Better Homes and Hauntings in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jul 18, 2014 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-are, netgalley-reviews, provided-by-publisher

I've enjoyed Molly Harper's sense of fun and humour in her Jane Jameson series and Naked Werewolf series so I leapt at the opportunity to read this new stand alone novel.

Better Homes and Hauntings is a paranormal romance/mystery that is set in a dilapidated haunted mansion on a private island off the coast of Newport. Crane's Nest is the ancestral home of young software billionaire Deacon Whitney and despite a history of tragedy and hauntings he decides to renovate the mansion, hiring a team of
I've enjoyed Molly Harper's sense of fun and humour in her Jane Jameson series and Naked Werewolf series so I leapt at the opportunity to read this new stand alone novel.

Better Homes and Hauntings is a paranormal romance/mystery that is set in a dilapidated haunted mansion on a private island off the coast of Newport. Crane's Nest is the ancestral home of young software billionaire Deacon Whitney and despite a history of tragedy and hauntings he decides to renovate the mansion, hiring a team of professionals including his best friend and architect, Jake, Nina, a landscaper, and professional cleaner and organiser, Cindy. The project requires them all to remain on the island during the renovation and ignore the weird vibes and frightening dreams the house seems to provoke but that grows increasingly difficult as a malevolent spirit begins to make its presence known. Deacon's cousin, Dotty is convinced that solving the mystery surrounding the death of her great-great grandmother, Catherine Whitney, will put the spirit to rest but they need to do so quickly, before history repeats itself.

Harper finds a good balance between creepy ghost story and lighthearted romance in Better Homes and Hauntings. There were moments when my skin prickled with goosebumps and times when I was smiling broadly at the snarky banter between her characters.

The mystery is well thought out, with missing diaries, stolen jewels and a ghostly murderer to find. Harper also integrates a real world element in the form of Nina's vengeful ex-boyfriend, intent on sabotaging her success.

I though the mix of personalities worked well, the enforced isolation creating a quick and tight bond between the main characters. Two romances develop over the course of the novel, Deacon falls for Nina, while Jake is infatuated with Cindy. Both pairings are well suited and it is sweet to see them work things out.

A quick, light and engaging read, fans of Harper are sure to enjoy Better Homes and Hauntings and as a rare stand alone it's a great way to test her appeal without committing to a series. ...more

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Dec 25, 2013 Sandra rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, pnr-uf, molly-harper

This is a feel good ghostly romance with lots of geekiness and great supporting characters.

However, I've read this ghostly mystery before, redoing an old house, substitute a decorator for a landscape designer and a politician for a billionaire and you've got

Haunting Secrets (Harlequin Temptation, No. 394) by Glenda Sanders

so it wasn't any surprise to me who the murderer was.

So that took away a star, but I still enjoyed the book and had a big smile on my face when I finished it. Did I mention the geekiness? I did? It needs mentioning again :) ...more

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Jan 02, 2014 Melissa rated it it was ok

Shelves: paranormal, got-bored, disappointment

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Wow.. I never thought i would read a Molly Harper book and think "That was really disappointing. I'm glad the thing ended and its a stand alone". Normally when I read one of her books i'm on the floor laughing. I did not laugh this time. Not once. In fact there was a lot of eye rolling instead.

Now the book except on the back made this book sound great. The back should read "Pinkie Pie finally crosses dimensions. Hits Nina, Deacon, Cindi, Jack, and Dottie with "instinct friendship arrows. Canda Wow.. I never thought i would read a Molly Harper book and think "That was really disappointing. I'm glad the thing ended and its a stand alone". Normally when I read one of her books i'm on the floor laughing. I did not laugh this time. Not once. In fact there was a lot of eye rolling instead.

Now the book except on the back made this book sound great. The back should read "Pinkie Pie finally crosses dimensions. Hits Nina, Deacon, Cindi, Jack, and Dottie with "instinct friendship arrows. Candace comes along and makes everyone loves everyone. And Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara has possessed Rick and Regina. They keep calling them blank flanks behind their back. All the while the mane six are thinking that that even that aren't that freakish friendly with each other. Friendship is Magic, but not that Magically". Seriously... Everyone loved everyone on sight. It was like the island they were on were some hippie commune. "Free Love For Everyone!"

The ghost story and mystery.. There was none. I knew within the first chapter that Jack killed Catherine not Gerald. And it was because if he couldn't have her than no-one would. Maybe I watch too much true crime documentaries, Bones, and Criminal Minds. The mystery/haunting was disappointing and dull.

Don't get me started on the individual characters. I spent nearly 5 hours finishing the book today and not one was a stand out. I had to look up half of their names to write this review. That's sad. What happened to the great characters from the Nice Girls series? I wanted to know more about those characters. They were developed. They had attractions to each other, but it was not a Barney land "I love you. You love me. Hey baby i think i want to marry you" attractions. Plus the characters in this book were all cookie cutters. All fit in a specific characterization and never once strayed. I was hoping for a vampire to walk in and finish off the lot.

2 stars. It was amazing i finished it, but i kept saying "it has to get better right?"..Wrong. ...more

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Jan 17, 2014 Steph rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: author-웃, audiobook-listened-to, stand-alone, year-read-2016, sos-games-bsb-r13

(3.5 stars)

I always know that listening to one of Molly Harper's books will put a smile on my face. This stand alone is a great way for those new to her writing to check her out without the commitment of a series.

Better Homes and Hauntings follows five main-ish characters, four of which pair off into couples later on in the story. The mystery behind the haunting was well told and each of the characters were well-rounded. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and would've continued reading more ...more

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