We’ve started seeing Halloween decorations at the store, so we’ll take it as a sign to prepare for the spooky season. And what better way to do that than with Jenny L. Howe‘s new novel, How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House? (Yes, we know it’s only July.)
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House follows 17-year-old Amity Callaway, whose perfect California summer gets upended by a cross-country move to Harlow’s Rest, Massachusetts. It doesn’t help that her and her mom’s new house is supposedly haunted and in desperate need of repair. Enter Theo Hargrave, a local ghost hunter and son of a general contractor who has the answers to her problems, supernatural and otherwise.
With plus-size representation and a romance that’s sweeter than candy, it’s safe to say we’re obsessed with this new book! Here are three things we love about How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe.
Book Overview: How (Not) To Renovate A Haunted House
Content warnings: parental neglect, mentions of parent death, car accident, divorce, and bullying
Summary: Amity Callaway is sick of being known as the weird girl. As annoyed as she is that her recently divorced mom just moved them across the country to the tiny, quirky town of Harlow’s Rest, Massachusetts, it could be the fresh start she needs.
Until Amity discovers their absolute disaster of a new house is supposedly haunted.
Theo Hargrave, amateur ghost hunter and son of the local general contractor, is a true believer. When he shows up on their property with his EMF reader in hand, Amity is ready to debunk all his theories. She’s definitely not staring at the small scar through his eyebrow or his ridiculously soft lips.
But even Amity can admit their home renovation is doomed. Nothing is going right, from the paint that refuses to dry to the fixtures that keep coming loose. So Amity and Theo strike a deal—his family’s construction expertise for her help investigating the house’s supernatural secrets. Even scarier than ghosts, though? Amity’s growing feelings for Theo.
Spooky Vibes
We can’t lie: we were a little worried about being too scared by How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House. But we’re proud to report that the haunted house tale has the perfect amount of spooky vibes! Even with its infamous history and unexplained events, Amity still isn’t convinced that her new house is haunted. She looks for facts to back up the strange occurrences. But the closer they get to the Harlow family’s death anniversary, the less she can explain away what goes on in her house.
Amity’s Fresh Start
Amity has been looking forward to spending the summer with her best friend Taylor in search of the best taco spot. That is, until her mom announces their cross-country move with only a week’s notice. Though annoyed at first, the move proves to be the fresh start Amity needs. After a betrayal from her so-called friends, Amity’s anxiety has gotten worse. She over analyzes every conversation, dreading the moment when someone will write her off as the weird girl. But the people of Harlow’s Rest are warm and welcoming, embracing any weirdness and helping her find a place to belong when she needs it most.
Small-Town Charm
Speaking of Harlow’s Rest, another thing we love about How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House is the small-town charm. It’s the type of community where everyone knows each other. Amity quickly finds a part-time job with the local library. As an aspiring archivist, it’s the perfect summer gig. The town takes their traditions seriously, especially when it involves the historical house that Amity and her mom have just moved into. From the local coffee shop to college library archives, we had a blast exploring the town!
With its plus-size and mental health representation, as well as the spooky vibes and small-town romance, what’s not to love about How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe?
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe comes out July 21st, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of Jenny L. Howe’s newest novel? Will you be reading How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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