Elzbieta “Libby” Lakoski thought the hardest thing she’d have to do all year would be watching Carter Coldwell (her longtime best friend and longtime crush) marry someone else. Instead, she finds herself pushed into solving an old Coldwell family mystery before the wedding—because if she doesn’t, a curse could cost Carter his life. Her sidekick on this project is none other than Trip Coldwell, Carter’s cousin, who is annoyingly handsome, arrogant, insightful . . . and incorporeal. He’s a victim of the curse that killed his father, uncle and grandfather, and while his body is technically alive, it’s in a coma. His spirit, meanwhile, is up and about, hanging out in Libby’s apartment and criticizing her wardrobe.
If you’re thinking this sounds like My Best Friend’s Wedding meets Just Like Heaven, with a touch of Practical Magic, you wouldn’t be wrong. Katie Jung’s You’re the One That I Haunt has the feel of a classic rom-com, with a hint of a caper to keep things interesting. The plot isn’t packed with surprises, but the people and the relationships deliver full-throttle charm. The secondary characters are delightful, especially Sabrina, the bride, and Babcia, Libby’s grandmother. And our main couple, Trip and Libby, have a sweet-but-spiky chemistry that makes it clear from the start how good they are for each other, from all the ways that she challenges him to how much he appreciates aspects of her that even she (especially she) never thought to value. Trip chooses Libby in a way that helps her choose to prioritize herself and her happiness. Beyond any curses or blessings, that’s a magic all its own.