REVIEW: Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca

Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca: Sophie’s ghost tours aren’t just a job for her, they are her heart, her history and her way of keeping Boneyard Key’s stories alive. Keeping a part of her own family history alive. Enter Tristan the slick a newcomer with money, charm and a glossy Hollywood version of the paranormal that threatens everything Sophie has built. For Tristan the ghost tours started out as a simple frat fundraiser, but they have fast turned into a passion project of his. With his fathers deadline hanging over his head, Tristan has no choice but to make the Boneyard Key’s project a success if he has any hope of keeping his funding and ultimately his job. But the question is, is Boneyard Key’s big enough for two ghost tours? What starts as a messy rivalry quickly turns into a summer full of viral drama, sarcastic banter and one very risky bet: by the end of the season, only one tour gets to stay! But the more time Sophie spends trying to outdo Tristan, the harder it gets to ignore the sparks flying between them. The question is can they put aside their feud to make room for one spook-tacular love story?

Ghost Business was an easy 5 for me, not only was this book wacky, spooky and cute but I just loved both Sophie and Tristan! DeLuca combines just the right amount of banter, small town charm and spooky vibes to make this easily one of my favourite ghostly romcoms. After reading the first book in the Boneyard Key’s series I wasn’t to sure if DeLuca would be able to out do herself but gosh did she just! I found myself being hooked right from the very first chapter by Sophie and Tristan’s sharp and hilarious rivalry that was full of sparks and getting to watch that tension slowly twist into something more was exactly the kind of romance I love!

I just adored Sophie, not only was she a total hoot but she had so much of heart! She is fiercely protective of her town and its history and stubborn in the best way possible. I loved the passion and energy that she puts into each of her tours and making them not only special but memorable. There was something so genuine about her character that I loved getting to see in each of her chapters. Yes, she might come across as a bit over zealous at moments but her passion of Boneyard Key’s and its history only highlight her love for her town and her family. Tristan on the other hand comes across as this polished and ambitious guy ready to bulldoze anyone, but underneath all the flash you can see how badly he wants to prove himself outside of his father’s shadow. I loved getting to see Tristan slowly shade his layers and truly shine as a sweet and kind guy.

There was no shortage of banter and sass in this book and I loved every single moment of all the drama and build up between these two! The shift from rivals to something softer is so gradual and satisfying, we get to see the walls come down piece by piece and suddenly it’s not about who wins the bet anymore, it’s about how much they’ve come to mean to one another. Their chemistry feels natural and earned which gives us the kind of slow burn payoff that makes you smile at every little moment along the way. While they brought the fire to their banter it was their emotional connection that really made this book for me, getting to see these two find worth in each other was truly just beautiful.

Now if you know me, then you will know that I love a good spooky story when done right and that is exactly what we get in this book. The spooky side of this book is more about atmosphere than actual scares and I really loved that balance. The ghost stories woven through Sophie’s tours give the town this rich, slightly eerie charm while the presence of real spirits adds just enough of a supernatural twist to keep things fun. The ghosts almost feel like part of the community, lingering in the background while Sophie and Tristan figure each other out.

All in all I loved reading Ghost Business! This book is the perfect spooky romcom to add to you spooky season reading list! If you are looking for something cute, funny, sassy and has a element of spooky then this is a total must read for you!

Book Info:

Publication: September 9, 2025 | Berkley | Boneyard Key #2

Boneyard Key, Florida, is the only home Sophie has ever known. Her love for its supernatural history has flourished into a career, as she guides the one and only ghost tour through the town’s can’t-miss haunted spots. And while her bank account isn’t full by any means, her heart is. Or at least, it was.

But there’s a newcomer in town. The son of a Fortune 500 businessman, former theater kid Tristan has grown his tours from a fraternity fundraiser to a multicity ghost tour conglomerate. It’s doing well, but not well enough—if he can’t prove that he’s solidly in the black by the fall, Dad’s going to pull his funding, spelling the end of his career. Boneyard Key, with its haunted reputation, seems like the perfect place to boost his bottom line.

When the two ghost tours clash, Sophie’s expletive-filled rant goes viral, and the rivals strike up a deal. Whoever has the most successful business by summer’s end stays, while the loser must ghost. But the more Tristan comes to appreciate Boneyard Key, the more Sophie comes to appreciate Tristan, and what starts as begrudging respect becomes something spicier. Can they put their feuding businesses aside to make room for a chance at love, or is Boneyard Key too small for two ghost tours?