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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
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
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I debated between 3 and 4 stars for this book.
On the one hand, there wasn’t anything really “special” about the characters or plot in my opinion, I wasn’t sucked into the world. I didn’t love any of the characters or feel like the character development that happened was natural feeling.
But on the other hand, I knew exactly what kind of book it was meant to be when I started it, and it delivered! It gave me short cozy mystery with an unexpected ghost set in Sedona, so do I give it another star for being honest about what it is and not being horribly written?? I read this book in preparation for a trip to Sedona so I appreciated the descriptions of the beautiful landscape.
On the one hand, there wasn’t anything really “special” about the characters or plot in my opinion, I wasn’t sucked into the world. I didn’t love any of the characters or feel like the character development that happened was natural feeling.
But on the other hand, I knew exactly what kind of book it was meant to be when I started it, and it delivered! It gave me short cozy mystery with an unexpected ghost set in Sedona, so do I give it another star for being honest about what it is and not being horribly written?? I read this book in preparation for a trip to Sedona so I appreciated the descriptions of the beautiful landscape.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted an easy, breezy summer read with cozy fantasy vibes. I saw this one recommended on TikTok and honed in on it because it was a mystery novel, and it's been eons since I've read a mystery.
Ultimately, this book was okay, but nothing to write home about. The concept of the story was cute. The main character was likable. But a handful of the supporting characters were obnoxious.
All that said, I mostly rate this as "ok" because the world-building was so weak. The author never dove into the vibe of Sedona. There were almost no legitimate descriptions of this area or how it's known for its "woo" vibes. There was almost no interaction between the main character and that area's "woo" community. That was a massive miss by the author. The storyline could've gone in so many exciting directions had they tapped into the widely known "woo" of the people that live in that area of the country. Why base the story on Sedona if you won't fully take advantage of its reputation?
Ultimately, this book was okay, but nothing to write home about. The concept of the story was cute. The main character was likable. But a handful of the supporting characters were obnoxious.
All that said, I mostly rate this as "ok" because the world-building was so weak. The author never dove into the vibe of Sedona. There were almost no legitimate descriptions of this area or how it's known for its "woo" vibes. There was almost no interaction between the main character and that area's "woo" community. That was a massive miss by the author. The storyline could've gone in so many exciting directions had they tapped into the widely known "woo" of the people that live in that area of the country. Why base the story on Sedona if you won't fully take advantage of its reputation?
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Alcohol
I liked parts of this but the mc is pretty unlikable. She is very judgemental and borderline fatphobic. The author is super talented and easily creates a whimsical cast and a great set up for a series, I just don’t know if I’ll continue because of Bernie.
Struck by lightning, Bernadette Maxwell returns home to find that she now has the power to see ghosts, or at least the ghost of her grandmother Ruby who owned the character house that Bernie runs as a B&B. But will she see the ghost of her newest guest, who has been murdered in his bedroom?
I really enjoyed this setup for a new series. I was hooked on the premise and liked that the story took several surprising turns. Bernie is a personable main character, but I wasn't as fond of the ghost who was childish and selfish - not what I would expect from a loving grandmother regardless of how unconventional she was.
The Guest is a Goner is gently a paranormal cosy with a level-headed protagonist and a zany side character.
I really enjoyed this setup for a new series. I was hooked on the premise and liked that the story took several surprising turns. Bernie is a personable main character, but I wasn't as fond of the ghost who was childish and selfish - not what I would expect from a loving grandmother regardless of how unconventional she was.
The Guest is a Goner is gently a paranormal cosy with a level-headed protagonist and a zany side character.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No