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eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
And once again I find myself trying to review a Lily Morton book. But this one's a bit different from the others. For one, the genre is horror and mystery along with romance. And the amount of humour is reduced for the sake of a more tense environment. It's still there—this is Lily Morton—but toned down.
The story follows Levi Black and Blue Billings. Levi has just inherited a very nice house. Except it's haunted. Levi learns, pretty soon after moving in, that living there is going to be difficult.
That's where Blue comes in. He leads a ghost walk in the town and Levi approaches him, initially, to get some answers about the history of his house. And even though Blue has learnt, over the years, to prioritize looking out for himself, he can't leave Levi to face such a dangerous situation alone.
Levi finds Blue gorgeous and fascinating and wants to help him. And Blue thinks, rightly so, that Levi is one of the nicest people ever to exist. And once Blue decides that he'll help Levi with the house, a sweet bond starts to form that leads to a beautiful slow-burn. Levi and Blue care so much about each other, a concern that's heightened because their lives are literally in danger from a ghost that might try to kill them at any point. In fact, there were some pretty spooky and tense scenes in there.
Both the horror and romance elements are very well done. They provided kinda provided some contract, with a heartwarming romance taking place in a house where objects might start flying through the air at any point. The mystery... I found the identity of the ghosts to be easily guessed. But the person I read the book with didn't. So I can't say how your experience will be.
Now, going back to horror and humour for a second, I liked both elements and how they were executed. The amounts of spooky and levity are just right. But there were a couple of times the protagonists seemed to stop in the middle of a charged scene so they could exchange witty remarks. It's a classic Lily Morton move and, in this case, it took away from the atmosphere the author had created in those scenes. And it was impractical too. A ghost is trying to kill you! Chit-chat can be saved for later.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm glad it's the first in a series. I would love to read more about Levi and Blue, and I'm excited to see what's in store for them. I definitely recommend this book. Just don't read it alone in the dark at 3 a.m. Maybe not the best idea.
The story follows Levi Black and Blue Billings. Levi has just inherited a very nice house. Except it's haunted. Levi learns, pretty soon after moving in, that living there is going to be difficult.
That's where Blue comes in. He leads a ghost walk in the town and Levi approaches him, initially, to get some answers about the history of his house. And even though Blue has learnt, over the years, to prioritize looking out for himself, he can't leave Levi to face such a dangerous situation alone.
Levi finds Blue gorgeous and fascinating and wants to help him. And Blue thinks, rightly so, that Levi is one of the nicest people ever to exist. And once Blue decides that he'll help Levi with the house, a sweet bond starts to form that leads to a beautiful slow-burn. Levi and Blue care so much about each other, a concern that's heightened because their lives are literally in danger from a ghost that might try to kill them at any point. In fact, there were some pretty spooky and tense scenes in there.
Both the horror and romance elements are very well done. They provided kinda provided some contract, with a heartwarming romance taking place in a house where objects might start flying through the air at any point. The mystery... I found the identity of the ghosts to be easily guessed. But the person I read the book with didn't. So I can't say how your experience will be.
Now, going back to horror and humour for a second, I liked both elements and how they were executed. The amounts of spooky and levity are just right. But there were a couple of times the protagonists seemed to stop in the middle of a charged scene so they could exchange witty remarks. It's a classic Lily Morton move and, in this case, it took away from the atmosphere the author had created in those scenes. And it was impractical too. A ghost is trying to kill you! Chit-chat can be saved for later.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm glad it's the first in a series. I would love to read more about Levi and Blue, and I'm excited to see what's in store for them. I definitely recommend this book. Just don't read it alone in the dark at 3 a.m. Maybe not the best idea.
nerida182's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book from Gay Romance Reviews Tours in exchange of an honest review.
I was totally hyped by the second book and requested the first book as well. I mean, ghosts? Haunted houses? And add to that some LGBT romance with sexy scenes? UM HELLO? Why is this book not yet in my hands? Hello?
This book is about two characters, Levi and Blue. One has inherited a fancy house with well… some deadly ghosts. The other runs ghost walks and is psychic. These two guys don’t know it yet, but they are going to get together. Haha. I really loved reading from both of the characters and learning all about them. We see that Levi just lost his mom and on top of that broke off a relationship of 5 years (because his boyfriend was a cheating dick). Blue has a past full of darkness, prostitution, poverty, and more.
While I was very happy that they didn’t get a relationship immediately, it was at times a bit too much of a slow burn along with some things that should just have been talked (or kissed I am OK with both) out. Sooner. Haha. But yes, in overall I am happy that they didn’t get together immediately. Because Levi is still mourning, and Blue has his past and how he lives now to deal with. But I really loved seeing them get closer. Get more eager to be together. Share kisses that got very steamy. And then when they finally got together and sex happened, oh lord I was just squeeing in absolute delight because these two are clearly meant to be. I found the sex scenes well written and the romance adorable. YEs, I was definitely shouting at my kindle (and this time not because it is a worthless piece of machinery but because I wanted them to share some more hot kisses).
Next to relationships and dealing with the past, we also got a very spooky thing going on. I was curious if it was possible to be both a horror/ghost story with romance. I can tell you honestly that the author found the perfect balance and that it worked. It worked really well. Levi’s house is haunted and something is not happy with him there. We see our guys try to figure out what the hell is going on while not dying of fright or because the ghost (or ghosts) are killing them. It was really spooky to read and at times I had a lovely dose of goosebumps! Doors opening, screams sounding, blood dripping, shadows instead of facing, and more! I loved the mystery of who the ghost was, but also the mystery of why Rosalind killed her brother. And what we find, OH MAN, it was sooooo good. The ending to the haunted house story was exciting and scary and I was just curling up under my blankets.
Tom was a wonderful man and I am delighted that he and Blue got the chance to connect. That Tom can help out Blue with certain things that Blue’s mom couldn’t do for him. I loved their relationship and I loved how the old man is cantankerous as hell, but has a very soft and warm heart. Throughout the story we see that he sees Blue as family and that he cares about him a lot.
Rosalind. Well, I really liked her. Sure, there is that whole thing about having murdered someone, but throughout the book she just seems sweet, protective, and she cleans the house. Yes, really. She warns the boys when things go down. She is a really great characters (though really, reading the descriptions about her face, NOPE).
The ending had me smiling and I am happy for the decisions made by both the characters. We get a very extensive (YAS) epilogue in which we see how the characters are doing now. I am glad that Blue decided to do that and I fully understand it. I am happy he and Levi are still happily together and enjoying tons of fun things together.
All in all, this book was spooky, sometimes scary, other times very hot and steamy, and mostly very cute and it brought a big smile to my face. At the moment of writing it is 26-3 and I am planning on reading the next book as soon as I got some time. I cannot wait to see what will happen to Levi and Blue in that one. And I would highly recommend this one!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was totally hyped by the second book and requested the first book as well. I mean, ghosts? Haunted houses? And add to that some LGBT romance with sexy scenes? UM HELLO? Why is this book not yet in my hands? Hello?
This book is about two characters, Levi and Blue. One has inherited a fancy house with well… some deadly ghosts. The other runs ghost walks and is psychic. These two guys don’t know it yet, but they are going to get together. Haha. I really loved reading from both of the characters and learning all about them. We see that Levi just lost his mom and on top of that broke off a relationship of 5 years (because his boyfriend was a cheating dick). Blue has a past full of darkness, prostitution, poverty, and more.
While I was very happy that they didn’t get a relationship immediately, it was at times a bit too much of a slow burn along with some things that should just have been talked (or kissed I am OK with both) out. Sooner. Haha. But yes, in overall I am happy that they didn’t get together immediately. Because Levi is still mourning, and Blue has his past and how he lives now to deal with. But I really loved seeing them get closer. Get more eager to be together. Share kisses that got very steamy. And then when they finally got together and sex happened, oh lord I was just squeeing in absolute delight because these two are clearly meant to be. I found the sex scenes well written and the romance adorable. YEs, I was definitely shouting at my kindle (and this time not because it is a worthless piece of machinery but because I wanted them to share some more hot kisses).
Next to relationships and dealing with the past, we also got a very spooky thing going on. I was curious if it was possible to be both a horror/ghost story with romance. I can tell you honestly that the author found the perfect balance and that it worked. It worked really well. Levi’s house is haunted and something is not happy with him there. We see our guys try to figure out what the hell is going on while not dying of fright or because the ghost (or ghosts) are killing them. It was really spooky to read and at times I had a lovely dose of goosebumps! Doors opening, screams sounding, blood dripping, shadows instead of facing, and more! I loved the mystery of who the ghost was, but also the mystery of why Rosalind killed her brother. And what we find, OH MAN, it was sooooo good. The ending to the haunted house story was exciting and scary and I was just curling up under my blankets.
Tom was a wonderful man and I am delighted that he and Blue got the chance to connect. That Tom can help out Blue with certain things that Blue’s mom couldn’t do for him. I loved their relationship and I loved how the old man is cantankerous as hell, but has a very soft and warm heart. Throughout the story we see that he sees Blue as family and that he cares about him a lot.
Rosalind. Well, I really liked her. Sure, there is that whole thing about having murdered someone, but throughout the book she just seems sweet, protective, and she cleans the house. Yes, really. She warns the boys when things go down. She is a really great characters (though really, reading the descriptions about her face, NOPE).
The ending had me smiling and I am happy for the decisions made by both the characters. We get a very extensive (YAS) epilogue in which we see how the characters are doing now. I am glad that Blue decided to do that and I fully understand it. I am happy he and Levi are still happily together and enjoying tons of fun things together.
All in all, this book was spooky, sometimes scary, other times very hot and steamy, and mostly very cute and it brought a big smile to my face. At the moment of writing it is 26-3 and I am planning on reading the next book as soon as I got some time. I cannot wait to see what will happen to Levi and Blue in that one. And I would highly recommend this one!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
gillianw's review against another edition
DNF
This one just wasn't working for me. I put this down a couple of times meaning to come back to it, but I'd read a few pages, stop, put it down for a few days, read a few pages, stop, put it down for a few days and so on. Finally I just gave up.
This is the second time this year I've read a highly lauded book and felt...bleh about it. Maybe my reader thingy is broken. Maybe I'm just happier re-reading my old favourites for the time being. Maybe my tastes are changing? Whatever it is, it's frustrating to be on the wrong side of everyone else who loved this book.
This one just wasn't working for me. I put this down a couple of times meaning to come back to it, but I'd read a few pages, stop, put it down for a few days, read a few pages, stop, put it down for a few days and so on. Finally I just gave up.
This is the second time this year I've read a highly lauded book and felt...bleh about it. Maybe my reader thingy is broken. Maybe I'm just happier re-reading my old favourites for the time being. Maybe my tastes are changing? Whatever it is, it's frustrating to be on the wrong side of everyone else who loved this book.
teenykins's review against another edition
4.5
Story: 5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Lily Morton spectacularly weaves a chilling atmosphere revolving the haunted murder house that Levi inherited and wants to live in when things start to happen and asks for Blue's help in figuring it out. But that's not all there is to the story, because Levi is intrigued by the Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings and wants to learn more about him and Blue, Blue can't resist this extremely polite with a beautiful aura man and so their journey begins.
I don't know if it was because I had already read the book so the story was familiar but although Joel's performance was incredible, there were times that I didn't feel the atmosphere of the book, like I did when I read it. Still though a do not miss story!!!
Narration: 4 stars
Lily Morton spectacularly weaves a chilling atmosphere revolving the haunted murder house that Levi inherited and wants to live in when things start to happen and asks for Blue's help in figuring it out. But that's not all there is to the story, because Levi is intrigued by the Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings and wants to learn more about him and Blue, Blue can't resist this extremely polite with a beautiful aura man and so their journey begins.
I don't know if it was because I had already read the book so the story was familiar but although Joel's performance was incredible, there were times that I didn't feel the atmosphere of the book, like I did when I read it. Still though a do not miss story!!!
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐
Le moins qu'on puisse dire, c'est qu'avec ce roman, Lily Morton m'a sortie de ma zone de confort !
Il faut savoir que je suis une vraie trouillarde, je n'ai jamais vu de film d'horreur, je fuis typiquement ce genre de truc, et je ne lis pas non plus ce genre d'histoires. En fait, j'ai lu ce livre sans avoir lu le résumé au préalable, je savais qu'il y avait une histoire de fantômes, mais naïvement je pensais que l'un des héros en était un. Je ne m'attendais donc pas du tout à ça !
Donc bon, je dois quand même dire que certains passages m'ont fichu les jetons, et jamais je ne voudrais voir ça en film ! Cela dit, l'ensemble est bien ficelé, l'enquête apporte son lot de rebondissements et révélations que je n'avais pas forcément vu venir (en fait je n'ai pas trop cherché à réfléchir, je me suis laissée porter par l'histoire). En fait, j'ai été davantage intéressée par l'histoire de fond que par la romance.
Si les héros sont sympas, j'ai trouvé que l'auteure en faisait trop au sujet de Blue, ce dernier cumulant de sacrées casseroles (c'est crédible, certes, mais c'est quand même trop à mon goût). Levi manque un peu de relief, comparé à Blue, il est un peu plat. La romance est très douce, mignonne et pleine de tendresse, ce qui offre un contraste reposant avec certains passages flippants et/ou crados. Les personnages secondaires sont réussis, j'espère retrouver Tom par la suite, j'ai beaucoup aimé cet homme, et le coeur en or qui se cache derrière son apparence bourrue.
Même si elle s'illustre ici dans un registre très différent de ce à quoi elle nous habituées, on reconnaît la "patte" Lily Morton à travers les répliques qui fusent entre les personnages, et ce délicieux petit côté so british qui font le sel de ses livres.
Pour finir, je dirais que j'ai quand même trouvé quelques longueurs dans le livre, et que parfois, les personnages se comportent comme les héroïnes bécasses des films d'épouvante, en fonçant droit en direction du danger ... Pas toujours très prudents nos damoiseaux donc, mais j'ai été suffisamment tenue en haleine pour vouloir connaître la suite, et la chute, et accessoirement suivre l'évolution de leur relation. :)
Le moins qu'on puisse dire, c'est qu'avec ce roman, Lily Morton m'a sortie de ma zone de confort !
Il faut savoir que je suis une vraie trouillarde, je n'ai jamais vu de film d'horreur, je fuis typiquement ce genre de truc, et je ne lis pas non plus ce genre d'histoires. En fait, j'ai lu ce livre sans avoir lu le résumé au préalable, je savais qu'il y avait une histoire de fantômes, mais naïvement je pensais que l'un des héros en était un. Je ne m'attendais donc pas du tout à ça !
Donc bon, je dois quand même dire que certains passages m'ont fichu les jetons, et jamais je ne voudrais voir ça en film ! Cela dit, l'ensemble est bien ficelé, l'enquête apporte son lot de rebondissements et révélations que je n'avais pas forcément vu venir (en fait je n'ai pas trop cherché à réfléchir, je me suis laissée porter par l'histoire). En fait, j'ai été davantage intéressée par l'histoire de fond que par la romance.
Si les héros sont sympas, j'ai trouvé que l'auteure en faisait trop au sujet de Blue, ce dernier cumulant de sacrées casseroles (c'est crédible, certes, mais c'est quand même trop à mon goût). Levi manque un peu de relief, comparé à Blue, il est un peu plat. La romance est très douce, mignonne et pleine de tendresse, ce qui offre un contraste reposant avec certains passages flippants et/ou crados. Les personnages secondaires sont réussis, j'espère retrouver Tom par la suite, j'ai beaucoup aimé cet homme, et le coeur en or qui se cache derrière son apparence bourrue.
Même si elle s'illustre ici dans un registre très différent de ce à quoi elle nous habituées, on reconnaît la "patte" Lily Morton à travers les répliques qui fusent entre les personnages, et ce délicieux petit côté so british qui font le sel de ses livres.
Pour finir, je dirais que j'ai quand même trouvé quelques longueurs dans le livre, et que parfois, les personnages se comportent comme les héroïnes bécasses des films d'épouvante, en fonçant droit en direction du danger ... Pas toujours très prudents nos damoiseaux donc, mais j'ai été suffisamment tenue en haleine pour vouloir connaître la suite, et la chute, et accessoirement suivre l'évolution de leur relation. :)
alex_lou97's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
riahwamby's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
gloworm's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
l2intj's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
This was probably my favorite Lily Morton book to date, and I would definitely recommend it to any lover of MM paranormal romance. The primary relationship is of the slow burn variety, which I always enjoy, and the plot is engaging, if sometimes a little outlandish. If you’re like me you will find yourself yelling, “Just get out of the house, you idiots!” a time or two, but, in fairness, that’s par for the course in any haunted house story. Overall, definitely worth reading.