Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Ghost & Me
SERIES: Standalone
AUTHOR: Tonwand North
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 260 Pages
RELEASE DATE: August 28, 2023
BLURB:
Get ready for a rollicking rom-com about an anxious accountant and a freewheeling phantom!
When uptight Ethan Hart exchanges VIP backstage passes to see world-famous rock band The Strange Jewels for a romantic getaway in the Scottish countryside, he’s promptly dumped by his boyfriend. To make things worse… at reception, two guests have died before he’s checked in and now his room is haunted.
In a desperate attempt to get rid of the sassy spectre of a hunky rock star who’s convinced he’s still alive, Ethan embarks in a whirlwind of supernatural shenanigans to uncover his hazy demise and send him into the light. But along the way, Ethan discovers he’s developing real feelings for the brazen spectre. But how can you build a relationship with someone who’s not even technically alive?
- A magical wishing fountain
- A weekend in a quaint village
- A snarky ghost with swagger
- A questionable psychic
- A hilarious wrestling match with true love
Armed with only a kooky band of pensioners and a vacuum cleaner for protection, Ethan embarks on a quest to outmanoeuvre fate and guide Ghost into the eternal light. Will their unlikely bond blossom into a romance that defies mortal limits? Or will Ethan’s anxieties doom them to an eternity apart?
Find out in this delightfully witty, feel-good comedy proving true love knows no bounds.
REVIEW:
Accountant Ethan is a city boy with a dirty mind and anxiety. Upon being dumped, he makes a wish in a magic fountain that starts a chain reaction, beginning with Ethan on a train, centers around little old ladies and a ghost – then ends up with a series of experiences that change him. And it’s all because Lucy Jewels needs help.
Ghost & Me is one of those tales I was on the fence about for part of the story. It is a comedy of errors, misinterpretations, misunderstandings, and threads of conversations born of bad hearing that take on their own life. It’s a ride that can leave a reader confused and entertained. Hence, some will find it brilliant, others a nightmare. And for much of the time, I’m honestly not sure which side of the fence I belonged to. I appreciate the work involved, and I loved many of the Britishisms that the old ladies used that reminded me of my nan. But, the story occasionally had me tied in knots that I wasn’t sure which way was up. Like I said, brilliance or madness – I’m not sure which. Eventually, some of the insanity is less so, and an emotionally beautiful and somewhat snarky story inserts itself, although order never truly evolves.
The tale is told in the first person, present tense, from the viewpoint of Ethan. Technically, a few lessons about using autonomous body parts need to be learned. I understand their use – especially in the first person, but some things are still a no-no. Worldbuilding left some hilarious imagery of a city boy’s first experiences in the countryside, including interactions with horses, cows, and other wildlife. Also, a fear of stairs and a vacuum is involved, but that’s another line belonging to Ethan and the old ladies, alongside trading insults with a ghost.
Amid all the confusion, Ethan is a loveable character I found myself rooting for – especially in the face of his tool of an ex. The story is a tossed salad of bits and bobs where the whole thing makes sense, but the ingredients are eclectic. When Lucy Jewels appeared, I felt for the guy, and his journey made all the confusion worth the wait.
So, if you’re confused by my review – yeeaahhh, call it an insight into the story.
RATING: 
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