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rellimreads's review
4.0
While Dion & his brothers investigate haunted houses - this isn’t a paranormal romance in the usual sense. Instead it’s a cute & sexy small town romance with a unique business venture.
I enjoyed both Vanessa and Dion as characters and a couple. While they had a rough start, overall I’d consider this fairly low angst. Dion was incredibly patient with Vanessa’s doubts and Vanessa tried to encourage Dion without making him feel inferior.
Williams does a great job of balancing small town gossip & politics, a budding relationship, new opportunities, and some very sexy scenes. Delightful read beginning to end. I’m excited for Wes’s book, The Spirit of Second Chances.
I enjoyed both Vanessa and Dion as characters and a couple. While they had a rough start, overall I’d consider this fairly low angst. Dion was incredibly patient with Vanessa’s doubts and Vanessa tried to encourage Dion without making him feel inferior.
Williams does a great job of balancing small town gossip & politics, a budding relationship, new opportunities, and some very sexy scenes. Delightful read beginning to end. I’m excited for Wes’s book, The Spirit of Second Chances.
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up because I really enjoyed the characters and the small town specifics. Very much a Harlequin category romance but a charming one.
lateresita27's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
bandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Recently dumped and recently unemployed, Vanessa head's to her grandmother's to heal her wounds and apply for news-reporter jobs. She isn't expecting to find out her grandmother believes her house is haunted, by her grandfather, and that she's hired a band of brother ghost hunters to help her figure out what the ghost wants.
Ever a skeptic, Vanessa is not about to let these brothers scam her granny, but the oldest and cutest brother is intent on showing Vanessa they have nothing but her grandma's best interests at heart; and that ghosts are very real.
This was super fun, I love the premise so much. Also, Dion being a blue collar man with his side hustle ghost busting business was so lovingly explored, and I really loved how neither Vanessa nor Dion had to sacrifice their career wants for each other! Great category, perfect for spooky season.
Ever a skeptic, Vanessa is not about to let these brothers scam her granny, but the oldest and cutest brother is intent on showing Vanessa they have nothing but her grandma's best interests at heart; and that ghosts are very real.
This was super fun, I love the premise so much. Also, Dion being a blue collar man with his side hustle ghost busting business was so lovingly explored, and I really loved how neither Vanessa nor Dion had to sacrifice their career wants for each other! Great category, perfect for spooky season.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
A good book about two people who are at crossroads in their lives. When Vanessa loses her job as a morning show host in Atlanta and her fiancé dumps her the same day, Vanessa heads to Sunshine Beach and her grandmother. She'll stay in one of Arletha's rental cottages while investigating her options and regrouping. Her reporter suspicions kick in when she hears Grandma hired a trio of ghost hunters.
Dion and his two brothers help people identify paranormal activity in their homes. They've developed an excellent reputation and even have a producer interested in filming their work. Dion is the natural leader of their group. When their parents died, Dion gave up his college scholarship to stay home and raise his two younger brothers. He took a job with the city public works department, where he's been for seventeen years.
I had a little trouble liking Vanessa at first. I understand that she was protecting her grandmother, but she was flat-out rude in her first conversation with Dion. I felt as though she could have handled things without being so confrontational. On the other hand, I loved Dion. He understands her protectiveness and responds calmly.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dion and Vanessa. Underneath Vanessa's antagonism were sparks of attraction that she tried to resist. Dion felt the same and wanted to get to know her better. I loved his idea to have her tag along on one of their investigations, giving her a chance to know him and see what they do. She made me angry with her disrespectful attitude in front of his clients, and I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd dropped her right there. He's persistent, though, and eventually gets through to her, and she lightens up a bit.
There are some terrific scenes of them together as they get to know each other. Vanessa's independent streak gets her in trouble at one point, and Dion comes to her rescue. When their attraction becomes too much to resist, each knows there is an end date but believes they can keep their hearts intact. But as time goes on, those feelings grow deeper. However, both have issues that keep them from believing they can have a future together. Vanessa is actively looking for a new job and knows that it won't likely be close to Sunshine Beach. She doesn't have much confidence in long-distance relationships. Dion has some significant insecurities. His last relationship ended when the woman left, claiming he was too boring and looked down on him because of his job, but he wants a home and family of his own.
Vanessa and Dion's path to a happy future faces a few hurdles. When Vanessa gets hired at a new job and a new town, do they attempt a long-distance relationship or call it quits? When Dion faces disappointment at work, does he stay where it's safe or spread his wings? I ached for Vanessa and Dion when her attempt at encouragement ran against his insecurities, and they exchanged harsh words. I liked that they didn't allow them to fester but confronted the misunderstanding quickly. I loved the surprise that Dion had for Vanessa on Valentine's Day.
The ghost hunting aspect of the book was fascinating. I liked the pragmatic approach, using research and science rather than sensationalism to get to the root of the hauntings. Even though it isn't his dream, I liked how Dion supports his two brothers in pursuing the TV show. I loved the section where the trio gets to work on Arletha's house, accompanied by the tv crew. I was glued to the pages as they went step-by-step through the process. The conclusion was terrific and made me cheer for Arletha and the brothers.
#netgalley
Dion and his two brothers help people identify paranormal activity in their homes. They've developed an excellent reputation and even have a producer interested in filming their work. Dion is the natural leader of their group. When their parents died, Dion gave up his college scholarship to stay home and raise his two younger brothers. He took a job with the city public works department, where he's been for seventeen years.
I had a little trouble liking Vanessa at first. I understand that she was protecting her grandmother, but she was flat-out rude in her first conversation with Dion. I felt as though she could have handled things without being so confrontational. On the other hand, I loved Dion. He understands her protectiveness and responds calmly.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dion and Vanessa. Underneath Vanessa's antagonism were sparks of attraction that she tried to resist. Dion felt the same and wanted to get to know her better. I loved his idea to have her tag along on one of their investigations, giving her a chance to know him and see what they do. She made me angry with her disrespectful attitude in front of his clients, and I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd dropped her right there. He's persistent, though, and eventually gets through to her, and she lightens up a bit.
There are some terrific scenes of them together as they get to know each other. Vanessa's independent streak gets her in trouble at one point, and Dion comes to her rescue. When their attraction becomes too much to resist, each knows there is an end date but believes they can keep their hearts intact. But as time goes on, those feelings grow deeper. However, both have issues that keep them from believing they can have a future together. Vanessa is actively looking for a new job and knows that it won't likely be close to Sunshine Beach. She doesn't have much confidence in long-distance relationships. Dion has some significant insecurities. His last relationship ended when the woman left, claiming he was too boring and looked down on him because of his job, but he wants a home and family of his own.
Vanessa and Dion's path to a happy future faces a few hurdles. When Vanessa gets hired at a new job and a new town, do they attempt a long-distance relationship or call it quits? When Dion faces disappointment at work, does he stay where it's safe or spread his wings? I ached for Vanessa and Dion when her attempt at encouragement ran against his insecurities, and they exchanged harsh words. I liked that they didn't allow them to fester but confronted the misunderstanding quickly. I loved the surprise that Dion had for Vanessa on Valentine's Day.
The ghost hunting aspect of the book was fascinating. I liked the pragmatic approach, using research and science rather than sensationalism to get to the root of the hauntings. Even though it isn't his dream, I liked how Dion supports his two brothers in pursuing the TV show. I loved the section where the trio gets to work on Arletha's house, accompanied by the tv crew. I was glued to the pages as they went step-by-step through the process. The conclusion was terrific and made me cheer for Arletha and the brothers.
#netgalley
carrie_e's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
barbistull's review
5.0
You know that it is a tough day when you lose your job and your fiancé. That is exactly what happened to Vanessa Steele, a news anchor from Atlanta, who gets blindsided when she is fired from her job and then her fiancé breaks up with her. In an effort to take some time away to regroup, Vanessa travels to Sunshine Beach to stay in one of her grandmother's rentals for a few months.
Upon arriving, she believes that her grandmother is being scammed by the Livingston brothers, who are alleged ghost hunters. Dion, the eldest brother, decides to help prove to Vanessa that it is not a scam. A true skeptic, but an aspiring investigative reporter, Vanessa dives into research to determine just how much the Livingston brothers are telling the truth, and how much their desire for TV fame affects their ghost hunts. Dion and Vanessa continue to spend time around one another, though neither of them are looking for something serious.
This book is legit amazing--Synithia never disappoints! 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Upon arriving, she believes that her grandmother is being scammed by the Livingston brothers, who are alleged ghost hunters. Dion, the eldest brother, decides to help prove to Vanessa that it is not a scam. A true skeptic, but an aspiring investigative reporter, Vanessa dives into research to determine just how much the Livingston brothers are telling the truth, and how much their desire for TV fame affects their ghost hunts. Dion and Vanessa continue to spend time around one another, though neither of them are looking for something serious.
This book is legit amazing--Synithia never disappoints! 4.5 out of 5 stars.
nic55's review against another edition
5.0
I miss giving romances 5 stars, thank you Synithia Williams
awishman's review against another edition
4.0
This was so sweet and so good. Dion is a prince among men. I have a new book boyfriend ;)