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In Love With Your Ghost: A Cozy, Spooky, Slow-Burn Fall Romance
Hartley and Levi fell in love, and it was magic. Until Levi ghosted her. No goodbye, no explanation.
He didn’t die. He just left her haunted.
Which is ironic, since Hartley can legit see ghosts. Thirteen years later, Levi’s grandmother and Hartley’s good friend, Soledad Herrera, unexpectedly passes away. Hartley and Levi each inherit half of Soledad’s estate. The twist? Before claiming it, they must spend one month living together in her crumbling house located on the haunted grounds of the abandoned Castle Sanitarium, surrounded by the iron creatures Soledad and Levi once built together. Levi wants to tear it all down. Hartley wants to save every last stone. And the sanitarium’s ghosts? They want something too.
Autumn grows cold and dark. Old feelings rise from the dead. And Hartley and Levi realize that while a haunted house is scary, even scarier is a love that refuses to die.
In Love With Your Ghost is a warm, spooky romance that gives a nod to “weird girl lit” authors like Shirley Jackson, Sylvia Plath, and Edith Wharton, and is set in the world of Sugar Pine Springs.
He didn’t die. He just left her haunted.
Which is ironic, since Hartley can legit see ghosts. Thirteen years later, Levi’s grandmother and Hartley’s good friend, Soledad Herrera, unexpectedly passes away. Hartley and Levi each inherit half of Soledad’s estate. The twist? Before claiming it, they must spend one month living together in her crumbling house located on the haunted grounds of the abandoned Castle Sanitarium, surrounded by the iron creatures Soledad and Levi once built together. Levi wants to tear it all down. Hartley wants to save every last stone. And the sanitarium’s ghosts? They want something too.
Autumn grows cold and dark. Old feelings rise from the dead. And Hartley and Levi realize that while a haunted house is scary, even scarier is a love that refuses to die.
In Love With Your Ghost is a warm, spooky romance that gives a nod to “weird girl lit” authors like Shirley Jackson, Sylvia Plath, and Edith Wharton, and is set in the world of Sugar Pine Springs.
- GenresRomance
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Laurel Osterkamp
25 books543 followersLaurel Osterkamp is the award-winning author of roughly a dozen novels, such as Favorite Daughters and the #1 Amazon bestseller, Beautiful Little Furies. She is obsessed with writing and doesn't know how to stop. In addition to her novels, she has short fiction published in literary journals all over the web, writes a monthly column for Writer's Fun Zone, and runs her website, laurellit.com, with book reviews, lesson plans, and writing advice.
When she's not writing (which is rare) she's often teaching adult ESL or middle school enrichment classes, going running while listening to audiobooks, or educating her daughter about the OG teen soap opera, Beverly Hills 90210. She lives in Minneapolis with a family who loves to argue, and their cats, who love to hiss at each other. Ramona Quimby is her spirit animal.
Follow her on Instagram @laurel_osterkamp.
When she's not writing (which is rare) she's often teaching adult ESL or middle school enrichment classes, going running while listening to audiobooks, or educating her daughter about the OG teen soap opera, Beverly Hills 90210. She lives in Minneapolis with a family who loves to argue, and their cats, who love to hiss at each other. Ramona Quimby is her spirit animal.
Follow her on Instagram @laurel_osterkamp.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 20, 2026
The MMC Levi is so selfish and cruel to spend literally 13 years ghosting Hartley for…doing a good deed. There is no grovel there’s no real apology or any way in which he shows remorse for how he treated her.
I cannot recommend this book. I literally hated it.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I cannot recommend this book. I literally hated it.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A spicy, magic lite, slow burn, second chance romance!
Hartley has struggled to fit in all her life. Inheriting her father's ability to see ghosts, she's alienated herself and become the butt of too many jokes to have many close friends. Except for Grandma Soledad, who Hartley refused to end communication with after her break up with her grandson Levi. Soledad and Hartley get alone thick as thieves, two peas in a pod until the book opens...
All too soon, Hartley and Levi are forced back together thirteen years after their high school romance fizzled and forced to spend one month residing under the same roof at Castle Sanitarium. This haunted, delapidated historical estate presents its own share of drama besides the fued between these ex-heartthrobs. The humans want different things from life and the santiroium- neither can get what they want and leave the other happy. But what do the ghosts want? How can they live together? And are the ghosts trying to tell them something?
This story was sad, but had some humor and hope to it! The town of Sugar Pine Springs was adorable! The haunted house was creepy, but not in a horror way. Chapter 41 was sad, but the overall mystery and ending made it all so worth the read!
In Love With Your Ghost is perfect for every romantic who loves open door, light magic themes with a touch of emotional growth! No ghosting history or experience required 😜
Tropes: Second chance romance, dual POV, magic-lite, spooky vibes, inheritance, competition, return home, forced proximity, lover to enemies to lovers, slow burn, mystery, miscommunication break-up, emotional growth, HEA
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸
Language: 4/5 👀
Triggers: Death of a loved one (off page), immoral actions against a pregnant mother
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for this ARC!
Hartley has struggled to fit in all her life. Inheriting her father's ability to see ghosts, she's alienated herself and become the butt of too many jokes to have many close friends. Except for Grandma Soledad, who Hartley refused to end communication with after her break up with her grandson Levi. Soledad and Hartley get alone thick as thieves, two peas in a pod until the book opens...
All too soon, Hartley and Levi are forced back together thirteen years after their high school romance fizzled and forced to spend one month residing under the same roof at Castle Sanitarium. This haunted, delapidated historical estate presents its own share of drama besides the fued between these ex-heartthrobs. The humans want different things from life and the santiroium- neither can get what they want and leave the other happy. But what do the ghosts want? How can they live together? And are the ghosts trying to tell them something?
This story was sad, but had some humor and hope to it! The town of Sugar Pine Springs was adorable! The haunted house was creepy, but not in a horror way. Chapter 41 was sad, but the overall mystery and ending made it all so worth the read!
In Love With Your Ghost is perfect for every romantic who loves open door, light magic themes with a touch of emotional growth! No ghosting history or experience required 😜
Tropes: Second chance romance, dual POV, magic-lite, spooky vibes, inheritance, competition, return home, forced proximity, lover to enemies to lovers, slow burn, mystery, miscommunication break-up, emotional growth, HEA
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸
Language: 4/5 👀
Triggers: Death of a loved one (off page), immoral actions against a pregnant mother
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for this ARC!
October 26, 2026
I received a complimentary copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. This review reflects my honest and unbiased opinion.
Title: In Love With Your Ghost
Author: Laurel Osterkamp
Rating:☆☆
Tropes: •Small Town •Second Chance •Forced Proximity
Spice Level: 1/5
What I Loved: •Cute Idea
What I didn't love: •Ending •Couple
Thoughts: At first, I really liked this book! I felt like I was right on the edge of something great when the book ended. The ending felt so rushed to me. It was a disappointing conclusion. I also couldn't get behind the FMC. He was unlikable and I didn't believe in their love. Such a cute theme, just too rushed of an ending
Title: In Love With Your Ghost
Author: Laurel Osterkamp
Rating:☆☆
Tropes: •Small Town •Second Chance •Forced Proximity
Spice Level: 1/5
What I Loved: •Cute Idea
What I didn't love: •Ending •Couple
Thoughts: At first, I really liked this book! I felt like I was right on the edge of something great when the book ended. The ending felt so rushed to me. It was a disappointing conclusion. I also couldn't get behind the FMC. He was unlikable and I didn't believe in their love. Such a cute theme, just too rushed of an ending
October 28, 2026
Another book where the MMC irritated my soul. No redeeming qualities for him (IMO), finished it because I needed the black cat on the cover. However, depending on which page of Goodreads you're on, the cat disappears. Spooky - LBVS.
October 13, 2026
ARC. I loved this book- classic romance with a bit of mystery. Osterkamp writes beautifully and lets her characters shine. The story and characters stayed with me even after turning the last page.
October 14, 2026
Hartley and Levi have a long, complicated history, and not all of it is good. They were once in love, but Levi vanished from her life thirteen years ago, leaving Hartley with unanswered questions and a lot of hurt. When his grandmother Soledad passes away, they are forced to see each other again, and her will delivers a surprise neither of them expected: they must live together in Soledad’s old house for a month before they can inherit the rest of her estate. With their unresolved past, very different plans for the future, and a haunted sanitarium that could change the town forever, Hartley and Levi have a lot to figure out. Maybe there is still something worth saving – but first, they will have to face everything they never said to each other.
I liked how this book combines second-chance romance with ghosts, family drama, and a small town with its own problems. Hartley and Levi have a complicated past, and I liked seeing them slowly confront the things that happened years ago. Their conversations can be funny, but there are also moments when you can feel how much they hurt each other. I also enjoyed Hartley’s ability to see ghosts and how this connects to the history of Castle Sanitarium. The story has more going on than just the romance, especially with Soledad’s plans for them and the future of the property. One thing I really liked was Hartley’s personality. She can be stubborn and sarcastic, but she also cares deeply about the people around her.
I liked how this book combines second-chance romance with ghosts, family drama, and a small town with its own problems. Hartley and Levi have a complicated past, and I liked seeing them slowly confront the things that happened years ago. Their conversations can be funny, but there are also moments when you can feel how much they hurt each other. I also enjoyed Hartley’s ability to see ghosts and how this connects to the history of Castle Sanitarium. The story has more going on than just the romance, especially with Soledad’s plans for them and the future of the property. One thing I really liked was Hartley’s personality. She can be stubborn and sarcastic, but she also cares deeply about the people around her.
October 30, 2026
Thank you to @Laurel_Osterkamp and @BookSparks #FRC2026 for the #gifted book!
This enjoyable second-chance romance brings together ghosts, a quirky small town, and two former loves. When Soledad, Levi’s grandmother, passes away, she leaves Hartley and Levi a surprising condition for their inheritance: they must live in her house together for thirty days. The catch? They haven't spoken in thirteen years, ever since Levi ghosted Hartley.
Told from Hartley’s perspective in the present, the story follows her as she navigates the loss of her surrogate grandmother and the return of her first love. As Hartley and Levi share their sides of the story, the history of their friendship, romance, and breakup gradually comes to light.
I loved the maturity Hartley and Levi bring to their renewed feelings for each other, as well as their differing ideas about what to do with Soledad’s house. The small-town atmosphere and the friendships that began to blossom added so much warmth. Hartley’s ability to see ghosts, and Levi’s longtime fascination with that part of her, makes their connection even more special.
Heartbreaking moments shaped who Hartley and Levi became. By the end, they find their way back to each other and discover a new purpose in their small town.
An enjoyable romance with a cozy setting and just the right amount of spooky vibes. This book is available now.
This enjoyable second-chance romance brings together ghosts, a quirky small town, and two former loves. When Soledad, Levi’s grandmother, passes away, she leaves Hartley and Levi a surprising condition for their inheritance: they must live in her house together for thirty days. The catch? They haven't spoken in thirteen years, ever since Levi ghosted Hartley.
Told from Hartley’s perspective in the present, the story follows her as she navigates the loss of her surrogate grandmother and the return of her first love. As Hartley and Levi share their sides of the story, the history of their friendship, romance, and breakup gradually comes to light.
I loved the maturity Hartley and Levi bring to their renewed feelings for each other, as well as their differing ideas about what to do with Soledad’s house. The small-town atmosphere and the friendships that began to blossom added so much warmth. Hartley’s ability to see ghosts, and Levi’s longtime fascination with that part of her, makes their connection even more special.
Heartbreaking moments shaped who Hartley and Levi became. By the end, they find their way back to each other and discover a new purpose in their small town.
An enjoyable romance with a cozy setting and just the right amount of spooky vibes. This book is available now.
October 16, 2026
In Love With Your Ghost by Laurel Osterkamp sounds like the perfect read for anyone who loves a little spooky atmosphere mixed with romance! The second-chance romance between Hartley and Levi, combined with the haunted setting and forced-proximity storyline, made for an intriguing premise. I love the idea of two former lovers being brought back together after thirteen years, forced to confront their unresolved feelings while dealing with a mysterious old house and its supernatural secrets. The combination of emotional baggage, lingering love, and ghostly elements gave this story a unique appeal. The autumn atmosphere makes it especially inviting for fall reading, and the slow-burn romance added to the anticipation of seeing how things unfold between the characters. Overall, In Love With Your Ghost is an enjoyable romance with a cozy setting, spooky vibes, and a story about love that refuses to stay in the past.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
October 9, 2026
I really enjoyed this ☺️
This author writes amazing and this was such a unique premise! I did think the ending was a bit rushed, but that could be because I was really enjoying it and didn’t want it to end 😂
The quotes at the beginning of each chapter was cool and made me want to look into those books as well!
This author writes amazing and this was such a unique premise! I did think the ending was a bit rushed, but that could be because I was really enjoying it and didn’t want it to end 😂
The quotes at the beginning of each chapter was cool and made me want to look into those books as well!
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October 15, 2026En el pasado hacían buena pareja, en el presente no.
October 15, 2026
This was such a great story. The setting in a haunted sanatorium was the perfect backdrop. I love that Hartley surrounds herself with weird girls. It is a great dynamic.
October 16, 2026
I liked the premise and the plot had nice fall vibes but it was weird how places it dragged while other places seemed rushed. Le spice was rushed and the big resolve rushed.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews