I first read this story in the Vexed Anthology. Ava Stone’s contribution is more ghostly than I normally read but it was enjoyable and only a little scary. Ava Stone writes amazing well-rounded characters – one of the best in this story is a secondary character, Toby, Cassy’s younger brother who does a remarkable job as a troublesome baby brother. This is a fun story and well worth the read.
Lady Cassandra Priske has come to the reading of the will with her family. From the moment she arrives, she keeps seeing a dark man who seems to get more and more threatening. Jack Hazelwood, Lord St Giles isn’t there for the will but for the girl. He accompanies his friend Michael (who is a family member). He’s had his eye on Cassy for 2 seasons and is hoping to take advantage of this time at Castle Keyvnor to get closer to her. She has been avoiding him because of his rakish reputation. While Jack loves Cassy, he begins to wonder about her sanity. She keeps seeing the man in black and Jack has been present at a few occasions when she has screamed and collapsed after a sighting. Will Jack be able to put aside his worry of her sanity in order to be with the woman he loves. Additionally, will Cassy’s parents overlook Jack’s reputation – is the prospect of a dukedom enough to overlook bad behavior?
Ava Stone make the waiting for a Happily Ever After worth it. ( )

A light read!

Enjoyable Regency romance with a sinister castle, a ghost seeing young woman, a rake and a feisty little poodle.
Lady Cassandra Priske has spent the season hiding from the notorious rake Jack Hazleton, Baron St. Giles. When Jack cadges an invite to Castle Keyvnor where Cassy will reluctantly be for the reading of her great uncle's, things don't go quite to plan for either Cassy or Jack. Avoidance becomes twice as hard and there is the small matter of the castle and it's haunted history!

A NetGalley ARC ( )

In Once Upon a Moonlit Path by author Ava Stone, Lady Cassandra Priske is on her way to Castle Keyvnor with her family for the reading of her late Uncle’s will. It is bad enough that she has to travel with her stern father, her social-climbing mother, and her annoying little brother. Her sister isn’t so bad but it does make for a crowded carriage.

No, the real problem is that Castle Keyvnor is haunted. She knows because she can see the dead. From the moment she gets to the castle she is stalked by a dark man no one else can see.

Apparently, her dog Oscar can see ghosts though. He barks whenever a ghost is in the room. He is adorably written, mischievous, playful, exactly what you would want in a pet.

Lord St. Giles, Jack Hazleton, has been wanting to get closer to Lady Cassandra for more than a year. After watching her defend another young lady, he admired her spirit and compassion, not to mention her beauty. He invites himself along hoping to spend time with her.

Although they know she had seen her late grandfather as a child, her family does not believe she can see ghosts. Will they convince Lord St. Giles that she is mad? Will he allow himself to be driven away?

A Very Enjoyable Read

This is certainly a departure from most Regency novels that I’ve read. I really enjoyed the characters, and the story was certainly different. The way the author brought the two together was fun and interesting.

There was another storyline building in the background. This new one involves a very quick romance and a Gypsy camp. I very much look forward to reading the book that will flesh that story out.

This book was read in one afternoon. I couldn’t, wouldn’t put it down.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review. ( )