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Haunted Romance #1
Don't Date the Haunted
Does the heart beat faster from love or terror?
As a born-and-raised citizen of Horror, Pansy Finster has survived Hauntings such as mad killers and poltergeists by living her brother's rules, including, "Avoid dolls, clowns, and masks." But after the death of her fiancé, Pansy finds herself alone—which is a dangerous status in Horror. When she flees to Heartford, Romance, she’s startled that a masquerade has Regency ladies screaming… in excitement.
Culture-shocked, Pansy struggles to avoid any ill omens, such as repeated glances from the curiously handsome Lord Theo, from Fantasy. With a seemingly useless magical ability, he could be the Romance Pansy never knew she needed… or her most deceitful Haunting yet. Pansy must learn to love like a Romantic and teach her new friends to survive like a Horror before the masquerade becomes a massacre.
Follow Pansy Finster’s hauntings and romance in "Don't Date the Haunted," first book of the Haunted Romance trilogy, by C Rae D'Arc. If you like Seth Grahame-Smith, Isaac Marion or Christopher Moore, then this dark romantic comedy will keep you up! Don't forget; it's never just a power-outage.
As a born-and-raised citizen of Horror, Pansy Finster has survived Hauntings such as mad killers and poltergeists by living her brother's rules, including, "Avoid dolls, clowns, and masks." But after the death of her fiancé, Pansy finds herself alone—which is a dangerous status in Horror. When she flees to Heartford, Romance, she’s startled that a masquerade has Regency ladies screaming… in excitement.
Culture-shocked, Pansy struggles to avoid any ill omens, such as repeated glances from the curiously handsome Lord Theo, from Fantasy. With a seemingly useless magical ability, he could be the Romance Pansy never knew she needed… or her most deceitful Haunting yet. Pansy must learn to love like a Romantic and teach her new friends to survive like a Horror before the masquerade becomes a massacre.
Follow Pansy Finster’s hauntings and romance in "Don't Date the Haunted," first book of the Haunted Romance trilogy, by C Rae D'Arc. If you like Seth Grahame-Smith, Isaac Marion or Christopher Moore, then this dark romantic comedy will keep you up! Don't forget; it's never just a power-outage.
261 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2020
77 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
C. Rae D'Arc
12 books32 followersC Rae D'Arc has been involved in every stage of a book's life. As a writer, editor, retailer, reader, and reviewer, she has worked four part-time jobs at once. Thankfully, one of them actually paid her. She received her Bachelor's in English from Brigham Young University and now lives in the Tri-Cities of Washington with her husband and Aussie dog.
Newest Release: "Visionary Investigations: Dead and Back Again #1.5"
PS. To save you from hiccups, D'Arc only has one syllable.
Newest Release: "Visionary Investigations: Dead and Back Again #1.5"
PS. To save you from hiccups, D'Arc only has one syllable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
November 5, 2024
Not sure what to read next, I decided to let fate choose for me: I pulled up Kindle Unlimited, closed my eyes, and picked a book at random. I landed on this one. And honestly? I'm so glad I did, because it ended up being a real gem.
The story takes place in the land of Novel, where each country represents a different book genre. Our main character (MC) comes from the dark and spooky land of Horror but heads off to the bright and passionate Romance region for college. There, she meets her love interest, who’s from the enchanting land of Fantasy.
I really loved the unique world-building here—this setup of different countries-as-genres is so clever, and there’s so much potential for storytelling in a world like this. Plus, it looks like there are two more books in the series, so I’m excited to see how it all develops. Fingers crossed for some even more inventive surprises ahead!
The story takes place in the land of Novel, where each country represents a different book genre. Our main character (MC) comes from the dark and spooky land of Horror but heads off to the bright and passionate Romance region for college. There, she meets her love interest, who’s from the enchanting land of Fantasy.
I really loved the unique world-building here—this setup of different countries-as-genres is so clever, and there’s so much potential for storytelling in a world like this. Plus, it looks like there are two more books in the series, so I’m excited to see how it all develops. Fingers crossed for some even more inventive surprises ahead!
March 28, 2021
This book sounded really interesting to me based on its blurb, so I was really excited when it arrived. The only thing that made me worry a little bit, is that I was in a reading slump when this book arrived, and I was scared I couldn't finish it. Well, I didn't just finish it, I really liked it.
I really liked the way that the different genres of books were different countries in the story. The way each person from the different countries had their different personality traits and traditions were really well represented and it was well written. Our main character Pansy was a born Horror, she could see demons and monsters everywhere, but we can see how Romance was affecting her behaviour and made her change.
The different characters were really cute and lovable, I enjoyed reading about their days on school and also about their cute game nights or movie nights together.
I think this book would be perfect for people who are looking for something really special and who are not afraid of a Haunting arriving on their doorstep and scaring them with some romantic aspects of life.
I really liked the way that the different genres of books were different countries in the story. The way each person from the different countries had their different personality traits and traditions were really well represented and it was well written. Our main character Pansy was a born Horror, she could see demons and monsters everywhere, but we can see how Romance was affecting her behaviour and made her change.
The different characters were really cute and lovable, I enjoyed reading about their days on school and also about their cute game nights or movie nights together.
I think this book would be perfect for people who are looking for something really special and who are not afraid of a Haunting arriving on their doorstep and scaring them with some romantic aspects of life.
May 12, 2021
Don’t Date the Haunted by C. Rae D’Arc is a dark comedy big on both the laughs and thrills. The author uses the fish out of water theme on her main character, Pansy Finster. Pansy is a resident in a Horror-world but ends up in a Romance-land. The comedy builds out of the setup, but the characterization contributes much to the humor. Enjoyable characters in a unique setting drives the novel forward to its conclusion.
I was impressed with the world-building in this novel. The world-building is such a unique concept that when I read the blurb for this book, I knew I had to buy it.
Often light-hearted but also with surprising depth, Don’t Date the Haunted lives up to its promise of a dark comedy. The humor is earned, the darkness is delicious, and the payoff is legitimate. Clearly, no one should date the haunted, but everyone ought to read about those who do.
I was impressed with the world-building in this novel. The world-building is such a unique concept that when I read the blurb for this book, I knew I had to buy it.
Often light-hearted but also with surprising depth, Don’t Date the Haunted lives up to its promise of a dark comedy. The humor is earned, the darkness is delicious, and the payoff is legitimate. Clearly, no one should date the haunted, but everyone ought to read about those who do.
September 14, 2020
Loved this!! Quirky romance with a good twist on dating the paranormal. Quick read, full of adventure and comedy and awkward moments and suspense.
September 9, 2021
Such a unique concept!
I absolutely LOVED this book! Each character represented their genre so well, and I loved Pansy with all her rules. As an avid horror watcher and reader, she had so many great (and sometimes funny!) ways to avoid hauntings and stay safeish. I loved the unorthodox roommates from romance and science fiction and how they all grew close despite their differences or initial struggles with relating. Theo was adorable, and I cannot wait to see the development of his relationship with Pansy going forward!
I absolutely LOVED this book! Each character represented their genre so well, and I loved Pansy with all her rules. As an avid horror watcher and reader, she had so many great (and sometimes funny!) ways to avoid hauntings and stay safeish. I loved the unorthodox roommates from romance and science fiction and how they all grew close despite their differences or initial struggles with relating. Theo was adorable, and I cannot wait to see the development of his relationship with Pansy going forward!
November 9, 2022
Fun concepts! The paranoia of the MC is hilarious. Pansy vocalized all our intrusive thoughts with her tips to avoid a Haunting. Made for an especially fun read around Halloween.
October 5, 2020
Calling all literacy buffs. If you’re like me and want a bit of everything in a book Don’t date the haunted has got you covered. From Paranormal spooks to mystery and Intrigue all wrapped up with a healthy dose of romance and character growth. This fast paced and witty book was just the fix I needed for the Halloween season.
March 5, 2021
This was an interesting story, something I have never read before. I don’t do dark and creepy. I stay away from horror at all cost, but this one had an interesting twist. It took me a bit to warm up to the story, but I found it very creative to turn the literary genres into places to live as well as making the characters behave and act as they would in that specific genre. I enjoyed the romance and love story as well as the author’s pointing out that modesty and chastity are good virtues to have. If you like dark romances with an innocent twist, you are in for an interesting ride. I’ve always had a soft spot for modern times meeting fiction and different time periods. Although, I am not a fan of anything undead, poltergeists and scary stuff, I might think about reading book #2 once it gets released. 😉
December 12, 2021
I am 100% fully in love with the world of Novel!
Pansy Finster made an absolute fabulous heroine and her various tips of surviving hauntings are all the things I say while drowning in horror media. How can you not love someone so wonderfully paranoid? Thought honestly, I enjoyed all the characters, even the differences between Regency Romance residents and Contemporary Romance were so perfectly spot on. All of the characters fit their genres so well.
I wish we'd gotten a little more build up between Pansy and Theo, but I still adore them together. He's such a nice, awkward guy which I kind of love!
Seriously, I recommend this book to EVERYONE because it's such a unique, fun read, and I'm off to begin the sequel because AMAZING!
P.s. I want a book of just Oz's survival tips because they're the best. If the author won't release it, I might have to make myself one.
Pansy Finster made an absolute fabulous heroine and her various tips of surviving hauntings are all the things I say while drowning in horror media. How can you not love someone so wonderfully paranoid? Thought honestly, I enjoyed all the characters, even the differences between Regency Romance residents and Contemporary Romance were so perfectly spot on. All of the characters fit their genres so well.
I wish we'd gotten a little more build up between Pansy and Theo, but I still adore them together. He's such a nice, awkward guy which I kind of love!
Seriously, I recommend this book to EVERYONE because it's such a unique, fun read, and I'm off to begin the sequel because AMAZING!
P.s. I want a book of just Oz's survival tips because they're the best. If the author won't release it, I might have to make myself one.
May 24, 2022
Fun read.
October 18, 2021
Don’t Date the Haunted exceeded my expectations in every way. I was excited to read it based on the blurb so I happily accepted the invitation to review it; I just didn’t think it was going to be THIS good.
The concept is original and just mind blowing really. Even just 10% in to this book I was telling everybody about it. Just think of Earth and it’s continents but call Earth Novel, and call, let’s say the continent of North America Romance, with Canada possibly being Contemporary Romance. Then lets call the continent of Europe Horror, the continent of Africa Mystery…. you get the picture. Each continent is a genre!
Obviously just from learning this, I was invested. Like, who comes up with something like that? A bloody good author that’s who. The character’s didn’t disappoint either! The main character is Pansy Finster. She is from Horror but after a certain tragic event she decides to get out of Horror and heads for Romance.
Pansy is somebody who I would describe as anxious, nervous, paranoid and quirky but I can totally understand why seeing as she lived in a place where zombie plagues are the norm *shudders*. I hate zombies.
You then meet the Romantic’s. I would describe most of these people as your typical Hallmark cheese-induced ‘cheer-leader’ types but then you’ve also got some from other types of Romance such as Regency Romance as well. Then you’ve got those from Fantasy, mainly lords who, back in their country, would be fighting Dragon’s or on some sort of quest. Other characters from different genres are also introduced throughout the book and I just love that each of them as such a solid personality that you know and remember where they are from.
Throughout the book we follow Pansy and her new life in Romance. She attends University there and makes lots of friends with a variety of people from all genre’s. A love interest develops the story further mixed in with a mysterious detective and a haunting from her past. The story is gripping and ensures you continue to turn the page.
I would highly recommend this book and the bonus is, it’s actually a completed trilogy. I haven’t read the 2nd or 3rd book yet but they have been added to my TBR pile and moved high up the list. I need to know what happens next and if these books are anything like this one, the trilogy could be sitting on my ‘Best Books I’ve Ever Read’ shelf.
The concept is original and just mind blowing really. Even just 10% in to this book I was telling everybody about it. Just think of Earth and it’s continents but call Earth Novel, and call, let’s say the continent of North America Romance, with Canada possibly being Contemporary Romance. Then lets call the continent of Europe Horror, the continent of Africa Mystery…. you get the picture. Each continent is a genre!
Obviously just from learning this, I was invested. Like, who comes up with something like that? A bloody good author that’s who. The character’s didn’t disappoint either! The main character is Pansy Finster. She is from Horror but after a certain tragic event she decides to get out of Horror and heads for Romance.
Pansy is somebody who I would describe as anxious, nervous, paranoid and quirky but I can totally understand why seeing as she lived in a place where zombie plagues are the norm *shudders*. I hate zombies.
You then meet the Romantic’s. I would describe most of these people as your typical Hallmark cheese-induced ‘cheer-leader’ types but then you’ve also got some from other types of Romance such as Regency Romance as well. Then you’ve got those from Fantasy, mainly lords who, back in their country, would be fighting Dragon’s or on some sort of quest. Other characters from different genres are also introduced throughout the book and I just love that each of them as such a solid personality that you know and remember where they are from.
Throughout the book we follow Pansy and her new life in Romance. She attends University there and makes lots of friends with a variety of people from all genre’s. A love interest develops the story further mixed in with a mysterious detective and a haunting from her past. The story is gripping and ensures you continue to turn the page.
I would highly recommend this book and the bonus is, it’s actually a completed trilogy. I haven’t read the 2nd or 3rd book yet but they have been added to my TBR pile and moved high up the list. I need to know what happens next and if these books are anything like this one, the trilogy could be sitting on my ‘Best Books I’ve Ever Read’ shelf.
January 22, 2021
Pansy Finster lives in Brimstone Horror where the weather normally included grey clouds blocking the sun and thunder rolling in the distance. Normally Pansy would not be concerned by the notice she recived in the mail, but she had been trained to never ignore such messages. ENJOY YOUR INHERITANCE WHILE YOU CAN was an ominous warning of an upcoming Haunting and she needed to run as far away as she could. Since she and her deceased fiancé had planned a move to Romance prior to his death, Pansy reluctantly decided to move forward with that plan. Surely there could be no Hauntings in Romance. Could there? Pansy is taking no chances. Even at the open criticism of new friends, she is never found without her survival pack and written words of brotherly wisdom.
Don’t Date the Haunted: A Dark Romantic Comedy by C. Rae D’Arc is certain to have the reader laughing out loud while cheering on the out of sorts the main character. As Pansy tries to adapt to the much calmer lifestyle at Heartford University in the Romance Region, she is on constant alert even when her new friends work hard to convince her of the innocence of their world. While author C. Rae D’Arc is successful in weaving a highly intoxicating story of romantic dysfunction, she keeps her reader mesmerized with tricky metaphors and unexpected plot twists. Advertised as Haunted Romance Book One, this reader can only imagine the additional characters and suspenseful action yet to come. Colorful participants flood the pages of this fast-paced romance. Don’t Date the Haunted is a page-turner!
Don’t Date the Haunted: A Dark Romantic Comedy by C. Rae D’Arc is certain to have the reader laughing out loud while cheering on the out of sorts the main character. As Pansy tries to adapt to the much calmer lifestyle at Heartford University in the Romance Region, she is on constant alert even when her new friends work hard to convince her of the innocence of their world. While author C. Rae D’Arc is successful in weaving a highly intoxicating story of romantic dysfunction, she keeps her reader mesmerized with tricky metaphors and unexpected plot twists. Advertised as Haunted Romance Book One, this reader can only imagine the additional characters and suspenseful action yet to come. Colorful participants flood the pages of this fast-paced romance. Don’t Date the Haunted is a page-turner!
July 4, 2025
**ACTUAL RATING 4.5 STARS** cmon goodreads, can we PLEASE add half stars already?!
I was pleasantly surprised by this read! I saw it in my kindle library and didn’t remember downloading it, so I asked my husband (we share a library shhh) and he said he downloaded it for me during a “stuff your kindle” day because he thought it looked like something i’d be into AND MAN, WAS HE RIGHT. apparently I need to let him pick out books for me more often!!
anyway the whole universe and premise of this book is super unique, which I loved. the world it takes place in is called novel and each country in novel is named after a genre. seemingly, each country has its own pros and cons as to what its residents endure there - i.e. experiments gone wrong in sci-fi or lovers’ quarrels in romance - and it was so neat seeing the effects these settings have on the characters. most of the book takes place at a university where students from various countries live, so you get to hear about their personalities and pasts in their home countries.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I loved it and immediately downloaded the next two books in the series after finishing this one! they’re pretty quick little reads and I found the first one really fun and compelling. i’m looking forward to book number two! 🥰
I was pleasantly surprised by this read! I saw it in my kindle library and didn’t remember downloading it, so I asked my husband (we share a library shhh) and he said he downloaded it for me during a “stuff your kindle” day because he thought it looked like something i’d be into AND MAN, WAS HE RIGHT. apparently I need to let him pick out books for me more often!!
anyway the whole universe and premise of this book is super unique, which I loved. the world it takes place in is called novel and each country in novel is named after a genre. seemingly, each country has its own pros and cons as to what its residents endure there - i.e. experiments gone wrong in sci-fi or lovers’ quarrels in romance - and it was so neat seeing the effects these settings have on the characters. most of the book takes place at a university where students from various countries live, so you get to hear about their personalities and pasts in their home countries.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I loved it and immediately downloaded the next two books in the series after finishing this one! they’re pretty quick little reads and I found the first one really fun and compelling. i’m looking forward to book number two! 🥰
March 4, 2022
Pansy Finster, Horror native, is pretty accustomed to Hauntings, and have survived all of her personal Hauntings so far, so she’s pretty lucky. Except that she’s lost her parents, her brother Oz, and her fiancé Sean. Now she’s being called a Black Widow, and being alone is the best way to get yourself killed, so she needs to get out.
She decides to move to Contemporary, Romance, and experiences major culture shock. She jumps at every shadow, takes every precaution, and strives to make friends to have strength in numbers. Will she adjust to her new world, or will her precautions save her life and the lives of her new friends?
This book was fantastic (no pun intended)! I loved the transition from one genre, or place, to another, within the world of Novel (and honestly, isn’t that the cutest idea?) I enjoyed the dynamic between roommates (very realistic), and how Pansy stayed true to character while also learning and growing.
I really enjoyed how this was truly a dark romantic comedy. I was laughing, I was swooning, and I was gasping and covering my mouth in suspense. Well written, and great book for young adults and up.
She decides to move to Contemporary, Romance, and experiences major culture shock. She jumps at every shadow, takes every precaution, and strives to make friends to have strength in numbers. Will she adjust to her new world, or will her precautions save her life and the lives of her new friends?
This book was fantastic (no pun intended)! I loved the transition from one genre, or place, to another, within the world of Novel (and honestly, isn’t that the cutest idea?) I enjoyed the dynamic between roommates (very realistic), and how Pansy stayed true to character while also learning and growing.
I really enjoyed how this was truly a dark romantic comedy. I was laughing, I was swooning, and I was gasping and covering my mouth in suspense. Well written, and great book for young adults and up.
October 27, 2020
Regency Romance….Proper Romance…..now Dark Romance….(D'Arc)
These are not the books I usually read but lately I’ve been reading a few. Don’t Date the Haunted was definitely a winner and a fun read because it was a new genre for me!
The story takes place in the world of Novel and moves from Horror to several diferent genres - Romance , Mystery, Contemporary, Regency, etc. One of my favorite lines: “I definitely didn’t want to return to …Horror in a Regency dress.."
All the elements of horror, humor and romance blend to create a lively plot.
I can’t wait to see where the main character, Pansy, ends up next!
These are not the books I usually read but lately I’ve been reading a few. Don’t Date the Haunted was definitely a winner and a fun read because it was a new genre for me!
The story takes place in the world of Novel and moves from Horror to several diferent genres - Romance , Mystery, Contemporary, Regency, etc. One of my favorite lines: “I definitely didn’t want to return to …Horror in a Regency dress.."
All the elements of horror, humor and romance blend to create a lively plot.
I can’t wait to see where the main character, Pansy, ends up next!
October 23, 2020
This book was recommended to me by a friend. It was a fun, fast paced read. Absolutely perfect for halloween. Great romance. I couldn't put it down.
February 28, 2021
Definitely a fun read. I loved watching Pansy navigate an environment so foriegn to her. Love the humor and thrill. The ending was fantastic! I'm excited to see what happens to Pansy next.
March 15, 2022
This was a fun read! I love the world the author created and the cultural quirks that come with each zone. Looking forward to reading the next one!
May 7, 2021
A super quirky story full of great characters. It is a fun and quick read that has a lot of heart. Very excited to read more of this series!
August 30, 2025
In a world where the regions are book genres and the lives within based on similar structures, Pansy is a native of the region called Horror and has faced deathly Hauntings her whole life. When she moves to Romance to escape her past and grief, she finds so many new experiences including friendships, love, more danger, and much else. Will Pansy come out on top this time?
Not gonna lie, it took me a MINUTE to get accustomed to the setting structure and world building in this book. But in a good way! It was such a completely unique concept I didn’t understand at first but when I caught on I loved it. What a cool way to create a story, and the characters are beautifully built too. So much suspense and edge of your seat anxiety as you see the world through Pansy’s eyes, but so much beauty in how she experiences so many new things. Hugely recommend.
Not gonna lie, it took me a MINUTE to get accustomed to the setting structure and world building in this book. But in a good way! It was such a completely unique concept I didn’t understand at first but when I caught on I loved it. What a cool way to create a story, and the characters are beautifully built too. So much suspense and edge of your seat anxiety as you see the world through Pansy’s eyes, but so much beauty in how she experiences so many new things. Hugely recommend.
March 4, 2024
I love the worldbuilding in this book, it’s so unserious but weirdly thorough… believable? Like, the world of Novel contains continents called Romance and Horror, with provinces called Regency and Contemporary, and people can just intermingle as they please—like people be growing up in a regency romance and just move to the land of cell phones and electric lighting like thisisfine.png 🤷🏻♀️
Across the world of Novel, people are periodically tested by genre-typical happenings. In Horror, they are called Hauntings, are often an individual or small-group situation, and they come along like clockwork every 6-12 months. In Sci-Fi, they’re called Experiments, and although they happen about once a year, they are often larger scale, affecting hundreds of people at once, and people will find themselves on the Lead Team a couple times a decade. In Fantasy, they are called Adventures, popping up once a year and involving a single Hero. (The MMC mentions that he was “rarely” the hero, so I’m guessing it’s similar to the Sci-Fi situation.) You need this context to comprehend my favorite quote which occurs during the wrap-up:
[FMC] “This was the weirdest Haunting I've ever had.”
“This was a fearsome Adventure,” Theo agreed.
“Indeed, a most peculiar Case,” Mr. E added.
“Most definitely,” Heather concluded, “a haunted Romance.”
The characters are both genre-savvy and also they take themselves seriously—there’s no actual fourth wall breaks—the book’s humor comes from the shared knowledge that the characters and reader have of literary tropes, and the tension comes from the characters not knowing how their story is going to end. This is exemplified so well in Emma’s character. At one point, she comes home after having slept with her romantic interest, excited to tell her roommates about what happened, because lovemaking is such a climactic event in a contemporary romance character arc, only to have both of them react negatively but for different reasons—one being from Horror, where premarital sex invites Hauntings, and the other from Regency Romance, where premarital sex makes you a fallen woman.
Now that’s already a cool way to create different characters with different viewpoints, and none of them are WRONG per se, but it gets interesting when Emma confesses that
I feel like this world has infinite possibilities for storytelling that play on reader and character expectations, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store next!
Across the world of Novel, people are periodically tested by genre-typical happenings. In Horror, they are called Hauntings, are often an individual or small-group situation, and they come along like clockwork every 6-12 months. In Sci-Fi, they’re called Experiments, and although they happen about once a year, they are often larger scale, affecting hundreds of people at once, and people will find themselves on the Lead Team a couple times a decade. In Fantasy, they are called Adventures, popping up once a year and involving a single Hero. (The MMC mentions that he was “rarely” the hero, so I’m guessing it’s similar to the Sci-Fi situation.) You need this context to comprehend my favorite quote which occurs during the wrap-up:
[FMC] “This was the weirdest Haunting I've ever had.”
“This was a fearsome Adventure,” Theo agreed.
“Indeed, a most peculiar Case,” Mr. E added.
“Most definitely,” Heather concluded, “a haunted Romance.”
The characters are both genre-savvy and also they take themselves seriously—there’s no actual fourth wall breaks—the book’s humor comes from the shared knowledge that the characters and reader have of literary tropes, and the tension comes from the characters not knowing how their story is going to end. This is exemplified so well in Emma’s character. At one point, she comes home after having slept with her romantic interest, excited to tell her roommates about what happened, because lovemaking is such a climactic event in a contemporary romance character arc, only to have both of them react negatively but for different reasons—one being from Horror, where premarital sex invites Hauntings, and the other from Regency Romance, where premarital sex makes you a fallen woman.
Now that’s already a cool way to create different characters with different viewpoints, and none of them are WRONG per se, but it gets interesting when Emma confesses that
I feel like this world has infinite possibilities for storytelling that play on reader and character expectations, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store next!
August 18, 2024
This was so good! Spooky and emotional and still light hearted fun!
July 13, 2024
Romance, Horror, and/or Mystery
This book had such an intriguing premise I had to read it. It’s a wonderful blend of genres and the world building was great! I can’t wait for the next one!!
This book had such an intriguing premise I had to read it. It’s a wonderful blend of genres and the world building was great! I can’t wait for the next one!!
March 19, 2025
⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩
I have NEVER read a book like this before and I LOVED IT!
Okay okay, first off; the cover doesn’t do it justice. Having read it, it makes sense but the cover doesn’t give you the enticement to start reading it I’ll admit.
ANYWAY, the summary of the book: a world where each ‘country’ is a book genre. And the citizens of each country match that genre so Horror, Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Childrens etc. The food, the customs, the day to day life are all reminiscent of that genre. It is so weird but SO interesting??
This follows our FMC, Pansy, a Horror citizen, 5 months after her last Haunting (think of them like deadly trials they have to face to survive), and they are textbook Horror genre ‘clichés’ if you will. Pansy was the comedic relief this book needed (it is a dark romcom after all), her abrupt no nonsense practical personality was perfectly opposed to the scenery in which the book is largely set in.
There is a romance, no smut but you don’t need it, there’s a slight mystery/thriller aspect that begs attention more. The romance itself was sweet, just enough to have you smiling but not enough to take away from the amazing concept that is this plot.
It’s also a cliffhanger? Kind of? You could definitely leave it here and be happy, but from reading the blurb of book 2, I think we continue with Pansy’s life in one form or another and I want to read on!
I had a blast, this book was genuinely really enjoyable, I’ve already downloaded book 2 to read!
I have NEVER read a book like this before and I LOVED IT!
Okay okay, first off; the cover doesn’t do it justice. Having read it, it makes sense but the cover doesn’t give you the enticement to start reading it I’ll admit.
ANYWAY, the summary of the book: a world where each ‘country’ is a book genre. And the citizens of each country match that genre so Horror, Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Childrens etc. The food, the customs, the day to day life are all reminiscent of that genre. It is so weird but SO interesting??
This follows our FMC, Pansy, a Horror citizen, 5 months after her last Haunting (think of them like deadly trials they have to face to survive), and they are textbook Horror genre ‘clichés’ if you will. Pansy was the comedic relief this book needed (it is a dark romcom after all), her abrupt no nonsense practical personality was perfectly opposed to the scenery in which the book is largely set in.
There is a romance, no smut but you don’t need it, there’s a slight mystery/thriller aspect that begs attention more. The romance itself was sweet, just enough to have you smiling but not enough to take away from the amazing concept that is this plot.
It’s also a cliffhanger? Kind of? You could definitely leave it here and be happy, but from reading the blurb of book 2, I think we continue with Pansy’s life in one form or another and I want to read on!
I had a blast, this book was genuinely really enjoyable, I’ve already downloaded book 2 to read!
January 20, 2024
Don't Date the Haunted is a fun, dark, romantic comedy. The world is Novel, and the countries in it are genres. Our main character Pansy is a survivor in the land of Horror. She's lost everyone that mattered to her and when she gets the opportunity to flee Horror she takes it. But everything isn't smooth sailing when she travels to attend college in Romance.
The story plays a lot with culture shock. Everything in Romance is seen through the lens of someone who grew up in horror stories. Pansy views everyone and everything with suspicion because that's how she's stayed alive so long. But when lingering looks are made of affection instead of malice, what's she to do?
There are some heavier ideas played with: survivor's guilt, identity, fate. But friendships are forged in this story and a romance is expected. The light tropes play with the dark well and it was a campy little horror romance.
The story plays a lot with culture shock. Everything in Romance is seen through the lens of someone who grew up in horror stories. Pansy views everyone and everything with suspicion because that's how she's stayed alive so long. But when lingering looks are made of affection instead of malice, what's she to do?
There are some heavier ideas played with: survivor's guilt, identity, fate. But friendships are forged in this story and a romance is expected. The light tropes play with the dark well and it was a campy little horror romance.
June 25, 2025
4.5 🌟
A Haunted book seemed fitting for the time of year and this did not disappoint.
I really enjoyed this read! I love the fact the different countries of the world were book genres, and how the side characters were very into there genre traits! This made them so loveable and irritating at the same time 😂
The twists and turns were so good... really bloody good and the ending! I could see this as a short TV series and would love that!
We follow Pansy Finster who decides to leave Horror after a haunting took her fiancés life and explore a new life in the world of romance. Can this paranoid Pansy settle into her new life with her new care free friends... has a haunting come after her... and why does it feel like she is being followed.
A Haunted book seemed fitting for the time of year and this did not disappoint.
I really enjoyed this read! I love the fact the different countries of the world were book genres, and how the side characters were very into there genre traits! This made them so loveable and irritating at the same time 😂
The twists and turns were so good... really bloody good and the ending! I could see this as a short TV series and would love that!
We follow Pansy Finster who decides to leave Horror after a haunting took her fiancés life and explore a new life in the world of romance. Can this paranoid Pansy settle into her new life with her new care free friends... has a haunting come after her... and why does it feel like she is being followed.
December 30, 2020
It's not often that the exposition of a book gets me hooked but this one did! A very unique setting. It was a fun quick read for Halloween time.
October 22, 2024
Fun read!
This book was a lot of fun to read! Light romance, light horror, and a heroine you really want to see prevail.
I loved the Horror survival rules at the top of each chapter. I've been watching scary movies lately (October.), and now I point out every time the characters break one of Oz's rules! 😂
This book was a lot of fun to read! Light romance, light horror, and a heroine you really want to see prevail.
I loved the Horror survival rules at the top of each chapter. I've been watching scary movies lately (October.), and now I point out every time the characters break one of Oz's rules! 😂
June 14, 2025
I love, love, this book. I love Pansy and her paranoia, as she should be since she lived in Horror. Theo...Theo, Theo, such a charmer. The world of Novel is a very interesting concept of how each character from the different genres acts and even talks. I don't want to give spoilers, but I highly recommend this series!!
February 20, 2023
This was a fun world. The characters had depth. The haunted aspect of a romance made it a far better read than other romances, but not so haunted a lover of strict romance would still love to read it.
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