Content Note: This story contains themes that may be sensitive for some readers, including death, eating disorders, and family separation. While these topics are handled thoughtfully within the narrative, readers may wish to approach with care depending on personal comfort levels.
Don’t Haunt Ghosts follows Hannah, a teenage girl who has been able to see and communicate with ghosts since childhood, a gift that first emerged after the loss of her grandmother. Thirteen years later, now in high school, Hannah is still struggling to understand and control what she sees, but her ability is beginning to draw more attention than ever before, and not all of it is welcome.
Afraid to speak openly about what she experiences, Hannah keeps much of it to herself, except when it comes to Brandon, a ghostly new companion who appears to be a little older than she is and quickly becomes someone she trusts. When her ghostly grandmother begins to recognize the depth of Hannah’s abilities, she offers what guidance she can, though even she realizes that strange things are happening that have never occurred before. As unsettling new events unfold, Hannah begins to suspect that not everyone around her is being truthful.
Alongside the supernatural challenges, Hannah is also navigating the emotional weight of adolescence—family struggles, psychological pressures, and the complicated attention that comes with high school relationships. With so much building around her, the story asks how much one person can carry alone before everything begins to unravel.
about the characters
Hannah is a likeable protagonist, in all the ways a teenage girl realistically can be. She struggles with confidence and often has difficulty standing up for herself, which allows certain “friends” to take advantage of her kindness, yet she still comes across as intelligent, thoughtful, and grounded. She genuinely cares about doing well in school, earning good grades, and building a future for herself, which gives her character a strong sense of purpose beyond the supernatural elements of the story.
For much of her life, Hannah has learned to tune out the ghosts that drift in and out of her surroundings, treating them as something to endure rather than confront. As her abilities begin to strengthen, however, that balance becomes harder to maintain, especially when she is already struggling with insecurities that make everyday life difficult enough. Her instinct is often to carry everything alone rather than ask for help, and when she finally does reach out—believing she is making the right choice—her judgment becomes clouded by emotion and uncertainty. That emotional vulnerability makes her highly relatable, as readers can easily connect with her feelings of self-worth, the pressure to succeed, and the tendency to believe she must handle everything alone.
Brandon, the skater boy ghost Hannah befriends, quickly becomes one of the more engaging characters in the story. Though Hannah knows from the start that he is not among the living, his loneliness immediately draws her in and captures her attention in ways that are difficult for her to ignore, no matter how much she tries. Brandon is humble, patient, and clearly eager for Hannah’s attention, though he withholds important details about his own death. Even so, he offers valuable insight that helps Hannah better understand her gift of sight and the unusual connection they share across worlds.
He is instantly likeable and initially appears motivated only by a desire to help her, though as the story unfolds, some of Hannah’s choices begin to suggest to him that the bond growing between them may not be equally shared. What makes their relationship especially compelling is that it grows from a mutual desire to belong and to be accepted for who they are, allowing their connection to develop in a way that feels both natural and emotionally meaningful.
The supporting characters also add meaningful depth to the story, each contributing something that strengthens the development of Hannah and Brandon rather than pulling attention away from them. Their involvement introduces additional layers of mystery, tension, and urgency, particularly as Hannah begins to realize that not everyone around her is as transparent as they seem. Whether through family dynamics, friendships, or hidden motives, these characters help shape the atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the supernatural events and keep the narrative moving forward in ways that continually affect both Hannah’s choices and Brandon’s role in her life.
standout moments
One of the strongest aspects of this story is how it reaches beyond paranormal fiction and incorporates difficult realities that make Hannah’s experience feel especially relatable. A notable example is the way the novel touches on the psychological pressure young girls often face regarding appearance, body image, and eating habits. While this is handled with care throughout much of the first installment, it is significant that the author acknowledges early on that this may be a triggering subject for some readers and deserves thoughtful attention. Though difficult to read about, it reflects a very real struggle many adolescent girls quietly navigate, particularly in school environments where comparison and self-judgment can become overwhelming. One especially impactful moment comes when Hannah’s sister raises concern out of love, creating a scene that feels emotionally honest and grounded in genuine care rather than criticism.
Another standout element is the way family dynamics are woven into the story. In an ideal world, families would remain whole and untouched by hardship, yet the reality is often far more complicated. The novel captures how life’s challenges can create distance within a family, even when love is still present beneath the strain. This theme feels particularly relevant because it reflects something many young readers may already understand or be experiencing themselves. The story also quietly highlights an important truth: children often internalize family struggles and carry blame for circumstances far beyond their control. Hannah’s perspective makes this especially poignant, showing how easily young people can place emotional burdens on themselves for reasons they cannot fully understand.
personal reflection
What makes Don’t Haunt Ghosts especially engaging is the way its creativity is grounded in concepts that feel believable despite the supernatural premise. The paranormal elements give the story its intrigue, yet the emotional and social experiences woven throughout make it feel much closer to reality than traditional ghost-centered fiction often does. Hannah’s gift of sight introduces mystery and imaginative depth, but it is the everyday struggles surrounding identity, belonging, self-worth, and family tension that give the story lasting credibility. Those very real challenges allow the supernatural aspects to feel less distant and more like an extension of what Hannah is already carrying emotionally.
From a writing perspective, there is very little to critique. The narration, in particular, stands out as one of the strongest aspects of the reading experience. Jess Wright captures the voice, mindset, and emotional demeanor of a high school girl remarkably well, delivering Hannah’s perspective with ease and authenticity. Her narration feels effortless, and the transitions between characters are equally strong, making each voice distinct without sounding exaggerated. That clarity enhances the story’s emotional rhythm and helps maintain immersion, particularly during dialogue-heavy scenes where character tone matters most.
The structure and pacing also remain consistent throughout. Chapters move naturally from one scene to the next, allowing the story to unfold without noticeable disruption, rushed moments, or obvious plot gaps. Character development is handled thoughtfully: Hannah and Brandon’s connection evolves in a believable way, while supporting characters receive enough attention to make their roles feel purposeful and cohesive within the larger narrative. Altogether, the story succeeds not only because of its paranormal concept, but because it understands how to pair that creativity with emotional relevance, making its themes resonate beyond the page.
final thoughts
Overall, the ghostly elements create curiosity and suspense, but it is the honesty behind Hannah’s struggles—her insecurities, family challenges, and desire to understand herself—that gives the story its strongest impact. By pairing mystery with experiences many readers will recognize in some form, Don’t Haunt Ghosts creates a connection that extends beyond its supernatural framework.
The relationships at the center of the story, particularly between Hannah and Brandon, add warmth and emotional complexity, while the supporting cast helps maintain tension and momentum throughout. Combined with smooth pacing, strong narration, and thoughtful character development, the story reads as a well-balanced first installment that leaves room for deeper exploration ahead.
For readers who enjoy paranormal fiction with relatable emotional layers, this is a story that offers both atmosphere and heart, proving that sometimes the most compelling ghosts are not only the ones unseen, but also the struggles people quietly carry within themselves. For these reasons, Turning Another Page awards this title five stars, recognizing both its emotional resonance and its ability to blend difficult real-world themes with supernatural storytelling in a meaningful way. I received this audiobook at no-cost from AdoptAnAudiobook.com. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
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