for me to learn much else about her. She seems likeable enough, but I think the plot about her past could have been handled with more subtlety to give her personality more room to shine. The other characters felt a bit flat. I liked her college friend, Xander. But, again, it felt like Pippa spent too much time telling us her thoughts about him rather than letting readers see him for themselves. And the love interest, Elle, was just sort of there. I felt like her character was never explored enough for me to feel any particular way about her.
Another thing I struggled with was the pacing. The first half felt pretty slow, while the second half was almost rushed. There were frequently moments when Pippa would mention her plans for something interesting (like recruiting more ghosts), but then the chapter would end, and the next one would pick up days later after she was already done and focused on something else. It happened with the romance, too. I don't mind fade-to-black scenes, but it's a bummer when important character development is left out and then only referenced in passing later.
My last major issue with this novel may be due to a disconnect between how the book appears to be marketed and what it's truly about. The cover and description seem very lighthearted and cozy. However, the story is not actually all that light. There is a content warning at the beginning, which I appreciate, but even with that in mind, I felt like a huge percentage of the plot was about very serious topics (financial struggles, family abandonment, grief, the terminal illness of a child, childhood trauma, relationship trauma... the list goes on) and not much time was left for the warm and sweet moments I had expected. I would have loved to have spent more time learning about the manor, meeting the ghosts, and letting Pippa and Elle's relationship grow. The atmosphere could have been further developed, too.
This story didn't meet my expectations. However, it's not a bad book. If you're looking to read a thoughtful story about the themes I described above that happens to feature paranormal elements and a romance, you might like this. If you're looking for a sapphic romance that is full of Halloween coziness, though, this may be too heavy for you.
2 stars out of 5 stars.
September 9, 2026
I grabbed this thinking it was going to be a cute, fluffy seasonal read. I just wanted some low-stakes fun. Unfortunately, that’s not what this was. While I did overall enjoy it, I feel like the description does a disservice to what the heart of this book actually is, because it’s anything but “light.”
As always, I’m thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Berkley via NetGalley, and I also ended up doing an immersion read with the ALC provided through the PRH Audio Influencer Program.
I did get the witchy seasonal vibes, and I enjoy a good sapphic romance. The beginning completely delivered on the cute and cozy B&B vibes I was expecting. But then some very heavy themes were introduced, and those themes ended up driving the action far more than the romance. That was frustrating for me because I wasn’t expecting a story centered so heavily around grief, particularly the grief surrounding the loss of a child, and I didn’t love how much that impacted the relationship building.
It was also a bit strange because the author seemed to be aiming for a very character-driven plot, but I never felt like the characters were fleshed out as well as they could have been. On top of that, I found it harder to follow when different people were referring to the same characters using different names. There was so much back and forth, and with everything else happening, it became one more thing I had to stop and think about. Instead of pulling me further into the story, it kept taking me out of it.
There were definitely parts I really liked, particularly when the FMC was focused on her work. Those sections were where I felt most engaged. Unfortunately, the rest left me feeling more unimpressed and frustrated than I wanted to be.
I think this is a case of the book simply not being the story I thought I was picking up, and that made it difficult for me to fully connect with it.
As always, I’m thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Berkley via NetGalley, and I also ended up doing an immersion read with the ALC provided through the PRH Audio Influencer Program.
I did get the witchy seasonal vibes, and I enjoy a good sapphic romance. The beginning completely delivered on the cute and cozy B&B vibes I was expecting. But then some very heavy themes were introduced, and those themes ended up driving the action far more than the romance. That was frustrating for me because I wasn’t expecting a story centered so heavily around grief, particularly the grief surrounding the loss of a child, and I didn’t love how much that impacted the relationship building.
It was also a bit strange because the author seemed to be aiming for a very character-driven plot, but I never felt like the characters were fleshed out as well as they could have been. On top of that, I found it harder to follow when different people were referring to the same characters using different names. There was so much back and forth, and with everything else happening, it became one more thing I had to stop and think about. Instead of pulling me further into the story, it kept taking me out of it.
There were definitely parts I really liked, particularly when the FMC was focused on her work. Those sections were where I felt most engaged. Unfortunately, the rest left me feeling more unimpressed and frustrated than I wanted to be.
I think this is a case of the book simply not being the story I thought I was picking up, and that made it difficult for me to fully connect with it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 rounded to 5
Pippa Ainsley is a witch who makes magic, just not the traditional kind everyone expects, especially of her. Pippa’s magic is experimental and a teeny bit chaotic, which made me like her even more. As the business hits a rough patch, an old college friend offers her a gig at a B&B, and somehow, she ends up populating it with ghosts.
This book is so good! It possesses a supernatural charm that draws you in with ease. I adored the spooky elements and tender moments, incredibly engaging. If you enjoy paranormal stories with emotional depth and heart, this book is a definite recommendation. This is now on my re-read pile!
Thanks to the author for an advanced copy.
Pippa Ainsley is a witch who makes magic, just not the traditional kind everyone expects, especially of her. Pippa’s magic is experimental and a teeny bit chaotic, which made me like her even more. As the business hits a rough patch, an old college friend offers her a gig at a B&B, and somehow, she ends up populating it with ghosts.
This book is so good! It possesses a supernatural charm that draws you in with ease. I adored the spooky elements and tender moments, incredibly engaging. If you enjoy paranormal stories with emotional depth and heart, this book is a definite recommendation. This is now on my re-read pile!
Thanks to the author for an advanced copy.
June 25, 2026
The whole concept of this book was amazing. The way the magic is described felt as if it could be real in our world which I absolutely loved. The characters were all super fun and while this is a bit predictable, it doesn’t take away from how solid of a story this was.
I ended this book story feeling happy AND THEN I read the authors note and now I’m crying.
I ended this book story feeling happy AND THEN I read the authors note and now I’m crying.
Read
September 21, 2026Overall really liked this, the concept of deliberately creating a haunted B and B was very fun and I like that it took real effort to accomplish! Pippa's relationship to her magic was a lot of fun. The romance was pretty good though I do wish it was dual POV, and I really hope we get a book about Xander and Sebastian!
September 26, 2026
[4,5]
LINDO ROMANCE!!!! MEU DEUS EMOCIONOU HORRORES. amei as personagens, amei o aspecto sobrenatural, amei o desenvolvimento, aff, amo ler livros que me fazem querer gritar VIVA O AMOR!!!
LINDO ROMANCE!!!! MEU DEUS EMOCIONOU HORRORES. amei as personagens, amei o aspecto sobrenatural, amei o desenvolvimento, aff, amo ler livros que me fazem querer gritar VIVA O AMOR!!!
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