Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Mack’s Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming

SERIES: Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations

AUTHOR: AJ Sherwood

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 215 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2020

BLURB:

Mack’s over the moon to not only have Brandon but to finally be done with all their training. With the official FBI stamp of approval, they are ready to start ghost busting.

The very last place he wants to be sent to is his hometown of Opelousas, Louisiana, however. But a child is being terrorized, and when he discovers it’s his favorite cousin, all reluctance is forgotten.

His cousin’s ghost problem is not their only case, though. The nearby university also has a malevolent ghost that is seriously escalating. Students are being scratched, pushed down the stairs, and generally terrified. Even with Brandon’s unwavering support, this might be a bit much for just two people to handle. And when the ghost proves it can break all the windows in a three-story building? Mack knows they definitely won’t be able to do it alone.

It’s shaping up to be a perfectly ghastly homecoming.

REVIEW:

I love the Jon’s Mysteries series and Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas, but I wasn’t sure how much I’d be into the exorcism bit in Mack’s Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming. I’m not a big paranormal girl and some of the scenes are tense (yeah, I’m a wimp), but I ended up adoring this second book in the series about Mack and his anchor Brandon. Much of that is due to the very strong character development and terrific interaction between the MCs and the fantastic supporting cast, including his Mama Adelle and cousins Edmée and Cali, and new coworkers, Eli, Quinn, and Booker. It’s the interplay between these characters that makes the book shine. At first, I was disappointed that Jon and Don were not more prevalent, but it’s for the better of the book to let Mack and Brandon stand on their own in the series. 

Mack’s first job as a medium in this novel is a double header: rid Mack’s cousin’s house of an angry spirit in his Louisiana hometown, and then exorcise a university dorm of an even angrier and dangerous ghost. Both jobs are intriguing and the second involves some suspense. The level of difficulty in this exorcism ramps up sharply from the first novel so two additional FBI paranormal teams are brought in to assist.  

Being in Mack’s hometown gives AJ Sherwood the opportunity to flesh out Mack with a solid backstory, and it not only provides insight into who Mack is, but gives a greater understanding into Mack and Brandon’s relationship, as well. Mack had a tumultuous upbringing, bullied by his older brothers, and living in an area with widespread homophobia and heavily populated with ghosts. Mack has mental and emotional scars from growing up without anyone who understood his abilities and how difficult it was to live among a multitude of ghosts no one else was aware of. He could’ve gotten the proper training at a young age, but his mother selfishly chose not to have him tested because she didn’t want him to leave home. 

The book delves into why Mack is insecure about his worth with Brandon and has trouble accepting that he doesn’t have to earn Brandon’s affection. Brandon, meanwhile, has to convince Mack that he’s his first priority, not a burden. 

There aren’t many sexy times for these boys with all their energy expenditures going toward the ghost hunting, but when they do get together it’s hot. The book is high on mutual adoration and warm fuzzies, too. They are so sweet and caring with each other. I melt a little each time Mack calls Brandon “cher”, the Creole (and French) term of endearment meaning darling or honey. 

I enjoyed the last few chapters the most and didn’t want the book to end. We learn more about the extent of Mack’s abilities – they are somewhat unique and will provide for many future stories. We get to enjoy the camaraderie with Eli, Quinn, Booker, and the other team, and watch Mack and Brandon establish what will be strong, lasting friendships. Finally, we see Sherwood lay the groundwork for future installments of Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations.  

The next adventure, I mean, exorcism is in Scotland! What a fantastic opportunity for ghost hunting and the chance for centuries old spirits, maybe? I can’t wait. 

RATING:

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