What do you think?
Rate this book
Ghost Me, Maybe
A pretty librarian inherits a library and falls for the sexy architect who believes he should be the rightful owner in this enemies-to-lovers romcom.
Librarian Callie Jameson is floored when she learns she’s to inherit the historic library on Petite Bois Island. All she knows about the barrier island off the coast of Louisiana is what her benefactor and beloved patron, Khaki Boudreaux, has told her about it and the beautiful life—and love—she once had there.
Seeing this opportunity as a chance to start over, Callie packs up her tortoiseshell cat, Stella, and heads south. But the moment she sets foot in the beautiful old building, she encounters an all-too-handsome tenant who claims the library belongs to him. So much for southern hospitality . . .
Trey LeBlanc spent his happiest summers with his Aunt Khaki on Petite Bois Island and has been living at the library while he renovates the old building. After all the effort he’s put into this place, he can’t understand why his aunt cut him out of the will. Now he’ll have to convince Callie and her very opinionated cat to sell him the cherished property.
But then strange things start to happen around the library, and Trey hopes Callie will just get scared off by the “ghosts” haunting the place. When he realizes these aren’t just neighborhood kids pulling pranks, however, but rather a dangerous scheme to get rid of the woman he’s beginning to fall for, he’ll do anything to keep her safe in his arms forever . . .
Tropes enemies to lovers, forced proximity, matchmaking, and woman in jeopardy.
“If you grew up loving to solve mysteries with Scooby and the gang, do not miss Ghost Me, Maybe. Witty, heartfelt, engaging—I loved it.” —Cynthia Eden, New York Times–bestselling author of the Wilde Ways, Protector and Defender, and Ice Breaker Cold Case series
“A delightfully spooky cozy rom-com!” —Katie Reus, USA Today–bestselling author of the Red Stone Security, Ancient Rising, and MacArthur Family series
“Collins keeps the plot moving with an engaging blend of mild thrills, romance, and small-town eccentricity; the island setting and library backdrop provide plenty of charm. . . . Callie’s likability, the easy chemistry between the protagonists, and the cozy atmosphere make the story difficult to resist. . . . Those up for an entertaining tale of new love, old secrets, and community will be won over. A cozy, satisfying read.” —Kirkus Reviews
Librarian Callie Jameson is floored when she learns she’s to inherit the historic library on Petite Bois Island. All she knows about the barrier island off the coast of Louisiana is what her benefactor and beloved patron, Khaki Boudreaux, has told her about it and the beautiful life—and love—she once had there.
Seeing this opportunity as a chance to start over, Callie packs up her tortoiseshell cat, Stella, and heads south. But the moment she sets foot in the beautiful old building, she encounters an all-too-handsome tenant who claims the library belongs to him. So much for southern hospitality . . .
Trey LeBlanc spent his happiest summers with his Aunt Khaki on Petite Bois Island and has been living at the library while he renovates the old building. After all the effort he’s put into this place, he can’t understand why his aunt cut him out of the will. Now he’ll have to convince Callie and her very opinionated cat to sell him the cherished property.
But then strange things start to happen around the library, and Trey hopes Callie will just get scared off by the “ghosts” haunting the place. When he realizes these aren’t just neighborhood kids pulling pranks, however, but rather a dangerous scheme to get rid of the woman he’s beginning to fall for, he’ll do anything to keep her safe in his arms forever . . .
Tropes enemies to lovers, forced proximity, matchmaking, and woman in jeopardy.
“If you grew up loving to solve mysteries with Scooby and the gang, do not miss Ghost Me, Maybe. Witty, heartfelt, engaging—I loved it.” —Cynthia Eden, New York Times–bestselling author of the Wilde Ways, Protector and Defender, and Ice Breaker Cold Case series
“A delightfully spooky cozy rom-com!” —Katie Reus, USA Today–bestselling author of the Red Stone Security, Ancient Rising, and MacArthur Family series
“Collins keeps the plot moving with an engaging blend of mild thrills, romance, and small-town eccentricity; the island setting and library backdrop provide plenty of charm. . . . Callie’s likability, the easy chemistry between the protagonists, and the cozy atmosphere make the story difficult to resist. . . . Those up for an entertaining tale of new love, old secrets, and community will be won over. A cozy, satisfying read.” —Kirkus Reviews
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
Manda Collins
33 books1,646 followersManda Collins grew up on a combination of Nancy Drew books and Jane Austen novels, and her own brand of Regency romantic suspense is the result. A former academic librarian, she holds advanced degrees in English Lit and Librarianship. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Entertainment Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Bookpage, and USA Today. A native of Alabama, she lives on the Gulf Coast with a very stubborn cat and more books than are strictly necessary.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
October 15, 2026
👻 and Louisiana for my state challenge 🙌 Full review up soon
Callie (37) & Trey (40)
Quick notes:
~ dual 3rd
~ small island town
~ library setting
~ enemies to lovers
~ no steamage
Narration notes:
This really would have benefited from duet narration. His female voice was not great at all, yikes. On the other hand her male voice wasn't that bad.
Callie (37) & Trey (40)
Quick notes:
~ dual 3rd
~ small island town
~ library setting
~ enemies to lovers
~ no steamage
Narration notes:
This really would have benefited from duet narration. His female voice was not great at all, yikes. On the other hand her male voice wasn't that bad.
hard-dnf-s
September 30, 2026Hard DNFing on September 30th, 50% in (102 pages). Honestly, I didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters and the MMC annoyed me with how often he was mean to our FMC about her getting the library over him -blaming her for things that weren’t even possible. I was wishing our FMC would stand up for herself a little more.
September 13, 2026
This is a quick read, and a lot of fun. The haunting of it all turned out much different than I expected, but didn’t detract from my enjoyment. A light, fluffy (but not boring) afternoon read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Callie and Trey's story is very cute and funny.
I loved the old library setting and the . coastal town vibes. And the cat, of course the cat is magnificent, she stole the show and my heart.
The mystery around the ghostly manifestations was quite predictable but I didn't mind.
Unfortunately, there were several inconsistencies that took me out of the book. I hope they will be found by a late round of edits.
A quick and cozy read.
I loved the old library setting and the . coastal town vibes. And the cat, of course the cat is magnificent, she stole the show and my heart.
The mystery around the ghostly manifestations was quite predictable but I didn't mind.
Unfortunately, there were several inconsistencies that took me out of the book. I hope they will be found by a late round of edits.
A quick and cozy read.
Did Not Finish
October 20, 2026I had to dnf at 35%. sadly, this book was really boring for me... I didn't really care about the family saga. and also, this wasn't even true enemies to lovers, and I'm starting to hate the fact that so many books are being promoted as tropes that aren't even accurate. this was more strangers to lovers.
in any case, I'm glad I gave this book a shot for the spooky season, but sadly, it wasn't for me.
in any case, I'm glad I gave this book a shot for the spooky season, but sadly, it wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author, Manda Collins, and Publisher Podium Entertainment, for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
🎧 Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay narrate this small island, paranormal romance. Their narration felt perfect for this cozy, grumpy x sunshine book!
Callie packs up, Stella the cat included, and heads to claim her inheritance, a historic library. Trey, the nephew and person currently restoring the library, believes the property is rightfully his. Determined to earn the inheritance left to her, Callie wont let any hiccups (a missing reservation) get in her way, nor will she let Trey convince her to sell. Now the strange spooky sounds and break ins might be a different story!
Will the sparks fly between these two in this forced proximity read as they try and solve the library “hauntings”?
This one was a quick binge for me and totally reminded me of Scooby Doo with all the “meddling” except you get Stella! Super cute with a little romance, mystery and bicker/banter! If you want something cutesy for fall, grab this one to get you into the spooky season!
🎧 Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay narrate this small island, paranormal romance. Their narration felt perfect for this cozy, grumpy x sunshine book!
Callie packs up, Stella the cat included, and heads to claim her inheritance, a historic library. Trey, the nephew and person currently restoring the library, believes the property is rightfully his. Determined to earn the inheritance left to her, Callie wont let any hiccups (a missing reservation) get in her way, nor will she let Trey convince her to sell. Now the strange spooky sounds and break ins might be a different story!
Will the sparks fly between these two in this forced proximity read as they try and solve the library “hauntings”?
This one was a quick binge for me and totally reminded me of Scooby Doo with all the “meddling” except you get Stella! Super cute with a little romance, mystery and bicker/banter! If you want something cutesy for fall, grab this one to get you into the spooky season!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Callie has to relocate to a small island in order to get her inheritance, a historic library. Inevitably, she has to fight with a handsome relative of the previous owner. But it's not just him, Callie also has to deal with haunting things and mysteries beyond the actual things that she sees.
A lot of modern things are mentioned in the story which is good. Plus the mysterious elements remind me of Scooby Doo Mysteries. I was hoping to like this book so much because its good premise and it contains a lot of elements that I like. However, the banters and chemistry between these two main characters are quite minimal and didn't actually reach my brain. And that makes me feel kind of disconnect with the book.
Thank you the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
A lot of modern things are mentioned in the story which is good. Plus the mysterious elements remind me of Scooby Doo Mysteries. I was hoping to like this book so much because its good premise and it contains a lot of elements that I like. However, the banters and chemistry between these two main characters are quite minimal and didn't actually reach my brain. And that makes me feel kind of disconnect with the book.
Thank you the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 2, 2026
This was a really cute read that is perfect for spooky season!! Callie packs up and moves to Louisiana after inheriting a library…and discovers Trey living at the library - and he can’t imagine why Callie was the one who inherited the property!
I really enjoyed both narrators for this audiobook. I thought they did a good job with the characters and accents. I also really enjoyed the banter and overall mystery too!
🐈 Stella!!!!!!
✨What To Expect:
🌾Small Town Romance
👻Cozy Paranormal Romcom
⚔️Enemies to Lovers
❤️🔥Forced Proximity
📚Librarian x Architect
👀Spooky Vibes
💋Meddling
⚜️Louisiana Setting
I really enjoyed both narrators for this audiobook. I thought they did a good job with the characters and accents. I also really enjoyed the banter and overall mystery too!
🐈 Stella!!!!!!
✨What To Expect:
🌾Small Town Romance
👻Cozy Paranormal Romcom
⚔️Enemies to Lovers
❤️🔥Forced Proximity
📚Librarian x Architect
👀Spooky Vibes
💋Meddling
⚜️Louisiana Setting
October 2, 2026
“It wasn’t the girl’s fault her daddy was one baby short of a king cake.”
Pretty much what you would expect from a short autumn romance mystery.
Pretty much what you would expect from a short autumn romance mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"Ghost Me, Maybe" is a cute ghost mystery rom-com.
Callie packs up and moves to a small island when she inherits a historic library. However, what she didn't expect was a grumpy yet handsome tenant. Trey is the previous owner's great-nephew and has some strong opinions on the library being Callie's.
Callie and Trey clash but must work together to solve the hauntings that plague the library.
It's a cozy read. One of those cute simple reads that's perfect for fall.
Thank you so much, Podium, for gifting me an ALC. Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay brought these characters to life.
Callie packs up and moves to a small island when she inherits a historic library. However, what she didn't expect was a grumpy yet handsome tenant. Trey is the previous owner's great-nephew and has some strong opinions on the library being Callie's.
Callie and Trey clash but must work together to solve the hauntings that plague the library.
It's a cozy read. One of those cute simple reads that's perfect for fall.
Thank you so much, Podium, for gifting me an ALC. Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay brought these characters to life.
May 20, 2026
Reviewing an Advanced Reader’s Copy/Uncorrected Proof from Net Galley
Thank you to NetGalley, Podium Publishing, and the author - Ms. Manda Collins for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of Ghost Me, Maybe in exchange for an honest review.
Ghost Me, Maybe is a light, easy-to-read romance with cozy coastal-town vibes, a lovable cat, charming banter, and a touch of mystery. The story follows Callie, a librarian from Cincinnati who unexpectedly inherits a library in a small coastal town. However, there’s a condition attached to the inheritance: she must move there and stay a year, and only then will she receive the one million dollars left to her by one of her favorite library patrons.
When Callie arrives, she meets Trey, the patron’s great-nephew, who is staying at the library while renovating it. Sparks immediately fly between them, though both are initially skeptical of the other’s intentions. Callie believes that if Trey had truly cared for his great-aunt, he would have visited her more often and perhaps inherited the library himself. Meanwhile, Trey suspects Callie may have grown close to his elderly great-aunt simply to secure the inheritance.
As strange “haunting” incidents begin occurring around the library, the two initially assume local teenagers are behind the pranks. But as the mystery deepens, so does their connection. Through working together, they gradually lower their defenses and realize how much they genuinely care for one another.
The romance itself is sweet and wholesome rather than intense or spicy. There are no explicit scenes, violent scenes or heavy language, making this a very family-friendly and cozy romantic read. While the story may not bring anything particularly groundbreaking or unique to the genre, it succeeds in being warm, comforting, and entertaining.
Overall, Ghost Me Maybe is a cute, breezy one-day read perfect for readers who enjoy small coastal towns, cozy mysteries, light paranormal touches, and gentle romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Podium Publishing, and the author - Ms. Manda Collins for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of Ghost Me, Maybe in exchange for an honest review.
Ghost Me, Maybe is a light, easy-to-read romance with cozy coastal-town vibes, a lovable cat, charming banter, and a touch of mystery. The story follows Callie, a librarian from Cincinnati who unexpectedly inherits a library in a small coastal town. However, there’s a condition attached to the inheritance: she must move there and stay a year, and only then will she receive the one million dollars left to her by one of her favorite library patrons.
When Callie arrives, she meets Trey, the patron’s great-nephew, who is staying at the library while renovating it. Sparks immediately fly between them, though both are initially skeptical of the other’s intentions. Callie believes that if Trey had truly cared for his great-aunt, he would have visited her more often and perhaps inherited the library himself. Meanwhile, Trey suspects Callie may have grown close to his elderly great-aunt simply to secure the inheritance.
As strange “haunting” incidents begin occurring around the library, the two initially assume local teenagers are behind the pranks. But as the mystery deepens, so does their connection. Through working together, they gradually lower their defenses and realize how much they genuinely care for one another.
The romance itself is sweet and wholesome rather than intense or spicy. There are no explicit scenes, violent scenes or heavy language, making this a very family-friendly and cozy romantic read. While the story may not bring anything particularly groundbreaking or unique to the genre, it succeeds in being warm, comforting, and entertaining.
Overall, Ghost Me Maybe is a cute, breezy one-day read perfect for readers who enjoy small coastal towns, cozy mysteries, light paranormal touches, and gentle romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was really excited for this book based on the description because it combines so many of my favorite things: cozy, paranormal, a library, enemies-to-lovers… awesome. Unfortunately, the execution just wasn’t there.
I received the eARC from Podium Entertainment via NetGalley ahead of publication. And with that, I have absolutely no idea when this book actually comes out because the NetGalley date and the Goodreads dates (yes, plural) do not match up at all. So it’s either already out, coming out next week, or coming in October. 🤷🏻♀️
Now, the book was okay. I had some enjoyment in the beginning, but it eventually fell off, and I just didn’t care all that much about the characters. I can see what the author was attempting to do, but unfortunately, the paranormal aspect never quite got there for me. The reality of what was happening was telegraphed from a mile away, as was the culprit, so there wasn’t much mystery left to unravel.
I also feel like this book tried to cram too many things into a very short page count, which meant nothing really had the room to be explored properly. Had it stayed a cozy romance with a hint of a paranormal mystery, I think it would have worked much better. Instead, the author ramped everything up and tried to add a thriller element that simply didn’t work, especially within such a limited word count.
And honestly, I have to wonder where the editorial support was because I feel like they did this author dirty. There was a good premise here, but it needed room to breathe and a little more direction to figure out what kind of book it actually wanted to be.
I received the eARC from Podium Entertainment via NetGalley ahead of publication. And with that, I have absolutely no idea when this book actually comes out because the NetGalley date and the Goodreads dates (yes, plural) do not match up at all. So it’s either already out, coming out next week, or coming in October. 🤷🏻♀️
Now, the book was okay. I had some enjoyment in the beginning, but it eventually fell off, and I just didn’t care all that much about the characters. I can see what the author was attempting to do, but unfortunately, the paranormal aspect never quite got there for me. The reality of what was happening was telegraphed from a mile away, as was the culprit, so there wasn’t much mystery left to unravel.
I also feel like this book tried to cram too many things into a very short page count, which meant nothing really had the room to be explored properly. Had it stayed a cozy romance with a hint of a paranormal mystery, I think it would have worked much better. Instead, the author ramped everything up and tried to add a thriller element that simply didn’t work, especially within such a limited word count.
And honestly, I have to wonder where the editorial support was because I feel like they did this author dirty. There was a good premise here, but it needed room to breathe and a little more direction to figure out what kind of book it actually wanted to be.
October 2, 2026
As a fan of some of Manda Collins’ previous work, I was so excited when I heard she was coming out with her first contemporary novel. I’ve always found her work to be nothing short of witty and romantic, but unfortunately I didn’t find that same kind of cleverness in this book.
As much as I loved the concept for this book, I just felt like everything happened so fast. Time flew by in the book and not in a good way. I kept wondering where all of the fun and clever details were that are usually so apparent in Manda’s work. The characters were very sweet but fell a bit flat for my tastes. I didn’t feel strongly about either Callie or Trey much less their relationship.
I truly enjoyed the idea of a potentially old haunted library. The mystery itself was so fun and cozy and perfect for the fall season. But it felt too much like an episode of scooby doo than a romantic mystery. Some parts made me smile and giggle and I definitely still enjoyed my time with the book, but I wish I had more time with it. I wish we had more in depth connections to the characters. I wish we got to see Trey and Callie’s relationship build up more. I wanted more tension knowing the had such a rocky start and sharing close quarters perfectly sets up a romantic tension. I just didn’t really believe in their connection.
As disappointed as I am by this book, this will not turn me off Manda Collins. I still hold her precious books in high regard so I look forward to her next book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC!
As much as I loved the concept for this book, I just felt like everything happened so fast. Time flew by in the book and not in a good way. I kept wondering where all of the fun and clever details were that are usually so apparent in Manda’s work. The characters were very sweet but fell a bit flat for my tastes. I didn’t feel strongly about either Callie or Trey much less their relationship.
I truly enjoyed the idea of a potentially old haunted library. The mystery itself was so fun and cozy and perfect for the fall season. But it felt too much like an episode of scooby doo than a romantic mystery. Some parts made me smile and giggle and I definitely still enjoyed my time with the book, but I wish I had more time with it. I wish we had more in depth connections to the characters. I wish we got to see Trey and Callie’s relationship build up more. I wanted more tension knowing the had such a rocky start and sharing close quarters perfectly sets up a romantic tension. I just didn’t really believe in their connection.
As disappointed as I am by this book, this will not turn me off Manda Collins. I still hold her precious books in high regard so I look forward to her next book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Podium Entertainment and Manda Collins for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a cute, quick and comforting read. The combination of a historic library, a small Louisiana island, a possible haunting, mystery and romance immediately sounded like something I would enjoy, and the setting was probably my favourite part of the book.
I really enjoyed Callie and Trey together, particularly their banter and the progression from being suspicious of one another to actually working together. I also loved having the mystery running alongside the romance, and Stella the cat was an absolute scene-stealer.
I do think I went into this expecting slightly more from the paranormal side of the story. The spooky elements are fairly light, so I would describe this much more as a cosy romance/mystery with a touch of the paranormal rather than anything genuinely spooky. I also wish the book had been a little longer. Both the romance and mystery had enough potential that I would have happily spent another hundred pages with these characters and allowed everything a little more time to develop.
Despite that, it was a genuinely enjoyable and very easy read. It has a lovely cosy atmosphere, likeable characters and just enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. Perfect if you're looking for something lighthearted with romance, books, a little mystery and a hint of spooky energy.
This was such a cute, quick and comforting read. The combination of a historic library, a small Louisiana island, a possible haunting, mystery and romance immediately sounded like something I would enjoy, and the setting was probably my favourite part of the book.
I really enjoyed Callie and Trey together, particularly their banter and the progression from being suspicious of one another to actually working together. I also loved having the mystery running alongside the romance, and Stella the cat was an absolute scene-stealer.
I do think I went into this expecting slightly more from the paranormal side of the story. The spooky elements are fairly light, so I would describe this much more as a cosy romance/mystery with a touch of the paranormal rather than anything genuinely spooky. I also wish the book had been a little longer. Both the romance and mystery had enough potential that I would have happily spent another hundred pages with these characters and allowed everything a little more time to develop.
Despite that, it was a genuinely enjoyable and very easy read. It has a lovely cosy atmosphere, likeable characters and just enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. Perfect if you're looking for something lighthearted with romance, books, a little mystery and a hint of spooky energy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Just finished listening to an advanced copy of a book that is about to be released on September 22nd called, Ghost Me, Maybe. This is about Callie, and she's a librarian moving to a new town because a woman she was close with left her a library when she passed. But when she gets there she finds someone living in the library. Trey's aunt owned the library and he has been living there and renovating it for her. He is shocked to find out after summers spent with his aunt growing up plus him currently living in and working on the library, that she didn't leave it to him. He has already put so much of his own money into renovating the place so he decides he needs to convince Callie to sell it to him. And then weird things start happening around the library, and Trey hopes these things will spook Callie, but they soon realize this isn't just kids playing some pranks.
This was such a cute spooky romcom! It was a really cute story that had enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a mystery! The audio was really well done, it was a dual narration and I really enjoyed the narrators as well as the southern accents they did for some of the characters! This book is just over 200 pages, so it's quick, fun, and just perfect for spooky season! 💜📚
Thank you to Manda Collins and Podium Entertainment for this ALC of Ghost Me, Maybe, in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a cute spooky romcom! It was a really cute story that had enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a mystery! The audio was really well done, it was a dual narration and I really enjoyed the narrators as well as the southern accents they did for some of the characters! This book is just over 200 pages, so it's quick, fun, and just perfect for spooky season! 💜📚
Thank you to Manda Collins and Podium Entertainment for this ALC of Ghost Me, Maybe, in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2026
Ghost Me, Maybe is a cozy mystery romance about a librarian that inherits a historical library in a small coastal town, but clashes with the architect who believes he’s the rightful owner of the library that used to belong to his great aunt. Also, the library might be haunted…
This was a really quick, cozy mystery with a hint of romance. It’s marketed as a romance, but it really leaned more into the mystery, and the romance was much less the focus of the story. I really loved the island setting, the historical library, the small-town community, and the overall atmosphere.
The premise that the library was maybe haunted initially drew me in, and that mystery plot kept me reading. The romance did feel underdeveloped compared to the mystery plot, and I wanted a little bit more of relationship development moments between the two main characters. I also wanted a bit more yearning and tension between the two.
Overall, this is a cute, quick read that has a great setting and a fun premise! If you enjoyed Scooby Doo Mysteries as a kid or want a spooky season read, then this is perfect for you!
Thank you to Podium Entertainment and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was a really quick, cozy mystery with a hint of romance. It’s marketed as a romance, but it really leaned more into the mystery, and the romance was much less the focus of the story. I really loved the island setting, the historical library, the small-town community, and the overall atmosphere.
The premise that the library was maybe haunted initially drew me in, and that mystery plot kept me reading. The romance did feel underdeveloped compared to the mystery plot, and I wanted a little bit more of relationship development moments between the two main characters. I also wanted a bit more yearning and tension between the two.
Overall, this is a cute, quick read that has a great setting and a fun premise! If you enjoyed Scooby Doo Mysteries as a kid or want a spooky season read, then this is perfect for you!
Thank you to Podium Entertainment and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I listened to an ALC of Ghost Me, Maybe, and this was such a cute, spooky romantic read! A librarian inherits a historic library on a Louisiana island, only to discover that a grumpy, handsome architect is already living there, and he thinks the library should belong to him. Then strange things start happening around the property, giving them a mystery to solve together.
I had fun with the romance and the spooky atmosphere. Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay also did a great job with the audiobook. I especially appreciated hearing the Louisiana accents and place names out loud, because I absolutely would have made up my own pronunciations while reading. 😂
Thank you to Podium Entertainment for the ALC and the book mail!
I had fun with the romance and the spooky atmosphere. Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay also did a great job with the audiobook. I especially appreciated hearing the Louisiana accents and place names out loud, because I absolutely would have made up my own pronunciations while reading. 😂
Thank you to Podium Entertainment for the ALC and the book mail!
October 3, 2026
A spooky library, a librarian who wants what’s rightfully hers, and an architect who wants his family library back. Plus a smart cat! 🐈⬛
This is a hard one to rate because I did enjoy the story mostly. But I lost the story somehow in the middle. I’m not entirely sure what made me drift away. The enemies to lovers dynamics were really great in the beginning but I felt it faded away too fast and there wasn’t enough space for proper relationship development.
I also thought the FMC is a little bit careless and naive due to an experience she has. She could have avoided it.
The best thing of all is the cat! Smart and intelligent - Stellar definitely takes the spotlight.
The narrations were fine though I did find the narrator for the FMC a bit jarring.
Do I recommend this? Maybe?
Thank you Podium Entertainment for the ALC. All thoughts my own.
This is a hard one to rate because I did enjoy the story mostly. But I lost the story somehow in the middle. I’m not entirely sure what made me drift away. The enemies to lovers dynamics were really great in the beginning but I felt it faded away too fast and there wasn’t enough space for proper relationship development.
I also thought the FMC is a little bit careless and naive due to an experience she has. She could have avoided it.
The best thing of all is the cat! Smart and intelligent - Stellar definitely takes the spotlight.
The narrations were fine though I did find the narrator for the FMC a bit jarring.
Do I recommend this? Maybe?
Thank you Podium Entertainment for the ALC. All thoughts my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was really excited for this book based on the description because it combines so many of my favorite things: cozy, paranormal, a library, enemies-to-lovers… awesome. Unfortunately, the execution just wasn’t there.
I received the eARC from Podium Entertainment via NetGalley ahead of publication. And with that, I have absolutely no idea when this book actually comes out because the NetGalley date and the Goodreads dates (yes, plural) do not match up at all. So it’s either already out, coming out next week, or coming in October. 🤷🏻♀️
Now, the book was okay. I had some enjoyment in the beginning, but it eventually fell off, and I just didn’t care all that much about the characters. I can see what the author was attempting to do, but unfortunately, the paranormal aspect never quite got there for me. The reality of what was happening was telegraphed from a mile away, as was the culprit, so there wasn’t much mystery left to unravel.
I also feel like this book tried to cram too many things into a very short page count, which meant nothing really had the room to be explored properly. Had it stayed a cozy romance with a hint of a paranormal mystery, I think it would have worked much better. Instead, the author ramped everything up and tried to add a thriller element that simply didn’t work, especially within such a limited word count.
And honestly, I have to wonder where the editorial support was because I feel like they did this author dirty. There was a good premise here, but it needed room to breathe and a little more direction to figure out what kind of book it actually wanted to be.
I received the eARC from Podium Entertainment via NetGalley ahead of publication. And with that, I have absolutely no idea when this book actually comes out because the NetGalley date and the Goodreads dates (yes, plural) do not match up at all. So it’s either already out, coming out next week, or coming in October. 🤷🏻♀️
Now, the book was okay. I had some enjoyment in the beginning, but it eventually fell off, and I just didn’t care all that much about the characters. I can see what the author was attempting to do, but unfortunately, the paranormal aspect never quite got there for me. The reality of what was happening was telegraphed from a mile away, as was the culprit, so there wasn’t much mystery left to unravel.
I also feel like this book tried to cram too many things into a very short page count, which meant nothing really had the room to be explored properly. Had it stayed a cozy romance with a hint of a paranormal mystery, I think it would have worked much better. Instead, the author ramped everything up and tried to add a thriller element that simply didn’t work, especially within such a limited word count.
And honestly, I have to wonder where the editorial support was because I feel like they did this author dirty. There was a good premise here, but it needed room to breathe and a little more direction to figure out what kind of book it actually wanted to be.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A historic library, enemies to lovers, a cat (you know I love a cat) forced proximity, a sprinkle of mystery and a promise of ghosts is ALWAYS going to make me excited to pick up a book!
The atmosphere was gorgeous, Stella the cat absolutely stole the show, and the banter was so fun!
I was expecting a *little* more from the paranormal element with the word 'ghost' in the title but maybe I'm just being greedy.. we know I love a good ghost story!
Overall an enjoyable quick read for spooky season, but probably won't be going on the re-read shelf.
3.5 ⭐️
The atmosphere was gorgeous, Stella the cat absolutely stole the show, and the banter was so fun!
I was expecting a *little* more from the paranormal element with the word 'ghost' in the title but maybe I'm just being greedy.. we know I love a good ghost story!
Overall an enjoyable quick read for spooky season, but probably won't be going on the re-read shelf.
3.5 ⭐️
October 15, 2026
This reminded me of the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore
Callie inherits a property from a beloved friend. It is on an island and of course she has to live there for a year before she can sell it.
Well the owner's nephew is living there and they decide to roommate until he is done renovating. The set up seemed perfect.
The scooby doo style antics were quite silly and I could have done without his ex showing up ...like why?. Also I'll say it they were weird about that cat.
I hated the accent for the MMC too. The narrator went out of it for the narration and only did it for the direct quotes even though the whole chapters were from his perspective.
Callie inherits a property from a beloved friend. It is on an island and of course she has to live there for a year before she can sell it.
Well the owner's nephew is living there and they decide to roommate until he is done renovating. The set up seemed perfect.
The scooby doo style antics were quite silly and I could have done without his ex showing up ...like why?. Also I'll say it they were weird about that cat.
I hated the accent for the MMC too. The narrator went out of it for the narration and only did it for the direct quotes even though the whole chapters were from his perspective.
October 14, 2026
2.75⭐️
I was hoping to looooveee this book and I just didn’t. I can’t quite put my finger on it exactly but overall the timing was off even though it was a short book. It couldn’t keep my attention.
I normally love enemies to lovers and forced proximity with a little spookiness to it, but it just fell flat for me.
Closed door and a few f bombs
I was hoping to looooveee this book and I just didn’t. I can’t quite put my finger on it exactly but overall the timing was off even though it was a short book. It couldn’t keep my attention.
I normally love enemies to lovers and forced proximity with a little spookiness to it, but it just fell flat for me.
Closed door and a few f bombs
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a sweet book. It had some of the enemies to lovers vibes I was looking for, but it was on the sweeter side of them. Callie and Trey butt heads as soon as they met. She was left this library and he doesn't see how. She wasn't even family and he wants to try to convince her that she should let him have it and her go back to her life.
Callie needed this fresh start and so what if the library comes with a (hot) grumpy guy who is doing renovations and a ghost? She will get past all that and get on with her life. She does fall in love with the town and all the people in it too.
This was a cute read but it did feel a little too cozy and less mysterious, but it was a quick cute romance for the season. 3.5 stars.
Callie needed this fresh start and so what if the library comes with a (hot) grumpy guy who is doing renovations and a ghost? She will get past all that and get on with her life. She does fall in love with the town and all the people in it too.
This was a cute read but it did feel a little too cozy and less mysterious, but it was a quick cute romance for the season. 3.5 stars.
Review of advance copy
The book start out with a good premise, then quickly disintegrated as the plot went on. Didn’t really feel the connection between the two main characters. It felt like they were bickering for so long and then suddenly they were together. I didn’t feel the connection at all. I would love to hear more about the town however that seems fun.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a fun read!! A nice quick and easy fall vibes book. I didn't feel any attachment or chemistry to the characters but I did enjoy their story! I loved the added 'haunting' thought it was a fun twist although the reveal at the end just didn't feel right for that character.
Review of advance copy
I was looking for a Halloween themed book and this was the perfect amount of spooky and romance.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Callie is surprised when she inherit a historic beachside library in coastal Louisiana. She was not surprised when the nephew of the previous property owner is found on site at her Library and isn’t too happy to see her…
But Callie needs his first start, and if she doesn’t stay at the library for a year, she doesn’t receive her full inheritance. Trey is hurt by his great aunt not leaving him her beloved Library, but once some spooky occurrences start threatening, not just him and Callie, but the library itself, he needs to put away his grudge and work together with Callie to get behind this spooky invasion!
I love a force proximity romance, and Callie and Trey were obviously made for each other and the Scooby Doo mystery vibes add a lot of fun to this romance!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay and found myself really enjoying this pairing. Both voice actors did a great job with their main characters and the corresponding lesser characters. I think they had a good chemistry and their voice was easy to listen to, and added to the cosy/ romantic/spooky vibes!
This was the first contemporary romance from Amanda Collins that I’ve read and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot more than her historical romance. I think her writing style blends better with contemporary characters in situations and makes for much more enjoyable read.
But Callie needs his first start, and if she doesn’t stay at the library for a year, she doesn’t receive her full inheritance. Trey is hurt by his great aunt not leaving him her beloved Library, but once some spooky occurrences start threatening, not just him and Callie, but the library itself, he needs to put away his grudge and work together with Callie to get behind this spooky invasion!
I love a force proximity romance, and Callie and Trey were obviously made for each other and the Scooby Doo mystery vibes add a lot of fun to this romance!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Nicol Zanzarella and Greg Tremblay and found myself really enjoying this pairing. Both voice actors did a great job with their main characters and the corresponding lesser characters. I think they had a good chemistry and their voice was easy to listen to, and added to the cosy/ romantic/spooky vibes!
This was the first contemporary romance from Amanda Collins that I’ve read and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot more than her historical romance. I think her writing style blends better with contemporary characters in situations and makes for much more enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ghost Me, Maybe
~Manda Collins
Ghost Me, Maybe by Manda Colls is a blend of wit with heartfelt layers of love, loss and second chances by serving up an enemies-to-lovers romcom with just enough mystery to keep your pulse ticking a little faster. Set on the coast of Louisiana, Petite Cote Island gives readers a warm invitation to laugh, swoon, and maybe just believe a library can hold more than old stories – it can hold healing, too.
Callie Jameson, a Cincinnati librarian whose never had a chance to really set down roots, never planned to leave Ohio once she got there. But plans change when she learns that her beloved library patron, and friend, Mrs. Katherine “Khaki" Boudreaux, has left her a surprising legacy. But there are conditions: in exchange for Khaki's library in PCI and one million dollars, Callie must move to PCI and live in the library for one year.
Khaki's life, and love story with her husband Remy, was steeped in the history of the St. Inatius college grounds being where they met. So after hurricane Rita destroyed the college campus, Remy purchased the library as an anniversary gift for Khaki. It's more than just wood and stone; it's a time capsule of a once golden age, and in Khaki's eyes, the perfect refuge for someone who's forgotten how to dream.
So Callie packs up her stuff, rents out her home, grabs her cat Stella, and heads to Petite Cote Island chasing more than inheritance - she's chasing a life reset button. What she finds instead is Trey LeBlanc, Khaki's great-nephew. A gruff and brooding architect knee-deep in renovations and resentment, Trey is convinced Khaki made a mistake in her will leaving his library to an outsider. The two clash instantly, and their bickering sparks a friction that neither can deny.
But love is rarely simple – especially when the creaks in an old Louisiana library aren't just settling wood and stone. Strange noises, flickering lights, and uninvited guests have Callie and Trey thinking the haunting might be more than just a silly superstition. When the ghost grows bolder, threatening their safety, they decide to put their differences aside and team up. Between mystery-solving, late-night paint touch-ups, and accidental heart-to-hearts, Callie and Trey start to realize the ghosts haunting them might not live in the walls, but within themselves.
Collins builds her cast with warmth and whimsy, grounding southern charm with emotional authenticity. Callie is easy to root for, carrying both wanderlust and weariness, she longs for roots after a lifetime of motion. She is pragmatic and emotionally honest making her the kind of character readers latch onto the moment they meet her. Trey is the prototypical grumpy-sunshine character, a wounded romantic disguised by irritation and hammer in hand. His bitterness is understandable, his gradual softening is believable, and his unspoken longing is downright swoon-worthy. Khaki may have passed before the story begins, but her presence threads through every page. A benevolent spirit of sorts, whose affection shapes both the setting and the people in it. The supporting cast give the island a cozy, lived-in quality and remind readers that community, more than romance, is often where we find our footing when we feel lost. The story is textured by loss, misunderstanding, and redemption. The perfect mix of heartbreak and hearwarming.
There is something irresistible about Petite Cote Island – the salt air, the humidity that curls secrets out of hiding, the hint of magic that seems to cling to every porch light. You feel the island come alive, feel the sand under Callie's feet and taste the coffee shared over morning tension and late-night confessions.
Ghost Me, Maybe moves with steady confidence – not rushed, but never dull. Transitioning is smooth and seamless. The blend of romcom banter, and cozy suspense gives this story its soul. It's cinematic, comforting, and full of moments you'll wish you could dog-ear and live inside for awhile.
Now, there is one small thing that didn't quite land for me (and I won't spoil it) but it wasn't enough to dull the glow of what this story achieves. At its core, readers are faced with grief, finding magic in unlikely places, and realizing sometimes what feels like loss is just life rerouting you home.
Ghost Me, Maybe is fueled on atmosphere and emotions. Collins brings PCI to life with cinematic descriptions from walks on the boardwalk to a boat outing with friends. Do not go into this looking for a fast-pace, crime thriller. It's more of a slow-burn, romcom, mystery that readers can immerse themselves in, envisioning being right there within the story.
If you are looking for a light-hearted, meet-cute type read for fall that you won't be able to put down, Ghost Me, Maybe should be added to your TBR for release on 9/22/26.
Thank you to NetGalley and Manda Collins for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC on Ghost Me, Maybe. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
~Manda Collins
Ghost Me, Maybe by Manda Colls is a blend of wit with heartfelt layers of love, loss and second chances by serving up an enemies-to-lovers romcom with just enough mystery to keep your pulse ticking a little faster. Set on the coast of Louisiana, Petite Cote Island gives readers a warm invitation to laugh, swoon, and maybe just believe a library can hold more than old stories – it can hold healing, too.
Callie Jameson, a Cincinnati librarian whose never had a chance to really set down roots, never planned to leave Ohio once she got there. But plans change when she learns that her beloved library patron, and friend, Mrs. Katherine “Khaki" Boudreaux, has left her a surprising legacy. But there are conditions: in exchange for Khaki's library in PCI and one million dollars, Callie must move to PCI and live in the library for one year.
Khaki's life, and love story with her husband Remy, was steeped in the history of the St. Inatius college grounds being where they met. So after hurricane Rita destroyed the college campus, Remy purchased the library as an anniversary gift for Khaki. It's more than just wood and stone; it's a time capsule of a once golden age, and in Khaki's eyes, the perfect refuge for someone who's forgotten how to dream.
So Callie packs up her stuff, rents out her home, grabs her cat Stella, and heads to Petite Cote Island chasing more than inheritance - she's chasing a life reset button. What she finds instead is Trey LeBlanc, Khaki's great-nephew. A gruff and brooding architect knee-deep in renovations and resentment, Trey is convinced Khaki made a mistake in her will leaving his library to an outsider. The two clash instantly, and their bickering sparks a friction that neither can deny.
But love is rarely simple – especially when the creaks in an old Louisiana library aren't just settling wood and stone. Strange noises, flickering lights, and uninvited guests have Callie and Trey thinking the haunting might be more than just a silly superstition. When the ghost grows bolder, threatening their safety, they decide to put their differences aside and team up. Between mystery-solving, late-night paint touch-ups, and accidental heart-to-hearts, Callie and Trey start to realize the ghosts haunting them might not live in the walls, but within themselves.
Collins builds her cast with warmth and whimsy, grounding southern charm with emotional authenticity. Callie is easy to root for, carrying both wanderlust and weariness, she longs for roots after a lifetime of motion. She is pragmatic and emotionally honest making her the kind of character readers latch onto the moment they meet her. Trey is the prototypical grumpy-sunshine character, a wounded romantic disguised by irritation and hammer in hand. His bitterness is understandable, his gradual softening is believable, and his unspoken longing is downright swoon-worthy. Khaki may have passed before the story begins, but her presence threads through every page. A benevolent spirit of sorts, whose affection shapes both the setting and the people in it. The supporting cast give the island a cozy, lived-in quality and remind readers that community, more than romance, is often where we find our footing when we feel lost. The story is textured by loss, misunderstanding, and redemption. The perfect mix of heartbreak and hearwarming.
There is something irresistible about Petite Cote Island – the salt air, the humidity that curls secrets out of hiding, the hint of magic that seems to cling to every porch light. You feel the island come alive, feel the sand under Callie's feet and taste the coffee shared over morning tension and late-night confessions.
Ghost Me, Maybe moves with steady confidence – not rushed, but never dull. Transitioning is smooth and seamless. The blend of romcom banter, and cozy suspense gives this story its soul. It's cinematic, comforting, and full of moments you'll wish you could dog-ear and live inside for awhile.
Now, there is one small thing that didn't quite land for me (and I won't spoil it) but it wasn't enough to dull the glow of what this story achieves. At its core, readers are faced with grief, finding magic in unlikely places, and realizing sometimes what feels like loss is just life rerouting you home.
Ghost Me, Maybe is fueled on atmosphere and emotions. Collins brings PCI to life with cinematic descriptions from walks on the boardwalk to a boat outing with friends. Do not go into this looking for a fast-pace, crime thriller. It's more of a slow-burn, romcom, mystery that readers can immerse themselves in, envisioning being right there within the story.
If you are looking for a light-hearted, meet-cute type read for fall that you won't be able to put down, Ghost Me, Maybe should be added to your TBR for release on 9/22/26.
Thank you to NetGalley and Manda Collins for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC on Ghost Me, Maybe. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
July 26, 2026
I really wish I had liked this more than I did as I thought it had a lot of potential.
It's not all bad, so I will start with what I liked.
- I generally enjoy a mix of genres. In fact, I'm not the typical romance reader and the promise of a cozy romance mixed with some spooky and mystery elements totally drew me in. I didn't really feel like any of the genres were explored that much but I like the idea.
- The main characters had potential.
- I absolutely LOVED the Cajun island setting and I would have absolutely loved more of that!
What I would like to see improve:
- The book is very short. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think a lot of stories overstay their welcome. But it's too short for the story it tries to tell. There is a fairly bloated cast of characters so we spend most of the book still meeting new people. On top of that it's trying to pack several storylines into the book: The main charaters' romance arc, the economic decline of a town that is overly reliant on tourism and crippled by hurricanes, the fallout between Trey and his aunt, the Northerner getting used to live in the South and of course the myster element which ends in (spoiler ahead) As a result, none of these elements are explored and actually a lot of the relationship building between the two main characters and most of the investigation happen off-page!
- The romance isn't really enemies-to-lovers. There is a reason for the MMC to not be completely enthused about the FMC arrival as she inherits a house he believed was his. But he quickly understands why the inheritance went to her. The attraction is instant the banter flirty from the off. This isn't a big issue, just not ideal marketing.
- the crime/thriller plotline took me out of nowhere. It's pretty clear that (spoiler ahead) I felt like this all deserved more of a build-up.
- I would have liked the spooky elements explored more. Perhaps the MCs could have explored the haunting angle a while, in a way that keeps you on your toes as a reader
- The main characters were quite flawless. There wasn't really any friction, not even when the ex shows up
- The cat. Even the cat is frickin' flawless. I'm a sucker for a good pet sidekick in a romance but this cat is definitely fictional. It would have worked to write a cat-that-likes-adventures well. But she enjoys parasailing? Eh.
- There is a lot of faff made about the fact that the MC needs to stay on the island for a year. We don't ebven see the end of this. There was so much potential for some friction there. Is she gonna stay, is she gonna go?
Sadly, in the end I felt the book fell short of the premise. There was a lot of potential though!
It's not all bad, so I will start with what I liked.
- I generally enjoy a mix of genres. In fact, I'm not the typical romance reader and the promise of a cozy romance mixed with some spooky and mystery elements totally drew me in. I didn't really feel like any of the genres were explored that much but I like the idea.
- The main characters had potential.
- I absolutely LOVED the Cajun island setting and I would have absolutely loved more of that!
What I would like to see improve:
- The book is very short. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think a lot of stories overstay their welcome. But it's too short for the story it tries to tell. There is a fairly bloated cast of characters so we spend most of the book still meeting new people. On top of that it's trying to pack several storylines into the book: The main charaters' romance arc, the economic decline of a town that is overly reliant on tourism and crippled by hurricanes, the fallout between Trey and his aunt, the Northerner getting used to live in the South and of course the myster element which ends in (spoiler ahead) As a result, none of these elements are explored and actually a lot of the relationship building between the two main characters and most of the investigation happen off-page!
- The romance isn't really enemies-to-lovers. There is a reason for the MMC to not be completely enthused about the FMC arrival as she inherits a house he believed was his. But he quickly understands why the inheritance went to her. The attraction is instant the banter flirty from the off. This isn't a big issue, just not ideal marketing.
- the crime/thriller plotline took me out of nowhere. It's pretty clear that (spoiler ahead) I felt like this all deserved more of a build-up.
- I would have liked the spooky elements explored more. Perhaps the MCs could have explored the haunting angle a while, in a way that keeps you on your toes as a reader
- The main characters were quite flawless. There wasn't really any friction, not even when the ex shows up
- The cat. Even the cat is frickin' flawless. I'm a sucker for a good pet sidekick in a romance but this cat is definitely fictional. It would have worked to write a cat-that-likes-adventures well. But she enjoys parasailing? Eh.
- There is a lot of faff made about the fact that the MC needs to stay on the island for a year. We don't ebven see the end of this. There was so much potential for some friction there. Is she gonna stay, is she gonna go?
Sadly, in the end I felt the book fell short of the premise. There was a lot of potential though!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Khaki Boudreaux passed away, librarian Callie Jameson was shocked to learn that she had not only left Callie her beachfront home which was formerly the library of St. Ignatius College on Petite Cote Island in Louisiana, but also a one million dollar bequest, if Callie moved to the Island and lived in the home for at least one year. Overwhelmed by the inheritance, Callie packs up her life (and her cat Stella) in Cincinnati and moves to Petite Cote Island with big plans. But almost immediately it becomes clear that things are not going to go as planned. First her hotel reservation at the inn that she had booked months in advance was lost and she was forced to immediately move into the library. She is delighted to learn that Khaki’s great-nephew, Trey LeBlanc had been renovating the library for the last year but was less delighted to discover that he was living there.
Trey LeBlanc was stunned to learn that his great-aunt Khaki had left his childhood refuge to a stranger. Convinced that Callie scammed his aunt, he calls his cousin Julie (Khaki’s daughter) and is set straight, now he has to find a way to convince Callie to sell him the library when her year of tenancy is up. But despite a mutual attraction, that might be harder than he expected when they clash from the moment, they meet and the “hauntings” that have been nothing more than a nuisance for the last few months ramp up. It takes a few weeks, but eventually they find a way to cohabitate and even form a friendship. It isn’t until the “hauntings” turn dangerous, that their relationship changes and they agree to work together to find out who is behind them before things get worse and someone gets hurt.
I love Manda Collins writing style, I have read all her historical romances and while I don’t usually read contemporary romances, I was intrigued by the blurb for this book, and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. Callie and Trey are wonderful characters and their chemistry is apparent as soon as they meet. The book is more cozy mystery than rom-com, but there are enough elements of each to satisfy both genre lovers. The book is filled with good friends, found family, small-town vibes, decent mystery, slow burn romance with a closed-door love scene, lots of banter and finally a satisfying conclusion to both the mystery and the romance. The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read is a scene towards the end with Trey and his ex-wife that pulled me out the story and that I felt was an unnecessary sidetrack, I guess it was to show he was over her but it didn’t hit that way for me. Despite that little hiccup, I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it to both cozy mystery and romance lovers!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Trey LeBlanc was stunned to learn that his great-aunt Khaki had left his childhood refuge to a stranger. Convinced that Callie scammed his aunt, he calls his cousin Julie (Khaki’s daughter) and is set straight, now he has to find a way to convince Callie to sell him the library when her year of tenancy is up. But despite a mutual attraction, that might be harder than he expected when they clash from the moment, they meet and the “hauntings” that have been nothing more than a nuisance for the last few months ramp up. It takes a few weeks, but eventually they find a way to cohabitate and even form a friendship. It isn’t until the “hauntings” turn dangerous, that their relationship changes and they agree to work together to find out who is behind them before things get worse and someone gets hurt.
I love Manda Collins writing style, I have read all her historical romances and while I don’t usually read contemporary romances, I was intrigued by the blurb for this book, and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. Callie and Trey are wonderful characters and their chemistry is apparent as soon as they meet. The book is more cozy mystery than rom-com, but there are enough elements of each to satisfy both genre lovers. The book is filled with good friends, found family, small-town vibes, decent mystery, slow burn romance with a closed-door love scene, lots of banter and finally a satisfying conclusion to both the mystery and the romance. The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read is a scene towards the end with Trey and his ex-wife that pulled me out the story and that I felt was an unnecessary sidetrack, I guess it was to show he was over her but it didn’t hit that way for me. Despite that little hiccup, I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it to both cozy mystery and romance lovers!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews