When I was choosing the books I wanted to read these next few months, I wanted to include Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca. I was reading reviews, and everyone was describing this book as cozy. I love Jen DeLuca’s Well Met series, which is a romance series taking place at a Renaissance Festival. I can confirm that Haunted Ever After is cozy and a delightful first book in a new series.

Cassie Rutherford moves to Boneyard Key, a small town outside of Orlando. Most of her friends are having kids, and Cassie wanted a fresh start outside the city. Nick Royer has lived in Boneyard Key his whole life, and he loves it. He owns The Hallowed Grounds coffee shop and makes a living serving tourists. Cassie and Nick meet at Hallowed Grounds after Cassie’s laptop battery died, even though she had left her laptop charging all night. Nick knows that ghosts are real; can Cassie be convinced? There’s more that’s going on at Boneyard Key besides its cutesy Halloween theme.

There’s nothing that Jen DeLuca would write that I wouldn’t like. This book was no exception. Reading this in August, I immediately wanted to pull out my cardigans, turn on a heated blanket, and drink apple cider. It’s still too hot to do all of those things, unfortunately. I loved Boneyard Key as a setting. The beach, all the small businesses, and all the characters who pop up throughout the story. It’s fun to predict which character will get their own book next.

I loved Cassie and found her story relatable. She is struggling with her friends going in different places in their lives (mostly having kids), and she feels left out. I admire Cassie for taking charge of her life and doing something different. Nick had to grow on me. He is described as being rude to tourists, which is fine, I guess? I think it was supposed to make him come across as grumpy in a hot way, but that’s such a red flag to me when someone is rude. With that said, it’s clear Nick has strong feelings for Cassie, and he treats her well.

Haunted Ever After is a great book to set the mood for the upcoming season. I rated Haunted Ever After four and a half stars on Goodreads.