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gillianw's review
3.0
https://justloveromance.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/stumptown-spirits-ej-russell/#more-6715
While I thought the premise of this story was quite good, the execution and the editing left a little bit to be desired. The MC’s are likable enough, as are the side characters, but the writing lacked the style and tension needed to make this ghost story truly entertaining.
Logan, the anti-hero with a heart of gold, is looking for the key to rescuing Trent, an old boyfriend who has been inadvertently trapped in a ghost war that plays out every 7 years. After spending years relentlessly chasing dead ends, he meets folklore researcher Riley and realizes that Riley’s expertise might be the answer to his problem. When his attraction to Riley becomes more than the one-night stand he intended, his focus shifts and Logan all but abandons his search to rescue Trent from his ghostly hell, setting up a home with Riley intent on taking their relationship to the next level. But when Riley unknowingly provides Logan with the answer to saving Trent, Logan leaves town without a word, leaving Riley lost, abandoned and with absolutely no idea why Logan has gone. When Riley’s job finds him and Logan in the same city again, he is torn between the desire see Riley again and enlist his help or to send him away and save him from the same fate as Trent.
I really liked Logan and Riley (and Riley’s speech impediment that only becomes obvious when he’s stressed or emotional – adorable!). But the pull-you-closer-push-you-away dance between the two of them was annoying and somewhat cloying. It’s nothing that hasn’t been done in a million romance novels before this and it didn’t really have anything new to say about it. The ghost story itself was interesting and if the author could have dialed up the tension a bit, it might have been a decent little thriller. I did enjoy the side characters and I thought that Riley’s job as a runner/researcher for a paranormal investigation TV show was a nice touch because it allowed for the introduction of Max Stone, the wonderfully insensitive and boneheaded host of the show. That guy needs a spin-off!
All in all, I found this an okay-ish book but I really wish it could have lived up to the promise of it’s premise. Unfortunately, it’s a little slow and didn’t really capture my attention. 2.5 stars rounded up
**I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review**
While I thought the premise of this story was quite good, the execution and the editing left a little bit to be desired. The MC’s are likable enough, as are the side characters, but the writing lacked the style and tension needed to make this ghost story truly entertaining.
Logan, the anti-hero with a heart of gold, is looking for the key to rescuing Trent, an old boyfriend who has been inadvertently trapped in a ghost war that plays out every 7 years. After spending years relentlessly chasing dead ends, he meets folklore researcher Riley and realizes that Riley’s expertise might be the answer to his problem. When his attraction to Riley becomes more than the one-night stand he intended, his focus shifts and Logan all but abandons his search to rescue Trent from his ghostly hell, setting up a home with Riley intent on taking their relationship to the next level. But when Riley unknowingly provides Logan with the answer to saving Trent, Logan leaves town without a word, leaving Riley lost, abandoned and with absolutely no idea why Logan has gone. When Riley’s job finds him and Logan in the same city again, he is torn between the desire see Riley again and enlist his help or to send him away and save him from the same fate as Trent.
I really liked Logan and Riley (and Riley’s speech impediment that only becomes obvious when he’s stressed or emotional – adorable!). But the pull-you-closer-push-you-away dance between the two of them was annoying and somewhat cloying. It’s nothing that hasn’t been done in a million romance novels before this and it didn’t really have anything new to say about it. The ghost story itself was interesting and if the author could have dialed up the tension a bit, it might have been a decent little thriller. I did enjoy the side characters and I thought that Riley’s job as a runner/researcher for a paranormal investigation TV show was a nice touch because it allowed for the introduction of Max Stone, the wonderfully insensitive and boneheaded host of the show. That guy needs a spin-off!
All in all, I found this an okay-ish book but I really wish it could have lived up to the promise of it’s premise. Unfortunately, it’s a little slow and didn’t really capture my attention. 2.5 stars rounded up
**I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review**
relly's review
3.5
3.5 Stars
Buddy Read
I wanted to like this one more than I did. I think this is a case of me and this author just not gelling. While I think she is a good writer the stories just don’t work for me at times.
The parts I liked – the paranormal storyline. I really liked the idea of the loop of the scene replaying. I didn’t pick how it would be stopped and thought that was well done. I enjoyed how Riley used his smarts and protected Logan to the best of his ability. I did pick Bert but not who he actually was and how he would be involved in the show down.
I liked Riley but wished he would stick up for himself more. He was smarter than everyone else there and probably better qualified and yet he cowed to them all, even his friend, and when Logan was being a jerk, he didn’t take him to task just made excuses for him. Even after Logan ruined a lifetimes work he just brushed it off.
Logan I didn’t like, He never once talked to Riley just made decisions for him and pushed him away, Even after it didn’t work he kept doing it again and again, try9ng to tell himself he was protecting Riley but not believing in him and his knowledge.
I don’t buy that the two of them as a couple as they don’t communicate at all and Logan just makes decisions and pushes Riley away.
Buddy Read
I wanted to like this one more than I did. I think this is a case of me and this author just not gelling. While I think she is a good writer the stories just don’t work for me at times.
The parts I liked – the paranormal storyline. I really liked the idea of the loop of the scene replaying. I didn’t pick how it would be stopped and thought that was well done. I enjoyed how Riley used his smarts and protected Logan to the best of his ability. I did pick Bert but not who he actually was and how he would be involved in the show down.
I liked Riley but wished he would stick up for himself more. He was smarter than everyone else there and probably better qualified and yet he cowed to them all, even his friend, and when Logan was being a jerk, he didn’t take him to task just made excuses for him. Even after Logan ruined a lifetimes work he just brushed it off.
Logan I didn’t like, He never once talked to Riley just made decisions for him and pushed him away, Even after it didn’t work he kept doing it again and again, try9ng to tell himself he was protecting Riley but not believing in him and his knowledge.
I don’t buy that the two of them as a couple as they don’t communicate at all and Logan just makes decisions and pushes Riley away.
wildfaeriecaps's review
5.0
Oh, this was great fun. I'm hit-or-miss with ghost hunting stories but this one? Perfection. Loved it. Also a fan of the white knight/self-sacrificing angst. Riley was lovely and I adore him in all his folklorical nerdy wonder. I will *definitely* be reading the rest of this series as it's released.
jennifox's review against another edition
Didn't like any of these characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
lydiaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
As much as I adore EJ, this book was a struggle. I found the ghost shenanigans a little tough to follow and Logan's motivations, etc., to be annoying and poorly thought out. It also bothered me that Julie was supposed to be Riley's best friend, but she always put her job above him. It did make me cry, though, which is a hallmark of emotional investment for me. So there's that.
wils7501's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a great book! Riley and Logan are meant to be together and hopefully their 2nd chance is a lot happier than their 1st one. I enjoyed the spooky aspects of the legend tripping with the ghosts and hope for more legend tripping books in the future!
avsfan08's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
gale_bruckner's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a very dense and well crafted paranormal, thriller romance. I'm not the biggest fan of alpha MC's, but that's a personal preference. EJ artfully weaves past tragedy with present drama, which results in an explosive final confrontation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
see_sadie_read's review
3.0
2.5, round up
I have to admit that, while I didn't dislike this, it wasn't a big winner for me either. As much as I liked Riley and Logan (and I did), as interesting as I found the mystery (and it was), as amusing as I found the side characters (and they were), as often as I laughed (and I did ) I thought this was inelegantly written and at times just too over the top.
I completely understood that the characters were meant to be conflicted, wanting one thing but trying to do another, but the constant back and forwards annoyed me and it felt clunkily done. Logan's internal dialogue was not enough to pull it off for me. What's more, it all came down to an unwillingness to communicate that I found frustrating.
There was also one last twist toward the end that I thought way too coincidental and unbelievable. I don't even think it contributed to the plot. The last event it prompted to action could have still happened without it.
All-in-all, I had complaints that kept me from loving it, but I did enjoy it. There is plenty of room between a book being a favorite and not liking a book at all. Riley was especially likable.
I have to admit that, while I didn't dislike this, it wasn't a big winner for me either. As much as I liked Riley and Logan (and I did), as interesting as I found the mystery (and it was), as amusing as I found the side characters (and they were), as often as I laughed (and I did ) I thought this was inelegantly written and at times just too over the top.
I completely understood that the characters were meant to be conflicted, wanting one thing but trying to do another, but the constant back and forwards annoyed me and it felt clunkily done. Logan's internal dialogue was not enough to pull it off for me. What's more, it all came down to an unwillingness to communicate that I found frustrating.
There was also one last twist toward the end that I thought way too coincidental and unbelievable. I don't even think it contributed to the plot. The last event it prompted to action could have still happened without it.
All-in-all, I had complaints that kept me from loving it, but I did enjoy it. There is plenty of room between a book being a favorite and not liking a book at all. Riley was especially likable.