lisaluvsliterature's Reviews (4.19k)

 I am DNFing this, but not because it isn't good. I will definitely be purchasing it for my school library for my students. However I'm just kind of bored, and I pretty much feel like I know what is going to happen. Every time I think it might be something unexpected, I kind of just get what I expected. But not in a bad way, again, just not in a way that I need to keep reading it. 

If you follow my blog, you know that I am a fan of the tv show Ghosts, both the BBC and the US versions. So that little bit in the blurb had me signing up to review this one right away! This is a cozy little story with a bit of romance and lots of fun ghosts to get to know, definitely reminding me in a way of that tv show.

Callie starts out thinking about how nice it would be if only she could have enough money to have a nice home for her and her daughter with a yard, or garden as they call it in England I believe. Then, when her being able to see ghosts turns into the opportunity to actually get these things, at first she doesn’t want to take it. You see growing up, her parents had shamed her about being able to see ghosts, they didn’t really believe her, and eventually she did so much to ignore the ghosts, that as far as she knew, she didn’t see them anymore. But coming on a field trip as a chaperone with her daughter to Harling Hall, a place set in the past, partly because of all the ghosts there, and her ability to ignore them is gone. You see this place has a tradition of whoever owns it is someone who can see the ghosts and talk to them, etc. Now these ghosts are from ALL time periods and of course did die around the location. There is an ancient Roman centurion, a soldiers from world war I, and people who lived during world war 2. Models from the 60s, and even a Hollywood starlet. All ages as well, elderly, teens, and children.

Soon she realizes that taking the estate for the measly price of 10 pounds, the contract has always been to sell the estate to the next owner for that little, well it is going to be in the best interest for both her and her daughter. Callie has other issues that make it hard for her to want to just take over this enormous new responsibility. Such as dyslexia, and just not having ever been a part of something like this. The current owner/residents, Sir Lawrence Davenport, or Lawrie, and his grandson Brodie, are great to have around, and she asks them to stay, but as it’s never been done that way, and Lawrie is very much a stickler, they say they can’t.

All of the different ghosts have their stories, some funny, some sad, some just very unique and with interesting historical connections. There’s a bit of an attraction between Callie and Brodie, but of course with Brodie being about to leave, both kind of agree there’s no use in starting anything. So this of course leads to longing and frustration as it comes down to the very moment when one of them must say something. There’s a bit of miscommunication with that, of course. The romance is limited to a few kisses and some tingly feelings when Callie thinks about Brodie and kissing him. 

I definitely enjoyed the story, and am interested in seeing how this will become a series as it says this is the first one. Will we continue with Callie and Brodie and Immy, her daughter, and how the ghosts are around the property? I mean, like the tv show? Or will there be another romance? Maybe Mia? I’ll definitely be interested to see where it goes next!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Lion’s Legacy, and couldn’t wait to read this one! I definitely enjoyed all the adventure and history that this sequel once again had in abundance. There were ancient artifacts, maps, puzzles, and lots of clues. There was intrigue with other people being after the same artifact, King David’s lyre, some willing to stop at almost nothing.

Tennessee, or Ten for short, got to call the shots, and got to research queer history. And the fact that he was talking about King David being gay was something that was upsetting to a lot of people. But he had his supposed facts and reasons to back up his point of view. He also, while not as worried about being himself, had other teen stress and worries. For instance, with the producer having products she wanted him to advertise, it made him think about just what people thought about him. He had to figure out throughout the whole story if he cared what people thought, as long as he was doing and saying what he knew was right for himself as well as for the history he was trying to show. His best friend Gabe got to come along, as the show runners thought their cute relationship would keep people happy who followed him on Instagram.

Now Ten and Gabe were really just friends, but in this case friends with benefits. I gave this story a few flames for spice, because honestly it was a little more than I might normally want to recommend for teens. While nothing was shown on the page, the way things were talked about was very direct and there was really not much mistaking what was happening when it faded to black. I get why that aspect was shown, I mean sexuality is not the same as gender, and the history Ten was looking for had to do with sexuality in this case, or at least to promote his search. Also true is that they are getting ready to go to college, so I think the age isn’t as young as it might bother me more, but still was a little more graphic than I expected about things.

So keep that in mind if you choose to read this book, it may not be for you if you read YA, or may not be what you’d share with your children of that age.

Wasn’t working, weird pov from someone not part of the couple

Just wasn’t working for me