Book Review: Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

Official Synopsis: Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

I need to start this out by saying, I know B.K. Borison has many books but prior to this I have only read First Time Caller, which I thoroughly enjoyed but is my only other venture into their writing style and storytelling. Now, let's actually get into this book.

Nolan Callahan is the Ghost of Christmas Past, or well, one of many who work as the Ghost of Christmas Past during the holiday season. He has been doing this job since his death, helping people realize their mistakes and lead them to the Ghost of Christmas Present before wandering aimlessly in the afterlife until next December. What Nolan didn't expect was his assignment this year is...sweet? Harriet doesn't compare to anyone else he has worked with over the years, and he is convinced this assignment is an elaborate training exercise.

Harriet York doesn't know why she is being haunted, or why the Irish ghost haunting her is so attractive. She first doesn't believe what's happening, but as she and Nolan start to look through her past, they start to see they might have connection neither of them could have imagined. Now Harriet is determined to help Nolan move on, by helping him find whatever is holding him to this world in her antique shop, that she took over from her aunt. But Harriet has her own things to move through as well, like her people pleasing and doing whatever her mother says even if she hates it.

Nolan knows this situation has an end date, especially since he knows he needs to get Harriet onto the Ghost of Christmas Present, unless both of them will feel the impacts of the failed assignment. But when they end up jumping into Nolan's past too, which has never happened before, they start to see that there might be more to this assignment and it might have to do with mutually helping each other.

For one, I really liked the uniqueness of this idea, especially as a Christmas Carol lover. This book is definitely not something I would have excited to read and that was really intriguing to me when I picked it up. I haven't read too many just Christmas romances and this one definitely had a vibe that made it not just feel like a Hallmark movie. I liked there was an aspect of magic, some mutual pining and many a spicy scene once these buttheads figured it out. I liked Harriet overall, especially the chapters from her POV, and the grumpy x sunshine vibe between the two main characters.

There where, however, parts of the plot that just didn't hit. There are points of the story where a lot is going on, and I think at some points I just wanted less? I liked that there was somehow this deep connection that crossed generations/decades that brought the two characters together, but also there are moments where I was like 'oh that's a bit crazy' in the way the ending played out. But also, the book is a romance and I should have expected some of those things, unlike a fully fantasy book which would have definitely had a different ending.

Honestly, this book isn't bad, but there were parts that missed just enough for me to give it a 'in the middle' review. I think I liked how unique the story felt, but at other times it felt like too much of the same. That being said, if you want to read a cozy/easy Christmas romance to put you in the vibe for holidays, this is definitely a book for you.

I rated Good Spirits 3 out of 5 Stars!

This book is out now!

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