Make no mistake, Harriet ‘Hattie’ Hastings adores her husband, Gary and their son, Johnny. But the too-long-unemployed spouse and recent uni-dropout offspring are not making life easy for the hard-working barista who searches in vain for her silver lining.
Fate intervenes with a dark hand leaving Hattie a grieving widow. Before she’s had time to mourn and adjust to Gary’s demise… he’s back!
Of course, Hattie believes her mind’s gone around the bend, but she does come to accept the fact Gary is back in all his ethereal glory, and he’s just as confused about it as she is. But Gary obviously has some unfinished business and he and Hattie will have to figure it out what it is.
Hattie struggles with how to share the news with Johnny, and with the three people closest to her, brother Jack, mom Rachel, and bestie Cat, without getting locked away in a padded room.
The theme of loss runs through The Haunting of Hattie Hastings and touches all the characters, but it is the way they deal with the loss, separately and together, which make this such a lively, winning read. Along with Hattie losing Gary, Rachel lost Hattie and Jack’s dad when they were so young, they don’t remember him. Cat’s marriage failed, but after details come to light, I’m thinking it was a good thing as in ‘less is more!” HA!
The story is told from multiple points of view in such a fluid, non-confusing way, I found myself looking forward to each chapter, anxious to find out how each character progressed past their situations.
But, this is Hattie’s story and she is so well-written! Hattie doesn’t have superpowers, wealth or vast material possessions, stunning beauty, or a yearning to visit another planet. She’s every-woman, rolling with the punches of life, trying to figure it all out—like why her dead husband is haunting her. Hattie is arguably one of the most normal characters I’ve come across. Her humor, wit, and sarcasm are all on point! She’s suffered a heartbreaking loss and it hurts. But, she is not so consumed in self-pity she ignores those she loves. She hopes her son finds direction in life. She wants to know what her mother is keeping from her. Hattie hopes to always be close with her brother, and of course, she prays Cat finds a man worthy of her who will love and cherish her, not rip away her dignity and self-esteem.
This is a very British read. There’s enough tea served to fill Boston Harbor. But mentions of scones, Downton Abbey, and the Queen are mixed right in with mentions of the Ghostbusters and Homer Simpson and pop culture favorites, The Lord of the Rings, It’s a Wonderful Life, and the Cat in the Hat!
But pop culture takes a back seat when Cat receives a double shock.
One was the reappearance of her loathsome ex-husband after nearly ten years.
The other… well, she’s still not sure what to make of it, but she’s filled with shame and regret and knows she owes her best friend an apology.
Gary’s unfinished business is revealed with the arrival of a child to the otherworldly realm. The death of a child is never easy and it even guts Gary, but he understands what he must do in order for he and the child, Marty, to move on… and his mission cannot be completed without Hattie.
Hattie is not on-board with Gary’s plan in the beginning and refuses. She’s also preoccupied with being happy for Johnny’s hesitant steps into responsible adulthood. She reconnects with Gary’s best friend, Barry, trying to understand the full breadth of his grief, as well as who he truly is. Hattie, at last, finds out Rachel’s secret and it leaves her numb. But she is encouraged not only by her mother’s unending strength but also by the man (Ralph) who refuses to leave her side.
This is where Ralph became my favorite character in the story… because not all book-boyfriends are twenty-five looking for a virgin – go, Ralph!
Cheered on by coworker, Beth, Johnny, and Rachel, Hattie meets an admirer for drinks… with disastrous results, thanks in part to Gary. In his defense, Gary acted in Hattie’s best interest because some men are simply selfish, self-centered jerks. Go, Gary!
Hattie is also worried about Cat’s continued involvement with Stewart, the aforementioned loathsome ex-husband.
This part bugged me. After all he put her through, and all the years and effort Cat put into rebuilding her life and herself, it made no sense to me that she’d act like a typical empty-headed romance novel female and allow herself to be so easily lead and manipulated. It blows up in her face when someone who loves her is hurt by her actions, and I’m wishing hot festering boils on her body not because it happened, but because she knew better. Fix it!
Motivated by Gary’s sincerity… and a child’s orange toy that bears a striking resemblance to a certain sitting president, Hattie embarks on a journey to bring closure in the here and now, and the hereafter.
So concerned with all going on around her, Hattie continues to put herself on the back burner, steeling herself for the day when Gary is truly gone.
She focuses on son Johnny, hoping he’s at last on the path to happiness and success.
Rachel, her mother, grows visibly weaker but will the strong, independent mom who raised Hattie and her brother be able to beat the disease ravaging her body?
Barry was a good friend to Hattie’s late husband, but is that romantic interest in Barry’s eyes? Say it isn’t so! Please!
Has Cat lost all her good sense and taken back her wretched, deplorable, low-life ex-husband, Stewart? Hattie saw what she believed to be an intimate moment between them and cannot unsee it or bleach it from her brain.
Hattie is also at odds with her job at Express Yourself. She doesn’t want to be a barista forever but has no clue how to put her life on a different path.
However, before she can figure any of this out, Hattie Hastings must assist her ghostly husband with helping his young charge to move on by delivering a message to the boy’s parents.
Hattie would rather do anything else than visit strangers to tell them she had a message from their dead son given to her by her dead husband.
Can you blame her?
But that’s exactly what Hattie does because that’s who she is.
Hattie hasn’t led a charmed life. Life has taken more than a few swipes at her and gotten in some solid punches. But while Hattie may have been beaten up by life, she was never beaten down. She owns every second of her life with few regrets. If this is what this child needs and what Gary wants her to do, it’s done.
Regret does niggle at her though as she realizes that Gary’s time is growing short. His presence diminishes with each visit and she knows it’s time to lose her husband…again.
This is a warm read of love and acceptance, and a perfect ending to Hattie’s hauntings. The author’s snarky humor adds the right touch to keep Hattie’s story from becoming maudlin and morose. As Gary’s unfinished business comes to fruition, there’s more insight into the man he was/is and it’s not hard to figure out why he was the love of Hattie’s life.
Take Hattie’s journey and don’t miss Cat and the Hat, the fender bender, Johnny’s big news, a girl named Tilly, and a dog named Doris.
And bring tissues. Lots of tissues… because there will be tears!
Enjoy!
OR
$3.99 with 60 percent savings
Print List Price: $9.99 
The Print List Price is the lowest suggested retail price provided by a publisher for a print book format of this title, available on Amazon (e.g. hardcover, paperback, mass market paperback).
Learn more
Learn more
These promotions will be applied to this item:
Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.
Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher
Some people won't let a little thing like death stand in their way…
A ghostly, gloriously witty romp with a difference…
The Haunting of Hattie Hastings combines romance, humour and the supernatural in a unique way.
Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Sophie Kinsella and Debbie Viggiano.
About the author
A very lively ghost story
“‘Til death do us part” has just taken on new meaning for Hattie Hastings. Following the sudden and sad death of her husband, Gary, Hattie is left making ends meet and supporting her adult son, Johnny. She isn’t, however, lacking in support during this difficult time - Hattie’s best friend, Cat, and Hattie’s family are there to console her. That is... until Gary returns as a ghost. The Haunting of Hattie Hastings is a charming romantic comedy that hits on the importance of family and friendship, believing in the unknown, and self confidence. Davis’ smooth writing style and quick wit make for a fun-filled read. First and foremost, I loved how this story wasn’t exclusively about Hattie dealing with the aftermath of her husband’s death. Of course, Davis spends ample time with her main character as Hattie overcomes grief, bewilderment, and embracing the future, but readers also experience several other degrees of influence - particularly Cat and Johnny. Those little glimpses into everyone else’s lives and the way they grow as characters created a well-rounded and uplifting story. The way Davis shapes the Afterlife was a fun addition to Gary’s own transition. Not quite heaven, readers see him in a place where he learns that his influence on Earth isn’t quite over yet. Even as a specter, Gary finds that he’s able to shape his loved ones lives, and the lives of those a ghostly friend has left on Earth. The humor and compassion that Davis give Gary, despite his situation, created a wonderful character that you didn’t quite want to believe was gone. The only thing I struggled with while reading The Haunting of Hattie Hastings was the English phrases and references - and by no means is this a mark against the author! I had to read a bit slower, taking time to look up terms and phrases I wasn’t entirely familiar with, just so that i wouldn’t lose the meaning of a scene or discussion between characters. Regardless, the writing was smooth and upbeat, and overall a good time.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2018
- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024
Top reviews from other countries
- DFPReviewed in Germany on April 3, 2022
Not just for the lassies! Romantic comedy at its best!
- Reader4lifeReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2020
No boos for this ghost story!
- R W.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2024
Lighthearted, poignant and we'll written
