The Afterlife of Holly Chase

Holly Chase, the spoiled daughter of a Hollywood director, was visited by three spirits in an attempt to save her soul, but she failed to repent and died soon after. Now Holly is in her fifth year as the Ghost of Christmas Past at Project Scrooge, a company devoted to redeeming “one person who has gone astray in life” each year through Christmas Carol–style interventions. Holly is resigned to her life in corporate limbo until she spots this year’s Scrooge: a 17-year-old hottie who reminds her of her former self. Going off script, Holly secretly befriends Ethan, kicking off a screwball romance. Hand (the Unearthly trilogy) puts a quirky contemporary spin on the Dickens classic. If the story occasionally gets muddled by the mix of paranormal elements, time travel, and gadgetry, Holly’s sharp-edged narration entertains throughout. Ages 13–up. Agent: Katherine Fausset, Curtis Brown. (Oct.)