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Entities to Lovers
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26A connection that’s more than supernatural emerges between two rival tour guides who wish they could ghost each other in this sparkling romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author Mallory Marlowe.
Paranormal medium Rory Woods spends her days offering psychic readings at Ye Olde Spirit Shop and nights haunting the streets of Boston as a ghost-tour guide. Sure, business could be better, but she’s proud of the shop she runs with her mom.
Enter Ezra adjunct history professor, noted thorn in Rory’s side, and—though she’d only admit it under threat of medieval torture he surely knows too much about—a distractingly handsome, charismatic coworker.
Rory can’t stand Ezra’s know-it-all, show-offy behavior. Ezra loves to tease the gorgeous, brilliant medium at the shop. And when the two are forced to host a tour together? It’s no wonder they end up hexed after disturbing a matchmaking ghost.
Saddled with perpetual bad luck unless they’re physically near each other, Rory and Ezra will try anything, from séances to kissing, to stop the jinx from wreaking havoc on both their lives. But in their quest to appease the spirit, they realize that growing closer might not be the curse they once thought it was.
Paranormal medium Rory Woods spends her days offering psychic readings at Ye Olde Spirit Shop and nights haunting the streets of Boston as a ghost-tour guide. Sure, business could be better, but she’s proud of the shop she runs with her mom.
Enter Ezra adjunct history professor, noted thorn in Rory’s side, and—though she’d only admit it under threat of medieval torture he surely knows too much about—a distractingly handsome, charismatic coworker.
Rory can’t stand Ezra’s know-it-all, show-offy behavior. Ezra loves to tease the gorgeous, brilliant medium at the shop. And when the two are forced to host a tour together? It’s no wonder they end up hexed after disturbing a matchmaking ghost.
Saddled with perpetual bad luck unless they’re physically near each other, Rory and Ezra will try anything, from séances to kissing, to stop the jinx from wreaking havoc on both their lives. But in their quest to appease the spirit, they realize that growing closer might not be the curse they once thought it was.
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 26, 2026
About the author
Mallory Marlowe
3 books998 followersMallory Marlowe is the USA Today Bestselling author of Love and Other Conspiracies, Love at First Sighting, and Entities to Lovers. Seriously right-brained since childhood, her love of telling stories began with highly elaborate plots for her Barbie dolls and taking elementary school writing projects too seriously. She studied Writing for Film and TV at Emerson College. When she isn’t writing, she’s likely reading, stuck in L.A. traffic, or fallen down a weird internet rabbit hole. She lives in Los Angeles, CA and writes video games by day.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two rivals forced together by a curse? What’s not to like? Apparently, a lot.
To be fair, this is not a bad book by any means. I think this is a very sweet and basic story that could work as a palate cleanser. But I’ve read a lot of romance lately and the usual formulas just aren't cutting it for me right now, so I found myself getting annoyed with a lot of it. And that’s why it’s getting two stars.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
* Too much telling: The book starts with a boring, info-dumpy life story. I was basically reading a list of why they hate each other, followed by a list of what they do at "Ye Olde Spirit Tours" and "Ye Olde Spirit Shop”, etc. (side note: am I the only one annoyed with the amount of times I had to read these words? 44 times!! Could they not just say tour or shop?). I wish this had been structured more naturally, letting me pick things up on my own. It also felt like I was being rushed through the fun moments, but forced to read boring details like them brushing their teeth.
* The Rivalry: Rory is bitter because Ezra is a know-it-all who is good at his job. Understandable, I guess? But the rivalry is done so poorly. Most of the time I just thought they were acting like children. For example, when they find out they are booked on the same tour, Rory immediately gets her mother to step in and fix it. She literally screams “Mom!”. Seriously? Aren’t they both adults? It was an immediate ick for me.
* The Romance: These two are clearly into each other from page one, spending the first chapters thinking how attractive they find one another. I’m not the biggest fan of this setup and I also don’t think it was executed well so it was a no for me. I’m not even going into specifics on the third-act breakup, but I thought it was the most boring and unnecessary breakup ever.
* Other things: The dirty talk felt forced and unnatural. And I really didn’t like some of the things that were said like: “You are a test i could never be ready for”. I get that he’s a professor but this isn’t cute. I also don’t like reading about real brands in books (iphones, ring cameras, youtube, jeopardy!, etc), but that’s 100% on me. it's a pet peeve of mine.
Forcing myself to finish this was a mistake, and I absolutely should have DNF’d it.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: i’m 45% in and the romance is a total disaster. i think i’ll still finish it but i’m not going to be happy about it
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!
To be fair, this is not a bad book by any means. I think this is a very sweet and basic story that could work as a palate cleanser. But I’ve read a lot of romance lately and the usual formulas just aren't cutting it for me right now, so I found myself getting annoyed with a lot of it. And that’s why it’s getting two stars.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
* Too much telling: The book starts with a boring, info-dumpy life story. I was basically reading a list of why they hate each other, followed by a list of what they do at "Ye Olde Spirit Tours" and "Ye Olde Spirit Shop”, etc. (side note: am I the only one annoyed with the amount of times I had to read these words? 44 times!! Could they not just say tour or shop?). I wish this had been structured more naturally, letting me pick things up on my own. It also felt like I was being rushed through the fun moments, but forced to read boring details like them brushing their teeth.
* The Rivalry: Rory is bitter because Ezra is a know-it-all who is good at his job. Understandable, I guess? But the rivalry is done so poorly. Most of the time I just thought they were acting like children. For example, when they find out they are booked on the same tour, Rory immediately gets her mother to step in and fix it. She literally screams “Mom!”. Seriously? Aren’t they both adults? It was an immediate ick for me.
* The Romance: These two are clearly into each other from page one, spending the first chapters thinking how attractive they find one another. I’m not the biggest fan of this setup and I also don’t think it was executed well so it was a no for me. I’m not even going into specifics on the third-act breakup, but I thought it was the most boring and unnecessary breakup ever.
* Other things: The dirty talk felt forced and unnatural. And I really didn’t like some of the things that were said like: “You are a test i could never be ready for”. I get that he’s a professor but this isn’t cute. I also don’t like reading about real brands in books (iphones, ring cameras, youtube, jeopardy!, etc), but that’s 100% on me. it's a pet peeve of mine.
Forcing myself to finish this was a mistake, and I absolutely should have DNF’d it.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: i’m 45% in and the romance is a total disaster. i think i’ll still finish it but i’m not going to be happy about it
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!
future-releases
February 14, 2026That cover screams October and now I’m mad it’s not spooky season!
May 30, 2026
I want to start this review by saying that 3 stars isn’t a bad rating. I didn’t hate this book at all, I just didn’t love it as much as this author’s previous two books.
The tension felt lower, the storyline was much more in depth and while the romance was fine, the love interests didn’t completely win me over. That being said, I will absolutely continue reading anything this author writes because her debut Love and Other Conspiracies is AMAZING. Whether you end up loving this book or not, I highly recommend picking that one up.
Some books just aren’t for everyone and unfortunately this one fell into that category for me. I absolutely loved the cursed elements and the ghosts but Rory and Ezra weren’t my favorite book couple. Their relationship never fully clicked for me and at times they felt like two people who wouldn’t naturally fit together outside the pages of the story. There were also moments where their indifference toward each other felt a little strange.
I do want to emphasize again that I didn’t dislike this book. I think my expectations were just higher because I enjoyed Marlowe’s other books so much. When an author has already set the bar that high for me, it’s hard not to compare and I’m probably being a little extra picky because of it.
The tension felt lower, the storyline was much more in depth and while the romance was fine, the love interests didn’t completely win me over. That being said, I will absolutely continue reading anything this author writes because her debut Love and Other Conspiracies is AMAZING. Whether you end up loving this book or not, I highly recommend picking that one up.
Some books just aren’t for everyone and unfortunately this one fell into that category for me. I absolutely loved the cursed elements and the ghosts but Rory and Ezra weren’t my favorite book couple. Their relationship never fully clicked for me and at times they felt like two people who wouldn’t naturally fit together outside the pages of the story. There were also moments where their indifference toward each other felt a little strange.
I do want to emphasize again that I didn’t dislike this book. I think my expectations were just higher because I enjoyed Marlowe’s other books so much. When an author has already set the bar that high for me, it’s hard not to compare and I’m probably being a little extra picky because of it.
May 9, 2026
Review copy from Edelweiss and Library Journal. I am once again in love with another adorable couple from Mallory Marlowe. Rory and Ezra were the perfect rivals to lovers, seeing that attraction and similarities were hiding under the friction and animosity. They certainly used that friction in the slow burn of their romance. It can be hard to balance that in a forced proximity storyline but this was excellent, plus ONE BED! I loved the historical tidbits throughout and the appearance of our couple from Love & Other Conspiracies. Highly recommend for a spooky season read, ghosts galore and more!
July 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the gifted ARC!
4.5 stars rounded up. Listen, give me rivals to lovers, a ghost curse, and forced proximity, and I’m already sold.
Rory and Ezra were such a fun pair to follow. Their banter was so good, and I loved that even while they were constantly trying to one-up each other, it was pretty obvious there was something more underneath. The curse forcing them to stay close together led to so many funny moments, but it also gave them the chance to really get to know each other.
The setting was probably one of my favorite parts, well that and the meddling ghost. A haunted spirit shop, ghost tours through Boston, cursed objects, and a medium who actually talks to ghosts? It was the perfect mix of cozy and just a little spooky. I also really liked that beneath all the humor, both Rory and Ezra were working through their own insecurities, so their relationship had a lot more depth than I expected.
If you’ve read Love and Other Conspiracies, you’ll be happy to see some familiar faces pop up, but this can absolutely be read on its own.
This was such a fun, cozy paranormal romance with plenty of laughs, a little bit of spooky season energy, and characters I couldn’t help rooting for.
4.5 stars rounded up. Listen, give me rivals to lovers, a ghost curse, and forced proximity, and I’m already sold.
Rory and Ezra were such a fun pair to follow. Their banter was so good, and I loved that even while they were constantly trying to one-up each other, it was pretty obvious there was something more underneath. The curse forcing them to stay close together led to so many funny moments, but it also gave them the chance to really get to know each other.
The setting was probably one of my favorite parts, well that and the meddling ghost. A haunted spirit shop, ghost tours through Boston, cursed objects, and a medium who actually talks to ghosts? It was the perfect mix of cozy and just a little spooky. I also really liked that beneath all the humor, both Rory and Ezra were working through their own insecurities, so their relationship had a lot more depth than I expected.
If you’ve read Love and Other Conspiracies, you’ll be happy to see some familiar faces pop up, but this can absolutely be read on its own.
This was such a fun, cozy paranormal romance with plenty of laughs, a little bit of spooky season energy, and characters I couldn’t help rooting for.
June 1, 2026
Thank you Berkley Romance for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
ARC Review: Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe
Pub Date: October 13th, 2026
Ya'll put this on your spooky season TBRs RIGHT NOW!!!! I'm telling you, you do not want to miss this one. There is banter galore, meddling ghosts, and chemistry off the charts! This was a super quick read for me and is going to be SO perfect for the fall!
Rory and Ezra are rival tour guides at Rory's mom's shop of curiosities. When they accidentally anger a spirit during a tour, they get cursed and the only way terrible things don't happen to them is if they are physically together. What follows is a bunch of forced proximity and Rory realizes that maybe Ezra isn't quite as terrible and pompous as she thought he was. For Ezra's part? He's always been incredibly intrigued by Rory and this extended time together only exacerbates that.
The banter here was honestly delightful! I loved the mismatch between Rory and Ezra and how he never got his feathers ruffled by her. I loved seeing how the forced proximity really improved their relationship and allowed Rory in particular to see Ezra in a different light. I loved seeing how much they came to understand each other. Their chemistry was just so so good and their steamy scenes absolutely added to their relationship and moved things forward. I loved seeing them both start to be a little vulnerable and honest with each other.
And I loved loved our meddling spirits/ghosts! There were quite a few from helpful Clementine, to mischievous Luna, to the ever present Temperance Talbot who initiates the curse against our two main characters. I thought they added so much to the story and was honestly just delighted by them.
We also get an extended cameo from Hayden and Hallie (Love and Other Conspiracies) and it was just simply delightful!!! I loved seeing our favorite believer and nonbeliever back on page :)
Read this for:
- Forced Proximity
- Only one bed
- A curse!
- Meddling ghosts
- Ghost tours
- Demisexual FMC
- Road trip
ARC Review: Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe
Pub Date: October 13th, 2026
Ya'll put this on your spooky season TBRs RIGHT NOW!!!! I'm telling you, you do not want to miss this one. There is banter galore, meddling ghosts, and chemistry off the charts! This was a super quick read for me and is going to be SO perfect for the fall!
Rory and Ezra are rival tour guides at Rory's mom's shop of curiosities. When they accidentally anger a spirit during a tour, they get cursed and the only way terrible things don't happen to them is if they are physically together. What follows is a bunch of forced proximity and Rory realizes that maybe Ezra isn't quite as terrible and pompous as she thought he was. For Ezra's part? He's always been incredibly intrigued by Rory and this extended time together only exacerbates that.
The banter here was honestly delightful! I loved the mismatch between Rory and Ezra and how he never got his feathers ruffled by her. I loved seeing how the forced proximity really improved their relationship and allowed Rory in particular to see Ezra in a different light. I loved seeing how much they came to understand each other. Their chemistry was just so so good and their steamy scenes absolutely added to their relationship and moved things forward. I loved seeing them both start to be a little vulnerable and honest with each other.
And I loved loved our meddling spirits/ghosts! There were quite a few from helpful Clementine, to mischievous Luna, to the ever present Temperance Talbot who initiates the curse against our two main characters. I thought they added so much to the story and was honestly just delighted by them.
We also get an extended cameo from Hayden and Hallie (Love and Other Conspiracies) and it was just simply delightful!!! I loved seeing our favorite believer and nonbeliever back on page :)
Read this for:
- Forced Proximity
- Only one bed
- A curse!
- Meddling ghosts
- Ghost tours
- Demisexual FMC
- Road trip
June 15, 2026
My Summerween era continues with Entities to Lovers, and it was everything I wanted it to be.
Rory and Ezra are faux-rival ghost tour guides who upset a meddlesome matchmaking spirit. The pair are cursed by terrible luck unless they’re physically near each other. And if they bicker? Things go haywire. Paranormal forced proximity = romcom gold!
I adored it all: autumnal New England vibes, one-liners that had me chuckling aloud as I highlighted them on my Kindle, and a heart-warming love story. As a greater Boston girlie, I wish I could visit the shop and take the tour for real!
Also, I love an interconnected standalone situation, so it was fun getting appearances from Love and Other Conspiracies characters.
Thanks to Berkley for the gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.
Rory and Ezra are faux-rival ghost tour guides who upset a meddlesome matchmaking spirit. The pair are cursed by terrible luck unless they’re physically near each other. And if they bicker? Things go haywire. Paranormal forced proximity = romcom gold!
I adored it all: autumnal New England vibes, one-liners that had me chuckling aloud as I highlighted them on my Kindle, and a heart-warming love story. As a greater Boston girlie, I wish I could visit the shop and take the tour for real!
Also, I love an interconnected standalone situation, so it was fun getting appearances from Love and Other Conspiracies characters.
Thanks to Berkley for the gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2026
5 MASSIVE STARS FOR RORY AND EZRA MY BABIES ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
God this was just a great time! Im slowly getting more and more into paranormal romances and Mallory Marlowe has solidified herself as one of my favourites and I cannot wait to go through her backlist because I know there’s some cameos in this 😏
One thing I love about romance authors like Mallory is that she knows exactly what the story needs at every given time and I was laughing, swooning and tearing up because I felt so deeply for these flawed and real characters and that’s just testament to her writing.
The romance. These two cannot stand each other at the start of the book and it brings so much tension and banter into play that really set the dynamic of their relationship. Ezra has always had a thing for Rory and I mean.. kinda vice versa although Rory would probably say otherwise, so when they end up getting cursed by a matchmaking ghost whilst doing a ghost tour the only way their lives don’t turn upside down is if they stick close together.. they have a lot of time to quash old feuds and get along 🤷♀️ Ezra and Rory were just a pleasure to read and they both brought so much heart and personality to the book. I just love them so very much.
The sex. Brilliant. The explicit scenes were done extremely well and added to the relationship. It didn’t feel out of character on either end. I think Rory being asexual was done extremely well too and you could feel her vulnerability during these scenes and Ezra’s reassurance was chefs kiss!!
The writing. Quick and witty without feeling rushed and overdone, I loved how we were allowed to stay in so many important moments. The descriptions were excellent and I felt like I was almost on the ghost tours with them!
I really have no notes. This book is fun but it also hits deep with some personal issues that Ezra and Rory have to face. Although theres obviously paranormal elements at play it’s also a very candid look at personality types and how we might tend to avoid and push people away out of fear of failure or loneliness.I could relate to both of them so much especially Rory.
Overall the easiest 5 stars. So much heart and humour and I cannot wait to read the next one because we already know who the hero is gonna be 😏
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for sending me an arc. All opinions are my own
God this was just a great time! Im slowly getting more and more into paranormal romances and Mallory Marlowe has solidified herself as one of my favourites and I cannot wait to go through her backlist because I know there’s some cameos in this 😏
One thing I love about romance authors like Mallory is that she knows exactly what the story needs at every given time and I was laughing, swooning and tearing up because I felt so deeply for these flawed and real characters and that’s just testament to her writing.
The romance. These two cannot stand each other at the start of the book and it brings so much tension and banter into play that really set the dynamic of their relationship. Ezra has always had a thing for Rory and I mean.. kinda vice versa although Rory would probably say otherwise, so when they end up getting cursed by a matchmaking ghost whilst doing a ghost tour the only way their lives don’t turn upside down is if they stick close together.. they have a lot of time to quash old feuds and get along 🤷♀️ Ezra and Rory were just a pleasure to read and they both brought so much heart and personality to the book. I just love them so very much.
The sex. Brilliant. The explicit scenes were done extremely well and added to the relationship. It didn’t feel out of character on either end. I think Rory being asexual was done extremely well too and you could feel her vulnerability during these scenes and Ezra’s reassurance was chefs kiss!!
The writing. Quick and witty without feeling rushed and overdone, I loved how we were allowed to stay in so many important moments. The descriptions were excellent and I felt like I was almost on the ghost tours with them!
I really have no notes. This book is fun but it also hits deep with some personal issues that Ezra and Rory have to face. Although theres obviously paranormal elements at play it’s also a very candid look at personality types and how we might tend to avoid and push people away out of fear of failure or loneliness.I could relate to both of them so much especially Rory.
Overall the easiest 5 stars. So much heart and humour and I cannot wait to read the next one because we already know who the hero is gonna be 😏
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for sending me an arc. All opinions are my own
May 29, 2026
i’ve read mallory’s first two books & loved them so knew i had to pick this one up as soon as i could! i will say it might be my least favorite mallory but it was still cute. i loved the fmc rory but didn’t really like the mmc ezra LOL. usually nerds are right up my alley but he just wasn’t attractive to me & kind of a pansy 😳 whoops. (and listen. i know authors like for things to be real sometimes but come on don’t make him 5’8 let that be ONE thing you go crazy with!!)
this kinda moved crazy fast for me, it went from hate to love SO FAST. i did love the paranormal aspect, especially luna 🥰 also the creepy doll being nice was a great turn of events & i really liked that. i will say this does make me want to go on another ghost tour. (loved the cameo of hallie and hayden!!! and i want THAT scene to be released!!!)
this would be a great spooky season read! thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review via netgalley. all opinions are my own <3
this kinda moved crazy fast for me, it went from hate to love SO FAST. i did love the paranormal aspect, especially luna 🥰 also the creepy doll being nice was a great turn of events & i really liked that. i will say this does make me want to go on another ghost tour. (loved the cameo of hallie and hayden!!! and i want THAT scene to be released!!!)
this would be a great spooky season read! thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review via netgalley. all opinions are my own <3
May 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this! The bantering was the highlight for me. I love that a ghost played Cupid.
The curse of bad luck force Rory and Erza to be in force proximity to each other and allow them to discover their similarities as well as traits they never seen otherwise. Twin flames - I love this idea. Someone that accepts you for who you are.
I like the foreshadowing at the beginning before the curse happened. When Rory said on the ghost tour prior that “Temperance Talbot was also quite the romantic, often hosting matchmaking dinners — with a spooky twist. And that is exactly what this story was all about!
Love it!
The curse of bad luck force Rory and Erza to be in force proximity to each other and allow them to discover their similarities as well as traits they never seen otherwise. Twin flames - I love this idea. Someone that accepts you for who you are.
I like the foreshadowing at the beginning before the curse happened. When Rory said on the ghost tour prior that “Temperance Talbot was also quite the romantic, often hosting matchmaking dinners — with a spooky twist. And that is exactly what this story was all about!
Love it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2026
Mallory Marlowe has written a perfectly cozy spooky romance. I think cursing our MCs together was a fun idea, and I do love both of the characters. This book certainly feels lower stakes and it dragged a bit in the 2nd half. As someone in academia I found a few “that is not how that works” things in relation to Ezra’s job but I certainly identified with his frustration in that world. Honestly I almost completely missed the hints at cameos from her first book but I wasn’t really thinking of them as related at all. It’s fun and relatively lighthearted and I absolutely would recommend it to others who enjoy her books.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
June 15, 2026
Thank you SO much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC of Entities to Lovers!
What I loved: The spooky vibes were so, so fun. I wish I could visit the shop in real life?! I also loved seeing Hayden and Hallie make an appearance in this book. Love and Other Conspiracies was my first read of Mallory Marlowe's and I would read anything those two are in. I also really loved Ezra. What a fun character! Altogether, I thought the idea of the two main characters being cursed by an ancient (and grumpy) spirit as a way to find their way to each other was super unique.
What wasn't my favorite: The pivot from "I hate you" to "I have loved you all along" felt super quick. I'm not a big fan of that almost "insta-love" idea. It wasn't totally that, but that's the best way I can describe it. It just felt like it happened TOO quick.
Overall, I give this four stars and would absolutely recommend it to my friends and bookstagram community!
What I loved: The spooky vibes were so, so fun. I wish I could visit the shop in real life?! I also loved seeing Hayden and Hallie make an appearance in this book. Love and Other Conspiracies was my first read of Mallory Marlowe's and I would read anything those two are in. I also really loved Ezra. What a fun character! Altogether, I thought the idea of the two main characters being cursed by an ancient (and grumpy) spirit as a way to find their way to each other was super unique.
What wasn't my favorite: The pivot from "I hate you" to "I have loved you all along" felt super quick. I'm not a big fan of that almost "insta-love" idea. It wasn't totally that, but that's the best way I can describe it. It just felt like it happened TOO quick.
Overall, I give this four stars and would absolutely recommend it to my friends and bookstagram community!
Read
May 21, 2026This was a delight! If you're looking for a spooky season romance read, this will hit perfectly.
Thank you to the author for the review copy! Opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author for the review copy! Opinions are my own.
Want to Read
April 15, 2026Pre-Read * I never do pre-read reviews but I AM SO FREAKING STOKED FOR THIS!!! Love Mallory and her writings with amazing cover choices.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gosh this book was hard as hell to rate. I can't say I disliked it overall, but there were so many small things that annoyed me. 3.5/5, rounded down. This'll be another one of my unstructured, bullet-pointed/numbered reviews.
1. The whole enemies-to-lovers thing.
I love enemies to lovers. I really do. But apparently, after reading so many that've been marketed as such, it's only in theory. I think I can maybe count on one hand the number of them I've liked, and name none off the top of my head. This one will unfortunately not be joining the list.
The thing is, to pull off an etl successfully, there needs to be a proper reason they hate each other, and then we see them work through it over the course of the book. I'm still unsure of why our FMC hated our MMC (and lo and behold, we had the classic mmc actually secretly likes fmc and they've always been horny for each other... because what's the point of creativity in a book). Oh yes, I know she had the whole "he's better than me at everything" thing, but are we for real... what are you? 8? That's just childish and petty as hell. You're 26. Grow up. Authors, I know y'all like writing for tropes because it gets you marketing (aka Booktok) points, but at least try to actually go through with them... half hearting it like this only makes your characters unlikable. You don't have to force the enemies to lovers... there are other marketable tropes out there.
2. The characters
I've already said the FMC is 26 going on 8. Frankly, I'm surprised we didn't see her stomping her foot a few times. This grown ass woman's reaction to getting put on tour with our MMC is literally running to her mom. And it's not even a one-time thing... the recurring solution to problems in this book is our MCs running to FMC's mom. Gosh, this book reinforces why I don't want children. Can you imagine being in your late 50s/60s and your kid still running to you to solve every single one of their problems... Not that the MMC is getting a pass. Why are you a 29-year-old grown-ass man, a whole professor who's supposed to be teaching the next generation at that, acting like you're one of those kindergarten boys who're obsessed with teasing a girl because they like her? While you're at it, why didn't you pull one of her pigtails? Seriously, grow up. Two grown adults acting like children isn't cute or quirky.
Also, another gripe. FFS, what is this epidemic of MCs all having a traumatizing past??? I don't think there exists a single character in the romance novel world who doesn't have some kind of sob story. What, is being traumatized the only way people can develop a personality? Oh boo fucking hoo. Get some therapy, gosh. And the FMC's sob story... yeah whatever, fine. I'll take it. But the MMC's... what an eye roll. I'm not saying they're not valid feelings, but letting it affect your life the way it has (apparently it's what caused the third act breakup???)...
Oh and the sex scenes... yeah I skipped them all. The talking really wasn't doing it for me, and the only way I can describe my reaction is "lowkey disgusted". And no, I'm not a prude who dislikes sex in books. It's just the things they said... no thank you. Read at your own caution.
I will say though. They were pretty funny together. When I was just reading the book and not using my brain too much, I did laugh a lot. The banter was cute, and they played off each other well.
3. The word "roast". It's used so many times, and I cringed every time. Gives "how do you do, fellow kids", but I'm not sure if that's intentional or not. Either way, I hate it. That's all.
Oh and tangentially related (I made a note of this in my Goodreads status thing, but I can't remember any examples currently). there were soooo many pop culture/real world references. If you're not a fan of that, you'll probably be struggling through the first part of this book. There were a TON.
4. Gosh I really want to go to Maine and get a lobster roll... for all I've griped about this book so far, I think the fact that the author has made me so hungry for a lobster roll (and a trip back to Boston) is actually my biggest complaint lol.
5. Clementine and Luna!!! I loved them. Really sad we didn't see Luna as much towards the end, although I guess there wasn't really anything the author could've done with her anyway. Clementine with the condom genuinely took me out. That's a true friend right there. She was just absolutely adorable.
6. The third act breakup.
Third-act breakups rarely make sense to me, and this book was no different. I've said this before in so many different reviews, but I've found nothing is truer: some people LOVE problems in their lives. It felt like it got shoved in there for no other reason than ticking a box off the "how to write a romance novel" checklist. Like why did it happen??? All of a sudden, our MMC is just... over it??? Is that why the author put the sob story in for him??? To justify the third act breakup??? Cause if so, it feels poorly done. It was just so dumb; we absolutely could've done without it. Especially with how it was resolved (and so quickly, at that).
7. There were some aspects of the paranormal stuff that I was confused about, but I guess that's to be expected when you're world-building like this, so it's whatever. But it is a huge part of why I dislike reading fantasy/paranormal books: there's always some kind of plot-hole/unanswered questions at the end.
Overall... obviously I had some problems with the book. But I can't say I hated it or anything, and they were mostly (aside from the third-act breakup and childishness of the MCs) things I could get past. The writing was pretty good, and the plot was fun. If you're looking for a paranormal romance where you can set your brain aside for a while, this is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
1. The whole enemies-to-lovers thing.
I love enemies to lovers. I really do. But apparently, after reading so many that've been marketed as such, it's only in theory. I think I can maybe count on one hand the number of them I've liked, and name none off the top of my head. This one will unfortunately not be joining the list.
The thing is, to pull off an etl successfully, there needs to be a proper reason they hate each other, and then we see them work through it over the course of the book. I'm still unsure of why our FMC hated our MMC (and lo and behold, we had the classic mmc actually secretly likes fmc and they've always been horny for each other... because what's the point of creativity in a book). Oh yes, I know she had the whole "he's better than me at everything" thing, but are we for real... what are you? 8? That's just childish and petty as hell. You're 26. Grow up. Authors, I know y'all like writing for tropes because it gets you marketing (aka Booktok) points, but at least try to actually go through with them... half hearting it like this only makes your characters unlikable. You don't have to force the enemies to lovers... there are other marketable tropes out there.
2. The characters
I've already said the FMC is 26 going on 8. Frankly, I'm surprised we didn't see her stomping her foot a few times. This grown ass woman's reaction to getting put on tour with our MMC is literally running to her mom. And it's not even a one-time thing... the recurring solution to problems in this book is our MCs running to FMC's mom. Gosh, this book reinforces why I don't want children. Can you imagine being in your late 50s/60s and your kid still running to you to solve every single one of their problems... Not that the MMC is getting a pass. Why are you a 29-year-old grown-ass man, a whole professor who's supposed to be teaching the next generation at that, acting like you're one of those kindergarten boys who're obsessed with teasing a girl because they like her? While you're at it, why didn't you pull one of her pigtails? Seriously, grow up. Two grown adults acting like children isn't cute or quirky.
Also, another gripe. FFS, what is this epidemic of MCs all having a traumatizing past??? I don't think there exists a single character in the romance novel world who doesn't have some kind of sob story. What, is being traumatized the only way people can develop a personality? Oh boo fucking hoo. Get some therapy, gosh. And the FMC's sob story... yeah whatever, fine. I'll take it. But the MMC's... what an eye roll. I'm not saying they're not valid feelings, but letting it affect your life the way it has (apparently it's what caused the third act breakup???)...
Oh and the sex scenes... yeah I skipped them all. The talking really wasn't doing it for me, and the only way I can describe my reaction is "lowkey disgusted". And no, I'm not a prude who dislikes sex in books. It's just the things they said... no thank you. Read at your own caution.
I will say though. They were pretty funny together. When I was just reading the book and not using my brain too much, I did laugh a lot. The banter was cute, and they played off each other well.
3. The word "roast". It's used so many times, and I cringed every time. Gives "how do you do, fellow kids", but I'm not sure if that's intentional or not. Either way, I hate it. That's all.
Oh and tangentially related (I made a note of this in my Goodreads status thing, but I can't remember any examples currently). there were soooo many pop culture/real world references. If you're not a fan of that, you'll probably be struggling through the first part of this book. There were a TON.
4. Gosh I really want to go to Maine and get a lobster roll... for all I've griped about this book so far, I think the fact that the author has made me so hungry for a lobster roll (and a trip back to Boston) is actually my biggest complaint lol.
5. Clementine and Luna!!! I loved them. Really sad we didn't see Luna as much towards the end, although I guess there wasn't really anything the author could've done with her anyway. Clementine with the condom genuinely took me out. That's a true friend right there. She was just absolutely adorable.
6. The third act breakup.
Third-act breakups rarely make sense to me, and this book was no different. I've said this before in so many different reviews, but I've found nothing is truer: some people LOVE problems in their lives. It felt like it got shoved in there for no other reason than ticking a box off the "how to write a romance novel" checklist. Like why did it happen??? All of a sudden, our MMC is just... over it??? Is that why the author put the sob story in for him??? To justify the third act breakup??? Cause if so, it feels poorly done. It was just so dumb; we absolutely could've done without it. Especially with how it was resolved (and so quickly, at that).
7. There were some aspects of the paranormal stuff that I was confused about, but I guess that's to be expected when you're world-building like this, so it's whatever. But it is a huge part of why I dislike reading fantasy/paranormal books: there's always some kind of plot-hole/unanswered questions at the end.
Overall... obviously I had some problems with the book. But I can't say I hated it or anything, and they were mostly (aside from the third-act breakup and childishness of the MCs) things I could get past. The writing was pretty good, and the plot was fun. If you're looking for a paranormal romance where you can set your brain aside for a while, this is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I knew I was going to enjoy this one before I ever opened it. I absolutely loved "Love and Other Conspiracies," and while "Love at First Sighting" didn't quite hit me the same way, Mallory Marlowe has quickly become one of those authors whose books I'll pick up based on her name alone. And after finishing "Entities to Lovers," I think the biggest takeaway for me is this: Nobody is writing atmosphere quite like Mallory Marlowe right now. Seriously.
It didn't matter whether Rory and Ezra were wandering through Boston, leading ghost tours, hanging out in their apartments, road-tripping through Maine, or staying in some absurdly nautical inn. I was there. Every single time. There were so many little details that made the world feel real. Not because they were lengthy descriptions, but because they were specific. A peeling blue cabin with a sign written in Papyrus. A harmless ghost who organizes pillows. A doll named Clementine who leaves little gifts for people she likes. Everything felt vivid and lived in. By the end, I found myself highlighting random passages simply because I wanted to remember how effectively Mallory Marlowe had painted a scene.
One thing that really stood out to me while reading this is how difficult this particular blend of genres actually is to pull off. Contemporary romance mixed with ghosts, hauntings, mediums, and paranormal elements is catnip for me as a reader, and I've picked up more than a few books in recent years chasing that exact combination. The ones that have truly delivered have Mallory's name on the front cover. The paranormal elements never feel tacked on to an otherwise standard romance, and the romance never feels like an afterthought to the ghost story. Both parts of the book feel equally important and fully realized. The result is a story that feels completely comfortable being exactly what it is: a contemporary romance that wholeheartedly embraces the weird, spooky, supernatural side of its world without ever losing sight of the emotional story at its center. Honestly, after reading all three of Mallory Marlowe's books, this feels like the niche she was born to write.
The paranormal worldbuilding was another huge win for me. As someone who genuinely enjoys and believes in the other side, I appreciated how seriously the supernatural elements were treated. The ghosts weren't there just to be quirky decorations in a rom-com. They felt like actual members of the world. Some were funny. Some were creepy. Some were surprisingly moving.
And then there was Temperance. She deserves her own fan club. What starts as a matchmaking curse slowly evolves into something much deeper. The more we learn about the people she's "cursed" over the years, the more we realize she isn't trying to make anyone miserable at all. She's helping people see the things they can't see for themselves. By the end of the book, I found her story every bit as compelling as the romance, and her final appearance genuinely got me a little emotional. She's the Afterlife Mom; her wisdom and meddling = top tier.
I also have to give a shoutout to Hayden and Hallie from "Love and Other Conspiracies" because I was ridiculously excited when they showed up. One of my favorite things about returning to an author's world is getting to see previous couples again, and Mallory Marlowe handled it perfectly. They were present enough that I got to enjoy seeing what their relationship looks like now, but they never overshadowed Rory and Ezra's story. Hayden was still wonderfully Hayden, Hallie was still wonderfully Hallie, and everything about their cameo made me happy.
As for Rory and Ezra, I liked them both from the start. The chemistry was there almost immediately, and they were both genuinely funny people. Not "rom-com character" funny. Actually funny. Their internal monologues, observations, and reactions constantly made me laugh.
That said, the biggest thing holding this back from a five-star read for me was the character growth. Both Rory and Ezra carried very similar wounds centered around feeling unworthy of being chosen and loved, and while I understood what the book was trying to do, there were times when it felt like they were learning the same lesson over and over again. By the time the third-act breakup arrived, I found myself wishing the story would let them finally choose themselves and choose each other instead of continuing the cycle of self-sabotage. Even so, I never stopped rooting for them.
Funny, atmospheric, charming, heartfelt, and full of ghosts I never wanted to leave behind. "Everything is made more romantic by a ghost."
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.
It didn't matter whether Rory and Ezra were wandering through Boston, leading ghost tours, hanging out in their apartments, road-tripping through Maine, or staying in some absurdly nautical inn. I was there. Every single time. There were so many little details that made the world feel real. Not because they were lengthy descriptions, but because they were specific. A peeling blue cabin with a sign written in Papyrus. A harmless ghost who organizes pillows. A doll named Clementine who leaves little gifts for people she likes. Everything felt vivid and lived in. By the end, I found myself highlighting random passages simply because I wanted to remember how effectively Mallory Marlowe had painted a scene.
One thing that really stood out to me while reading this is how difficult this particular blend of genres actually is to pull off. Contemporary romance mixed with ghosts, hauntings, mediums, and paranormal elements is catnip for me as a reader, and I've picked up more than a few books in recent years chasing that exact combination. The ones that have truly delivered have Mallory's name on the front cover. The paranormal elements never feel tacked on to an otherwise standard romance, and the romance never feels like an afterthought to the ghost story. Both parts of the book feel equally important and fully realized. The result is a story that feels completely comfortable being exactly what it is: a contemporary romance that wholeheartedly embraces the weird, spooky, supernatural side of its world without ever losing sight of the emotional story at its center. Honestly, after reading all three of Mallory Marlowe's books, this feels like the niche she was born to write.
The paranormal worldbuilding was another huge win for me. As someone who genuinely enjoys and believes in the other side, I appreciated how seriously the supernatural elements were treated. The ghosts weren't there just to be quirky decorations in a rom-com. They felt like actual members of the world. Some were funny. Some were creepy. Some were surprisingly moving.
And then there was Temperance. She deserves her own fan club. What starts as a matchmaking curse slowly evolves into something much deeper. The more we learn about the people she's "cursed" over the years, the more we realize she isn't trying to make anyone miserable at all. She's helping people see the things they can't see for themselves. By the end of the book, I found her story every bit as compelling as the romance, and her final appearance genuinely got me a little emotional. She's the Afterlife Mom; her wisdom and meddling = top tier.
I also have to give a shoutout to Hayden and Hallie from "Love and Other Conspiracies" because I was ridiculously excited when they showed up. One of my favorite things about returning to an author's world is getting to see previous couples again, and Mallory Marlowe handled it perfectly. They were present enough that I got to enjoy seeing what their relationship looks like now, but they never overshadowed Rory and Ezra's story. Hayden was still wonderfully Hayden, Hallie was still wonderfully Hallie, and everything about their cameo made me happy.
As for Rory and Ezra, I liked them both from the start. The chemistry was there almost immediately, and they were both genuinely funny people. Not "rom-com character" funny. Actually funny. Their internal monologues, observations, and reactions constantly made me laugh.
That said, the biggest thing holding this back from a five-star read for me was the character growth. Both Rory and Ezra carried very similar wounds centered around feeling unworthy of being chosen and loved, and while I understood what the book was trying to do, there were times when it felt like they were learning the same lesson over and over again. By the time the third-act breakup arrived, I found myself wishing the story would let them finally choose themselves and choose each other instead of continuing the cycle of self-sabotage. Even so, I never stopped rooting for them.
Funny, atmospheric, charming, heartfelt, and full of ghosts I never wanted to leave behind. "Everything is made more romantic by a ghost."
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.
June 1, 2026
Entities to Lovers is everything I possibly could have wanted in a cute, quirky Halloween read.
Rory and Ezra loathe each other in the best way possible, which is academic and professional rivalry. But, as always, there’s a thin line between loathing and loving!
When a joint ghost tour goes south, both Rory and Ezra have to figure out how to put aside their differences just long enough to break a curse put on them by a meddling Victorian-era ghost.
Mild spoilers ahead, but nothing that would spoil the book!
Things I liked:
+ I liked the setting of this book, it felt very homey. It felt like somewhere I’ve been before and would go to again. It also felt as though it became its own character come the end of the novel.
+ I LOVED the call backs to the other books, especially because the author has quickly become one of my always buy authors. It’s just fun, and it’s not done in an overly annoying sitcom-y way.
+ The GHOSTS! I’m so glad that there were real, actual ghosts in this and that they could explain it all with science. I’ve read so many paranormal romances in the past where the ghost mechanics just ruined the entire book for me, so it was very nice to enjoy one for a change.
+ The vibes. The vibes in this book were immaculate, and I’m definitely going to be rereading and purchasing this book when it comes out in October.
+ Rory. I LOVED RORY. She felt like such a good character, I loved her personality and her…everything. Obsessed 10/10 no notes—I just wish she had a better love interest.
Things I was “eh” about:
+ The chemistry between the two MC’s was…interesting. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t like how fast paced the novel was, timeline wise, or if it was just because I wasn’t a huge fan of Ezra as a whole (I’ll get into that later).
+ I wish that this book was just a little slower, a little more relaxed. I realize that yes, they are big cursed and trying to find a way to reverse it, but it felt like they fell in love almost immediately. I can do the instant love trope, but I wish this hadn’t been that type of book.
Things I wasn’t a fan of:
+ Ezra. I hate it say it. I didn’t like him, which is insane because I love a nerdy history man. Not enough to DNF, but I really kept reading because I enjoyed Rory and her mother and the world that the author created. Ezra just felt so….complain-y. Between him constantly telling us in his POV about all of the things he wanted to do to Rory (because this is instant love, written as though he’d always been into her, which was a cop out to me) he felt so…weirdly written. At some points he would feel very well-written, like he knew exactly who he was. But then at other times it felt like he was just on the back burner to give Rory life. He was also always just complaining about how hard his life was, how anxious he was, and how he wasn’t good enough for anything. I don’t know, he just felt wishy-washy. I almost thought that Rory deserved a better love interest.
+ I didn’t like the third act miscommunication—which is insane because I LOVE a third act miscommunication. Like, give me the groveling, the yearning, the sadness! This just didn’t make any sense, the whole time they were trying to get rid of this curse that said “hey you guys need to stick together and do scary things”…just for Ezra to give up almost immediately after hooking up with her (another timeline issue I didn’t like).
Final thoughts:
This was a super cute, easy read. Don’t think too hard about it (like I did), and you’ll love it. If you loved her other books, you’ll absolutely adore this one as well.
Lastly, thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this eARC!
Rory and Ezra loathe each other in the best way possible, which is academic and professional rivalry. But, as always, there’s a thin line between loathing and loving!
When a joint ghost tour goes south, both Rory and Ezra have to figure out how to put aside their differences just long enough to break a curse put on them by a meddling Victorian-era ghost.
Mild spoilers ahead, but nothing that would spoil the book!
Things I liked:
+ I liked the setting of this book, it felt very homey. It felt like somewhere I’ve been before and would go to again. It also felt as though it became its own character come the end of the novel.
+ I LOVED the call backs to the other books, especially because the author has quickly become one of my always buy authors. It’s just fun, and it’s not done in an overly annoying sitcom-y way.
+ The GHOSTS! I’m so glad that there were real, actual ghosts in this and that they could explain it all with science. I’ve read so many paranormal romances in the past where the ghost mechanics just ruined the entire book for me, so it was very nice to enjoy one for a change.
+ The vibes. The vibes in this book were immaculate, and I’m definitely going to be rereading and purchasing this book when it comes out in October.
+ Rory. I LOVED RORY. She felt like such a good character, I loved her personality and her…everything. Obsessed 10/10 no notes—I just wish she had a better love interest.
Things I was “eh” about:
+ The chemistry between the two MC’s was…interesting. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t like how fast paced the novel was, timeline wise, or if it was just because I wasn’t a huge fan of Ezra as a whole (I’ll get into that later).
+ I wish that this book was just a little slower, a little more relaxed. I realize that yes, they are big cursed and trying to find a way to reverse it, but it felt like they fell in love almost immediately. I can do the instant love trope, but I wish this hadn’t been that type of book.
Things I wasn’t a fan of:
+ Ezra. I hate it say it. I didn’t like him, which is insane because I love a nerdy history man. Not enough to DNF, but I really kept reading because I enjoyed Rory and her mother and the world that the author created. Ezra just felt so….complain-y. Between him constantly telling us in his POV about all of the things he wanted to do to Rory (because this is instant love, written as though he’d always been into her, which was a cop out to me) he felt so…weirdly written. At some points he would feel very well-written, like he knew exactly who he was. But then at other times it felt like he was just on the back burner to give Rory life. He was also always just complaining about how hard his life was, how anxious he was, and how he wasn’t good enough for anything. I don’t know, he just felt wishy-washy. I almost thought that Rory deserved a better love interest.
+ I didn’t like the third act miscommunication—which is insane because I LOVE a third act miscommunication. Like, give me the groveling, the yearning, the sadness! This just didn’t make any sense, the whole time they were trying to get rid of this curse that said “hey you guys need to stick together and do scary things”…just for Ezra to give up almost immediately after hooking up with her (another timeline issue I didn’t like).
Final thoughts:
This was a super cute, easy read. Don’t think too hard about it (like I did), and you’ll love it. If you loved her other books, you’ll absolutely adore this one as well.
Lastly, thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy from NetGalley...
I’ve been on the fence about how to rate this book, since there were a lot of things I really liked about it and others that didn’t work for me. Guess I’ll give it a 4, but actually a 3.7?
First off, the premise and setting were the high points of this book. The MCs Rory and Ezra work at Rory’s mom’s curiosity shop, filled with antiques and haunted objects. Mallory Marlowe did a great job of evoking the vibe of a place like that, especially with Clementine, the haunted doll who gives people small objects when she likes them. (She was honestly my favourite character in the book, especially in Act 3 when she Amazing.) As someone who loves ghost tours too, I also enjoyed seeing Rory and Ezra lead the tours and share their love of history, even as they’re sparring with each other.
The premise is that, on one of these tours, Rory and Ezra accidentally knock over a table at an old haunted mansion which is one of their tour stops. After that, things start going disastrously for them whenever they’re apart, and only go well when they’re together. They eventually figure out that they’ve been cursed by the ghostly former owner of the house, Temperance Talbot, and that the curse will only break when they learn an important life lesson.
You don’t really hear Temperance, as she communicates through actions rather than words, but she worked very well as a character too. I love the premise of a slightly crochety old-lady ghost who actually just wants to you to face your demons.
What didn’t work as well for me was the romance itself. Rory and Ezra’s insecurities seemed like they would fit better in a YA novel. But Rory is 26 and Ezra is 29. One of Ezra’s big insecurities is working as a precariously employed adjunct professor, as he feels he’s underachieved. That’s totally legitimate and I can personally relate, but by 29 I had long since figured out that academia was broken and moved on to something more stable. Even though it’s made clear that he’s working in a toxic department in a university full of churn, Ezra doesn’t see this as a systemic problem at all and just blames himself. That might work for a 23 year old new grad, but less so for a 29 year old.
The other issue was that Rory’s resentment toward Ezra at the beginning seemed sort of immature. Like, she’s mad at him because people like his tours better and give him more tips? However, I will say that I liked how Rory’s insecurities were due to a malevolent ghost named Mara who is always telling her that she’s a loser and unworthy of love. It was smart of Mallory Marlowe to take the negative self-talk that goes on in a lot of women’s brains and
The third act breakup made no sense. It came out of nowhere and a was a total reversal of Ezra’s arc until that point. I have no issues with third act breakups when they’re done well, but Ezra just regressed so suddenly and abruptly after having just done something brave only a hour before that I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief.
Overall, this is a fun read for spooky season and will definitely give you the Halloween vibes, but if you’re looking for a satisfying romance, one of Mallory Marlowe’s other books might be a better choice.
I’ve been on the fence about how to rate this book, since there were a lot of things I really liked about it and others that didn’t work for me. Guess I’ll give it a 4, but actually a 3.7?
First off, the premise and setting were the high points of this book. The MCs Rory and Ezra work at Rory’s mom’s curiosity shop, filled with antiques and haunted objects. Mallory Marlowe did a great job of evoking the vibe of a place like that, especially with Clementine, the haunted doll who gives people small objects when she likes them. (She was honestly my favourite character in the book, especially in Act 3 when she Amazing.) As someone who loves ghost tours too, I also enjoyed seeing Rory and Ezra lead the tours and share their love of history, even as they’re sparring with each other.
The premise is that, on one of these tours, Rory and Ezra accidentally knock over a table at an old haunted mansion which is one of their tour stops. After that, things start going disastrously for them whenever they’re apart, and only go well when they’re together. They eventually figure out that they’ve been cursed by the ghostly former owner of the house, Temperance Talbot, and that the curse will only break when they learn an important life lesson.
You don’t really hear Temperance, as she communicates through actions rather than words, but she worked very well as a character too. I love the premise of a slightly crochety old-lady ghost who actually just wants to you to face your demons.
What didn’t work as well for me was the romance itself. Rory and Ezra’s insecurities seemed like they would fit better in a YA novel. But Rory is 26 and Ezra is 29. One of Ezra’s big insecurities is working as a precariously employed adjunct professor, as he feels he’s underachieved. That’s totally legitimate and I can personally relate, but by 29 I had long since figured out that academia was broken and moved on to something more stable. Even though it’s made clear that he’s working in a toxic department in a university full of churn, Ezra doesn’t see this as a systemic problem at all and just blames himself. That might work for a 23 year old new grad, but less so for a 29 year old.
The other issue was that Rory’s resentment toward Ezra at the beginning seemed sort of immature. Like, she’s mad at him because people like his tours better and give him more tips? However, I will say that I liked how Rory’s insecurities were due to a malevolent ghost named Mara who is always telling her that she’s a loser and unworthy of love. It was smart of Mallory Marlowe to take the negative self-talk that goes on in a lot of women’s brains and
The third act breakup made no sense. It came out of nowhere and a was a total reversal of Ezra’s arc until that point. I have no issues with third act breakups when they’re done well, but Ezra just regressed so suddenly and abruptly after having just done something brave only a hour before that I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief.
Overall, this is a fun read for spooky season and will definitely give you the Halloween vibes, but if you’re looking for a satisfying romance, one of Mallory Marlowe’s other books might be a better choice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking for a quick palate cleanser, but pretty soon into this book, I realized that I'm not super interested in Halloween/occult-themed stories, but I kept reading because it was generally entertaining (didn't dock stars for this).
I will say, the highlights of this book were that the banter between the FMC and MMC was great, that it felt like each character had their own distinct personality and voice, and Luna and Clementine.
***spoilers from here onwards***
I had three problems with this story though, and they were all because of the third-act breakup, mainly Ezra (docked stars for these).
First, the curse didn't always seem to follow its own 'rules', and as a result, the conflicts felt kind of redundant. To break the curse, they had to stop lying to themselves and choose each other. Okay, done by the halfway mark and things start to improve. Then things sometimes act up for seemingly no reason aside from distance (e.g. Rory spilling a drink on a kid while on a coffee run). Then they learn that to break the curse for real, they not only have to choose each other, but *keep* choosing each other, even when things get difficult. I don't have much of a problem about this new 'rule', but given that it's so similar with the initial one, I think the execution needed to be stronger, which I'll get to in the next points.
Second, the reason for the breakup was completely illogical considering they had established the 'rules' of their curse, and I honestly would've expected Ezra to be smart enough to recognize that. The author did a fine job setting up his anxieties about relationships to try to justify his decision, but I feel like at that point in the story, he should've learned and grown enough to know better. Ezra just pissed me off at that point to be honest.
If, because of your fears, your Great Plan is to break things off anyway, then you might as well talk it out with your partner to make sure you're not projecting your insecurities onto them (which, shocker, he was). You can't claim to care about someone that deeply but then cut them off to save your own feelings, and over an assumption no less!
Finally, for some reason, both Ezra and Rory seem to think that *she* was partly responsible for the breakup. Why??? The argument in the book is that she should have fought more for him, but at their low point, she *was* the one saying they should stay together. Sure, she was snarky by the end of that conversation, but who wouldn't be hurt when their partner is trying to break things off with them, especially given their circumstances? Far too often, women take the blame in arguments or for decisions they didn't make because they didn't cater to the feelings of the men who caused the problems in the first place, and it's annoying that this book perpetuates that.
Also, Ezra interrupts Rory's session with the podcasters and decides that that's the perfect time to ask for forgiveness?? That's not sweet?? That's obliviousness bordering on either selfishness or stupidity??? She forgave him way too quick smdh
2.75/5 rounded to 3
I was looking for a quick palate cleanser, but pretty soon into this book, I realized that I'm not super interested in Halloween/occult-themed stories, but I kept reading because it was generally entertaining (didn't dock stars for this).
I will say, the highlights of this book were that the banter between the FMC and MMC was great, that it felt like each character had their own distinct personality and voice, and Luna and Clementine.
***spoilers from here onwards***
I had three problems with this story though, and they were all because of the third-act breakup, mainly Ezra (docked stars for these).
First, the curse didn't always seem to follow its own 'rules', and as a result, the conflicts felt kind of redundant. To break the curse, they had to stop lying to themselves and choose each other. Okay, done by the halfway mark and things start to improve. Then things sometimes act up for seemingly no reason aside from distance (e.g. Rory spilling a drink on a kid while on a coffee run). Then they learn that to break the curse for real, they not only have to choose each other, but *keep* choosing each other, even when things get difficult. I don't have much of a problem about this new 'rule', but given that it's so similar with the initial one, I think the execution needed to be stronger, which I'll get to in the next points.
Second, the reason for the breakup was completely illogical considering they had established the 'rules' of their curse, and I honestly would've expected Ezra to be smart enough to recognize that. The author did a fine job setting up his anxieties about relationships to try to justify his decision, but I feel like at that point in the story, he should've learned and grown enough to know better. Ezra just pissed me off at that point to be honest.
If, because of your fears, your Great Plan is to break things off anyway, then you might as well talk it out with your partner to make sure you're not projecting your insecurities onto them (which, shocker, he was). You can't claim to care about someone that deeply but then cut them off to save your own feelings, and over an assumption no less!
Finally, for some reason, both Ezra and Rory seem to think that *she* was partly responsible for the breakup. Why??? The argument in the book is that she should have fought more for him, but at their low point, she *was* the one saying they should stay together. Sure, she was snarky by the end of that conversation, but who wouldn't be hurt when their partner is trying to break things off with them, especially given their circumstances? Far too often, women take the blame in arguments or for decisions they didn't make because they didn't cater to the feelings of the men who caused the problems in the first place, and it's annoying that this book perpetuates that.
Also, Ezra interrupts Rory's session with the podcasters and decides that that's the perfect time to ask for forgiveness?? That's not sweet?? That's obliviousness bordering on either selfishness or stupidity??? She forgave him way too quick smdh
2.75/5 rounded to 3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Continuing my new obsession with spooky cozy romcoms, I picked up Entities to Lovers. I found this to be a fun read with some overall witty lines that made me chuckle, but I also struggled with a lot in the novel.
The story starts with Rory and Ezra being double-booked for the same tour. As they are “enemies,” neither is thrilled about this. When they get cursed by a ghost they upset on the tour to stay in the same vicinity, they are even less thrilled.
What I didn’t love:
- Early in the book, Ezra and Rory’s characters are fleshed out through the lengthy inner monologues that were at times funny and other times a real slog to get through.
- The fighting between Rory and Ezra felt childish, with Rory’s little jabs at Ezra feeling especially inappropriate as her mother is his boss.
- The depiction of Rory’s sexuality was perfunctory: it felt that the author was trying to be inclusive but lacked follow-through. Early in the book, Rory has an inner monologue about struggling with her sexuality and eventually identifying as asexual. While sexuality is a spectrum, it felt weird that she then proceeds to have a lot of sexual attraction and yearning towards Ezra, and her asexuality is never discussed again. There is no inner dialogue from Rory discussing her feelings about her new sexual attraction; it was all glossed over. After finishing the book, it felt that the author used Rory’s identity as an asexual as a cop-out to explain why she was “inexperienced,” but that her asexuality was somehow negated by her and Ezra being meant for each other.
- The third act breakup felt like it was shoehorned into the story for the sake of plot progression but was inconsistent with all the growth the characters had just gone through.
What was done well:
- I liked how Ezra is not the typical male love interest. Ezra is a history professor who wears black nail polish, is heavily tattooed, pierced, and dresses stylishly. Ezra is described as lean and fairly average height, which is a truly refreshing change from a lot of romances.
-The bad luck following Ezra and Rory throughout their love story was classic rom-com disaster and was funny.
-The love story was cute. I really enjoyed that Ezra and Rory became friends before they fell in love.
While this book wasn’t my cup of tea, the writing is strong, and I feel that others may enjoy it still.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The story starts with Rory and Ezra being double-booked for the same tour. As they are “enemies,” neither is thrilled about this. When they get cursed by a ghost they upset on the tour to stay in the same vicinity, they are even less thrilled.
What I didn’t love:
- Early in the book, Ezra and Rory’s characters are fleshed out through the lengthy inner monologues that were at times funny and other times a real slog to get through.
- The fighting between Rory and Ezra felt childish, with Rory’s little jabs at Ezra feeling especially inappropriate as her mother is his boss.
- The depiction of Rory’s sexuality was perfunctory: it felt that the author was trying to be inclusive but lacked follow-through. Early in the book, Rory has an inner monologue about struggling with her sexuality and eventually identifying as asexual. While sexuality is a spectrum, it felt weird that she then proceeds to have a lot of sexual attraction and yearning towards Ezra, and her asexuality is never discussed again. There is no inner dialogue from Rory discussing her feelings about her new sexual attraction; it was all glossed over. After finishing the book, it felt that the author used Rory’s identity as an asexual as a cop-out to explain why she was “inexperienced,” but that her asexuality was somehow negated by her and Ezra being meant for each other.
- The third act breakup felt like it was shoehorned into the story for the sake of plot progression but was inconsistent with all the growth the characters had just gone through.
What was done well:
- I liked how Ezra is not the typical male love interest. Ezra is a history professor who wears black nail polish, is heavily tattooed, pierced, and dresses stylishly. Ezra is described as lean and fairly average height, which is a truly refreshing change from a lot of romances.
-The bad luck following Ezra and Rory throughout their love story was classic rom-com disaster and was funny.
-The love story was cute. I really enjoyed that Ezra and Rory became friends before they fell in love.
While this book wasn’t my cup of tea, the writing is strong, and I feel that others may enjoy it still.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up
🌶️/5
Entities to Lovers is a cute supernatural romance that, unfortunately, just didn’t quite work for me.
The story follows Ezra and Rory, two competing haunted tour guides who find themselves cursed and forced to work together to break it. The premise immediately caught my attention, and as someone who usually enjoys lighter paranormal romances, I went into this one really excited.
I did enjoy both main characters. Rory and Ezra were charming in their own ways, and I liked seeing their relationship develop over the course of the story. I was definitely rooting for them once they finally got on the same page. There are also some fun spooky side characters that added to the overall atmosphere.
That said, I struggled with the romance setup. The book is marketed as enemies-to-lovers, but it never really felt like enemies to me. Ezra seemed to like Rory from the beginning, while Rory’s dislike of him never felt fully justified. Even though she was clearly attracted to him, her resistance often felt forced, and I found myself struggling to understand why she was so determined not to like him. Because of that, the central conflict between them didn’t completely land for me.
I also found the pacing difficult at times. There were several sections that felt overly descriptive, particularly during the haunted tours, where multiple pages were devoted to detailing each stop and speech. While I understand the intention was to build the world and immerse the reader in the setting, I often found myself wishing those scenes moved a little faster.
Ultimately, I think this may come down to personal preference. I’ve never read this author before, so it’s possible her writing style simply isn’t the best fit for me. I could absolutely see other readers enjoying the detailed atmosphere and slower pacing more than I did.
Overall, this one had a lot of elements I normally love, a fun supernatural premise, likable characters, and a spooky setting, but the overly descriptive tangents pulled me out of the story too often. I could definitely see the potential here, and with a tighter edit, I think this might have been a much stronger read for me.
🌟 thank you you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this story.
🌶️/5
Entities to Lovers is a cute supernatural romance that, unfortunately, just didn’t quite work for me.
The story follows Ezra and Rory, two competing haunted tour guides who find themselves cursed and forced to work together to break it. The premise immediately caught my attention, and as someone who usually enjoys lighter paranormal romances, I went into this one really excited.
I did enjoy both main characters. Rory and Ezra were charming in their own ways, and I liked seeing their relationship develop over the course of the story. I was definitely rooting for them once they finally got on the same page. There are also some fun spooky side characters that added to the overall atmosphere.
That said, I struggled with the romance setup. The book is marketed as enemies-to-lovers, but it never really felt like enemies to me. Ezra seemed to like Rory from the beginning, while Rory’s dislike of him never felt fully justified. Even though she was clearly attracted to him, her resistance often felt forced, and I found myself struggling to understand why she was so determined not to like him. Because of that, the central conflict between them didn’t completely land for me.
I also found the pacing difficult at times. There were several sections that felt overly descriptive, particularly during the haunted tours, where multiple pages were devoted to detailing each stop and speech. While I understand the intention was to build the world and immerse the reader in the setting, I often found myself wishing those scenes moved a little faster.
Ultimately, I think this may come down to personal preference. I’ve never read this author before, so it’s possible her writing style simply isn’t the best fit for me. I could absolutely see other readers enjoying the detailed atmosphere and slower pacing more than I did.
Overall, this one had a lot of elements I normally love, a fun supernatural premise, likable characters, and a spooky setting, but the overly descriptive tangents pulled me out of the story too often. I could definitely see the potential here, and with a tighter edit, I think this might have been a much stronger read for me.
🌟 thank you you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨️Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book had me in such a good mood while reading it, it felt very nostalgic to me as a 90s kid who grew up with some great spooky but fun Halloween movies.
At the Ye Olde Spirit Shop, you will find antiques and oddities while also being able to have your tarot cards read by Rory, the local medium who can speak to the many spirits of Boston. The shop also hosts a trolley ghost tour which Rory also helps with. Fellow ghost tour host, Ezra, lives to annoy Rory in almost anything he does so fate seems to be against them when they are both scheduled for the same ghost tour. Things get even worse when they decide to host the ghost tour together and end up cursed by a residential spirit. What a great way to get over all that tension between the two, never mind that they are both wildly attracted to each other, nothing can go wrong, right?
This story had me in stitches, I loved the humor that was sprinked throughout the book. First, I have to say that if I could have a favorite spirit, it would be Clementine. She is a girls girl who just loves attention and also is quite funny in her abilities to provide what someone may need. The ghosts of the story were quite an intricate part of the story, from Temperance to Clementine, each brought something to the characters that helped the story along. Then comes our dynamic duo, cursed to be together or something goes horribly wrong and having to deal with their true feelings, I absolutely ate it up. The banter and tension, I fear I will be reading my annotations over and over because some of their banter will be living in my brain forever. I loved Rory and Ezra, they felt very nostalgic to me in the way that I put on my favorite early 2000s romcom to feel something. The overall story was so entertaining and just had the best Halloween vibe, I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed this book. Definitely put this one on your TBR because it will hit you in all the Halloween feels and is perfect to curl up with if your wanting that spooky fun read.
This book had me in such a good mood while reading it, it felt very nostalgic to me as a 90s kid who grew up with some great spooky but fun Halloween movies.
At the Ye Olde Spirit Shop, you will find antiques and oddities while also being able to have your tarot cards read by Rory, the local medium who can speak to the many spirits of Boston. The shop also hosts a trolley ghost tour which Rory also helps with. Fellow ghost tour host, Ezra, lives to annoy Rory in almost anything he does so fate seems to be against them when they are both scheduled for the same ghost tour. Things get even worse when they decide to host the ghost tour together and end up cursed by a residential spirit. What a great way to get over all that tension between the two, never mind that they are both wildly attracted to each other, nothing can go wrong, right?
This story had me in stitches, I loved the humor that was sprinked throughout the book. First, I have to say that if I could have a favorite spirit, it would be Clementine. She is a girls girl who just loves attention and also is quite funny in her abilities to provide what someone may need. The ghosts of the story were quite an intricate part of the story, from Temperance to Clementine, each brought something to the characters that helped the story along. Then comes our dynamic duo, cursed to be together or something goes horribly wrong and having to deal with their true feelings, I absolutely ate it up. The banter and tension, I fear I will be reading my annotations over and over because some of their banter will be living in my brain forever. I loved Rory and Ezra, they felt very nostalgic to me in the way that I put on my favorite early 2000s romcom to feel something. The overall story was so entertaining and just had the best Halloween vibe, I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed this book. Definitely put this one on your TBR because it will hit you in all the Halloween feels and is perfect to curl up with if your wanting that spooky fun read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe
This is a paranormal rom-com that fully commits to the bit: a matchmaking ghost decides two people with unresolved tension should absolutely be forced into proximity, and proceeds to ruin their lives accordingly. Rory is a paranormal medium working ghost tours in Boston, and Ezra is her academic rival and coworker, which already sets the stage for constant irritation before any supernatural interference even begins. The tone is light, self-aware, and more interested in chemistry than anything resembling strict paranormal logic.
The inciting incident is classic chaotic ghost behavior. Rory and Ezra accidentally disturb a matchmaking spirit during a ghost tour, and are promptly cursed so that separation leads to escalating bad luck. The result is a forced-proximity setup where the universe actively penalizes them for not working through their issues together. It is less about unraveling a complex haunting and more about being trapped in a situation that steadily eliminates their ability to avoid each other.
Most of the plot follows them trying to break the curse through ghost-related research, investigations, and increasingly unavoidable teamwork. Boston’s haunted history provides atmosphere and occasional complications, but the paranormal system is flexible rather than tightly structured. The curse operates more like a narrative engine than a puzzle box, keeping them moving through situations that force cooperation and emotional honesty.
What carries the book is the relationship between Rory and Ezra. Their dynamic is built on rivalry, sarcasm, and long-standing professional tension that gradually shifts into something more vulnerable as they are forced to rely on each other. The banter is a consistent highlight, and the romance progression feels natural within the constraints of the curse. Even when the supernatural mechanics are doing a lot of convenient heavy lifting, the emotional arc remains engaging enough to hold the story together. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a paranormal rom-com that fully commits to the bit: a matchmaking ghost decides two people with unresolved tension should absolutely be forced into proximity, and proceeds to ruin their lives accordingly. Rory is a paranormal medium working ghost tours in Boston, and Ezra is her academic rival and coworker, which already sets the stage for constant irritation before any supernatural interference even begins. The tone is light, self-aware, and more interested in chemistry than anything resembling strict paranormal logic.
The inciting incident is classic chaotic ghost behavior. Rory and Ezra accidentally disturb a matchmaking spirit during a ghost tour, and are promptly cursed so that separation leads to escalating bad luck. The result is a forced-proximity setup where the universe actively penalizes them for not working through their issues together. It is less about unraveling a complex haunting and more about being trapped in a situation that steadily eliminates their ability to avoid each other.
Most of the plot follows them trying to break the curse through ghost-related research, investigations, and increasingly unavoidable teamwork. Boston’s haunted history provides atmosphere and occasional complications, but the paranormal system is flexible rather than tightly structured. The curse operates more like a narrative engine than a puzzle box, keeping them moving through situations that force cooperation and emotional honesty.
What carries the book is the relationship between Rory and Ezra. Their dynamic is built on rivalry, sarcasm, and long-standing professional tension that gradually shifts into something more vulnerable as they are forced to rely on each other. The banter is a consistent highlight, and the romance progression feels natural within the constraints of the curse. Even when the supernatural mechanics are doing a lot of convenient heavy lifting, the emotional arc remains engaging enough to hold the story together. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 Stars rounded down to four.
Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe was an absolute delight from beginning to end. While the overall story follows a familiar romantic comedy formula, the paranormal twist, laugh-out-loud humor, and lovable characters made it incredibly easy to become invested in Rory and Ezra's journey.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the setting. Boston's haunted history provided the perfect backdrop for the story, and I loved following Rory and Ezra as they traveled from one location to the next, unraveling the mystery surrounding their curse. The ghost tours, local legends, and supernatural elements gave the romance a unique charm while making the city feel like a character in its own right.
Rory and Ezra's dynamic was another standout. Their constant teasing, stubbornness, and determination to deny the obvious chemistry between them made for some genuinely hilarious moments. More than once I found myself laughing out loud at their interactions. Watching two people fight their growing feelings with every fiber of their being never stopped being entertaining.
As the mystery surrounding the curse unfolded, I enjoyed discovering more about those who had been affected before them and piecing together how everything connected. The supernatural elements blended seamlessly with the romance, creating a story that felt both whimsical and heartfelt.
Beneath all of the humor, Entities to Lovers is ultimately a story about learning to accept love and realizing you're worthy of it. That emotional thread gave the romance additional depth and made Rory and Ezra's journey even more satisfying.
If you're looking for a paranormal romantic comedy filled with witty banter, supernatural shenanigans, and plenty of laughs, Entities to Lovers is an easy recommendation.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley, and Mallory Marlowe for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest and fair review.
Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe was an absolute delight from beginning to end. While the overall story follows a familiar romantic comedy formula, the paranormal twist, laugh-out-loud humor, and lovable characters made it incredibly easy to become invested in Rory and Ezra's journey.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the setting. Boston's haunted history provided the perfect backdrop for the story, and I loved following Rory and Ezra as they traveled from one location to the next, unraveling the mystery surrounding their curse. The ghost tours, local legends, and supernatural elements gave the romance a unique charm while making the city feel like a character in its own right.
Rory and Ezra's dynamic was another standout. Their constant teasing, stubbornness, and determination to deny the obvious chemistry between them made for some genuinely hilarious moments. More than once I found myself laughing out loud at their interactions. Watching two people fight their growing feelings with every fiber of their being never stopped being entertaining.
As the mystery surrounding the curse unfolded, I enjoyed discovering more about those who had been affected before them and piecing together how everything connected. The supernatural elements blended seamlessly with the romance, creating a story that felt both whimsical and heartfelt.
Beneath all of the humor, Entities to Lovers is ultimately a story about learning to accept love and realizing you're worthy of it. That emotional thread gave the romance additional depth and made Rory and Ezra's journey even more satisfying.
If you're looking for a paranormal romantic comedy filled with witty banter, supernatural shenanigans, and plenty of laughs, Entities to Lovers is an easy recommendation.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley, and Mallory Marlowe for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest and fair review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
.
This was a fun PNR! My New England heart soared to see autumnal Boston as the setting and I lovedddd the curse-induced forced proximity for these two rivals! All of the mishaps brought on by said curse were so funny and honestly relatable, who hasn’t had a day when they felt like the universe was out to get them? Watching these two brats hiss at each other while trying to work out what their spectral matchmaker wanted while simultaneously having sizzling chemistry was so fitting for Bostonians and entertaining to read! Also I can’t help but rejoice anytime I come across ace rep in my books!
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As a lover of spooky season, I really enjoyed all the different paranormal aspects (and cameos from a previous book eeee!!), but Clementine was hands down my favorite. Her coming in clutch with an *ahem* certain gift had me cackling!! Honorable mention to Luna, I would happily have her over to haunt my place anytime. But I also loved how there was commentary on how our protagonists’ hang ups couldn’t always be blamed on the supernatural, sometimes they’re just good old fashioned human insecurities that can rear their ugly heads at the most inconvenient times.
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If I had one bugaboo I would say sometimes Rory and Ezra’s dynamic felt a little off. I can’t really put my finger on it and that’s most likely me being nitpicky, but sometimes their interactions struck a discordant note for me. Maybe it’s because I found their original rivalry a little childish or some of their banter/sentiments a tad corny, but I wasn’t as invested in them as a couple as I expected (especially after the circumstances surrounding the third act breakup/reconciliation). Overall though I enjoyed this one and can’t wait to learn more about Ezra’s brother Micah in Mallory’s next book!
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This was a fun PNR! My New England heart soared to see autumnal Boston as the setting and I lovedddd the curse-induced forced proximity for these two rivals! All of the mishaps brought on by said curse were so funny and honestly relatable, who hasn’t had a day when they felt like the universe was out to get them? Watching these two brats hiss at each other while trying to work out what their spectral matchmaker wanted while simultaneously having sizzling chemistry was so fitting for Bostonians and entertaining to read! Also I can’t help but rejoice anytime I come across ace rep in my books!
.
As a lover of spooky season, I really enjoyed all the different paranormal aspects (and cameos from a previous book eeee!!), but Clementine was hands down my favorite. Her coming in clutch with an *ahem* certain gift had me cackling!! Honorable mention to Luna, I would happily have her over to haunt my place anytime. But I also loved how there was commentary on how our protagonists’ hang ups couldn’t always be blamed on the supernatural, sometimes they’re just good old fashioned human insecurities that can rear their ugly heads at the most inconvenient times.
.
If I had one bugaboo I would say sometimes Rory and Ezra’s dynamic felt a little off. I can’t really put my finger on it and that’s most likely me being nitpicky, but sometimes their interactions struck a discordant note for me. Maybe it’s because I found their original rivalry a little childish or some of their banter/sentiments a tad corny, but I wasn’t as invested in them as a couple as I expected (especially after the circumstances surrounding the third act breakup/reconciliation). Overall though I enjoyed this one and can’t wait to learn more about Ezra’s brother Micah in Mallory’s next book!
May 24, 2026
I stumbled upon Mallory Marlowe last year when I was first dipping my toe into the romance genre. I loved both of her books, so I was really excited when I found out the next one would revolve around ghosts and Halloween (my favorite time of year!). When I got my ARC, I was ready to dive in and get back to those Fall vibes.
The story revolves around Rory and Ezra, who are Haunted Boston tour guides. Of course, they're rivals and therefore are always trying to outdo each other. During one tour, they accidentally knock over a seance table of one of the most notorious ghosts in Boston (Temperance). Temperance is not happy and places a curse on them that forces them to be in close proximity to each other at all times; if they are not, they suffer horrible bad luck. Forced to be together at all times, they must find a way to break the curse and also figure out their feelings for each other.
Everything about this was great! A curse that forces them to be together at all times is such a simple concept, but it worked so well. I loved seeing how their luck would immediately change based on whether or not they were together. I felt that their relationship felt natural even though it was being forced on them. It wasn't instalove. They slowly learned about each other and realized they work really well together. I also really loved the ambiance of it all. The haunted tours, Boston in the Fall, and the different ghosts that are sprinkled throughout; in terms of the paranormal aspect of Marlowe's books, this one hits the best. It really immerses you into the Fall/Halloween vibes.
Overall, this was another hit from Mallory Marlowe. She is now 3 for 3 for me and has become an instabuy author. I am already eagerly anticipating her 4th book next year. If you like your romance books to have a fun, slightly paranormal twist to them, then I highly recommend all of her books!
The story revolves around Rory and Ezra, who are Haunted Boston tour guides. Of course, they're rivals and therefore are always trying to outdo each other. During one tour, they accidentally knock over a seance table of one of the most notorious ghosts in Boston (Temperance). Temperance is not happy and places a curse on them that forces them to be in close proximity to each other at all times; if they are not, they suffer horrible bad luck. Forced to be together at all times, they must find a way to break the curse and also figure out their feelings for each other.
Everything about this was great! A curse that forces them to be together at all times is such a simple concept, but it worked so well. I loved seeing how their luck would immediately change based on whether or not they were together. I felt that their relationship felt natural even though it was being forced on them. It wasn't instalove. They slowly learned about each other and realized they work really well together. I also really loved the ambiance of it all. The haunted tours, Boston in the Fall, and the different ghosts that are sprinkled throughout; in terms of the paranormal aspect of Marlowe's books, this one hits the best. It really immerses you into the Fall/Halloween vibes.
Overall, this was another hit from Mallory Marlowe. She is now 3 for 3 for me and has become an instabuy author. I am already eagerly anticipating her 4th book next year. If you like your romance books to have a fun, slightly paranormal twist to them, then I highly recommend all of her books!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Aurora (Rory) Woods is a paranormal medium who gives haunted tours of Boston. Her nemesis is Ezra Blackwell, a history professor and co-worker.
While guiding a tour, the two are hexed by a matchmaking ghost. As a result, they become afflicted with bad luck whenever they're too far apart. But the curse quickly turns into a passion-filled blessing.
🔮Adult Fiction
👻Supernatural Rom-Com
🔮Rivals to Lovers
👻Haunted Tour Guides
🔮Cursed into Forced Proximity
👻Asexual Heroine
🔮Open Door
'Entities to Lovers' is a charming romantic comedy that's perfect for Halloween. It has ghosts, hexes, haunted objects, and eruptive tension.
Rory has known that she’s a psychic medium since she was a child. She struggles with horrible insecurity, which is why she likes having an alter-ego for ghost tours. As a child, Rory was traumatized by a malicious ghost who preyed on her fears. The spirit convinced her that she’ll never be enough for anyone. I loved how that was an overt metaphor for mental health and the things that haunt our minds.
Ezra is unsatisfied with his career as a professor. He enjoys being a tour guide because it fulfills his passion for history and the supernatural. He's been possessed by his attraction for Rory ever since he first laid eyes on her.
Rory and Ezra have a lot in common, from their anxieties and self-hatred to their competitive natures. The curse is like an invisible handcuff that forces them to finally face their feelings for each other. This is a slow burn, mainly because they need to work up the courage to fight for love.
Sometimes our biggest enemy is ourselves.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
While guiding a tour, the two are hexed by a matchmaking ghost. As a result, they become afflicted with bad luck whenever they're too far apart. But the curse quickly turns into a passion-filled blessing.
🔮Adult Fiction
👻Supernatural Rom-Com
🔮Rivals to Lovers
👻Haunted Tour Guides
🔮Cursed into Forced Proximity
👻Asexual Heroine
🔮Open Door
'Entities to Lovers' is a charming romantic comedy that's perfect for Halloween. It has ghosts, hexes, haunted objects, and eruptive tension.
Rory has known that she’s a psychic medium since she was a child. She struggles with horrible insecurity, which is why she likes having an alter-ego for ghost tours. As a child, Rory was traumatized by a malicious ghost who preyed on her fears. The spirit convinced her that she’ll never be enough for anyone. I loved how that was an overt metaphor for mental health and the things that haunt our minds.
Ezra is unsatisfied with his career as a professor. He enjoys being a tour guide because it fulfills his passion for history and the supernatural. He's been possessed by his attraction for Rory ever since he first laid eyes on her.
Rory and Ezra have a lot in common, from their anxieties and self-hatred to their competitive natures. The curse is like an invisible handcuff that forces them to finally face their feelings for each other. This is a slow burn, mainly because they need to work up the courage to fight for love.
Sometimes our biggest enemy is ourselves.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
This was such a fun romance and a great example of how to do rivals-to-lovers (or dislike-to-lovers) without making the characters unnecessarily cruel to each other. I really liked both main characters (Rory and Ezra), and their insecurities felt very real and relatable. As the story unfolded, it became clear how those insecurities shaped their perceptions of each other, which made their relationship development feel authentic and earned.
The writing flowed well, the pacing kept me engaged, and I especially appreciated how genuine the romance felt. Watching them gradually understand each other and work through their assumptions was one of my favorite parts of the book. I also loved seeing characters from a previous book make appearances (Hayden and Hallie :)). It was a nice bonus that made the world feel more connected.
My main criticism is that, at the beginning, their dislike of each other felt a little forced. It wasn't immediately clear why they had such negative impressions of one another, and that made the setup feel slightly jarring. The reasoning does become much clearer as you learn more about both characters, but it took a little time for me to fully buy into it.
I also would have loved more scenes where they were forced into each other's daily routines and social circles. Since spending time together was such a key part of the story, I think there was room for even more fun and awkward situations that could have further developed their dynamic.
Overall, though, I had a great time with this one. The characters were easy to root for, the romance felt sincere, and it delivered exactly the kind of relationship development I enjoy in this trope.
This was such a fun romance and a great example of how to do rivals-to-lovers (or dislike-to-lovers) without making the characters unnecessarily cruel to each other. I really liked both main characters (Rory and Ezra), and their insecurities felt very real and relatable. As the story unfolded, it became clear how those insecurities shaped their perceptions of each other, which made their relationship development feel authentic and earned.
The writing flowed well, the pacing kept me engaged, and I especially appreciated how genuine the romance felt. Watching them gradually understand each other and work through their assumptions was one of my favorite parts of the book. I also loved seeing characters from a previous book make appearances (Hayden and Hallie :)). It was a nice bonus that made the world feel more connected.
My main criticism is that, at the beginning, their dislike of each other felt a little forced. It wasn't immediately clear why they had such negative impressions of one another, and that made the setup feel slightly jarring. The reasoning does become much clearer as you learn more about both characters, but it took a little time for me to fully buy into it.
I also would have loved more scenes where they were forced into each other's daily routines and social circles. Since spending time together was such a key part of the story, I think there was room for even more fun and awkward situations that could have further developed their dynamic.
Overall, though, I had a great time with this one. The characters were easy to root for, the romance felt sincere, and it delivered exactly the kind of relationship development I enjoy in this trope.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!
ARC Review: Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe
Pub Date: October 13th, 2026
I am once again in love with another adorable couple from Mallory Marlowe.
Rory and Ezra were the perfect rivals-to-lovers pairing, with all that buried attraction and similarity slowly surfacing under the friction and animosity. The forced proximity curse really leans into that dynamic in the best way, and the slow burn payoff felt very satisfying. This is exactly the kind of setup where tension can either fall flat or really work—and here, it absolutely works.
The banter between them is genuinely fun, and I loved how Ezra never really rises to Rory’s provocations in the way she expects him to. Instead, there’s this steady, patient chemistry that builds as they’re forced to stay close. The “one bed” situation only adds to that escalating tension in a way that felt playful rather than overdone.
The ghost element was also a highlight for me. From helpful Clementine to mischievous Luna to the ever-present Temperance Talbot, the spirits added personality, humor, and a bit of chaos that made the whole story more memorable. It gave the book a strong spooky-season feel that really worked in its favor.
I also loved the historical tidbits woven throughout and the fun crossover cameo from Love & Other Conspiracies—always a treat seeing familiar characters again.
Overall, this is a fun, fast-paced romantasy-romcom hybrid with great banter, strong forced proximity, and plenty of paranormal charm. A perfect spooky season read if you want something light, flirty, and a little haunted.
Read this for:
Forced proximity
One bed
A curse
Meddling ghosts
Ghost tours
Road trip vibes
ARC Review: Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe
Pub Date: October 13th, 2026
I am once again in love with another adorable couple from Mallory Marlowe.
Rory and Ezra were the perfect rivals-to-lovers pairing, with all that buried attraction and similarity slowly surfacing under the friction and animosity. The forced proximity curse really leans into that dynamic in the best way, and the slow burn payoff felt very satisfying. This is exactly the kind of setup where tension can either fall flat or really work—and here, it absolutely works.
The banter between them is genuinely fun, and I loved how Ezra never really rises to Rory’s provocations in the way she expects him to. Instead, there’s this steady, patient chemistry that builds as they’re forced to stay close. The “one bed” situation only adds to that escalating tension in a way that felt playful rather than overdone.
The ghost element was also a highlight for me. From helpful Clementine to mischievous Luna to the ever-present Temperance Talbot, the spirits added personality, humor, and a bit of chaos that made the whole story more memorable. It gave the book a strong spooky-season feel that really worked in its favor.
I also loved the historical tidbits woven throughout and the fun crossover cameo from Love & Other Conspiracies—always a treat seeing familiar characters again.
Overall, this is a fun, fast-paced romantasy-romcom hybrid with great banter, strong forced proximity, and plenty of paranormal charm. A perfect spooky season read if you want something light, flirty, and a little haunted.
Read this for:
Forced proximity
One bed
A curse
Meddling ghosts
Ghost tours
Road trip vibes
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and Berkeley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Let me start off by saying the town was giving everything I like. Fall vibes, eeriness, and charm. I loved that Ezra and Rory (our MCs) worked together at Ye Olde Spirit Shop. I think the aspect of them giving tours together was great! Did they work well together in the beginning… no but the banter was great!! I absolutely loved the paranormal aspects as well because it really elevated the spookiness and complemented the story.
In regard to the main characters and their chemistry in the beginning. It did seem like they were attracted to each other but very surface level. The fact that they were “enemies or rivals” did also feel forced. I wish we would’ve had more backstory on their characters and interactions that led to them not liking each other to feel more believable.
I did think the curse was a fun twist because it forced them to work together to figure out what was going on. Nothing like a forced proximity trope to really spice things up! The banter Ezra and Rory had really made me giggle because it’s that sarcastic banter I live for! But beyond that their relationship needed more time 😩. The fast pace was really making it hard to connect with them as a couple.
Then around the 80% mark we hit the third act breakup up. This really didn’t make sense to me because in terms of the curse the point was to stick together not separate!
Overall this was an easy read with great potential! 💛 It had its strong points and I did enjoy it but I wish Ezra and Rory’s relationship was given more time to develop.
Let me start off by saying the town was giving everything I like. Fall vibes, eeriness, and charm. I loved that Ezra and Rory (our MCs) worked together at Ye Olde Spirit Shop. I think the aspect of them giving tours together was great! Did they work well together in the beginning… no but the banter was great!! I absolutely loved the paranormal aspects as well because it really elevated the spookiness and complemented the story.
In regard to the main characters and their chemistry in the beginning. It did seem like they were attracted to each other but very surface level. The fact that they were “enemies or rivals” did also feel forced. I wish we would’ve had more backstory on their characters and interactions that led to them not liking each other to feel more believable.
I did think the curse was a fun twist because it forced them to work together to figure out what was going on. Nothing like a forced proximity trope to really spice things up! The banter Ezra and Rory had really made me giggle because it’s that sarcastic banter I live for! But beyond that their relationship needed more time 😩. The fast pace was really making it hard to connect with them as a couple.
Then around the 80% mark we hit the third act breakup up. This really didn’t make sense to me because in terms of the curse the point was to stick together not separate!
Overall this was an easy read with great potential! 💛 It had its strong points and I did enjoy it but I wish Ezra and Rory’s relationship was given more time to develop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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