When her husband decides that it is time to find himself and files for divorce, Carly finds herself starting over with her teen daughter in the northern California town she grew up in. Plan A was marriage and family; plan B is running the family inn. But it is in need of more attention than Carly bargained for, and when she comes up with a plan to bring it back into the black, she gets opposition from her mother every step of the way. Capitalizing on the inn's haunted past, she encourages groups to plan their outings in her inn and get to know the resident ghost, Mary. What she doesn't count on is a real life ghost buster coming around to debunk Mary's existence, nor does she count on being attracted to the guy, who is several years younger.

Mallery's novel for the now defunct Harlequin Next line starts out a little shaky in the story set up, particularly the surly teenager and sour puss mother. But when she introduces the second chance at romance with Adam the ghost buster, the story really takes off, particularly the elaborate lengths she will go to turn Adam into a believer, while fighting her attraction to him. A second potential romance with her former high school teacher is funny, especially when she cannot bring herself to call him by his first name. Overall, the story is just above average. It was an okay novel (just not as exciting as her Buchanan series or my personal Fave "Falling for Gracie") and took several attempts before I finished it.

© Tracy Vest, September 2008

I alway enjoy reading anything Sasan Mallery writes. But I was disappointed in this one she left you hanging at the end. What happened with her teenage daughter? tHE 2 new men in her life?

For the first 140 pages the main character dealt with rude and mean daughter and mother. I was ready to give up on the book at that point. Then the book did a turn around and Carly found her voice and decided to fight for her life. She has to save her B&B and make the cute ghostbuster believe that Mary the ghost is real. I was just getting into the story and then it stopped....

I normally like the books that susan mallery writes, but I thought this one was not up to her standard. It was OK. And I was really bored so I read it. But, some of the situations were not as believable as could be. However, her relationship with the daughter and the ex-husband were good.

So far have loved all the new NEXT books--every one's different, but also a special read in its own way. I read all Susan Mallery's work before this and she's a must-buy for me, but this one--just totally loved it. All the relationships were so real. This had humor, was a fast read--but also had poignancy and emotional depth. Strongly recommend.