Love at First Haunt (Haunted Ever After Book 1) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Dani Dando

Love at First Haunt: A Ghostly Paranormal Romance by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Straight off we are launched into the sucky situation of Allison (our main protagonist) having to attend a party for a rich and powerful someone who recently brought the massive mansion the party is taking place in, from her friend Tina. Allison doesn’t like the parties, mainly for the vapid and money-hungry guests but also because she can feel all emotions and she knows just how fake all the people around her are.
If I’m being entirely honest – and this is nothing against Pulkinen because I have read some of her other stuff and I have always found it witty and relatable – but I really struggled with this book, especially the whole empath thing. I get that it is a fantasy and I’m all for that, but to say that a room full of people only had money and sex on their minds just is daft. Even people who like all the swanky stuff and a good roll in the hay, have more on their minds than that, and I thought that a character who is a supernatural being like an empath would be aware of this and understand this. By all means, say that she couldn’t stand the party because all the emotions were just too much, but to say that everyone in there wasn’t worth her time except for Logan felt a little harsh. Anywho just my personal opinion, moving swiftly on.
While at this party she locks eyes with Logan, the hunky handsome bit of man that, in spite of his seemingly knee-deep-in-willing-women lifestyle is sad and lonely and Allison senses this, and instantly runs away from it. After being hurt and spurned before she doesn’t want to go through that hurt again so a relationship is just not an option, especially with someone like Logan, who can dip and dash with the best of them.
Whilst making her Cinderella-esque escape (minus the dance with prince charming and the loss of a slipper) she happens upon a crying woman and tries to comfort her. It is only after the woman disappears and she is flooded with overwhelming emotions that she realises that she has seen a ghost. After several turns and twists of fate, Allison and Logan find themselves drawn together against either of their better judgments, their connection and spark undeniable. I will say that I thought their relationship happened a little quickly, but then again I think that of most romances that are similar to this, and considering that this is a book about ghosts and empaths, I don’t think I should nit-pick about the speed of their relationship being unbelievable.
I will say though that Pulkinen has a way of writing characters that makes them feel down-to-earth and relatable. Apart from my earlier issues with the whole party-thing, I found the characters likable and funny. Pulkinen really does do funny well and I really liked how she handled mental health in this. She managed to do it respectfully and with care, without losing the light-heartedness that made the book such a joy to read. I really do recommend Pulkinen and if you like this then you will definitely like License to Bite, that book is funny and steamy and just a delight to read.

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