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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
2.5. A strangely-titled ghostly sex/romance novella, as both the ghost haunting the Randall House, a former Louisiana plantation house, and the young man who inherits it are owners, not renters of the property.
Jackson's writing immediately drew me in. She's great at capturing the voice of a disillusioned twenty-something black man, Noel Deslisle, whose liberal arts degree has netted him nothing but a gig at a burger joint. And now not even that, as his company is reorganizing and has cut his job. Good thing that his great Aunt Sophie, who liked him better than all her other nieces and nephews (for no apparent reason), just left him an old house in Alexandria, Louisiana. Bad thing that the house hasn't been lived in since the 1930s and is is pretty poor shape, that the town's historical commission has all sorts of rules and regulations about how it needs to be revived, and that a former occupant is haunting it. I was deeply drawn to both Noel and to Ruby, the former whorehouse owner who "stole" Randall House from her biological father but who mysteriously disappeared shortly after inheriting.
The story is rich with fascinating themes: the history of enslavement, and how we talk about it (or don't talk about it) in the context of current-day property rights. Gentrification. The student debt crisis. Yet it doesn't all come together in any organic or meaningful way. There's a lot in the story that's implausible, or simply left unexplained (Where did the $ for renovations and for living expenses come from? Why is the local lawyer so dismissive towards Noel? Why would a young woman working toward a PhD?). And the ending feels rushed and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Worst of all, there isn't much of a romance here, just sexy times. (There's hints of a past romance for Ruby, but since she's dead, that's not a romance that has much of a future on-page...)
I feel like this was a fascinating story idea that didn't get explored to its full potential, either sex-wise or romance-wise. Disappointing, because Jackson's writing is so strong.
Jackson's writing immediately drew me in. She's great at capturing the voice of a disillusioned twenty-something black man, Noel Deslisle, whose liberal arts degree has netted him nothing but a gig at a burger joint. And now not even that, as his company is reorganizing and has cut his job. Good thing that his great Aunt Sophie, who liked him better than all her other nieces and nephews (for no apparent reason), just left him an old house in Alexandria, Louisiana. Bad thing that the house hasn't been lived in since the 1930s and is is pretty poor shape, that the town's historical commission has all sorts of rules and regulations about how it needs to be revived, and that a former occupant is haunting it. I was deeply drawn to both Noel and to Ruby, the former whorehouse owner who "stole" Randall House from her biological father but who mysteriously disappeared shortly after inheriting.
The story is rich with fascinating themes: the history of enslavement, and how we talk about it (or don't talk about it) in the context of current-day property rights. Gentrification. The student debt crisis. Yet it doesn't all come together in any organic or meaningful way. There's a lot in the story that's implausible, or simply left unexplained (Where did the $ for renovations and for living expenses come from? Why is the local lawyer so dismissive towards Noel? Why would a young woman working toward a PhD
Spoiler
immediately jump at the chance to have a a two-and-a-half-some with a guy and a ghostI feel like this was a fascinating story idea that didn't get explored to its full potential, either sex-wise or romance-wise. Disappointing, because Jackson's writing is so strong.
tomesxox's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Overall I had a good time but there was just something missing there for me. I wish it was a bit more involved or a bit longer. I wanted to see how things panned out with the restoration . I was also a little caught off guard by the immediate proposition for ghost sex toward the end but it did make me laugh.
Definitely keep in mind that if you're in this purely for the romance, you won't find that here. Romance is more of a side thing and not at all the focus.
Definitely keep in mind that if you're in this purely for the romance, you won't find that here. Romance is more of a side thing and not at all the focus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Slavery and Racism
Minor: Death, Murder, Death of parent, and Rape
whatcaroread's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
heydebigale's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CW: murder, racism, past (but not graphic) descriptions of beatings and rape. Also the haunted house is a former plantation, so there are descriptions of enslavers and Black folks being enslaved.
And even with all of that, this novella has me laughing out loud nearly every chapter.
This was a fantastic novella if you’re looking for something a bit scary and also funny.
Noel inherits a house from his grandmother and meets Ruby, the “daughter” of the enslaved man who built the intricately detailed house and she wants to protect the house from enslavers.
Noel and Ruby also begin falling in love along the way.
Notes: set in Alexandria, Louisiana. Both present day and 1933. Noel and Ruby are both Black. Ruby was terrorized by the enslaver of her parents.
And even with all of that, this novella has me laughing out loud nearly every chapter.
This was a fantastic novella if you’re looking for something a bit scary and also funny.
Noel inherits a house from his grandmother and meets Ruby, the “daughter” of the enslaved man who built the intricately detailed house and she wants to protect the house from enslavers.
Noel and Ruby also begin falling in love along the way.
Notes: set in Alexandria, Louisiana. Both present day and 1933. Noel and Ruby are both Black. Ruby was terrorized by the enslaver of her parents.
scrow1022's review
4.0
My new favorite of hers? Love the weaving together of history and present, love the characters, love how it is resolved, historically, emotionally, physically.
bigbuttandabook's review
5.0
Friendly Ghost
This was such a beautiful story is so many ways. Noel was funny and charming and beautiful. Ruby is the literal a beautiful spirit, and type of character you immediately fall in love with. The memories of Sophia, the humor, the Southern sayings and temperaments. This story felt familiar in a bitter sweet kind of way. Loved it so much.
This was such a beautiful story is so many ways. Noel was funny and charming and beautiful. Ruby is the literal a beautiful spirit, and type of character you immediately fall in love with. The memories of Sophia, the humor, the Southern sayings and temperaments. This story felt familiar in a bitter sweet kind of way. Loved it so much.
hannahelaine's review
4.0
A bit more of an ending?? Like does Ruby get her corporeal form back somehow? Is Nina their conduit forever? Does the house get renovated correctly? The end was out of nowhere, there should have been an actual like, ending. It was a neat idea and a well-told story but this non-ending is getting to me. 3.75 stars ig ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
thanys_thoughts's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 actually.
I really liked this. It got a little weird at the end, but building up to that was great. This is about Noel inheriting a house from his great aunt who ends up already being lived in by the ghost Ruby. I liked how this touched on elements of racism and the history of slavery, but in a really subtle way. I liked how Noel's character and him figuring out how to adult as a house owner. I really liked the progression of their connection to each other.
Definitely want to check out more from Katrina Jackson, I really liked her writing style and characters.
I really liked this. It got a little weird at the end, but building up to that was great. This is about Noel inheriting a house from his great aunt who ends up already being lived in by the ghost Ruby. I liked how this touched on elements of racism and the history of slavery, but in a really subtle way. I liked how Noel's character and him figuring out how to adult as a house owner. I really liked the progression of their connection to each other.
Definitely want to check out more from Katrina Jackson, I really liked her writing style and characters.
jkatiemarks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
- reread
- Black cis m/w, he’s straight she’s bi, he’s living she’s a ghost who was a sex worker while living, there’s a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe
- i just love so much how history (tragic, rage-inducing history) is woven in to a present love story and it’s also a bit creepy and a bit hot?? MASTERFUL.
- upon reread, i do wish there was a bit more time with the two mcs exploring each other, but meh, i kinda always wish that lol
buttermellow's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Rape
Minor: Body shaming and Infidelity