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Haunted
A classic tale from the queen of paranormal romance, Gena Showalter!Artist Aurora Harper is convinced she’s witnessed a crime—a murder so brutal she’s repressed the memories, only to paint the scene by the light of the moon. Now she needs her new neighbor, Detective Levi Reid, to help her track down the victim—and the killer. Levi’s dealing with his own memory issues, but one thing he knows for Harper is meant to be his, and nothing can take her away from him—not in this life…and not in death.Originally published in 2012
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
168 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Gena Showalter
263 books27.8k followersGena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 14, 2019
I have been in the biggest reading slump for weeks now, I couldn't read anything, I tried so many different books but couldn't find anything that worked, until I thought of reading a novella, or something on the shorter side. I've had Haunted on my kindle for a while now, so I gave it a shot and what do you know, it worked.
Haunted is a long novella, I'd say, and I truly enjoyed myself while reading it. Showalter wrote a very different story than her usual paranormal, no demons this time but spirits. I was hooked from the start with the prologue and was genuinely intrigued for most of the story and so confused, but in a good way. I had so many questions and while the story is short, it didn't impact on the overall effect. I was so shocked by the denouement, I was not expecting that at all and, for a little bit, I wasn't sure I was happy with it but I can honestly say that it made for a very interesting and surprising story.
Although some elements were predictable toward the end, it wasn't the most important part and didn't really matter to me. I really liked the story and characters, the romance was super sweet and I would have loved to read a whole entire book about these characters.
Showalter definitely knows how to work her readers and I would kill for her to write a romantic suspense one day. You get a glimpse of her thriller skills in Haunted and I feel like a full length novel centered around a serial killer + some sexy romance (not with the serial killer) would honestly be amazing.
All in all, Haunted is a very cool long-novella, about a woman who thinks she witnessed a terrible murder and repressed her memories so she paints the scene in her sleep, and her hot but brooding neighbor detective who's willing to help her with her mysterious case. It's also much more than just that, you'll just have to trust me and read it. I promise, you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised and maybe a little shocked by everything you're reading. You never know with spirits, they're tricky.
Haunted is a long novella, I'd say, and I truly enjoyed myself while reading it. Showalter wrote a very different story than her usual paranormal, no demons this time but spirits. I was hooked from the start with the prologue and was genuinely intrigued for most of the story and so confused, but in a good way. I had so many questions and while the story is short, it didn't impact on the overall effect. I was so shocked by the denouement, I was not expecting that at all and, for a little bit, I wasn't sure I was happy with it but I can honestly say that it made for a very interesting and surprising story.
Although some elements were predictable toward the end, it wasn't the most important part and didn't really matter to me. I really liked the story and characters, the romance was super sweet and I would have loved to read a whole entire book about these characters.
Showalter definitely knows how to work her readers and I would kill for her to write a romantic suspense one day. You get a glimpse of her thriller skills in Haunted and I feel like a full length novel centered around a serial killer + some sexy romance (not with the serial killer) would honestly be amazing.
All in all, Haunted is a very cool long-novella, about a woman who thinks she witnessed a terrible murder and repressed her memories so she paints the scene in her sleep, and her hot but brooding neighbor detective who's willing to help her with her mysterious case. It's also much more than just that, you'll just have to trust me and read it. I promise, you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised and maybe a little shocked by everything you're reading. You never know with spirits, they're tricky.
January 18, 2019
A funny suspenseful tale of a couple who meet under strange circumstances.
The plot twist is truly interesting and h is funny and a ball buster at the same time ... their reality, which is in suspense made me cry too ... a quick and delightful read
The plot twist is truly interesting and h is funny and a ball buster at the same time ... their reality, which is in suspense made me cry too ... a quick and delightful read
March 30, 2020
3.5
If this were made into a detective type series, I think it would be amazing!
*This is an older book from 2012 that’s been reissued.
Harper felt drawn to a certain apartment building and dragged her roommate out of their house and moved in. Meanwhile, she’s been having blackouts and losing time.
Levi, a detective on leave for how his last case went down, has been experiencing the same things. Blackouts, lost time, and a weird compulsion to move into a crappy apartment.
Harper has been sleepwalking, er sleep-painting. She’s an artist and at night she’s been painting a horrific and bloody scene. She decides to tell her cop neighbor her theory: she thinks she witnessed a murder and her subconscious has been pushing her to paint it. She wants him to help her figure out what she’s repressed.
He’s grumpy and his partner is pretending he doesn’t exist. He’s suspended and losing time. He has his own issues, he doesn’t need this hot blonde and all her chaos to upend his life. But he can’t get her out of his head either.
I know that this is 8 years old, but I don’t want to spoil it. The prologue and the title allow for the fact that someone is haunted here. In this book, some people can see/communicate with the dead, some can’t. It’s a normal thing. And there’s a ghost hunter type company that operates like hiring a private detective would. Harper’s roommate works for the local branch of them, but she doesn’t want Harper to go to them for help. Now this is something I wish had been fleshed out more. I wish we’d gotten more information earlier on about them, and that they’d been utilized sooner.
So Levi and Harper band together to help figure out why they both are having blackouts, why Harper is painting a gruesome murder that more and more looks like the last case Levi worked on, and through it all figure out why they were both pulled to this crappy apartment building.
I liked this world and the characters. It went in a different direction than I thought it would, and that ending would really really make an amazing detective series. Like, I know it’s been 8 years, but seriously, a series based on these two would be exciting and something fresh out in Romancelandia.
*** I bought this book
If this were made into a detective type series, I think it would be amazing!
*This is an older book from 2012 that’s been reissued.
Harper felt drawn to a certain apartment building and dragged her roommate out of their house and moved in. Meanwhile, she’s been having blackouts and losing time.
Levi, a detective on leave for how his last case went down, has been experiencing the same things. Blackouts, lost time, and a weird compulsion to move into a crappy apartment.
Harper has been sleepwalking, er sleep-painting. She’s an artist and at night she’s been painting a horrific and bloody scene. She decides to tell her cop neighbor her theory: she thinks she witnessed a murder and her subconscious has been pushing her to paint it. She wants him to help her figure out what she’s repressed.
He’s grumpy and his partner is pretending he doesn’t exist. He’s suspended and losing time. He has his own issues, he doesn’t need this hot blonde and all her chaos to upend his life. But he can’t get her out of his head either.
I know that this is 8 years old, but I don’t want to spoil it. The prologue and the title allow for the fact that someone is haunted here. In this book, some people can see/communicate with the dead, some can’t. It’s a normal thing. And there’s a ghost hunter type company that operates like hiring a private detective would. Harper’s roommate works for the local branch of them, but she doesn’t want Harper to go to them for help. Now this is something I wish had been fleshed out more. I wish we’d gotten more information earlier on about them, and that they’d been utilized sooner.
So Levi and Harper band together to help figure out why they both are having blackouts, why Harper is painting a gruesome murder that more and more looks like the last case Levi worked on, and through it all figure out why they were both pulled to this crappy apartment building.
I liked this world and the characters. It went in a different direction than I thought it would, and that ending would really really make an amazing detective series. Like, I know it’s been 8 years, but seriously, a series based on these two would be exciting and something fresh out in Romancelandia.
*** I bought this book
June 5, 2018
Interesting twists and turns, although I did get a little lost and frustrated in the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2024
Feel good reading
Ok, so i had assumed, correctly-ish that there something paranormal was happening, but the spirit world wasn't what I expected. It reminds me of the movie plot line of R.I.P.D Rest In Peace Department. It's a pretty good movie. The only way it's similar in my mind. FYI, SPOILERS ALERT. There is a "spirit" department where some people can see/hear spirits or have similar abilities for the dead and paranormal. I had been trying to figure the plot out, and it took me a bit in the story because I kept expecting one to be a phantom, or a demon, or in an alternate reality. (Which there is a bit of reality layering). It's a well-done story, and I enjoyed being able to stay in the suspense for longer. It has a funny and cheery ending. The female character, Harper, is funny, smart, and kick-ass. Levi is slightly broody, sensitive, and kick-ass. Lana reminded me of my old school friend from the Czech Republic, and she still speaks in her broken language and is also "balls to the walls"
I really enjoy Showalters books and have read every single one since the very beginning, and each time, I'm either in a new world or returning to a past world.
Ok, so i had assumed, correctly-ish that there something paranormal was happening, but the spirit world wasn't what I expected. It reminds me of the movie plot line of R.I.P.D Rest In Peace Department. It's a pretty good movie. The only way it's similar in my mind. FYI, SPOILERS ALERT. There is a "spirit" department where some people can see/hear spirits or have similar abilities for the dead and paranormal. I had been trying to figure the plot out, and it took me a bit in the story because I kept expecting one to be a phantom, or a demon, or in an alternate reality. (Which there is a bit of reality layering). It's a well-done story, and I enjoyed being able to stay in the suspense for longer. It has a funny and cheery ending. The female character, Harper, is funny, smart, and kick-ass. Levi is slightly broody, sensitive, and kick-ass. Lana reminded me of my old school friend from the Czech Republic, and she still speaks in her broken language and is also "balls to the walls"
I really enjoy Showalters books and have read every single one since the very beginning, and each time, I'm either in a new world or returning to a past world.
October 18, 2024
Mystery, Mayhem & Murder Oh My!
This is my first book of this genre by this truly talented & amazing author. This is Levi & Harper’s (her REAL first name is Aurora but she’ll knee you in the noogies if you call her either princess or Aurora) mysterious love story. Lana is a key player & is Harper’s bestie & roomie. Levi is a detective in Oklahoma. Harper is an artist. Or shall I say princess cum author or vice versa? I say mysterious becuz it is. A mystery that is. And there’s mayhem & murder. A veritable whodunnit & WTH is going on here ppl?! If I say much more, I’ll be giving away spoilers, of which I’m loathe to do; & I hate when that happens, so I’ll forgo the urge. Suffice to say that I think that you’ll enjoy the book. I know that I did! Send me an email either way letting me know. It’s less than 200 pages so a very quick read by most. Someone que “Fire Woman” by the Cult!
This is my first book of this genre by this truly talented & amazing author. This is Levi & Harper’s (her REAL first name is Aurora but she’ll knee you in the noogies if you call her either princess or Aurora) mysterious love story. Lana is a key player & is Harper’s bestie & roomie. Levi is a detective in Oklahoma. Harper is an artist. Or shall I say princess cum author or vice versa? I say mysterious becuz it is. A mystery that is. And there’s mayhem & murder. A veritable whodunnit & WTH is going on here ppl?! If I say much more, I’ll be giving away spoilers, of which I’m loathe to do; & I hate when that happens, so I’ll forgo the urge. Suffice to say that I think that you’ll enjoy the book. I know that I did! Send me an email either way letting me know. It’s less than 200 pages so a very quick read by most. Someone que “Fire Woman” by the Cult!
January 15, 2019
I hate to say this because I usually loveeee her books... But I so didn't enjoy this book. The prologue ruined it for me. After reading it and the first chapter you pretty much know whats going on. There are a few mystery's later on in the book - which were a surprise but by then I had pretty much checked out of the book. My advice is DON'T read the prologue and maybe you will have more mystery to keep you entertained.
August 13, 2024
cute!
Given the tension on the political scene in the US, I don’t do well with scary movies or books. But this book made fantasy as normal as every day life. It had several very enjoyable characters and a surprise ending, which I didn’t see coming and it was a surprisingly interesting happy ending.
Given the tension on the political scene in the US, I don’t do well with scary movies or books. But this book made fantasy as normal as every day life. It had several very enjoyable characters and a surprise ending, which I didn’t see coming and it was a surprisingly interesting happy ending.
September 14, 2024
My only regret is that I did not read this earlier in the day. I stayed up too late wanting to finish it and then was tired at work. I loved the mystery, and there are several. Some I figured out right away, but then others I had to think about because I was sure they were headed in a different direction.
March 11, 2019
This book was really good. It was definitely suspenseful and had some interesting twists and turns in it. I can't write too much about it without giving anything away so I'm just going to say you should definitely read it!
September 23, 2024
Very different
I have never read a book like this one. It's like Criminal Minds meets Supernatural. Very unusual. Took a while to figure out what was going on. Sucked me right in. The ending was a real twist.
I have never read a book like this one. It's like Criminal Minds meets Supernatural. Very unusual. Took a while to figure out what was going on. Sucked me right in. The ending was a real twist.
October 24, 2024
Needs more
This could be another great series by Miss Gena. I love it even though it's a stand-alone. I have never read a book by Gena Showalter. i didn't love. I just wish more of them were available on amazon Kindle unlimited
This could be another great series by Miss Gena. I love it even though it's a stand-alone. I have never read a book by Gena Showalter. i didn't love. I just wish more of them were available on amazon Kindle unlimited
April 15, 2025
Different style
I am a Gina showalter fan, but this was out of the wheelhouse of books I have read from her. I did enjoy this book it was cute, heartwarming, and tragic, but overall, it was really good.
I am a Gina showalter fan, but this was out of the wheelhouse of books I have read from her. I did enjoy this book it was cute, heartwarming, and tragic, but overall, it was really good.
January 11, 2018
I actually enjoyed these two short stories. Although gruesome they show a lot of depth and detail gone into creating them.
April 21, 2019
Even though it’s a gruesome story it was still entertaining.
June 4, 2019
This was ok. It was a little slow in the beginning. The weird thing is I feel like I’ve read it already but I couldn’t really remember.
Read
November 19, 2019🙄
April 23, 2020
Another hit
Another great story by Gena Showalter. There is nothing that this woman writes that I don't love! Check her out and fall in love with her worlds!
Another great story by Gena Showalter. There is nothing that this woman writes that I don't love! Check her out and fall in love with her worlds!
August 12, 2024
Another good one
Sad to say I read this in under 8hrs... Not all at once but 1 day off and on. Good twists, plot and of course the characters. Another good book from Gena, hoping theres another and becomes a series
Sad to say I read this in under 8hrs... Not all at once but 1 day off and on. Good twists, plot and of course the characters. Another good book from Gena, hoping theres another and becomes a series
September 11, 2024
Loved it!
So different but so good. Loved the whole thing. Loved the ghost concept. Read it to find out. You'll enjoy it. I promise.
So different but so good. Loved the whole thing. Loved the ghost concept. Read it to find out. You'll enjoy it. I promise.
September 14, 2024
This was so good! It always kept me guessing as to what was really going on. I didn't want to stop reading.
November 1, 2024
If you like horror, read on
I did not enjoy this book at all. Reminiscent of the show Dexter. Same kind of brutality. Do not recommend.
I did not enjoy this book at all. Reminiscent of the show Dexter. Same kind of brutality. Do not recommend.
Want to read
November 27, 2024F.R: long novella. Showalter prolific writer. Spirits instead of demons.
“Know she’s to be mine.”
“Know she’s to be mine.”
January 18, 2025
Read for a book club. Can definitely say I’ve never read anything like this before.
January 21, 2025
Not what I expected when I learned it had to do with the paranormal. Enjoyed the book and the plot
October 11, 2025
Great story
I see dead people and it was great to watch unravel. One of my favorite authors must read it to see
I see dead people and it was great to watch unravel. One of my favorite authors must read it to see
December 1, 2014
okay...
April 27, 2020
Got off to a really slow start. Not interested in the characters. This was not for me.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews