What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ghost on My Couch
Alex Tanner is a male nurse who divides his time between his job and his television schedule. His idea of the perfect partner, like so many other people’s, is a tall, dark, and handsome man. Preferably alive and breathing. Surely that’s not asking too much? Then an uninvited guest—a ghost, of all things—forces Alex to question what he’s always looked for in a lover and his definition of what makes a person so beautiful.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2011
15 people are currently reading
1616 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Gilbert
4 books182 followersL.A. Gilbert currently lives in a small British town where not much of anything ever really occurs. Jumping from job to job, she has no real qualifications in anything and is blithely proud of it. Between spectacularly failing driving test after test, she generally spends her free time reading about beautiful gay men, if not attempting to write about them. She is perhaps not the most outgoing of people, but is certainly one of the most cheerful.
Her aspirations are to eventually leave England and see a real, live whale (London's zoo is poorly lacking in that respect) and to perhaps one day hold in her hands a published copy of her own work.
One down.
Her aspirations are to eventually leave England and see a real, live whale (London's zoo is poorly lacking in that respect) and to perhaps one day hold in her hands a published copy of her own work.
One down.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 405 reviews
March 2, 2023
Reread 11/24/22
I recently saw a friend add this book to their TBR list and, since I own it, decided to reread.
This book was written in 2011, and, I'm sad to report, it hasn't aged well.
The references to old technology and TV shows aren't a huge deal, but the casual sexism (referring to someone weak as a pussy, for example), certain words choices (so offensive, I'm unwilling to repeat them), and homophobia (Alex's friend, Andy, calling Alex twinkle toes and princess) were shocking and gross.
This book wouldn't get a pass from a publisher or readers today, so as bigoted as the world still is, we have grown as a society.
The concept and sentiment haven't changed though. Alex and Sid's story still moved me to near tears. For this reason, I'm going to let my original rating stand.
Original review:
Inexplicably, I loved this book! You know it's a damn good story when you don't even question that someone can talk to a ghost. You just accept it wholeheartedly because it works. In parts funny, tender, and bittersweet, this one is all about soulmates, about making a real connection with someone you may have well ignored on the street.
Alex, a 27-year-old male nurse, comes home to his flat after a long shift involving puke and a nightmare homophobic patient to find he's no longer alone. There's a ghost in his living room. Said ghost is Sid, a guy about Alex's age, wearing pajamas and bunny slippers, and having no recollection of how exactly he's become a spirit. Following the initial burst of terror and confusion (on Alex's part), Alex and Sid talk, watch movies, laugh together. An adorably ugly three-legged cat is also involved. They are an amazing couple, except, well, Sid is a ghost.
Don't expect smut; for close to 90 percent of this book, there is nothing physical between the MCs (for obvious reasons).
I dare you not to get teary-eyed when Sid leaves. But breathe through it, because I promise that there is a wonderful HEA (and it doesn't involve body snatching Whoopie Goldberg).
I recently saw a friend add this book to their TBR list and, since I own it, decided to reread.
This book was written in 2011, and, I'm sad to report, it hasn't aged well.
The references to old technology and TV shows aren't a huge deal, but the casual sexism (referring to someone weak as a pussy, for example), certain words choices (so offensive, I'm unwilling to repeat them), and homophobia (Alex's friend, Andy, calling Alex twinkle toes and princess) were shocking and gross.
This book wouldn't get a pass from a publisher or readers today, so as bigoted as the world still is, we have grown as a society.
The concept and sentiment haven't changed though. Alex and Sid's story still moved me to near tears. For this reason, I'm going to let my original rating stand.
Original review:
Inexplicably, I loved this book! You know it's a damn good story when you don't even question that someone can talk to a ghost. You just accept it wholeheartedly because it works. In parts funny, tender, and bittersweet, this one is all about soulmates, about making a real connection with someone you may have well ignored on the street.
Alex, a 27-year-old male nurse, comes home to his flat after a long shift involving puke and a nightmare homophobic patient to find he's no longer alone. There's a ghost in his living room. Said ghost is Sid, a guy about Alex's age, wearing pajamas and bunny slippers, and having no recollection of how exactly he's become a spirit. Following the initial burst of terror and confusion (on Alex's part), Alex and Sid talk, watch movies, laugh together. An adorably ugly three-legged cat is also involved. They are an amazing couple, except, well, Sid is a ghost.
Don't expect smut; for close to 90 percent of this book, there is nothing physical between the MCs (for obvious reasons).
I dare you not to get teary-eyed when Sid leaves. But breathe through it, because I promise that there is a wonderful HEA (and it doesn't involve body snatching Whoopie Goldberg).
December 5, 2014
This was a totally adorable and charming little story... thanks so much for the recs my lovely friends!
I have to say, the best part of the book was L.A. Gilbert's writing style. Funny, endearing, and with just the right amount of British-isms, this book pushed all of my favorite buttons. I loved each character and their individual voices. I fell for this book hard.
To top it all off, the romance was both squee-worthy sweet and completely believable, which is impressive considering it is a ghost paranormal.
But the ending... I felt a bit let down. It seemed rushed and
And was I the only other person who noticed that Alex is ripped on this cover? What happened to his mini-paunchy belly? I wanted to see a little love handle action! Love handles need love too...
I have to say, the best part of the book was L.A. Gilbert's writing style. Funny, endearing, and with just the right amount of British-isms, this book pushed all of my favorite buttons. I loved each character and their individual voices. I fell for this book hard.
To top it all off, the romance was both squee-worthy sweet and completely believable, which is impressive considering it is a ghost paranormal.
But the ending... I felt a bit let down. It seemed rushed and
And was I the only other person who noticed that Alex is ripped on this cover? What happened to his mini-paunchy belly? I wanted to see a little love handle action! Love handles need love too...
November 3, 2013
I'm a creature of habit and I like what I like. I make no apologies for the type of books I usually enjoy and that is almost always contemporary (realistic/mostly believable) romance. Having said that, GR has made it possible to interact with others who have varing taste and again I have stepped out of my comfort zone with giddy-like-schoolgirl success. What a surprisingly sweet, original, witty and absolutely adorable book.
Thank you Goodreads friends for encouraging me to read this clever book!
Recommended by: Everyone! (And now endorsed by me!)
Thank you Goodreads friends for encouraging me to read this clever book!
Recommended by: Everyone! (And now endorsed by me!)
September 16, 2013
I am by no means a writer, so I can only imagine how hard it can be to write a good paranormal love story. As an avid reader I can say how hard it is to read a poorly written paranormal love story. This story however was great! Very sweet without being overly so. Ok, maybe a little bit at the end, but oh well.
Alex is so funny, you want to hang out with him and give the poor guy a hug. The relationship he has with his best friend Andy is fun to read and the dynamic the two of them share complement them well.
Enter Sid, his bunny slippers, and then soon, his 3 legged cat. The interaction between Alex and Sid was so sweet and at the same time heartbreaking as Alex fell in love with Sid and vice versa. You know it has to end because Sid's a ghost and he's beginning to fade, but you don't want it to because they are perfect for each other. Oh, the sweet angst of it all.
I can't say much more without giving up spoilers and you want to stay clueless until the end when the author wraps up the mystery and hands Alex and Sid their HEA.
I love L.A. Gilbert's storytelling, especially the dialog and interaction between characters. I've finished Witness, which I also enjoyed a great deal and have The Coil queued up and ready to read!
REREAD UPDATE 09/15/13
I loved this story just as much the second time around. I did come away with a new thought too (yay me). Some people weren't thrilled with the epilogue, which I can kind of understand. I kept that in mind with the reread to see if I would change my mind as I was OK with it the first time around. It didn't.
Alex is so funny, you want to hang out with him and give the poor guy a hug. The relationship he has with his best friend Andy is fun to read and the dynamic the two of them share complement them well.
Enter Sid, his bunny slippers, and then soon, his 3 legged cat. The interaction between Alex and Sid was so sweet and at the same time heartbreaking as Alex fell in love with Sid and vice versa. You know it has to end because Sid's a ghost and he's beginning to fade, but you don't want it to because they are perfect for each other. Oh, the sweet angst of it all.
I can't say much more without giving up spoilers and you want to stay clueless until the end when the author wraps up the mystery and hands Alex and Sid their HEA.
I love L.A. Gilbert's storytelling, especially the dialog and interaction between characters. I've finished Witness, which I also enjoyed a great deal and have The Coil queued up and ready to read!
REREAD UPDATE 09/15/13
I loved this story just as much the second time around. I did come away with a new thought too (yay me). Some people weren't thrilled with the epilogue, which I can kind of understand. I kept that in mind with the reread to see if I would change my mind as I was OK with it the first time around. It didn't.
February 12, 2025
a cute short story, the author definitely shares my teenage self’s favorite movie ‘Just Like Heaven’.
October 12, 2016
Adorably sweet.
Nope that's it, even Baldrick the cat gets a smile and I hate cats.
Bookie Nookie Erotic Lending Group loan.
Nope that's it, even Baldrick the cat gets a smile and I hate cats.
Bookie Nookie Erotic Lending Group loan.
March 26, 2011
Alex Tanner is a twenty-seven-year-old male nurse and he lives in the crappiest flat in Camden Town. His job is not always fine and dandy (in fact, he gets being vomitted, a lot!) and he is nowhere near any relationship (except for a bastard of an ex, who calls him only to have sex). He has his idea of a perfect ideal boyfriend though; those looking like Matthew Macfayden, or Clive Owen, or Gerard Butler ... Then one day when he returns from the hospital after a shift, he is shocked to find a ghost sitting next to him. The shock dissolves though after Alex finds the ghost, Sid, as someone he can be friends with -- Sid might not be fits his image of a perfect boyfriend but Sid is down-to-earth and very kind. Alex soon finds himself falling for him -- and Sid reciprocates the feeling. But how this will work, when Sid might leave Alex's side anytime ...
My friend, G, says that she would give this book a 6 stars-rating if she could. Well, I couldn't agree more. This book has all the right elements for me, perfectly written from the beginning to an end. I only need three chapters of this book to laugh crazily (Alex's reaction to seeing Sid is just so funny, not to mention Alex's best friend, Andy, is a totally entertaining character, MY GOD, I never meet anyone like him!), then going "awwwwwww" when Sid shares his story of Baldrick, his beloved cat, to Alex (and as Alex meets Baldrick himself), to have my eyes all wet when Sid talks about his feeling of being a ghost, to all down crying when I continue reading their story.
It hits me in all the right places: two wonderful, lovely, gentle souls, who are also lonely, and then find one another in an unlikely circumstances. The way these two men connected, simply by talking about their lives, about Sid's interpretation of Van Gogh's painting, about Alex's ex-boyfriend, about their love for Blackadder series ... they are so wonderful. It's funny, that what has been described here are pretty much 'mundane', day-to-day things (there is no murder, no gay-bashing, no huge flashy scenes, except maybe the part with Alex's neighbor), but they work so amazingly well.
I cannot count how many things I LOVE here: from the description of the three-legged cat (seriously, if you DON'T find the story of Baldrick as touching, you probably don't have a heart :p), to Sid who hides inside the fridge when he's feeling overwhelmed, to Alex watching Pride and Prejudice 12 times, to Alex's cute OCD of eating food based on alphabetical order, to Alex's friend Andy, who is rude but loyal and who keeps trying to make Alex watch "Die Hard" (which of course make Alex retaliate by forcing Andy to watch "Father of the Bride".
I can go on, and on, but I'm worry that I will just tell the story from beginning to end. And that's will rob readers from experiencing the story on their own. So let me say that this is one of the most down-to-earth, touching, wonderfully-written, with characters that are so fleshed out, and romance that might be suitable for a TV-drama (remember Reese Witherspoon's and Mark Ruffalo's movie "Just Like Heaven?") stories that I have ever read. It has the right amount of sweetness and angst without being over the top. The ending might feel a bit rushed for some, and I'm sure there are groans since this story does not have sex-scenes AT ALL, but I feel like the ending is just perfect for this story.
PS: Saw some typos, but don't get me annoyed enough :p
My friend, G, says that she would give this book a 6 stars-rating if she could. Well, I couldn't agree more. This book has all the right elements for me, perfectly written from the beginning to an end. I only need three chapters of this book to laugh crazily (Alex's reaction to seeing Sid is just so funny, not to mention Alex's best friend, Andy, is a totally entertaining character, MY GOD, I never meet anyone like him!), then going "awwwwwww" when Sid shares his story of Baldrick, his beloved cat, to Alex (and as Alex meets Baldrick himself), to have my eyes all wet when Sid talks about his feeling of being a ghost, to all down crying when I continue reading their story.
It hits me in all the right places: two wonderful, lovely, gentle souls, who are also lonely, and then find one another in an unlikely circumstances. The way these two men connected, simply by talking about their lives, about Sid's interpretation of Van Gogh's painting, about Alex's ex-boyfriend, about their love for Blackadder series ... they are so wonderful. It's funny, that what has been described here are pretty much 'mundane', day-to-day things (there is no murder, no gay-bashing, no huge flashy scenes, except maybe the part with Alex's neighbor), but they work so amazingly well.
I cannot count how many things I LOVE here: from the description of the three-legged cat (seriously, if you DON'T find the story of Baldrick as touching, you probably don't have a heart :p), to Sid who hides inside the fridge when he's feeling overwhelmed, to Alex watching Pride and Prejudice 12 times, to Alex's cute OCD of eating food based on alphabetical order, to Alex's friend Andy, who is rude but loyal and who keeps trying to make Alex watch "Die Hard" (which of course make Alex retaliate by forcing Andy to watch "Father of the Bride".
I can go on, and on, but I'm worry that I will just tell the story from beginning to end. And that's will rob readers from experiencing the story on their own. So let me say that this is one of the most down-to-earth, touching, wonderfully-written, with characters that are so fleshed out, and romance that might be suitable for a TV-drama (remember Reese Witherspoon's and Mark Ruffalo's movie "Just Like Heaven?") stories that I have ever read. It has the right amount of sweetness and angst without being over the top. The ending might feel a bit rushed for some, and I'm sure there are groans since this story does not have sex-scenes AT ALL, but I feel like the ending is just perfect for this story.
PS: Saw some typos, but don't get me annoyed enough :p
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2012
Sometimes, you just need a book like this. A quirky, funny, M/M romance with an adorable pet (Baldrick the tailless, one-eared, three legged cat) and funny ass friends to make you just appreciate life in general. I'm not sure it really counts as paranormal since for most of the book one of the main characters was a ghost, Mr. Sid Jones.
It's almost sexless, so you M/M smut fiends might not care for this as much but I did. It was just SO funny. A bit mushy. And plenty entertaining. From beginning to end. I adored Alex and Sid together, they realized the best qualities of each other during their "ghostly co-habitation period"
Andy, I love friends like him. I think I sympathize cause I have a lot of Andy qualities in me.
The story was the right length, right tone, just a really good story.
Me likey.
It's almost sexless, so you M/M smut fiends might not care for this as much but I did. It was just SO funny. A bit mushy. And plenty entertaining. From beginning to end. I adored Alex and Sid together, they realized the best qualities of each other during their "ghostly co-habitation period"
Andy, I love friends like him. I think I sympathize cause I have a lot of Andy qualities in me.
The story was the right length, right tone, just a really good story.
Me likey.
September 15, 2021
[4.5] THIS SUPERNATURAL ROMANCE WAS POSITIVELY CHARMING AND ADORABLE WITH THE PERFECT DASH OF ANGST!!!! 👻 a lovely story of two lonely souls who’ve miraculously found their way into each other’s lives that even makes the cynic within me smile brighter than the sun ✨ huge thanks to Rebecca for putting it on my radar!! 🥰
(btw i think this book is best enjoyed diving in blind as a bat, but if you still decide to read on, know that there are only minor spoilers ahead unless hidden by the spoiler tag!)
these mcs are incredibly endearing in their own quirky ways, like how Alex (male nurse rep, whoop whoop!) eats food in alphabetical order and how Sid—the titular Ghost on the Couch with his iconic bunny slippers—retreats into the fridge when he’s feeling overwhelmed (even giving himself timeouts like come onnnnn 🥺). the connection that grows from their conversations and banter is glorious, and the side characters were a real hoot! even the incredibly inappropriate slurs that would come out of Andy’s mouth in his lovingly insulting manner didn’t completely turn me off (although brb i’m off to stuff 16 bars of soap into his mouth at once ‘cause boy sure needs it LOL). and last but not least, who can forget about the one-and-only Baldrick, the three-legged, one-eared, no-tailed ugly cat?? if Baldrick doesn’t capture your heart, i can only come to the conclusion that your heart is made out of stone 🗿
now i did have a qualm with how the ending played out. i would’ve preferred it had that all being said, i still rounded up for the entertainment value and my love for the general premise so I WILL LIVE 😆
definitely give this a go even if it’s not your usual genre of choice!!
(btw i think this book is best enjoyed diving in blind as a bat, but if you still decide to read on, know that there are only minor spoilers ahead unless hidden by the spoiler tag!)
these mcs are incredibly endearing in their own quirky ways, like how Alex (male nurse rep, whoop whoop!) eats food in alphabetical order and how Sid—the titular Ghost on the Couch with his iconic bunny slippers—retreats into the fridge when he’s feeling overwhelmed (even giving himself timeouts like come onnnnn 🥺). the connection that grows from their conversations and banter is glorious, and the side characters were a real hoot! even the incredibly inappropriate slurs that would come out of Andy’s mouth in his lovingly insulting manner didn’t completely turn me off (although brb i’m off to stuff 16 bars of soap into his mouth at once ‘cause boy sure needs it LOL). and last but not least, who can forget about the one-and-only Baldrick, the three-legged, one-eared, no-tailed ugly cat?? if Baldrick doesn’t capture your heart, i can only come to the conclusion that your heart is made out of stone 🗿
now i did have a qualm with how the ending played out. i would’ve preferred it had that all being said, i still rounded up for the entertainment value and my love for the general premise so I WILL LIVE 😆
definitely give this a go even if it’s not your usual genre of choice!!
February 4, 2022
This has less than 150 pages and it's more predictable than most romance books. But, I loved the insta connection, the adorable ghost with bunny slippers, the three-legged cat, and, the overabundance of British humor.....I only wish, it was a bit longer.
And, I Know It is one of those books that has already been read and enjoyed by most of my friends but if you are one of the spaced-out people like me, this one is a must-read even without a single smutty scene.
P.S-Thanks, Rebecca for putting the book on my radar.
And, I Know It is one of those books that has already been read and enjoyed by most of my friends but if you are one of the spaced-out people like me, this one is a must-read even without a single smutty scene.
P.S-Thanks, Rebecca for putting the book on my radar.
March 29, 2016
This story is a sweet, well-written account of a ghost who teaches a young man with superficial tastes in dates to look beyond the surface at the man inside. It has a real charm, and will draw you in to the world of the MC and the ghost only he can see. The plot is fairly obvious, but the smoothness of the narrative carries the story along. I took off a star for one aspect of the ending that annoyed me.
YMMV Otherwise, a lovely portrait of a slow-building relationship.
YMMV Otherwise, a lovely portrait of a slow-building relationship.
August 14, 2011
It was funny, sweet and touching I totally loved it, I want Baldrick....lolol!
September 18, 2013
Truly tickled. Phantom passion. Doomed desires.
Well, wasn’t this a lovely surprise!
I was quite taken aback by this book, actually I was completely blindsided- what an impressive story it turned out to be. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to keep me up reading into the wee hours of the morning; but it did. Could be the cover, could be the title, could have been I was not familiar with the author (what a crying shame that is!)... but I went in with an open mind hoping for a decent read but not confident and was blissfully rewarded.
It’s not easy running through a recap, spoilers would be a plenty. But I’ll try and give you the gist, so you can see why you should give it a shot.
Alex is an underpaid and underappreciated nurse, looking for love in all the wrong places. Exhaustion sets in one evening and he nearly goes into cardiac arrest when a hallucination sends him racing to his best friend’s flat. Andy, his hysterical bestie, comes to his rescue and assures his well-being is solid but his sanity may be questionable.
‘Sid the friendly’ ghost glides into his life in the most peculiar manner. Confused yet ever the optimist, Sid becomes a private pleasure Alex relishes in. An irresistible pull brings them together, well, as close as their circumstances permit. Frustrations are abundant and these two lonely souls discover what a perfect match they could have been.
Alex and Sid melted my heart. From Jackie the fantabulous girlfriend, Andy’s hilarity, and Baldrick the blessed cat, my belly was aching from laughter. I was smitten with the epilogue and would stand in line for a glimpse into the future. I certainly look forward to more sensational and flufftacular stories from Ms. Gilbert.
*4.5 charming-clever-comical stars*
Well, wasn’t this a lovely surprise!
I was quite taken aback by this book, actually I was completely blindsided- what an impressive story it turned out to be. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to keep me up reading into the wee hours of the morning; but it did. Could be the cover, could be the title, could have been I was not familiar with the author (what a crying shame that is!)... but I went in with an open mind hoping for a decent read but not confident and was blissfully rewarded.
It’s not easy running through a recap, spoilers would be a plenty. But I’ll try and give you the gist, so you can see why you should give it a shot.
Alex is an underpaid and underappreciated nurse, looking for love in all the wrong places. Exhaustion sets in one evening and he nearly goes into cardiac arrest when a hallucination sends him racing to his best friend’s flat. Andy, his hysterical bestie, comes to his rescue and assures his well-being is solid but his sanity may be questionable.
‘Sid the friendly’ ghost glides into his life in the most peculiar manner. Confused yet ever the optimist, Sid becomes a private pleasure Alex relishes in. An irresistible pull brings them together, well, as close as their circumstances permit. Frustrations are abundant and these two lonely souls discover what a perfect match they could have been.
Alex and Sid melted my heart. From Jackie the fantabulous girlfriend, Andy’s hilarity, and Baldrick the blessed cat, my belly was aching from laughter. I was smitten with the epilogue and would stand in line for a glimpse into the future. I certainly look forward to more sensational and flufftacular stories from Ms. Gilbert.
*4.5 charming-clever-comical stars*
January 15, 2016
I'm tired so this will be short...
This was a cute story.
It tuged on my heartstrings.
I loved both MCs. They were so endearing.
Alex's friends Andy and Jackie were awesome. Especially Andy made me laugh a lot.
And the cherry on top? Baldrick the cat!
This was a cute story.
It tuged on my heartstrings.
I loved both MCs. They were so endearing.
Alex's friends Andy and Jackie were awesome. Especially Andy made me laugh a lot.
And the cherry on top? Baldrick the cat!
December 24, 2022
Unbearably cute and wholesome. I can feel my teeth rotting from all the sweetness… but it was fun!
September 17, 2019
DNF @ 50%
January 23, 2013
I finished this in one sitting and could quite happily sit and read it all over again. I guessed the outcome but that didn't matter because overall its just a joy. Its funny, poignant, sweet, witty, tender, emotional and romantic. There is practically no sex but its still brimming with chemistry and a gentle but palpable ST between Alex and Sid, There is a lovely sensuality about the story so you don't miss the usual love scenes at all. In fact it was actually better for not having them and I'm the first one to admit I'm partial to a few steamy scenes in my stories! Andy's banter ( Alexs' friend and straight neighbour) is brilliant and I loved the snarky but loveable way he treats Alex. I think everyone will fall for Baldrick the cat, bless! Don't hesitate with this one. I don't know how I missed it. Loved it a lot!
March 23, 2011
Soooooo sweet - in a good way!Two adorable guys and a cute,ugly cat in a "ghost"-story
with a surprising and satisfying solution.Recommended!
with a surprising and satisfying solution.Recommended!
April 19, 2015
Oh, I LURVED this book. I lurved it so hard.
Thanks for the rec, Breann! It totally broke my book slump. :D
Thanks for the rec, Breann! It totally broke my book slump. :D
July 11, 2012
What an unexpectedly awesome book. It's a good thing I'm off work, because I stayed up 'til the wee hours of the morning to finish it. It tells the story of Alex, a nurse, who one day just has a random ghost show up in his flat. Why the ghost appears only to him is never explained; there's no metaphysical discussion, no spiritual reasoning. And I didn't even care, even though that sort of omission usually bugs me. This book was so charming and sweet. But not, like, diabetic-coma-inducing sweet; sweet in a way that makes you want to stop being such a cynical monster. What's more is that, despite the paranormal thing, it's so down-to-earth and the characters are so normal and relatable; there's not a high cheekbone or a sculpted pectoral in sight. There are also no explicit sex scenes, so that's almost novel. It's also genuinely, laugh-out-loud funny. You can see the ending coming from about 2 miles off, but by that point you're so emotionally involved that any and all clichés are forgiven. One more thing, it has an ugly cat - cynical monster I may be, but ugly cats are my kryptonite.
October 7, 2013
Aww.
Can I say I love Sid's temper tantrums in the fridge. :P
I can picture this 30 year old man in his PJ's complete with his bunny slippers sulking into he fridge.
This was a very easy and enjoyable read.
My heart broke and then rejoiced.
I'm not sure about the endingI'm torn between wanting Sid to remember his time with Alex as a ghost. Verse the way it went down.
Alex was adorable. Sid was just so sweet. They were a perfect fit for one another.
Andy. Good gravy he was a riot. His gay insults were pulled off perfectly. :P then when Alex asks why he doesn't insult Sid he causally replies that Sid is bigger than him. Ha!!
"Hello, Twinkle toes."
Alex sighed. "You know, you never insult Sid with Insultingly bigoted remarks."
Andy snorted. " that's because he could sit on me and kill me. However you princess-" he punched on of Alex's cheeks and then slapped it "-are an easy target."
Can I say I love Sid's temper tantrums in the fridge. :P
I can picture this 30 year old man in his PJ's complete with his bunny slippers sulking into he fridge.
This was a very easy and enjoyable read.
My heart broke and then rejoiced.
I'm not sure about the ending
Alex was adorable. Sid was just so sweet. They were a perfect fit for one another.
Andy. Good gravy he was a riot. His gay insults were pulled off perfectly. :P then when Alex asks why he doesn't insult Sid he causally replies that Sid is bigger than him. Ha!!
"Hello, Twinkle toes."
Alex sighed. "You know, you never insult Sid with Insultingly bigoted remarks."
Andy snorted. " that's because he could sit on me and kill me. However you princess-" he punched on of Alex's cheeks and then slapped it "-are an easy target."
July 2, 2017
Another recommendation, and another winner
, 5 stars from meI'm not going to do an elaborate review. This was such a sweet and charming tale, Alex and Sid (shame about the name though) were absolutely perfect for each other
....Alex because he was having no joy at finding the perfect man, just an ex that wanted to use him for sex, and Sid, well, I felt desperately sorry for him, he was such a gentle giant and definitely deserved someone special...luckily he found him in Alex. I loved that Alex, as a nurse, watches Grey's Anatomy (woohoo, another fan!), and that Sid had a cat named Baldrick, ah bless! This was, for me, a perfect story to curl up on the couch with.
September 16, 2017
Alex loves Sid. Sid loves Alex. And they both love Baldrick (an aptly named feline that has stolen both their hearts). Too bad Sid is rather more translucent than is proper and has a pertinacity to hide out in the fridge. Sometimes death can be a real downer in a relationship, but for Sid and Alex it is only the beginning.
Alex Tanner, male nurse, was not having the best of days. Luckily he has a nice week-long vacation to look forward to, full of mindless TV, large, comforting, glasses of wine, and maybe a trip to the pub with a friend or two. It was going to be nice. Then in pops Sid, literally, at his side--with his quirky quips, bunny-eared slippers, and yeah, that whole dead thing going on. Neither of them know why Sid is there, only that Sid seems to have cornered the market on party tricks, with his whole 'I can walk through walls' shtick--so what's a boy to do? Well, have hysterics, drop a vase and run half-clothed down the streets, is a start I guess. But Sid isn't going anywhere...and Alex is coming to find that despite his translucency, Sid is starting to look a lot like his other half. But when your other half is halfway to that famed white-light, there isn't much chance of a happily-ever-after, is there? Right?
There are so many things to love about this book. Alex is a character that you instantly route for--and maybe fall in love with. His humor is witty, he cares deeply about his friends, and he goes out of his way to make Sid just that little bit happier--despite all the dawning knowledge that what he has can't possibly last. He has flaws--but who doesn't--and a tendency to look purely at the physical when it comes to guys, but when it comes to Sid, he has to look deeper, 'cause you might be able to see through him, but Sid has a lot more going on than just some nice forearms.
The secondary characters--Andy, Jackie, and, of course, Baldrick--are perfect in this story. Not just the characters themselves--Andy, even if I do love him can sometimes come off as...well, let us just say that he skipped that day at work in which they pushed all that sensitivity training through--but how they build the story up around Alex and Sid. Without Andy and Jackie, the ghost and his love would be trapped in their apartment trying to live out some fairy-tale. Alex's friends force him to realize that his happy little bubble is a lot more fragile than he would want it to be. Any may say some rather stupid things, and Alex may feel unable to really share with Jackie, but they are both totally behind Alex, even when they are pretty sure Alex is either drunk or a little bit nuts. Or maybe a bit sodden nuts. These character help make this story whole, and help try and keep Alex whole, even when the whole universe seems to be conspiring against him.
I adore this book. It makes me laugh, makes me cry, makes me fall in love with men who hide in fridges and wear bunny slippers. This is my rainy/sunny/gloomy/spring-blue day book. If I need a pick-up, need a good cry, need to just feel that there are happy-ever-afters out there somewhere, I pick up this book and just live the love of Alex and Sid. I don't care that there is like no sex in this book, the chemistry between the two will make your heart ache. It doesn't need sex, it just needs Alex and Sid in the same room and I'm well satisfied*. I do wish that Alex had told Sid everything at the end of the story...seems rather unfair to do what he did, but in the grand scheme of things I do understand why he kept it a secret. Still, he should have trusted Sid.
Five stars. I love this book and would probably recommend it to random passerbys on the street--if it wouldn't most likely get me strung up with a lovely white jacket. Read it with a nice pot of tea and perhaps a tissue or two.
*Plus, not sure how one would go about having spectral-intercourse--do you need haunted lube for that? Can you get a phantom STD?
Alex Tanner, male nurse, was not having the best of days. Luckily he has a nice week-long vacation to look forward to, full of mindless TV, large, comforting, glasses of wine, and maybe a trip to the pub with a friend or two. It was going to be nice. Then in pops Sid, literally, at his side--with his quirky quips, bunny-eared slippers, and yeah, that whole dead thing going on. Neither of them know why Sid is there, only that Sid seems to have cornered the market on party tricks, with his whole 'I can walk through walls' shtick--so what's a boy to do? Well, have hysterics, drop a vase and run half-clothed down the streets, is a start I guess. But Sid isn't going anywhere...and Alex is coming to find that despite his translucency, Sid is starting to look a lot like his other half. But when your other half is halfway to that famed white-light, there isn't much chance of a happily-ever-after, is there? Right?
There are so many things to love about this book. Alex is a character that you instantly route for--and maybe fall in love with. His humor is witty, he cares deeply about his friends, and he goes out of his way to make Sid just that little bit happier--despite all the dawning knowledge that what he has can't possibly last. He has flaws--but who doesn't--and a tendency to look purely at the physical when it comes to guys, but when it comes to Sid, he has to look deeper, 'cause you might be able to see through him, but Sid has a lot more going on than just some nice forearms.
The secondary characters--Andy, Jackie, and, of course, Baldrick--are perfect in this story. Not just the characters themselves--Andy, even if I do love him can sometimes come off as...well, let us just say that he skipped that day at work in which they pushed all that sensitivity training through--but how they build the story up around Alex and Sid. Without Andy and Jackie, the ghost and his love would be trapped in their apartment trying to live out some fairy-tale. Alex's friends force him to realize that his happy little bubble is a lot more fragile than he would want it to be. Any may say some rather stupid things, and Alex may feel unable to really share with Jackie, but they are both totally behind Alex, even when they are pretty sure Alex is either drunk or a little bit nuts. Or maybe a bit sodden nuts. These character help make this story whole, and help try and keep Alex whole, even when the whole universe seems to be conspiring against him.
I adore this book. It makes me laugh, makes me cry, makes me fall in love with men who hide in fridges and wear bunny slippers. This is my rainy/sunny/gloomy/spring-blue day book. If I need a pick-up, need a good cry, need to just feel that there are happy-ever-afters out there somewhere, I pick up this book and just live the love of Alex and Sid. I don't care that there is like no sex in this book, the chemistry between the two will make your heart ache. It doesn't need sex, it just needs Alex and Sid in the same room and I'm well satisfied*. I do wish that Alex had told Sid everything at the end of the story...seems rather unfair to do what he did, but in the grand scheme of things I do understand why he kept it a secret. Still, he should have trusted Sid.
Five stars. I love this book and would probably recommend it to random passerbys on the street--if it wouldn't most likely get me strung up with a lovely white jacket. Read it with a nice pot of tea and perhaps a tissue or two.
*Plus, not sure how one would go about having spectral-intercourse--do you need haunted lube for that? Can you get a phantom STD?
September 23, 2013
4.5 Stars
Wow. This was different ... in a good way. At first, I thought, "How the heck is this supposed to work out?" And, I admit, it took me a bit to get into the story. But once I did, I was a gonner. I loved Alex and loved, loved, loved Sid. I was enchanted by Baldrick despite the fact that I'm more of a dog person. I kinda figured out Sid's situation half-way in, which was a blessing. Had I not, I would've been BAWLING more than I already was at 75%.
I did have one wish:
Bottom line: Absolutely adorable.
Wow. This was different ... in a good way. At first, I thought, "How the heck is this supposed to work out?" And, I admit, it took me a bit to get into the story. But once I did, I was a gonner. I loved Alex and loved, loved, loved Sid. I was enchanted by Baldrick despite the fact that I'm more of a dog person. I kinda figured out Sid's situation half-way in, which was a blessing. Had I not, I would've been BAWLING more than I already was at 75%.
I did have one wish:
Bottom line: Absolutely adorable.
March 26, 2011
When you feel down, read this story! This story is a lemonade for a hot day or a cocoa for a winter night, a balm for your bad mood, really. It's funny (at moments hilarious - "Shit. How do I explain Baldrick?" - made me roar with laughter), sweet and angsty (but not overly so). It has a near-ghost, a three-legged cat called Baldrick, the most offensive and most loyal best friend ever, appreciation for Van Gogh and two ordinary, lonely and lovely men in it. What more could you possibly want?! I agree that the ending was a bit rushed, but again... What more could you possibly want?!
August 24, 2016
I loved this book. The story was original and sweet. I admit to crying at certain parts (I'm a sucker for animals ). I want to say more but am scared to ruin it for others. All I can say is I whole heartedly recomend this if your looking for a gentle sweet love story, with humour in all the right places. The characters are so real. I loved Alex's relationship with his best friend Andy :
ETA Still as enjoyable second time around. Although I can't help wishing but thats just me.
ETA Still as enjoyable second time around. Although I can't help wishing but thats just me.
April 2, 2011
This is a very sweet book!
Recommended!
Recommended!
October 29, 2014
Bunny slippers, the cutest cat ever, and two very adorable guys all added up to pure reading joy for me! This warm hearted tale surprised me. Not as surprised as Alex was after spotting Sid on his couch one night, but still surprised. :)
You see Sid is a ghost. After getting over the “Oh-my-god-there-is-a-ghost-on-my-couch!” shock and craziness, Sid and Alex begin to open up and truly see and share themselves. I loved their conversations. It always amazes me how much truth comes out in the dark or by the glow of the television. In such a short time, these guys become important and special to each other. They become a part of their lives on the couch and off. They encouraged, listened, soothed, and laughed. They both warmed my heart. But can their friendship and maybe romance last? Can you romance a ghost?
Jump in and find out!
The ending had a “but” for me. Actually more of a “I wish”, but really it wasn’t enough to make a dent in my love for this story.
I can’t leave before throwing out some sidekick love though. Jackie, Andy and Baldrick added such love and laughter to the story and characters. Baldrick had my heart with one little “meow”.
A sweet read that put a smile across my face and heart.
I’m looking forward to reading more from L.A. Gilbert.
p.s. I often swoon over little details or lines. Simple, true-blue words. I fell head over heels in love with this one line….
“You should be adored.”
August 13, 2013
I know I am in the minority, especially as some of the 4 star reviews were written by people whose book opinions I really respect but this book was just fine to me. I even skimmed some of the plot. I was like "oh ok he meets the Ghost, doesn't believe he's a ghost, oh but wait now you do ok got it- skip ahead, still living with the ghost, steals the cat oh that is kind of funny" ok now we are back to the ghost..skip. I started reading the book when I couldn't sleep at 4 am and I actually went back to sleep which I never do with a good book. It reads like a new writer who published their fanficiton, but I had to finish reading because I paid for the book.
January 13, 2015
Cute, funny and bitter-sweet story.
Alex Tanner isn't happy with his life, his job, his relationships. Then a ghost appears sitting next to him on his couch. The first encounter is hilarious. From that moment on, Alex's life changes completely.
While not exactly overused, the resolution was predictable. I was expecting it almost from the start. I didn't like the epilogue either. On the one hand, it was over the top (Alex's friends) and on the other, it was not enough (Alex's side).
Bonus points for making a female character in this story a great person.
Issues aside, it is a very entertaining story.
Alex Tanner isn't happy with his life, his job, his relationships. Then a ghost appears sitting next to him on his couch. The first encounter is hilarious. From that moment on, Alex's life changes completely.
While not exactly overused, the resolution was predictable. I was expecting it almost from the start. I didn't like the epilogue either. On the one hand, it was over the top (Alex's friends) and on the other, it was not enough (Alex's side).
Bonus points for making a female character in this story a great person.
Issues aside, it is a very entertaining story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 405 reviews