Published by Berkley on September 9, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Clashing ghost tours lead to a sizzling romantic rivalry in the second romance in the new series from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.
Boneyard Key, Florida, is the only home Sophie has ever known. Her love for its supernatural history has flourished into a career, as she guides the one and only ghost tour through the town’s can’t-miss haunted spots. And while her bank account isn’t full by any means, her heart is. Or at least, it was.
But there's a newcomer in town. The son of a Fortune 500 businessman, former theater kid Tristan has grown his tours from a fraternity fundraiser to a multicity ghost tour conglomerate. It’s doing well, but not well enough—if he can’t prove that he’s solidly in the black by the fall, Dad’s going to pull his funding, spelling the end of his career. Boneyard Key, with its haunted reputation, seems like the perfect place to boost his bottom line.
When the two ghost tours clash, Sophie’s expletive-filled rant goes viral, and the rivals strike up a deal. Whoever has the most successful business by summer’s end stays, while the loser must ghost. But the more Tristan comes to appreciate Boneyard Key, the more Sophie comes to appreciate Tristan, and what starts as begrudging respect becomes something spicier. Can they put their feuding businesses aside to make room for a chance at love, or is Boneyard Key too small for two ghost tours?
Tristan was looking to expand his ghost walk business, and what better place that Boneyard Key. Little did he know that a local ran her own ghost tours, and hers were historically accurate with respect to the town she loved. Though they were competitors, they could not fight the attraction between them. Perhaps Boneyard Key was big enough for two tours.
This was a great return to Boneyard Key! This was a rivals-to-lovers slow burn romance, and I did enjoy seeing these two connect. I wanted Tristan to be able to get out from under his father's thumb and break out on his own, and I wanted someone to choose to stay for Sophie. I actually loved the element of danger that made these commit to the fall. It was oh-so Floridian and brought me back to when I lived on the First Coast.
But if I was being honest, my favorite parts of this book was where DeLuca showcased the friendships. It was endearing the way the whole town rebuffed Tristan when he tried to challenge Sophie with a competing ghost tour. How dare he!!! She grew up with their people, and they loved her dearly. Found family will always win my heart, and this group grew on me even more this time around.
I also had a fantastic time when the Boneyard Key inhabitants gathered and mingled with the resident spirits. I felt the paranormal part of the story was more organic in this book than the previous one, and there was the perfect amount of that element blended in. It fit in well with the romantic plot and was a definite plus.
Overall, it was great to be back in Boneyard Key. I loved catching up with all the friends and sprits from the previous book while this world expanded. I am excited and cannot wait to see what DeLuca has planned for my ext visit!
Published by Avon on September 16, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Cameron Goode is on the verge of giving up her dream of becoming a vet. Buried under debt and juggling two jobs with a full course load, she’s overwhelmed. Then a local rescue organization reaches out about a neglected golden retriever in desperate need of help.
The last thing Cameron needs is another responsibility. But something inside her shifts when she looks into the eyes of the dog, who is so obese that she can barely move. Cameron is Aggie’s last chance. And she’s not going to let her go.
Cameron brings Aggie home, where the promise of Autumn is in the air. As the leaves begin to change, so do both Cameron and her rescue, whose recovery she chronicles on a TikTok account. Aggie’s resilience inspires Cameron to open up to the neighbors in her building, including Everett, the guy next door who dropped everything to help Cameron save Aggie. He also happens to look really good in sweaters.
When the account goes viral, Cameron finds herself faced with a choice between monetizing the best thing in her life or struggling to make rent and care for Aggie. Will Cameron be able to accept the help of a newfound family, including the first guy she’s fully given her heart to?
Cameron was determined to save a rescue dog who had suffered a terrible life so far, but in the end, the dog saved her.
I like dogs, but I would not call myself a dog lover. YET, I cannot resist a book that puts a precious pup on the cover. This one called to me with all its doggie goodness and fall vibes, and Firkins definitely delivered something special, cozy, and uplifting.
There was a cute romance between Cameron and Everett. He really was a total cinnamon roll of a hero. By the end, I was as obsessed with his sweaters just as much as Cameron. Why can't my sister knit sweaters? Anyhow, it was lovely to see someone be there by Cameron's side to lend support.
But the star of this tale had a tail! Aggie was really the bestest girl. When I heard what had been done with her, I was all in on saving her. It was interesting following her weight loss and mobility journey, but what I really loved was how Aggie helped build a community on the 6th floor of the Maple Lane apartments.
Cameron had been living in that building for over a year. She had shared the elevator with these people who she nicknamed by visible traits, but she didn't attempt to get to know then until Aggie. It started with a favor from Everett, and then the other residents could not resist Aggie's charm. A fantastic found family formed, and I loved the way they rallied behind Aggie.
Overall, this was a charming tale of friendship and second chances coupled with a sweet romance that had me grinning like a fool.
*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
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