Better Homes and Hauntings

Harper offered up a simple, entertaining tale that

Any additional comments?

• Better Homes and Hauntings is a standalone paranormal romance filled with humor, a benevolent spirit and diverse group of people working to restore an old family mansion.

• The setting is fantastic. The home is on an island surrounded by water and reached by boat. The house built in the early 1900’s has secret nooks, a ballroom and tons of atmosphere perfect for spirits.

• The cast is very diverse from the tech geek to the gardener creating for entertaining meals, feuds and friendships. We get multiple Pov’s, and the narrator did an excellent job of bringing forth their personalities which added to the listener’s enjoyment. I loved the banter, late night girls’ talk, the bickering and of course, the romances that developed.

• Ghosts, old family legends, murder and more made Better Homes and Hauntings interesting. I loved the old family tragedy, the hauntings and the slow build as the entities’ anger escalated. Back-stories and threats from Nina’s past had me fully engaged.

• The romances were very different. Nina and Deacon’s romance so cute, sweet, awkward and funny. Cindy and Jack had history and theirs was a haters to lovers’ romance that made for a hilarious listen.

• Amanda Ronconi did an excellent job narrating and quickly gave a unique voice to each character making the transition from each character seamless. The humor and hauntings were enhanced by her skill set.

• While we get a few creep-tastic moments, for the most part this is a G haunting, and I would have loved darker tones.

• The tale is predictable, and moments lagged a little, but overall this was entertaining.

• A little something was missing, and I cannot quite figure out exactly what I needed. Perhaps because no aspect of the tale was the main focus, and multiple POVs left me wanting more depth.

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

Love Molly but not this story

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book would be more for a first time Molly Harper reader. If they get past this one they will be especially surprised because the rest of her books are infinitely better than this one.

What was most disappointing about Molly Harper’s story?

Couldn't keep track of who the main characters were and not enough bonding time with any of the characters to really get into them, The story was unstable with all of the random bouncing around and it was hard to keep track because the characters didn't have a solid introductory base.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator is awesome, it was the story that was written in an off the wall manner.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. Had this book in my wish list for a while and it has been to hard to pay attention to. Only half way through and I already just want it to stop.

Any additional comments?

Don't let one bad review spoil the whole cart. Molly Harper's Books are 99.9 percent amazing. This just happens to be the .1 that isn't .

30 of 32 people found this review helpful

Would I let (ok, want) my daughter to marry a ...

"What she said." I quite agree with the reviewers who love Molly Harper's books but didn't enjoy this one (as much). What can I add from my perspective as a guy?

Her books about vampires and werewolves and other creatures make me believe - well, willingly suspend disbelief - about them. She got me to enjoy a genre, paranormal, I loathed. Why? Snarky, odd-ball, topical, refreshingly original humor, characters with stories and romance without too much 'tall, dark and handsome.' And a plot. Plots.

Here is the difference with Better Hauntings: I don't want to know anything more about ghosts. I still disbelieve and did throughout. Each of Ms. Harper's other books made me ask this question of myself: If the world had ... vampires ... werebeasties ... fae ... would I want to be one? Fall in love with one? [Let my daughter marry one?] Yes to all questions. None of those questions has any meaning for me if the subject is ghosts.

Please: Don't dis my review because you think the cliché quote means I think women are some how less than men. I don't and I have many years of staying home raising kids to back it.

56 of 61 people found this review helpful

I DON'T KNOW......I DIDN'T DISLIKE IT

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The book seems a little forced. I didn't feel the fun as much in this one. Her other books seem to flow a lot better.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I don't know. Something was just off about his book. I wasn't feeling it.

Which character – as performed by Amanda Ronconi – was your favorite?

Amanda was great as usual. I enjoyed the characters.

Was Better Homes and Hauntings worth the listening time?

It was OK. It took longer than a usual Molly Harper book for me to listen to. I didn't dislike it.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Scooby Doo without the dog or the humor.

Five young people solving the mystery of a haunted mansion. A mystery that takes too long and is devoid of Harper's usual tongue-in-cheek humor. Sadly, I can't recommend this one.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Molly Harper Cute!

When I am having a bad day, or someone just royally ticked me off I turn off my romance books and I turn on a Molly Harper book, ANY, Molly Harper book! Her characters always have such witty banter and somehow I get the inside jokes even though I have never met this woman. Her writing never fails to put a smile on my face. Thank you Molly Harper!

This book really did have it all, in a rated PG kind of way. The Crane House has been in the family for generations, and it is haunted. For a number of reasons the newest owner wants it restored and since he is a .com billionaire he can do what he wants. He hires a cleaning crew, carpenter crew, architect and a landscaper. These people face more than bumps in the night but they persevere through it and form some lasting friendships.

Ghosts, apparitions, spirit possessions, visions these are just a few things that happen to these people. Let's not forget Murder, Adultery, Vandalism, and a great who done it that you knew who it was but didn't know all of it. It was just a great book with many witty conversations that makes you think you know these people. Have I mentioned I love Molly Harper books?

Great for credit/sale/buy and if you need to ask if Amanda Ronconi was good as the narrator...then you haven't been on audible for long!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Love the Author, Love the Narrator, Love the book

Where does Better Homes and Hauntings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pretty High

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hard to say

Which character – as performed by Amanda Ronconi – was your favorite?

Cindy

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending but no spoilers

Any additional comments?

The combo of Harper and Ronconi have never disapointed

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Disappointing

I was disappointed in this new venture by Molly Harper. I've enjoyed her equally light vampire series (especially "Driving Mr. Dead"), but this story lacks the irony and humour that make the vampire books worth reading. The setting seemed forced and the plot predictable, and the characters were uninteresting. I can understand Ms. Harper wanting to get away from Half Moon Hollow, but this is not her best effort.

19 of 21 people found this review helpful

Spooktacular Story!

At first, I was skeptical about reading this story because it is nothing like Molly's vampires or werewolf series; however, it turned out to be a decent story.

It's a medium paced mystery and the only thing I found lacking is the missing snarky humor you come to love in her other books.

All in all, it's a good book to listen to and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Molly Harper or a good romantic mystery.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I always feel like someone watching me.

Where does Better Homes and Hauntings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great read when you need funny, snarky and romance.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Better Homes and Hauntings?

The semi naked green house kissing

What about Amanda Ronconi’s performance did you like?

Amanda is just great!!

Any additional comments?

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 3/4
REVIEW:
What is one to do when they are part of a family that has a curse looming over them? And said person is the first successful person in the family in generations? And said person owns the family’s haunted island? Well if you are Deacon Whitney, you hire a group of the best of the best and clean and revamp that house. All while ignoring the things you don’t want to see.

Deacon may have everyone’s best interest at heart in this new project but it becomes clear that they are not the only ones on the island. The biggest question is who is going to win?

Love love love this book!! But then again I have not picked up (or in this case listened to) a Molly Harper book that I have not loved. I just love her snarky characters that always have a way of getting into a lot of trouble with minimal damage inflicted on others. I really hope that this will not be the end of the Whitney Island gang (as I would like to call them). I have already submitted my request for a novella for Jack & Cindy and a book for Dotty. Why you ask. Well you will just need to pick up a copy of Better Homes & Hauntings and find out ;)

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley, Pocketbooks & Brilliance Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful