Tina's Reading Books

I am a fan of Kristen Ashley and have read most of her series. She has a very strong writing voice that not only speaks to my personal taste but is also very distinctive.

And yet, if I had not seen her name on the cover of this book, I would not have guessed that she had written it. This book showcased a versatility that I had not expected but was very gladd to see. I am glad that I read this because I enjoyed it quite a bit.

This is unabashedly an old skool Gothic, ghost story romance given a more modern sensibility. It comes complete with a haunted Cornish mansion that sits on a craggy peak. Thunderstorms abound and waves crash nightly against the cliffs.

Belle is our resident shy, heroine who is lured to this mansion by Miles Bennett the somewhat caddish younger brother of Jake Bennett. The two brothers share a lifelong enmity and Belle suddenly becomes a focal point of it as James and Belle take one look at each other and fall in love, leaving Miles a somewhat bitter loser at love.

But true love doesn't go quite so smoothly. Jake and Belle have a minor misunderstanding that causes her to flee from him. Miles continues to skulk in the background because you know he's not quite done with them and then there are the ghosts. Two young ghosts who have been waiting 200 years for the right person (Belle) to send them to their final resting place.

While all the gothic markers were there, this book was far from dark and brooding. It was made fun by the large cast of characters made up largely of Belle's eccentric family and a group of colorful ghost-busters Jake hires to help them with their ghost problem.

The romance was very lovely and satisfying and i like how all the various characters shake out in the end.

I do take a star off because I thought some of the narrative decisions the author made re: the ghosts toward the end of the story felt expedient. Up to that point the story had been going along a very nice trajectory and the internal paranormal logic felt consistent. And then it didn't.

The story ended on a sequel bait which I hope actually happens b/c I loved Lachlan and would love for him to get a story.