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___tamara___'s review
4.0
A fun paranormal mystery slash romance from the POV of Jon, a man who decided to avoid all attachments to other people to avoid getting hurt, and his psychic roommate Leander who is just the right kind of person to melt Jon's resolve.
This was a re-read for me, and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time. The story is totally angst-free and light, but keeps your attention and has you wanting more.
bitchie's review against another edition
4.0
In this story, Jon is just getting by, a year after an accident that killed his wife. Leander answers his ad for a roommate, and in spite of himself, Jon finds himself growing closer all the time to Leander, or Andy, as Jon (and only Jon) calls him.
Leander is a psychic, not one of those silly tv ones, but the real deal. He gets images and senses off things, and makes his living finding lost things- usually pets or items. Then he helps find a missing kid, a local cop gets ahold of what he can do, so now he works a bit with the detective, helping him with murder cases.
This was really two shorts that I wish had been longer. I wish the getting to know each other had been more detailed, as I really loved both characters, as well as the mysteries they went on. I loved how Jon found himself drawn to Andy, even though he swore never to get close enough to be hurt again. I loved how patient Andy was with Jon. I immediately read the next book in this series, and loved it, too.
Leander is a psychic, not one of those silly tv ones, but the real deal. He gets images and senses off things, and makes his living finding lost things- usually pets or items. Then he helps find a missing kid, a local cop gets ahold of what he can do, so now he works a bit with the detective, helping him with murder cases.
This was really two shorts that I wish had been longer. I wish the getting to know each other had been more detailed, as I really loved both characters, as well as the mysteries they went on. I loved how Jon found himself drawn to Andy, even though he swore never to get close enough to be hurt again. I loved how patient Andy was with Jon. I immediately read the next book in this series, and loved it, too.
liza5326's review
4.0
This was a sweet treat! I loved it. Both shorts were well written and complete and I absolutely loved Lea and Jon. They balanced each other perfectly. There was a little bit of heat, humor, mystery, danger, and sadness to satisfy me. I just wanted more! 4.5 stars.
bookcraft's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy Lou Harper's writing style in general, and this was an interesting deviation from the M/M norm in that it was written in first-person POV. I know a lot of readers don't like that, but I've never had a problem with it, especially when the protagonist's voice is clear and well defined, as Jon's is here.
And speaking of Jon, I wasn't sure I liked him to begin with, but as the story progressed and I learned more about him and why he was as determined to be self-contained as he was, I began to understand and empathize. By the end of the book, I found myself really liking him, and appreciating the journey that he'd taken and the changes he'd undergone as a result of his developing friendship and then relationship with Leander.
Leander was a great character, as well, though we don't get as in-depth a look at him as we do at Jon because of the POV. I especially liked that Leander isn't a total pushover; he's a nice guy, and he cuts Jon some slack, but he makes his own decisions and even expresses frustration, anger, and bitterness over what he perceives as Jon's initial "two beer queer" behavior.
The mystery aspect of the book was well done, though I didn't feel like it was really the point. I don't mean that in a negative or critical way, mind you. It felt like the backdrop in a play: when executed with artistry, it adds immeasurably to the production in fact, the show wouldn't be the same without it but the audience's focus will always be more on the actors in front of it.
The second book is already on my Kindle, and I'm looking forward to starting it later today.
And speaking of Jon, I wasn't sure I liked him to begin with, but as the story progressed and I learned more about him and why he was as determined to be self-contained as he was, I began to understand and empathize. By the end of the book, I found myself really liking him, and appreciating the journey that he'd taken and the changes he'd undergone as a result of his developing friendship and then relationship with Leander.
Leander was a great character, as well, though we don't get as in-depth a look at him as we do at Jon because of the POV. I especially liked that Leander isn't a total pushover; he's a nice guy, and he cuts Jon some slack, but he makes his own decisions and even expresses frustration, anger, and bitterness over what he perceives as Jon's initial "two beer queer" behavior.
The mystery aspect of the book was well done, though I didn't feel like it was really the point. I don't mean that in a negative or critical way, mind you. It felt like the backdrop in a play: when executed with artistry, it adds immeasurably to the production in fact, the show wouldn't be the same without it but the audience's focus will always be more on the actors in front of it.
The second book is already on my Kindle, and I'm looking forward to starting it later today.
josy's review against another edition
4.0
~ 3.5 stars ~
This was an enjoyable start to the series - so much so that I purchased the next two books even before I finished this one.
This book contains two short stories which introduce the characters, Jon and Leander, and Leander's psychic abilities. Don't worry! There are no ghosts here, lol! Leander gets glimpses of emotions or locations when he touches something that belongs to the items/people/animals that went missing.
The cases Leander was working were interesting but nothing too deep or twisted - probably because of the shortness of the stories. The second story ended a bit too abruptly for my liking but it was still good.
Jon and Leander are very captivating characters and they have an "opposites attract" thing going on - grumpy and snarky Jon vs. cheerful and bubbly Leander. Don't expect deep feelings and confessions of love, though. Jon has his reasons for wanting to remain detached and by the end of the book, they find themselves in a friends with benefits situation. Jon's facade is cracking, though, and we get glimpses of him caring more and more for Leander. I'm really looking forward to finding out how their relationship will progress!
This was an enjoyable start to the series - so much so that I purchased the next two books even before I finished this one.
This book contains two short stories which introduce the characters, Jon and Leander, and Leander's psychic abilities. Don't worry! There are no ghosts here, lol! Leander gets glimpses of emotions or locations when he touches something that belongs to the items/people/animals that went missing.
The cases Leander was working were interesting but nothing too deep or twisted - probably because of the shortness of the stories. The second story ended a bit too abruptly for my liking but it was still good.
Jon and Leander are very captivating characters and they have an "opposites attract" thing going on - grumpy and snarky Jon vs. cheerful and bubbly Leander. Don't expect deep feelings and confessions of love, though. Jon has his reasons for wanting to remain detached and by the end of the book, they find themselves in a friends with benefits situation. Jon's facade is cracking, though, and we get glimpses of him caring more and more for Leander. I'm really looking forward to finding out how their relationship will progress!
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
Two stories in the LA Paranormal series, and very enjoyable they were too - and certainly enough to go looking for further yarns with Lea/Andy and Jon.
Brief synopsis - two misfits become roomies (then roomies with benefits!), Jon comes to accept Andy's gift and gradually allows himself to become more involved - personally and with Andy's 'cases'. Andy is a psychic who helps people find lost items - jewellry, pets etc - and is called on by the LAPD to help find missing persons too.
I liked the premise, enjoyed the characters - just wanted longer stories! The two stories here are 4 chapters each (about 30 mins reading for me) so good lunch time fixes for MM addicts! Both could be read separately I think but also flow nicely together and a good start to a series.
25.10.15 reread : enjoyed these little psychic tales once again, keen for more please!
Brief synopsis - two misfits become roomies (then roomies with benefits!), Jon comes to accept Andy's gift and gradually allows himself to become more involved - personally and with Andy's 'cases'. Andy is a psychic who helps people find lost items - jewellry, pets etc - and is called on by the LAPD to help find missing persons too.
I liked the premise, enjoyed the characters - just wanted longer stories! The two stories here are 4 chapters each (about 30 mins reading for me) so good lunch time fixes for MM addicts! Both could be read separately I think but also flow nicely together and a good start to a series.
25.10.15 reread : enjoyed these little psychic tales once again, keen for more please!
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This book contains two novellas, which take place 2 months apart. The author's laconic style works very well in the first story especially. Jon begins college at twenty-eight after an accident forces a life-change. His wife, who was his lifelong best friend, died in that accident and Jon doesn't want to be social. He advertises for a quiet roommate who will just split the rent on his apartment. The guy who shows up at his door in answer to his ad is young, nerdy, cheerful and not Jon's type. Perfect for a roommate. Except that living together shows Jon a more appealing side of Leander, and finding out that the young man really is psychic shakes Jon's views. A search for a missing teen, and a police detective, push Jon and Leander together. And Jon begins to think "his type" may have changed. 4.5 stars.
The second story shows Jon and Leander, whom he nicknames Andy, still working out what kind of friends they are. A storm which disrupts their neighborhood brings Andy's psychic ability to a higher focus, and an old flame of Jon's appears with a new boyfriend in tow, and unclear motives. This story felt a bit too abrupt, with a dramatic climax that came out of nowhere and was over fast. Still, I like Jon's narrative voice a lot, and will happily read more about these two men. 4 stars.
The second story shows Jon and Leander, whom he nicknames Andy, still working out what kind of friends they are. A storm which disrupts their neighborhood brings Andy's psychic ability to a higher focus, and an old flame of Jon's appears with a new boyfriend in tow, and unclear motives. This story felt a bit too abrupt, with a dramatic climax that came out of nowhere and was over fast. Still, I like Jon's narrative voice a lot, and will happily read more about these two men. 4 stars.
ifihadatail7's review against another edition
4.0
i really enjoyed these stories, i'd love to have a few full length novels for these characters