The Kindred Spirits Supper Club

by Amy E. Reichert

"A charming rom-com with a supernatural twist...Filled with a strong sense of place, mouthwatering descriptions of food, and a sweet love story (or two), Reichert's latest will surely delight readers." Booklist Starred ReviewNamed a Must Read for spring by Buzzfeed * Bustle * Booktrib * PopSugar * BookRiot * Midwest Living Jobless and forced home to Wisconsin, journalist Sabrina Monroe can tolerate reunions with frenemies and kisses from old boyfriends, but not the literal ghosts that greet her in this heartwarming tale of the power of love and connection from acclaimed author Amy E. Reichert. For Sabrina Monroe, moving back home to the Wisconsin Dells--the self-described Waterpark Capital of the World--means returning to the Monroe family the women in her family can see spirits who come to them for help with unfinished business. But Sabrina's always redirected the needy spirits to her mom, who's much better suited for the job. The one exception has always been Molly, a bubbly rom-com loving ghost, who stuck by Sabrina's side all through her lonely childhood. Her personal life starts looking up when Ray, the new local restaurateur, invites Sabrina to his supper club, where he flirts with her over his famous Brandy Old-Fashioneds. He's charming and handsome, but Sabrina tells herself she doesn't have time for romance--she needs to focus on finding a job. Except the longer she's in the Dells, the harder it is to resist her feelings for Ray. Who can turn down a cute guy with a fondness for rescue dogs and an obsession with perfecting his fried cheese curds recipe?  When the Dells starts to feel like home for the first time and with Ray in her corner, Sabrina begins to realize that she can make a difference and help others wherever she is.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Paranormal, Fantasy, Audiobook

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2021

About the author

Amy Reichert honed her writing and editing skills as a technical writer (which is exactly as exciting as it sounds). As a member of the local library board, she loves helping readers find new books to love. She’s a life-long Wisconsin resident with (allegedly) a very noticeable accent, a patient husband, and two too-smart-for-their-own-good kids. When time allows, she loves to read, collect more cookbooks than she could possibly use.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another shiny, big and bold winner is coming out!

One of the most eccentric, quirkiest but also most adorable, relatable and kindest heroine you may ever met in romcom history: ladies and gentlemen, let’s make some noise for Sabrina Monroe!

This sensitive but also strong woman truly knows how to get through suffering as she reluctantly goes back to hometown Wisconsin-Dell ( waterpark capital of world! )

She needs to face her frenemies, people call her freak behind her back (or directly to her face) , be kissed by her notorious ex! That’s fine! Bring it on! But when her longtime friend Molly appears out of nowhere with bunch of her friends like her, she needs to put a stop and request them leave her alone!
Nope, she is not a mean or cruel person. She is grown up and female version of Haley Joel Osment: she sees ghosts and she reluctantly helps them to handle their unfinished businesses! That’s her family curse: only the women of the family can see and connect with supernatural entities!

She can only see them at her hometown so getting rid of the curse and moving on to her old life, she has to find a new job in D. C. and move back to big city where nobody notices her awkward antics or her troubled past ( when you’re a ghost whisperer, it could be challenging to grow up in small town where everybody knows everybody, prying each other’s lives! )

Her insecurities and lack of communication skills related to her connection with her paranormal skills. But her encounter with local restaurateur, extra hottie Ray at the water park results with invention to his supper club. She wants to resist his charm but he doesn’t accept no as an answer and guess what, this guy is extra sweet, passionate, checks all boxes for dreamt boyfriend qualifications!

Maybe she needs to rethink her decision to go back to the city! Maybe she finds her happiness by accepting who she is instead of hiding in the shadows, living under the radar! Maybe she can trust Ray to share her family curse, can’t she?

Overall: so entertaining, tempting, laugh out loud, sweet, emotional, my candidate for the best romances of 2021!

I’m rounding up 4.5 ( I lowered half star because at some chapters, Sabrina gave too much hard time to our sweet pie Ray) to 5 shiniest, ghostly, extra romantic, heartfelt, uplifting stars!

So many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange my honest thoughts!
I loved it so much and I highly recommend it to the readers who enjoy a great feel good novel!

[chan ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this wasn't great. between the incredibly spineless heroine and flat as hell hero, i just couldn't fall for this romance. the setting was supposed to be charming and the ~ghost~ aspect was supposed to make it quirky. but being stuck working at an amusement park because of your student debt and having your only real friend be a dead person made the elements that sounded so great in the synopsis feel... sad.

i think this might work for some of my friends, but even they would probably only give it about 3 stars.

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Fangs

Sabrina Monroe is trying to rebuild her life. She lost her last job and she had to go back home to her parents. She has found a job locally but the mean girl from her high school is now her boss and she is not any nicer than when she was back in school.

Sabrina can't wait to leave Wisconsin Dells behind. She had a tough childhood due to a very singular situation. She can see dead people!! Moreover, the dead people seek her to have their last will accomplished before they "puff" out. Her romantic life is nonexistent since sharing her real self and what she and her mother can do, has never gone well for her. Then she meets Ray.

Ray is the new owner of a restaurant. He was a very successful real estate agent with his family business but after visiting his uncle in Dells, he decided that the small-town life fits him just well. Ray keeps on bumping into Sabrina and believes there is a reason for this and the connection he feels with her.

I enjoyed this romance. The supernatural aspect made it more enjoyable since I absolutely loved Molly.

I had some issues with Sabrina avoiding her responsibility with the gift she was given. Of course, she saw it more like a curse. She also pushed Ray away too many times which annoyed me. On the other hand, Ray was really sweet and supportive.

Cliffhanger: No

3.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

tw: death of a family member

I had high hopes for this, as it takes place in the Wisconsin Dells and if you are Midwestern you know the nostalgic pull of that location. Having never read a book set there, plus this being mixed with a paranormal element of our main character seeing ghosts, I thought this would be kitschy fun. Unfortunately, this didn't land for me. Firstly, the characters meet right away in the first chapter and Ray is already very enamored with Sabrina. But he really has no reason to be. He doesn't know her, barely talks to her because she is so socially anxious that she basically runs from him, and yet he still feels drawn to her for no obvious reason. So their relationship already started off on shaky ground for me. Then, there were a lot of plot points, particularly around the ghosts, that were so obvious that I was left waiting for most of the book for them to be revealed because I knew where it was going. This isn't always a bad thing but in this case those reveals had no payoff. Also, Sabrina has pretty severe anxiety and while some of the things she did and how she described anxiety were spot on, it didn't feel real to me. I'm not sure if the author has anxiety herself but this felt like someone writing about something they've heard about and so it didn't feel genuine. Lastly, we have a theme that I hate and that's the mean girl. Sabrina has a bully that has bullied her since they were children and they are now adults. While I'm sure that some people are that awful, the bullying still felt like middle school bullying when adult bullies have totally different tactics so this felt so flat. All of these elements kept me from being very invested. I still liked the backdrop of The Dells because so many places mentioned were places I've been but I do wish this had more of a pull for me than it did.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This book is like getting a big comfortable hug.
I love Amy Reichert's writing, her food descriptions and sense of location and place are absolutely delightful, drawing the reader in and making us want to stay.
I could relate so well to Sabrina and her anxiety. At first, her personality was kind of grating until I discovered the reasons behind her actions and reactions. Ray makes the perfect compliment to Sabrina and the progression of their romance is swoon-worthy. The mystery isn't a big surprise, but the mysterious element adds another layer of interest. I'll admit to shedding a couple of tears at the end when things all come together.
I also love that the narrative gives full attention to the tropes it embodies--from the meet cute at the beginning to the fake dating to the high school nemesis--there are some tongue-in-cheek chuckles when the characters acknowledge the cheesiness of them, yet somehow it just all works to create such a fun story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Janet Newport · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, mostly sweet and fairly gentle read

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waited three years for a new Amy Reichert book, and here it is! From The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, and the yummy books in between, to The Kindred Spirits Supper Club, Amy Reichert has delivered another charming book with food descriptions that made me hungry.

Sabrina has lost her job and is forced to move home to the Wisconsin Dells. Her dating life has been dull to say the least; that is, until she meets Ray, who just happens to love rescue dogs.

Sabrina is relatable and genuine. Her challenges with anxiety definitely hit home. Ray is so lovable and warm. Will Ray and Sabrina make this work?

If you are looking for a shiny new rom com this spring or summer, check this out! Just don’t be afraid of ghosts! 😉

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is SO fun and SO cute. I've always loved Reichert's books, but the magical slant of this one just makes it a next-level read for me. Super cozy.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun ghostly romcom! Sabrina sees dead people. Growing up in the Wisconsin Dells Sabrina was always considered somewhat of a freak. The women in her family can see ghosts, but they can only see them in their home town. As soon as she can Sabrina fleas town, she is tired of being different. But now she is home after losing her job as a journalist planning just to stay home as long as it takes to get a new job. Then she meets Ray, the handsome new restaurant owner. Could Ray be the guy that will accept her no matter what? Ghosts and all?

So much fun! Sabrina was a great character although admittedly she frustrated me sometimes with her insecurities. Ray was a great guy and I just love the two of them together! My favorite character however was Molly the ghost. Seriously this book made me want a ghost in my life someone who’s always there your best friend, your sister, your confidant, your Dear Abby! Also loved how close Sabrina was to her family. This book just had a little bit of everything romance, family, charm, food, and food. A romcom wrapped in a ghost with a bow made of cheese on top!

This book in emojis 🍹 👻 🧀 🎆

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting through this, and that's pretty much all about Sabrina. I'm not a fan of weak protagonists and even ones with reason enough for their fears don't really resonate with me when they aren't actually doing anything about it. And I don't even mean anything "effective", I just mean taking it seriously enough to be trying. But that's not Sabrina. She has a hard time talking to people. And a killer student loan debt from a degree in journalism—you know, where you talk to people for a living. And that's only the biggest example of what I mean.

And a lot of her anxiety can be traced back to a primary antagonist, Erika. So you'd think she'd make some effort to mitigate contact with the toxic sociopath. But no, Erika's her boss. Because getting "the best seasonal wage" is more important than your mental health. Oh, and she puts off seeing a therapist for freaking ever, despite "knowing" that she should get off the dime and get it done.

All of this adds up to a giant negative motivation* that dragged the plot down to nothing on a regular basis, including a semi-dark moment made of tears and disempowered moaning.

Mitigating that, at least somewhat, is Ray, who is one of my favorite types of romantic hero. He's kind and protective and always looking for ways to help those around him. I've never heard of a supper club, before, but they sound kinda neat (though I wonder about the economics of it). So I was all over him and his quest for stability in a place he has come to love.

And I liked the supernatural bit, even though it was yet another thing for Sabrina to be weak about. I mean, Molly was a hoot and even the walk-on ghosts looking for relief were at a minimum interesting. It's part of the premise so I'd have rolled with it anyway, but it turned out to be one of the more engaging aspects and I think I rooted more for Molly and her lost beau than I did Sabrina and Ray.

If the plot had been interesting, I think I'd have been quite upbeat about the book. Unfortunately, the plot was predictable and a little bit pedestrian. Reichert took the obvious path at every branch and even the final resolution was pretty much exactly as I thought it'd be. I kept hoping for some unexpected wrench or twist, but nothing like that ever materialized. So I'm going to end up with three stars and be content with that.

A note about Steamy: There's a single sex scene that isn't terribly explicit. I mean, we get just about enough detail to trip into steamy territory, but only just and then lights-out. So this is the very lowest of my steam tolerance and I really wish I knew what the author was thinking going that far and no farther. Given Sabrina's past trauma, their path towards intimacy was important for how they'd progress as a couple. Leaving that out seems like a mistake, to me.

* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club is an entertaining romantic comedy with spirits. After losing her job, Sabrina moves back home to the Wisconsin Dells. All the women in her family can see spirits and help spirits resolve unfinished business so they can pass on. Sabrina doesn’t want to live in the Wisconsin Dells because she can only see spirits there. She was bullied in school and her only friend growing up was Molly, a spirit. Ray loves the Wisconsin Dells and moves there to spend time with his uncle before he dies. He owns the local supper club. Sabrina and Ray have an entertaining first meeting that isn’t enjoyable for Sabrina. Ray wants to get to know Sabrina, but all she wants to do is find a job outside Wisconsin. Ray convinces Sabrina to help him with the Goodbye Gala. The Kindred Spirits Supper Club grabbed my attention for the whole book. I couldn’t wait to read what would happen to Sabrina and Ray next. Sabrina is afraid to get close to people but learns that the right people will accept you for who you are. Sabrina has spent a lot of time being lonely but is always nice to others. She has a great relationship with her family. She is even nice to her bullies. Ray will do anything to spend time with Sabrina. He has to prove to his family that he can make the supper club successful. I enjoyed the setting of Wisconsin Dells because it reminded me of weekend trips there as a child.

Thank you Berkley Romance for The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...

[Veronica (Honey Roselea Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Blog | My BookTube | My Book Club | Instagram | Twitter

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for inviting me to read The Kindred Spirits Supper Club and for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A review will be up on my blog on July 5, 2021 at 10 am CST on Honey Roselea Reads for you guys to check out!

My review on The Kindred Spirits Supper Club will be accessible using this link from July 5, 2021 at 10 am CST and onward.

For now, here is a preview to what the review will look like:

❀❀❀❀

After living in Dells for her whole life, Sabrina Monroe is ready to leave, constantly feeling degraded by her high school bullies. The feeling of comfort did not exist for her, even if her family was still in Dells. But what people didn’t know is that the Monroe women could see ghosts, being one of the few people to help these ghosts move onto the beyond. So when Sabrina is… [ continue reading ]

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A ROM-COM with a paranormal twist!

This one had a little bit of everything. A Meet-cute, ghosts, food, a high school bully, sticky notes, a romance, and some Wisconsin facts.

Sabrina Monroe has moved back to the Wisconsin Dells - waterpark capitol of the world. Like the other women in her family, ghosts come to her needing help with unfinished business. She refers them to her mother, but Molly has been with her since childhood.

When Sabrina meets, Ray, the local restaurateur, he flirts as the leading man often does, she tries to resist, she needs to find a job, but well, this is a Rom-Com, so you know stuff is going to happen!

This is a cute light book! Sabrina has anxiety and many will relate to her and how it affects her life. She has panic attacks and is also called freak behind her back. She is a kind woman who deserves happiness. Ray is a great guy who deserves happiness and there are some ghosts who try to give advice while bickering if it is cliché that a ghost write on a mirror... "Write on the mirror when he's showering. Something like 'Do Something Romantic, stupid."
Cute, fun, and ghostly!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in small town Wisconsin Dells, known for cheese curds and water parks, as well as, spirits and a supper club, this lovable story will steal your heart.

This heart warming and uplifting story is about love, self-discovery, and courage, with a magical and a mystery twist I just adored reading about. I found myself falling in love with the characters especially Sabrina Monroe who is quirky and charming, and Ray the ever so handsome supper club owner whose charms are swoon worthy.

The writing style is absolutely delightful, with great pacing, rich detail, and with an element of mystery that kept me engaged with the story.

I really enjoyed this fun read!

[Pam Jenoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Reichert's books and I was particularly taken with her newest, which will be out on April 20. It is about a journalist who is forced to return to her hometown in Wisconsin after she loses her job. There she must face not only her past and a new romantic entanglement with a local restauranteur, but the gift all women share in her family of hearing from the deceased who want help with their unfinished business. This book is truly unique, heartfelt and fun.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sabrina Monroe (like all of the women in her family) can see ghosts, who come to her for help before they are able to rest in eternal peace; but most of the time, due to her extreme social anxiety, Sabrina just points the needy ghosts to her mother. After Sabrina meets Ray, a charming local restaurant owner, a certain ghost, who happens to be Ray's uncle, is determined to be helped by Sabrina and Sabrina alone. Life gets complicated for Sabrina, as she tries to help the ghost, find a new job, and definitely not fall in love with Ray.

This book was.... a lot. I really wanted to like it, but everything was just over the top. Sabrina's anxiety was so over played, and despite saying she used to see a therapist multiple times, she does nothing to help herself in that way. Ray falls for Sabrina after a random run in, where Sabrina does not talk to him and spends the next few chapters actively avoiding him, so their relationship was on a weird foundation for me altogether. Ray seemed nice enough, but I just didn't find their relationship believable or one I would root for. Sabrina needs to work on herself, not let a man come in and "fix" everything.

The ghost part of the story was actually really cute. I probably would have really enjoyed a book about a woman who helps ghosts fulfill a certain pressing need before they are able to rest. But because of everything else going on in the book, I felt like this fun storyline was not focused on enough.

One of the worst and most unnecessary subplots was the high school mean girl and ex boyfriend tormenting a 30 year old Sabrina. There was so much conflict in the story without a literal villain adding to the stress.

All in all, I was sadly disappointed in this book. But I notice I am in the gross minority and many people enjoyed it immensely, so take this with a grain of salt, because obviously it's just me.

Thank you Netgalley, Berkley, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

[romancelibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club is a romantic comedy with a touch of magic. Sabrina Monroe has moved back home to the Wisconsin Dells, which means she now has to help her mom with the family secret. Sabrina and the women in her family can see ghosts and they are expected to help ghosts with their unfinished business so the spirits can move on to the next life. Sabrina has always had a hard time with this family secret. It caused her endless troubles during her childhood and adolescence. When a flirtation begins with Ray Jasper, a new local restaurateur, Sabrina is forced to keep this secret from him.

I thoroughly disliked Sabrina. She came across as a one dimensional whiny doormat. As for Ray, I really couldn't understand how or why he was instantly into Sabrina from the moment he set eyes on her. What was driving his attraction? Why was he so pushy in the beginning when Sabrina had made it clear she was not interested? Eventually, Sabrina got the courage to admit she felt a connection with Ray. And Ray did get better: he gave Sabrina space, he was supportive, and he was sweet. But their relationship development was lackluster in every single way.

I also could not deal with Erika, the mean girl from Sabrina's high school, who still bullies Sabrina. This aspect of the story was straight out of a cliché high school movie from the 90s. The pettiness and the bullying de-aged Sabrina and Erika, making them come across as teenagers instead of adults. Sabrina continuously allowed Erika to walk all over her. She did not stand up for herself, not even once. In my opinion, the whole Sabrina vs. Erika thing was completely unnecessary. I don't get why the author included it.

The only thing that kept me going was the ghostly business and Ray's family history. I was more invested in the ghostly aspect of the story than the romance. Unfortunately, the author barely fleshed out the supernatural element. Why is Sabrina's family the chosen one? Why is it only the women in Sabrina's family who can see ghosts? What about the other families who also bear this burden, but who live in other parts of the country? What about the rest of the world? I wanted to learn more about Sabrina's family backstory and how this "curse" began in her family. I also wanted the ghostly storyline to be better executed, but it was instead underwhelming and anticlimactic.

Honestly, I love romance novels with a touch of magic, especially if ghosts are involved. But I couldn't for the life of me connect with this book at all. I was not invested in either Sabrina or Ray and I couldn't care less about their romance. I cared more about the ghostly business than the romance, but even the supernatural aspect was terribly executed. I also did not like the author's flashback technique at all - it was incredibly confusing and took me out of the story. I might have liked this book better if Sabrina was a well-written character, if Erika was not a part of the story, and if the author had added more depth to the ghostly supernatural element.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

If you are looking for romcom perfection with a dash of ghosts, then look no further than The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert. This was the perfect summer/beach read and I loved the inclusion of ghosts in a non-creepy way. The story is told mostly from Sabrina and Ray's viewpoints with a little bit of Molly mixed in and I loved that Reichert decided to write it this way. I loved all three of them as well as many other characters in the novel, and even though you have to have your antagonists of the story, overall the majority of characters are very loveable. There is also a bunch of humor mixed in, and I can't even tell you how many times I laughed out loud. I also loved the setting of Wisconsin thanks to having been there many times and my husband having family there; nothing like those cheese curds and Brandy Old-Fashioneds!

I started by reading my eBook but decided to switch over to audio, and I'm happy I did because it was a delight to listen to. The narrator is Tavia Gilbert, and I didn't even mind that there wasn't a male narrator for Ray's POV. I thought Gilbert did a wonderful job with the voices and she really brought The Kindred Spirits Supper Club to life for me. I've listened to her narrate quite a few books now, and she never disappoints! Shockingly this is the first book I have read by Reichert even though her books have been recommended to me many times by friends, plus I probably own a couple. I can say with confidence that she became an autobuy author for me with this book, and I can't wait to read more from her! PS: there is also a recipe for Wisconsin Brandy Old-Fashioneds in the back of the book. You're welcome.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabrina is back at home after losing her job, a place that heightens her anxiety as it holds both bad memories and ghosts who try to appeal to her for help. For the most part over the years Sabrina has avoided talking to the ghosts, except for one, and had sent them onto her mother for assistance. However, there are things she does love about home: her family and Molly, a fun-loving ghost from the 1930’s, who stuck by her growing up. Another bright spot to her return is Ray, the new owner of The Otter Club. While Sabrina doesn’t want to start anything when she plans on leaving as soon as she can find another job, she can’t help the attraction she feels to Ray as they are thrown together over and over.

Sabrina struggled with crippling anxiety throughout the story which made run-ins with her childhood nemesis, Erika, and her ex-boyfriend disheartening and I eagerly awaited payback for all they put Sabrina through. Although, I do think just being a horrible person is payment in itself, and Erika was definitely that.

Ray was such a sweetheart and a breath of fresh air! I loved that he recognized he’d have to be patient with Sabrina to eventually win her heart completely. They shared fun, lighthearted moments together, and that along with the bits of humor balanced some of the heavier aspects of the story. I also enjoyed getting to the bottom of the mystery behind Molly the ghost sticking around for so many years.


A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mackenzie - PhDiva Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, adorable romcom with one of the most beloved heroines ever—this is your perfect summer read!

Set in the heat of a summer in the Wisconsin Dells, Amy E. Reichert’s The Kindred Spirits Supper Club is not your typical summer romance. Sabrina is an incredibly dynamic lead, and in addition the stress she feels from losing her job, moving back home, and having to deal with some high school bullies that haven’t grown up in their time away from college, Sabrina Monroe also has the at-times unfortunate but ultimately sweet gift of being able to see and speak with ghosts.
If you’re wondering how exactly ghosts will figure into a romcom, don’t! Just trust me when I say that what I thought would be the weirdest part of the book actually ended up being the most charming.

Sabrina meets a handsome and sweet restauranteur at a water park while she is with her family, and what begins as an awkward encounter quickly turns adorable as their pathes continue to cross, both recently moved home to the Dells. As Sabrina tries to sort out her life, she’s convinced that this is the wrong time to begin dating someone. But Ray is determined to win her over as the two discover more about eachother, their families, their pasts, and work to make Ray’s re-imagined supper club a success.

I just absolutely loved Ray and Sabrina so much! Sabrina’s in the unfortunate position of working for one of the wealthiest and meanest girls in town, who also used to be her former classmate and is engaged to Sabrina’s ex. On paper, Ray is from the same type of world as Sabrian’s rival, not Sabrina herself. But Ray couldn’t be more different than those in the privileged class he was raised in. He’s kind, a bit awkward, and would rather spend his days testing cheese curd recipes out than being part of the society scene.

Sabrina is the type of person who is working a job she hates for a woman who bullies her, just so she can pay off her loans, but will still leave cash in library books to brighten someone’s day who finds it. Sabrina also does everything she can to help the ghosts she can see find closure and happiness, even when it means facing adversity herself.

It’s impossible to read this and not completely fall under the spell of the beautiful characters and story Amy E. Reichert has crafted! The story is paced to perfection, with lots of threads that you pick up along the way that ultimately weave together by the end. A book with a strong message of loving yourself, putting kindness into the world, and learning to appreciate your quirks as blessings rather than shortcomings!

Thank you Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.

[book bruin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was such a whimsical and cute novel. It was tender and sweet, but also fun and quirky. The touch of magic/supernatural gave the book a fun twist and it reminded me a lot of the show Pushing Daisies (which I loved so much!)

Things you can expect in The Kindred Spirits Supper Club:
- A unique (and painful) meet cute at a waterpark
- Favorite tropes like: Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, and Friends to Lovers
- A feel good slooooooow burn romance (closed door)
- A hero that is all in from the start and loves the heroine exactly as she is. Ray is so earnest, thoughtful, and kind. He has no problem saying sorry when he makes a mistake and all of his little gestures add up to so much more.
- An office supply loving heroine who spreads kindness like confetti. I have a newfound appreciation for sticky notes. Especially ones that say Kiss Me <3
- Nerdy love. The pop culture references (Tamagotchi Hanks LOL) were hilarious and I loved how Ray and Sabrina could just be themselves.
- Amazing secondary characters - both dead and alive. Sabrina and Ray's families were wonderful and I especially loved Molly and Lucy.
- A bit of mystery thanks to the unfinished business of the spirits. Molly's storyline was a great addition and I loved how it brought the story full circle. Quite the epic (albeit tragic) love story.
- Anxiety is a large part of the story and I appreciated how the author addressed and showcased it. Experiencing those panic attacks with Sabrina was very powerful and they really put her actions and fears into perspective. I also liked how therapy and the importance of one's mental health was discussed.
- Random and fascinating Wisconsin facts. This book left me with a real hankering for cheese ;)

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club is exactly the feel good novel my heart needed and I look forward to reading more by Amy Reichert in the future.

CW: death of loved one, anxiety, panic attacks, bullying, edibles

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a quirky fun rom-com! Anxiety-ridden Sabrina sees ghosts (a family curse) as she draws awkwardly close to handsome restaurateur, Ray. You’ll cheer them on while laughing out loud, helpless to withstand the author’s charming wit. A perfect antidote to COVID angst!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 20 Apr 2021
#TheKindredSpiritsSupperClub #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club Amy E. Reichert delivered a small-town romance that was sweet with touches of paranormal elements alongside small-town troubles and charm.

Sabrina Monroe, moves back home to the Dells of Wisconsin when she’s let go from another journalist’s job. Sabrina has social issues that can be awkward.

Sabrina and the women of her family can see ghosts and help them crossover by assisting them with their unfinished business. This sometimes makes blending into the woodwork difficult for Sabrina. She’s only ever told one person of her gift and that ended in disaster, but Ray, the new local restaurateur, sees Sabrina and may be just what Sabrina needs to find herself.

This was an interesting story with the Monroe family and their gift. Sabrina’s best friend is Molly, a ghost who has been around for more than a decade. When Sabrina returns home to find nothing has changed, including the mean spirited girl who made high school unbearable.

Ray loved the Dells and wants to make a go of it with his supper club and famous Brandy Old-Fashioneds. Sabrina intrigues him from their awkward first met to subsequent run-ins in town. Slowly they form a friendship and come to an arrangement. He helps her get the mean girl off her back and she helps him plan an upcoming gala event.

This was a slow building romance wrapped around Sabrina’s issues. We had a few side stories which added to the story from Molly the ghost to a ghost named Harry who couldn’t speak but followed Sabrina everywhere. We faceoff with the mean-girl, see character growth, and share some cute moments with Sabrina and Ray.

Reichert showed the lasting effect moments and bullying can have on someone even into adulthood. I cheered for Sabrina with each new challenge and fear she overcame. After all to be loved, one must love themselves and embrace who they are.

I found myself invested in the story and enjoyed the characters. I would travel to the Dells and dine at the Supper Club. Be on the lookout for cute pups, meddling parents, and ghosts. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5.

I had such high hopes for this book! It was definitely quirkier than I expected with the ghost aspect, but after 30%, I was really into it! But I think the story started to fizzle out at 60%. There was just a lot going on and it became frustrating for me to keep reading because it was just dragging on and on. I'm not trying to say Sabrina wasn't suffering from legitimate anxiety, but that plot line was just circling and circling without much resolve. She kept talking about therapy and I guess it just became frustrating for me to keep reading about someones anxiety, and she recognizes her anxiety, and she wants to fix it, but does nothing about it.

Her relationship with Ray was QUICK and I'm always skeptical when that happens. I did really like Ray, but the insta-I love you was hard to get behind. The ghost aspect was really cute and fun, but again, by the end it was like OK wraaaaap it up. The reviews are definitely in favor for this book so it could just have been me.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Pub for this eARC.

[BernLuvsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky, and fun ghostly rom-com! Ghosts + romance - 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵?⁣

I’m a huge fan of ghost stories. I loved the show 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳 so when I read the synopsis for this book and saw it was about a woman who could see spirits that came to her for help with unfinished business, I knew I had to read it. ⁣
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This was such a fun read! It made me smile and left me with a happy heart. The characters were delightful and the added magical realism element with the ghosts was perfection! I adored Molly the ghost, and her story stole my heart. ⁣
⁣
Sabrina and Ray’s relationship was so sweet. I truly enjoyed watching them get to know each other and fall in love. Ray was book boyfriend goals - I mean he used post-its to woo her (𝘐𝘠𝘒𝘠𝘒!)⁣
⁣
Honestly, if you’re looking for a humorous, heartfelt and eccentric love story - this is it! I’m looking forward to reading more by author Amy E. Reichert in the future.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say hello to the best rom com I’ve read so far this year!! Is it the quirkiest, most adorable book I’ve read all year? Yes. Does it feature two of the most endearing characters EVER? Also yes. Are there meddling ghosts who are sometimes cranky and other times utterly charming? YES. Who knew that this eccentric combination would be rom com gold for me!

This one is super witty, sweet, charming and sometimes silly and it made me smile like a big old cheese ball. Speaking of cheese, this is set in Wisconsin, so hello cheese galore! There’s a foodie fiction feeling here as the author always manages to incorporate delicious meals into her books, so if I wasn’t swooning over the budding romance between Sabrina and Ray, I was drooling over the food Ray was testing out for the restaurant. Books don’t get any more feel good than this one y’all, a must read for romance fans but especially those who love a cozy sort of story.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of disappointed with this one as i didnt enjoy it as much as i thought i would have. The writing definitely was hard to get into and i had to switch to an audiobook. The thing i didnt like was that our heroine was a bit meak and an extreme wallflower who would run away

[rosie (jason todd's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(⭐3.75)

overall really cute romance! <3

tropes:
⤷ small town romance 🏘️
⤷ friendly ghosts 👻
⤷ unfinished business 🌦️
⤷ regina george clone antagonist (just slightly less iconic)💄

👻𐙚⋆.˚ 1. Characters
Sabrina
I liked Sabrina most of the time, I really enjoyed how her anxiety and mental health struggles were portrayed. It definitely felt like I was seen and represented well as someone who has issues with those sorts of things, and I loved how it was handled.

However I felt Sabrina was just being slightly annoying at first. She was doing lots of things that don't make sense, pulling in the MMC and then pushing him away - if only our poor boy Ray was bothered by it, then I wouldn't feel so mean writing this about her 3

But!! Sabrina was quite a dynamic character. I was really happy to see her growth by the end of the book.

Ray
I loved him so much! He respected Sabrina and knew exactly what she needed, always giving her time and space when she was overwhelmed - it was really sweet and wholesome. And the grand gesture?! I was actually so touched by that, it was adorable!! I think it was so cute how he handled that. Ray was such a complex and quirky character; I really liked all his little flairs (e.g his passion for cheese curds and his tendency to come out with random dairy facts) and I think that was such a lovely way to expand upon him and bring some realism to his character.

Erika
Don't even get me started. I hated her so much (and that was obviously the point)!!! She was such a high school mean girl and that was absolutely infuriating (in a good way). Erika was the perfectly executed antagonist - she was just such a bully to Sabrina, and actively worked to make her life more difficult, even with all the stuff she already had going on. I think it was a little ridiculous where her hatred for Sabrina started though, like in Grade 5? Come on 😭 one of the girls I hated in Grade 7 is now one of my best friends in Grade 11... I don't think kids have that much of a mental capacity to hate someone so strongly for so long.

Molly
Ughhh Molly my girl!! I adored her, she was so sweet and omg the ending!! I actually was so touched by her and Raymond's story. A wonderful little side-plot that helped provide more connections and depth to the story.

৻ꪆ 2. Plot
I was a little unsure about the plot and the direction of it at first, but then I started to warm up to it. About 40% through, it did start to slow down a bit, but everything eventually started to work itself back into the momentum and ended very strongly!

I liked how there was more to the story than just Ray and Sabrina's relationship (as that plotline did tend to frustrate me a little with how hot-and-cold and indecisive Sabrina was being) and I really enjoyed the whole interweaving web of details (specifically Molly's story) that came back to finish off strongly!

⋆˙⟡♡ 3. Final Thoughts
A little frustrating at times, but overall super cute! The only adjective I can actually use while thinking about this book is 'cute' hahaha so sorry if you see that more than three times.

I'm glad I picked this up! I might possibly check out more of Amy E. Reichert's books, if I ever need a cosy, sweet little romance.

[Phaedra Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous book was the perfect pick-me-up. If you’re looking for a charming read packed full of romance, fun and food, with a touch of the supernatural, be sure to add this to your reading pile :)

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her books always take me to my happy place.