Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: The Ghost and Charlie Muir
AUTHOR: Felice Stevens
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 328 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2020
BLURB:
Bad enough the big old house Charlie Muir inherits is next door to Ian Gregg, the most gorgeous guy he’s ever seen—it also happens to be occupied by Rachel, the ghost who keeps running off his dates. It’s impossible to get any loving when the bed starts shaking…and not because you’re having fun in it.
When Ian helps Charlie search for the source of strange noises in his house, they stumble upon a stack of photographs hiding century-old secrets. Curious of the friendship between the two men pictured, Charlie and Ian set off to solve the mystery of their relationship. With the help of the meddling ghost, a magical mirror, and a way too Smart TV, they find answers…and more.
And as things heat up between Charlie and Ian, they begin to wonder if Rachel’s meddling has gone too far.
Doesn’t Rachel know Ian is straight?
Or is he?
That kiss they shared the other night sure didn’t seem like it.
Or the one after that…
REVIEW:
Their tongues met and teased, and Ian murmured into Charlie’s neck, “I’ll always be here for you. Good or bad. When everything around you looks dark, I promise to hold your hand and help you find your way.
Unique and fanciful, The Ghost and Charlie Muir is my favorite of Felice Stevens’ novels. It is a charming story with great characters: Charlie is the sympathetic character you may shed a tear over, and Ian is a doll. Rachel, the humorous but sad ghost, has some fantastic, magical ghostly tricks up here diaphanous sleeve for cock-blocking Charlie’s suitors (sex partners) she deems undesirable (i.e. they’re not Ian). Rachel is brought into this realm to share the story of Edward and Robert, who once lived in Charlie and Ian’s homes, and to help unite Charlie and Ian. As Rachel gradually reveals parts of the story, Charlie and Ian work together to piece together the rest and grow closer as they do so. Rachel doesn’t care much for Ian initially, even though she wants them together. She doesn’t trust he’ll do right by Charlie, mirroring Charlie’s own fear.
Poor Charlie. He wants so badly to trust Ian, but his tragic past has left him skittish around people and deeply mistrustful of lovers, in particular. Hurt and rejection are all Charlie knows. He is lonely and lost, having been given up by his mother at the age of two and never knowing his father. He was shuffled from one foster home to another, didn’t always know if he’d have a meal of not, and was teased and bullied as a child. He’s never had a good friend or lasting relationship, even as an adult. His is a sad history, until Ian. Ian gives Charlie what no other man ever has: attention and interest in him other that just for sex. There’s cuddling, conversation, sleepovers, lightheartedness, and dates without the expectation of sex. But trust doesn’t come easily. Charlie is so afraid Ian will follow the path of the other straight guys he’s been with – keeping Charlie as the dirty little secret.
So, Ian sets out to prove that he’s not like any other guy Charlie has dated. He’s not just a bi-curious straight man using Charlie, he’s proud to be Charlie’s partner, and he’s here to stay. In the end, Ian gives Charlie the greatest gift possible: a reason and ability to trust and love someone who will love him and respect him back.
Ms. Stevens provides interesting character development. I’m tickled by Charlie’s love of vintage clothing: “For the occasion, he’d dressed formally, in an Edwardian frock coat, ruffled shirt and slim-fitting jeans tucked into high-polished boots…” With a top hat, no less!
There is a happy ending but it comes very abruptly, and there is no epilogue, sadly. I love me a good epi. But the ending is satisfying and I can happily recommend The Ghost and Charlie Muir.
RATING: 
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