The Bookish Ashley

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

Josie Silver’s Crazy Spooky Love delivers exactly what the title promises—humor, hauntings, and a heart-tugging tangle of romance. This charming paranormal rom-com is the perfect blend of cozy ghost story and witty love triangle, making it a fantastic kickoff to what promises to be a delightfully spooky series.

At the center of the story is Melody Bittersweet, a quirky and endearing medium from a long line of ghost-whisperers in the picturesque town of Chapelwick. Unlike her message-passing relatives, Melody wants to help restless spirits move on, and she’s determined to carve out her own space in the ghostbusting world. Her first case—a haunted manor plagued by three bickering ghost brothers—sets the tone for the rest of the novel: eerie, unpredictable, and packed with character-driven chaos.

Silver’s writing sparkles with humor and charm, and Melody is a standout protagonist. She’s equal parts vulnerable and determined, with just enough snark to hold her own against the men vying for her attention. Enter Leo Dark, the fame-hungry ex-boyfriend and rival ghost-hunter, and Fletcher Gunn, the brooding, skeptical reporter who can’t quite stay away. The love triangle adds tension and emotional complexity, but it never overshadows the ghostly mystery at the story’s heart.

The pacing dips slightly in the middle, and some of the supporting characters—though colorful—lean a bit too far into caricature at times. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise highly enjoyable read. What really shines here is Silver’s ability to balance the spooky with the sweet, and the absurd with the sincere.

Crazy Spooky Love is perfect for readers who love their romance with a side of ectoplasm and a generous helping of snark. If you’re a fan of Ghosts (the BBC series), or you wish your rom-coms had more spectral interference, this one’s for you.

Looking forward to what Melody Bittersweet and Blithe Spirits get up to next—there’s definitely more ghostly mayhem (and romantic tension) on the horizon.

Recommended for: fans of paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, ghost stories with humor, and anyone who loves a spirited heroine with a lot of heart.