Books & Audiobooks
If you’re never quite ready to let go of spooky season, might I point you in the direction of a chilly holiday read? Haunt your Heart Out by Amber Roberts is the perfect winter novel for fans of lighthearted holiday romance but with a spectral twist. Roberts proves that a good ghost story is appropriate all year long with this fun read! She marries cozy Vermont winter vibes with all the ghost hunting adventure you could want and a dash of holiday romance. Did I mention that much of it is set in a cute bookstore?
The story follows Lex, local bookstore manager, as she tries to convince stuck-in-his-ways owner Charles of all her brilliant ideas to move the store forward. Best friend Natalie stops in regularly for a visit and cup of coffee while she helps her family operate the local Christmas tree farm. Lex proudly lives in her grandparents’ old home which needs a lot of TLC, much to her parents’ chagrin. Their idea of support is to pressure her to sell the old house and join them in California where they can lament her for not being as successful as her sister in person.
Interspersed in the novel are snippets of Lex and Natalie’s mildly successful YouTube video series on the local ghosts from their youth. Though the stories are based on local legends, the vast majority of the content is totally made up and orchestrated for fun. They never could have expected that their little project would attract a real crew of documentary filmmakers set on capturing the local ghosts…
Enter James, the charming New Yorker in town to help out with the shoot. He’s handsome and his adorable dog is certainly an added bonus but will he want anything to do with Lex after he learns the truth about her phony ghost stories? What if it completely ruins the documentary? Does she even want to become attached when he’s surely just going to take off once the film shoot is over leaving her like so many people in her past?
Haunt your Heart Out reminded me of a Hallmark movie: full of the good stuff, easily digestible, and seasonally appropriate. I can foresee re-reading this book every December, it just begs to be part of an annual tradition… perfect to curl up to with a hot mug of tea and a cozy blanket on a gloomy day!