Cozy, sweet, and a nice palate cleanser between heavier reads. I don't think it had to be quite as long and slowed down through the middle, but overall I wasn't complaining about it.
The ghosts were so much fun to be with and the balance between the quirky/funny side and the cute emotional side was pretty well done.
Overall I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, cute fall read

This reminded me of the show Ghosts, only the characters are a bit more frustrating and stubborn to deal with and there's less backstory. It is cosy and feel-good overall, a cute enemies to lovers romance somewhere in there, humour, pace mostly ok, and there is character development albeit sometimes not so much development but change for no reason. I'd love to have seen more plot and stories being told that influence the outcome of things, and less forced emotional and unrealistic responses. Nevertheless, the characters were enjoyable overall, and the found family theme was lovely and overall it was an easy and heart-warming read.

✨ Review: Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall by Sharon Booth ✨

Calling all fans of the TV show Ghosts! This book has that same cozy, quirky charm, but with its own unique twist.

The story centers on an old country estate, Harling Hall, that’s teeming with ghosts from different time periods scattered across the house, grounds, and even the nearby town. Usually, only relatives of the deceased can see and interact with the ghosts—but Callie discovers she can see everyone. That revelation pulls her into unexpected ownership of the estate and the responsibility of being a voice for the spirits.

I loved the whole concept of a town full of ghosts, where some people can see them and others can’t. The interactions between Callie and the ghosts were often funny, adding warmth and charm to the story. I also really enjoyed the developing relationship between Callie and Brody, the former owner’s grandson—their dynamic added a sweet layer alongside the supernatural plot.

I listened to the audiobook and thought it was very well performed, bringing both the living and ghostly characters to life.

My only small wish was for a bit more explanation about why family members could see the ghosts, but since that wasn’t the main focus, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, ghostly tale with a big heart, this one’s definitely worth picking up. 👻💜

This is my favourite type of book! I loved the idea of being able to not just see ghosts but own a whole estate for a tenner!

It’s a gentle and heartwarming fantasy and mystery. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall was such a charming and cozy read that drew me in with its mix of mystery and gentle romance. I really enjoyed the way the historical setting was brought to life—it felt vivid without being overwhelming. The characters were engaging and relatable, though I sometimes wished for a bit more depth in the secondary cast. Overall, it was an enjoyable, atmospheric story that kept me turning the pages, and I’d happily recommend it to fans of light, character-driven mysteries.

I loved the tv show Ghosts, and as this book is described as being similar in concept, I really wanted to read it.
There are a lot of characters, and it was fun to find out who everyone is. I'm looking forward to finding out more about them as the series progresses.
This is a fun, entertaining and enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my arc.

Warm and romantic - with a magical twist

What a brilliant start to a new series. Absolutely loving the idea of a living history village whose inhabitants include ghosts and excited to learn more about them across the series.

I'll start with the positives: I love the idea of a character who can see ghosts seeing that as a negative, and I think that the basic premise behind this series is great! I have high hopes for the next books in the series. Unfortunately, though, this one missed the mark for me.

As other reviewers have said, cozy doesn't mean without conflict. While this book is cute, there's just very little to keep you invested or propel the plot forward. Often, this book felt more like an open-world video game than anything—we meander around a cute little environment, sometimes interacting with new characters, sometimes repeat ones. Some of those interactions go somewhere, others don't. It was just tough for me to find a reason why I should keep reading, especially when at times I didn't personally care much for the main character or her love interest (though her daughter was a delight). Ultimately, I was sold on the world, just not the book itself.

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ebook! All opinions are, of course, my own.)

I loved this. I am a big fan of Ghosts, so this was right up my alley. Great cast of characters and fun supernatural elements. The cozy village atmosphere is perfect. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book three times. I tried so hard to read it, but it never grabbed my attention. I loved the idea of this book and who knows, maybe in the future I'll be able to pick it up. I think Sharon Booth has a lot of writing skill, but this wasn't the book for me.

3 stars – Cozy concept, I LOVE GHOSTS, charming setting, but not quite enough magic or spook to keep me interested!

The premise hooked me right away: a living museum village, quirky ghosts, and secrets to uncover. Love it. I'm really into the "horor concept done cute" recently and a haunted village gets right to that. And this book delivers warmth and low stakes without a problem.

Unfortunately, I had trouble getting into this one from the start. About a third of the way in, I still felt like we were barely past the premise explained by the blurb. The ghosts were all fun characters but Callie, our lead, seemed flat.

Maybe I was already biased at the point (I'm kind of an impatient reader, but the rest didn't pick up enough to make up for it for me. The emotional and fantastical beats didn’t always hit with the depth I was hoping for. I think I mostly wanted more complexity or depth throughout.

Still, there’s undeniable heart here and it delivers on its overall premise. If you like a leisurely read and low stakes, this is a light and low-conflict read that feels good throughout. It didn't land right for me but I think it's a sweet book and worth a read if you're curious!

Callie accompanies her daughter and other school children on a trip to Rowan Vale, and falls in love with the Cotswold village. She also sees strangely dressed people, and is seen speaking with villagers that she should not be able to see at all, and who turn out to be ghosts.

The owner of the village, Sir Lawrence Davenport, in consultation with the ghosts and his grandson, make Callie a strange offer: he'll sell the entire village to her for a miniscule amount, as long as she agrees to move there and protect its ghosts.

Callie and her daughter accept the offer, and pretty soon Callie is up to her eyeballs in strong personalities and traditions the ghosts and the living are reluctant to change or break, even if it would mean their lives could be improved. Callie eventually wins everyone over, and even finds romance with Brodie, Davenport's grandson.

The story is cozy, romantic, and sweet. It's soothing because ultimately people see the errors of their ways, or agree to work together, or put aside conflicts, and things are solved and people are happy. Callie becomes more confident over the course of the story (she's suffering from a lack of self esteem at the book's outset), the setting seems idyllic, and the story explores found family (one of my favourite tropes) over the course of the novel.

3.5 stars.

This is the first in a series, and I'll probably be checking out book two.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Loved the fantasy side…. Or is it?

I loved everything about this book from the start, it’s so totally up my street.
The writing style of the author Sharon Booth is so easy to fall into step with, and become absorbed into the narrative.
There is an array of various characters to meet, all different, and in era’s too, can’t wait to meet more of them in future books.
I found this a “feel good” book, it worked its charm on me. I loved the fantasy side of it all, fate, chance, old traditions, this book could be a film.
The book is funny, certainly thought provoking from a different angle. It had me trying to guess the characters stories, and that was fun.
I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

I absolutely loved this book, if you loved the tv show "ghost" you will love this book. I love the evolution of the relation between the ghosts and Callie and her acceptation of her power.
It's a really great book, perfect for spooky season.

In this unique and entertaining novel, readers follow single mom Callie and her daughter as they arrive in the charming Cotswold village of Rowan Vale, a perfectly normal town -- except she can see the town’s many ghosts. Upon learning this fact, Sir Lawrence Davenport, the owner of the village, offers to sell Callie the massive Harling Hall estate if she agrees to protect the living and dead tenants. With some ghostly residents and the (living) disinherited grandson Brodie causing trouble upon learning about the transfer of ownership, Callie’s road to happiness in Rowan Vale is by no means guaranteed, and it will take all her strength and courage to make this new life work. Fun, unique, and entertaining, this novel’s brilliantly unique plot and its lively and entertaining cast of characters will draw readers into this brilliant new series. Callie’s relationships with her daughter, Brodie, Sir Lawrence, and the ghosts are particularly charming and really bring the book to life. The many conflicts and characters, coupled with the details in the setting and background characters, help readers immerse themselves into the story and Rowan Vale, and readers looking for a cozy, charming romantasy novel (and series) will absolutely love this book.

Review Dorothy Parker style:
I found myself on the blog tour for the second book in this series, and it occurred to me (with the slow horror of realizing one has left the iron on while vacationing in Vienna) that I had, in my infinite negligence, failed to review the first. Naturally, I decided to atone the way any self-respecting book reviewer does: by smudging my lipstick, sighing deeply, and writing one review for both. Efficiency, darling—it’s next to godliness.

Sharon Booth, bless her storytelling heart, has written other series that were perfectly charming, but this one? This one pirouetted past them all and gave me that rare and bewildering feeling one might call... enjoyment.

In The Kindred Spirits of Harling Hall, we’re introduced to a heroine who talks to ghosts with the ease most people reserve for houseplants. Callie, the new gal in town, has the dubious honor of being qualified to protect said town solely on the basis of her spiritual party line to the afterlife. The village? Quaint. The ghosts? Chatty. The magic system? Delightfully structured, like a very polite séance with rules.

It's a tale of finding oneself—or several versions of oneself, depending on how many spectral former selves are floating about—and attempting to fit into a village filled with living people and dead ones who still think they run the neighborhood watch.

Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop begins with a 1940s-themed weekend (because nothing says community bonding like ration cards and tea dances) and introduces Shona, who runs a charming teashop with the unsolicited assistance of her ghostly Aunt Polly. Enter Max, who turns up looking for family, stirs some long-buried secrets (as one does), and provides ample opportunity for brooding, revelations, and perhaps—if the lighting is right—romance.

The entire series is a warm cashmere throw in book form. Rowan Vale is the sort of place one escapes to when reality feels rather too much like a Monday with a migraine. It made me smile, occasionally sigh, and absolutely forget to water my ficus. I consider that a strong endorsement.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the digital copies, though any opinions—witty or otherwise—are entirely mine.

My original review:
I'm on the blog tour for the second instalment in this series, but I noticed I hadn't written a review for the first book (my bad), so I decided to write a combined review of both.
First things first: I've read other series by Sharon Booth, and this is my favourite so far.
There's a lovely setting, humour, emotion, and well-done, intriguing world-building. I loved how the magic system works and how the relationship with ghosts shapes the story.
I appreciated how the characters’ journeys, the paranormal elements, and the relationships were all well balanced.
The Kindred Spirits of Harling Hall is a lovely and well-plotted cosy fantasy that introduces the reader to this quaint village. Callie is the new girl in town, but she's also the one who meets the requirements to protect and own the village: she can communicate with ghosts—all of them.
This is a story about discovering new sides of oneself, trying to be accepted in a small community by both the living and the dead, and falling in love—even if your romantic interest might be an enemy.
Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop begins with Callie proposing a 1940s-themed weekend event for the village. Shona, the owner of the teashop, runs it with the help of the ghost of her Aunt Polly.
Max, a visitor searching for his uncle, uncovers old secrets, brings Polly’s past into the spotlight, and maybe sparks some new love stories.
It’s another cute and heartwarming book. I loved catching up with the characters and seeing how they’ve evolved. The world-building expands beautifully, with more detail and depth.
Rowan Vale is a lovely series—an excellent cosy fantasy that helps me relax, smile, and feel good.
Strongly recommended if you're looking to have fun and escape from the bleakness of reality.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the digital copies. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this beautiful cozy arc, this was right up my alley and what I needed. You just turn page by page and enjoy the ghost vibes similar to a popular tv series. One i'll definitely recommend to others and will also check out the author's other works.

This is a tough one to review- it's definitely a sweet, cozy read, which I love. I don't have any major negative feedback, but nothing wowed me or blew me away either.... it was good.

I loved this, felt quite different to other books that I have read, really fun ideas, I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This was a fantastic book, very cozy just like I like them. I will definitely check out more from this author!