If I Stopped Haunting You

Enemies to Lovers

I picked up If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens on a lazy afternoon and was immediately captivated. The intriguing title and cover art drew me in, and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it.

This enemies-to-lovers romance has a spooky twist, throwing feuding horror writers Penelope Skinner and Neil Storm together on a writer’s retreat at a haunted castle in Scotland. From the first page, Pen and Neil’s banter crackled with sharp wit and tension, making their mutual annoyance—and undeniable chemistry—completely addictive.

Pen, grappling with writer’s block after her public fallout with Neil, is equal parts fierce and vulnerable, and I loved rooting for her to find her spark again. Neil, meanwhile, is battling his own insecurities after Pen’s scathing critique of his work left him questioning everything. Their interactions are laced with humor and biting commentary, but it’s the way they slowly come to understand each other that truly pulled at my heart.

And then there are the ghosts! The haunted castle is practically a character in its own right, with its atmospheric chills and spine-tingling encounters. The paranormal elements aren’t just window dressing—they drive the story forward, forcing Pen and Neil to confront their fears (and their feelings) while navigating a real-life ghost story. The supporting cast of spirits was particularly memorable, bringing humor, poignancy, and a touch of menace to the tale.

While some of the plot points were a bit predictable, the combination of sharp dialogue, sizzling romance, and eerie thrills more than made up for it. Wilkens balances humor, romance, and spookiness in a way that feels effortless, and I couldn’t get enough of Pen and Neil’s fiery, funny, and ultimately sweet relationship.

If I Stopped Haunting You is the perfect read for fans of romances with bite—equal parts sexy, spooky, and satisfying. If you love enemies-to-lovers stories with a supernatural twist, this book is a must-read. For me, it was the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon, and I’ll be thinking about Pen, Neil, and those unforgettable ghosts for a long time.

If I Stopped Haunting You is a snarky funny romantic suspense read. If you are looking for a quick escape that involves hauntings without the gore (well there is some but it's not gross gore (chuckle)), then this story is for you.

I received an ARC of this book, and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

(4.5 Stars) Enemies-to-lovers in a bone-chillingly haunted castle. The perfect addition to your spooky season TBR.

It's a bit of a slow burn, with really great romantic tension. The passion that made them hate each other is explosive when they realize they don't. There's a fine line between hate and love, and forced proximity in a haunted castle is a great setting for them to cross it.

I expected this to be spooky, but not that I'd almost need to sleep with the lights on. The haunted house atmosphere is so well done. I was simultaneously cursing them for willingly going towards the danger while also hoping they would figure things out. The supernatural mystery is strong enough to stand on its own outside of the romance.

As Pen and Neil are both Native horror writers, there's a big focus on Native identity and how it's affected by society's perceptions and expectations. It gets very specific, but the debate of compromising to make yourself more palatable to other people is universal enough that it will also appeal to non-Native readers. There's a lot of casual queer representation as well.

I would absolutely recommend people pick this up when it comes out later this year. It's a fantastic and unique blend of horror and contemporary romance.

This ARC was provided by St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions provided are my own.