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jugglingpup's review against another edition
2.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
This book is strange, but not strange in that fun way. Instead strange in that way that is a bit off putting. First it is labeled as a YA book everywhere that I have been able to check, but it follows a nurse in her early 30’s. None of the characters are close to YA age. I can’t see the appeal for YA readers. It doesn’t really follow YA themes. I have no idea where YA came from. So that was the first thing that was off putting. If the nurse was fresh out of nursing school I could see that being a more accurate label.
The second strange thing is the description of the book. Usually descriptions leave something to the imagination, but this one worked like a movie trailer. I knew the plot and pretty much the ending down to the last few pages. There were no twists and turns. There was nothing to captivate my attention for long, but I was still reading. I wanted to read this story. It was one of those lazy Sunday afternoon reads where it is fun and good enough to hold your attention, but you will forget it the moment you put it down. There is no suspense or romantic tension. The big bad of the book was a jealous ghost, but it was never super clear what she was jealous of.
I’m not sure what else I can say. It wasn’t spooky. It wasn’t romantic. It just was what it was. If you are a horror fan, this will be disappointing. It you want a low heat romance with a small bit of angst, with tons of red flags (jealousy, stealing, stalking, etc) then this will fit for you. It took pretty much every aspect I dislike from romance and made it into a ghost romance.
So it wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t amazing. I would be curious in reading more by this author though.
I got an ARC of this book.
This book is strange, but not strange in that fun way. Instead strange in that way that is a bit off putting. First it is labeled as a YA book everywhere that I have been able to check, but it follows a nurse in her early 30’s. None of the characters are close to YA age. I can’t see the appeal for YA readers. It doesn’t really follow YA themes. I have no idea where YA came from. So that was the first thing that was off putting. If the nurse was fresh out of nursing school I could see that being a more accurate label.
The second strange thing is the description of the book. Usually descriptions leave something to the imagination, but this one worked like a movie trailer. I knew the plot and pretty much the ending down to the last few pages. There were no twists and turns. There was nothing to captivate my attention for long, but I was still reading. I wanted to read this story. It was one of those lazy Sunday afternoon reads where it is fun and good enough to hold your attention, but you will forget it the moment you put it down. There is no suspense or romantic tension. The big bad of the book was a jealous ghost, but it was never super clear what she was jealous of.
I’m not sure what else I can say. It wasn’t spooky. It wasn’t romantic. It just was what it was. If you are a horror fan, this will be disappointing. It you want a low heat romance with a small bit of angst, with tons of red flags (jealousy, stealing, stalking, etc) then this will fit for you. It took pretty much every aspect I dislike from romance and made it into a ghost romance.
So it wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t amazing. I would be curious in reading more by this author though.
elvenavari's review
5.0
I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this! "The Ghost Downstairs" is a really good read. The characters were very well done, I felt like I really knew Lina, Ren and even Mrs. B. Though, my fave character was George, just because he cracked me up so. The story was well paced with tension and comedic relief at just the right places.
Some said they didn't expect the ending. I did, in a way. I knew what happened would happen, just didn't see it happening that way. I really loved it, it was a nice twist.
I also loved how Ringle handled Julia in the end. It was a nice bit of closure.
Some said they didn't expect the ending. I did, in a way. I knew what happened would happen, just didn't see it happening that way. I really loved it, it was a nice twist.
I also loved how Ringle handled Julia in the end. It was a nice bit of closure.
liliesandroses's review against another edition
5.0
I so loved this - any book that makes me laugh out loud in the opening pages is always going to be a winner, but when it also alternately tugged at my heartstrings, sent a chill down my spine and was absolutely un-put-downable - well, then it earned its 5 star rating! I often associate books with periods of my life and/or the places where I read them, and for The Ghost Downstairs that coinciding with a rare romantic trip away to Tasmania - a place rich in ghost heritage - and hence it was absolutely perfect for holiday reading. I'd almost expected some predictability in this, but was so gorgeously surprised with how the plot was woven and especially loved the incredible descriptions - the scenes were so gloriously, richly painted for me in my mind, I just loved it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who could see this being made into a film (I have the cast half planned out in my own head lol. Dibs on getting to choose a Ren!) - Molly is a truly talented writer and I can't wait to read more. Classy work!
gruberkare's review against another edition
This book taught me an important lesson - trust your instincts! I read this book out of desperation. There was nothing else around to read. I figured it would be dumb, but was encouraged by the good reviews. It is not a genre I normally read. My initial prediction was confirmed. It was DUMB! The only thing dumber than the general story was the ending! No more ghost stories for me!
ladywithaquill's review against another edition
5.0
This book had so many wonderful elements that it was difficult to determine if I should classify it as a mystery, horror, or romance. I think it was a little bit of all three, with an obvious paranormal element that really brought a unique feel to the whole story. What I found most interesting about this book was that it never made it obvious where the story was going. At first, I had an inkling where the story would go, but then other things would happen to throw me off. Molly Ringle did an amazing job keeping me on the edge of my seat and making this an engaging read.
After being responsible for the death of one of her patients, nurse Lina Zuendel has left her position at the hospital and taken up a position as a live-in nurse at a retirement home called Drake House. Unknowing of the history of the house nor its reputation, she quickly discovers that there is a reason the position had not yet been filled. Between the unexplained noises she hears at night and the mysterious behavior of the houseboy, Ren, Lina is beginning to wonder exactly what she's gotten herself into. Things only become stanger once she finds out that the house used to be a sorority house and that a murder-suicide occurred there in the 1930s. Now it appears that there is a ghost still haunting the place - or are there two?
A lover of mysteries and history, I was immediately intrigued by this story and its characters. I am not overly familiar with the way things were in the 1930s, particularly sorority culture, so I was excited to read some new material in this story about things like houseboys and how girls interacted in the sorority houses. Lina and Ren drew me in quickly with their reserved characters, because I felt like I needed to continue reading to really understand who they were and why. Ren was the most interesting, as I couldn't get a handle on what exactly his role would be in the story. What ended up being his role was both expected and yet surprising. The ending is heart-wrenching, and I was flipping through the pages like mad wondering if this is truly how it ends. But have no fear - this is not a book that will leave you wanting to throw it across the room in the end. I like happily-ever-afters.
Although I originally picked this up thinking it was a brand new book, it turns out it was first released several years ago. I am surprised I had not read it before, but I am thrilled to have read it finally. I am eager to read more books by this author.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
After being responsible for the death of one of her patients, nurse Lina Zuendel has left her position at the hospital and taken up a position as a live-in nurse at a retirement home called Drake House. Unknowing of the history of the house nor its reputation, she quickly discovers that there is a reason the position had not yet been filled. Between the unexplained noises she hears at night and the mysterious behavior of the houseboy, Ren, Lina is beginning to wonder exactly what she's gotten herself into. Things only become stanger once she finds out that the house used to be a sorority house and that a murder-suicide occurred there in the 1930s. Now it appears that there is a ghost still haunting the place - or are there two?
A lover of mysteries and history, I was immediately intrigued by this story and its characters. I am not overly familiar with the way things were in the 1930s, particularly sorority culture, so I was excited to read some new material in this story about things like houseboys and how girls interacted in the sorority houses. Lina and Ren drew me in quickly with their reserved characters, because I felt like I needed to continue reading to really understand who they were and why. Ren was the most interesting, as I couldn't get a handle on what exactly his role would be in the story. What ended up being his role was both expected and yet surprising. The ending is heart-wrenching, and I was flipping through the pages like mad wondering if this is truly how it ends. But have no fear - this is not a book that will leave you wanting to throw it across the room in the end. I like happily-ever-afters.
Although I originally picked this up thinking it was a brand new book, it turns out it was first released several years ago. I am surprised I had not read it before, but I am thrilled to have read it finally. I am eager to read more books by this author.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
laffingkat's review
3.0
This is basically a sweet, romantic ghost story about forgiveness and second chances. I remember reading this book when it was first published and really enjoying it at the time. Now, more than a decade later, I decided to listen to the audiobook, and I was less enchanted.
Partly I think it’s because, even though the characters are older, the story has a new adult feel (without so much sex). The main character, Lina, irritated me with some of her reactions and choices. She seemed very juvenile for a supposedly 32-year-old nurse. I liked Ren well enough, but we don’t get his point of view. The secondary characters were fun and added some laughs.
Melanie Carey did ok with narration. She’s easy to understand and offers distinct character voices, but I found her pacing and emphasis a bit off for this story. I occasionally had some trouble following the story, and for me, I think this works better as written material than as an audiobook. I’d recommend listening to the sample to judge how you’ll react to the narration.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook by the author and volunteered to provide an honest review.
Partly I think it’s because, even though the characters are older, the story has a new adult feel (without so much sex). The main character, Lina, irritated me with some of her reactions and choices. She seemed very juvenile for a supposedly 32-year-old nurse. I liked Ren well enough, but we don’t get his point of view. The secondary characters were fun and added some laughs.
Melanie Carey did ok with narration. She’s easy to understand and offers distinct character voices, but I found her pacing and emphasis a bit off for this story. I occasionally had some trouble following the story, and for me, I think this works better as written material than as an audiobook. I’d recommend listening to the sample to judge how you’ll react to the narration.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook by the author and volunteered to provide an honest review.
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