Thursday 24 July 2014

Review: Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper

Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publication date: June 24th 2014
My rating:  3.5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18755773-better-homes-and-hauntings

Author of the beloved Half Moon Hollow series of vampire romances (Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs), Molly Harper has created a standalone paranormal romance in which a dilapidated haunted house could bring star-crossed lovers together—if it doesn’t kill them first!

When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”

But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.

But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.


My Thoughts:
I’ve always been drawn to scary stories, even when I was much younger. I’m not sure why because I’d usually end up scared out of my wits and unable to turn the lights out at bedtime. These were times I was very grateful to have shared a room with my sister!  As a grownup I still love a good thriller, so the thought of vengeful ghosts, and spine chilling encounters, had me giddy to pick up Better Homes and Hauntings.  Add in a big, beautiful, spooky mansion as the setting, and some romance and I was happy girl!

Landscape artist Nina Linden is on her own after getting shafted by her business partner, Rick.  She’s thrilled to have landed the lucrative Whitney Mansion renovation knowing the results can make or break her. With the stakes so high, Nina doesn’t let the house’s haunted reputation deter her. She doesn’t plan on being distracted by romance, but Declan the good looking, wealthy and sweet owner is too hard to resist.  But bigger things are at play and the house seems intent on using both Declan and Nina to reenact past tragic events, and bring to light the identity of a murderer.  Can they solve the past mysteries before the sinister spirits do actual harm?  You’ll have to read it and find out!

The Crane’s Nest on Whitney Island was isolated and a ferry ride away from civilization making it a perfectly spooky setting! It was also packed with Molly Harper’s signature humor and one-liners that make you giggle, but surprisingly there were a lot of scary scenes that may make you think twice about shutting off the lights at night after reading.

Declan and Nina’s romance was sweet and at times very passionate.  Even though Declan was a multi-millionaire, he was unassuming, nerdy, and adorable.  He’s taken with Nina right away, especially because his wealth doesn’t seem to faze her.  Being too trusting, Nina had gone through some rough times.  And so I was pleased she finally had someone like Declan who cared and wanted to protect her, especially with Rick still lurking about. This girl needed some happiness.

I enjoyed Better Homes and Hauntings, but I had some issues with the many POVs.  The description makes it seem that this a story focused on Nina and Declan, but that is not the case.  We also have Jake, Declan’s best friend and architect, Cindy, owner of the cleanup crew, and Declan’s cousin Dotty, a novelist.  They all have pretty substantial story threads. Add in the past characters and mystery, and there’s a lot going on.  I feel like it was a little too much and the story would’ve benefited by focusing primarily on Nina, Declan and the haunting past.  Still, I enjoyed this story.  I was laughing one minute and getting goose bumps the next. 

I’m picturing the Whitney Mansion to resemble one of these two houses (below) after the renovation.  If I were Nina, I wouldn’t mind living here with my rich, hot geek, minus the ghosts, of course!


chanler1
Photo courtesy of Flickr click for link


Castle Hill Inn
Photo courtesy of Flickr click for link









Connect with Molly Harper:


 

12 comments:

Siiri said...

"I’m not sure why because I’d usually end up scared out of my wits and unable to turn the lights out at bedtime." LOL, Rach! I'm still like this so no horror or scary for me pls. Unless it's Mara Dyer since that's simply awesome. Ok, so the story actually sounds pretty cool. Spooky setting indeed. I woudln't make it past a day (night) there. Yeah? You liked the romance? I'm glad :) Oh gawd. There are too many POVs for sure. I can deal with 2, max 3. But not 6 O.o That's a big no-no for me! I can't connect and it'll be a waste of my time tbh. Yay for a good story though and that you enjoyed as a whole :) Eeeep! AND PRETTY PICS.

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I have never really liked scary stories. I guess that's because of my brother who took me to movies and we watched some scary thing. I know I was so scared, but I didn't dare to cry as you know I was a big girl. *le sigh* so yeah I totally understand why you slept with lights on. But the point is I'm still scared and I usually don't read this kind of stories. I'm really glad you enjoyed it though. Too bad about that many POVs. I mean two is usually enough so yeah I understand why you had troubles with that. Great review, Rachel :)

Rashika said...

I have this love/hate relationship with scary stories. I remember when I was a kid, The Christmas Carol was a scary story for me. It wasn't the story so much as the cover but I was so freaked out by it and I continued reading it (for a while and then I couldn't because the cover and so it went back on the shelf). :P

Back to the story though, a couple other reviews mentioned the multiple POVs and that is a serious turn off for me .-. I hate too many POVs since I want a pair of main characters and I want them to be the center of attention :P

I am glad that aside from that, you enjoyed the story! :D Which does give me some hope. Plus rich geek? count me in (well.. when I make up my mind :P).

Lovely review, Rachel!! :)

Rashika @ The Social Potato

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

Too many POVs, especially in a story like this, just muddy the waters. But I do like Molly Harper -- her stories are usually fun and funny reads.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a really fun read, Rachel, but I don't think I can handle the multiple POVs. I just abandoned a book because the multiple POVs was killing the book for me.
I do want to try this one out though because I love the sound of it and the romance seems to be the perfect kind for me.
I'm glad you enjoyed this despite some of the issues you had, Rachel. Lovely review! :)

Emma said...

I have to say, scary thriller such as these really do scare me. I don't think I've never really read much of this genre, and maybe I've been compelled not too. I've only literally got into horror/paranormal movies...zombies mostly. Anyways back to your review, granted I haven't read anything quite like this, but it seems like a great thriller and the added romance, sounds great! :D Brilliant review, Rachel! :)

Keertana said...

I completely forgot about this one! It's on my Kindle and I definitely want to get to it soon, though the unexpected added perspectives are something I'll keep in mind before diving into this. Lovely review, Rachel--and yes, I'd LOVE to love in those houses with a handsome multi-millionaire! ;)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I have a copy of this and need to read it. I like that it made you laugh and then creeped you out. I have read mixed reviews on this one so I have been putting it off, but I think I will dig in soon after reading your review.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Sounds a bit busy, but I'm glad you liked it overall. I really do love Molly's work and I want to try and get caught up on all her novels!

-Lauren

Maji Bookshelf said...

Huh.. sounds a bit confusing to be honest but still a good read. Thanks for your honest review!
- Farah @ MajiBookshelf

Wendy Darling said...

Oh noes, too many POVs? That's one of my biggest pet peeves! Do you hear me, I am PEEVISH. Still, I love Molly Harper and I love scary stories so obviously I will read this. I'm glad you enjoyed it for the most part anyway--our ratings have been dead one for the naked werewolf series, I think, so I'm sure I'll like it, too.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said...

I'm not a huge fan of scary stories. But I do love huge, creepy houses. Those you posted are gorgeous. This romance sounds fun! But I'd definitely get bogged down in all the POVS too. Sad that happened.

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