Not the usual book I’m used to from this author. It’s less a romance than a ghost story, with a romance incorporated. The romance doesn’t even really kickoff until halfway, and I found myself more interested in the ghosts. Still, this was an entertaining, pleasant read. I enjoyed it, liked the characters, and I’m happy to have spent time with it, although it wasn’t as much fun as some of her earlier books. ( )

I've been describing this to people as a snarky, modernized version of Rebecca. I know it's also the author's take on The Turn of the Screw. It isn't laugh out loud funny, but is excellently plotted and made me smile in quite a few places. I love the kids and Southy. I also liked the supernatural angle. It's a great ghost story. I'm keeping this one and expect to read it again. Very nicely done. ( )

I really liked the book.
The characters Andie, Alice, Carter, Mrs Crump and many more were really quirky and interesting.
There is a haunted house. Some weird ghosts, some ghost hunters.
Troubled kids and Andie trying to parent.
In between all of this there is some romance , chemistry and all.
I have read other Jennifer Cruise before and a common factor in all her books is humor.
I haven't really seen her attempt horror before and the element of horror was well done. ( )

I love a good Jennifer Crusie novel. Her latest novel is a sweet and satisfying romp, that I devoured in two large bites.

While Crusie may not be a literary great, and her novels may never be award-winning masterpieces, they are still incredibly enjoyable.. as much so as the chocolate chip cookies the main character is always baking. A Crusie novel once in a while is a perfectly enjoyable time, with rarely a tiny issue.

The novel's characters are as wonderful as ever, quirky and fun. The back drop and added ghosties are an unusual treat, and one I met with whole-heartedly. (There is usually more romance in her novels, at least one more clinch added to get your blood steaming; but let's face it, this main character didn't even have time to shower regularly with everything she was faced with in the novel. So this time I won't mind at all.)

The children, of course, were adorable as could be. You might love them within pages, like everyone else. I will always sing the hit song "Achy-breaky Heart" with the words "I don't like nuts, I really don't like nuts" from now on. Not that I EVER listen to that song...

The ONLY problem I had with this novel is that Andie was always baking!! While it's a great incentive to get your audience back in the kitchen - and let's face it, most of the readers are going to be women. But almost daily batches of cookies and banana nut bread? Who was eating all of this, the ghosts?? Not that this was a problem, since this is literary-land, where just about anything goes.. but by the time I was halfway through the book last night, I HAD TO put it down, go into the kitchen, and make a batch of banana nut bread! Man, I'd better not gain any more weight, because of this novel... My kids were very happy to see it the next morning. My thighs? Not so much!!

Anyway, if you are looking for a light-hearted read, the kind that takes a day, maybe two, to finish, then this is the book for you. It's been quite a while since Jennifer Crusie has written anything in book form, and I, for one, am damn glad she has done so. Her books always make me feel warm and happy inside, and give me a hope for the possibility of that "one true love" again. ( )

relationships, ghosts, Ohio, mystery, humor, children

I love almost everything written by Jennifer Crusie, and this one is a little crazier than most. It has romance, nasty ghosts, frightened kids, a nutsy mother in law and an even nuttier mother, a convenient but clueless fiancé, and two people who still love each other and are learning to communicate. And LOTS of humor! And almost all of this madness happens in a very weird house that was brought over from England and reassembled in rural southern Ohio. No spoilers here, just go ahead and enjoy!
The audiobook is very well narrated by Angela Dawe. ( )