Review | Good spirits (Ghosted #1) by B.K. Borison

Review of ‘Good spirits’ (Ghosted #1) by B.K. Borison. Discover Good spirits by B.K. Borison, a cozy and spicy Christmas romance that blends festive magic with emotional depth and a unique supernatural twist. This holiday rom-com isn’t just about holiday cheer, it explores grief, personal growth, and falling in love with the literal Ghost of Christmas Past. If you’re searching for a heartfelt and steamy Christmas romance novel with time-travel elements, Good spirits might be the perfect holiday read for your December TBR. Even if you’re diving in early (because who says we can’t start the season in November?).

Starting the holiday season with a ghost, a romance, and a whole lot of feelings: Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

Synopsis

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

Review

Harriet York never expected to be haunted. She’s always tried to do the right thing, kept the peace, and put others before herself. So when the literal Ghost of Christmas Past shows up at her door, she’s understandably confused. Nolan Callahan, said ghost, is just trying to fulfill his annual assignment and move on. But this time, the past isn’t so simple. As they dig through Harriet’s memories together, they find themselves uncovering shared threads, buried truths, and maybe even a little unexpected magic. What begins as a haunting turns into something much deeper. The kind of connection that makes them question what it really means to move on… or stay.

This was my first time reading anything by B.K. Borison, even though I’ve seen her name floating all over Bookstagram. So when I saw the audiobook for Good spirits, I figured: why not start the Christmas season a little early? I’m on the road a lot these days, and this one kept me entertained the whole way through.

The setup is magical in all the best ways. Harriet is being haunted by the literal Ghost of Christmas Past. Nolan Callahan is supposed to help her work through old wounds. Except neither of them is prepared for what they uncover. Their connection is instant, intense, and yes… very spicy. This is definitely an adult romance, and if you’re not into open-door scenes or extra descriptive tension, this might push your comfort zone. But for me? It worked.

I really appreciated that the story wasn’t just sweet fluff. There’s real trauma here. Harriet’s people-pleasing tendencies, her complicated family dynamics, and the emotional weight she carries gave the book a lot more heart. Nolan’s storyline, too, had layers I didn’t expect. The flashbacks into Harriet’s past were some of my favorite parts. Not only were they fun and clever, but they also gave the story more emotional weight, and I loved the twist that slowly unraveled through them.

That said, the second half of the book did drag a bit. Once the initial mystery and setup were out of the way, it leaned heavily into the romance, which makes sense for the genre, but I kept hoping for more reveals or plot movement. I also have to admit… some scenes had me cringing just a little. There’s a particular overuse of the word “belly” that had me reaching for the volume button. Is it The Summer I Turned Pretty trauma or a personal ick? Who knows, but it was there.

Character-wise, I liked Harriet, though her constant willingness to be stepped on got frustrating, especially near the end. I wished we saw more pushback from her earlier. Her sister and her friend from the shop were fun side characters, and I’d have loved more from them. Nolan, though, was the standout for me. He had great character growth and managed to be both emotionally vulnerable and confident in a way that really worked.

Final thoughts? Good spirits was the perfect, slightly offbeat start to my holiday reading season. It had emotional beats, heat, and charm. All wrapped in a ghostly little bow.

Rating

7,5/10

Details

• Trigger warnings: Grief, loss of a loved one, toxic relationships, themes of death and the afterlife, mild emotional manipulation
• Themes: Healing through reflection, learning to put yourself first, second chances (in love and life), grief and letting go, the impact of memory, emotional growth
• Representation: No prominent queer or racial representation noted, but features themes of emotional sensitivity in (male) characters and explores mental health through the lens of unresolved trauma
• Genre: Christmas fantasy (adult)
• Pages: 384
• Publication date: October 21, 2025
• Publisher: Avon
• About the author:
  New York Times, Sunday Times, and USA Today Bestselling author B.K. Borison is the author of cozy, contemporary romances featuring emotionally vulnerable characters and swoon-worthy settings. When she’s not daydreaming about fictional characters doing fictional things, she’s at home with her family, more than likely buying books she doesn’t have room for.