10 Books With Ghostly Romance
There’s something irresistibly haunting about romance stories that blur the line between life and the afterlife. Ghostly love tales offer an enchanting mix of passion, longing, and mystery — where the heart’s desires transcend time and death itself. If you’re ready for a chilling yet heartwarming reading experience, here are 10 ethereal romances that will captivate your imagination.
1. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
💍 A spectral proposal and forbidden love in colonial Malaya.
Li Lan’s ordinary life is upended when she’s offered as a “ghost bride” to a wealthy family’s deceased son. As she navigates the afterlife to solve a mystery, she finds herself caught between two worlds — and two captivating loves.
💭 Why it haunts you: Choo’s lush descriptions and intricate world-building create a story that’s as mesmerizing as it is heartbreaking. The romance feels timeless, transcending even death.
2. A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
Laura Whitcomb grew up in Pasadena, California in a mildly haunted house. She received her English degree at California State University at Northridge in 1993. She has taught Language Arts in California and Hawaii. She has won three Kay Snow Awards and was once runner up in the Bulwer-Lytton writing contest for the best first sentence of the worst Science Fiction novel never written. In her spare time she sings madrigals with the Sherwood Renaissance Singers and is the props mistress for the Portland Christmas Revels. She lives in Wilsonville, Oregon, with her son Robinson.
✨ A spirit finds love for the first time — centuries after her death.
Helen is a ghost who’s been haunting classrooms for decades, invisible to everyone until one boy, James, sees her. As their connection deepens, Helen must confront the secrets of her past.
💭 Why it’s unforgettable: The poetic writing and deep emotional journey make this book a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, redemption, and identity.
3. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
From the internationally bestselling author of The House at Riverton, an unforgettable new novel that transports the reader from the back alleys of poverty of pre-World War I London to the shores of colonial Australia where so many made a fresh start, and back to the windswept coast of Cornwall, England, past and present
🌸 Whispers of love and secrets buried in time.
When Cassandra inherits a mysterious old house, she uncovers a century-old romance intertwined with ghostly apparitions. The lingering presence of past lovers shapes her present-day journey.
💭 Why it stays with you: Morton masterfully weaves a multi-generational tale where love and loss linger like a soft, spectral breeze.
4. Along Came a Ghost By Danielle Garrett
Danielle Garrett has been an avid bookworm for as long as she can remember, immersing herself in the magic of far-off places and the rich lives of witches, wizards, princesses, elves, and some wonderful everyday heroes as well. Her love of reading naturally blossomed into a passion for storytelling, and today, she’s living the dream she’s nurtured since the second grade—crafting her own worlds and characters as an author.
⏳ Love that defies time and mortality.
Now THIS is what a supernatural cozy should be! The lead character, Holly, has real-life issues that go beyond the world of witchcraft and make her a girl that we can all empathize with.
The story is paced perfectly and the characters and setting have great dimension and depth. Ms. Garrett did an excellent job of capturing my attention and holding it throughout the entire book without distracting me with info dumps or rabbit trails.
She ended it perfectly and I can’t wait to read the next one! I’m picky about my reading material, so it’s great to have finally found another supernatural series worth reading!
💭 Why it thrills: The blend of historical intrigue, otherworldly passion, and heart-pounding suspense makes this an unputdownable tale.
5. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor
From The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home comes a historical novel inspired by true events, and the extraordinary female lighthouse keepers of the past two hundred years.
“They call me a heroine, but I am not deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty.”
🌊 Love that flickers like a distant light across time.
Two women, separated by a century, are drawn to the same lighthouse haunted by whispers of a love lost at sea. As their stories intertwine, echoes of the past resurface, revealing a romance that refuses to fade.
💭 Why it captivates: Gaynor’s atmospheric storytelling will transport you to windswept cliffs and leave you yearning for a love as enduring as the lighthouse’s beam.
6. The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen
A woman trying to outrun her past is drawn to a coastal village in Maine—and to a string of unsolved murders—in this novel of romance and psychological suspense from New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen.
“Suspenseful, sexy, and soulful.”—J. R. Ward, bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series
🏠 A seductive ghost and a deadly mystery in a coastal mansion.
When Ava retreats to a secluded mansion in Maine, she encounters the ghostly presence of a former sea captain. Their passionate encounters grow dangerous as the mansion’s dark secrets unravel.
💭 Why it enchants: Gerritsen masterfully blends suspense with steamy paranormal romance, making this a deliciously eerie read.
7. Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
🎭 A love story haunted by past lives and spectral secrets.
Declan Fitzgerald buys an old mansion in Louisiana, only to find himself haunted by visions of a tragic past. When he meets the enigmatic Lena, their present-day love story seems destined to right old wrongs.
💭 Why it resonates: Roberts’ signature blend of passion, mystery, and lush Southern settings makes this ghostly tale unforgettable.
8. The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
🏚️ A haunted mansion, a fierce heroine, and a love that lights the darkness.
In 1875 New York, Alva Webster buys a crumbling mansion with a sinister reputation. Enter the charming and brilliant Samuel Moore, a scientist determined to debunk the haunting — and win Alva’s heart.
💭 Why it shines: This book is equal parts gothic romance and delightful banter, with a love story that brings light to even the darkest corners.
9. The Spirit of the Castle by K.T. Wells
🏰 A ghostly guardian and the woman who breathes life into his lonely existence.
Eleanor inherits a centuries-old castle in Scotland and discovers its spectral inhabitant, a dashing ghost cursed to linger until true love sets him free.
💭 Why it charms: Wells’ sweeping descriptions and heart-melting romance will have you longing for your own enchanted castle.
10. Potions And Proposals: An Arranged Marriage Paranormal Romance By Callaghan, Kate
Kate Callaghan released her debut YA dark fantasy trilogy, Crowned A Traitor: A Hellish Fairytale in 2020. While the Hellish Fairytale universe is being expanded, she is also writing adult romance and fantasy.
She loves dark tales, villains and happily-ever-afters—something you will find in all of her books. Chatting with readers and getting to share many different stories is her favourite part of being an indie author.
Currently she lives in Dublin. She loves dramas with subtitles (to silence the characters), coffee, and reading too many dark romances. If missing, please check your local coffee shop. You will find her with her computer and an iced beverage.
🔮 A modern-day psychic falls for a restless spirit.
When psychic Leah starts seeing the same ghost every night, she vows to help him find peace. But as they unravel the truth of his untimely death, their connection grows dangerously intimate.
💭 Why it captivates: Westwood’s emotional depth and sizzling chemistry between Leah and her spectral love will haunt your dreams.
Which Ghostly Love Story Will Haunt You the Most? 👻❤️
From passionate apparitions to love that transcends time, these ghostly romance books prove that true love never dies. Have a favorite ghostly tale that swept you off your feet? Share your top picks — and let’s keep the spooky romance vibes going! 🌙✨
