’m a big fan of magical realism, so Paper Ghosts was an easy addition to my TBR. This is a Southern, female-centered ghost story that blends family secrets, romance, and just enough supernatural elements to create an enchanting atmosphere.
The novel unfolds across two timelines. In 1976, Wilhelmina—known simply as Will to her friends—is living with her fiercely protective grandmother, Gram. Although Gram has plenty of money, she’s incredibly frugal and reluctant to let Will venture out into the world. Everything changes when Will falls for a musician performing at her high school, setting off a chain of events that echoes through the generations.
In the present day, Will is now the grandmother herself, and her granddaughter Bailey discovers that she’s inherited the same extraordinary gift that has been passed down through the women in their family.
For me, the 1976 storyline was easily the strongest part of the novel. I loved the Southern setting, the rich descriptions, and the slow-building romance. And, honestly… rest in peace, Gram—you would’ve loved DoorDash.
Once the story shifted primarily into the present day, though, my enthusiasm started to fade. I kept waiting for the emotional payoff to match the promise of the setup, but it never quite got there for me. The ghost story and magical realism remained compelling, yet the modern timeline lacked the same spark and emotional weight that made the earlier chapters so memorable. By the end, I appreciated what the novel was trying to do more than I was moved by the execution.
The audiobook narration was a definite highlight. The narrator did an excellent job distinguishing the characters, making it easy to settle into both timelines and bringing warmth to the story.
While this ended up being more of a “like” than a “love” for me, I still think it’s worth picking up if you’re drawn to atmospheric Southern fiction, family stories with a touch of romance, and gentle magical realism with ghosts woven into the narrative.
3 ⭐⭐⭐ | Published September 1
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy
Leave a Reply