The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery

by Clarence A. Haynes

In a fast-paced, sexy, ghostly adventure, a publicist at the top of her game must confront her secret mystical past.

To be a client of Gwendolyn Montgomery’s—New York’s most powerful publicist at Sublime Creative—is to be infused with a certain oomph, a mysterious glamour. She seems to have created the ideal life with her handsome new boyfriend, the perfect match. But Gwendolyn has a legion of long-buried secrets that could unravel everything.

After a grisly, bizarre incident at the Brooklyn Museum, Gwendolyn begins to realize that something nefarious is happening tied directly to her past, right as Fonsi Harewood comes back into her world. Fonsi is a queer Latinx psychic from the South Bronx who’s caught up in a love triangle with a ghost and his mortal ex. He’s able to communicate with the dead, and he comes with a dire warning for Gwendolyn that the barrier between humans and spirits is weakening.

Gwendolyn would prefer not to have anything to do with ghostly drama. Yet in order to get to the bottom of the spookiness derailing her life and threatening the world, she must face the demons she’d long left behind. The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a sensuous, funny, mystical adventure that will leave you spellbound as you keep the pages turning.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal, Audiobook, Fiction, Ghosts, Adult

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 17, 2025

About the author

"...an accomplished urban fantasy that’s sure to win Haynes plenty of fans."—Publishers Weekly, on The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery

A native New Yorker and Columbia University grad, Clarence A. Haynes is the author of the urban fantasy/glam horror novel The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery. He's also the cowriter of Omar Epps’s lauded YA sci-fi/fantasy title Nubia: The Awakening and its sequel The Reckoning. And he's the author of the nonfiction work The Legacy of Jim Crow, which breaks down the history of discriminatory laws in America for young readers.

Having a love affair with speculative fiction, Clarence has also worked as a developmental editor with different publishing houses. He lives in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[inciminci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwendolyn Montgomery lives the life - she's New York’s most powerful publicist and has a perfect new boyfriend, what else could she ask for? When something weird and horrifying happens at an event she's hosting, she's shook, and soon realizes that this incident and other occurrences are addressed to her. Meanwhile Bronx psychic and spiritual guide Fonsi is having other problems, he's stuck in his head with his ex-lover who did nothing to show appreciation or love for him: So Fonsi takes a ghost lover to alleviate his loneliness! There is an old connection between Gwendolyn and Fonsi and they will need to meet again and face the demons of her past together as a barrier between the two dimensions of both ghosts and humans is weakening.

Clarence's characters are generally extremely likable, relatable and fun to read about, but with The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery he ups his game, as especially Fonsi is sooo awesome all around! I love the notion of having a ghost lover, since everyone alive is shit anyway, love the aspects of spirituality and ancestral powers, and their incorporation into modern New York life, the community life and connections... I'm a big fan of Clarence's writing, and it was inspiring to see his passage from Yound Adult to New Adult/Adult is so well accomplished and smooth, congratulations on this wonderful work!

Finally, I definitely need to praise the audiobook narrators and the overall audio production, it was so well done I think I already want to re-listen. I was given an ALC from Libro FM via the Otherland Bookshop for review purposes, plus Clarence is a real life friend of mine, but none of this affected my rating because this book is great!

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Libro FM for the Advanced Listening Copy of the audiobook for The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery
Read if you enjoy:
-Mind-blowing debut books from naturally talented authors
-A diverse cast of characters with a range of sexual identities
-Urban fantasy, horror & occultism, cultural mythology and deities
-Powerful Black women slaying their business and relationship goals in NYC
-Representation of the Diaspora and Afro-Caribbean indigenous peoples

Favorite aspects:
-The Afro-Latine medium Fonsi is my favorite character brought to life perfectly by the narrator
-The ghost romance!
-The blend of multiple sub-genres within horror/fantasy, including comedy
-I loved Fonsi and his care and concern for his community of customers and employees at his business, La Playa
-Gwedolyn Montgomery is a strong, capable, complex and flawed woman with deeply hidden secrets and compelling reasons for doing so-I enjoyed watching her navigate a professional and personal crisis
-Ghost equinox! Kinda reminded me of that scene in Ghostbusters where all the ghosts are let loose on the city
The audiobook is amazing! Such a talented narrator capable of voicing diverse characters with unique voices and accents
I love this book and will forever recommend it to readers craving something fresh and new in paranormal/supernatural horror
-

[Zana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

While Gwendolyn's POV was really dull in the beginning, (I took a weeklong break around the 10% mark because I was having a hard time paying attention), it was smooth sailing when the book switched to Fonsi's POV. I ended up having a good time immersing myself in the storyline.

The blurb says that this is funny and other reviewers have mentioned that this is campy. It was actually pretty dark imo, with themes of death and betrayal. I thought I was going into a fun ghost read, but it turned out to be a dark urban supernatural fantasy (which is right up my alley).

The audiobook was well produced, and the narrators did a great job with the dual POV. I especially loved André Santana's portrayal of Fonsi. It brought so much depth to his character to the point where Fonsi felt like I was with a close friend listening to him talk about his problems and his hidden abilities.

While this wasn't my favorite read, I did have a good time. I'd recommend this for readers who are looking for supernatural fantasy infused with Afro-Caribbean beliefs and magic.

Thank you to Legacy Lit and NetGalley for this arc.

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this one in a day. I had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next which is a testament to the distinct voices of the characters and the fast pacing of the story.

Review below
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....

[Cydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read anything like The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. Clarence A. Haynes has written a fun, campy, emotional, intimate, punch-y, daring, love letter to legacy, family, destiny, and the love and purity born from African Traditional Spirituality.

Gwendolyn and Fonsi are Afro-Latinx cousins who have grown apart due to a dark night in their shared past, thrust back together as odd and off-putting, at times dangerous events begin occurring in New York City. Even though Gwendolyn is a high-powered publicist at one of the most popular and daring media companies she isn't able to put a spin on what's happening. A secret that Gwendolyn has kept after running away to make a different life for herself is that she and Fonsi come from a line of mystical practitioners and each have a special gift that has been passed on to them. Over the years, Gwendolyn has secretly sustained her relationship with a deity that has guided and protected her over the years, and realizes her gift is indeed a gift she must use as signals of faith and gratitude.

I adored Gwendolyn. I thought she was smart, adaptable, unselfish, and endlessly interesting. She is dynamically crafted with pieces of the person she wants to be, the person she used to be, and the person others expect her to be, fluidly navigating which version of herself she needed to be at any given time, which was fascinating and much appreciated in an urban fantasy. Fonsi's queerness and spirituality are literally intertwined throughout the story and I laughed, rooted for him, and hoped for his liberation from the things that weighed him down. He wasn't just a typical queer sidekick who is quirky and gets into situations, he was dedicated to growth and self discovery and seeking love and support and he was such a relatable character because of it. It was so nice to root for two protagonists in a story equally, and to be able to see their humanity and imperfections and want them to win anyway.

I feel like I've said too much, but I was so pleasantly surprised by this book and it will stick with me for a while.

The audiobook was spectacularly narrated, each narrator breathing life and warmth into Gwendolyn and Fonsi's POVs.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Legacy Lit, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC and ALC!

5 ⭐️s
1 🌶️

[ancientreader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried, I really really tried. The premise interested me enough to request the ARC, though I should've been wary of any book with a protagonist who's "New York's most powerful publicist" (how can this be true when we're told early on that the agency is in financial trouble?). Anyway, here's Gwendolyn:

she’d become a PR go-to woman with the ability to create the most exquisite on- and off-screen personas (aka “brands”) for her clients.

Gwendolyn's job and the author's prose, both equally vacuous.

I was lured in by the queer and supernatural elements, but as might be evident from the sentence just quoted, no sign of life was to be found in the writing. Meet Gwendolyn's driver:

A former firefighter from Hoboken who wore his light brown hair in a buzz cut, the buffed man was always punctual.

Detailed is not the same thing as vivid, okay?

At some point, Gwendolyn and her BF "engaged in raw, carnal foreplay," which was bad enough, but then Fonsi the medium had sex with his ghost boyfriend, Amede, and discovered the next morning that Amede had left the tops of his feet wet. Ghost spit, my new squick.

Also. Please do not set a book in NYC if you have no idea how NYC works. Yes, there are sometimes rats on the subway tracks. No, it is not something you see every time you enter a station. No, they don't sit there "squeaking." Furthermore, I would like to know what route the buzz-cut former firefighter from Hoboken takes that enables him to drive from Harlem to Crown Heights in half an hour on a Friday evening. I read that bit to my wife, who said, "What time of day?" and then burst out laughing. Take the damn train, Gwendolyn; you're not likely to see any rats, and you'll get to your destination a lot faster.

Thanks to NetGalley and Legacy Lit for the ARC. It will be apparent that this is my honest opinion.

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars - thank you netgalley for an early ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback

Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2wCe9TQ/

Publishes June 17. It follows a publicist named Gwendolyn who has a long buried secret that seems to be coming to light when a strange incident occurs at an event she’s hosting. Meanwhile a queer psychic named Fonsi is in a messy love triangle and his world is upended when he must deliver a message to Gwendolyn from the spirt realm.

This book was giving ghost busters but make it diverse and glamorous. It’s camp - just absurdity riddled throughout, moments of ridiculous humor within a story of warding off spirits in New York.

I think the tone of this book was a pretty good mix of lighthearted satire and serious undertones and the characters had spunk and heart which I really appreciated.

A unique, albeit cheesy at times fun read.

[AlexTRBG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yooooo this was SO good 👏🏽👏🏽 I honestly had no idea what this was about when I got the arc, but this absolutely blew me away.

I loved everything about this. From the eerie ghosts vibes and learning about this Panamanian Brujaría stuff to finding out the truth behind Gwen’s past and who was actually behind the opening, this book literally kept me hooked from jump. And I’m def looking forward to a possible sequel to this book 👀 if thats really bout to happen.

I think if you like anything by Sylvia Moreno Garcia, Isabel Cañas, Zoraida Cordova or Tananarive Due, you’d eat this up. It has all those spooky type vibes for sureeee

[suonnahbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes
Arc from libro.fm
Release date: June 17th 2025
-the authors note 🥹
-you start in the drama and action yes please
-the descriptive writing truly had me visualizing everything beautifully
-the spice has me giddy and blushing
-Gwendolyn is a confident boss don’t mess with her
-Fonsi’s gift is so cool makes me want to see a psychic
-his ghost stories sounded scary but also intriguing , if i’d see a ghost i’d faint lol
-the culture, work, art in this book is so beautifully explained
-the writing sounded like poetry so gorgeous
-love the mystery and ghosts i’m so intrigued
-Gwendolyn’s gift sounds so interesting, this world , the magic, the powers are so cool truly a magical ride
-this was such a fun and beautiful read
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Angelbelle Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

Things take an unexpected turn for celebrity publicist Gwendolyn Montgomery when her events start being targeted and her past threatens to come forward . Meanwhile across town psychic Guardian Fonsi must locate his cousin as the barrier between humans and spirits is weakening

This book definitely has a lot of elements to it. Secret pasts 🤫, intriguing spiritual lore , cultural representation 🇵🇦 🇺🇸, and an epic battle 🔪👻. The author did such a great job of storytelling that I was able to picture each scene in my head as if a movie was playing.

There were a few times where I felt the story moved a bit slow but it didn’t detract from enjoying the story.

The final battle had me locked in and holding my breath 😬.

Fonsi was such a sweet and lovable character 💙 and I loved seeing him recognize toxic patterns and gain his self worth. Bye f-boys 💋. I am curious on if/how he and Amede move forward.

Gwendolyn 🫶🏾 I was happy to see her embrace her past and make reconciliations. I do wish she would have told James the truth about what happened to him. I really hate when truths get left out, no matter how well-intended.

[Ty Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover art and title are what drew me to request this book from Net Galley. Gwendolyn Mongomery. The best event/premiere Organizer of Sublime At the top of her game, living life and in a casual relationship with her current beau, James. Right out the gate, this book starts with a BANG! During a premier event for her most famous clients, Clive Sergeant, and LaMarque Fashion, her worst fear comes true: red everywhere with a message scrawled in blood, on the back wall of the runway: Traidora!
So begins the downward spiral of her “new life”. Enters, Fonsi. Gwendolyn’s cousin from back home. Very fond of spirits, and the spirit world and connecting with them, he is struggling with his own relationship issues, and running his own business, “La Playa”.
However, it is soon known that the spirit world has been turned upside down and loose. Fonsi must connect with Giselda, and Gwendolyn must come to grips with her past and “right” everything that has gone wrong. Can the spirit world be repaired, and the two cousins find their way to each other and reconnect their lives as it used to be and remain hidden as a Guardian?
This was an exciting read. It did start off a little slow but picked up quick and had me turning pages in the middle of the night. The storyline kept me intrigued as new characters and plot twists were introduced along the way. Somewhat of a “coming to terms” with the past, learning, growing, and healing along the way. Everything fit together; vivid images in my mind of El Intermedio, the museum show, Fonsi and his “ghost”, and the star protagonist, Gwendolyn Montgomery. Well written to send your mind into other worldly imagination. I am excited to see what author, Clarence Haynes writes next!
A must read if you are into spirits, thrillers, a mystery with a bit of romance, and a heroin for the ages!
Overall 4 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy.

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC/Overall Story: 4/5
Audiobook/Narration: 4.5/5

We have to take a moment to appreciate this beautiful cover!!! Happy to say that this book isn’t all looks though. The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery was intimate, unpredictable, entertaining, and served with the right amount of thrills. I still wouldn’t count this as horror per se, but it does possess you with its balance of danger, fun, mystery, and all things paranormal. Huge thanks to LegacyLit and the author, Clarence Haynes, for this read. As well as Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC. I really enjoyed this as an immersive read and hope others get to experience it that way too.

Now let’s talk about the story!

Gwendolyn Montgomery has worked hard to make a name for herself as a premiere publicist. She’s representing major clients, entering a new relationship, and enjoying the spoils of her labor. Things are just as they should be as Gwendolyn prepares for her next big event. Though Gwendolyn couldn’t prepare for the strange and menacing events that seem to be targeting her career, her loved ones, and the city itself. It’s only when Fonsi, a queer Latinx psychic and protector, arrives at her door that she realizes what she’s up against, and how her past has come back to haunt her.

The title of this book is so fitting considering the ghosts of Gwendolyn’s past are both figurative and literal. I appreciated the use of the paranormal as a catalyst for exploring so many themes throughout this book. We’re discussing identity, family, self acceptance, power, responsibility, truth, and loss. We’re immersed in this through both Gwendolyn and Fonsi as they navigate their secrets, loss of self, growth, and rediscovery. I enjoyed these aspects immensely and felt so many of these characters were easy to connect with and visualize. I also appreciated the contrast between Fonsi and Gwendolyn. They played off of each in a way that felt familiar and personal. Surely, a majority of readers will also relish in all the mess, secrets, and fates of these two the way I did.

Initially I was unsure how I felt about the tone in the beginning of the book, especially with the more sexy scenes. While somewhat relatable, it also pushed me out of my expectations for the story (ultimately, in a good way). I mean were they fun to read? Of course. Did my feet kick a little? Well duh! Who knew you could connect with a ghost like that! But I was still debating on these moments and their purpose moving forward in the read. One could argue that they’re meant to add points of connection, background, and depth for how the reader perceives each character and their choices as the story progresses. Or like many stories, this inclusion acts as building blocks for us to acknowledge the tonal shift as the book moves forward. Upon reflection, I valued Haynes’s approach in making them function in both ways. It was clear looking back to see necessity of witnessing the characters in both tense and light hearted moments. It established layers of understanding for their character growth and further highlighted the importance of connection and having something to fight for. Especially when it comes to Gwendolyn’s power and working along Fonsi to save their community.

The Afro-latine culture was delivered beautifully here! Especially how culture and ancestry is incorporated into the magic system. The magic has a depth rooted in identity and connection that makes it even more powerful, captivating, and risky. Whether it be the supporting characters or the rituals and traditions, so much of the story feels culturally rich and engaging. Once again, I was so happy to have the audio for that emphasis. The narrator did an amazing job of making the characters feel even more real and vivid. The setting of NY was also a perfect choice to further boost these elements and put you in every scene.

Now I won’t give any spoilers here! But I honestly ate this book up and finished in one sitting. It definitely had me locked in and excitedly looking forward to how everything would unravel and come together. Like most books, there was a level of predictability. Though, Haynes navigates this well and ensures you don’t want to get off the ride. But Brie….why 4⭐️ instead of 5⭐️? The ending. It’s good, don’t get me wrong. I just wanted more! I badly craved more resolution. I wanted a little bit more transparency from Gwendolyn as it seemed she made a lot of progress. But that’s just me🤷🏾‍♀️! I can still see a lot of readers loving this one!

[Nikki Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s start by appreciating how awesome this cover is right?! It’s truly a killer cover!

Gwendolyn works as a publicist in New York. Fonsi is a queer psychic who talks with the dead. The book touches on culture, sexuality and heritage. There are ghosts and things that are creepy at times, but I feel this story has more of a fantasy feel than horror elements.

I honestly feel that I was just not the right reader for this one. Please read other reviews as many others have loved it.

Thank you Legacy Lit for the gifted copy.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Samantha Gaudious · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was made for the spiritual people of the world and I devoured this!!! 😆
For me, this book was right up my alley! 👻✨

You can expect hauntings, spirits, supernatural powers, Latin spiritual inspirations, AND some spicy ghost interactions 😂… this played out for me like a movie and I loved it!

Absolutely a great magical time!

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes is a charming and spooky mix of Southern warmth and supernatural chaos—think Steel Magnolias meets The Sixth Sense over a sweet tea binge. Gwendolyn’s small-town family reunion gets more than it bargained for when the dearly departed decide to drop in—literally—and stir up secrets hotter than a summer barbecue.

Haynes delivers wit sharper than Aunt Mabel’s sarcasm and a haunting atmosphere you can practically taste. Sure, a few ghostly cameos felt a little predictable (and one specter could’ve used better stage directions). Still, overall, the novel walks the line between heartfelt and hilarious like a polished porch-swing storyteller.

A thoroughly enjoyable, lightly spooky tale—just the right amount of ghost with a healthy dose of Georgia gumption.

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not at all what I expected lol it was off to a good start then Fonsi turnt tf up lmao I was not expecting the ghost boyfriend charade. Gwendolyn was battling demons she didn’t even know wanted her head all these years. But what got me was the reason behind it all. This wasn’t a fav for me but I’d definitely read more from the author. With the way the book ends seems like we may be getting a sequel. The audio was also pretty good the narrators definitely brought the story to life Fonsi’s character will definitely make you laugh.

Rating: 3.25/5⭐️

[Monet Daffodil · Rating 4 out of 5]

⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery
Author: Clarence A. Haynes

Thank you Netgalley, Hatchette Audio and Legacy Lit for my copy! This was such a fun and refreshing read. Gwendolyn Montgomery is a top publicist thriving in New York City. She’s enjoying her success, her new relationship, and the glamorous life, until a chilling encounter at the Brooklyn Museum brings her dark past into focus. When strange visions and ghostly disturbances begin to surface, her estranged cousin, a powerful medium, steps in to help. Together, they uncover secrets tied to their family’s legacy and a weakening veil between the human and spirit worlds. I loved the pacing and how it balanced quirk, mystery, and supernatural thrills. The audiobook was fantastic, and both narrators did an amazing job. This was such a clever and original concept, I really enjoyed it.

[Amanda Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery weaves together the story of Gwendolyn, a well-established New York publicist who has created the ideal life for herself, and Fonsi, a queer physic who can communicate with the dead. When the barrier between the living and the dead begins to think, they're forced to work together to reverse it.

I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. The story unfolded really well and was easy to digest and understand. The ghostly elements were really interesting and creepy and crazy things happened from beginning to end. I think it's a well-written and fun story that most people would enjoy. Honestly, the only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is just that a horror/thriller isn't my favorite type of story lately but I really have no issues with this one. I even liked all the characters in this novel. They felt fully fleshed out.

As far as the audiobook of this goes, I think the duo was great. Both narrators made the characters come to life and the pacing matched well.

Overall, this will be an amazing read for someone who loves a fantastical story or a mystery. I think it'll still be an entertaining read if you don't like either.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC of this book! :)

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy via NetGalley. An additional disclaimer: Clarence has worked on three of my books as the developmental editor, and I have tremendous respect for him.

This book is a fast-paced, fun read, an urban fantasy that draws on Clarence’s own Afro-Latinx roots within an NYC setting. Gwendolyn Montgomery is a glamorous, in-demand publicist at a prestigious firm. But when her client’s events start getting sabotaged in horrific ways, she’s drawn back into a past she thought she left behind. The queer rep is strong, the characters unique. I loved the book. I read the entire thing in one day courtesy of a long day of travel, and this book was just what I needed to pull me away from stressful reality.

[Udy Kumra · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC Review

6/25/25: Book 107: 4 stars. This was a great horror novel centered around characters from black Caribbean cultures in New York City, featuring a lot of crazy ghost shit, weird magical powers, family drama, and romance (straight and gay). It did a great job hooking me early on and had great dialogue and character writing. I do think some of the pacing in the middle could've been stronger and some of the horror elements could have been ramped up earlier to really feel the strong sense of tension that the ending has earlier on, but overall this is a good book that I think a lot of people would enjoy.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.

This review may contain spoilers.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. There were parts that I struggled to get through, not because of the writing or the content but because I personally tend to draw away from books with high sexual content. It starts out very sexually charged and it took me some time to get through those parts but once I did, I absolutely adore Gwendolyn and I am so happy that she and James worked everything out.

At the end, when she accepted her history and her power and James basically knew anyway but loved her enough to wait? My heart!!

And the afro-Latine cultures in this book?? So rich, so well written. Even if I didn't understand a specific word or a specific cultural practice, it was written with such care and attention that I understood from context. The past and the present blended in together so well that I had no trouble at all following any of the dips and changes in point of view or time. Once I really got into it, I genuinely kept reading until I had finished.

3.8/5, rounded up to 4.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the ALC; all thoughts are my own!

🎧 Book Review 🎧 Gwendolyn Montgomery is a boss lady of the PR world but something is just not right lately. Strange things keep happening around her and the spiral keeps getting darker and more ominous. Her path collides with a familiar face from her past, Fonsi. His psychic abilities are on full alert that the barrier between the living and the dead is closing in. Clarence A. Haynes writes an absolutely stunning multicultural tale of two worlds that delivers spine-tingling suspense. Brittany Bradford and André Santana bring this audiobook to life in their vivid narration. The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is an experience that unravels in a dark yet delightful psychological journey.

[Emmy P · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audio arc was easy reading. It's giving ghosts. It's giving lore. This was a fun conversation about what happens when the proverbial line blurs.

I had a great time with our mini rom moment. Loved our character interactions, and tbf who isn't interested in a little he said she said between ghostly realms?

Overall, pleasant suprise, did not disappoint. There was like next to no moments where I knew what eas going to happen next, and I love that for me.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and unique story! A queer, Afro-Latina, magical reality, and paranormal plot wrapped into something that I couldn’t put down after got into it! It was a slow build for about 30%-40% of the book but then it took off! I couldn’t stop listening! The audiobook was done very well! You can tell this will be a series, which will be tuning in for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really unique story that encompasses multiple genres. This story has cozy story elements with the mystery, mythological elements with the Orisha, horror elements with some of the handling of ghosts or spirits, elements of a coming of age or purpose story for both Gwendolyn and Fonsi.

Each POV is vastly different with Gwendolyn a publicist rep for a powerful firm. While Fonsi runs a magic store where he offers psychic guidance. The supporting characters were hilarious and enraging by turns, this was a wild ride.

The reveals are surprising and engaging. Each time I thought I could predict where the story was going, the narrative surprised me. This is action packed after a slowish start. I loved the focus on Afro-Latine culture, the representation of Afro-Latine & Caribbean versions of Ifa style religion with a pantheon of Orisha.

This was fun, representative and engaging. Other than a few minor pacing issues the story grabbed me and would not let me go. Please excuse this tardy review, I did not bring my laptop with and had to wait until I returned to post this. The tardiness of my review isn't in relation to the novel but to my own failure to bring my laptop. I look forward to more novels from this author.

This audiobook is narrated by Brittany Bradford and Andre Santana. This has 2 narrators for the POV of Gwendolyn & Fonsi. This has many supernatural elements and the narration really bolsters the storyline.

Thank you to Clarence A. Haynes, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a ride and I loved it. I was instantly hooked and could not stop reading because it was so gripping. Oh how much I loved Gwendolyn and Fonsi so much. Fonsi's relationships are so bizarre and fascinating and he was so endearing; how did the author make the most fascinating storyline even leading up to the big drama. Gwendolyn's storyline is jaw-dropping once things are revealed and she is absolutely fabulous and so unique. This story about the past and self discovery and ghosts and power and corruption and I just loved it all.

Also.....will there be another?! I need to know!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic; it completely ramped up the drama and desperation, but also just made me want to hug these characters.

Thanks to the publisher for an ALC; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Louis (audiobookfanatic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a fast-paced paranormal fantasy that intertwines family secrets, betrayal, and vengeful ghosts into a highly original story!

The narrative follows Gwendolyn Montgomery, once known by her birth name, Griselda, who has reinvented herself as a top-tier publicist in NYC. When horrifying incidents keep happening at her publicity events, it becomes clear that her buried past is resurfacing. Simultaneously, her cousin Fonsi, a queer Latinx psychic medium from the Bronx, begins sensing a weakening barrier between the living and the dead. Having not seen his cousin in years, he seeks her out, knowing she’s the key to fixing the barrier!

The story alternates between the POVs of Gwendolyn and Fonsi, both of whom are passionate and highly opinionated characters, offering readers an entertaining reading experience from start to finish. The story explores many powerful themes, including identity, self-acceptance, ancestral legacy, and the veil between the physical and spiritual realms. In addition, the book takes a deep dive into Afro-Latinx spiritual traditions—orishas, ancestor spirits, and limbo worlds are all explicitly discussed—adding layers of complexity to the narrative!

Gwendolyn is a very multi-dimensional character. On one hand, she’s a strong and confident publicist who demands respect and attention. When Fonsi finds her, she’s forced to confront her past, and her vulnerability becomes much more apparent. After a lot of arm twisting and inner reflection, she embraces her hidden gifts and ancestral duty, making her character arc deeply satisfying!

Fonsi is a highly emotional and reactive character. When his ex, Rafael, returns to ask for a reconciliation, it’s clear that he’s been hurt and is unwilling to trust again. His casual side romance with a ghost is really intriguing and adds a playful element to the story. Just like his cousin, his emotional arc is profound by the end, as he forges healthier relationships and honors his identity above the expectations of others.

The story also has a wonderful array of side characters, including malevolent spirits responsible for creating a breach between worlds and who have a vendetta against Gwendolyn—be prepared for some very intense paranormal family drama like nothing you’ve ever read before! Gwendolyn and Fonsi’s Panamanian family history is also explored during Gwendolyn’s dream-like (flashback) sequences while she’s lost in the spirit world and provides readers crucial backstory to help understand all the paranormal chaos!

The story has a slow-burn start but quickly picks up pace once horrifying mayhem unfolds at Gwendolyn’s museum show. From there, the tension continues to rise, and the story becomes increasingly unpredictable! The explosive climax sees New Yorkers being attacked by ghosts flooding through the breach between worlds, as Gwendolyn simultaneously battles power-hungry spirits who are hell-bent on her demise. It’s a real page-turner until the very end, and the final chapters will linger afterwards!

In summary, The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is an impressive genre-bending debut that offers a unique combination of urban fantasy, paranormal suspense, and Latinx spiritual traditions! Readers who enjoy fast-paced paranormal thrillers and cultural identity stories will be completely entranced by this one!

[Courtney N · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Rounded up for Goodreads.

I have announcement! I found another book that I rarely describe as an “everything book” and I want to shout about it, because wow.

Everything to me means that this book had a little bit of every element one (or maybe just me) could love in a book and it all worked seamlessly. I can’t think of one thing it lacked. I read so few books like this (the last one I recall dubbing as an everything book is A Love Song for Ricki Wilde) so I just melt when I find one.

Let me list the ingredients that made this book so special

- Afro-Latine representation (overall a diverse cast)
- Queer characters and representation
- Dynamic and rooted characters with full back stories
- Real world themes of race, immigration, political violence, religion/spirituality
- Spicy sensuality (and boy was it unique)
- Amazing world building
- Love of all kinds (family love, friendship love, romantic love)
- Emotions. Lots of them.
- Internal journeys and self discoveries
- Humor
- PLOT TWISTS that genuinely got me.
- Gorgeous writing that also felt authentic to the Afro-latine characters
- Magical / Spiritual and Paranormal elements
- Great pacing
- Contained unique and new to me elements

I mean the list could go on. I was so sucked in and captivated by this book, I almost didn’t want to ever escape it. I will be looking out for more from this author.

So why not a full five stars?

As I say in reviews of paranormal books, I am a stickler about how they wrap up. So many times I find that the journey is more rewarding than the ending. Now, I did think this ending was good (definitely rewarding) for all that was leading up to it, but I actually could have done with 20 or so more pages to breathe and give details. It was a very fast ending and there were just a few things here and there I wanted answers on.

Overall, a phenomenal read. This book is new, but I think we need to get more noise around it. Definitely recommend.

[Darcy J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gwendolyn Montgomery is haunted...or is she? She's definitely a publicist and ghosts definitely have some type of beef with her. But why? 
I was so interested in this story and Gwen's past, present, and even her future as I was reading. A badass publicist, a boyfriend that adores her, and ghosts paired with nefarious entities that keep showing up at her every turn? I'm here for the ride. 

The scenes we experienced with Gwen, the ghosts, and the people they affected were my favorite! Yes, me, the scaredy cat. However, I was left wanting so much more. Yes, me, I WANTED to be scared more. 🥴😂
The story was heavy on Fonsi, her cousin who is part of the queer Latinx community and is full of pop culture references that made me giggle, stories of his sexcapades, and interesting conversations with his ghost lover Rafael and a mortal. It's giving why choose on this side and the other side. 🤔 And it was fun at first then I found myself asking, "Wait, what is Gwen up to? I want to be scared right now!" And then we get back to her, get scared, and immediately go back to Fonsi and his shenanigans. And because of that, I don’t know much about Gwen. 

I enjoyed the way the author tied in Black American culture alongside Afro-Panamanian culture and traditions.
I would've loved to know what the public and Gwen's coworkers thought of the eerie things happening around them. Can you imagine thinking someone is putting on a show at a museum with blood, gore, and broken bones, recording it for all of social media to see, only to later find out those were real demons? Or the sky turning red and all of New York's residents realizing they were under some type of spell that they named it, The Ghost Equinox of New York and Black mama's and aunties were outside trying to pray it away? Let's get into THAT story. Gwen's story. Gwen's powers. Gwen's haunting. 
✨LGBTQIA representation 
✨Horror/Urban Fantasy 
✨Violent Imagery 

[Shakira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the audio is amazing! It keeps you hooked from beginning to end. And I hope with the epilogue, we are getting a second book in this universe. Also as a member of the BIPOC community, this book connects to our heritage, our roots, and our beliefs so beautifully.

The book follows the POVs of Gwendolyn Montgomery and Fonsi Harewood. Gwendolyn is a powerful and popular agent in NYC who has ties to the ghostly plane… ties she wishes to forget but you know ghosts never stay in the closet where you wish to hide them. They begin to interfere with both her personal and professional life and she has to dive back into the culture she thought she left behind decades ago. Fonsi is a small business owner who owns his participation into the occult. When things start to show that the barrier between the mortal plane and ghostly plane are thinning, he has to figure out how to close it and to do so, he must find his long lost cousin.

With that you have buddy romance, LGBTQIA+ representation, paranormal romance, and more mixed into this story. Minor characters also stand out and have you questioning which side you’re cheering for. This was a quick read and again, I hope there is more. Clarence A. Hayes created a beautiful masterpiece with this novel and Brittany Bradford & André Santana brought these characters to life with such gusto. Definitely would recommend both the book and audio!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for allowing access to the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #TheGhostsOfGwendolynMontgomery