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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Set in the same world as the Dead Serious verse, this a new series from Vawn Cassidy, complete with ghosts, twinks, all kinds of rules and regulations and shenanigans! This is very much an ensemble piece, with the main romantic character playing off beautifully against the backdrop of ghosts who have broken the rules, a beautiful old home that needs saving, and family.
I loved these characters when they appeared in Dead Serious – who isn’t going to fall in love with a Bartender that can barely see over the bar and never speaks? And as for John the Maid? I’d love him to take care of my home!
The actual plot is very simple – Morgan has come to the hotel to figure out what’s going on and perhaps find out what happened there when he grew up. He has a grumpy exterior yet you watch as he falls in love with the hotel, the staff, his grandfather but most of all Ellis. Ellis is a literal ray of sunshine and the grumpy/sunshine trope shines in this introduction to the new verse.
Special mention to Warren for his meddling ways and inappropriate commentary! If you’ve read any of the author’s other works, you’ll know the kind of banter to expect, the sexy scenes and the romance that permeates the whole story. I loved reading this story – it was absolutely everything I needed as I recover from COVID. Looking forward to reading more and can highly recommend.
I received an ARC from the author.
I loved these characters when they appeared in Dead Serious – who isn’t going to fall in love with a Bartender that can barely see over the bar and never speaks? And as for John the Maid? I’d love him to take care of my home!
The actual plot is very simple – Morgan has come to the hotel to figure out what’s going on and perhaps find out what happened there when he grew up. He has a grumpy exterior yet you watch as he falls in love with the hotel, the staff, his grandfather but most of all Ellis. Ellis is a literal ray of sunshine and the grumpy/sunshine trope shines in this introduction to the new verse.
Special mention to Warren for his meddling ways and inappropriate commentary! If you’ve read any of the author’s other works, you’ll know the kind of banter to expect, the sexy scenes and the romance that permeates the whole story. I loved reading this story – it was absolutely everything I needed as I recover from COVID. Looking forward to reading more and can highly recommend.
I received an ARC from the author.
I want to like this, but the ghost characters are dragging down what little interest I gain. Calling it at 28%.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
No
4 stars - It was really good
Morgan Ashton-Drake hasn’t thought about his ancestral home in decades, but when the scandal of the murder at the hotel reaches him he can’t ignore it anymore. Morgan returns to England for the first time since he was a child and finds that the house may be outdated, but it is well kept and homey, which he didn’t expect. Nor does he expect to find himself attracted to the cute receptionist, Ellis.
After being introduced to this hotel and characters in Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume, I really wanted to know more about the ghosts within. So as you can imagine I was happy to see this new spin-off series all about this haunted hotel!
Ellis has been working at the Ashton-Drake Manor since he was 16 and the people and ghosts within are his family. He works hard daily to try and keep the manor running, but things are getting dire. Ellis was a sweet, happy guy who will do whatever he can to save the manor and help his family. I really liked Ellis and his determination to save this historical manor.
Morgan is a grumpy workaholic who runs a successful chain of hotels. He comes to the Manor angry and reluctant to restart a relationship with his grandfather, who he hasn’t spoken to since he was a child. I really enjoyed Morgan’s character development in this. He arrives grumpy and stressed and as the story progresses we see him reevaluate his life and what he wants. He starts to laugh and smile again and lets some of the stress that he has put on himself over the years go. We also see him rebuilding the bond with his grandfather and realizing how similar they are.
The ghosts in the Manor are all great and each one is unique. I love that we are getting this series because we can really get to know all the different ancestors and other people who have died in this house. Bertie and Roger were hilarious and such troublemakers. I can’t wait to read more of this series and see what other kinds of shenanigans the ghost gets up to.
Overall, this was a great start to a spin-off series and I really enjoyed Ellis and Morgan’s story. I can’t wait to see what will happen next for them and how they will save the manor.
TW: threat of loss of job and home; death of family members discussed;
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent
fast-paced
When I first started reading this spin off, things sounded really familiar, and then I was able to predict what was going on and I knew I hadn’t read it before so I was super confused. Finally I realized that this hotel was part of the plot of book four in the original series. Once I knew I wasn’t nuts I could ease into fully enjoying the story.
This is an age gap, grumpy/sunshine trope with a workaholic American returning to the family estate in England where he was born but left at age six after the death of his father. His American mother took him to the US and he not only never returned but has no memories of his time there. When a scandal involving the hotel on the estate involves him he decides, at the urging of his brother to fly to England and investigate. When he gets there nothing is as he expected, especially the eternally sunshiney, gorgeous blonde twink he catches (literally) in the lobby.
What ensues is interfering ghosts not only trying to match make but to save their home, a reclusive grandfather, an eccentric hotel guest (the only one), and a small staff that’s more like family, trying to figure out how to save the hotel. In the course of things a relationship develops between Morgan and Ellis.
It’s a sweet story with amusing secondary characters and a great found family dynamic. Looking forward to the next book.
This is an age gap, grumpy/sunshine trope with a workaholic American returning to the family estate in England where he was born but left at age six after the death of his father. His American mother took him to the US and he not only never returned but has no memories of his time there. When a scandal involving the hotel on the estate involves him he decides, at the urging of his brother to fly to England and investigate. When he gets there nothing is as he expected, especially the eternally sunshiney, gorgeous blonde twink he catches (literally) in the lobby.
What ensues is interfering ghosts not only trying to match make but to save their home, a reclusive grandfather, an eccentric hotel guest (the only one), and a small staff that’s more like family, trying to figure out how to save the hotel. In the course of things a relationship develops between Morgan and Ellis.
It’s a sweet story with amusing secondary characters and a great found family dynamic. Looking forward to the next book.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-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
**4.5**
This is such an enjoyable read! I loved the energy of it from start to finish with the quirky found family of staff, the ghosts trying to do their bit to save the hotel and the complete opposites of Ellis and Morgan who work so well together.
Fans of Vawn's and the Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed series will know the hotel from Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume, and Tristan and Danny's eventful visit where we were introduced to most of the quirky characters we get to catch up with here.
Ellis is just the most adorable ray of sunshine, determined to help any and everyone, even at detriment to himself and is steadfast that they will be able to save the hotel from closure. Morgan arrives from the US after his name has been linked with the family and hotel by the media after the unfortunate death in DSC #4. He arrives in a whirlwind of frustration and irritation but one interaction with Ellis leaves him charmed and confused by their interaction, his attraction, and the chaos that is the hotel.
It's a fabulous slow burn romance that pits the charm of an English country hotel, albeit falling apart at the seams, with an american hotel CEO who has returned to his father's home, man who tragically passed when he was six years old, leading his mum to take them away from the place of grief.
There is so much about this story to love. Vawn's writing brings a shining light to anger and grief whilst ensuring that care is taken to heal their hearts. You can't not be with Ellis around. Then there are the ghosts, the comedy duo of Bertie and Roger along with everyone else who has passed while living at the country home. Many moments have me smiling along with their crazy ideas.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
This is such an enjoyable read! I loved the energy of it from start to finish with the quirky found family of staff, the ghosts trying to do their bit to save the hotel and the complete opposites of Ellis and Morgan who work so well together.
Fans of Vawn's and the Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed series will know the hotel from Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume, and Tristan and Danny's eventful visit where we were introduced to most of the quirky characters we get to catch up with here.
Ellis is just the most adorable ray of sunshine, determined to help any and everyone, even at detriment to himself and is steadfast that they will be able to save the hotel from closure. Morgan arrives from the US after his name has been linked with the family and hotel by the media after the unfortunate death in DSC #4. He arrives in a whirlwind of frustration and irritation but one interaction with Ellis leaves him charmed and confused by their interaction, his attraction, and the chaos that is the hotel.
It's a fabulous slow burn romance that pits the charm of an English country hotel, albeit falling apart at the seams, with an american hotel CEO who has returned to his father's home, man who tragically passed when he was six years old, leading his mum to take them away from the place of grief.
There is so much about this story to love. Vawn's writing brings a shining light to anger and grief whilst ensuring that care is taken to heal their hearts. You can't not be with Ellis around. Then there are the ghosts, the comedy duo of Bertie and Roger along with everyone else who has passed while living at the country home. Many moments have me smiling along with their crazy ideas.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief