Come Back and Haunt Me

by Kim Catanzarite

Come Back and Haunt Me is a dark romance that will whisk you through the swimmingly happy days of falling in love and then drag you to the precipice of hell. Bring it to the beach in the summer, or cozy up to the fire with it in winter. Either way, it will be an experience you won’t soon forget.

Some relationships don’t die—even when one of you does.

Veka, a twenty-six-year-old vet technician, is searching for the ultimate love and terrified of finding it. When Brady walks into the animal shelter with his sister’s dog, something electric passes between them. It’s instant, magnetic, impossible to ignore—and it changes everything.

They’re total opposites. He’s spontaneous; she’s a planner. He drifts from job to job; she’s steady and dependable. Brady’s restless ways color her world with joy, and his charm is irresistible—but so is the darkness he carries. And when a tragic accident takes Brady away, Veka’s world shatters. He begins to appear in her dreams, pleading for help from beyond the veil.

Now Veka must decide: Will she risk her future for a love that refuses to die?

Come Back and Haunt Me is a soul-stirring tale about the lies we tell ourselves, the truths that set us free, and the bond that even death can’t break.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Fiction, Amazon

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

About the author

Kim Catanzarite writes character-driven science fiction and dark fantasy novels. Her books are a mix of heartfelt family and friendship drama, fast-paced adventure, engaging plot twists, and unique imagination. She is the author of the Jovian Universe series and the Angel of Death series. Kim lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Sudasha]

When Veka meets Brady at her job one day, it seems like serendipity. There's an immediate and undeniable connection between them. They begin a relationship; though opposites, they balance each other, with Veka bringing calm and Brady bringing spontaneity to their lives. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows - it becomes quite obvious that Brady is troubled and has secrets he's keeping from his fiancée. When their love story ends in tragedy, Veka has no choice but to tap into a newfound well of strength and tenacity to survive what is undeniably a tense and dangerous situation.

I really enjoyed the premise of this novel; as a huge lover of dark romance, I have read quite a few (more than a few) books in the genre and I can assuredly state that I've never read one with quite this twist. Being haunted by your dead boyfriend while having to go function in life normally?? Quite unique! From the beginning, where we see the initial relationship develop between our MCs, to the middle, where we see heartache and pain, to the conclusion, where we see Veka's growth and pursuit of future happiness, the storyline was well paced and beyond interesting. I also love some angst in my dark romances and there was definitely quite a bit of that here.

Kim has done it again! I first fell in love with her writing in
They Will Be Coming for Us and I'm so happy to say I've honestly enjoyed every novel she has put out into the universe since then.

*A great many thanks to the author, Kim Catanzarite for this ARC. It is important to note that I was not committed to providing a positive review; all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*

[Heather]

DNF at 20%

The writing style in this just isn't for me. Somehow it manages to come off as juvenile and creepy all at the same time. The dialogue is awkward and stilted. Veka does not read as a woman in her mid 20s (at least not without a lot of arrested development) and Brady is setting off more than a few red flags (and not in a dark romance kind of way).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ronald A.]

Great read start to finish. Highly recommend!

[Kari]

I really enjoyed this story about what happens when the one you love dies unexpectedly. Is there life after death? What happens to a less than perfect person who made questionable choices most of their life? What's the line between evil and poor judgement that causes hurt? Can the partner left behind move on after finding out about the flaws in the relationship?
I'm really glad I took a chance to read this book when it came across my free recommendations. I liked the author's writing style and the way the story unfolded. IMO, it's a well written, thought provoking story that is well worth the read.

[Jacqueline Boulden]

What begins as a sweet love story becomes a battle to stay out of hell.
Veka and Brady fall in love, but as they grow closer, she worries that he’s not being completely honest with her about his work and his relationships with others. Then the unthinkable happens shortly after they become engaged: Brady is killed. But Brady hasn’t left Veka. He’s visiting her in her dreams because he needs her help, and if she doesn’t help him, she will find herself in trouble. The final pages will keep you up at night until you find out what happens to everyone. Come Back and Haunt Me is a clever paranormal story about lasting love and redemption.

[Valerie]

I loved this book so much! The storyline is very well thought out and loved the characters. I couldn’t put this down. I received this kindle book as an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you so much!!

[Kay Dias]

Come Back and Haunt Me by Kim Catanzarite surprised me in ways I wasn’t expecting.

I went into Come Back and Haunt Me not knowing exactly what to expect, especially because stories involving ghosts and the afterlife are not usually the kind of books I naturally gravitate toward. But this turned out to be a very engaging, fast read for me, the kind of book that keeps you turning pages late into the night.

What hooked me at the beginning was the way Veka described herself at twelve years old, dreaming about soulmates with her friends and believing perfect love was the greatest happiness a person could hope for. It reminded me so much of how I viewed love at that age, before life becomes more complicated.

Early on, I saw Veka as emotionally vulnerable, insecure, and easy to manipulate. And honestly, my first impression of Brady was not good at all. Around the 30% mark, I was convinced he was a conman, someone who lied easily and presented himself as someone he wasn’t in order to get close to her.

That suspicion kept me deeply invested in the story.

After Brady’s death, the book shifted in a direction I wasn’t fully expecting. Some parts involving Ghost Brady felt slower for me, but I think that comes more from my own reading preferences than from the writing itself. I rarely read books involving ghosts, paranormal elements, or other realms, so this is simply not a genre I naturally connect with as much.

One moment I reacted strongly to was when Veka charged Brady’s phone. I fully expected her to go through his messages, emails, photos, anything that could give her answers. Instead, she stepped away from it. At first, that frustrated me because I wanted her to push harder and question more.

But as the story progressed, I began to understand her much better.

One of the things I appreciated most about this novel was Veka’s emotional growth. At the beginning, she constantly excuses other people’s flaws while minimizing her own needs. Watching her slowly become emotionally stronger and more grounded ended up being the most satisfying part of the book for me. By the final pages, she truly felt like a different person in the best possible way.

The prose is simple but beautiful. The author does not overexplain emotions or themes and trusts readers to reach conclusions on their own, which I appreciated very much.

Even though this is not a genre I would normally pick up first, I genuinely enjoyed the experience from beginning to end.

I would especially recommend this to romance readers, readers who enjoy emotionally driven stories, animal lovers, readers interested in afterlife or “beyond the veil” themes, and readers who enjoy character-driven novels centered on emotional growth.

Overall, this felt much more like a romance about grief, healing, and emotional transformation than a speculative or fantasy novel.

Thank you to NetGalley
and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[KATY K]

A delicious otherworldly book that joins modern-day romance with a splash of the paranormal.

In her latest novel, Come Back and Haunt Me, author Kim Catanzarite steps out of the science fiction domain and takes the reader into a contemporary world of dark romance, extraordinary characters, and paranormal intrigue.

Enter Veka, a late 20-something woman who works as a vet tech and dreams about finding her soul mate. When she meets Brady, their connection is immediate. Still, Veka doesn't always listen to her intuition. Something seems a little off or too good to be true about this handsome man, but she falls for him anyway. When he dies suddenly, she is devastated. And yet, he comes back to seek her help in the first phase of his new eternity.

I really enjoyed and was enticed by the book’s premise: contemporary world meets the transitional afterlife realm with a provocative (and scary) side of magical realism (beware the black box!). The prose, too, is particularly effective with thrilling imagery that delivers a fitting mood for their respective scenes: "An open seam appeared like a zipper un-teething a dark and smoky world, and Brady climbed through."

And though Veka at times appears unsure of what to do, Catanzarite rewards her readers with a woman who grows in decisiveness and courage as the novel progresses. Whether it’s standing up for herself against an unwanted advance from another man or developing greater compassion through introspection, Veka is a complex individual who mirrors traits we recognize in ourselves.

And then there’s Brady, a complicated man who is also trying to figure out his life as he dashes in and out of scenes in his trademark long, black coat. Despite his sometimes bad-boy ways, restlessness, and secrets he keeps from Veka, he, too, instills sympathy as his story unfolds.

Finally, add to the mix of supporting characters a spunky, loving and caring best friend named Jess, two adorable cats, Mini and Thor, and an eclectic group of family members, and you’ll enjoy this fast-paced read that draws you in early and keeps you engaged.

Venture into Catanzarite’s Come Back and Haunt Me, a novel that startles with its magnetic storyline and gratifies with its persuasive argument to stay true to oneself despite life’s difficulties.

I received an early ARC of this book.

[Julie Smetzer]

First of all, I want to give the author kudos for the clever cover design. Looking at the solid left side of the male figure transforming into a vaporous right side, I'm appreciating how she hinted at developments the reader may find within her story.

I've read Kim Catanzarite's five-book sci-fi Jovian series and this dark romance/paranormal book showed a different facet of her talent. Her character-driven plot pulls you quickly into Veka's immediate attraction to Brady. Fed by her need for love, he quickly chose to use that vulnerability for his own purposes. As the reader watched Veka grow to be more confident and self-assured, the glaring reality of Brady's faults became something she could no longer ignore.

When tragedy struck, Veka succumbed to a lengthy grieving period where friends and Brady's very creepy brother intervened...and her lost love returned as he needed her help to move on. Yet even under those circumstances his lies, manipulations, and evasions were still in play.

I did not anticipate the author's unique interpretation of a Gatekeeper, a snarky no-nonsense kind of being which challenged each interviewee with questions that were only satisfied by the truth. Brady encouraged Veka to be honest no matter the affect on his future. She decided she would do what she could for him and began her own search for those necessary answers. And by doing so Veka helped herself, Brady, and brought to justice the person the Gatekeeper wanted anyway.

An enjoyable read! I felt the plot was easy to follow, the telling of the story tight, and the cast of characters relatable. The idea of a loved one coming back as well as the experience of falling hard for your first love are relatable by many readers. PLUS throwing in a little bit of hell added some unexpected heat - literally!

*Many thanks and appreciation to author Kim Catanzarite for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.*

[Chlo]

The idea of this book was solid, and I think a lot of Frieda McFadden fans would like this. For me though, it fell a bit flat.

What I enjoyed:
- The pacing was good, I liked how there were attempts to get to know Brady and Veka before Brady's death.

- The supernatural element was intriguing, and is ultimately what made me want to keep reading.

What I didn't enjoy:
- The characters all fell very flat, especially Veka. She actually enraged me half the time because the way she allowed people to treat her was atrocious. It went so much further than just being a character choice because even a push over would stick up for themselves more. Especially when derogatory comments were made. She also made really, really stupid decisions. Admissions of wrong doing would occur and she would say "okay thats fine I forgive you" but later someone would admit they were abused and she would say "but you lied to me when we met, thats unforgivable!"

- The above made me dislike everyone, bar Thor and Mini obviously. Brady was so rude for someone who was supposed to be able to get a girl by the click of his fingers.

- The dialogue felt very scripted/stoic, and a few times there were conversations that didn't make sense or felt like there were chunks missing.

- Characters emotions were not described properly. Once Brady died, we jumped straight to the funeral and had maybe one line about how exhausted Veka was? We had a bit of mourning after the fact but that was it. It felt like we were describing the clothes people wore or the layout of rooms more than how the characters actually felt. Maybe this was purposeful, but I was left wanting more.

All in all, I was left intrigued enough by the plot to continue. But the lack of character development and emotional description reduced my enjoyment.

[Susan]

Veka is a 26-year-old vet technician. She has fallen in love with Brady. He is her enigmatic and electric love interest, They become engaged. Brady, tragically dies and returns as a ghost obsessed with maintaining their eternal bond. He died before they can wed. What will Veka do with his ghost? Veka grieves. She has strange dreams and faces supernatural incidents. She also learns that Brady kept secrets from her. She works to accept his flaws while learning the truth about his death. She hopes to save his soul from eternal damnation. In time, her thoughts about romance evolve; she learns to see her relationship with Brady with different “eyes.”

The author has written it from Veka’s perspective. Its early focus on her relationship with Brady is made compelling due to insights into their families’ dynamics and childhood experiences. Veka’s interactions with an enemy, who is developed in gradual, blood-chilling ways, with hints of their dangerous disposition coming through their interactions with others are riveting. The book moves at a steady pace, relying on unanswered questions to create suspense and momentum. There are scenes with horror elements that feature grotesque imagery, feeding into the novel’s tension. It also involves surreal ideas about the afterlife. The book moves toward a satisfying conclusion in which the mystery of Brady’s death and the outstanding questions about his actions. The novel follows a grieving woman as she learns to accept her departed fiancé’s flaws. The story is about grief, family trauma, and unconditional love.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Laura]

I read an ARC provided by the author. Instantly, the characters and plot engulfed my life! I didn’t put the book down because I wanted to find out if the love between Veka and Brady was real.

Sometimes love is enough… And sometimes it is not the relationship that we expected. People aren’t always what we expect, and (some) people have two sides.

Catanzarite effectively describes the flaws in Veka and Brady. Veka accepts the lies told by Brady even though she has a gut feeling that something is off. I could accept this because she was in love afterall. Throughout the story, we see Veka grow and start to stand up for herself. Brady is a tormented soul. As the story progresses, the reader learns more about his past and why he self-sabotages, keeps up a shield. He couldn’t believe that he was worthy of love. I have always been drawn to books with unsavory characters, we all have a dark side and faults that we try to keep hidden. I appreciate when authors bring this out in their writing instead of making each character a perfect person.

The book is beautifully written with imagery of the underworld … Catanzarite created a space for the “Black Box” to rule. They have control of eternity–heaven or hell–that these characters find themselves fighting for the best afterlife. An afterlife without suffering.

Ultimately, this book has interesting characters, a deep-dive beyond the veil , and pleasantly wraps up all the conflicts within the plot. I don’t read many supernatural books; although, I LOVE a good romance. Come Back and Haunt Me encompasses all the elements of a love story that I enjoy.

[vlm]

Come Back and Haunt Me by Kim Catanzarite is an emotional and haunting dark romance that blends love, grief, and the supernatural into a story that lingers long after the final page. What begins as an intense opposites-attract romance slowly transforms into something far darker and more heartbreaking.

Veka and Brady’s relationship is magnetic from the start. Their chemistry felt immediate and believable, and I enjoyed how their differences shaped the dynamic between them. Brady’s free-spirited nature balanced Veka’s cautious personality in a way that made their connection feel both exciting and fragile. Beneath the romance, though, there’s a growing sense of unease that adds emotional weight to the story.

After Brady’s death, the novel takes a much darker and more emotional turn. The exploration of grief, denial, and the idea of love persisting beyond death was handled in a compelling way. The dream sequences and supernatural elements created an eerie atmosphere without overpowering the emotional core of the story.

What stood out most to me was how raw Veka’s emotional journey felt. This is not just a romance. It’s also a story about loss, healing, and confronting uncomfortable truths about ourselves and the people we love.

The pacing occasionally slowed in places, but overall the emotional payoff and haunting tone made this a memorable read. Fans of dark romance with paranormal elements and emotionally heavy themes will likely find themselves pulled into this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Come Back and Haunt Me by Kim Catanzarite. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sam T.]

Romance novels, let alone those with a paranormal element, are not the type of book that intrigue me. However, Come Back and Haunt Me surprised me. The title alone had me hooked. Kim Catanzarite writes with crisp, clean prose reminiscent of Elizabeth Strout. I appreciated that the author uses a light touch with themes and allows the reader to infer rather than spell everything out.

At the beginning, I wasn’t fond of Brady, who comes across as immature and manipulative, and it annoyed me that Veka fell for one excuse after another from Brady. However, I couldn’t fault her. I had to remind myself that when I was her age, I let much slide, slide, slide (my favorite line!) in my relationships. Throughout the story, Veka comes across as someone the reader can connect with, someone we can see ourselves in. As the story progresses, Veka grows emotionally, becoming more certain of herself, and at the end is much more discerning and self-confident.

The novel is fast-paced, keeping the reader engaged to the last page. Every time I thought I had things figured out, Catanzarite surprised me, and kept me guessing! I recommend Come Back and Haunt Me for readers who enjoy character-driven novels focused on emotional growth, romance novels with an element of the paranormal, and anyone who enjoys a book that will keep you turning the pages!

(I received an ARC from the author.)

[catherine]

We’re thrown right into the story from the start, and things move pretty quickly, so we don’t get a full sense of the MMC right away which I believe is intentional.

Brady and Veka are incredibly complex characters, and there’s so much nuance to both of them but especially Brady. When we first meet him, he comes across as the perfect guy, but I felt like there were subtle red flags early on that Veka didn’t fully catch. Even if she had, though, I think it really highlights how easy it is to overlook those things when you love someone. We tend to make excuses for people if it helps preserve how we feel about them, and I loved that this theme is introduced early in the book and carried throughout.

Even though I might have wanted a different ending, I understand why it concluded the way it did.

⭐ 3.85 stars

[Annette Masters]

How far would you go for the one you love?

In her captivating novel, Come Back and Haunt Me, Kim Catanzarite explores dark romance and paranormal intrigue through the story of Veka, a young vet tech who is ready to find her soulmate.

She meets Brady, and their immediate connection leads to an engagement. Despite Veka's wary intuition, she overlooks Brady’s little red flags because other parts of their relationship are so good. But after Brady's sudden death, it seems his sins have piled up, and he returns to seek her help from the afterlife.

With vivid imagery and a compelling narrative, Come Back and Haunt Me is a gripping tale about enduring love beyond death and the hell one woman will go through to save the one she loves.

Thank you for this beautiful ARC! I love the cover even more after reading the novel.

[Nikki Bogard]

There are books that break your heart… and then there are books that haunt it.

Come Back and Haunt Me is an emotional rollercoaster that lures you in with the excitement of falling in love before pulling you into a haunting story of grief, longing, and a love that refuses to fade.

Veka and Brady’s connection is instant, but what follows is so much more than a romance. It’s a journey through loss, healing, and discovering that some souls remain intertwined no matter what separates them. The paranormal elements add an eerie, emotional layer that kept me completely invested.

This story is beautifully heartbreaking, atmospheric, and full of moments that will have you reaching for the tissues. If you enjoy dark romances that lean heavily into emotion with a touch of the supernatural, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

[Nicole Kitten]

This isn’t the kind of book I’d typically reach for—I’ll admit the paranormal premise isn’t usually my thing. However, beneath the paranormal, hell-ish theme is a thought-provoking exploration of the line between acceptance and deliberate ignorance, between love and complacency. There’s a deeper story of personal growth here that gives the book a wider appeal than its premise might suggest. I found myself moving through it faster than expected, genuinely curious about where the story was headed. It had a quiet way of staying with me between reading sessions, which, for a book outside my usual taste, says something. It was a fun read, and for anyone who loves this kind of genre, I think this could be a real favorite.

[Sumiko Hansen]

I absolutely devoured Come Back and Haunt Me. It’s the kind of story that hits all the emotional notes to satisfy romantics and spooks alike.

The premise hooked me instantly. Your dead boyfriend returning from beyond the veil to say he’s in danger of damnation and needs your help? Deliciously unsettling. But what really made this book shine was Veka’s growth and emotional journey throughout. The story balances supernatural suspense with grief, longing, distrust, and that dangerous temptation to believe love can save and redeem even the most flawed of people.

If you love morally complex romances and characters that dance with damnation, this is a must read!

[Lindsay Brazil]

2.5⭐️

I was very intrigued by both the description as well as the cover.
I feel like this book has a lot of potential. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and my brain had red flags being thrown up left and right which I think made it even harder for me to connect. Towards the end of the book I found myself skimming then having to go back and actually properly read.

Ended up liking the ending though.


A small detail: the description spells Veka's name differently AND the text message portions need to be swapped around - they are formatted backwards.


Thank you to NetGalley for the early opportunity to read and review.

[Isabella Sparks]

If you like character-driven paranormal romance and supernatural suspense, this is the book for you. The author takes the time to let you get to know her main characters on a personal level before the plot kicks in, which is nice, because you already know it's heading in a less happy direction if you read the synopsis! The characters' flaws are relatable, and there is mystery and suspense to keep the reader guessing until the end. This book takes you on a journey beyond the living world, where the characters must come to terms with their past mistakes in order to forgive and even start anew.

[DeeVoursBooks]

ARC received by Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

DNFd at 10%. Digital copy provided by Goodreads after winning a giveaway. I just could NOT with the main male character. Holy red flags... and not in a good way. In a WTF are we wasting our time here for, he seems like a gaslighting, terrible person, kind of way.

I hate to DNF a book! - and there have been several books that I've pushed through just because I always figure there will be a lesson for me to learn or that it keeps me well-rounded to read books sometimes outside of my comfort zone.

This was not it.

[Zoë Routh]

A lovely story that has love, obsession, paranormal romance and intrigue. The writing is economical, chiselled and compelling. It’s not easy to write and conjure metaphysical interactions that are vivid and believable! I was completely immersed in Veka’s world, her grief, and the mystery of her fiancé’s death. If only we could all have this kind of closure! An enjoyable read from a wonderful writer.

[Laura]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.

This was a beautiful, haunting, and emotional novel. Victoria's transformation and evolution throughout her journey were incredible.

Brady was a tortured soul, possibly misunderstood and definitely hurting. I felt for him and also wanted to strangle him for hurting the one person who would've always chosen him.

Their story will live on in my heart forever. ❤️

[Melanie Green]

I think we have all had a love who haunted us. Perhaps the only way to truly live is to love so deeply that we felt haunted by them. In this case, of course, there was an actual ghost. Overall, this book was a fast read for me and had some interesting explorations about the afterlife and grief in general. I do think the characters and dialogue could be better developed.

[Brian]

I really liked this book a lot. It combined romance, mystery, philosophy, and more to form a deliciously fun and edifying cocktail. The story drew me in. I looked forward to reading every new chapter. The characters were people that I cared about. I felt what they felt through their emotional and spiritual adventures. This is the first book I read by this author. It won't be the last.

[Benny Farthing]

Nothing quite gets me going like picturing two adults flirting over a dead dog

[Kimy]

I enjoyed how this book was different to a lot I have read before, I needed to know what was going to happen and enjoyed the new ideas about people entering the afterlife.

[Emma]

A juicy, fast-paced paranormal romance/mystery with a layered, compelling protagonist. Highly recommended!

[Bria]

Kinda like a bad lifetime movie but you know what? I enjoyed it quite a bit