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Paper Ghosts
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Expected 1 Oct 26Part ghost story, part love story and steeped in magical realism, Paper Ghosts will transport you to a place where old secrets echo through the years and love finds a way of bringing us home.
Every family has its secrets... The Wester women live inside theirs.
For decades, the women of Wester House have unsettled and fascinated their small, timeless North Carolina town. Their home is full of whispers, old griefs, and uncanny knowing. But when Willamena Wester reaches out to the granddaughter she once pushed away, long-buried truths begin to stir.
1976:
Restless young Willamena falls for a stranded musician who brings freedom and the promise of another life to her carefully controlled world. Their brief, incandescent love story promises to escape the pull of the Wester legacy until Willamena makes a fateful choice that changes her life forever.
Present Day:
Returning home is the last thing Bailey Wester wants. Yet as she reconnects with Willamena, the grandmother she feared, Bailey begins to understand the love, heartbreak, and impossible choices that shaped the women in her family and realizes the past may not have been trying to haunt them after all.
A luminous novel filled with Sarah Addison Allen’s stunning prose and signature blend of romance, Southern charm, and wonder, Paper Ghosts reminds us that in order to have the future we really want, sometimes we need to live with the past, and not let go of it.
Every family has its secrets... The Wester women live inside theirs.
For decades, the women of Wester House have unsettled and fascinated their small, timeless North Carolina town. Their home is full of whispers, old griefs, and uncanny knowing. But when Willamena Wester reaches out to the granddaughter she once pushed away, long-buried truths begin to stir.
1976:
Restless young Willamena falls for a stranded musician who brings freedom and the promise of another life to her carefully controlled world. Their brief, incandescent love story promises to escape the pull of the Wester legacy until Willamena makes a fateful choice that changes her life forever.
Present Day:
Returning home is the last thing Bailey Wester wants. Yet as she reconnects with Willamena, the grandmother she feared, Bailey begins to understand the love, heartbreak, and impossible choices that shaped the women in her family and realizes the past may not have been trying to haunt them after all.
A luminous novel filled with Sarah Addison Allen’s stunning prose and signature blend of romance, Southern charm, and wonder, Paper Ghosts reminds us that in order to have the future we really want, sometimes we need to live with the past, and not let go of it.
500 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Sarah Addison Allen
40 books19k followersSarah Addison Allen is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eight novels. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Allen is credited with bringing "Southern Magical Realism" to a mainstream audience. Her work, characterized by its romantic, lyrical prose and its exploration of family dynamics through a supernatural lens, has been translated into more than thirty languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
Allen’s debut novel, Garden Spells (2007), became a breakout success and an indie bookseller favorite, spending weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Her subsequent works—The Sugar Queen (2008), The Girl Who Chased the Moon (2010), The Peach Keeper (2011), Lost Lake (2014), First Frost (2015) and Other Birds (2022)—have each been bestsellers, garnering acclaim for their quiet magic and subtle, folkloric elements integrated into contemporary Southern life.
The daughter of a journalist father and a mother who was a celebrated cook, Allen grew up in a household where storytelling and food were the primary love languages, elements that now define her fiction. She attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, graduating with a degree in Literature. At age 39, Allen took a hiatus from publishing following a diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer. Her return to writing was marked by a shift toward more poignant narratives.
Allen’s most recent project, Paper Ghosts (2026), continues her tradition of blending mystery with the supernatural. She currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family.
Allen’s debut novel, Garden Spells (2007), became a breakout success and an indie bookseller favorite, spending weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Her subsequent works—The Sugar Queen (2008), The Girl Who Chased the Moon (2010), The Peach Keeper (2011), Lost Lake (2014), First Frost (2015) and Other Birds (2022)—have each been bestsellers, garnering acclaim for their quiet magic and subtle, folkloric elements integrated into contemporary Southern life.
The daughter of a journalist father and a mother who was a celebrated cook, Allen grew up in a household where storytelling and food were the primary love languages, elements that now define her fiction. She attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, graduating with a degree in Literature. At age 39, Allen took a hiatus from publishing following a diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer. Her return to writing was marked by a shift toward more poignant narratives.
Allen’s most recent project, Paper Ghosts (2026), continues her tradition of blending mystery with the supernatural. She currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family.
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September 6, 2026
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⭐⭐⭐1/2
Paper Ghosts
Sarah Addison Allen
Publication Date: September 1st, 2026
St. Martin's Press
288 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
This story is told across two timelines. In 1976, Willamena falls in love with a musician who promises her the stars and an escape from Wester House and her controlling family, but a decision she makes traps her where she is.
In the present, we have Bailey, who returns to Wester House scared to death of reconnecting with her grandmother, Willamena. When the two women get together, they start to dissect the past, and Bailey learns just how heartbroken her grandmother was when she sacrificed everything.
This was another wonderful Southern book about generational trauma and how secrets can ruin everything, especially when they're found out. The magical realism aspect wasn't over the top for me—it wasn't shoved in your face, but rather felt like a gentle touch. The atmospheric storytelling was fabulous, and as this is my first book by the author, I was thoroughly impressed. The house functions as a character itself, and the Gothic vibes were not lost on me.
I enjoyed the 1976 timeline much more than the present, though that's a personal preference. To me, Willamena and her story were the highlight of the novel, filled with plenty of emotional drama. I also understood what the author was trying to convey with the current timeline: how a house filled with photos and old papers can become the true ghosts.
The main reason I'm rounding down my rating is due to the pacing. It really slowed down for me during the present-day timeline, and Bailey wasn't nearly as engaging a character as her grandmother. The mystery of the family's past and the emotional finish felt a bit faded compared to the 1976 storyline.
Overall, this was a solid, atmospheric, and character-driven read. There is lots to like here, even if both timelines weren't equally engaging.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐1/2
Paper Ghosts
Sarah Addison Allen
Publication Date: September 1st, 2026
St. Martin's Press
288 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
This story is told across two timelines. In 1976, Willamena falls in love with a musician who promises her the stars and an escape from Wester House and her controlling family, but a decision she makes traps her where she is.
In the present, we have Bailey, who returns to Wester House scared to death of reconnecting with her grandmother, Willamena. When the two women get together, they start to dissect the past, and Bailey learns just how heartbroken her grandmother was when she sacrificed everything.
This was another wonderful Southern book about generational trauma and how secrets can ruin everything, especially when they're found out. The magical realism aspect wasn't over the top for me—it wasn't shoved in your face, but rather felt like a gentle touch. The atmospheric storytelling was fabulous, and as this is my first book by the author, I was thoroughly impressed. The house functions as a character itself, and the Gothic vibes were not lost on me.
I enjoyed the 1976 timeline much more than the present, though that's a personal preference. To me, Willamena and her story were the highlight of the novel, filled with plenty of emotional drama. I also understood what the author was trying to convey with the current timeline: how a house filled with photos and old papers can become the true ghosts.
The main reason I'm rounding down my rating is due to the pacing. It really slowed down for me during the present-day timeline, and Bailey wasn't nearly as engaging a character as her grandmother. The mystery of the family's past and the emotional finish felt a bit faded compared to the 1976 storyline.
Overall, this was a solid, atmospheric, and character-driven read. There is lots to like here, even if both timelines weren't equally engaging.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 4 ⭐️ How much of our past follows us into the future? Can inheritance and trauma follows us despite our every effort to correct its presence?
Paper Ghosts is a story of preserved mistakes and memories that follow us into the future. Three generations of the Western women possess the ability to know things about other people. Their gifts earn them the 'witch' nickname, making them feared by the community. We follow the story of Wills Wester as a young woman in 1976 who is under the strict control of her grandmother. In another timeline, we then follow Wills as an older woman with a granddaughter, Bailey Wester, who returns to the Wester family home after her mother passes away.
In 1976, Wills is not happy living in the Western home. She wants freedom from her grandmother, Alice and feels that she is dictating her life. Alice is a woman who loves secrecy, control, privacy. She is someone who doesn't allow outsiders into her family home and she strongly believes that the world is a dangerous place. So she tries to control every outcome as much as possible. She's definitely an eccentric character but one that is unlikable and hard to understand. Wills clearly tries to oppose her as much as possible. So when she meets a man and falls in love with him, Alice's upper hand gets in the way & there are consequences that alter the projection of Wills's life.
In a future timeline, Bailey is a young granddaughter of Wills. She is not in great relations with Wills because she looks at her as a monster. Bailey wants to understand Wills so she begins slowly reconnecting with her. She learns more about the house and its history and in the process learns what paper ghosts represent. They are not per-se actual ghosts but rather symbolize photographs that preserve the memories of people after they are gone. Since photographs preserve memories of people and their stories, some of these stories preserve mistakes. And Bailey begins to uncover how Wills past memories shaped her life.
The novel essentially explores how easily trauma is passed down and how families create their own ghosts. It looks at how the hurt affects generations differently and why the very same people who have been hurt repeat the very same behaviors. I personally love reading about emotional wounds that people carry. I think there is always a life lesson in such stories and Sarah Addison Allen's message is very clear: in order for us to move forward, we need to first recognize the generational cycle, understand it and break the pattern. You can understand and forgive, accept what you can or cannot change and then choose what to leave behind and what you want to carry into your future.
I found the novel moving. There is heartbreak (for Wills) and healing for both Bailey and Wills. There is a deeper meaning of 'ghosts' here and I thought the author did a wonderful job utilizing magical realism to explore the 'ghosts of the past' for all three woman, including Alice. By trying to protect those that are loved, they actually kept the past alive. Alice used control to protect Wills who wanted to escape control but in turn used it once more towards Bailey. Bailey who tried to understand Wills past finally broke the cycle and made Wills see that there is a choice to do things differently.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Sarah Addison Allen for an early ARC.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an early ALC.
Narrator: Marin Ireland
Duration: 9 hours 30 min
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: September 1, 2026
Paper Ghosts is a story of preserved mistakes and memories that follow us into the future. Three generations of the Western women possess the ability to know things about other people. Their gifts earn them the 'witch' nickname, making them feared by the community. We follow the story of Wills Wester as a young woman in 1976 who is under the strict control of her grandmother. In another timeline, we then follow Wills as an older woman with a granddaughter, Bailey Wester, who returns to the Wester family home after her mother passes away.
In 1976, Wills is not happy living in the Western home. She wants freedom from her grandmother, Alice and feels that she is dictating her life. Alice is a woman who loves secrecy, control, privacy. She is someone who doesn't allow outsiders into her family home and she strongly believes that the world is a dangerous place. So she tries to control every outcome as much as possible. She's definitely an eccentric character but one that is unlikable and hard to understand. Wills clearly tries to oppose her as much as possible. So when she meets a man and falls in love with him, Alice's upper hand gets in the way & there are consequences that alter the projection of Wills's life.
In a future timeline, Bailey is a young granddaughter of Wills. She is not in great relations with Wills because she looks at her as a monster. Bailey wants to understand Wills so she begins slowly reconnecting with her. She learns more about the house and its history and in the process learns what paper ghosts represent. They are not per-se actual ghosts but rather symbolize photographs that preserve the memories of people after they are gone. Since photographs preserve memories of people and their stories, some of these stories preserve mistakes. And Bailey begins to uncover how Wills past memories shaped her life.
The novel essentially explores how easily trauma is passed down and how families create their own ghosts. It looks at how the hurt affects generations differently and why the very same people who have been hurt repeat the very same behaviors. I personally love reading about emotional wounds that people carry. I think there is always a life lesson in such stories and Sarah Addison Allen's message is very clear: in order for us to move forward, we need to first recognize the generational cycle, understand it and break the pattern. You can understand and forgive, accept what you can or cannot change and then choose what to leave behind and what you want to carry into your future.
I found the novel moving. There is heartbreak (for Wills) and healing for both Bailey and Wills. There is a deeper meaning of 'ghosts' here and I thought the author did a wonderful job utilizing magical realism to explore the 'ghosts of the past' for all three woman, including Alice. By trying to protect those that are loved, they actually kept the past alive. Alice used control to protect Wills who wanted to escape control but in turn used it once more towards Bailey. Bailey who tried to understand Wills past finally broke the cycle and made Wills see that there is a choice to do things differently.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Sarah Addison Allen for an early ARC.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an early ALC.
Narrator: Marin Ireland
Duration: 9 hours 30 min
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: September 1, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh, I absolutely loved Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen! What a lovely surprise it was to come across this title in the Most Requested carousel on NetGalley! I immediately jumped on it and requested an ARC. I was over the moon with joy when I found the widget on my shelf!
You'll laugh, you'll want to cry, and in the end - all is well that could possibly end well! Don't mess with the Wester Witches!
The Wester women know all of your secrets and will force you to do their bidding...
As usual, Sarah Addison Allen conjures up a story chock full of colourful, larger than life characters, whimisical pathetic fallacies, and a passionate but doomed love affair... sniffle, sniffle! (Gotta ship Wills and Jack - they are such a dynamic, gutsy pair. Jack won my heart: he can teach me how to play the guitar anytime!)
Another impossible-to-put-down novel by one of my favourite magical realism authors. Bravo!
My thanks to the author, Sarah Addison Allen, her publishers, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this incredible novel in exchange for an honest review. Five well deserved stars, and then some! Highly recommended!
You'll laugh, you'll want to cry, and in the end - all is well that could possibly end well! Don't mess with the Wester Witches!
The Wester women know all of your secrets and will force you to do their bidding...
As usual, Sarah Addison Allen conjures up a story chock full of colourful, larger than life characters, whimisical pathetic fallacies, and a passionate but doomed love affair... sniffle, sniffle! (Gotta ship Wills and Jack - they are such a dynamic, gutsy pair. Jack won my heart: he can teach me how to play the guitar anytime!)
Another impossible-to-put-down novel by one of my favourite magical realism authors. Bravo!
My thanks to the author, Sarah Addison Allen, her publishers, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this incredible novel in exchange for an honest review. Five well deserved stars, and then some! Highly recommended!
Want to Read
February 8, 2026I can't wait. Sarah Addison Allen is my absolute favorite author. Her books are just delightful and anyone who loves her work should follow her social media. From time to time she writes tiny, whimisical snippits of stories that brighten any day.
September 3, 2026
4.5 stars - Really enjoyed this one, like the author's other books, this is a Southern set, women's fiction and magical realism story, which is set in two timelines - 197o's and the present day. A small town ("Hen Town") in North Carolina is where you'll find "Wester House", just full of family secrets and three women at the heart of them, and I found this one to be more Southern gothic and darkly atmospheric than Allen's earlier works but also found it very compelling and immersive and fast-paced read that I just couldn't put down. Lots of family drama & trauma, for sure, but the Wester women held my interest, especially as the middle one, Willamena, who was my age. Highly recommend to those who enjoy a touch of magic with their stories
September 1, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ this was super unique!!!
September 16, 2026
A dreamy, atmospheric, genre-bendy read that I could not put down. This had everything I love - family secrets, complex relationships, paranormal elements, a little romance, and an underlying suspense that kept me hooked throughout.
I loved the way this author used the family history to move the story along and I LOVED how the time jumps/dual POVs were placed.
If you like your fall reads more cozy & magical rather than outright spooky, I’d definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the free copy!
I loved the way this author used the family history to move the story along and I LOVED how the time jumps/dual POVs were placed.
If you like your fall reads more cozy & magical rather than outright spooky, I’d definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the free copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
PAPER GHOSTS
By Sarah Addison Allen
Narrated by Marin Ireland
The Secrets of the Wester Women
3.5 rounded down
After reading Other Birds and thoroughly enjoying it, I was eager to pick up Sarah Addison Allen’s new novel releasing September 1, 2026. While I enjoyed Other Birds more, I found Paper Ghosts to be a solid read, and I’m glad I both read and listened to it.
An atmospheric Southern Gothic novel infused with magical realism, Paper Ghosts unfolds across 1976 and the present day. In a small North Carolina town stands Wester House, a home steeped in generations of family secrets.
Bailey Wester returns to Wester House, apprehensive about reconnecting with the grandmother who pushed her away as a young child. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, Bailey gradually comes to understand the impossible choices that shaped the women in her family.
I found this novel to be darker and more gothic in tone than Other Birds, and while I still liked Other Birds more overall, I appreciated the darker atmosphere here. It also retains the whimsy and emotional depth that I loved in that story. The pacing is steady throughout, with the focus placed more on character development, family relationships, and atmosphere than on plot-driven action.
Marin Ireland is a favorite narrator of mine, and her performance was spot-on. As always, she brought the characters to life and did not disappoint.
Paper Ghosts was my second read by Sarah Addison Allen, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I alternated between the eARC and audiobook and enjoyed both formats.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC, and to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.
(Every once in a while a publisher will ask to wait till publication date to post—I inadvertently deleted my approved request, so decided I will go ahead and post.)
By Sarah Addison Allen
Narrated by Marin Ireland
The Secrets of the Wester Women
3.5 rounded down
After reading Other Birds and thoroughly enjoying it, I was eager to pick up Sarah Addison Allen’s new novel releasing September 1, 2026. While I enjoyed Other Birds more, I found Paper Ghosts to be a solid read, and I’m glad I both read and listened to it.
An atmospheric Southern Gothic novel infused with magical realism, Paper Ghosts unfolds across 1976 and the present day. In a small North Carolina town stands Wester House, a home steeped in generations of family secrets.
Bailey Wester returns to Wester House, apprehensive about reconnecting with the grandmother who pushed her away as a young child. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, Bailey gradually comes to understand the impossible choices that shaped the women in her family.
I found this novel to be darker and more gothic in tone than Other Birds, and while I still liked Other Birds more overall, I appreciated the darker atmosphere here. It also retains the whimsy and emotional depth that I loved in that story. The pacing is steady throughout, with the focus placed more on character development, family relationships, and atmosphere than on plot-driven action.
Marin Ireland is a favorite narrator of mine, and her performance was spot-on. As always, she brought the characters to life and did not disappoint.
Paper Ghosts was my second read by Sarah Addison Allen, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I alternated between the eARC and audiobook and enjoyed both formats.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC, and to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.
(Every once in a while a publisher will ask to wait till publication date to post—I inadvertently deleted my approved request, so decided I will go ahead and post.)
May 3, 2026
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Oh my goodness the excitement I had when I saw that one of my favorite authors is releasing a new novel, I was so excited to be able to read it! Oh my word where do I start?
I have read books from this author since I was a teenager. I found her "Garden Spells" book in my local library and I was drawn to the beautiful cover. I have read every book of hers and I love her writing and the magical elements and all her quirky character's that you just fall in love with!
This book.. was a just disappointment. I really really wanted to love it but I didn't connect with any of the character's. We are teased with just a very very small amount of Allen's magical elements but it was so small it just felt like it was not written from Allen herself. This book felt completely different than her other books and not in a good way. It just made me sad. I feel like the way the book is laid out that it is a rough draft. I found myself lost a lot with the time jumps throughout the book. I don't even know why on earth Allen decided to make the father gay all of a sudden? It felt so out of left field it felt like she threw that in to appease the pro-gay agenda audience. I just want Allen to give us a book like all her other books that had characters and story plots that we so fell in love with! :(
I have read books from this author since I was a teenager. I found her "Garden Spells" book in my local library and I was drawn to the beautiful cover. I have read every book of hers and I love her writing and the magical elements and all her quirky character's that you just fall in love with!
This book.. was a just disappointment. I really really wanted to love it but I didn't connect with any of the character's. We are teased with just a very very small amount of Allen's magical elements but it was so small it just felt like it was not written from Allen herself. This book felt completely different than her other books and not in a good way. It just made me sad. I feel like the way the book is laid out that it is a rough draft. I found myself lost a lot with the time jumps throughout the book. I don't even know why on earth Allen decided to make the father gay all of a sudden? It felt so out of left field it felt like she threw that in to appease the pro-gay agenda audience. I just want Allen to give us a book like all her other books that had characters and story plots that we so fell in love with! :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
In the close-knit place of Hen Town, North Carolina lies a small community that was once North Carolina's largest chicken farm. And for generations, the mysterious Wester family home has stood the test of time as change has ebbed and flowed through Hen Town, sure as the ocean tide. Whether the Wester home was left alone by the townspeople out of reverence or fear, however, none can say.
The "Witches of Wester" are every bit a mystery to teenage Bailey Wester as they are to the rest of Hen Town. Bailey knows that her family has secrets miles-deep, everyone does. Whispers and rumors have swirled around her like invisible winds for Bailey's whole life, but her Mim has never let her close enough to touch the truth. Until Bailey begins seeing strange figures in and around the Wester home grounds, that is; some that look like they're from another time.
"Paper Ghosts" is the sort of book I begged myself to love from the start despite a few clunky, opening chapters. It has some really beautiful flickers of the sort of magical realism that rendered Sarah Addison Allen's "Garden Spells" one of my favorite books of all time; but those flickers are fleeting, and they're few.
Overall, the pacing of "Paper Ghosts" never felt right and it lacked the steady current of magical realism I was hoping for. It moves--or rather, suddenly leaps--forward multiple times before you're able to cozily settle in with the characters or the time period they're found in, and that created a distance from the story that I never got past. Certainly reminiscent of some of Addison Allen's older works, "Paper Ghosts" is an oddball of a novel: magical in moments, then shockingly dark in others, fast-paced and yet hard to get through at points. I wish (more than anyone) that I could recommend it to readers, but if you're looking for that true, Addison Allen magic, discover "Garden Spells" for the first time, or go back to it again.
*Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced review copy of this title*
The "Witches of Wester" are every bit a mystery to teenage Bailey Wester as they are to the rest of Hen Town. Bailey knows that her family has secrets miles-deep, everyone does. Whispers and rumors have swirled around her like invisible winds for Bailey's whole life, but her Mim has never let her close enough to touch the truth. Until Bailey begins seeing strange figures in and around the Wester home grounds, that is; some that look like they're from another time.
"Paper Ghosts" is the sort of book I begged myself to love from the start despite a few clunky, opening chapters. It has some really beautiful flickers of the sort of magical realism that rendered Sarah Addison Allen's "Garden Spells" one of my favorite books of all time; but those flickers are fleeting, and they're few.
Overall, the pacing of "Paper Ghosts" never felt right and it lacked the steady current of magical realism I was hoping for. It moves--or rather, suddenly leaps--forward multiple times before you're able to cozily settle in with the characters or the time period they're found in, and that created a distance from the story that I never got past. Certainly reminiscent of some of Addison Allen's older works, "Paper Ghosts" is an oddball of a novel: magical in moments, then shockingly dark in others, fast-paced and yet hard to get through at points. I wish (more than anyone) that I could recommend it to readers, but if you're looking for that true, Addison Allen magic, discover "Garden Spells" for the first time, or go back to it again.
*Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced review copy of this title*
September 3, 2026
Part ghost story, part love story. A totally unique story.
Paper Ghosts is told in two timelines, weaving together the past, present and future of the Wester family in a compelling way.
A bittersweet story of young love, heartbreak, spirits and generations of complicated family dynamics.
Narrator Marin Ireland is outstanding!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Paper Ghosts is told in two timelines, weaving together the past, present and future of the Wester family in a compelling way.
A bittersweet story of young love, heartbreak, spirits and generations of complicated family dynamics.
Narrator Marin Ireland is outstanding!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The only ghosts everyone can see.
3.5 stars rounded up.
"My grandmother used to call photographs 'paper ghosts.' The only ghosts everyone can see."
Part Southern Gothic ghost story, part love story, with a healthy dose of whimsy and magical realism, Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen centers on the Wester women, a family surrounded by secrets, rumors, and a few ghosts. Told across two timelines - Willamena's story in 1976 and her granddaughter Bailey's in the present day - the novel gradually reveals the complicated history of the women in this family and the ways in which love, grief, and old wounds can echo across generations.
I especially enjoyed the first part of the book, which introduces us to a young, spunky Willamena (Wills). There was something particularly compelling about watching her navigate the expectations of the life she was supposed to want while slowly realizing that she wanted something else entirely. On the other hand, Bailey's story never quite grabbed me to the same degree as Willamena's, and I found myself more invested in the historical timeline than the present-day one, although the two eventually come together in a way that gives the novel its emotional heart.
Tying it all together in a beautiful bow is Allen's prose. Her writing is atmospheric, evocative, and just the right amount of whimsical. And while the story becomes increasingly supernatural - which isn't usually my favorite territory - Allen's writing and the wonderfully Gothic setting kept me thoroughly engaged.
The novel is very much character-driven, with the women and their relationships taking center stage while some of the other characters fade into the background. I appreciated that focus, particularly the parallels between the two generations of women and the relationships between the two sets of grandmothers and granddaughters. At the same time, I occasionally wished some of the secondary storylines and characters had been developed a little more. The book is relatively short, and there were several plot threads that felt as though they could have used a little more room to breathe.
I experienced Paper Ghosts as an audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland. As always, Ireland is impeccable. She is easily one of my favorite narrators, and her performance perfectly captures the novel's Southern Gothic atmosphere, giving the different characters distinct voices while never distracting from Allen's beautiful prose.
While I would have happily spent more time with some of the novel's characters and storylines, it made for a thoroughly engaging listen. Haunting, whimsical, and beautifully written, Paper Ghosts is a story about the ghosts we inherit - and whether we have to keep carrying them.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Paper Ghosts" will be published on September 1, 2026.
3.5 stars rounded up.
"My grandmother used to call photographs 'paper ghosts.' The only ghosts everyone can see."
Part Southern Gothic ghost story, part love story, with a healthy dose of whimsy and magical realism, Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen centers on the Wester women, a family surrounded by secrets, rumors, and a few ghosts. Told across two timelines - Willamena's story in 1976 and her granddaughter Bailey's in the present day - the novel gradually reveals the complicated history of the women in this family and the ways in which love, grief, and old wounds can echo across generations.
I especially enjoyed the first part of the book, which introduces us to a young, spunky Willamena (Wills). There was something particularly compelling about watching her navigate the expectations of the life she was supposed to want while slowly realizing that she wanted something else entirely. On the other hand, Bailey's story never quite grabbed me to the same degree as Willamena's, and I found myself more invested in the historical timeline than the present-day one, although the two eventually come together in a way that gives the novel its emotional heart.
Tying it all together in a beautiful bow is Allen's prose. Her writing is atmospheric, evocative, and just the right amount of whimsical. And while the story becomes increasingly supernatural - which isn't usually my favorite territory - Allen's writing and the wonderfully Gothic setting kept me thoroughly engaged.
The novel is very much character-driven, with the women and their relationships taking center stage while some of the other characters fade into the background. I appreciated that focus, particularly the parallels between the two generations of women and the relationships between the two sets of grandmothers and granddaughters. At the same time, I occasionally wished some of the secondary storylines and characters had been developed a little more. The book is relatively short, and there were several plot threads that felt as though they could have used a little more room to breathe.
I experienced Paper Ghosts as an audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland. As always, Ireland is impeccable. She is easily one of my favorite narrators, and her performance perfectly captures the novel's Southern Gothic atmosphere, giving the different characters distinct voices while never distracting from Allen's beautiful prose.
While I would have happily spent more time with some of the novel's characters and storylines, it made for a thoroughly engaging listen. Haunting, whimsical, and beautifully written, Paper Ghosts is a story about the ghosts we inherit - and whether we have to keep carrying them.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Paper Ghosts" will be published on September 1, 2026.
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March 1, 2026Judy Sebastian from Eastham Public Library
I’m always excited when I get to read anything by Sarah Addison Allen, even her short paragraphs based on photos. She has a way of writing magic realism that delights and allows me to sink into the story, eager for the next page. The women of Wester House have always been feared in their community. They isolate themselves but seem to have some sort of magic ability to know everything about everyone in town. But their personal lives are never complete, so when Willa’s granddaughter Bailey comes back to be raised, Willa plans to do everything in her power to not make the same mistakes her grandmother made with her. Lyrically written and not to be missed, although some things are not completely explained which leaves me with questions. Loved it.
I’m always excited when I get to read anything by Sarah Addison Allen, even her short paragraphs based on photos. She has a way of writing magic realism that delights and allows me to sink into the story, eager for the next page. The women of Wester House have always been feared in their community. They isolate themselves but seem to have some sort of magic ability to know everything about everyone in town. But their personal lives are never complete, so when Willa’s granddaughter Bailey comes back to be raised, Willa plans to do everything in her power to not make the same mistakes her grandmother made with her. Lyrically written and not to be missed, although some things are not completely explained which leaves me with questions. Loved it.
September 5, 2026
Paper Ghosts is one of those books that seems to straddle a few different genres without fully settling into any of them. There’s suspense, romance, and fantasy woven throughout, and while the premise had a lot of potential, I ultimately found the execution pretty frustrating.
For me, the biggest issue was that the story never really felt like it developed. There’s a ghostly element that’s hinted at throughout the book, but it’s never fully explored or explained. Instead, the reader is left to make a lot of assumptions about what’s happening and why. I personally prefer when a book gives me the story rather than leaving me to fill in so many of the blanks myself.
The book has good bones, and I genuinely think the premise is interesting. Unfortunately, it felt like it was missing depth and meaning in a lot of areas. By the end, I was left feeling more frustrated than satisfied because I wanted so much more from the story and its characters.
That said, it was a very quick and easy read, so if you’re looking for something you can fly through, this definitely fits the bill. I just wish the story had dug a little deeper and given some of its more intriguing elements the development they deserved.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
For me, the biggest issue was that the story never really felt like it developed. There’s a ghostly element that’s hinted at throughout the book, but it’s never fully explored or explained. Instead, the reader is left to make a lot of assumptions about what’s happening and why. I personally prefer when a book gives me the story rather than leaving me to fill in so many of the blanks myself.
The book has good bones, and I genuinely think the premise is interesting. Unfortunately, it felt like it was missing depth and meaning in a lot of areas. By the end, I was left feeling more frustrated than satisfied because I wanted so much more from the story and its characters.
That said, it was a very quick and easy read, so if you’re looking for something you can fly through, this definitely fits the bill. I just wish the story had dug a little deeper and given some of its more intriguing elements the development they deserved.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 7, 2026
Every family has secrets. Some of them are buried deep because of shame, some because finding out the secret might ruin the family, while others are only things relatives of long ago want hidden.
For the Wester women their secret lies contained within their house and when Bailey Wester returns home at the behest of her grandmother, Willamena, a woman she feared, Baily recognizes a number of emotions and secrets hidden within this house and her grandmother.
In 1976, Willamena falls for a musician and plans to run away with him, until fate intervenes and Willamena is unable to escape. Now with Baily home, will the Paper Ghosts come to haunt both women or will they be part of a healing process for them?
This is my eight book by Sarah Addison Allen, and once again I enjoyed her blend of strong women, "Southerness", and that touch of magic that run through her stories.
I will never look at old photographs without thinking of them as paper ghosts.
For the Wester women their secret lies contained within their house and when Bailey Wester returns home at the behest of her grandmother, Willamena, a woman she feared, Baily recognizes a number of emotions and secrets hidden within this house and her grandmother.
In 1976, Willamena falls for a musician and plans to run away with him, until fate intervenes and Willamena is unable to escape. Now with Baily home, will the Paper Ghosts come to haunt both women or will they be part of a healing process for them?
This is my eight book by Sarah Addison Allen, and once again I enjoyed her blend of strong women, "Southerness", and that touch of magic that run through her stories.
I will never look at old photographs without thinking of them as paper ghosts.
September 1, 2026
Sarah Addison Allen is one of my very favorite authors, and I check several times a year hoping to see that she has a new book coming out. I’ve loved every other book of hers that I’ve read, which made Paper Ghosts especially disappointing for me. Unfortunately, this one just fell flat. The story never really drew me in, and I never became invested in the characters or felt particularly interested in where the story was going. I kept hoping it would eventually capture some of the magic I’ve come to expect from Allen’s writing, but it never quite did. While I’ll absolutely continue to look forward to whatever she writes next, Paper Ghosts just wasn’t for me.
May 22, 2026
Something was different and slightly off in Addison Allen’s newest novel. There was a more violent aspect along with darker secrets than in her previous novels. Most of the characters oozed traits that made them unlikable. The large time jumps also didn’t allow for character development. I’m sad that this one was a miss for me. SAA will continue to be one of my auto-read authors because she writes magical realism unlike any other.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press through Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
*Expected publication September 2026.*
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press through Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
*Expected publication September 2026.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"A whimsical, bittersweet, and spellbinding masterclass in Southern magical realism and generational healing."
In PAPER GHOSTS, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen (a long-time favorite) delivers a sweeping, deeply emotional multi-generational tale. The narrative follows an enigmatic line of women navigating hidden trauma, a controlling family legacy, and a hometown enchanted by the memories imprinted in old photos—the burden of family expectations vs. the healing power of love and forgiveness.
The Hook
A young woman returns to the enigmatic North Carolina hometown she tried to outrun, only to discover that the reclusive grandmother she feared holds the key to breaking a generational family curse.
The Setup
For generations, Wester House has stood as a monument of mystery in a small North Carolina town. The Wester women (witches) possess an unsettling, intimate knowledge of those around them, yet they allow no one inside.
To truly understand their delicate balance between a need for control and a desire for love, you have to travel back fifty years to meet young Willamena Wester. A fateful, heartbreaking choice binds Willamena to the estate forever. Decades later, her granddaughter Bailey returns to face the family curse and the old ghosts waking up in the shadows.
🛗 Elevator Pitch
After leaving her small North Carolina hometown amid scandal, an estranged granddaughter returns to the mysterious Wester House. Confronting generations of family secrets and the forbidding matriarch who pushed her away, she must unravel a bittersweet legacy of curses, hidden truths, and the lingering echoes of lives captured in old photographs to heal the past.
Setting
The quaint, fictional, Rockwell-esque community of Hen Town, North Carolina. The story centers entirely around Wester House, an ancient, stately mansion in the town's richest neighborhood that acts as a physical vault for five decades of memory, grief, and rain-soaked anxiety.
Vibe
Enchanting, nostalgic, and deeply poignant. Eerie, deeply comforting, whimsical, and heavily drenched in melancholic Southern charm. Magical realism at its absolute peak.
Genre
Contemporary Southern Fiction / Magical Realism / Family Drama / Literary Fiction / Southern Gothic / Small Town
~Pacing: Medium-paced / Atmospheric slow-burn
~Mood: Mysterious, Emotional, Whimsical, Reflective
~Plot / Character-driven: Heavily character-driven
Themes
~The Trap of Inherited Grief
~Control vs. The Vulnerability of Love
~Generational Trauma and Family Expectations
~The Restlessness of Old Secrets
Standout Characters
~Willamena Wester:
The forbidding, highly feared matriarch who presides over Hen Town. Watching her shift from a love-struck young girl in 1976 into a fiercely protective but controlling grandmother adds an extraordinary layer of empathy to her character.
~Bailey Wester:
Willamena’s granddaughter, who returns to town at age eighteen after fleeing heartbreak. She possesses her rare gift to see and sense things others miss, forcing her to untangle the threads of her family's past.
✍️ Author Writing Standout
Allen’s trademark gift for writing lyrical, drop-dead gorgeous prose remains unmatched. Her pacing across different points of view and decades gives the story an emotional gravity that keeps you addicted. She expertly weaves quiet magic into ordinary, everyday moments—like afternoon tea sessions—without ever letting the enchantment overwhelm the rich, raw human relationships at the core.
Takeaway
The oldest hauntings aren't meant to terrify us; they are simply the lingering echoes of lives lived, waiting for a new spark of hope and forgiveness to be set free.
Title Significance
The Paper Ghosts refer to the photographs and physical mementos holding onto the memories and secrets of the Wester family. They represent the lingering fragments of who they used to be and the heavy emotional blueprints passed down through generations.
Metaphor
The Locked House. Much like Wester House itself, the women inside have meticulously barricaded their hearts to protect those they love, mistaking complete isolation for absolute safety.
📖 Why You Should Read
Read this if you love beautifully written, character-driven family stories packed with messy but real relationships, quiet small-town whimsy, and the healing comfort of subtle magic. It is a stunning, unforgettable autumn read.
💭My Thoughts
The author succeeds beautifully in creating a comforting yet deeply moving world in PAPER GHOSTS. As a fellow North Carolinian and a devoted, long-time fan who has read every single one of Sarah's books, Paper Ghosts stole my heart completely.
Allen possesses a rare, singular gift for blending everyday Southern life with a breathtaking dash of magical realism. Watching the puzzle pieces connect across the 1976 timeline to the modern day was an exquisite, emotional slow-burn that leaves you thoroughly enchanted.
Willamena's transition from a rebellious girl into a stern matriarch broke my heart and pieced it back together. The book is a literal experience—a gentle, masterfully executed journey of rebuilding trust and finding your way home.
PAPER GHOSTS effortlessly pairs the character-driven, whimsical family depths of Alice Hoffman with the multi-generational, secret-filled magic of Allen's own breakout hits like Garden Spells. Practical Magic meets The House of the Spirits.
The author eloquently explores the themes of the weight of generational trauma, the redemptive power of hidden sacrifices, breaking family curses, and the thin veil between memory and hauntings.
"Allen at her most lyrical and profound. A beautifully tangled, atmospheric journey where old ghosts stir to life and an isolated granddaughter discovers that the most feared woman in town is actually her fiercest protector."
Verdict: 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
"A luminous, deeply atmospheric masterpiece that reminds us exactly why Sarah Addison Allen is the reigning queen of modern magical realism, writing raw, real, and enchanting human stories. Paired with Marin Ireland's brilliant, hypnotic voice acting, this audiobook is an absolute triumph!"
Audio Standout: 🎧 Marin Ireland
I had the honor of reading the ebook and listening to the audio performed by the phenomenal, Audie Award–winning Marin Ireland, delivering a masterclass in Southern gothic narration. She perfectly captures Bailey’s guarded vulnerability while seamlessly channeling the deep, weathered wisdom and raw emotional layers of Wills. Ireland’s performance makes this an undeniable mandatory listen.
📚 Recs / Read Alikes:
Read This If You Liked: Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen, or her many other exquisite works. Also for fans of magical realism by Jennifer Moorman, Heather Webber, Alice Hoffman, or Sarah Jio.
Other Southern Gothic or relatable:
~House of Spells and Secrets by Ivy Cassidy
~Practical Magic & The Book of Magic series by Alice Hoffman
~The Girls by Emma Cline
~The Caretaker by Ron Rash (a NC favorite)
~Gods of Howl Mountain by Taylor Brown
~The Last Child by John Hart (or any of his work / NC favorite)
~Weyward by Emilia Hart
Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, #MacAudio2026, and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
September 2026 Must-Read Books
In PAPER GHOSTS, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen (a long-time favorite) delivers a sweeping, deeply emotional multi-generational tale. The narrative follows an enigmatic line of women navigating hidden trauma, a controlling family legacy, and a hometown enchanted by the memories imprinted in old photos—the burden of family expectations vs. the healing power of love and forgiveness.
The Hook
A young woman returns to the enigmatic North Carolina hometown she tried to outrun, only to discover that the reclusive grandmother she feared holds the key to breaking a generational family curse.
The Setup
For generations, Wester House has stood as a monument of mystery in a small North Carolina town. The Wester women (witches) possess an unsettling, intimate knowledge of those around them, yet they allow no one inside.
To truly understand their delicate balance between a need for control and a desire for love, you have to travel back fifty years to meet young Willamena Wester. A fateful, heartbreaking choice binds Willamena to the estate forever. Decades later, her granddaughter Bailey returns to face the family curse and the old ghosts waking up in the shadows.
🛗 Elevator Pitch
After leaving her small North Carolina hometown amid scandal, an estranged granddaughter returns to the mysterious Wester House. Confronting generations of family secrets and the forbidding matriarch who pushed her away, she must unravel a bittersweet legacy of curses, hidden truths, and the lingering echoes of lives captured in old photographs to heal the past.
Setting
The quaint, fictional, Rockwell-esque community of Hen Town, North Carolina. The story centers entirely around Wester House, an ancient, stately mansion in the town's richest neighborhood that acts as a physical vault for five decades of memory, grief, and rain-soaked anxiety.
Vibe
Enchanting, nostalgic, and deeply poignant. Eerie, deeply comforting, whimsical, and heavily drenched in melancholic Southern charm. Magical realism at its absolute peak.
Genre
Contemporary Southern Fiction / Magical Realism / Family Drama / Literary Fiction / Southern Gothic / Small Town
~Pacing: Medium-paced / Atmospheric slow-burn
~Mood: Mysterious, Emotional, Whimsical, Reflective
~Plot / Character-driven: Heavily character-driven
Themes
~The Trap of Inherited Grief
~Control vs. The Vulnerability of Love
~Generational Trauma and Family Expectations
~The Restlessness of Old Secrets
Standout Characters
~Willamena Wester:
The forbidding, highly feared matriarch who presides over Hen Town. Watching her shift from a love-struck young girl in 1976 into a fiercely protective but controlling grandmother adds an extraordinary layer of empathy to her character.
~Bailey Wester:
Willamena’s granddaughter, who returns to town at age eighteen after fleeing heartbreak. She possesses her rare gift to see and sense things others miss, forcing her to untangle the threads of her family's past.
✍️ Author Writing Standout
Allen’s trademark gift for writing lyrical, drop-dead gorgeous prose remains unmatched. Her pacing across different points of view and decades gives the story an emotional gravity that keeps you addicted. She expertly weaves quiet magic into ordinary, everyday moments—like afternoon tea sessions—without ever letting the enchantment overwhelm the rich, raw human relationships at the core.
Takeaway
The oldest hauntings aren't meant to terrify us; they are simply the lingering echoes of lives lived, waiting for a new spark of hope and forgiveness to be set free.
Title Significance
The Paper Ghosts refer to the photographs and physical mementos holding onto the memories and secrets of the Wester family. They represent the lingering fragments of who they used to be and the heavy emotional blueprints passed down through generations.
Metaphor
The Locked House. Much like Wester House itself, the women inside have meticulously barricaded their hearts to protect those they love, mistaking complete isolation for absolute safety.
📖 Why You Should Read
Read this if you love beautifully written, character-driven family stories packed with messy but real relationships, quiet small-town whimsy, and the healing comfort of subtle magic. It is a stunning, unforgettable autumn read.
💭My Thoughts
The author succeeds beautifully in creating a comforting yet deeply moving world in PAPER GHOSTS. As a fellow North Carolinian and a devoted, long-time fan who has read every single one of Sarah's books, Paper Ghosts stole my heart completely.
Allen possesses a rare, singular gift for blending everyday Southern life with a breathtaking dash of magical realism. Watching the puzzle pieces connect across the 1976 timeline to the modern day was an exquisite, emotional slow-burn that leaves you thoroughly enchanted.
Willamena's transition from a rebellious girl into a stern matriarch broke my heart and pieced it back together. The book is a literal experience—a gentle, masterfully executed journey of rebuilding trust and finding your way home.
PAPER GHOSTS effortlessly pairs the character-driven, whimsical family depths of Alice Hoffman with the multi-generational, secret-filled magic of Allen's own breakout hits like Garden Spells. Practical Magic meets The House of the Spirits.
The author eloquently explores the themes of the weight of generational trauma, the redemptive power of hidden sacrifices, breaking family curses, and the thin veil between memory and hauntings.
"Allen at her most lyrical and profound. A beautifully tangled, atmospheric journey where old ghosts stir to life and an isolated granddaughter discovers that the most feared woman in town is actually her fiercest protector."
Verdict: 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
"A luminous, deeply atmospheric masterpiece that reminds us exactly why Sarah Addison Allen is the reigning queen of modern magical realism, writing raw, real, and enchanting human stories. Paired with Marin Ireland's brilliant, hypnotic voice acting, this audiobook is an absolute triumph!"
Audio Standout: 🎧 Marin Ireland
I had the honor of reading the ebook and listening to the audio performed by the phenomenal, Audie Award–winning Marin Ireland, delivering a masterclass in Southern gothic narration. She perfectly captures Bailey’s guarded vulnerability while seamlessly channeling the deep, weathered wisdom and raw emotional layers of Wills. Ireland’s performance makes this an undeniable mandatory listen.
📚 Recs / Read Alikes:
Read This If You Liked: Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen, or her many other exquisite works. Also for fans of magical realism by Jennifer Moorman, Heather Webber, Alice Hoffman, or Sarah Jio.
Other Southern Gothic or relatable:
~House of Spells and Secrets by Ivy Cassidy
~Practical Magic & The Book of Magic series by Alice Hoffman
~The Girls by Emma Cline
~The Caretaker by Ron Rash (a NC favorite)
~Gods of Howl Mountain by Taylor Brown
~The Last Child by John Hart (or any of his work / NC favorite)
~Weyward by Emilia Hart
Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, #MacAudio2026, and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
September 2026 Must-Read Books
September 4, 2026
"Paper Ghosts" delivers classic Sarah Addison Allen — quirky characters, strong female leads, and just enough heartbreak and family drama to keep it from tipping into syrupy sweet. It's a great pick if you love fiction centered on women, a light touch of magical realism, love that transcends mortal bounds, and ghost stories without any chill or gore.
The story starts in 1976, when young Wills makes a fateful choice that shapes the rest of her life. The timeline them jumps forward to the day her granddaughter Bailey reluctantly comes to stay. As the two develop a tentative relationship, Bailey begins to uncover the love, heartbreak, and impossible choices that made Wills who she became.
I both read the e-book and listened on audiobook. As usual, Marin Ireland delivered a beautiful performance with her narration, easily sweeping me into both the atmosphere and characters. I did find that the sudden jumps between timelines were easy to miss on audio, coming with little to no warning. For me, Wills' 1976 storyline was by far the more richly developed and compelling of the two. Bailey's present-day thread didn't hit quite as hard, but it was still satisfying to see Wills' story through to the end. I found this entertaining, touching, and just a touch tragic.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing advance copies for honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up.
The story starts in 1976, when young Wills makes a fateful choice that shapes the rest of her life. The timeline them jumps forward to the day her granddaughter Bailey reluctantly comes to stay. As the two develop a tentative relationship, Bailey begins to uncover the love, heartbreak, and impossible choices that made Wills who she became.
I both read the e-book and listened on audiobook. As usual, Marin Ireland delivered a beautiful performance with her narration, easily sweeping me into both the atmosphere and characters. I did find that the sudden jumps between timelines were easy to miss on audio, coming with little to no warning. For me, Wills' 1976 storyline was by far the more richly developed and compelling of the two. Bailey's present-day thread didn't hit quite as hard, but it was still satisfying to see Wills' story through to the end. I found this entertaining, touching, and just a touch tragic.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing advance copies for honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up.
June 19, 2026
4.25
This was so lovely! It has all the vibes of Practical Magic (the movie) but somehow cozier despite the dark themes. Paper Ghosts is told in two timelines, the first allows the reader to meet and fall in love with Wills, the future family matriarch and the present day timeline follows her granddaughter Bailey as a child all the way through adulthood.
Through both of these women we are able to see how trauma, especially generational, is not always hard to break away from and sometimes how we break the cycle can continue to perpetuate it. Yet this book is very much about love and the fierce protectiveness that it can inspire.
The prose is moody and atmospheric with just a touch of magical realism to tie it all together. This had all the makings of a 5 star read except it did feel a bit underdeveloped and I think that’s due to how short it is for the amount of plot lines it tackles. With that said, I would still highly recommend this book and have already placed a hold on Other Birds because I love how Sarah Addison Allen writes.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC! Marin Ireland is one of my all time favorite narrators and she did a fabulous job bringing both Wills and Bailey to life and yet giving each one a distinct voice and cadence.
This was so lovely! It has all the vibes of Practical Magic (the movie) but somehow cozier despite the dark themes. Paper Ghosts is told in two timelines, the first allows the reader to meet and fall in love with Wills, the future family matriarch and the present day timeline follows her granddaughter Bailey as a child all the way through adulthood.
Through both of these women we are able to see how trauma, especially generational, is not always hard to break away from and sometimes how we break the cycle can continue to perpetuate it. Yet this book is very much about love and the fierce protectiveness that it can inspire.
The prose is moody and atmospheric with just a touch of magical realism to tie it all together. This had all the makings of a 5 star read except it did feel a bit underdeveloped and I think that’s due to how short it is for the amount of plot lines it tackles. With that said, I would still highly recommend this book and have already placed a hold on Other Birds because I love how Sarah Addison Allen writes.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC! Marin Ireland is one of my all time favorite narrators and she did a fabulous job bringing both Wills and Bailey to life and yet giving each one a distinct voice and cadence.
September 7, 2026
“Once upon a time, there was a family of witches. But witches, it turns out, are sometimes only women who have been hurt, and are determined not to be again.”
Blending magical realism, romance and a touch of Southern Gothic atmosphere, Paper Ghosts is a haunting novel by Sarah Addison Allen.
In 1976, Willamena Wester lives with her wealthy and formidable grandmother, Alice, who has very definite ideas about everything, especially her eighteen-year-old granddaughter’s future. Wills is resigned to marrying the beau chosen by her grandmother and never leaving Hen Town, until she falls for a musician and begins to imagine a life beyond Wester House. Then, on the eve of her escape, tragedy strikes and the consequences of Wills rebellion ripples through the generations.
Years later, five year old Bailey is introduced to the grandmother she has never met when she and her father move into Wester House. Bailey is fascinated by the glamorous yet reclusive woman who invites Bailey to call her Mim, and as she grows, craves her aloof grandmother’s approval. Bailey can’t imagine ever wanting to leave Hen Town behind, but in the present, after an absence of almost a decade, Bailey is urged to return to Wester House due to her grandmother’s failing health, forcing both women to reckon with the secrets of their pasts.
I’m left with mixed feelings about Paper Ghosts though there’s a lot to like about the story, and in particular its exploration of family secrets, guilt, and generational trauma. Allen thoughtfully explores the damage that can be done in the name of love and protection in our attempts to prevent the mistakes that haunt us being repeated.
I definitely think Wills’ timeline is the stronger of the two. Her character is fully defined and her story feels coherent and grounded despite only being a quarter of the book’s length. I do think, however, that it’s missing some detail about Alice’s past, which could have strengthened the links between all three women and made the generational connections more satisfying.
Bailey’s storyline didn’t have the same urgency as Wills’ and felt uneven, in part perhaps because it covers a much longer period of time, but also because some elements felt underdeveloped. This was particularly true for me in terms of Bailey’s experience of the Wester women’s ‘legacy’, but also with regard to her relationship with Tasha, which I wanted more from.
The supernatural elements in Paper Ghosts are relatively subtle but distinct. Wester House has a slight haunted mansion vibe, and there is a real ghost or two that makes an appearance, but the focus is on the spectre of guilt and regret rather than anything that goes bump in the night.
Though Paper Ghosts didn’t quite work for me as a whole, I did find its tale of family secrets, love and ghosts, to be poignant and engaging.
Blending magical realism, romance and a touch of Southern Gothic atmosphere, Paper Ghosts is a haunting novel by Sarah Addison Allen.
In 1976, Willamena Wester lives with her wealthy and formidable grandmother, Alice, who has very definite ideas about everything, especially her eighteen-year-old granddaughter’s future. Wills is resigned to marrying the beau chosen by her grandmother and never leaving Hen Town, until she falls for a musician and begins to imagine a life beyond Wester House. Then, on the eve of her escape, tragedy strikes and the consequences of Wills rebellion ripples through the generations.
Years later, five year old Bailey is introduced to the grandmother she has never met when she and her father move into Wester House. Bailey is fascinated by the glamorous yet reclusive woman who invites Bailey to call her Mim, and as she grows, craves her aloof grandmother’s approval. Bailey can’t imagine ever wanting to leave Hen Town behind, but in the present, after an absence of almost a decade, Bailey is urged to return to Wester House due to her grandmother’s failing health, forcing both women to reckon with the secrets of their pasts.
I’m left with mixed feelings about Paper Ghosts though there’s a lot to like about the story, and in particular its exploration of family secrets, guilt, and generational trauma. Allen thoughtfully explores the damage that can be done in the name of love and protection in our attempts to prevent the mistakes that haunt us being repeated.
I definitely think Wills’ timeline is the stronger of the two. Her character is fully defined and her story feels coherent and grounded despite only being a quarter of the book’s length. I do think, however, that it’s missing some detail about Alice’s past, which could have strengthened the links between all three women and made the generational connections more satisfying.
Bailey’s storyline didn’t have the same urgency as Wills’ and felt uneven, in part perhaps because it covers a much longer period of time, but also because some elements felt underdeveloped. This was particularly true for me in terms of Bailey’s experience of the Wester women’s ‘legacy’, but also with regard to her relationship with Tasha, which I wanted more from.
The supernatural elements in Paper Ghosts are relatively subtle but distinct. Wester House has a slight haunted mansion vibe, and there is a real ghost or two that makes an appearance, but the focus is on the spectre of guilt and regret rather than anything that goes bump in the night.
Though Paper Ghosts didn’t quite work for me as a whole, I did find its tale of family secrets, love and ghosts, to be poignant and engaging.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not impact my rating or review.
I struggled a lot to finish this one. I almost DNFed it a few times because I honestly just felt like I was just reading random sentences with no real logic behind the plots of this book. And then the last 20 percent of the book was one character telling another character (slowly) about something that happened that readers had known about since the first part of the book. I just didn't even get what Allen was doing here. And the worst part for me was the absolute magic of her words/characters were just not there at all in this book. I honestly only gave this one 2 stars because it takes until the very end of the book to get to the title of what paper ghosts meant and I think that should have been worked in way earlier than we got it. I have to say this book really read as unfinished to me.
Paper Ghosts starts off in the 1970s following heiress Willamena Wester. Willamena lives in a small town in North Carolina where her grandmother rules over all. Willamena though has dreams of a different life after she meets a musician named Jack. The book then jumps forward to focus on Willamena's granddaughter Bailey and her son Tug moving back in with her after a devastating loss. From there the book follows Bailey as she grows up and shifts POVs to Willamena and a young woman who used to be friends with Bailey when they both were younger. I don't really know what to say about the central theme of this book.
None of the characters in this book were very well developed. Willamena really some more time to be worked into the story. We stop following her at a certain point which I think hurt the book. It would have been better if Allen had included Willamena after her marriage, the death of her husband, etc. We hear about things that occurred later on in the book, but it just didn't work for me with the story being told the way it was. And Bailey, eh. She was developed I thought really well as a child, but teen and adult her just sucked. I think it was a bad call for Allen to skip over a pivotal scene for her and it's told via her ex-best friend at that point. And that's the other thing, the book jumping around to these three women at one point didn't work. I also really didn't think Willamena letting Bailey know at long last about things even made sense, let alone worked. I just started to let it go since everything felt like it got put together in the wrong order in this book.
The plot was not good. I think Willamena's plot about being angry about what her grandmother and others did was okay, but it just didn't make any sense to me that there was no closure with that whole thing. I mean there's an aside thrown out and I went....so that's it? And Bailey's plot was way too flat for me too. And the love interest that popped up, was not believable. The flow was pretty bad. It took me several weeks to force read through this one and I think it's because I just felt like too many things were being left out and then brought back up again chapters later. I wonder if the book had been longer (this is only 266 pages) that it could have tied things together better. I just compared this to The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Sugar Queen, and her other books and this is definitely my least favorite out of her works.
The setting of this town I think was supposed to draw me in by it's quirkiness, but again, it just felt flat. Probably because we don't get to experience it really, just hear about it.
The ending I think was supposed to give you a happy ending, but I went, well this is it I guess.
I struggled a lot to finish this one. I almost DNFed it a few times because I honestly just felt like I was just reading random sentences with no real logic behind the plots of this book. And then the last 20 percent of the book was one character telling another character (slowly) about something that happened that readers had known about since the first part of the book. I just didn't even get what Allen was doing here. And the worst part for me was the absolute magic of her words/characters were just not there at all in this book. I honestly only gave this one 2 stars because it takes until the very end of the book to get to the title of what paper ghosts meant and I think that should have been worked in way earlier than we got it. I have to say this book really read as unfinished to me.
Paper Ghosts starts off in the 1970s following heiress Willamena Wester. Willamena lives in a small town in North Carolina where her grandmother rules over all. Willamena though has dreams of a different life after she meets a musician named Jack. The book then jumps forward to focus on Willamena's granddaughter Bailey and her son Tug moving back in with her after a devastating loss. From there the book follows Bailey as she grows up and shifts POVs to Willamena and a young woman who used to be friends with Bailey when they both were younger. I don't really know what to say about the central theme of this book.
None of the characters in this book were very well developed. Willamena really some more time to be worked into the story. We stop following her at a certain point which I think hurt the book. It would have been better if Allen had included Willamena after her marriage, the death of her husband, etc. We hear about things that occurred later on in the book, but it just didn't work for me with the story being told the way it was. And Bailey, eh. She was developed I thought really well as a child, but teen and adult her just sucked. I think it was a bad call for Allen to skip over a pivotal scene for her and it's told via her ex-best friend at that point. And that's the other thing, the book jumping around to these three women at one point didn't work. I also really didn't think Willamena letting Bailey know at long last about things even made sense, let alone worked. I just started to let it go since everything felt like it got put together in the wrong order in this book.
The plot was not good. I think Willamena's plot about being angry about what her grandmother and others did was okay, but it just didn't make any sense to me that there was no closure with that whole thing. I mean there's an aside thrown out and I went....so that's it? And Bailey's plot was way too flat for me too. And the love interest that popped up, was not believable. The flow was pretty bad. It took me several weeks to force read through this one and I think it's because I just felt like too many things were being left out and then brought back up again chapters later. I wonder if the book had been longer (this is only 266 pages) that it could have tied things together better. I just compared this to The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Sugar Queen, and her other books and this is definitely my least favorite out of her works.
The setting of this town I think was supposed to draw me in by it's quirkiness, but again, it just felt flat. Probably because we don't get to experience it really, just hear about it.
The ending I think was supposed to give you a happy ending, but I went, well this is it I guess.
September 19, 2026
This is a novel that doesn't quite settle in one genre, and I love that for it. It's a novel with a powerful statement behind it, and being unable to be restrained to one genre means that it gets shared to a wider audience.
This story is told in dual timelines, but I found the first story to be where the meat of it lay, while the second half had more of the meaning of the tale. The idea of being held to the past, of that being the ghost that is haunting our lives is very profound. Allen delivers the reader to this in a gentle, unhurried way; allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. It also points out how much the people in our lives are also just doing the best they can with the circumstances they have, a fact that I think many of us forget.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sarah Addison Allen, and St Martins Press for my copy of this book.
This story is told in dual timelines, but I found the first story to be where the meat of it lay, while the second half had more of the meaning of the tale. The idea of being held to the past, of that being the ghost that is haunting our lives is very profound. Allen delivers the reader to this in a gentle, unhurried way; allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. It also points out how much the people in our lives are also just doing the best they can with the circumstances they have, a fact that I think many of us forget.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sarah Addison Allen, and St Martins Press for my copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Oof. Two really low-rated reads in a row. I fear I may officially be entering a reading slump.
I don't usually gravitate toward mysteries, but Paper Ghosts had enough going for it to pull me in anyway. Magical realism, generations of women in one family, a strange old house, buried secrets, complicated mother-daughter relationships...there was so much here that sounded like it could work for me.
The problem is that the book moves through its own story way too quickly. It's not necessarily fast-paced, but rushed, which is a very different thing. We jump across years and perspectives without getting enough time in any one period to really know these women. Important stretches of their lives happen somewhere off the page, and then we're expected to understand how they've changed based on the aftermath.
Willamena was easily the character I wanted more from. There were pieces of her story that were genuinely heartbreaking, but so much of her life is skipped that I felt like I was reading the outline of her character arc instead of actually experiencing it with her.
Bailey felt even more distant. For a story so centered on family history and the way one generation shapes the next, I wanted much more of her unpacking everything she learns about the Wester women and what that history means for her.
The magical realism was what initially drew me in, and there are some lovely ideas surrounding the "paper ghosts" themselves. I just wish the book had slowed down enough to explore them.
There was a much richer family saga hiding inside this story. I wanted that book.
July 6, 2026
Paper Ghost* is a beautifully crafted story that weaves together the past, present, and future of the Wester family in a compelling and thoughtful way. The depth of the family history adds richness to the narrative, making it more than just a mystery—it feels layered and meaningful.
Bailey and Willamena are especially likeable characters, and their perspectives bring warmth and emotional connection to the story. Their presence makes the plot even more engaging and keeps you invested in uncovering the truths hidden within the family’s past.
Overall, this was a well-written and captivating read that balances intrigue with strong character development. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy stories with depth and a touch of mystery and spiritual elements.
Bailey and Willamena are especially likeable characters, and their perspectives bring warmth and emotional connection to the story. Their presence makes the plot even more engaging and keeps you invested in uncovering the truths hidden within the family’s past.
Overall, this was a well-written and captivating read that balances intrigue with strong character development. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy stories with depth and a touch of mystery and spiritual elements.
June 18, 2026
I am a SAA super fan. The genre of magical realism is something this author helped me discover. I don’t want to do any spoilers so I’ll just say the story is fast paced, the characters distinct, and the plot is on point. In our house, I tell my kids that you never know what is happening in someone’s heart, head, or home. This mantra fully applies to this story. I appreciated the multigenerational story and the way the story wraps up. A good read for those who already love this author and for those looking to discover a new author to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
#PaperGhostsNovel #SarahAddisonAllen #StMartinsPress
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
#PaperGhostsNovel #SarahAddisonAllen #StMartinsPress
May 16, 2026
This is my third Sarah Addison Allen novel that I have read and probably my favorite. 4.5 stars rounded up. It contains the same whimsy as the other books and the backdrop of family history, the house, the town, it's people etc was so well done I thought this was just the building up for some huge plot twists and magical mayhem. However, the author took a very understated and gentle way of telling a story that was not quite expected, but very much enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
September 16, 2026
•
My Rating: 3.75/5
•
Try this if you like:
• cozy southern gothic w/magical realism
• a mystery that’s both historical and contemporary with two timelines
• haunting ghosts & romantic undertones
• multi-generational family secrets
• small-town legends
• multiple third-person POV
Notes: I thought this was going to be something epic, and while it was good, another 100 pages could’ve added a little more depth to the story. I’m not one to say that a book needs to be longer, but this one was fairly short. The legend of the house and its ghosts needed more dimension…it felt like an afterthought. It had the makings of something that could’ve been so much better.
Narration: Marin Ireland was great as usual.
Try this if you like:
• cozy southern gothic w/magical realism
• a mystery that’s both historical and contemporary with two timelines
• haunting ghosts & romantic undertones
• multi-generational family secrets
• small-town legends
• multiple third-person POV
Notes: I thought this was going to be something epic, and while it was good, another 100 pages could’ve added a little more depth to the story. I’m not one to say that a book needs to be longer, but this one was fairly short. The legend of the house and its ghosts needed more dimension…it felt like an afterthought. It had the makings of something that could’ve been so much better.
Narration: Marin Ireland was great as usual.
June 20, 2026
I’ve read every published book by Sarah Addison Allen and loved them all. Her writing is descriptive and lush and every story has its own unique charm with magical realism. Paper Ghosts is a bittersweet tale with young love, spirits and generations of complicated family dynamics. Marin Ireland is outstanding in her performance on the audiobook production. Everything here is pitch perfect. You may even see a stray Dellawisp in this town. Oh, and candy corn really does smell like disappointment!
Many thanks to @stmartinspress for an ARC and @macmillan.audio for an ALC.
Many thanks to @stmartinspress for an ARC and @macmillan.audio for an ALC.
September 23, 2026
Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen was a beautifully written, haunting, and emotional story about family secrets, lost love, regret, and the complicated relationships between generations of women. I listened to the audiobook that was wonderfully narrated by Marin Ireland. She was able to bring the characters and their emotions to life.
Paper Ghosts was set in a small North Carolina town. The story revolved around the mysterious Wester House and the women who had lived there for generations. Sarah Addison Allen told the story through two timelines. The secrets and heartbreaking details that shaped the Western family were gradually revealed throughout the book.
In 1976, young Willamena Wester fell deeply in love with a stranded musician who offered her the possibility of a life beyond the restrictions of her family. Their relationship was filled with hope and promise, but one heartbreaking decision changed the course of Willamena’s life forever.
In the present day, Willamena’s granddaughter Bailey reluctantly returned to Wester House after years of estrangement. As she reconnected with the grandmother who had once pushed her away, Bailey began to uncover the painful truths behind her family’s history and discovered that there was much more to Willamena than she ever imagined.
I was particularly moved by Willamena’s story. Her longing for love and freedom, the difficult choices she faced, and the consequences that followed made her a character I could sympathize with, even when I didn’t agree with all of her decisions. I also enjoyed watching Bailey gradually come to understand her grandmother. Their evolving relationship was one of the most touching aspects of the book.
Sarah Addison Allen beautifully blended magical realism, a touch of the supernatural, romance, and mystery into Paper Ghosts. I loved the atmospheric setting of Wester House, where the past seemed to linger in every room. While I found Willamena’s storyline more compelling than Bailey’s at times, I appreciated how the two timelines eventually came together.
Marin Ireland’s narration added another dimension to the story. Her ability to capture the emotions and distinct personalities of the characters made this an especially enjoyable listening experience.
What stayed with me most was the idea that we often don’t understand the sacrifices, heartbreaks, and difficult choices made by previous generations until we learn their stories. Paper Ghosts was a bittersweet reminder that the past shapes us, but it doesn’t have to define our future.
Paper Ghosts was a touching and memorable four-star listen that I would recommend to readers who enjoy multigenerational family stories, complicated relationships, and a little magic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Paper Ghosts was set in a small North Carolina town. The story revolved around the mysterious Wester House and the women who had lived there for generations. Sarah Addison Allen told the story through two timelines. The secrets and heartbreaking details that shaped the Western family were gradually revealed throughout the book.
In 1976, young Willamena Wester fell deeply in love with a stranded musician who offered her the possibility of a life beyond the restrictions of her family. Their relationship was filled with hope and promise, but one heartbreaking decision changed the course of Willamena’s life forever.
In the present day, Willamena’s granddaughter Bailey reluctantly returned to Wester House after years of estrangement. As she reconnected with the grandmother who had once pushed her away, Bailey began to uncover the painful truths behind her family’s history and discovered that there was much more to Willamena than she ever imagined.
I was particularly moved by Willamena’s story. Her longing for love and freedom, the difficult choices she faced, and the consequences that followed made her a character I could sympathize with, even when I didn’t agree with all of her decisions. I also enjoyed watching Bailey gradually come to understand her grandmother. Their evolving relationship was one of the most touching aspects of the book.
Sarah Addison Allen beautifully blended magical realism, a touch of the supernatural, romance, and mystery into Paper Ghosts. I loved the atmospheric setting of Wester House, where the past seemed to linger in every room. While I found Willamena’s storyline more compelling than Bailey’s at times, I appreciated how the two timelines eventually came together.
Marin Ireland’s narration added another dimension to the story. Her ability to capture the emotions and distinct personalities of the characters made this an especially enjoyable listening experience.
What stayed with me most was the idea that we often don’t understand the sacrifices, heartbreaks, and difficult choices made by previous generations until we learn their stories. Paper Ghosts was a bittersweet reminder that the past shapes us, but it doesn’t have to define our future.
Paper Ghosts was a touching and memorable four-star listen that I would recommend to readers who enjoy multigenerational family stories, complicated relationships, and a little magic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
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