Book 45, 2023

[chez_jae]

Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I was thinking the other day about the books I take to work to read on lunch breaks and how I wouldn't be able to do that once I retire. Then I thought, 'Well, you could still choose a book you might not be all that eager to pick up, yet reluctant to purge, and read a chapter a day.' Then I thought, 'Why not do that now?' Therefore, I selected a paranormal lite book, Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper, and poked away at it until I finished it yesterday evening. Main characters were landscape artist Nina Linden and wealthy tech mogul Deacon Whitney.

Due to the unscrupulous actions of a former-partner-turned-bitter-rival, Nina's landscaping business is floundering. When she wins the bid to work on the gardens of the crumbling island home called Crane's Nest, Nina knows it's the last chance to save her reputation. The owner has stipulated that his workers must stay on the island, as he's had too many people walk off the job and never return. Joining Nina on the choppy boat ride to the Crane's Nest is Jake, an architect, and Cindy, who runs a cleaning business. Deacon is determined to restore his ancestors' mansion, no matter the cost. He's a confirmed skeptic, but when even he begins experiencing odd phenomena on the island, he is forced to admit that maybe the house is haunted. While working closely together to restore the Crane's Nest, Nina and Deacon find themselves falling for one another. However, something on the island seems intent on keeping them apart. It's up to Deacon and Nina, along with Jake and Cindy and Deacon's dotty cousin Dotty to lay these spirits to rest.

This was a fun and pleasing story, combining humor, romance, and plenty of creepiness. Although Nina and Deacon were the main protagonists, Jake and Cindy's budding romance was an enjoyable side-plot. I also loved Dotty, who was as charming as she was eccentric. The author created some odious antagonists in Regina, who had her cap set for Deacon, and Nina's former partner, Rick.

Favorite lines:
♦ Beware all enterprises that start with the purchase of Crocs.
♦ She acted as if she was about to file a restraining order against her shadow.
♦ "I never joke about my snickerdoodles."
♦ "Suddenly, my Scooby-Doo jokes don't seem so lame."
♦ She would run around in pajama pants most days if it didn't mean getting funny looks at the grocery store.
♦ There they would defend their stash of shrimp balls to the death.
♦ "Surviving the terrors of a haunted house together is a bonding experience every potential couple should go through."
♦ "What do you girls even do over there at night?" // "Oh, you know, lounge around in our undies, feed each other grapes. We have tickle fights on Tuesdays."
♦ "You're proposing to me with a cell phone?" // "If you think about it, they're both long-term contracts."

A charming story over all. A few minor things aggravated me, but nothing too egregious. Four stars.