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.