Book Review: Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall by Sharon Booth

I’m so delighted to be welcoming Sharon Booth to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall.

The first in a delightfully warm, cosy and romantic new series with a fantasy twist, for fans of the BBC series ‘Ghosts’.

Can Callie give some needy ghosts their happy-ever-afterlife, while making Rowan Vale her own forever home?

When cash-strapped single mum Callie visits the beautiful Cotswold village of Rowan Vale on a school trip with her daughter, she is enchanted. It’s run as a living museum, with a steam railway, vintage teashop, Elizabethan manor house and old water mill allowing tourists to see history in action.

But there’s more to Rowan Vale than meets the eye…

To Callie’s surprise, the owner of the village, elderly Sir Lawrence Davenport, requests a meeting with her. It appears Callie has been observed talking to several villagers she shouldn’t be able to see – as they’re ghosts.

Sir Lawrence then makes an astonishing offer: to sell Callie the whole estate for a tiny sum, if she agrees to protect the village’s present tenants and make sure the headstrong ghosts are represented too.

With a spectral lord of the manor and his imperious wife, a naughty 1940s schoolgirl and the man who once taught William Shakespeare among them, it seems Callie’s role as owner wouldn’t be easy.

And that’s without the added complication of Lawrie’s disinherited grandson, the gorgeous Brodie.

Rowan Vale and Callie may need each other. But is this a match made in heaven or hell?

Fans of the BBC’s Ghosts, or books by Lucy Jane Wood, Laurie Gilmore and Heidi Swain will love this heart-warming and magical novel.

*****

As a child, Callie could see and communicate with ghosts but the ability disappears when her family are not supportive. However, when her visit to the village of Rowan Vale re-awakens her gift, her life quickly changes forever.

The premise of this book caught my attention and so I leaped at the chance to be part of the blog tour for Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall, This was also the first book I’ve read by Sharon Booth.

I know that the term ‘I couldn’t stop reading’ is one I use a lot but it’s the best way to describe my experience with this book. I really didn’t want to put it down.

Callie is an inspirational character. From the beginning, it’s clear that she does everything she can for her daughter. I loved her.

The supporting characters are diverse and brilliant. I loved Brodie, Mia and Lawrie, as well as Florrie and Aubrey. I even liked Agnes. The cat also reminded me of my cat, Buddy. Haha. The idea that there is a village where there are ghosts around us is a fantastic one. Kind of wish I’d come up with it. Haha.

The plot moves along well and I felt that everyone got great character development. I wanted to jump into the pages and walk around this wonderful sounding village. It sounds idyllic. I’d want to be able to see the ghosts though.

Ah, it’s hard to talk about this novel without giving things away and I don’t want to do that. I am hoping you discover this book yourself.

There are lovely moments, as well as ones where I laughed out loud. A warmth is threaded throughout and I didn’t want to let these characters go.

Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall is a heartfelt, enchanting tale and a terrific start to what promises to be a great series. I loved it. If you like a gentle love story with a ghostly theme, this book is for you.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.) 

About Sharon Booth –

Sharon Booth writes feel-good stories set in quirky villages and market towns, including the ‘Tuppeny Bridge’ series.

Sharon writes cosy romances with a magical twist for Boldwood. She lives with her husband in East Yorkshire, England.

Her latest book, Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall is book one in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series. It was released by Boldwood Books on 28th March 2025. Click to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

Connect with Sharon on Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.