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scoutmomskf's review against another edition
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
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
awishman's review
4.0
This was so sweet and so good. Dion is a prince among men. I have a new book boyfriend ;)
_geminigenres's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.0
deidrelj's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
givemaribooks's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book ok. It was bit slow for me. I liked Dion a lot, but I didn’t always like Vanessa, especially how rude she was to Dion for like 60-70% of the book and when she was making dumb decision for no reason. I would’ve liked to know more about the ghost investigation business. I don’t feel like we really got to see them in action that much, and that part felt underdeveloped.
CN: death of parents (recounted)
CN: death of parents (recounted)
carissa223's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
shannanh's review
4.0
Life for Vanessa was good, until she lost her fiance and job on the same day. Retreaing back to her grandmother's beach house to re adjust, she finds out something strange. Her grandmother feels that her departed husband's spirit is still in the house and has asked the Livingston brothers to find out why. Vanessa doesn't belive that's the case, and that they're trying to scam her grandmother. Dion, one of the brothers makes it his mission to prove to Vanessa that they're on the up and up and that this is not a scam. In the midst, they begin to have feelings for each other.
I'm not normally a paranormal fan, but I really enjoyed this book and start to the series. i loved how the story was written as well as the character development and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received a copy of the book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions
I'm not normally a paranormal fan, but I really enjoyed this book and start to the series. i loved how the story was written as well as the character development and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received a copy of the book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions