Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Siren of Lake Killikee

SERIES:  Kestrel & Kee Paranormal Investigations

AUTHOR:  V.L. Locey

PUBLISHER:  self-published

LENGTH:  211 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 17, 2024

BLURB:

One speaks to the dead, the other talks to everyone else. Both have hearts that are whispering to each other’s.

Archimedes Kee has always had the gift. From his youngest days, he has been able to communicate with the dearly departed. Most of the time, they seek him as a way to correct wrongs or for help moving over to the next plane. Some just want to complain about badly written books. Generally, he does his best to aid the stranded spirits as he juggles working part-time at his grandfather’s bookstore, a job he adores, with attending a local college. Stuck in the grind of the day-to-day, he is totally unprepared for the arrival of Phil Kestrel, who blows into the shop like a hurricane with his blond hair, blue eyes, and unparalleled exuberance.

For the first time in forever, Archie can’t pull back into the protective shell he has learned to keep up. Phil is not only a charmingly sweet and sexy man, but he’s also slowly winning Archie’s heart one 80’s song at a time. After witnessing an unearthly book club meeting late one night the football star slash film major discovers Archie’s secret and proposes a plan. They make a ghost hunter show for extra credit and to bring much-needed foot traffic to the old bookstore. The plan has merit, so they seek out a local legend and face off against an anguished soul who puts their new bond to the test.

Kestrel and Kee – The Siren of Lake Killikee is an opposites attract queer paranormal romance starring a shy medium, a gregarious footballer, a resident bookstore specter with a decidedly wicked mind, one otherworldly feline, a small town filled with ghostly goings on, an elderly family member eager to play matchmaker, a haunted lake, and a spirited happy ending.

REVIEW:

Archie is an adorable Chinese American medium who is a college student and works at his grandfather’s book store in a small town.  He’s a bit of an outsider and a loner.  He has advertised for language tutoring to make some extra money because he and his grandfather are struggling financially.  His first taker is a burly and gorgeous football player named Phil Kestrel.  His father is a senator and his mother is an actress.  Could two people be more different?

Phil is the perfect golder retriever character and he is charmed and attracted to Archie right off.  Then one night after a great date, Archie and Phil get back to the bookstore and the ghosts shock Phil 😉  Archie comes clean and Phil doesn’t bolt!  They continue to date and Archie continues to see ghosts 😉  They are adorable together!

Archie has money problems and Phil has a great idea on how to make some quick cash.  One of his roommates/teammates, Trey and his girlfriend Roxie want to help too so the Kestrel & Kee Paranormal Investigators are formed.  There is a mystery with regard to a well known history at Lake Killikee.  I won’t spoil the mystery but I highly recommend you read it 😀

So color me surprised! This is the best rom-com/mystery/slightly horror vibing story I’ve read in just about forever. I absolutely adored this story!  I hope this is a long series because this is a fabulous setup.  These characters were adorable!  I loved Archie and Phil and Roxie and Trey.  Grampy is a hoot!  Reggie needs his own show!  The ghosts are really amazing and the mystery is really icing on the cake here with the sweet romance that is building between two opposites.  I had no idea going into this that I would be laughing so much!  There is a great balance of awkward, humor, mystery and mild horror with the paranormal stuff that I was glued to the pages through the whole story.  Archie has always been a misfit and his relationship with Phil is the first time he feels seen and liked for himself.  His grandfather is a wonderful man who raised him and has always tried to assure him that he is a gift in and of himself – not just because of his gift.  He’s protected and raised Archie his whole life.  Phil and Archie are a perfect fit even though they seem like opposites.  I honestly cannot wait for the next book.  This is a great start to what looks to be a really fun series!  Highly recommended.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon