In this Casper meets Practical Magic romance, we find a witch named Demi who is leaving her crazy ex-boyfriend to move into a haunted house. Tristan hasn’t had a roommate in years. After having died in the attic during a fire, he has missed the company of another human. Demi and Tristan find themselves drawn to each other without explanation and quickly get into a relationship. Using forbidden magic, Demi tries to bring Tristan back into his human form. Will their love transcend the rules of nature?

This is my new favorite read of the year. Mandy Bex has perfected male yearning in a way that real men can’t. Tristan’s yearning is the type of deep yearning and want from a man that has never happened before and will never happen again in the history of mankind. Genuinely wishing that I could find a forbidden spell to bring Tristan into the real world because he is perfect. A concert photographer from the 70s who treats women with respect is 100% my type. I cannot wait to read more of this world when we return to Ivy Hollow with Mandy Bex in the future!

Gold Dust Woman was a book I read based on its stunning cover art and recommendations from friends. And I am so glad I did!

Demi St. James is a record and book store owner. She purchase an haunted manor that has been vacant for nearly 50 years. Demi dumped her loser boyfriend and moving this home gives her a new start on life. Demi, her sister and aunts are practicing witches and live in a quaint New England town near the sea.

When Demi moves into her new old house, she feels a spiritual presence there. This presence starts communicating with Demi by typing out messages in Notes. It turns out the spirit is Tristan, a man who died in the home in 1979.

As time goes on, Demi and Tristan start to be able to see one another and can hear each other speak. Tristan is very thoughtful towards Demi (not scary at all!) and they start to feel attraction towards one another. The problem of Tristan being a spirit stuck in the in-between means they cannot touch even though they each desperately want to. Tristan is borderline obsessed with Demi and the way he yearns for her is very hot!

I really enjoyed this read and its unique take on a romance plot line. The book has several spicy scenes which kept me turning pages. If you like romance books that feel cozy and a little spooky, this book is for you!

This book is perfect for the Casper fans who grew up and enjoy spicy books!❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥

If you love a haunted mansion, witchy magic, a super sexy ghost that reads your favorite smutty books, and Fleetwood Mac....then you will loooove this book like I did!

I love Tristan and Demi! This whole book is filled with witchy and spooky vibes, and I enjoyed every page.

Especially like the dual POV because Tristan is a man of yearning, and it is delicious👌

I am really hoping this is a series because a second book about Blue (The Widow) would be amazing!

Thank you Mandy Bex for this absolute treat of a book🙌⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I feel like Goldilocks because I don’t like sad books but this one feels almost too good to be true. It’s a major play on Practical Magic, with very obvious references. But throw in the perfect aged, handsome ghost with all of the same interests as our MFC.. then defy the odds of nature and magic to bring back said ghost successfully with a very short set back. Also a very obvious male written by a female, not quite believable. Again, too good to be true.

I pre ordered this book because the cover is gorgeous and the description sounded so good! I was not disappointed! It's a perfect blend of fall atmosphere, magical romance and well written spice!!

Did I read this book back in July? Yes! Did I reread last night? YESSSS!

In this story you follow Demi along as she moves into her new haunted house.

Little does she know she has a friendly ghost who will take care of her,

watch over HER IYKYK, slow dances with her, all while PINING and YEARNING for her.

It’s been decades since Tristan has been around someone and now this blonde bomb shell of a beauty moves into his house and the rest if HISTORY!

You guys want to add this one to your TBR!

I honestly can’t wait to listen to the audiobook when it releases!

After reading lots of dark romance novels, I started feeling really unmoved by them. Some were too focused on the physicality. Some with long character plots and irrelevant stories that disconnected. Some with really bad writing and worse characters. But THIS, is a gold mine. I love the story, the characters, the blend of love and longing and desire. This feels true and real. It’s like I’ve been brought back from the dead.

3.5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐✨

Okay, this book really gave me adult Casper 👻 meets Practical Magic 🔮✨ vibes, and I was here for it!

I really enjoyed the atmosphere and overall aesthetic of this story. There’s something about the spooky feeling that made it such a fun read. 🖤🌙✨ The supernatural elements mixed with the pop-culture references gave the story a playful quality that I really enjoyed. The witchy/supernatural vibes were definitely one of my favorite parts. 🔮🕯️✨ I’m always a sucker for a story that feels a little mysterious and a little magical, and this one definitely delivered on that front.

That being said, I did struggle a little with connecting to the main characters. 💭 I liked them well enough, but I never felt that deeper emotional connection that makes me completely invested in what happens to them. I wanted more development and more moments that allowed me to really understand who they were beyond their relationships with others.

Demi was whimsical and spiritual, and I really enjoyed that aspect of her character. ✨🌿 However, I felt like so much of her story revolved around her relationships with other people rather than her relationship with herself. I wanted more insight into who Demi was independently her wants, fears, growth, and sense of identity outside of the people around her. Tristan sometimes felt like a floating specter 👻, but just out of reach. There was a backstory to him, and I found myself wanting to dive much deeper into his life and understand what shaped him. I think there was so much potential there, but I didn't feel like we got enough of it.

Blu also felt like a pivotal character, especially because of what happened to a specific ghost, but I felt like that aspect wasn't explored quite enough. I wanted more! There were moments where I could see the importance of these characters and their stories, but I didn't always feel like the book gave them enough room to breathe.

The conclusion was probably where I struggled the most. It felt a little chaotic, and the resolution seemed to come together rather conveniently through a spell that happened to provide them with exactly what they needed. ✨🪄 While I appreciate a magical solution in a magical story, I wanted the ending to feel a little more earned and emotionally satisfying.

✨ Tropes✨

🔮 Witchy & supernatural elements

👻 Ghosts & spirits

🕯️ Magic & mystery

👻 Practical Magic energy

I wanted to thank Mandy Bex for this ARC

Just thought I’d quickly pop by to write a review before I pack my bags and move to Ivy Hollow so Tristan Beaumont can haunt me 🥹🥹👻

This book was EXACTLY what I was wanting to ease me into the ‘Ber months. This gal is more than ready for pumpkin spice everything, ghostie decor and chilly nights beside a roaring fire, reading about luscious-locked men haunting manors and yearning for Demi St.James (let’s ignore the fact I am indeed in Australia preparing for Spring but in my heart I am a fall girlie in Vermont, USA) 💁‍♀️

Tristan and Demi could not have been more perfect. Absolute star-crossed, meant to be lovers who could find themselves with each other despite the whole dead/alive nonsense. These two are MAGIC together. Magnetic. Destined. Ughhh I love it.

I loved the Practical Magic’esqe feel of the sisterly bond, the witchy aunts, the small town Pam’s and the coziness.

I love Blue, I’m so incredibly curious about her and Noah and have my fingers crossed for a follow up story of the Widow of Ivy Hollow finding love again (Don’t break my heart, Mandy!)

This one will be getting a re-read closer to October and I have already preordered the paperback version! She is PERFECTION 😍

Thank you Mandy Bex for the opportunity and honour to read this magical story early, all opinions are honest and my own ✨

I couldn't put this book down! I loved it so much! 🩷

I've loved reading this book: Easy five stars. When we fall in love with the cover and the witchy, cozy vibes but stay - AND Tristan (the ghost main character) with us - for the characters and their relationships.