Imagine finding the love of your life, the butterflies in your stomach, the intensity, the need, the constant non-stop thinking of them, wanting to be with them… knowing you just can’t live without them. Best feeling ever, right? These books HAVE that… that amazing romance love story that will make your heart ache in love-delight and devastation.
Why? Because of a certain angsty twist. The impossibility of that kind of love with that particular person. ‘Cause what happens when the love of your life… is a ghost? *sigh* I always seem to fall for the love stories where the human falls for the ghost.
Every time I see one of these angsty-sounding book blurbs, my HEART ACHES right on the spot. GOD I LOVE how the authors explore this subject. Because sometimes… there’s a solution. Whether it be a crazy plot twist that makes it feasible (*phew*), or finding each other in the “after”. Or maybe something “magical” that allows true love to actually “be” (even on “ghost” form). V and Jayne anyone? 😉
I mean… you know. Set aside the obvious potential heartbreaking issues… how does all of that physical stuff… work? 😉
But sometimes… there is no HEA. The truth has to be faced, and sometimes they have to let go, even though they will hopefully meet again in the afterlife, or in another life. *sob* And Kim inspired me to create this list, because we could all use a little angsty/devastating/sweet and magical “true-love” in our lives.
Kim: I’m reading Haunted Love I’ve been on a serious Ghost Romance kick I almost asked if you had any recommendations on ghost romances or your followers. I don’t read a ton of paranormal but I’m seriously obsessed right now lol
Maryse: Oh great list idea Kim!!! I’m on it. I LOVE those kinds of books and have read a bunch and can’t resist ’em. They get me EVERY time.
Kim: Yay!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so happy you’re doing this lol
Here is a list of all of these kinds of stories. Whether you’re into paranormal or not, I dare you not to lose yourself and your heart, in this kind of love story.
Our (and my) recommendations (tried & true!!)
Dark Needs at Night’s Edge (Immortals After Dark, Book 4) by Kresley Cole <— Hey Kim! Here’s one that will devastate you in angst!! THIS ONE!!! (my review)
Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) by J.R. Ward <— HAD. ME. SOBBING. One of the absolute BEST books in the series and in the world (for me!!) and OMG… OMG!!!!! MULTIPLE sobbing sessions with this one. Fan-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!! (my review)
Connected (Twists of Fate Book 1) by Jolyn Palliata <— And this one!! I was just looking back to my reviews from 2012, and here’s a book I reviewed. I loved it, and it’s one of the ones I was thinking about in a few days ago… in regards to falling in love with a “ghost”… IT WAS SO GOOD! P.S. The “now ghost” is a super-famous rock star! (my review)
Grave Refrain by Sarah Glover <— Sheri recommends this one! “Grave Refrain is another great, great book. I found the author’s writing style to be similar to Sylvain Reynard’s & I loved, loved, loved the Gabriel books. Grave Refrain (by Sarah Glover) is a ghost/love story, but not a scary ghost story (I don’t like scary/horror stories). There’s romance, light humor, & light angst. It was a beautiful & awesome tale.” and Traci agrees: “Grave Refrain by Sarah Glover. Obsessed with Andrew. Kind of reminds me of Cole from the Shiver series.”
Haunted Love by Jessica Frances <— Kim says: “Yes you MUST read Haunted Love!!!!!! It was sooooooo good!!!!!!” <— Oooooooh!!! She was murdered but has a chance to come back… temporarily. “I wanted to say a proper goodbye. I needed justice for what happened to me. But even in death, things rarely go to plan. I never expected to meet him. I didn’t anticipate falling in love. I hadn’t considered the repercussions of coming back.”
The Last Hour (The Thompson Sisters Book 5) by Charles Sheehan-Miles <— JUST GORGEOUS!!!!! I’m not saying if it has an HEA or not… or exactly how “ghostly” the ghosts are… I’m just saying. OMG!!!! My heart!!!! And… my review.
Ghostly (Darkly Devoted Book 1) by Brooke Kennedy <— Briana recommends this one! “It’s reminds my of American horror story! Need more Tate.” Wow… it sounds exciting!! “Cade Michaels seems like the perfect boy next door. He’s attractive and the only other person in St. Augustine that sports the gothic style. The only thing is, there seems to be something he’s hiding, and Briar can’t quite put her finger on it. Briar never expected to end up in a haunted house ready to claim her for its own devices. It’s no longer easy to tell who’s alive and who’s not.”
Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna Dressed in Blood Series Book 1) by Kendare Blake <— Kylie recommends it! “It’s more on the YA side, but I loved that it was told from the male’s POV, and the ghost is female 🙂 ”
Slow Dance in Purgatory (Purgatory Series Book 1) by Amy Harmon <— Carissa suggests these! “The Purgatory books by Amy Harmon. Love them!” Oh. Em. Gee. YES!!! “…17-year-old Maggie O’Bannon finally finds a permanent home with her elderly aunt in a small Texas town. Working part-time as a school janitor, she becomes enmeshed in a fifty-year-old tragedy where nothing is as it seems and the boy of her dreams might vanish when the bell rings. This volatile and mismatched romance is doomed from its start, as Maggie struggles to hold on to yet another person she is destined to lose…”
Apartment 2B by K. Webster <— Chris highly recommends this one! “OMG, do I have one for you!!!! Apartment 2B by K Webster. Read it last year and still think about it sometimes. Many similarities to “Where One Goes” (but better) which is the only other one I’ve read from this list. Yeah, really, really good.” Gah!! I LOVE THAT COVER! And! She’s abused by her mother but escapes… “When a handsome, yet mysterious stranger inserts himself into her life, Sidney begins to come apart at the seams. She’s having trouble sticking to her habits and it’s threatening to shred any hope of a normal life to pieces. Will this stranger help her in ways no other person can, or will things get worse for her?”
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey <— Amy recommends this one! “Oh hey, I have a rec! Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey. Not really a “ghost story” and is more YA but still deals with the dead and is really good. Just try to read that blurb without your heart clenching. She didn’t think of what would happen once he was back, and when she finally realizes the repurcussions of what she’s done and now what she must decide to do…oh, my freaking heart!! That. One. Hurt.”
The Ghost Bride: A Novel (P.S.) by Yangsze Choo <— bev found it! “Duh! I have a book, too. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo. Have not read it, so not sure how the ghost angle plays out, but very high on my tbr. On sale. Beautiful Cover.” OMG OMG OMG!!!!! This one sounds CRAZY and I LOVE asian ghost stories!!!!! But this??? WHOA. It’s on all sorts of bigs lists too. “Li Lan, the daughter of a genteel but bankrupt family, has few prospects. But fate intervenes when she receives an unusual proposal from the wealthy and powerful Lim family. They want her to become a ghost bride for the family’s only son, who recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, a traditional ghost marriage is used to placate a restless spirit. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at a terrible price.”
Where One Goes by B.N. Toler <— Laura recommends this one!!! “Maryse where one goes u had it in your release list acouple of weeks back its so sad but amazing I loved it!!! oh the heartbreak… ” WOW!!! She sees ghosts!!! And it’s freaking her out. “One minute, I’m about to leap to my death, and the next, I’m saved by Ike McDermott. The strong, striking soldier stopped me from putting an end to my despair. He’s the kind of man that smiles and brightens an entire room. Sweet and gentle. He is my savior. And he’s dead. We’ve made an agreement. He’ll help me find a place to stay and a new job if I’ll help him with his unfinished business so that he may crossover…”
Laura: It’s a must it’s a ugly cry one for me Amy will love it lol
Maryse: LOL!!!! Oh gosh… and she’ll throw things at us.
Laura: Well I will just get my peanuts ready now cause I know she hasn’t read this lol. Haha I will have to teach her some new Scottish cuss words so she can chew me out in a way I will understand lol oh u have to read it it’s sort of love triangley <– not even a word but it’s good she will like it
Lee: WHERE ONE GOES!!! ** grabs peanuts while looking at Maryse**
Kimberly: Where One Goes by Author B N Toler
Jeanie: Where One Goes by BN Toler!!! Soooo good!!!
Maryse: Ruh Roh… the peanuts are a flying!!!!
And here are some finds that sounds so perfect for us!
- The Ghost In My Bedroom by Heather Jones <— “Lucy Warner has managed to fall in love with her roommate Ryan – who has been dead for about 25 years. Since he’s been haunting her bedroom from the time when she was a baby, they have grown to be very close friends; a secret no one else knows about…”
- For Always by Janae Mitchell <— “Malyn Reed meets, and quickly falls in love with, Beau Brogan, who seems to be perfect in every way… Except for the fact that he died in 1910…” and Jamie recommends it!!
- The Deepest Cut (MacKinnon Curse novel Book 1) by J.A. Templeton <— “Riley believes her life couldn’t get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley’s falling hard for Ian.”
- Saving Mercy by Nicole Tillman <— she falls in love with the ghost in the place that she just moved into… ooooh I think I wanna cry already over this one!! “Mercy is convinced it’s her job to help Ryan cross over, but as she grows to know him, she’s not entirely sure she’s selfless enough to let him go. As they struggle through the complexities of their relationship, they realize that the collision of their worlds isn’t just coincidence. It’s fate.“
- Won’t Cross Over by Amanda Kay <— *sob*!!! OMG listen to this one: “He’s still here, I feel him all around. At night his arms wrap around me and I can breathe again. I know he should go. I know he no longer belongs here, but I’m selfish and I don’t want him to leave me.“
- Spiritus, a Paranormal Romance (Spiritus Series, Book #1) by Dana Michelle Burnett <— “Becca accidentally makes contact with a one hundred and sixty year old ghost, Alastor Sinclair, that haunts the halls of her new home.To Becca, Alastor is a seductive spirit that seems to see straight into her soul. To Alastor, Becca is what he has waited a century for–A second chance.“
The House by Christina Lauren <— This one is a PRE-ORDER (October 27th 2015) but OMG tell me this isn’t an absolute one-clicker!!! “He lives in that house, the one at the edge of town. Spooky and maybe haunted. Something worse than haunted. And Gavin is trapped by its secrets. Delilah and Gavin can’t resist each other. But staying together will exact a price beyond their imagining.” Kim found it! “Ohhhhhh and this is one I pre-ordered and it sounds AMAZING!!!!!” and Amy agrees: Kim…wow, The House looks GOOD!!!! I’m preordering that one!!
And while we’re at it how about a few ghost-movie love stories?
Like:
Ghost <— a true romance love story classic! Everyone has seen this, right???? If not… OMG WATCH IT!!!- Just Like Heaven <— Bev recommends this one: “There is also Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon & Mark Ruffalo.” and I agree!! It was good, and I loved how the whole thing played out. Very smart!
- The Ghost and Mrs. Muir <— Another bev recommendation! She says: “You should give The Ghost & Mrs. Muir a shot. If you don’t mind old movies. It’s with Rex Harrison, Gene Tierney (that face!), and a young Natalie Wood. Hmm, review it, lol. Cause you know we don’t hound you to do enough just with books.” <— LOL! I do like movies and reviewing ’em. Hmm… maybe I should do more of that?
- LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER <— And well… while we’re on a bev movie recommendation roll, why don’t we check out this recommendation, too! She says: “Speaking of Natalie Wood, she was in a movie with Steve McQueen (that face!) that if I remember correctly is a bit like some of the books we like in feeling. Though been along time since I’ve seen it. Its called Love with the Proper Stranger. I swear I read a book(or another movie?) were it was the heroines favorite and it was pointed out to her that maybe she should try a more realistic story, lol.“
Amy… there’s a dedication to you in this one. Okay… maybe not “dedicated” but recommended due to ugly crying. LOL!!
I have not read many with this story line. I remember loving the movie The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.
Oh I gotta look that one up.
And what about “Ghost” with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Still an absolute CLASSIC love story.
*sigh*
*sob*
OMG, do I have one for you!!!! Apartment 2B by K Webster. Read it last year and still think about it sometimes. Many similarities to “Where One Goes” (but better) which is the only other one I’ve read from this list. Yeah, really, really good.
LOL!!!! Y’all know me so well!! Ugly cry is such a magic word for me. 😀 I actually have Where One Goes, and this post made me get flutters in my tummy so guess what’s just moved to the top of my TBR list!
Let’s see…going down the list, I already have but haven’t read Haunted Love, The Last Hour, Slow Dance in Purgatory and Saving Mercy. And of course The House come October…OMG, perfect for the Halloween month! Oh! I’m also one-clicking Won’t Cross Over ’cause *SOB*!! I’m making a new collection in my Kindle app for these!!
Oh hey, I have a rec! Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey. Not really a “ghost story” and is more YA but still deals with the dead and is really good. Just try to read that blurb without your heart clenching. She didn’t think of what would happen once he was back, and when she finally realizes the repurcussions of what she’s done and now what she must decide to do…oh, my freaking heart!! That. One. Hurt.
Okay I’m adding ’em!!! 😀 YAY LOVE-GHOSTS!!!
Yes, Ghost, ditto.
There is also Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon & Mark Ruffalo.
You should give The Ghost & Mrs. Muir a shot. If you don’t mind old movies. It’s with Rex Harrison, Gene Tierney (that face!), and a young Natalie Wood. Hmm, review it, lol. Cause you know we don’t hound you to do enough just with books.
Speaking of Natalie Wood, she was in a movie with Steve McQueen (that face!) that if I remember correctly is a bit like some of the books we like in feeling. Though been along time since I’ve seen it. Its called Love with the Proper Stranger.
I swear I read a book(or another movie?) were it was the heroines favorite and it was pointed out to her that maybe she should try a more realistic story, lol.
Okay I added Chris’s and Amy’s. 😀 The both sound AWESOME!
Duh! I have a book, too. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo.
Have not read it, so not sure how the ghost angle plays out, but very high on my tbr. On sale. Beautiful Cover.
YAY!
Okay I’m adding it too!
OH MY GOD BEV!!!!
That sounds AWESOME. I’m an addict of asian ghost stories… and that sounds beyond unique!!!!
I gotta read it. I’m totally one clicking it right.
Bev…I just got the chills from that blurb. Have you ever seen Raise the Red Lantern? It’s set in China and is based on a novella from a book of the same name (haven’t read it though) and it is haunting…not in the same way as these ghost books but haunting in the sense of where the stories go. Your rec reminded me of it…
Do you have any idea how much I appreciate y’all? For SO many reasons, but one big one being the books that you guys have introduced me to! 😀
I one clicked it so darn fast I forgot to say “now”. I stopped at “right”.
Amy… OMG I could TOTALLY do a post on my favorite asian ghost stories… or just even the “haunting” ones. Doesn’t even have to involve a ghost.
I AM AN ADDICT!!!!
Lol, Maryse. I bought last month and keep it on my home screen so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
Amy I haven’t seen that. Looks very interesting, I’ll have to check it out sometime.:-D
I thought for a sec you meant it was a horror. Those scare me, my love of WD besides. I’d drive you nuts the way I watch it. I have one scary book, Bird Box, that I bought last Halloween on sale. Very positively rec’d on a blog I visit, but scary. I mean to read it sometime straight through no peeking. Someday.
Wished Away by S.P. Cervantes – it’s book 2 in A Broken Fairytale series. It’s sort of a mix between The Last Hour & Where One Goes. Had me bawling my eyes out because I loved Dave (the ghost/spirit) so much!!!
What about Sublime by Christina Lauren. A bit dark but a ghostly love story.
Also Emma Hart’s Deeper. Bess returns to the seaside town where she met and loved a wild local boy when she was young. She’d always wondered what happened to Nick….and his ghost has been there all the time just waiting for her to return.
Okay Saving Mercy I really ended up loving it!!!
Grave Refrain is one of my favorite books!!!! Same with Connected!!!!
I’m laughing cause I’ve been searching for ghost romances and I had 3 on the list I haven’t read DUH……
I ALSO one clicked yippee
Spiritus, a Paranormal Romance (Spiritus Series, Book #1) is free at amazon right now!
I keep forgetting about The Last Hour! I have it from back in the day, hopefully I can read it without reading the others? Bumping it up…
For ghost stories you have to include Kristen Ashley’s ghost & reincarnation books. Classic KA with a ghost twist.
Also Christine Zolendz’s Fall From Grace/Saving Grace, although more paranormal than ghost and the paranormal part doesn’t really play in until the second and third books, it is still way to good to pass up.
Lisa I read Deeper by Emma Hart about a year ago. First time I read something in this genre. Went in blind! Balled my eyes out so I’ve avoided this genre since. I mean I snotty cried!!! Don’t “wike” that feeling!
I’m looking for Deeper by Emma Hart and can’t find it anywhere. Or any mention of it… does anyone have the link?
I know Linda…I ugly cried over Deeper too. But kept thinking about it long after it ended.
Maryse I read the old fashioned, dog-eared, soggy pages (from tears), real book smell version I picked up on a whim at a book store. It’s on Amazon but a bit $$$
https://www.amazon.com.au/Deeper-Megan-Hart-ebook/dp/B00CNZIJJO/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434158573&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=deeper+emma+hart
Lisa, that’s the one! It’s by Megan Hart…here’s the link for it on the U.S. Amazon site.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/kcp/tos.html#stos-bookmark
I don’t mind paying more for a book if it promises an ugly cry. 😉
So many good titles here, and I love a lot of these and am adding others to my TBR. Another favorite ghost, love story is Come to Me by Sofia Grey.
I’ll second “Come to Me,” by Sofia Grey, and add her “Dreaming of a Wolf.”
Is it bad that I just clicked on this post to check if Maryse added Where One Goes and Haunted Love??
I was ready to use shouty caps.. LOL
Hey! Have you tried reading The Mediator series by Meg Cabot? There are 6 books-kind if small too-and while the romance is slow coming between the girl and the ghost (who haunts her room), it’s a GREAT series. I think the series was started in 2000…
WOW! What a totally inspirational list. I just finished writing a paranormal time travel murder mystery romance and wondered if anyone would read it. I need to do a lot of editing and hit the query trail. But I’m thrilled to know someone else shared my obsession! Woo hoo.
I’ve always loved to read ghost stories, but became obsessed with writing them a few years ago with a collection of short vintage romantic ghost stories.
Now, I’ve got to go find these books and read them. Thanks for your post!
I really find this website a treat to my eyes. I read all the books recommended in here but i guess i’m in love wit “The Ghost Bride”.
I also where one goes<<<< this one was worth an ugly cry as u call it.
Now i also discovered this book "Enchanted by those Magnificent ruins" a little interesting in that respect.I guess its worth a try.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HVED6MG
Hi Ruth!!!
Thank you for your sweet comments, AND for your book recommendations!! 😀
Separated by death, all seems tragically lost for Jane and Nathan, her first love and the love of her life. Against seemingly impossible odds, Jane miraculously finds a way to reconnect with Nathan but is it enough to rekindle their love?
With distractions in the form of Barry her hapless ex-husband, and James the perfect lover, is the veil between Jane and Nathan thin enough for their love to survive or is it lost for ever?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wired-Barbara-Neill/dp/1791580289/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1564132683&refinements=p_27%3ABarbara+Neill&s=books&sr=1-2