If I Stopped Haunting You

by Colby Wilkens Narrated by Not Yet Available

Overview

An enemies to lovers romance with a spooky twist where two feuding writers end up on a writers retreat together at a haunted castle in Scotland.

It's been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she's a publishing pariah and hasn't been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers' retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true.

Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling “book without a soul,” as Pen called it. All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her.

But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they're stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethinking their feelings, and... maybe they shouldn't have been enemies at all? But if they can't stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out.

Full of spooky chills and even more sexy thrills, If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens is the funny, fast-paced romp romance readers have been waiting for!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

NPR.org, "10 of the best romance novels for early 2024"

"This forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy has plenty of chills and thrills. Readers will stay up late, with all the lights on, to finish Wilkens’s satisfying debut." - Library Journal (starred review)

"I devoured this debut by Colby Wilkens! The author writes with such authority and conviction that I really felt like she had lived in a haunted castle in Scotland, just like the characters. Every sentence felt like it was coming from a place of authenticity, which I loved. In addition, the spooky elements are genuinely spooky, the enemies to lovers genuinely enemies, and it all came together beautifully. I didn't realize I needed a romance book married to cozy horror but now I'm wondering where this particular mashup has been all my life. Can't wait to read the next!" - Jessica Clare, New York Times bestselling author

""If I Stopped Haunting You skillfully balances creepiness, difficult conversations, and a lot of steam to deliver readers a satisfying debut and a well-earned Happily Ever After." - Helena Greer, author of Season of Love and For Never and Always

“If I Stopped Haunting You is a complex deep dive into identity, history, and staying true to one’s self that pulls no punches. With a toe curling romance and bone chilling ghosts lurking around every corner, this effortless blend of romance and horror is not to be missed.” - Sonia Hartl, author of Heartbreak For Hire and Rent to Be

"Brimming with angst, heat, and heart, If I Stopped Haunting You is the unputdownable rivals-to-lovers romance I've been craving! Set in a haunted Scottish castle with atmosphere to die for, this is a cozy season must-read. I fell hard for Penelope and Neil as they traversed their differences toward deeper understanding and love–with lots of steam along the way! Writing with thrilling boldness, sparkling wit, and profound care for queer and indigenous representation, Colby Wilkens is a highly necessary and breathtakingly talented fresh voice in romance–meet your new autobuy author." – Courtney Kae, author of In the Event of Love and In the Case of Heartbreak

"Masterfully blends the delicious tension of a great rivals-to-lovers romance with the gothic vibes of a creepy haunted house story. The heat between Penelope and Neil ignites as they untangle their complicated relationship and grow closer together, and the horror elements create some truly memorable moments of forced proximity. If I Stopped Haunting You hooked me from the first page, and I didn't want to put it down when it was over!" -Jenny L Howe, author of On the Plus Side and The Make-Up Test

"Wilkens’ debut is the perfect mix of enemy to lovers, haunted castle, and steamy spice. Pen and Neil’s slow burn is smouldering with the spooky atmosphere." - Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan's Book of Luck Fortune and Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club

"If you're in the mood for a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance but also a chilling haunted-house horror, GET YOU A BOOK THAT CAN DO BOTH! Colby Wilkens' debut If I Stopped Haunting You is so inventive and immersive — I couldn't tell if my shoulders were up by my ears because of the creeping dread of whatever was going on in that castle or because of the electric chemistry between Pen and Neil. I blazed through this book in one sitting because I just couldn't wait to find out what would happen next!" - Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of With Love, from Cold World

Library Journal

★ 06/01/2024

DEBUT Penelope Skinner and Neil Storm, both Indigenous American authors, had an argument at a very public, crowded event. In the months since, both have had writers block, and Penelope's reputation is heavily tarnished. When a mutual friend invites them both to a writing retreat at a haunted Scottish castle, they each accept, unaware the other is attending. They're both horror writers, but neither Penelope nor Neil believes in ghosts. When strange noises start, they look for logical reasons, and when the odor of decay and rot permeates the air, they assume it's coming from outside. When terrifying visions appear, however, they decide to stick together to watch each other's backs. As the eeriness increases, their chemistry becomes unbearable. Trapped in a haunted castle while afraid for their safety is not the time to fall in love, but as they work together to solve their ghostly mystery, that's exactly what happens. The ghost encounters are spooky and, along with the worldbuilding, create a perfectly gloomy, creepy atmosphere. VERDICT This forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy has plenty of chills and thrills. Readers will stay up late, with all the lights on, to finish Wilkens's satisfying debut.—Heather Miller Cover

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192059005
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	10/15/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged