Synopsis
Never Have I Ever meets The X-Files in Amanda Quain’s Ghosted, a gender-bent contemporary retelling of the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey.
Hattie Tilney isn’t a believer. Yes, she’s a senior at America’s most (allegedly) haunted high school, Northanger Abbey. But ever since her paranormal-loving dad passed away, she’s hung up her Ghostbusters suit, put away the EMF detectors and thermal cameras, and moved on. She has enough to worry about in the land of the living–like taking care of her younger brother, Liam, while their older sister spirals out and their mother, Northanger’s formidable headmistress, buries herself in her work. If Hattie just works hard enough and keeps that overachiever mask on tight through graduation, maybe her mom will finally notice her.
But the mask starts slipping when Hattie’s assigned to be an ambassador to Kit Morland, a golden retriever of a boy who’s transferred to Northanger on—what else—a ghost-hunting scholarship. The two are partnered up for an investigative project on the school’s paranormal activity, and Hattie quickly strikes a deal: Kit will present whatever ghostly evidence he can find to prove that campus is haunted, and Hattie will prove that it’s not. But as they explore the abandoned tunnels and foggy graveyards of Northanger, Hattie starts to realize that Kit might be the kind of person that makes her want to believe in something—and someone—for the first time.
With her signature wit and slow burn romance, Amanda Quain turns another Austen classic on its head in this sparkling retelling that proves sometimes the ghosts are just a metaphor after all.
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Review
I am not a huge Jane Austen fan (don’t stone me!), so I have no idea what her story is about. My review is based solely on this book without comparisons.
This coming-of-age YA novel has many themes running through it. Hattie is grieving her father’s passing while trying to fit into the high school where her mother is the headmistress. I found it odd that she always referred to her as Dr. Tilney and rarely mom. That speaks volumes about their relationship or lack thereof. Hattie does have a good relationship with her younger brother Liam, but her older sister, Freddie, is lost in her own way.
Enter Kit Morland. He is a scholarship student from a paranormal society. His enthusiasm for all things ghosts brings up some feelings in Hattie that she hasn’t felt for many years. However, in order to be the “good” daughter, she pushes those emotions down and scoffs at his love of ghosts. It doesn’t help that they are assigned a project that is to prove or disprove the idea of ghosts. Despite their journalistic endeavors, love does come into play over time. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom and for Hattie to realize that maybe there is more to her life than the boxes she is checking off some list.
Love, friendship, disagreements, and more bring this story together. The characters are varied but focus primarily on Kit and Hattie. I really came to adore Liam, especially when he discovered a new love. Even Freddie manages to redeem herself in the end.
This was an enjoyable story, and we give it 4 paws up.
About the Author
AMANDA QUAIN is a writer, indie bookseller, and general life enthusiast. When she’s not shouting about her favorite new books, she loves theatre, baking, rock climbing, marching band, and the overall pursuit of adventure. If forced to choose, Amanda’s favorite Austen hero is Edward Ferrars, though she’ll always have a soft spot for Mr. Bingley. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and her cat. She is the author of ACCOMPLISHED and GHOSTED.
