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The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery: A Novel

Clarence A. Haynes

DID NOT FINISH: 8%

I know it’s early for a DNF, but I just can’t, and I’m so disappointed because the blurb sounded right up my alley!

The characters are annoying. The way everything is explained down to the last detail is making my head spin. Maybe I’ll return to it another day, but this feels like trying to hard to be funny or talk with a bunch of slang that doesn’t work. Like when parents would use teen slang wrong on purpose🤦🏻‍♀️
adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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: Yes

This was the perfect intro to this series! I loved all of the twists and turns. There was definitely more character development and introduction than world building, but it fit SO good! I was invested after the very first chapter. 

I loved meeting and getting to know Renwick, Davina, and all of the side characters that really felt like MCs themselves. It made the betrayals hit their mark😭 

Renwick and Davina both have so much internal struggle. It’s refreshing to see them slowly healing in a nonlinear way while cutting out any of the petty things normally used. The magic system is super unique. I’m obsessed with all the different kinds we’ve seen so far! Also, the whole stalking her for years without her knowing thing? Yes. 100% love it!

I’m absolutely stoked for the sequel! The cliffhanger is steep, but oh so worth it🤭
adventurous challenging emotional tense 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

Such a good amount of the world to follow Arthur and Shae’s love story🥺 This has hurt/comfort, necromancer X paladin romance, soul eating demons, falling in love on the road, and tragic pasts from both MMCs. 

I loved Arthur and Shae so much. Both seem like grumpy pants at the beginning, but Arthur quickly turns into the sunshine that Shae can’t hide from. Their chemistry as opposites attract is so delicious🤭 

Even with the tiny amount of world building and side characters, it was super easy to get a feel for what was going on around them. The demons and reanimated corpses were gross and terrifying. Shae’s demon had me on edge anytime he was mentioned. I was honestly scared a few times that we wouldn’t get a perfect HEA even though I knew we would🫣 This was the perfect palate cleanser to keep me out of a slump. I can’t wait to get ahold of the rest of the series! Both of the others sound just as amazing as The Necromancer’s Light😩
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-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: No
adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced

This was an amazing mix of action, corrupt politics, and the sweetest romance! I loved that the Centarians were vampires but that the book focused on them as a people, not the lore of what they should be. 

There was plenty of race-against-the-clock action that kept me on the edge of my seat while giving me the most cutesy romance between Ellis and Millie. The close friendships that followed them made everything sweeter🥺

I was so nervous on how Roderick would be portrayed🫣 I thought for sure he would crash out, but he’s just a good guy🥹 I cant wait for his story! The ending left plenty of questions to be answered for the next book, but the justice I felt was exhilarating! 

Thank you so much to the author and Torch Lit Ink for the gifted copy!
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
adventurous dark funny tense
emotional medium-paced

I was 𝙣𝙤𝙩 expecting the emotional impact that this book had😭 I loved how tense the scenes were with the evil ghost while still swooning over Maverick and being all in my feelings about the other ghosts. 

There were so many times I started tearing up from Nova just being 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯. She is surrounded by people, living and dead, who love her for who she is. The Inn Between is her life’s work and I would love my own room there🖤 This was such a beautiful story about love and relationships lasting after death, and the connections you make in life🥺

Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy!
adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

I CRAVE the next 😭 This was full of hilarious moments, incredible found family vibes, hidden identities, and the cutest beginning of a romance between Hongjun and Li Jinglong🤭 

My baby Hongjun is so oblivious to the mortal world and I will take no criticism about him. He is pure, but incredibly wise due to his upbringing. Trouble follows him everywhere, but it’s not really his fault. Now, my man Li Jinglong 🫠 He is the definition of “WAIT I CAN EXPLAIN” 😂 I love the dynamic. 

Hongjun=Sunshine, no thoughts
Li Jinglong=Grumpy, put into the worst looking situations by Sunshine

I loved the politics as well as the paranormal plot. While the relationships are funny and an amazing dynamic, the case they’re working and politics are nail biting, horrible, and edge of your seat suspenseful.