Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Best Laid Plaids
AUTHOR: Ella Stainton
PUBLISHER: Carina Press
LENGTH: 282 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 31, 2020
BLURB:
In 1920s Scotland, even ghosts wear plaid.
Welcome to a sexy, spooky new paranormal historical series from debut author Ella Stainton.
Scotland, 1928
Dr. Ainsley Graham is cultivating a reputation as an eccentric.
Two years ago, he catastrophically ended his academic career by publicly claiming to talk to ghosts. When Joachim Cockburn, a WWI veteran studying the power of delusional thinking, arrives at his door, Ainsley quickly catalogues him as yet another tiresome Englishman determined to mock his life’s work.
But Joachim is tenacious and openhearted, and Ainsley’s intrigued despite himself. He agrees to motor his handsome new friend around to Scotland’s most unmistakable hauntings. If he can convince Joachim, Ainsley might be able to win back his good name and then some. He knows he’s not crazy—he just needs someone else to know it, too.
Joachim is one thesis away from realizing his dream of becoming a psychology professor, and he’s not going to let anyone stop him, not even an enchanting ginger with a penchant for tartan and lewd jokes. But as the two travel across Scotland’s lovely—and definitely, definitely haunted—landscape, Joachim’s resolve starts to melt. And he’s beginning to think that an empty teaching post without the charming Dr. Graham would make a very poor consolation prize indeed…
REVIEW:
Dr. Ainsley Graham is brilliant. Doctorate by 24, several published authoritative books on folklore. Then he loses his position at the University and his way a bit. Joachim Cockburn is finishing his doctorate in psychology and he needs a subject for his final research. Ainsley’s brother is his mentor and he suggests he visit him in Scotland to finalize his research on the phenomena of an otherwise sound mind believing in “ghosts.”
But Ainsley is NOTHING like Joachim expects. Their initial meeting is a hilarious case of mistaken identity. Ainsley is quite the character, and it’s not long before Joachim is enchanted. Good for his libido, not so good for his research. But as the week goes on and Ainsley introduces him to more ghosts and more sex, Joachim is reluctant to move on. He also can’t figure out what to do about the whole ghost business. I don’t want to spoil the plot from here because it’s so fun to be continually surprised.
Well this was just delightful! I have been so lucky with the latest bunch of historicals I’ve read 😀 So well done. Ainsley and Joachim could not be more different characters 🙂 Ainsley is brilliant, but his attention span is fleeting. Joachim’s desire to disprove Ainsley’s notions about ghost are challenged at every turn of the story. While Joachim tries keep his distance initially he fails miserably after one day. And then they are having so much fun. And there are the ghosts and past tragedies that need to be put to rights. And Ainsley’s family and friends. Everyone is so entertaining even when things go a bit south! There are some mysteries and some decisions that will have to be made, but boy this was a lark! So much fun to read – entertaining in the best best ways. Even the harder bits of their story while trying to figure out a path forward were so well written. This is the start to what is a very promising historical with tramps about Scotland and a bunch of fun compatriots. I cannot wait to see what happens next and who will be in the next book! Highly recommended.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Carina