Books like Beating Heart by A. M. Jenkins

When 17‑year‑old Evan Calhoun and his family move into a dilapidated house, he quickly feels that the walls hold more than just dust. In the shadows lives a ghost who says the house is hers and that she is its "beating heart."  Evan’s dreams of her soon turn from fleeting visions to an intense connection that blurs the line between ghost and living. As Evan learns the stories hidden in the rooms, the ghost’s memories and his longing tug at each other, creating a tense blend of mystery, romance, and the lingering chill of the supernatural. The novel interweaves poetic fragments with clear prose to depict the ghost’s long‑dead voice and the teen’s modern view of love and loss.  The book explores themes of moving, loss, childhood romance, and the haunted space that can bind people together. Designed for readers aged 14 and older, it mixes horror elements with the poignant tenderness of an unlikely bond.

First publish date: 2006