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I Just Want You To Be Happy
A ghost story about love, loss and a dying woman's last words to the husband she must leave behind.
Desperate to find a room she can rent, Hazel answers an advert placed by reclusive widower Michael Emery. When she visits Michael's home, Hazel is given a shocking she can live there rent-free, with no bills to pay, provided she agrees to spend one night with him in his bed each week.
Although she's shocked and turns the offer down, a few years later she sees the advert again. And this time, a disillusioned and broken Hazel makes a very different decision...
Before long, however, Hazel discovers that Michael's dead wife might not be gone after all. Something else seems to be living in the house, something that is by turns both angry and devoted. Does the ghost of Jessica Emery really haunt her husband and, if so, what did she really mean when she whispered her dying words to him all those years ago?
Desperate to find a room she can rent, Hazel answers an advert placed by reclusive widower Michael Emery. When she visits Michael's home, Hazel is given a shocking she can live there rent-free, with no bills to pay, provided she agrees to spend one night with him in his bed each week.
Although she's shocked and turns the offer down, a few years later she sees the advert again. And this time, a disillusioned and broken Hazel makes a very different decision...
Before long, however, Hazel discovers that Michael's dead wife might not be gone after all. Something else seems to be living in the house, something that is by turns both angry and devoted. Does the ghost of Jessica Emery really haunt her husband and, if so, what did she really mean when she whispered her dying words to him all those years ago?
400 pages, ebook
First published October 25, 2018
273 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
664 books1,677 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 31, 2025
4.5 stars. One of the better haunting stories that I've come across. Michael was a reclusive writer, mourning his deceased wife, Jessica, and he lives in a big, somewhat unoccupied house. Hazel is a hard-working, overachieving undergraduate student who needs a place to stay for cheap. Michael puts an ad up for a free room, with certain stipulations, and Hazel is forced to accept the terms. But once you put these two together and what a fine lookin' mess they make. Both characters were deep and fully explored, keeping me totally engaged in their journeys. The premise started off strong, but kept falling deeper into the rabbit hole, keeping its momentum throughout, even until the very end. The initial intimate scene with Hazel and Michael was so uncomfortable to read, that I wanted to crawl into my jacket and hide. Now, speaking of the sexual content involved, I had some perspective on it all. I didn't mind it at all, but part of me wondered if the story may have been creepier if there was no sex involved. Like if Michael's stipulation for the tenant was to just sleep in the bed next to him once a week. Maybe even having Hazel put on one of his wife's negligees and perfume. Like lots of super creepy possibilities there, all without sex needed. And the rest of the super spooky occurrences, outside of the bedroom, would have filled any other gaps, too. Again, everyone else may disagree with me, but I just ponder on the effectiveness using that approach. But beyond that one critique, I really did love this story. Very eerie and unsettling story, showcasing Amy Cross at her finest.
June 3, 2019
Another page turner by Amy Cross!
I came close to not getting this book because reading a story by Amy can be a bit of a crapshoot. Either it's really good, like this one, it's really bad, like some others. This one is pretty awesome actually. Great buildup of storyline, and it continues to wind up to a very satisfying finish.
My one complaint, which is what I bitch about every time I read one of her books, is the lack of good, solid editing. The misspellings are too many to be random mistakes that can go without mention. I see comments constantly regarding the crap editing in her books, and it's a shame because she's truly one of the better horror/paranormal writers found on Amazon.
You're too good for these rookie mistakes, Ms. Cross....spellchecker should be your best friend. And I mean this kindly and as a reader who truly loves to get your books.
I came close to not getting this book because reading a story by Amy can be a bit of a crapshoot. Either it's really good, like this one, it's really bad, like some others. This one is pretty awesome actually. Great buildup of storyline, and it continues to wind up to a very satisfying finish.
My one complaint, which is what I bitch about every time I read one of her books, is the lack of good, solid editing. The misspellings are too many to be random mistakes that can go without mention. I see comments constantly regarding the crap editing in her books, and it's a shame because she's truly one of the better horror/paranormal writers found on Amazon.
You're too good for these rookie mistakes, Ms. Cross....spellchecker should be your best friend. And I mean this kindly and as a reader who truly loves to get your books.
July 20, 2020
I'm awarding three stars because it's well written and imaginative, spelling and grammar are good (it's getting sad when you have to mention these things as they should be a given, but today it seems to be a necessity). So we have an author who's proficient and I suspect I may like some of her other titles.
I'm afraid there were elements of this one that just did not gel with me, though. The protagonist is well rounded and sympathetic, but I felt there was a lot of padding. And I'm speaking as someone who generally likes a slower-paced book. I think part of the problem stems from the fact that it's written in the first person, so we get a lot of internal monologue. However, it becomes a very repetitive internal monologue, which likes to restate the same things over and over again. At times, it almost felt like a serialised work, with each episode needing to summarise "previously on..." before pushing forward. The pacing - especially in the middle - is not right. Strangely, the ending too is very drawn out across several short chapters.
There are several sudden and visceral instances, quite explicitly violent and brutal, it's just that the approach to these needed more focused tension, without recapping.
I also simply do not buy into the central scenario of the story. There's a good concept there, but it doesn't gel for me with the characters nor their actions. And the attempt to place everything in its context in the last couple of chapters really didn't work for me, especially Hazel's admission that Michael and Jessica were really good people, after all. No they were not, they were basically Fred and Rosemary West and there's no getting around the fact. Her deeds and his complicity were monstrous on every level, with no excuses.
I guess it says something about the general standard of writing, though, that I finished the book despite finding it very flawed and would be willing to sample the author's take on a different idea.
Story: 1 star
Quality of prose: 4 stars
I'm afraid there were elements of this one that just did not gel with me, though. The protagonist is well rounded and sympathetic, but I felt there was a lot of padding. And I'm speaking as someone who generally likes a slower-paced book. I think part of the problem stems from the fact that it's written in the first person, so we get a lot of internal monologue. However, it becomes a very repetitive internal monologue, which likes to restate the same things over and over again. At times, it almost felt like a serialised work, with each episode needing to summarise "previously on..." before pushing forward. The pacing - especially in the middle - is not right. Strangely, the ending too is very drawn out across several short chapters.
There are several sudden and visceral instances, quite explicitly violent and brutal, it's just that the approach to these needed more focused tension, without recapping.
I also simply do not buy into the central scenario of the story. There's a good concept there, but it doesn't gel for me with the characters nor their actions. And the attempt to place everything in its context in the last couple of chapters really didn't work for me, especially Hazel's admission that Michael and Jessica were really good people, after all. No they were not, they were basically Fred and Rosemary West and there's no getting around the fact. Her deeds and his complicity were monstrous on every level, with no excuses.
I guess it says something about the general standard of writing, though, that I finished the book despite finding it very flawed and would be willing to sample the author's take on a different idea.
Story: 1 star
Quality of prose: 4 stars
January 9, 2019
Enthralling!
So, true love 💘 means what? Does it mean you can never love another? Does it mean if your truest love dies they wait for you? Does it mean you must join them to be happy? This horror story evolves around two people who loved each other beyond anything imaginable, and the outcome is just as horrifying!
So, true love 💘 means what? Does it mean you can never love another? Does it mean if your truest love dies they wait for you? Does it mean you must join them to be happy? This horror story evolves around two people who loved each other beyond anything imaginable, and the outcome is just as horrifying!
February 11, 2019
An excellent ghost story!
This was a very different Amy Cross. No stomach churning explicit horror, just a very well written, totally absorbing, ghost story. Can love survive death? Can the dead return to control the living? Amy Cross explores both of these questions in this creepy but delicious supernatural tale. Highly recommended!
This was a very different Amy Cross. No stomach churning explicit horror, just a very well written, totally absorbing, ghost story. Can love survive death? Can the dead return to control the living? Amy Cross explores both of these questions in this creepy but delicious supernatural tale. Highly recommended!
November 8, 2018
Amy you didn't disappoint again. I loved this book, a strange little story that turned into a bizarre love triangle & ended in tragedy. Literati couldn't put it down as I needed to know what happened next.
December 22, 2018
?Another Amy Creepy zTale
I enjoyed this book. It's a kind of love story with repercussions. A bit of creepiness thrown in for equal measure. I always like how Amy can write different stories she has a great imagination. Well done Any Keep them coming📕👍
I enjoyed this book. It's a kind of love story with repercussions. A bit of creepiness thrown in for equal measure. I always like how Amy can write different stories she has a great imagination. Well done Any Keep them coming📕👍
January 19, 2019
Hauntingly good
This is a well written ghost story. The two main characters really come to life. There are a few surprises in the story you won't be expecting. I highly recommend this book.
This is a well written ghost story. The two main characters really come to life. There are a few surprises in the story you won't be expecting. I highly recommend this book.
February 9, 2019
Another great story by any cross
Quite scary a real good old fashioned haunted story really enjoyed it i have read quite a few of amy cross books can recommend this to any ha hunted story fan
Quite scary a real good old fashioned haunted story really enjoyed it i have read quite a few of amy cross books can recommend this to any ha hunted story fan
March 19, 2019
Fantastic horror novel that actually (unlike a lot these days) wrapped up all the loose ends and actually had a proper ending. Bravo Amy Cross... Bravo!! I need to investigate more of her books now..
April 6, 2019
Tense!
Another enjoyable read by Amy Cross. Started out kind of slow & was a bit unbelievable but, as I kept reading, I just couldn't stop til I was done. Creepy, uncomfortable at times but, in the end, was a fab story about what can happen when you love, and are loved, deeply.
Another enjoyable read by Amy Cross. Started out kind of slow & was a bit unbelievable but, as I kept reading, I just couldn't stop til I was done. Creepy, uncomfortable at times but, in the end, was a fab story about what can happen when you love, and are loved, deeply.
April 11, 2019
Fab story
It is a great story and the characters very believable, but the amount of grammatical errors is really off putting that is why I have given a 4 star rating and not a 5
A new proof reader is needed I think.. it's such a shame.
It is a great story and the characters very believable, but the amount of grammatical errors is really off putting that is why I have given a 4 star rating and not a 5
A new proof reader is needed I think.. it's such a shame.
August 16, 2019
Wow, another amazing book by Amy Cross. She know how to write a tale that keeps you interested all the time. This book is a little different than the others I've read but still has the ghost factor. You'll have to read it to know what happens.
December 4, 2018
Good ghost story and an interesting twist on romance. I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I were a bit younger, but I'm more than 3 times the age of the heroine. It was an enjoyable read.
December 12, 2018
Greg book
A haunting story of love. Very good, with plenty of creepiness.
How far will a woman go to make her husband Truly happy?
A haunting story of love. Very good, with plenty of creepiness.
How far will a woman go to make her husband Truly happy?
February 3, 2019
Crespy
One better book. I loved the main character, and when the twist comes you feel it. Even the editing was good. You will enjoy this.
One better book. I loved the main character, and when the twist comes you feel it. Even the editing was good. You will enjoy this.
May 7, 2019
Okay story.. Not my favorite Amy Cross book.
May 16, 2019
Liked
I love Amy Cross books they keep you interested to the end I recommend the book I'm sure you will enjoy as much as I did
I love Amy Cross books they keep you interested to the end I recommend the book I'm sure you will enjoy as much as I did
June 6, 2019
it was okay, another interesting story line by this author
March 22, 2021
Is loving a ghost happiness?
A good ghost story by Amy Cross. I've read many Amy books and have liked the unusual story lines. Good characters created from a fantastic imagination.
A good ghost story by Amy Cross. I've read many Amy books and have liked the unusual story lines. Good characters created from a fantastic imagination.
May 27, 2022
Fantastic
What a fantastic read gripped from the beginning to the end. Another great by Amy Cross
Read it you'll love it
What a fantastic read gripped from the beginning to the end. Another great by Amy Cross
Read it you'll love it
July 22, 2022
Enjoyed as usual
July 7, 2023
A good entertaining tale.
February 11, 2020
Another solid book from Any Cross and the new proof reader is doing a sterling job!
This story is very interesting, a great idea. Not scary or particularly tense - which is a shame as it could have been both - but is entertaining. Some ideas felt a little half finished, it would have been good to know why a particular character did what they did or be given more details about past sinister events.
The main character was well fleshed out, as were many of the others, but at times reactions and interactions felt a little flat.
Not one of my favourites but an enjoyable read.
This story is very interesting, a great idea. Not scary or particularly tense - which is a shame as it could have been both - but is entertaining. Some ideas felt a little half finished, it would have been good to know why a particular character did what they did or be given more details about past sinister events.
The main character was well fleshed out, as were many of the others, but at times reactions and interactions felt a little flat.
Not one of my favourites but an enjoyable read.
January 29, 2020
An eerie love story
This is the first book I've read by Amy Cross and I really enjoyed the story. It had a rather gothic feel to it, which I liked. The spooky atmosphere was quite captivating and drew me in. I was hoping for a different ending but the tragic tale of love lost couldn't end any other way. I'll be looking into more books by this author and hope they're as original as this one.
This is the first book I've read by Amy Cross and I really enjoyed the story. It had a rather gothic feel to it, which I liked. The spooky atmosphere was quite captivating and drew me in. I was hoping for a different ending but the tragic tale of love lost couldn't end any other way. I'll be looking into more books by this author and hope they're as original as this one.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews