Review: If I Stopped Haunting You

Author: Colby Wilkens

Genre: Romance, Horror

Rating: 3 / 5

Features:

• Native American and biracial main characters

• Cozy enemies-to-lovers romance with a touch of ghostly shenanigans

• Book about writers and writing

• Set in a haunted Scottish castle

Summary

Penelope’s career is in shambles. After an argument at a Native authors panel ended with her chucking a book at literary legend Neil Storm, Penelope is left without a publisher and without ideas for her next book she has sworn will squash Neil once and for all. Meanwhile, Penelope’s outburst has made Neil question himself in a way nobody has before and it has left him struggling to start his next best seller. When an opportunity to attend a writer’s retreat in a haunted Scottish castle presents itself, both Penelope and Neil hope it will be the answer to their writer's block. But in order to turn inspiration into success, they’ll have to survive the ghosts, and each other, first. 

Thoughts

Don’t let the three star rating scare you away! If I Stopped Haunting You is such a fun read and is perfect for the spooky season. This book reads a lot like a cozy novel with just a sprinkling of paranormal horror to give it an interesting edge. I am a sucker for books about writers and I love how this one touches a little on the challenges of being a Native (or honestly any minority) author. I don’t really find Penelope a likable character, but I understand what Wilkens was going for and can appreciate it. The romance between her and Neil develops quickly which could be a positive or negative depending on your preference. This book bit off a little more than it could chew and small parts in its execution prevented it from realizing its full potential. Still, it is a great read for those who are looking for something light and are interested in dipping their toes into a little bit of spooky fun as well.

Though this book pleasantly surprised me, I’m not sure if there is enough to make it stick with me. There is a strange lack of certain details that cause what should be impactful moments to fall flat or feel a bit silly/over the top. Add to this some tiny incongruities that pop up every few pages and it just feels like this story aimed a little too high. I love a good Scottish castle, but I almost wonder if having a different haunted setting would have provided more natural opportunities for the story to explore its more serious themes. 

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Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!