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heabooknerd's review
3.0
THE SPOOKY LIFE was good but I think it's the weakest of the series in terms of overall story. I still enjoyed Rain and Danny and I loved how comfortable Rain has become with his ghostly abilities. The missing person case was interesting but it became overly complicated and unlike previous books the clues and information were so lacking and vague that opportunities for readers to make their own guesses and theories were slim.
But my biggest issue was the ghostly side of the mystery and what happens to Rain. We never learn why Hannah's ghost can do the things she can do; can all ghost do that too? Is it just because of her unique circumstances as a ghost? Things are never answered. And when Hannah makes her big move, everything happens really fast and then is neatly tied up in a bow with all the drama happening off page. Rain is gone during all the action and any amends making is never shown, we're just told it happens. Vague I know, but I'm trying not to spoil a pretty big part of the story.
All that being said, I'd still definitely read more in this series because I enjoy Rain and Danny's relationship so much and Rain's POV voice keeps me laughing. I feel a bit like S.E. Harmon is trying to go bigger with each book when it comes to the ghost but honestly I'd just love to read about Rain and Danny being in love and solving regular cold cases with some ghostly help.
Content Warning: discussions of domestic abuse and grief in relation to the case
But my biggest issue was the ghostly side of the mystery and what happens to Rain. We never learn why Hannah's ghost can do the things she can do; can all ghost do that too? Is it just because of her unique circumstances as a ghost? Things are never answered. And when Hannah makes her big move, everything happens really fast and then is neatly tied up in a bow with all the drama happening off page. Rain is gone during all the action and any amends making is never shown, we're just told it happens. Vague I know, but I'm trying not to spoil a pretty big part of the story.
All that being said, I'd still definitely read more in this series because I enjoy Rain and Danny's relationship so much and Rain's POV voice keeps me laughing. I feel a bit like S.E. Harmon is trying to go bigger with each book when it comes to the ghost but honestly I'd just love to read about Rain and Danny being in love and solving regular cold cases with some ghostly help.
Content Warning: discussions of domestic abuse and grief in relation to the case
amandamillwood's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shinysue's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Really cute book. It felt nostalgic and safe, but the plot was obviously new. It would have been nice to see more of the supporting cast. I'm surprised how well the story carried with such a narrow focus. The book is mainly plot based. No unnecessary interpersonal drama.
notbeforebreakfast's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Unfortunately this was my least favorite one of the series so far. It wasn’t a bad book by any means, but I did feel like certain talks should have been had earlier and the resolutions too swift. But as far as romance, Danny and Rain are still lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Sexual content
aspie97's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zaza_bdp's review
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
Encore un très bon tome et un vrai plaisir de retrouver Danny & Rain, et de passer quelques moments privilégiés en leur compagnie ! ♥
C'est un vrai bonheur de les retrouver au fil des tomes, et je trouve ça tellement chouette de voir la routine d'un couple amoureux , les voir évoluer au quotidien alors que d'habitude, une fois que les personnages ont leur fin heureuse, on n'en parle plus. Leur patience est ici mise à rude épreuve, car entre la nouvelle enquête qui leur tombe dessus, les travaux de remise en état de leur maison et le harcèlement intempestif (il n'y a pas d'autres mots) d'une Momzilla au top de sa forme, ils n'ont presque pas une minute à eux, les pauvres ! ^^'
Je me répète pour chaque tome, mais j'adore la plume de cette autrice, et tout cet humour sarcastique qu'elle injecte dans les pensées et répliques de Rain. C'est un privilège d'être dans sa tête, même si c'est parfois un peu fatigant (Danny a bien raison de l'épuiser de temps en temps pour le faire taire ! ^^). Et à l'inverse, j'aime énormément la force tranquille et bourrue de Danny, qui offre le parfait contraste pour que les choses s'équilibrent entre eux.
Je suis tellement contente d'avoir lu ce tome en sachant qu'un 5ème était déjà sorti, sinon je pense que j'aurais vraiment lu les dernières pages en ayant un énorme pincement au coeur.
Un excellent tome donc, qui allie comme toujours de beaux moments de romance et de complicité entre Danny & Rain, une enquête surnaturelle avec certains rebondissements à vous faire dresser les cheveux sur la tête, de l'humour en pagaille et toujours ces superbes lien d'amitié entre les membres de l'équipe.
Cette autrice et cette série sont vraiment à ranger dans la catégories des "must-read" !
Encore un très bon tome et un vrai plaisir de retrouver Danny & Rain, et de passer quelques moments privilégiés en leur compagnie ! ♥
C'est un vrai bonheur de les retrouver au fil des tomes, et je trouve ça tellement chouette de voir la routine d'un couple amoureux , les voir évoluer au quotidien alors que d'habitude, une fois que les personnages ont leur fin heureuse, on n'en parle plus. Leur patience est ici mise à rude épreuve, car entre la nouvelle enquête qui leur tombe dessus, les travaux de remise en état de leur maison et le harcèlement intempestif (il n'y a pas d'autres mots) d'une Momzilla au top de sa forme, ils n'ont presque pas une minute à eux, les pauvres ! ^^'
Je me répète pour chaque tome, mais j'adore la plume de cette autrice, et tout cet humour sarcastique qu'elle injecte dans les pensées et répliques de Rain. C'est un privilège d'être dans sa tête, même si c'est parfois un peu fatigant (Danny a bien raison de l'épuiser de temps en temps pour le faire taire ! ^^). Et à l'inverse, j'aime énormément la force tranquille et bourrue de Danny, qui offre le parfait contraste pour que les choses s'équilibrent entre eux.
Je suis tellement contente d'avoir lu ce tome en sachant qu'un 5ème était déjà sorti, sinon je pense que j'aurais vraiment lu les dernières pages en ayant un énorme pincement au coeur.
Un excellent tome donc, qui allie comme toujours de beaux moments de romance et de complicité entre Danny & Rain, une enquête surnaturelle avec certains rebondissements à vous faire dresser les cheveux sur la tête, de l'humour en pagaille et toujours ces superbes lien d'amitié entre les membres de l'équipe.
Cette autrice et cette série sont vraiment à ranger dans la catégories des "must-read" !
monismmreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Kirt Graves, again, does a phenomenal job voicing Rain and every other character!
Holy shiitake mushroom, this was INTENSE! If I thought that Rain got himself into crazy situations in the previous books, S.E. Harmon ensured that I was constantly going between telling myself ‘this cannot be happening’ and yelling at my Kindle ‘fix it already’ with a little bit of ‘awww, they are so cute’ sprinkled in there. I enjoyed this book so much that the only reason why I’m not sad it’s over is because I’m jumping straight into book #5.
Danny and Rain encounter some CRAZY ghosts in this story, and we end up with one complicated investigation … or multiple of them really, but what else is new, right? Just as Rain settles into accepting his role as a medium, he realizes just how much he still doesn’t know about the dead and what they are capable of when they are mad. To make things more tricky, he encounters a ghost who cannot talk but definitely needs his help, others are invading his dreams again to show him tragic events. And when he is not completely exhausted with work, he gets drained by all the wedding preparations that his and Danny’s family seem to be hellbent on forcing on them. His only solitary escape is his undeniable connection to Danny but with this rate, they won’t get married before they retire. Or ever, if it'd be up to some ghosts! With her usual witty humor, Harmon wrote a book (again) that is equal measure entertaining, spooky, and romantic. If you have gotten this far in the Spectral Files series do not hesitate to keep reading, these books are just getting better and better!
Paranormal
Ex-FBI Agent/Detective
Murder Mystery
Witty
Steamy
Holy shiitake mushroom, this was INTENSE! If I thought that Rain got himself into crazy situations in the previous books, S.E. Harmon ensured that I was constantly going between telling myself ‘this cannot be happening’ and yelling at my Kindle ‘fix it already’ with a little bit of ‘awww, they are so cute’ sprinkled in there. I enjoyed this book so much that the only reason why I’m not sad it’s over is because I’m jumping straight into book #5.
Danny and Rain encounter some CRAZY ghosts in this story, and we end up with one complicated investigation … or multiple of them really, but what else is new, right? Just as Rain settles into accepting his role as a medium, he realizes just how much he still doesn’t know about the dead and what they are capable of when they are mad. To make things more tricky, he encounters a ghost who cannot talk but definitely needs his help, others are invading his dreams again to show him tragic events. And when he is not completely exhausted with work, he gets drained by all the wedding preparations that his and Danny’s family seem to be hellbent on forcing on them. His only solitary escape is his undeniable connection to Danny but with this rate, they won’t get married before they retire. Or ever, if it'd be up to some ghosts! With her usual witty humor, Harmon wrote a book (again) that is equal measure entertaining, spooky, and romantic. If you have gotten this far in the Spectral Files series do not hesitate to keep reading, these books are just getting better and better!
Paranormal
Ex-FBI Agent/Detective
Murder Mystery
Witty
Steamy
monismmreviews's review
5.0
Holy shiitake mushroom, this was INTENSE! If I thought that Rain got himself into crazy situations in the previous books, S.E. Harmon ensured that I was constantly going between telling myself ‘this cannot be happening’ and yelling at my Kindle ‘fix it already’ with a little bit of ‘awww, they are so cute’ sprinkled in there. I enjoyed this book so much that the only reason why I’m not sad it’s over is because I’m jumping straight into book #5.
Danny and Rain encounter some CRAZY ghosts in this story, and we end up with one complicated investigation … or multiple of them really, but what else is new, right? Just as Rain settles into accepting his role as a medium, he realizes just how much he still doesn’t know about the dead and what they are capable of when they are mad. To make things more tricky, he encounters a ghost who cannot talk but definitely needs his help, others are invading his dreams again to show him tragic events. And when he is not completely exhausted with work, he gets drained by all the wedding preparations that his and Danny’s family seem to be hellbent on forcing on them. His only solitary escape is his undeniable connection to Danny but with this rate, they won’t get married before they retire. Or ever, if it'd be up to some ghosts! With her usual witty humor, Harmon wrote a book (again) that is equal measure entertaining, spooky, and romantic. If you have gotten this far in the Spectral Files series do not hesitate to keep reading, these books are just getting better and better!
Paranormal
Ex-FBI Agent/Detective
Murder Mystery
Witty
Steamy
Danny and Rain encounter some CRAZY ghosts in this story, and we end up with one complicated investigation … or multiple of them really, but what else is new, right? Just as Rain settles into accepting his role as a medium, he realizes just how much he still doesn’t know about the dead and what they are capable of when they are mad. To make things more tricky, he encounters a ghost who cannot talk but definitely needs his help, others are invading his dreams again to show him tragic events. And when he is not completely exhausted with work, he gets drained by all the wedding preparations that his and Danny’s family seem to be hellbent on forcing on them. His only solitary escape is his undeniable connection to Danny but with this rate, they won’t get married before they retire. Or ever, if it'd be up to some ghosts! With her usual witty humor, Harmon wrote a book (again) that is equal measure entertaining, spooky, and romantic. If you have gotten this far in the Spectral Files series do not hesitate to keep reading, these books are just getting better and better!
Paranormal
Ex-FBI Agent/Detective
Murder Mystery
Witty
Steamy
yazaleea's review
4.0
I love them so much, I love that they got married grrr The mystery was not my favourite but I enjoy any Rain x Danny content I can get! Can’t wait till next week for the next book (i timed my discovery of this series so damn well)
Also I have no idea how Dakota knows all the shot he knows but I need a Dakota centered spin off please he is so cute. Also more of Nick and Tabitha and Chevy and Kevin please!!!
Also I have no idea how Dakota knows all the shot he knows but I need a Dakota centered spin off please he is so cute. Also more of Nick and Tabitha and Chevy and Kevin please!!!
a_reader_obsessed's review
5.0
5 Stars for the Series!
From the beginning, I’ve really enjoyed this series, not only for the scary paranormal elements but also for the fantastic romance.
I know I’ve not been quiet about my love for Danny who is so swoony sexy and for Rain’s biting humor that only gets better and better. I also always revel in a great supporting cast that gives as good as it takes and makes for a really enjoyable fun ride, enriching the entire experience and again, each book elevates this dynamic.
Harmon in her afterword says it’s not for sure that this is the last we’ll see of Rain and Danny but if it is, I agree with her that this fantastically ended on a high note with plenty of exposition that my epilogue loving self luxuriated in. This excels in all areas - a weak in the knees love story, smexy smex, a compelling mystery with scary heart thumping high stakes (though this time around it was crazy unbelievable), and a protagonist that sings to my funny bone and his lover who intoxicatingly appeals to my heart.
Overall, this will remain a favorite memorable series and should Harmon revisit these two, without a doubt I’ll be all in!
From the beginning, I’ve really enjoyed this series, not only for the scary paranormal elements but also for the fantastic romance.
I know I’ve not been quiet about my love for Danny who is so swoony sexy and for Rain’s biting humor that only gets better and better. I also always revel in a great supporting cast that gives as good as it takes and makes for a really enjoyable fun ride, enriching the entire experience and again, each book elevates this dynamic.
Harmon in her afterword says it’s not for sure that this is the last we’ll see of Rain and Danny but if it is, I agree with her that this fantastically ended on a high note with plenty of exposition that my epilogue loving self luxuriated in. This excels in all areas - a weak in the knees love story, smexy smex, a compelling mystery with scary heart thumping high stakes (though this time around it was crazy unbelievable), and a protagonist that sings to my funny bone and his lover who intoxicatingly appeals to my heart.
Overall, this will remain a favorite memorable series and should Harmon revisit these two, without a doubt I’ll be all in!