Over all, I really enjoyed the book! However I was a teeny tiny bit let down, since Best Hex Ever was a five star read for me, and this one -in my opinion- didn't quite live up to it. There were lots of things I liked about it, for example there was lots of good representation in this book (for example bi characters, trans characters, characters using they/them pronouns). I also really liked the quirkiness of the characters, and that they were passionate about what they were doing (Rosemary about horror, books and birds; Ellis about gardening and acting). The animals in the book and the cozy atmosphere of the book were also stellar. The descriptions made me feel really autumn-y and cozy, like a warm hug. I especially loved the descriptions of the weekend cottage and Ellis' house. The first chapter, where we learn about Rosemary's abilities and her grandma was really heartwarming and I enjoyed the full circle moment, when Rosemary made the secret marmalade later on in the book.

There were two main things that bothered me about the book (spoilers ahead):
- It didn't seem natural to me how the FMC and MMC first were absolutely annoyed with each other, then horny for each other and then very much in love with each other. The shift between the different phases didn't seem very smooth to me. For example, if someone would keep calling me "sweetheart" in a professional setting, I would rage, and I don't get why Rosemary let that slip from a guy she didn't even like in the beginning - just because he was hot?
- I didn't like the whole blackmailing plot with Ellis' agent. It all seemed a bit dramatic how Ellis talked about it in the beginning like he had a big shocking secret (I was questioning whether there were minors or non-consensual sexual activities involved the way he talked about it). All that for him to reveal that it is just about him being bi and into BDSM seems very off. I get that coming out would have lead to problems for him, because of the industry he works in, but seriously - not firing your d***head of an agent and just accepting being blackmailed for over a decade seems very much like an overreaction. I mean, we are in the 21th century after all (unlike the two lovely lesbian regency ghosts in this book). To me the whole dramatics were a bit much and I didn't like that whole plot line.

Overall I did really enjoy this book, though, and would rate it 4 stars.

I will post my review on my Goodreads account after the publishing date.

This book was a fun, if predictable romance, with a dash of magic and ghosts thrown in. It took me way too long to realise that the Rosemary in this book was the same as in Best Hex Ever, but it was very sweet to see the trio again, in another phase of their life.

Juliet and Cecilia were entertaining, heart-breaking and such a sweet love story. From the first time he is introduced, I hated Brody, and I'm so glad that my gut reaction was right and he got his comeuppance by the end.

Steamy in places, this was a good contemporary romance. I was a little surprised that the extent of the D/s was just soft orders, with one occasion of orgasm control (it hardly felt like enough to explain the fear of the secret being revealed), but it was well-written regardless.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Cornerstone for sending me an arc of Love at First Fright!

I loved this so much! Rosemary was such a good fmc i acc love her, and the ghosts! Juliet and Cecelia were amazing

There was so much I loved in this book. Yes it’s a romance but the romance was bottom of a long list. First up, the main character was awesome. She was an absolute delight. I loved Rosemary, she’s a horror writer, she’s tattooed, wears glasses, she loves horror in multiple formats, she’s quirky and she can see ghosts. This book does reference characters from the author’s earlier book Best Hex Ever and they are sequential but you can read this standalone without needing to have read the previous book.

Next, I loved the ghosts. Rosemary sees ghosts and she tries to help them move on where she can. She also tries to protect the living from poltergeist peril! Even where it’s unexplainable to the mortals around her. I really enjoyed the ghosts in this book and how Rosemary interacts with them. There was a subplot with a ghostly romance that was thoroughly enjoyable.

The premise of this book revolves around a film set. One of Rosemary’s books is being adapted for the screen and she’s not a fan of the actor chosen for the main character. However he is more than his public image and we learn more about the pressures that force him to behave in certain ways. I did really like the film set as location for this, particularly since part of it takes place in a creepy mansion! This also worked really well as a way to throw the main characters together.

I wanted to hear more about Rosemary’s writing! She had some really cool books mentioned in the story and I wanted to know more!

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This book was a warm, cozy hug! Hugs are important in this book, the best are given by Rosemary's dad, who taught Rosemary how to hug and as a result Ellis and all her friends benefit from this underrated loving skill; Rosemary uses hugs at one point to determine home. Not only does the book have hugs, but also dogs, cats, ghosts, gardening and I enjoyed all the characters except one, who will be fairly obvious when reading the book. The relationship was quite spicy and the characters look after each other too, which I loved. The story was relatively fast paced. I am on the look out for other books by this author and a bean bag chair. 5 stars! My opinions are my own and I thank the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

3/3.5

This was a quick read and a light one. Which is the reason why I picked the book in the first place. There is nothing really new about the story. Girl meets boy and all that, but make it a bit darker with Hollywood paparazzi and the problems they can bring into someone's life. I enjoyed the read, but by the end, the pace kind of threw me off, and I didn't enjoy the last few chapters, it felt a bit rushed for me.

Pick it up if you like:
- enemies to lovers
- diverse cast
- spice (open door romance)
- ghosts! (not spooky)
- HEA

Thank you to the publisher Random House UK, Cornerstone | Del Rey and the author for the e-ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for star rating.

Nadia El-Fassi's latest supernatural(ish) romance romp took me a little while to get into. I struggled with maybe the first 20/30% of the book to get invested in the characters and the plot, which, for me, felt cumbersome and slow to get going.

However, once they got to the set and started the filming at the Manor, I started to enjoy the book more. I liked the dynamic between Rosemary and Ellis, but felt that the enemies to lovers angle was very short-lived and didn't really hit the spot for me, in what is usually one of my favourite tropes. But once the romance started to take shape, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing their relationship take hold.
There was lots of spice, which I found to be well written, and I liked the subplot of the worry about certain aspects of Ellis's love life remaining secret due to fear of exposure.

The supernatural elements for me were neither here nor there and didn't really add much to the overall story. I'd have liked much more interaction and details regarding Juliet and Cecelia and the role they played in haunting the set and the Manor. I feel like this book could have existed just fine without this as it almost felt like an afterthought at times.

Dina has had her story in Best Hex Ever, which makes me wonder whether Immy's story will perhaps be the next in the series? Or will we see more from Jenna and Lyn?

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and cornerstone publishing for letting me read this amazing arc!

This book has been a five star read , I adored everything about it the connection to the first book best hex ever which was also an excellent book by as so crucial to me as a reader .


Ghosts romance dominance 🥵 the description of the sex scenes were unbelievable. Hot 🔥 romantic and beautifully executed and utterly believable.

The MFC Rosemary is a horror writer who had a big screen debut coming up and is traveling to see the production come to life her only struggle is the mmc actor who has been given the roll of Alfred Ellis Finch a older action hero always seen with younger women and not for long . So naturally her views of him are stunted. She meets him before the big meal out in the rain he dismisses her and grunts off into the rain.
Later to realise that she is she writer that doesn’t think he’s right for the role even though he’s immediately struck by how different he expected her to be.

It’s a mutual pining romance clear boundaries, that explores sexual preferences and pleasure. Being bi and having to be kept in the closet because of a career is difficult even this day and age. The shame attached to it has always been a deep rooted belief in people who don’t have the same attractions.

This book also explores grief which had me breaking down in tears . My own parents are both dead and I’d love to have one last conversation with them, my mother 20 years ago and my father this year in January. How I’d long for Rosemarys gift and a Babylon candle on Halloween.

The ghost animals what a wonderful idea Nadia has brought into my world, Hank and Cherry will stay with me for a while losing a pet is always hard looking for them wondering if you gave then a full and happy life.

Please write another book about these people involved !

Can’t wait to read another book by Nadia .

A fun read about a bestselling horror author and Hollywood actor that’s been cast as the male lead in her movie. I didn’t enjoy it as much as best hex ever, but I did enjoy the paranormal aspect.

DNF

Went into this blind and didn’t realize it was written in third person. Not a huge deal usually, but when nothing about the story is pulling you in? Yeah, it becomes a deal. The first 20% felt like random little scene snippets that barely connected to each other and mostly didn’t seem to matter. Like reading someone’s scattered daydreams.

And then there’s Rosemary. I genuinely could not with her. She’s mad that Ellis got cast as the lead in the adaptation of her book because… he’s attractive? And has a dating life? That’s her whole issue? Girl, come on. That rain scene where he assumes she’s a fan and says he’s not taking selfies right now (a totally reasonable response for someone constantly approached in public), and she gets all smug like, "Ooooh just wait until he finds out I’m the writer!" — the delusion jumped out. Why would a famous actor recognize the author he’s never met while standing under a tree in a rainstorm?

Also, can we talk about Ellis acting like he’s 95 when he’s in his early 40s? The constant “I’m so old” bit got old FAST. Sir, your joints are probably fine. Relax. You’re not being wheeled into a retirement home. You’re not collecting Social Security. You’re just… in your 40s. It’s fine.

The book also tried really hard to be inclusive, but it felt more like a box-checking exercise. Every identity and pronoun felt tossed in like ingredients in a kitchen sink salad, and instead of feeling thoughtful, it came off kind of cheap and forced.

Now, I was mildly curious about Ellis’s kink. I guessed it would be BDSM early on, and—what do you know—I was right. But even that wasn’t enough to keep me flipping pages. The buildup was too slow, the characters were annoying, and the story just wasn’t doing it for me.

Since reading Best Hex Ever, I have been incredibly excited to read more from this author, and this book absolutely did not disappoint!

It started as I expected, cute and cosy. I really liked Rosemary as a FMC, and found her so quirky and relatable. Adding that she can see ghosts made for a fun sub plot, and I liked that she meddled in the love lives of ghosts.

And then we met Ellis. Ohh sweet, brooding, British Hollywood Hearthrob, Ellis. I loved him. That man could do no wrong in my eyes. The relationship between him and Rosemary blossomed so naturally and felt real. There is an age gap between the two of them, but only by 12 years. The sub/dom power play dynamic was very well written, and it definitely felt that the both characters fully trusted eachother. The physical relationship between them was absolutely perfect for me, and felt like it came at the right time in the story too.

Again, Nadia has written a book that has left me with an insatiable need for more of her writing, and I cannot wait to see what comes next from her. This will definitely a book that I will be reading again and again on cold autumn nights 🫶🏻

Tropes:
* Paranormal Subplot
* Age Gap
* Power Play Dom/Sub
* Gender and Sexuality Rep
* Third Act Breakup
* Forced Proximity
* Author x Actor

This book was like if a Halloween party got drunk, fell in love with a rom-com, and then had a passionate affair with a B-horror movie—and I loved every messy, spooky second of it.

Love At First Fright delivers exactly what the title promises: romance, ridiculousness, and the kind of delightful chaos that only comes when your love interest might be a supernatural creature… or just a guy with very niche hobbies and questionable hygiene.

The main character is relatable in the way only someone who keeps dating people with “murder basements” can be. And the love interest? He’s mysterious, broody, and probably in desperate need of therapy—and yet somehow still incredibly swoon-worthy. It’s the kind of book where you’re not sure if you’re falling in love or about to be sacrificed in a full moon ritual, but hey, that’s part of the charm.

My only gripe—and the reason this is four stars instead of five—is that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly. I wanted a bit more time to process everything that happened (or didn’t happen… it’s hard to tell in a haunted house with mood lighting).

Highly recommended if you like your romance with a side of mild terror, ghost jokes, and some truly questionable life choices. I laughed. I cringed. I questioned my own taste in fictional men. 10/10 would fall in love at first fright again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

Love at First Fright was the perfect mix of paranormal chaos, slow-burn tension, and soft autumnal vibes with just the right dash of spice and heart. It’s giving: haunted manor house, grumpy-sunshine age gap, movie set antics, and a leading man who’d rather be cuddling his dog than chasing clout. Basically, it was an instant win.

Rosemary Shaw was a delight. Quirky, driven, a little stubborn, and oh yeah... she can see ghosts. Her being surrounded by spirits felt less like horror and more like a paranormal romcom, especially once the film adaptation of her bestselling horror book starts rolling... in a very haunted English manor.

The ghost dog?? Adored!

Ellis Finch is the jaded Hollywood heartthrob I didn’t know I needed. Grumpy, charming, and ready to retire into cozy British life with his sweet dog, Fig, Ellis is totally at odds with Rosemary’s expectations. Their enemies-to-lovers banter was chef’s kiss, especially with all the simmering tension and reluctant vulnerability on both sides.

The age gap (if you know me, you know I love a good age gap romance) was handled with care and humour, the paranormal elements were atmospheric but not heavy-handed, and the cast of ghostly and human side characters made Hallowvale feel alive (in more ways than one).

My only nitpick: the pacing dipped slightly mid-book, and I sometimes wanted more focus on Ellis’s POV. But overall, this was a charming, witchy-tinged romcom with real emotional undercurrents, a perfect fall read with year-round appeal.

If you like:
* ghost dogs (justice for ghost pets!)
* age gap + grumpy/sunshine
* banter on set
* cozy haunted houses with found family energy
* a hero who secretly wants to be a cinnamon roll gardener

…you’ll love this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it

As a successful horror writer, Rosemary knows that one of her books being optioned for film is a big step in her career, which is why it's so frustrating that her lead character has been completely miscast. After years of playing action heroes, Ellis is excited to finally be given a role he actually cares about, which is why it's so frustrating when the film's screenwriter tries to have him recast. Both begin production determined to hate each other, but when they're forced into close proximity while filming in a haunted manor, events quickly spiral beyond their control...

Love at First Fright is a sequel of sorts to Best Hex Ever, and fans of Nadia El-Fassi's debut novel will enjoy the cameos from some familiar faces, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. I would describe it as a romance with supernatural elements, rather than the other way around, as Rosemary's ability to see ghosts is an integral part of the story but the main plot is driven by the romance between her and Ellis. What starts off as an enemies-t0-lovers romance quickly becomes a spicy dom/sub romance, and I enjoyed that we get that initial tension without having to wait too long for the payoff. The first half of Love at First Fright also explores the age-gap trope, with 41 year-old Ellis worrying that his feelings for the 29 year-old Rosemary make him a cliché, while the second half explores the celebrity romance trope, as Rosemary discovers what dating a famous actor entails, and the book as a whole offers some excellent queer representation.

I found this one a page-turning read, funny and steamy in equal measure, and with a delightful supernatural subplot. I also loved the details about horror books and films, and about Rosemary's life as an author. Love at First Fright wasn't quite a five-star read for me, as I thought the romance plot dragged a little once the supernatural subplot came to a close, but I enjoyed it very much, and look forward to whatever Nadia El-Fassi writes next!

"I was always happier here," she admitted. With you, her heart whispered."

GENRE: PNR with cozy fantasy elements
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc

Would I recommend to others?: YES. I will never not recommend books written by Nadia El-Fassi. They are written in a beautiful way, with grief, mental health rep, love and wanting to find your place in the world all wrapped up in a romance book.

Long Review:
Nadia El-Fassi has a way of writing books that I know will linger in my heart long after I have finished them and Love at First Fright is no different. This is a book set in the same world as her debut novel: Best Hex Ever and is focusing on Rosemary. Love at First Fright tackles many heavy topics, like finding her place in the world and believing that you are good enough, the pressure of being an author and having your novel turned into a film can definitely wreck havoc on your anxiety, even if its all good things that SHOULD make you happy.
"She felt like a conveyor belt, always churning out words, never stopping to breathe. Rosemary would think about breathing when this book was done."

Rosemary is an American character who moved away from her town after losing her mom and grief is something that is touched on in this book, which if you have been around, you know I love reading about in books as I always connect to it from my own personal experience. The idea of "Where is home" is addressed in Love at First Fright, when Rosemary says that her home town is no longer home once her mom passed away and I relate to this very heavily as I am from multiple countries, lived in a different country and then, when I lost my grandmother, I found that none of them were home anymore. I found that my identity crisis of experiencing third culture got stronger. I never fitted into any of the countries I was from or lived in perfectly and after losing my grandma (my mema), this went away entirely. I then started leaning into wanting to move to the UK (just like Rosemary) and so I definitely could relate to this theme very heavily throughout the book
"Georgia didn't feel like home anymore, even with Dad still living there. It hadn't been home since her mom had died."

"But London? Even the word filled her with a glowing warmth. The city wasn't new to her, and the idea of living there felt more like a return home than a fresh start."

And the thing about grief is that it comes when you least expect it and over the years, it quietens down. It becomes something that you live with in the background and is still very much a reality that you struggle to accept. The sharp edges become a bit duller and not smoother. El-Fassi really adds this element to the book, where Rosemary remembers her mom throughout the books, in those moments that are small and big, in the unexpected memories and the things you wish you could tell them again. You can tell that El-Fassi herself went through this and her grief is painted beautifully in Best Hex Ever and in here, Love at First Fright.
"Rosemary wished she could talk to her mama about all of this. As it always was with grief, the person she most wanted to soothe her sadness was the same whose absence had caused it all."

"They'd (Rosemary and her mom) spend hours going over Rosemary's plot ideas; however childish and silly, her mother had shown Rosemary that her stories were important. Look where we are now, Mama."

On the other hand, the MMC, Ellis, is also finding his own place in the world. Having spent the last few years being an actor and trying to make it in a world that is chaotic, exposed and hectic, he seeks to have a slower life, one that is filled with loved ones and wholesome moment. However, just like Rosemary, he is stuck in the hustle culture and finds that he can't escape as easily as he wishes he could. He also wishes he could be himself more in a world that forces him to be like other people instead.
"Next summer he'd clean it. Next summer he'd finally have that barbeque with friends and family he'd promised himself. Ellis wished he could spend longer in the garden, but there never seemed to be enough time to do the things he loved."

"No more forced diets for movies, dehydrating himself so that he looked more ripped on camera."

And Rosemary plus Ellis together? AHHH what a couple, what a combination. Their dynamic felt real, intense and unique. You could tell that they loved each other and it all happened so naturally. Their dynamic is very different than the couple from book one (Best Hex Ever) but it is such a soft companionship and friendship with a sharp edge in their relationship and one that works well for the both of them. Their dynamic is beautiful because its two people coming together, broken in a similar way with grief, loss in their lives and they begin to share this with each other, hoping to find acceptance in one another.
"While Rosemary cuddled Fig on her lap, the little dog dozing and chasing bunnies in her sleep, Ellis wondered if it was possible to feel too happy."

"It was when he stood in his paint-covered overalls amidst the boxes that he'd shipped to his house, which were filled with the parts he'd need to build Rosemary a desk to go under the window, that Ellis realised he was in love with her."

And guys, the most beautiful part is they find home in each other. Like honestly, that is probably what we spend a lifetime looking for: our home in this world
"I'm home!" Ellis heard Rosemary call from downstairs. Home. My girl is home."

And not only this, El-Fassi writes about Rosemary's anxiety in a way that is familiar to my own with my AuDHD. She does little things throughout the book that makes me go like: Oh, I do that too!
"She had arrived a little early to acclimatise and prepare, something she had found always helped her anxiety...Rosemary figured that if she considered all possible outcomes at an event, thought about all the things people might ask her, then she wouldn't feel stuck in the moment. To her, that all seemed perfectly sensible, but apparently it also meant she was just an anxious person."

AND to add an element of fun magical thing here: Rosemary can see ghosts! This brings a lot of fun stuff to the book but I will leave you with one quote regarding this
"... she thought of all the ghosts she had known and how, when it came down to it, they stayed because they wanted more time with the people they loved."

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, Delrey and Nadia for the eArc copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Love at first fright ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley, Cornerstone and Nadia El-Fassi for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

I devoured El-Fassi’s debut novel Best Hex Ever and the same can be said for Love At First Fright. I adored this book so much that I now have a book hangover - how am I supposed to function without Rosemary and Ellis?

Love At First Fright follows scream queen horror author, script writer and executive producer Rosemary as she enters the world of Hollywood screen adaptation. The lead cast for the film is not who she envisioned at all, Ellis Finch - broad shouldered, British heartthrob; and he definitely isn’t what she expected. And if that wasn’t enough, enter: paranormal activity and our FMC who can see and interact with ghosts, and ghost pets!

Reading this book was a Big Life MomentTM. It had everything I could dream of for a romance: age-gap, power play, bisexual kings and queens, regency era sapphic yearning, bisexual kings and queens. Also, having a FMC that wears glasses was really wonderful and hot: “I want you to see everything I’m about to do to you.” I was kicking and screaming for a lot of this book! The spice was next level.

I absolutely loved reading a romance with the Brat submissive type in it. Brat autumn incoming for when this book is released on 16th September 2025. El-Fassi effortlessly writes a diverse cast and sprinkles in our well loved characters from Best Hex Ever. All of the new characters were well fleshed out and just like Rosemary and Ellis the reader is swept up in the romance of it all.

I cannot wait for El-Fassi’s next book!

I am an absolute sucker for a ghost story. Like with actual ghosts, I don’t know if it was reading kissed by an angel by Elizabeth chandler when I was young, but I absolute adore anything in that vein.
Love at first fright absolutely caught me right away. Not only can our FMC see ghosts, she’s also a horror author who is currently about to work on her first book to movie adaptation with a super hot action hero who she thinks is totally wrong for the part. What is not to love, like actually. They definitely started off as “enemies” but that quickly flew out the window when they realized their chemistry was undeniable. I had such a good time, I have to admit I started the book and then stayed up far too late to finish it. But it was worth the pain. If you love paranormal romance, ghost pets and bi-representation, please please please read this book!

i was lucky enough to get an arc of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ✨

I love anything spooky, so this book immediately caught my attention with its promise of a supernatural romcom.

I adored the paranormal elements within this book, there’s something so fun about the idea of a haunted mansion on a horror film set. The mystery of the ghosts was well done, and the spooky supporting ghosts popping up throughout added charm and warmth. (Hank, you lil cutie, I would die for you.)

While Rosemary’s gift for communicating with the paranormal isn't a central part of her personality, it’s cleverly used to deepen the story and provide insight into her relationships with those around her. I loved the smaller explorations of this, like the bakery man with his fresh bread, these small additions help to build a bigger and clearer picture of the ghostly mystery that surrounds her daily life.

One standout element for me was the thoughtful exploration of sexuality and identity interwoven into the plot. This wasn’t just limited to the main characters - it extended to the two sapphic ghosts, which added a heartfelt and poignant subplot about sexuality in the regency era. This was handled with care and sensitivity, and I really appreciated the mini happy ending we got for them.

That said, I did have some issues with the pacing. I flew through the book within 24 hours, but the romance between Ellis and Rosemary felt very underdeveloped. Their dynamic leaned heavily on sexual chemistry and their dom/sub relationship, which made it harder for me to connect with them on an emotional level. I would’ve loved to see more of their shared history and emotional growth, rather than scene after scene of physical intimacy without deeper conversation. The one exception to this was the writing room which Ellis created - moments like that gave a glimpse into their potential emotional depth, and I wish there had been more.

The third-act breakup felt so unnecessary and left the ending feeling rushed and unsatisfying. It disrupted the flow and didn’t land the emotional payoff I was hoping for. I hate when characters get back together and jump into an epilogue straight away, it left me feeling disappointed.

Overall, I liked this book, but I can’t say I loved it. It’s a spooky and spicy read that’s ideal for a cozy autumn afternoon 👻🍁🍂

I was hooked from the first chapter! I was so moved by the endearing loveable characters.
The found family trope is absolutely charming and made for such a perfect sounding board for the main character.
I loved that the exterior/facade of the MMC was in fact the opposite of who he wanted to be, and it was interesting seeing how he was vulnerable to his agent (something you don’t always discover upfront in a story) I really liked him from the off and it helped me empathise and root for him.
I had such a good time reading this and simply ate it up!