Phantom Heart by Kelly Creagh | Book Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A steamy YA romance with Twilight vibes, inspired by Gaston Leroux's classic The Phantom of the Opera

Seventeen-year-old Stephanie Armand doesn't believe in ghosts or spirits. Despite her six-year-old sister, Charlie, insisting a masked figure is hiding in her closet, and the rumors at school, Stephanie isn't convinced her father's latest renovation project--a crumbling Victorian mansion--houses the soul of a monster. So when the very charming (and paranormal obsessed) Lucas Cheney takes an interest in both Stephanie and her notorious home, the supernatural and romantic activity escalates to an all-time high. And that doesn't even take into account the dashing, British-accented eighteen-year-old boy, Erik, who's taken up residence in Stephanie's nightly dreams. A boy who may have something to do with the man in the mask, and the strange occurrences taking place at Moldavia.

Back in my early days of book blogging, one of the books I was absolutely obsessed with was Nevermore by Kelly Creagh. While I did not love how that trilogy ended, when I saw Creagh was coming out with Phantom Heart, I was SO excited. After all, if I was so obsessed back then, maybe I would also be obsessed now. Turns out though, I was not. Maybe it is just me and how much my life has changed since reading Nevermore, but I just did not feel a big spark with Phantom Heart. I actually ended up taking it off my Christmas wish list.

Phantom Heart is a unique take on The Phantom Of The Opera. Main character Stephanie has moved with her dad and little sister Charlie to an old victorian house in Kentucky. Her dad flips houses and then sells them. Before the houses sell though, the family lives in them while the conducting the restoration. It turns out the house being restored is called Moldavia and it has a history. Also, it is haunted. So, Stephanie gets caught up in a love triangle between Lucas, who is in a paranormal club and Erik, the masked figure haunting Moldavia. Who will she pick? Will Moldavia be cleared of spirits?

Okay, so number one, I loved that Syracuse makes an appearance in this book. That part was actually exciting because it is where I live. But even that was not enough to keep me excited for this book. So, to be totally honest with you — the pacing is so darn slow. It feels like it takes forever for something to happen. And then the primary romance is just so unhealthy. I really disliked the choice that Stephanie made. It feels like a very 2010 choice reading this book in 2021. I was able to read this whole book without DNFing, but I think nostalgia was a big factor that kept me reading. Also, I did like the setting. The author has a real talent for transporting the reader. It just wasn’t enough to win me over.

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#Inverted Phantom Heart by Kelly Creagh – my expectations were too high #ForYouPizza #booktok #booktokover30 #over30booktok

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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