Ella Stainton

I enjoyed the historical aspects of this story almost more than the romance between the two main characters. I later learned that the author is a history teacher, teaching history’s "scandals" to teenagers near Richmond, Virginia. Where was she when I was going to school? Probably not born yet:) Three things attracted me to this book...the setting...my grandfather came from Scotland only two years prior to the 1928 setting of the story... the characters of Ainsley and Joachim...who couldn't love two hot guys?... and the ghosts...I am the ghost story junkie after all. The guys meet by accident, literally. Jochim is expecting a romantic hook-up, not a hot-as-all-get-out ghost hunter, but the ghosts are the stars of the show...they are simply hilarious. If you can read books with same sex couples this one should be on your list.… (plus d'informations)

I decided to read this as part of my annual spooky/spoopy pre-Halloween reading and I'm not sure it was the best fit. This is a "very horny" book, with a lot of sex, not as many ghosts as I was expecting, and only a couple scenes that were spooky (see content warnings).

However, readers looking for a historical romance set in post-WWI Scotland with some power play, opposites-attract vibes, plaid and tweed will find a lot to like here. There are road trip shenanigans and a very funny friend group, but it's not spooky.

One more note: I didn't realize this was first in a series following the same couple. I think it ends in a natural conclusion and stands alone well.

Content Warnings: mentions of war death, on-page flashback to war, one MC feels responsible for his brother's past death, one MC sexually harasses the other at the beginning

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review but ended up listening to it on audio via Hoopla.… (plus d'informations)