Happily Haunted Afters by Brittany Kelley (300 Pages)
Happily Haunted Afters Is the Perfect Spooky Rom-Com for the Halloween/Fall Season
Her whole life, Emma Cross could never seem to stick to anything. Her hot mess express attitude and semi-chaotic tendencies seemed to affect her life at every turn. But now she’s ready to prove everyone wrong and make a change in her life. Emma decides to pursue her lifelong goal of owning a hotel, but in order to do that she has to make amends with her childhood best friend Jack Colson; a big-time investor and a certified hottie.
Whereas Emma has never been the conventional type, she knows she has to get in Jack’s good graces to convince him to supply her with the funds so she can buy this hotel. Only things get a tad complicated when old feelings begin to arise between her and Jack as they stay at this old and (creepy) property in the woods. But when creepy dolls, shadowy figures, and weird sounds that go bump in the night start to happen, Emma’s strong lingering feelings for Jack might not be the only thing she needs to worry about this weekend.
A Fluffy Rom-Com With Some Not-So-Fluffy Spooky Things That Might Put a Horrifying Twist on This Romance
There’s no doubt that I’m a sucker for a good rom-com. And I also love a good spooky story. So when I discovered the book Happily Haunted Afters by Brittany Kelley, a spooky rom-com all packed together in one story, there was no turning back. For Emma and Jack, the two could not be more different with Emma’s messy and quirky personality and Jack’s stern demeanour. The two are definitely an unlikely pairing but Emma has a lot to prove. And we’ve all seen horror movies. An abandoned place in the middle of nowhere? I’m sure there’s nothing ominous about it at all.
The humour mixed with the overall eerie feeling of the story really made it stand out. I didn’t know whether to laugh or to keep looking over my shoulder. I suppose it’s all about balance, right? And that’s exactly what these main characters provide with their different personalities. Emma and Jack’s banter kept this story light and entertaining despite the things that were bumping in the night. Jack is someone who is highly guarded and thinks he has everything figured out, but sometimes, all it takes is that one messy girl to make someone rethink their entire life. To me, it seems like Emma has that effect.
I also love a main character who knows what she wants. Emma really provided a lot of entertainment to Happily Haunted Afters with her go-getter attitude and unconventional way of thinking. The way she navigates this spooky, dilapidated building she’s trying to restore adds a lot of humour. And for the horror fans? Well there are plenty of scenes with ominous weather, a scary doll, and creepy townspeople who always seem to be watching. My favourite thing about the horror elements was that they were creepy enough without causing full-fledged nightmares that would keep me up for days. I always appreciate a scary story that also has me laughing!
The Bottom Line: 4/5 stars
Happily Haunted Afters is a cute and quirky romance with the added spice of a few ghosts and some creepy dolls. In other words, it’s the perfect fall book! There would be nothing better than to grab a pumpkin spice latte or a hot apple cider and curl up on a rainy day with this fun story. Brittany Kelley’s writing is lighthearted and very easy to read, especially if someone is looking for a quick read that would get them out of a reading rut! And finally, it’s the perfect book for the spooky season.
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Brittany Amalfi is a 20- something- year- old developmental specialist living in Massachusetts where she loves all things New England. Brittany is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing, and working on her young adult fantasy novel. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, working with awesome kiddos, and spending time with friends and family.
