Haunted Ever After BY Jen DeLuca

In the quirky coastal town of Boneyard Key, Florida, ghost tourism thrives, embracing the town's rich and spooky history. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, is no stranger to the town’s supernatural quirks, even cohabiting with a friendly ghost. He’s a bit of a loner, but he enjoys the stability that the town and its ghostly economy provide.

Enter Cassie Rutherford, who, feeling overwhelmed by her friends’ settled lives in Orlando, impulsively buys a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. She’s quickly charmed by the town’s eccentricities, but her new home seems to have a life of its own—mysterious electrical issues, poetry magnets rearranging themselves to send ominous messages, and an undeniable haunted vibe.

Cassie and Nick’s paths cross at his coffee shop, where she becomes a regular customer. Nick’s quiet, grumpy demeanor and occasional acts of kindness—like slipping her a free slice of banana bread—spark Cassie’s interest. The connection deepens when Nick, sensing her intrigue, offers to take her on a ghost tour, revealing the town's secrets and the eerie history of her cottage. As they explore the mysteries of Cassie’s house together, their relationship evolves from friendly curiosity to romantic interest.

However, both harbor fears: Cassie worries about her decision to invest in a haunted home, and Nick is concerned that getting too close might push her away. Through ghostly adventures and budding romance, they navigate the challenges of love in a town where the supernatural and the everyday are intertwined.