Allison’s Book Review – “Happy Medium” by Sarah Adler

We are almost a week into fall, and I am starting to feel that little snap in the air in the mornings, making me reluctant to leave the warmth of my bed. Out of nowhere, we are officially entering the days of pumpkin spice lattes, football Sundays, and soup for dinner. And this is a perfect time to bust out those hoodies and slip into your favorite flannel pajama pants because I have a cozy, cute, and not-very-spooky, but maybe a little bit spicy, paranormal rom-com for you this week that I just know you will love.

“Happy Medium” by Sarah Adler is the story of Gretchen Acorn, who is barely making a living pretending to contact her clients’ dead loved ones from beyond the grave. She is happy to help when her best (read: wealthiest) client hires her to investigate unexplained paranormal activity preventing the sale of her bridge partner’s struggling goat farm. Gretchen knows that her powers are phony, but if “cleansing” a nice old man’s house will help him retire and put some money in her pocket at the same time, it is just quid-pro-quo, right?

When Gretchen arrives at Gilded Creek, she discovers that this bridge partner is no kind, old grandpa. Charlie Waybill is young, super-hot, and very skeptical of Gretchen’s ability to speak with the dead, which makes sense because Gretchen can’t. That is until she meets with Everett, the very chatty ghost causing all the problems during property showings. Everett wants Gretchen to help ensure that Charlie avoids the same family curse that has kept him haunting the farm since the 1920s. Gretchen has one month to convince Charlie not to sell the property. Stubborn Charlie values hard work and honesty above all else – neither of which have been Gretchen’s strong points up until now. As Gretchen and Charlie grow closer, Gretchen has to figure out how to save the goat farm, its other-worldly inhabitant, and the man she is beginning to love.

“Happy Medium” is a light and quirky twist on the regular run-of-the-mill rom-com. I loved that even Gretchen knew she was a fraud, yet she was the only one who could see Everett, who is such excellent comic relief. Charlie is sexy and brooding but also tender and caring, making him a top-notch book boyfriend and making this book a perfect cozy little read for this week.

Now, it is time to make a cup of tea, light a fall candle, and get reading. Pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader, let me know your thoughts, and suggest my next cozy fall pick.