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This Is Not a Ghost Story
Nothing is as it seems in this chilling, twisting tale by bestselling author Andrea Portes, perfect for fans of Madeleine Roux and Danielle Vega.
Rife with dark humor and chilling twists, This Is Not a Ghost Story is American Horror Story meets There’s Someone Inside Your House. It will have readers flipping back to the very first page after the shocking finale.
I am not welcome. Somehow I know that. Something doesn’t want me here.
Daffodil Franklin has plans for a quiet summer before her freshman year at college, and luckily, she’s found the job that can give her just housesitting a mansion for a wealthy couple.
But as the summer progresses and shadows lengthen, Daffodil comes to realize the house is more than it appears. The spacious home seems to close in on her, and as she takes the long road into town, she feels eyes on her the entire way, and something tugging her back.
What Daffodil doesn’t yet realize is that her job comes with a steep price. The house has a long-ago grudge it needs to settle . . . and Daffodil is the key to settling it.
Rife with dark humor and chilling twists, This Is Not a Ghost Story is American Horror Story meets There’s Someone Inside Your House. It will have readers flipping back to the very first page after the shocking finale.
I am not welcome. Somehow I know that. Something doesn’t want me here.
Daffodil Franklin has plans for a quiet summer before her freshman year at college, and luckily, she’s found the job that can give her just housesitting a mansion for a wealthy couple.
But as the summer progresses and shadows lengthen, Daffodil comes to realize the house is more than it appears. The spacious home seems to close in on her, and as she takes the long road into town, she feels eyes on her the entire way, and something tugging her back.
What Daffodil doesn’t yet realize is that her job comes with a steep price. The house has a long-ago grudge it needs to settle . . . and Daffodil is the key to settling it.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2020
96 people are currently reading
8467 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Portes
10 books478 followersAndrea Portes is a bestselling American novelist.
Her novels include HICK, BURY THIS, ANATOMY OF A MISFIT, and THE FALL OF BUTTERFLIES. Portes is also the author of the upcoming LIBERTY book series and the upcoming HENRY & EVA book series. She also published the SUPER RAD graphic novel series for Dark Matter Comics.
Portes was raised in rural Nebraska, outside of Lincoln. She attended Bryn Mawr College on full scholarship and later received her MFA from University of California, San Diego. After graduation, Portes moved to the neighborhood of Echo Park in Los Angeles.
In 2007, Portes published her debut novel HICK that was an instant bestseller. After the book's huge success, the movie adaptation of HICK went into production in 2011. The film, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Alec Baldwin, Eddie Redmayne, Juliette Lewis, and Blake Lively premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011.
Portes's second novel, BURY THIS, was published in January 2014 by Counterpoint Press's imprint Soft Skull Press to critical acclaim.
In 2012, she wrote SUPER RAD, a sci-fi series for Dark Matter Press.
Portes' third novel, ANATOMY OF A MISFIT, was published in September 2014 by HarperCollins. In July 2014, the book was optioned in a pre-emptive deal by Paramount Pictures, with Allison Shearmur (THE HUNGER GAMES, CINDERELLA) producing.
In Winter 2015, Portes spy thriller series LIBERTY was bought in a three-book deal by HarperCollins. Twentieth Century Fox-Fox 2000 acquired the rights to LIBERTY and will be producing the series with Wyck Godfrey (TWILIGHT, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS).
Her fourth book, THE FALL OF BUTTERFLIES will be out in May 2016 published by HarperCollins.
Portes also chose HarperCollins to publish HENRY & EVA AND THE CASTLE ON THE CLIFF, the first in a middle reader series of HENRY & EVA books. The second release in the series will be HENRY & EVA AND THE FAMOUS PEOPLE GHOSTS.
Portes is currently working on THEY WERE LIKE WOLVES, a work of literary fiction.
Her novels include HICK, BURY THIS, ANATOMY OF A MISFIT, and THE FALL OF BUTTERFLIES. Portes is also the author of the upcoming LIBERTY book series and the upcoming HENRY & EVA book series. She also published the SUPER RAD graphic novel series for Dark Matter Comics.
Portes was raised in rural Nebraska, outside of Lincoln. She attended Bryn Mawr College on full scholarship and later received her MFA from University of California, San Diego. After graduation, Portes moved to the neighborhood of Echo Park in Los Angeles.
In 2007, Portes published her debut novel HICK that was an instant bestseller. After the book's huge success, the movie adaptation of HICK went into production in 2011. The film, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Alec Baldwin, Eddie Redmayne, Juliette Lewis, and Blake Lively premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011.
Portes's second novel, BURY THIS, was published in January 2014 by Counterpoint Press's imprint Soft Skull Press to critical acclaim.
In 2012, she wrote SUPER RAD, a sci-fi series for Dark Matter Press.
Portes' third novel, ANATOMY OF A MISFIT, was published in September 2014 by HarperCollins. In July 2014, the book was optioned in a pre-emptive deal by Paramount Pictures, with Allison Shearmur (THE HUNGER GAMES, CINDERELLA) producing.
In Winter 2015, Portes spy thriller series LIBERTY was bought in a three-book deal by HarperCollins. Twentieth Century Fox-Fox 2000 acquired the rights to LIBERTY and will be producing the series with Wyck Godfrey (TWILIGHT, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS).
Her fourth book, THE FALL OF BUTTERFLIES will be out in May 2016 published by HarperCollins.
Portes also chose HarperCollins to publish HENRY & EVA AND THE CASTLE ON THE CLIFF, the first in a middle reader series of HENRY & EVA books. The second release in the series will be HENRY & EVA AND THE FAMOUS PEOPLE GHOSTS.
Portes is currently working on THEY WERE LIKE WOLVES, a work of literary fiction.
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June 22, 2020
Dedication: For all the weird girls, with the funny hearts. 💗 Written for me: Check! Ha!
A foe.
An unseen foe.
Undetectable.
But malicious.
A kind of malevolent force.
One that takes glee in my terror.
Daffodil has recently been accepted into Bryn Mawr and as a way of financially being able to do so she takes a job as a caretaker of a professors' home for the summer in which he pays her a ludicrous amount of money. With no father and a mother that ran away years before she is left with little options. All she really knows is that this isn't Nebraska. She never wants to think of Nebraska again or of the thing-that-can-not-be-mentioned.
So we know she is running away from something but what?
As she roams the halls of this lonely mansion she is beginning to see things that couldn't and shouldn't be. She has gaps in her memories. Hours of lost time she is unable to account for. As frightened as she is she knows she can't afford to leave. Is the house warning her or is she slowly losing her grasp on reality?
I just want to tell you all that I adore Daffodil. She is such a smart and funny young woman. She is wholly self aware and equally self conscience. She considers herself to be socially awkward and "not like the other girls" in a very self deprecating way. I felt like I could relate to her in many ways even though I'm old enough to be her mother. She was such a genuinely drawn character. I will post a few quotes that brought a smile to my face and to give you an idea of the kind of young woman you will spend time with if you do decide to read this:
"He's a tall man with a kind of outdoorsy charm. Like he should be eating trail mix, pitching a tent, and going on a hike. A nice guy. A wholesome guy. The kind of guy that gets excited about a new lentil soup recipe."
"Heavy breathing now. God, I'm out of shape. I really should exercise more. This is a thought I have: Why am I so lazy? It's only in moments like these that I realize my slovenly ways might one day be the end of me."
"It's kind of an orange spray tan, I remember well from some of the country club girls back in Nebraska. It's not really a color the sun would ever make you. Unless the sun hated you."
Extra chuckles for that last quote! 😉
Anyhoo, I really enjoyed this. The writing totally captured my attention with its wit and charm. Some have mentioned the ending being lackluster but I actually found it bittersweet and it may have even softened my cold black heart a wee bit. 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Teen for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A foe.
An unseen foe.
Undetectable.
But malicious.
A kind of malevolent force.
One that takes glee in my terror.
Daffodil has recently been accepted into Bryn Mawr and as a way of financially being able to do so she takes a job as a caretaker of a professors' home for the summer in which he pays her a ludicrous amount of money. With no father and a mother that ran away years before she is left with little options. All she really knows is that this isn't Nebraska. She never wants to think of Nebraska again or of the thing-that-can-not-be-mentioned.
So we know she is running away from something but what?
As she roams the halls of this lonely mansion she is beginning to see things that couldn't and shouldn't be. She has gaps in her memories. Hours of lost time she is unable to account for. As frightened as she is she knows she can't afford to leave. Is the house warning her or is she slowly losing her grasp on reality?
I just want to tell you all that I adore Daffodil. She is such a smart and funny young woman. She is wholly self aware and equally self conscience. She considers herself to be socially awkward and "not like the other girls" in a very self deprecating way. I felt like I could relate to her in many ways even though I'm old enough to be her mother. She was such a genuinely drawn character. I will post a few quotes that brought a smile to my face and to give you an idea of the kind of young woman you will spend time with if you do decide to read this:
"He's a tall man with a kind of outdoorsy charm. Like he should be eating trail mix, pitching a tent, and going on a hike. A nice guy. A wholesome guy. The kind of guy that gets excited about a new lentil soup recipe."
"Heavy breathing now. God, I'm out of shape. I really should exercise more. This is a thought I have: Why am I so lazy? It's only in moments like these that I realize my slovenly ways might one day be the end of me."
"It's kind of an orange spray tan, I remember well from some of the country club girls back in Nebraska. It's not really a color the sun would ever make you. Unless the sun hated you."
Extra chuckles for that last quote! 😉
Anyhoo, I really enjoyed this. The writing totally captured my attention with its wit and charm. Some have mentioned the ending being lackluster but I actually found it bittersweet and it may have even softened my cold black heart a wee bit. 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Teen for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2020
This definitely ended up being a lot sweeter than I expected! The writing style has a stream of consciousness to it, but I didn't mind it in this particular story, as the author gave it almost a noir feel. While I wish the story had been a bit longer and more developed, I also see why Portes chose to keep the narrative tight and streamlined. If you've read a story with this particular twist at the ending, you'll probably see it coming like I did, but I still appreciate what the author did by taking a scary story and giving it a heart of gold.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
April 5, 2021
I guess a 3.5 Stars ⭐️. I was hoping it would be a little bit more so I would have a reason to love it to death and buy that beautiful cover!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 28, 2020
SPOILERS
What a shame. I liked the writing style here. I liked the character (although the girl who's "such a freak" and "totally unpopular" but also a beautiful white girl is pretty tiresome). But...
I knew throughout the whole book that a "twist" was coming. That was telegraphed from the start. And because it's the most infamous and obvious horror "twist" I wondered pretty early on if the narrator was dead.
MOST disappointingly, her afterlife, her "heaven", is spending eternity with a boyfriend that drunkenly threw a tantrum and killed them both because he was upset she was planning for her future? GROSS.
What a shame. I liked the writing style here. I liked the character (although the girl who's "such a freak" and "totally unpopular" but also a beautiful white girl is pretty tiresome). But...
I knew throughout the whole book that a "twist" was coming. That was telegraphed from the start. And because it's the most infamous and obvious horror "twist" I wondered pretty early on if the narrator was dead.
MOST disappointingly, her afterlife, her "heaven", is spending eternity with a boyfriend that drunkenly threw a tantrum and killed them both because he was upset she was planning for her future? GROSS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
it was fun it was relaxing! a good younger beginner scary story but i do recommend the audiobook instead
May 13, 2020
I admit, I didn't know what to expect when I went into this one other than hoping for a good ghost story. I did get that but, I also got so much more.
I got an unreliable protagonist and things that never quite seemed what they were and never knowing what in the world was really going on. Was the house haunted? Was she just crazy? Was any of this actually real? To say the very least this book kept me on my toes and turning the pages.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I got an unreliable protagonist and things that never quite seemed what they were and never knowing what in the world was really going on. Was the house haunted? Was she just crazy? Was any of this actually real? To say the very least this book kept me on my toes and turning the pages.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
dnf
January 5, 2021DNF at 52%
Sorry. I just don't like the main character.
Sorry. I just don't like the main character.
March 18, 2021
Daffodil wants to escape the summer and she ends up in an old manor, paid to take care of the house. Only, nothing is quite alright. Discovering secrets with Daffodil, getting to know what really happened to her boyfriend, you are thrust into a world of supernatural and paranormal. But this is not a ghost story, it’s more.
I found this book interesting; it was weird and amazing at the same time to be in Daffodil’s mind. I was ready to read a thriller, horror book, but I was surprised to see a psychological turn. I was able to feel the dread, fear and the need to uncover all the secrets right along the protagonist.
Unfortunately, I found the book really slow, almost boring. This actually didn’t lower the vote, as you can see. At the end, I was so shocked, happy and sad at the same time that I completely forgot everything that happened while I was reading it.
Final vote: 4/5
Final vote: 4/5
I found this book interesting; it was weird and amazing at the same time to be in Daffodil’s mind. I was ready to read a thriller, horror book, but I was surprised to see a psychological turn. I was able to feel the dread, fear and the need to uncover all the secrets right along the protagonist.
Unfortunately, I found the book really slow, almost boring. This actually didn’t lower the vote, as you can see. At the end, I was so shocked, happy and sad at the same time that I completely forgot everything that happened while I was reading it.
Final vote: 4/5
Final vote: 4/5
May 15, 2021
2 stars.
This Is Not a Ghost Story is a book that I would describe as being try-hard. I say this because it was trying to be a lot of things but in the end didn't live up to what it intended to be: a story about being haunted by the past along with some paranormal encounters.
Our main protagonist Daffodil is soon going to college when she stops at a town where she takes up a job house-sitting in order to pay for her university. There, she starts to notice some strange things happening with the house and the people she meets. This begins her story of trying to find out what is going on with the house as well as coming to terms with a past she's trying to avoid thinking about.
I've read one of Andrea Portes' books years ago, The Fall of Butterflies, and that was my first experience with the author's way of writing and storytelling. It was an OK book and for the most part, I did like it, but there were parts of it that didn't mesh well with me, particularly the writing style and the characters. It was the same experience I had when reading Ghost Story (shortening it because the title way too damn long). Except the reading experience with Ghost Story was not good.
The author's writing is more of a 'direct, in your face' kind of style where Daffodil is very upfront about her thoughts and is completely honest with her words. If you've read Feed by M.T. Anderson, think of it like that but dialed up by 10. The issue was that it made Daffodil too much of a try-hard at being an awkward teen. The writing even goes on long tangents on what Daffodil thinks of this or her thoughts on this person that it can be easily explained in a sentence. It was like the author thought this was how a teen thought and it comes off as forced.
Daffodil herself is a forced character. Her entire existence is forced upon the reader to be seen as an awkward teen with social anxiety. Hence why I say the writing and Daffodil are try-hards. "Hi, I'm Daffodil and I'm like this and I'm going to say words that make me seem like I'm a teenager and act weird because that's how teenagers are." Give me a break. I do like narrators who tell it like it is and doesn't hold back but Daffodil came off as forced.
Where the book shines is with some creepy moments along with discovering more about Daffodil's past which I did like. Daffodil may not have been a favorite of mine but I can sympathize with her when she's honest with her feelings.
I wanted to like This is Not A Ghost Story but the writing and Daffodil held it back from being a story about acceptance and coming to terms with the past. Had it not been for them, the story could've been great. Sadly, that was not the case in the end.
This Is Not a Ghost Story is a book that I would describe as being try-hard. I say this because it was trying to be a lot of things but in the end didn't live up to what it intended to be: a story about being haunted by the past along with some paranormal encounters.
Our main protagonist Daffodil is soon going to college when she stops at a town where she takes up a job house-sitting in order to pay for her university. There, she starts to notice some strange things happening with the house and the people she meets. This begins her story of trying to find out what is going on with the house as well as coming to terms with a past she's trying to avoid thinking about.
I've read one of Andrea Portes' books years ago, The Fall of Butterflies, and that was my first experience with the author's way of writing and storytelling. It was an OK book and for the most part, I did like it, but there were parts of it that didn't mesh well with me, particularly the writing style and the characters. It was the same experience I had when reading Ghost Story (shortening it because the title way too damn long). Except the reading experience with Ghost Story was not good.
The author's writing is more of a 'direct, in your face' kind of style where Daffodil is very upfront about her thoughts and is completely honest with her words. If you've read Feed by M.T. Anderson, think of it like that but dialed up by 10. The issue was that it made Daffodil too much of a try-hard at being an awkward teen. The writing even goes on long tangents on what Daffodil thinks of this or her thoughts on this person that it can be easily explained in a sentence. It was like the author thought this was how a teen thought and it comes off as forced.
Daffodil herself is a forced character. Her entire existence is forced upon the reader to be seen as an awkward teen with social anxiety. Hence why I say the writing and Daffodil are try-hards. "Hi, I'm Daffodil and I'm like this and I'm going to say words that make me seem like I'm a teenager and act weird because that's how teenagers are." Give me a break. I do like narrators who tell it like it is and doesn't hold back but Daffodil came off as forced.
Where the book shines is with some creepy moments along with discovering more about Daffodil's past which I did like. Daffodil may not have been a favorite of mine but I can sympathize with her when she's honest with her feelings.
I wanted to like This is Not A Ghost Story but the writing and Daffodil held it back from being a story about acceptance and coming to terms with the past. Had it not been for them, the story could've been great. Sadly, that was not the case in the end.
Want to read
April 22, 2020All I want is alllll the ghost stories and for every cover to e as fabulously my aesthetic as this one 😍
November 16, 2020
[ARC provided by HarperCollins, my review is unbiased]
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📗 This is, hands down, my favourite book cover this year. The colour palette, the creepiness of the house, the font, it just all works for me. I've been burned by some anticipated reads this year, but this story just grabbed me and had me flipping through the pages, which hasn't happened in a while.
📕 Daffodil's voice is a unique one, and I could see some readers finding her annoying. However, I felt like Daffodil was me, a girl that hears a creepy scratching sound in the kitchen and decides the best plan is to go to bed and pretend it doesn't exist, who spends her days in a creepy house lying in bed, eating ramen and watching trash TV.
📘 There's an underlying mystery to the story as Daffodil slowly uncovers her repressed memories, while looking after an old house for the summer. There's some truly creepy, scary moments in this story too, and a constant feeling that anything could happen, or anyone could appear at any moment. After watching Hill House and Bly Manor, I need more books like this.
Wordpress Blog | Twitter | Pinterest
📗 This is, hands down, my favourite book cover this year. The colour palette, the creepiness of the house, the font, it just all works for me. I've been burned by some anticipated reads this year, but this story just grabbed me and had me flipping through the pages, which hasn't happened in a while.
📕 Daffodil's voice is a unique one, and I could see some readers finding her annoying. However, I felt like Daffodil was me, a girl that hears a creepy scratching sound in the kitchen and decides the best plan is to go to bed and pretend it doesn't exist, who spends her days in a creepy house lying in bed, eating ramen and watching trash TV.
📘 There's an underlying mystery to the story as Daffodil slowly uncovers her repressed memories, while looking after an old house for the summer. There's some truly creepy, scary moments in this story too, and a constant feeling that anything could happen, or anyone could appear at any moment. After watching Hill House and Bly Manor, I need more books like this.
March 16, 2022
*paul hollywood voice* not for me, mate
March 5, 2021
I'm giving this a shot, though other reviews don't have me hopeful.
________________
I don't even have the words to describe to you what I just read. It truly... is not a ghost story. Not really. Not in the way you'd expect.
I can't even really tell you if I enjoyed this book or not. Because I don't know. This book feels larger than life.
Here's the thing... I don't know what it is trying to say. I don't feel smart enough to understand why this story needed to be told, but I do understand that I'm glad it was.
I loved Daffodil. Some reviews say they don't like her, but I found her riveting. I loved Portes tangental style of writing. I could never predict where things were going. Not once.
Daffodil is definitely an unreliable narrator. In that way (along with some other details of the novel) this book reminded me of We Were Liars. Just some wisps of it.
I typically, or at least, historically, have never really enjoyed books that leave things open-ended. That don't wrap up. That leave me with questions. But something about This Is Not a Ghost Story left me feeling... deeply satisfied. I don't know how. I still don't even understand most of what happened in this book. But I do know that I couldn't put it down.
Portes wrote about
Somehow, I'm tempted to give this 5 stars. I won't, because I reserve that for only my favourite of reads, but I have a feeling this book will stick with me for a while.
________________
I don't even have the words to describe to you what I just read. It truly... is not a ghost story. Not really. Not in the way you'd expect.
I can't even really tell you if I enjoyed this book or not. Because I don't know. This book feels larger than life.
Here's the thing... I don't know what it is trying to say. I don't feel smart enough to understand why this story needed to be told, but I do understand that I'm glad it was.
I loved Daffodil. Some reviews say they don't like her, but I found her riveting. I loved Portes tangental style of writing. I could never predict where things were going. Not once.
Daffodil is definitely an unreliable narrator. In that way (along with some other details of the novel) this book reminded me of We Were Liars. Just some wisps of it.
I typically, or at least, historically, have never really enjoyed books that leave things open-ended. That don't wrap up. That leave me with questions. But something about This Is Not a Ghost Story left me feeling... deeply satisfied. I don't know how. I still don't even understand most of what happened in this book. But I do know that I couldn't put it down.
Portes wrote about
Somehow, I'm tempted to give this 5 stars. I won't, because I reserve that for only my favourite of reads, but I have a feeling this book will stick with me for a while.
July 18, 2021
I’m not sure what I was expecting going into This is Not a Ghost Story, but it wasn’t for Daffodil to wind up in heaven with her dead boyfriend after having spent a solo stint in some sort of purgatory due to the fatal car crash said boyfriend caused by throwing a tantrum while drunk at a party. A tantum stemming from his jealousy at her moving away for college, no less. I’m all for exploring unhealed wounds, grief, and trauma, but this particular portrayal didn’t work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2021
This really is not a ghost story, but…it is as creepy and close to one as you can possibly get! This is not a love story, but…it is as heartbreaking as any story can possibly be.
This is a story of a young girl, looking to put the past behind her to hopefully evolve into a better future.
The story is told to the reader by Daffodil Franklin, a young woman who will be attending college this coming fall. As other seniors take their summer before college to enjoy friends and relax, Daffodil finds a job working in order to support herself in school. But something happened to Daffodil which she will not tell us. She calls it the thing that cannot be said.
She finds an incredible job babysitting a huge house for the summer for a professor who needs to be out of town. There is construction going on and he would like someone to house sit and make sure all goes well. And the pay is incredible.
But from the moment she steps into the house she feels like something is off. From strange workers, to a friend of the professor’s who seems to pop in anytime she likes, everything seems a bit unsettling. Perhaps she doesn’t belong there. Why did she take this job? But the bottom line, she needs the money and can’t leave.
Then things go missing and missing things show up. Perhaps the house is angry at her for some reason. When these strange occurrences begin to happen Daffodil shrugs them off as old house syndrome. This house does have quite the story behind it. But when these unusual irregularities begin to creep into her dreams, she tries to explain them away as still being upset about the thing she will not tell us.
The longer her stay in the house, the more bitter the house becomes, and Daffodil begins to not know what is reality and what is hallucination. Perhaps in anger the house wants to swallow her up. But why?
And with the astonishing conclusion when we finally, finally discover what the thing is she will not say, we come to many realizations about Daffodil, the workmen, her life and the house.
An incredible page turner.
But…this is not a ghost story, I promise…
This is a story of a young girl, looking to put the past behind her to hopefully evolve into a better future.
The story is told to the reader by Daffodil Franklin, a young woman who will be attending college this coming fall. As other seniors take their summer before college to enjoy friends and relax, Daffodil finds a job working in order to support herself in school. But something happened to Daffodil which she will not tell us. She calls it the thing that cannot be said.
She finds an incredible job babysitting a huge house for the summer for a professor who needs to be out of town. There is construction going on and he would like someone to house sit and make sure all goes well. And the pay is incredible.
But from the moment she steps into the house she feels like something is off. From strange workers, to a friend of the professor’s who seems to pop in anytime she likes, everything seems a bit unsettling. Perhaps she doesn’t belong there. Why did she take this job? But the bottom line, she needs the money and can’t leave.
Then things go missing and missing things show up. Perhaps the house is angry at her for some reason. When these strange occurrences begin to happen Daffodil shrugs them off as old house syndrome. This house does have quite the story behind it. But when these unusual irregularities begin to creep into her dreams, she tries to explain them away as still being upset about the thing she will not tell us.
The longer her stay in the house, the more bitter the house becomes, and Daffodil begins to not know what is reality and what is hallucination. Perhaps in anger the house wants to swallow her up. But why?
And with the astonishing conclusion when we finally, finally discover what the thing is she will not say, we come to many realizations about Daffodil, the workmen, her life and the house.
An incredible page turner.
But…this is not a ghost story, I promise…
January 29, 2025
Book Blog | Bookstagram
I really really liked this, up to the ending, which...
I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, but it was mostly a toxic fucking bummer.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars ...for now.
I really really liked this, up to the ending, which...
I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, but it was mostly a toxic fucking bummer.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars ...for now.
November 24, 2020
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/11/22/...
Despite what the title may tell you, this one was a ghost story. Just…maybe not your typical one.
This spooky young adult tale by Andrea Portes follows Daffodil Franklin, who recently graduated from high school with big plans to escape her stifling small-town life in Nebraska for college on the east coast. Problem is though, tuition can be expensive, and money is something our protagonist doesn’t have.
Fortunately, she finds a job housesitting for a wealthy couple who will be away from their mansion for the summer. It’s the ideal position for a student preparing for their freshmen year—quiet, with minimal duties, and well-paying. Daffodil would be at the house alone, though a construction crew would also be on the premises during the weekdays, working on a renovation project.
At first, everything goes as expected. The workers out back can be noisy, but for the most part things are peaceful. However, as the summer progresses, strange things begin to happen at the house. When night falls, and Daffodil is all by herself, she isn’t sure if the eerie sights and sounds are really there or just in her imagination.
Before I start in with the meat of my review, I just want to be clear that I enjoyed This is Not a Ghost Story, even though a lot of what I’m about to say is probably going to sound pretty harsh. While the novel certainly had plenty of strengths in its favor, it had more than a few hiccups as well—it’s just that none of its weaknesses were enough to stop me from devouring it in record time, for at no point did I not feel completely enthralled.
For one thing, the story definitely had a moody atmosphere and creepy vibes going for it. A lot of downright bizarre and frightening things happen to Daffodil, even if many of these incidents are less about the in-your-face elements of traditional horror. Rather, it’s more about the paranoia-inducing dread and the terrifying uncertainty of the possibility of losing one’s mind.
But here’s also where the cracks in the plot will start to show. That’s because threaded through the narrative are flashbacks to Daffodil’s time in high school, where we get to learn more about her and an old boyfriend named Zander. Not only did these sections distract from the present storyline, but they also introduced a host of new issues, including a few annoying YA tropes. Daffodil describes herself as plain, distant, and completely forgettable, yet of course she manages to catch the eye of an Adonis like Zander, who holds the distinction of being lusted after by the entirety of Nebraska’s teen girl population, apparently.
Which brings me, next, to the character of Daffodil herself. The whole story is narrated from her point of view, and I hate to say it, but there’s something about the writing style that makes it extremely off-putting. Not only is Daffodil’s voice immature and fickle to the extreme, she also strikes me as someone who thinks she’s the smartest person in the room when in fact she is the dumbest. There’s not a semblance of self-awareness in this girl, who looks down her passive aggressive nose on those she thinks less of, but then has the audacity to get bent out of shape when she perceives judgement from others.
The ending was also very predictable. If you’ve had any kind of experience with stories like this, there’s no chance in hell you won’t see the “twist” at the end coming a mile away. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
And yet, for all its flaws, I still had a good time with the story. Like I said, they weren’t enough to affect my overall enjoyment greatly, and I think part of the reason for that is the novel’s relatively short length, which also moved along at a pretty fast clip. There’s really not much time to stop and mull over any shortcomings before you’re being swept along by the plot’s sheer insistence on pushing forward, which also made it much easier to tolerate Daffodil. Overall, this was not the best read, but also far from bad, and it kept me entertained.
Audiobook Comments: I was also fortunate to have been given a chance to try the audiobook edition of This is Not a Ghost Story, narrated by Lauren Ezzo. Her performance was enthusiastic, perhaps too much so, especially in sections where Daffodil would descend into hysterics so that listening to the audio was almost unbearable. I probably would prefer the print edition when it comes to this one.
Despite what the title may tell you, this one was a ghost story. Just…maybe not your typical one.
This spooky young adult tale by Andrea Portes follows Daffodil Franklin, who recently graduated from high school with big plans to escape her stifling small-town life in Nebraska for college on the east coast. Problem is though, tuition can be expensive, and money is something our protagonist doesn’t have.
Fortunately, she finds a job housesitting for a wealthy couple who will be away from their mansion for the summer. It’s the ideal position for a student preparing for their freshmen year—quiet, with minimal duties, and well-paying. Daffodil would be at the house alone, though a construction crew would also be on the premises during the weekdays, working on a renovation project.
At first, everything goes as expected. The workers out back can be noisy, but for the most part things are peaceful. However, as the summer progresses, strange things begin to happen at the house. When night falls, and Daffodil is all by herself, she isn’t sure if the eerie sights and sounds are really there or just in her imagination.
Before I start in with the meat of my review, I just want to be clear that I enjoyed This is Not a Ghost Story, even though a lot of what I’m about to say is probably going to sound pretty harsh. While the novel certainly had plenty of strengths in its favor, it had more than a few hiccups as well—it’s just that none of its weaknesses were enough to stop me from devouring it in record time, for at no point did I not feel completely enthralled.
For one thing, the story definitely had a moody atmosphere and creepy vibes going for it. A lot of downright bizarre and frightening things happen to Daffodil, even if many of these incidents are less about the in-your-face elements of traditional horror. Rather, it’s more about the paranoia-inducing dread and the terrifying uncertainty of the possibility of losing one’s mind.
But here’s also where the cracks in the plot will start to show. That’s because threaded through the narrative are flashbacks to Daffodil’s time in high school, where we get to learn more about her and an old boyfriend named Zander. Not only did these sections distract from the present storyline, but they also introduced a host of new issues, including a few annoying YA tropes. Daffodil describes herself as plain, distant, and completely forgettable, yet of course she manages to catch the eye of an Adonis like Zander, who holds the distinction of being lusted after by the entirety of Nebraska’s teen girl population, apparently.
Which brings me, next, to the character of Daffodil herself. The whole story is narrated from her point of view, and I hate to say it, but there’s something about the writing style that makes it extremely off-putting. Not only is Daffodil’s voice immature and fickle to the extreme, she also strikes me as someone who thinks she’s the smartest person in the room when in fact she is the dumbest. There’s not a semblance of self-awareness in this girl, who looks down her passive aggressive nose on those she thinks less of, but then has the audacity to get bent out of shape when she perceives judgement from others.
The ending was also very predictable. If you’ve had any kind of experience with stories like this, there’s no chance in hell you won’t see the “twist” at the end coming a mile away. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
And yet, for all its flaws, I still had a good time with the story. Like I said, they weren’t enough to affect my overall enjoyment greatly, and I think part of the reason for that is the novel’s relatively short length, which also moved along at a pretty fast clip. There’s really not much time to stop and mull over any shortcomings before you’re being swept along by the plot’s sheer insistence on pushing forward, which also made it much easier to tolerate Daffodil. Overall, this was not the best read, but also far from bad, and it kept me entertained.
Audiobook Comments: I was also fortunate to have been given a chance to try the audiobook edition of This is Not a Ghost Story, narrated by Lauren Ezzo. Her performance was enthusiastic, perhaps too much so, especially in sections where Daffodil would descend into hysterics so that listening to the audio was almost unbearable. I probably would prefer the print edition when it comes to this one.
November 27, 2020
3.4 🌟
Wow. What did I just read? This was supposed to be a thriller/paranormal, but there were so many other things going on that that particular element was not much present. The Main lead, Daffodil, treated every abnormal thing in a I'm-not-buying-this manner, that it actually downplayed the spooks. It also was really weird. I would've appreciated that aspect if I had actually understood what was going on within the manor, but I just ended up getting really confused. Daffodil also had some very serious issues going on with her, and we can actually see that she's mentally unwell.
However, it still miraculously made me flip pages, and it didn't actually feel boring at any point of time, despite the fact that all she does is sleep and watch Netflix. (Relatable!) The ending was something else, which I also did not understand, and only by reading a bunch of spoilery reviews on here did I get what happened. Even then, I felt that it was kinda underwhelming. This book is not for everyone, but overall an okay ish plot.
Wow. What did I just read? This was supposed to be a thriller/paranormal, but there were so many other things going on that that particular element was not much present. The Main lead, Daffodil, treated every abnormal thing in a I'm-not-buying-this manner, that it actually downplayed the spooks. It also was really weird. I would've appreciated that aspect if I had actually understood what was going on within the manor, but I just ended up getting really confused. Daffodil also had some very serious issues going on with her, and we can actually see that she's mentally unwell.
However, it still miraculously made me flip pages, and it didn't actually feel boring at any point of time, despite the fact that all she does is sleep and watch Netflix. (Relatable!) The ending was something else, which I also did not understand, and only by reading a bunch of spoilery reviews on here did I get what happened. Even then, I felt that it was kinda underwhelming. This book is not for everyone, but overall an okay ish plot.
August 11, 2022
in need of money for her upcoming first year of college, daffodil takes a summer job housesitting for a wealthy couple. but the house has its own secrets, and it may not be so easy to take care of…
going in, i didn’t have any specific expectations for this book, but i did think i would like it better than i did. this felt like a very bland horror story without unique elements, which is saying something since i don’t read horror novels often. also, daffodil seemed too young and not like someone going into college.
audiobook narration: the audiobook narrator’s voice is perfect for a chilling story such as this one.
going in, i didn’t have any specific expectations for this book, but i did think i would like it better than i did. this felt like a very bland horror story without unique elements, which is saying something since i don’t read horror novels often. also, daffodil seemed too young and not like someone going into college.
audiobook narration: the audiobook narrator’s voice is perfect for a chilling story such as this one.
November 4, 2020
2.5 stars
*ARC received from Netgalley in return for an honest review*
Video Review: https://youtu.be/CY_kK4RfxaI
So this is the story of Daffodil, who gets off of the train on her way to college and decides to take a summer job house-sitting for a rich couple. This house is currently under construction and the owners can't be there but they need someone to manage the workers. As Daffodil is there and watching the house, she gets this weird feeling about the place and things might not be as they seem.
This story is told from Daffodil's perspective. It is as if she's talking to you and in some cases this lets you get to know Daffodil and some of the things that are going on with her internally. You start to realize that she has gone through something very traumatic and she's trying to process that. But at the same time there are moments this perspective takes you out of the story because.She's got this perky sassy personality that pulls you out of this moody, creepy, atmosphere that I'm assuming was trying to be created in this house. There are some very creepy and mind-bending moments but because of how Daffodil is telling the story and the perspective she's coming from, it ends up diminishesing the horror aspect of this book. She was almost too upbeat and sarcastic about the whole event.
She was dealing with a lot of darker mental issues but it was just mentioned casually in passing, in a way that would be a red flag if it came out of anybody's mouth. But here it's played so down that it doesn't feel like it's of any consequence and that is a little bit concerning. Especially given some of the things she starts to talk about. I will put out a warning that if you are triggered by suicidal thoughts, this probably isn't the book for you.
There is a point in this book where things got so weird and you ended up getting no explanation for that. The ending was just there. And it made sense and things fell into place, but then it also opened up a whole bunch of other questions. It was just like - this is kind of what's happening, moving on. You never really got a clear understanding of why things happened. You got the why it was for her, but not the why of everything else.That is what left me kind of just meh about the story.
I relate lot to Daffodil's anxiety but I struggled with a lot of other aspects of her. You can definitely tell she was a teenager and she had a lot of selfish tendencies.
If you are looking for a read that is a little bit more on the trippy side of horror and has a lot of teenager influence, you will probably like this book. Overall it was okay for me. I'm not the most excited about it and it's probably not something I will pick up again. So take that for whatever you want it to mean.
*ARC received from Netgalley in return for an honest review*
Video Review: https://youtu.be/CY_kK4RfxaI
So this is the story of Daffodil, who gets off of the train on her way to college and decides to take a summer job house-sitting for a rich couple. This house is currently under construction and the owners can't be there but they need someone to manage the workers. As Daffodil is there and watching the house, she gets this weird feeling about the place and things might not be as they seem.
This story is told from Daffodil's perspective. It is as if she's talking to you and in some cases this lets you get to know Daffodil and some of the things that are going on with her internally. You start to realize that she has gone through something very traumatic and she's trying to process that. But at the same time there are moments this perspective takes you out of the story because.She's got this perky sassy personality that pulls you out of this moody, creepy, atmosphere that I'm assuming was trying to be created in this house. There are some very creepy and mind-bending moments but because of how Daffodil is telling the story and the perspective she's coming from, it ends up diminishesing the horror aspect of this book. She was almost too upbeat and sarcastic about the whole event.
She was dealing with a lot of darker mental issues but it was just mentioned casually in passing, in a way that would be a red flag if it came out of anybody's mouth. But here it's played so down that it doesn't feel like it's of any consequence and that is a little bit concerning. Especially given some of the things she starts to talk about. I will put out a warning that if you are triggered by suicidal thoughts, this probably isn't the book for you.
There is a point in this book where things got so weird and you ended up getting no explanation for that. The ending was just there. And it made sense and things fell into place, but then it also opened up a whole bunch of other questions. It was just like - this is kind of what's happening, moving on. You never really got a clear understanding of why things happened. You got the why it was for her, but not the why of everything else.That is what left me kind of just meh about the story.
I relate lot to Daffodil's anxiety but I struggled with a lot of other aspects of her. You can definitely tell she was a teenager and she had a lot of selfish tendencies.
If you are looking for a read that is a little bit more on the trippy side of horror and has a lot of teenager influence, you will probably like this book. Overall it was okay for me. I'm not the most excited about it and it's probably not something I will pick up again. So take that for whatever you want it to mean.
August 13, 2025
I'm so confused. This book is arguably not "good", but kudos to it for doing something very different.
February 27, 2021
If you regularly read horror and/or paranormal books, you're not going to find anything new or original with this book. First of all, I think characterizing this book as horror, especially, is misleading. Nothing scary happens. And I'd barely characterize this as paranormal. I think this book firmly belongs in the YA genre and that's it. There were no spooks or thrills in this book.
This story mainly focuses on a frail and paranoid protagonist, horribly named Daffodil. She keeps referring to a big event that happened in her not too recent past but wouldn't reveal what that event was. A reader could guess what had happened, or at least who that tragic event concerned. It was very difficult to feel sympathy for the protagonist, as she was whiny and uncertain. I think the title of this book was a bait and switch. People are going to pick it up thinking that the title is ironic and it really is a ghost story. Nope. When I got to the "big reveal" at the end, I was unimpressed and didn't care. I won't remember this story tomorrow.
This story mainly focuses on a frail and paranoid protagonist, horribly named Daffodil. She keeps referring to a big event that happened in her not too recent past but wouldn't reveal what that event was. A reader could guess what had happened, or at least who that tragic event concerned. It was very difficult to feel sympathy for the protagonist, as she was whiny and uncertain. I think the title of this book was a bait and switch. People are going to pick it up thinking that the title is ironic and it really is a ghost story. Nope. When I got to the "big reveal" at the end, I was unimpressed and didn't care. I won't remember this story tomorrow.
July 25, 2020
Tried 3 times to get into this, and it just didn’t work for me. I’m not sure if it was a problem with the pacing or if I just couldn’t connect with the story, but it just didn’t click with me.
June 13, 2021
3.5 Stars
Trigger warning:
I loved this book right till the end and then it kind of fell apart for me. This could’ve been easily a 5 stars reads if it weren’t for the way the story ended. Still, I really think this book was such an immersive experience for me and something different and engaging.
The story centers around Daffodil Franklin who’s planning on spending a quiet simple summer before going to college and she just found a perfect job for that; house-sitting a mansion for a wealthy couple.
Soon after she’s left alone, she starts to sense a deadly and malevolent presence in the house, a presence that doesn’t want Daffodil to be there. As Daffodil succumbs more to the loneliness of the house, she becomes more convinced that something is definitely wrong but she has no place to go and the house is not keeping quiet anymore.
The atmosphere in the story is stunning, the descriptions, the strong and looming sense of place, the dread of being alone in a house that’s trying to break you down bit by bit, all these elements were written effectively and in a haunted spooky voice that kept me on the edge of my seat and messed with my mind. The house felt like a larger-than-life antagonist, very ominous, very dangerous, and not to be ignored and underestimated. I really felt the tension and the unsettling threat of this character and that made me really pay attention and care to every little thing happening.
The book doesn’t have a lot of characters and I think the focus on just the main one drives home how lonely, isolated and vulnerable she really is in the house. I couldn’t help but root for her survival and for her to be okay because I just felt her essence through the author’s words. Daffodil is clearly struggling and it’s not only because of the house. As we dig deeper into her story and past, we understand why she feels this suffocating sadness clinging to her like a vital organ, we see what broke her heart and how tragic the past months have been for her.
The choice to focus solely on her was genius. I understood what she felt deeply because I spend the whole book with her, feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw, and descending into a state of madness and confusion like she did.
The writing is engaging and it’s so beautiful in the way it portrays sadness, loss, grief, and unsetting dread. I was so captivated, drawn deeply and strongly to this layered story and I felt so frustrated and in pain especially in those moments where our main character was in denial and in danger.
The ending however was a letdown for me, I just felt like it took away from the raw beauty of the story. I just felt like the story could’ve ended in much better ways and after all the struggles the character went through, she didn't deserve her story and journey to be used as a tool to romanticize the past. The ending was upsetting because I really think the character deserved more. I also felt like the story was led to a place that was hard to explain or maybe justify in a convincing way and this ending felt like the easy way out.
The story could've had a powerful hopeful ending for the people out there who are struggling and drowning in their feelings, instead, we ended up with an ending that broke my heart and presented as a welcome escape.
The story is still beautiful for the ending to ruin it completely and I can’t wait to read Andrea Portes’s other books. I loved her writing style and the way she incorporates the atmosphere as a character and antagonist. Maybe I’ll pick up The Fall of Butterflies next, Its premise looked promising.
Trigger warning:
I loved this book right till the end and then it kind of fell apart for me. This could’ve been easily a 5 stars reads if it weren’t for the way the story ended. Still, I really think this book was such an immersive experience for me and something different and engaging.
I am not welcome. Somehow I know that. Something doesn’t want me here.
The story centers around Daffodil Franklin who’s planning on spending a quiet simple summer before going to college and she just found a perfect job for that; house-sitting a mansion for a wealthy couple.
Soon after she’s left alone, she starts to sense a deadly and malevolent presence in the house, a presence that doesn’t want Daffodil to be there. As Daffodil succumbs more to the loneliness of the house, she becomes more convinced that something is definitely wrong but she has no place to go and the house is not keeping quiet anymore.
The atmosphere in the story is stunning, the descriptions, the strong and looming sense of place, the dread of being alone in a house that’s trying to break you down bit by bit, all these elements were written effectively and in a haunted spooky voice that kept me on the edge of my seat and messed with my mind. The house felt like a larger-than-life antagonist, very ominous, very dangerous, and not to be ignored and underestimated. I really felt the tension and the unsettling threat of this character and that made me really pay attention and care to every little thing happening.
The book doesn’t have a lot of characters and I think the focus on just the main one drives home how lonely, isolated and vulnerable she really is in the house. I couldn’t help but root for her survival and for her to be okay because I just felt her essence through the author’s words. Daffodil is clearly struggling and it’s not only because of the house. As we dig deeper into her story and past, we understand why she feels this suffocating sadness clinging to her like a vital organ, we see what broke her heart and how tragic the past months have been for her.
The choice to focus solely on her was genius. I understood what she felt deeply because I spend the whole book with her, feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw, and descending into a state of madness and confusion like she did.
The writing is engaging and it’s so beautiful in the way it portrays sadness, loss, grief, and unsetting dread. I was so captivated, drawn deeply and strongly to this layered story and I felt so frustrated and in pain especially in those moments where our main character was in denial and in danger.
The ending however was a letdown for me, I just felt like it took away from the raw beauty of the story. I just felt like the story could’ve ended in much better ways and after all the struggles the character went through, she didn't deserve her story and journey to be used as a tool to romanticize the past. The ending was upsetting because I really think the character deserved more. I also felt like the story was led to a place that was hard to explain or maybe justify in a convincing way and this ending felt like the easy way out.
The story could've had a powerful hopeful ending for the people out there who are struggling and drowning in their feelings, instead, we ended up with an ending that broke my heart and presented as a welcome escape.
The story is still beautiful for the ending to ruin it completely and I can’t wait to read Andrea Portes’s other books. I loved her writing style and the way she incorporates the atmosphere as a character and antagonist. Maybe I’ll pick up The Fall of Butterflies next, Its premise looked promising.
December 4, 2020
This was a fast and addictive read. The ending didn’t quite live up to the spooky/weird factor that happened in the first half of the book, but I’m still glad I read it.
This was told in a mostly inner monologue type first person POV, in an almost stream of consciousness manner. It was often funny and had me laughing.
The biggest negative for me is the amount of things that are left unexplained because of the direction the ending took. I can’t specify what I mean without revealing massive spoilers, but that was what left me feeling disappointed.
This was told in a mostly inner monologue type first person POV, in an almost stream of consciousness manner. It was often funny and had me laughing.
The biggest negative for me is the amount of things that are left unexplained because of the direction the ending took. I can’t specify what I mean without revealing massive spoilers, but that was what left me feeling disappointed.
October 17, 2022
I just love my library. They had this book on display in the young adult section and the cover drew me in. I’ve never heard of this book or this author so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. My favorite kind of way to read!
Daffodil Turner just graduated high school. She has plans for a quiet summer house-sitting an old house undergoing construction. The house is old, sprawling, and beautiful. But as the summer goes on, Daffodil realizes the house is almost closing in on her. Playing tricks on her. Is everyone in this town just weird?
I really had no idea where this book was going and I was so pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t too creepy, just the right amount of spook for what I can handle right now.
Daffodil Turner just graduated high school. She has plans for a quiet summer house-sitting an old house undergoing construction. The house is old, sprawling, and beautiful. But as the summer goes on, Daffodil realizes the house is almost closing in on her. Playing tricks on her. Is everyone in this town just weird?
I really had no idea where this book was going and I was so pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t too creepy, just the right amount of spook for what I can handle right now.
March 8, 2023
Omg what was that though. It was so shocking and it made me go back a few pages multiple times like “WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!”
So yeah that’s a good thing yk
So yeah that’s a good thing yk
May 30, 2023
Review:
4 stars
“I am not welcome. Somehow I know that. Something doesn’t want me here.”
I am gonna keep this short and sweet- I ended up devouring this and even tearing up at the end because the writing was done so beautifully and so well.
At first I was skeptical when I started reading this, not because it was bad but, because, when reading this book, the main character talks to you/the reader, so it was different, but I ended up growing to like it!
The more I read this book the more I couldn’t stop reading! The plot twist as well- I am gonna be honest- didn’t see it coming.
And a bonus to this book- the cover, like come on it is so pretty 😍, I’m glad I can have this on my book shelf!
I recommend reading this, it was such an enjoyable and entertaining read :)
“Love Never Dies.”
4 stars
“I am not welcome. Somehow I know that. Something doesn’t want me here.”
I am gonna keep this short and sweet- I ended up devouring this and even tearing up at the end because the writing was done so beautifully and so well.
At first I was skeptical when I started reading this, not because it was bad but, because, when reading this book, the main character talks to you/the reader, so it was different, but I ended up growing to like it!
The more I read this book the more I couldn’t stop reading! The plot twist as well- I am gonna be honest- didn’t see it coming.
And a bonus to this book- the cover, like come on it is so pretty 😍, I’m glad I can have this on my book shelf!
I recommend reading this, it was such an enjoyable and entertaining read :)
“Love Never Dies.”
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