REVIEW: Love at First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi

Love at First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi: Rosemary has a talent for more than just crafting bestselling horror novels, she has a bit of a secret talent that involves seeing ghosts… So when she finds out that the set for the film adaptation of her most popular novel, is non other than a spooky haunted English manor, she is more than prepared for a bit of set drama and even maybe a bit of ghost drama. What she did not expect was annoyingly handsome Ellis, the lead actor for the movie. Between the creaky floorboards and the spirits lurking in shadowy corridors, now Rosemary needs to deal with the very live Ellis haunting her heart. Ellis is tried of being cast as the action hero with no substance, he desperately wants to break out of the box that Hollywood has put him into and this film might just be his ticket to it. Soon what started as irritation turns into banter and what was banter burns into something neither of them can ignore. Meanwhile as Ellis and Rosemary figure out their feelings, there are two Regency ghosts also trying to figure out their forbidden connection. With ghost running through the halls and a very real love story unfolding the question is can what started as horror turn into a love story?

I just adored this book from start to finish, it was the kind of story that makes you feel like curling up with a blanket on a stormy night. Love At First Fright was equal parts cozy, spooky and unexpectedly emotional, giving me exactly what I wanted from a paranormal romance; atmosphere, banter, ghosts and a romance that builds into something both tender and scorching. El-Fassi did a brilliant job in balancing the paranormal romance that mirrored the real love story between Ellis and Rosemary, there was just the right amount of gothic charm mixed in with modern spice.

Rosemary was a total darling, it was hard not to love our slightly wacky leading lady. She was so unapologetically herself and I loved it! She was sassy and witty and I just loved the way she embraced her ghostly powers even when it made her feel a bit like an outcast. Her reluctance to open up and fear of being hurt and left just made her character feel a bit more real and relatable. This also made me appreciate getting to see her slowly allowing Ellis into her guard heart. Now for our hero, well Ellis really surprised me but in a good way. While at first he comes across as your typical action hero, but the more we get to know him the more it becomes clear that he is desperately trying to be seen for more than his image.

I just adored getting to see Ellis and Rosemary as they navigated their feelings for each other. These two were slow burn to the core and I just loved every single moment of the push and pull between them. The contrast between Rosemary’s spiky edges and Ellis’s warmth made their dynamic so addictive to read and I found myself rooting for them both individually but also as a couple. I do have to say I really did not expect the spicy element to this book, but the introduction of the kinks just seemed to work with the overall vibe.

I loved the addition of Charlotte and Isabel our Regency ghosts, they added such a bittersweet layer to the story. Their hidden love and lingering regrets echoed beautifully alongside Rosemary and Ellis’s romance, highlighting themes of acceptance and the courage to love openly. They weren’t just background spooks, they felt like full characters with their own story and I found myself rooting for them as much as our main couple.

I loved reading Love At First Fright, this was a fun and definitely spicy play on the paranormal romcom tope. If you are a fan of the show Ghosts then this would be a total must read for you!

Book Info:

Publication: September 16, 2025 | Dell |

Rosemary is a successful horror author with a secret: she can see ghosts. So when the set of her hit novel’s film adaptation turns out to be a haunted countryside manor, she’s unfazed. What she’s less prepared for is the maddeningly handsome, completely miscast actor playing her leading man.

Ellis is a Hollywood heartthrob tired of his action-hero persona. Instead, he dreams of being a serious actor, and having free time to spend gardening with his dog. Landing the lead in a historical horror movie is his chance to start fresh… until he discovers the author tried to have him replaced.

But as filming progresses, and the manor’s ghosts make their presence known, the chemistry between Rosemary and Ellis becomes undeniable. With secrets being spilled, sparks flying, and spirits stirring up trouble, can they face their demons and write themselves a happily-ever-after before it’s a wrap?