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Ghost Town
Paranormal investigator Blair Wyndon is hell-bent on proving that ghosts are real. She posts the evidence she collects on the website, SpiritScientific, a well-known haven for like-minded paranormal believers. Well, like-minded except for Leif Henderson.
Leif is a ghost hunter, not some stuffy paranormal investigator. She makes the kind of videos that thrill her audience, not bore them nearly to death. It’s all about clicks, views, and keeping the public watching to grow her fan base. She’s going to prove that ghosts exist with a dash of flair. Not like Blair.
When they each receive an exclusive invitation to investigate the famed ghost town of Masonville, they jump at the chance. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity neither is willing to give up, even if it turns out that they must share the glory.
But they aren’t the only ones who have been invited. The mystery suddenly turns deadly. Someone or something else is in Masonville, and if Blair and Leif don’t find a way to escape, they might never leave.
Leif is a ghost hunter, not some stuffy paranormal investigator. She makes the kind of videos that thrill her audience, not bore them nearly to death. It’s all about clicks, views, and keeping the public watching to grow her fan base. She’s going to prove that ghosts exist with a dash of flair. Not like Blair.
When they each receive an exclusive invitation to investigate the famed ghost town of Masonville, they jump at the chance. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity neither is willing to give up, even if it turns out that they must share the glory.
But they aren’t the only ones who have been invited. The mystery suddenly turns deadly. Someone or something else is in Masonville, and if Blair and Leif don’t find a way to escape, they might never leave.
240 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2024
3 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 13, 2024
Now this was definitely not for me. Even though regarding to the synopsis it should've /could've been. The premises sounded so promising. Man was I disappointed. I hate writing negative reviews but this is gonna be one.
While reading this I struggled so hard to concentrate on the story. Every other page I audibly went "Oh god no what the heck" (in a bad way)
My boyfriend kept telling me to just stop reading if I'm not enjoying myself, but I pulled through my dudes.
The amount of characters in this book was simply overwhelming, yet none of their personalities are fleshed out or consistent. They all felt like the same person. Besides maybe the old lady who didn't get enough lines in my honest opinion.
Abe. Just. What the heck. A 40 something year old guy hanging out with people 20 years younger. I mean fine whatever. But he was CONSTANTLY asking them if they need hugs. He gave off strong weird uncle vibes. The one uncle that keeps touching you inappropriately at family parties. I don't think that was the authors intention with him. Like he was supposed to seem like the protector of the group or something idk. He was giving me the ick.
Conversations are extremely unnatural and the decisions made just made me shake my head in disbelief.
The writing overall felt juvenile at some parts but then...suddenly there's smut. Detailed smut. I was shocked.. People are dying man...and you're just randomly doing the woobiedoo!??
The twist was very obvious (which would'nt bother me THAT much if I weren't so annyoed with this whole book)
It just seemed like the author tried to do too much. Sadly they were not successful.
I feel bad about being so negative but I'm also glad I finally finished the book and got my thoughts about it out of my system.
1 star for effort and the occasional slightly spooky moment.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
While reading this I struggled so hard to concentrate on the story. Every other page I audibly went "Oh god no what the heck" (in a bad way)
My boyfriend kept telling me to just stop reading if I'm not enjoying myself, but I pulled through my dudes.
The amount of characters in this book was simply overwhelming, yet none of their personalities are fleshed out or consistent. They all felt like the same person. Besides maybe the old lady who didn't get enough lines in my honest opinion.
Abe. Just. What the heck. A 40 something year old guy hanging out with people 20 years younger. I mean fine whatever. But he was CONSTANTLY asking them if they need hugs. He gave off strong weird uncle vibes. The one uncle that keeps touching you inappropriately at family parties. I don't think that was the authors intention with him. Like he was supposed to seem like the protector of the group or something idk. He was giving me the ick.
Conversations are extremely unnatural and the decisions made just made me shake my head in disbelief.
The writing overall felt juvenile at some parts but then...suddenly there's smut. Detailed smut. I was shocked.. People are dying man...and you're just randomly doing the woobiedoo!??
The twist was very obvious (which would'nt bother me THAT much if I weren't so annyoed with this whole book)
It just seemed like the author tried to do too much. Sadly they were not successful.
I feel bad about being so negative but I'm also glad I finally finished the book and got my thoughts about it out of my system.
1 star for effort and the occasional slightly spooky moment.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
January 19, 2024
I love ghosts and the paranormal so naturally I wanted to see what this book had to offer. I've never been so spooked. This book had me looking over my shoulder whenever something terrifying happened. The writing was easy to read and very captivating and I didn't want to put it down. I loved the representation of LGBTQIA relationships too. Blair and Leif were perfect for each other!
If you're looking for a short read and want to be spooked, this is the book for you!
*TW: There are some descriptions of body mutilation and gore.
** Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC
If you're looking for a short read and want to be spooked, this is the book for you!
*TW: There are some descriptions of body mutilation and gore.
** Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC
October 22, 2025
2 stars
Idea: Good
Execution: severely underwhelming
So I really didn't enjoy it. Might be just me though
Idea: Good
Execution: severely underwhelming
So I really didn't enjoy it. Might be just me though
February 4, 2024
I think the writing could have better, but I stayed for the plot. I couldn’t put the book down even though I was really spooked.
P.s: who said you can’t read horror during the “month of love” 🫣🫢
P.s: who said you can’t read horror during the “month of love” 🫣🫢
February 1, 2024
4.0 stars.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Paranormal investigator, Blair Wyndon, is hell-bent on proving that ghosts are real, and she posts the evidence she collects on the website, SpiritScientific, a well-known haven for like-minded believers. Well, like-minded except for Leif Henderson.
Leif is a ghost hunter, not some stuffy paranormal investigator. She focuses on making the kind of videos that thrill her audience, not bore them with facts. It's all about clicks, views, and engagement. She's going to prove that ghosts exist with a dash of flair, unlike Blair.
When they each receive an exclusive invitation to investigate the famed ghost town of Masonville, they jump at the chance. But they aren't the only ones who have been invited, and soon the mystery turns deadly.
I genuinely had a fun time with this story. I do wish it developed the characters a bit more, because we don't know enough about the rivalry between the two leads other than they have different methods to the same job. From going to rivals in their ghost community with the obvious stated attraction from both sides to immediately using pet names, seemed a bit rushed from what we know about their dynamic. I understand that the trauma surrounding may increase their connection to help deal with the circumstances which is why I excused the fast-paced physical intimacy, but I wish there were more moments sprinkled through of understated intimacy (longing looks, hinting at past interactions, subtle touches). It would help push the narrative that they are more love than lust. And I kept assuming that they were younger than what was stated. It was like a quick, hallmark version of a ghost story, with a dash of romance in the background. It was a fun palette cleanser to enjoy a fun, spooky wlw story.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Paranormal investigator, Blair Wyndon, is hell-bent on proving that ghosts are real, and she posts the evidence she collects on the website, SpiritScientific, a well-known haven for like-minded believers. Well, like-minded except for Leif Henderson.
Leif is a ghost hunter, not some stuffy paranormal investigator. She focuses on making the kind of videos that thrill her audience, not bore them with facts. It's all about clicks, views, and engagement. She's going to prove that ghosts exist with a dash of flair, unlike Blair.
When they each receive an exclusive invitation to investigate the famed ghost town of Masonville, they jump at the chance. But they aren't the only ones who have been invited, and soon the mystery turns deadly.
I genuinely had a fun time with this story. I do wish it developed the characters a bit more, because we don't know enough about the rivalry between the two leads other than they have different methods to the same job. From going to rivals in their ghost community with the obvious stated attraction from both sides to immediately using pet names, seemed a bit rushed from what we know about their dynamic. I understand that the trauma surrounding may increase their connection to help deal with the circumstances which is why I excused the fast-paced physical intimacy, but I wish there were more moments sprinkled through of understated intimacy (longing looks, hinting at past interactions, subtle touches). It would help push the narrative that they are more love than lust. And I kept assuming that they were younger than what was stated. It was like a quick, hallmark version of a ghost story, with a dash of romance in the background. It was a fun palette cleanser to enjoy a fun, spooky wlw story.
January 23, 2024
Ghost Town is a quick read thriller mystery. Blair Wyndon is a college student who is also a paranormal investigator. She wants to scientifically prove the existence of ghosts. Leif Henderson refers to herself as a ghost hunter and wants her videos to be sensational, causing thrills and clicks. Both women are invited with their camera crews to a mystery town called Masonville. It is owned by a private corporation. When they arrive they find a few more people they know from their online shows. They decide to stay together at the mayor’s historic home. But creepy things start happening and they are cut off from leaving or communicating with the outside world.
At the start of the story I thought Leif was very immature. In fact I wondered if she was still in high school. But that went away as the book picked up. The author does a good job of setting up the doomed adventure and the various characters. The whole investigator vs. ghost hunter doesn’t really build to anything other than they have differing online styles. Once there is a body they are both in investigative mode. Also Leif and Blair seem to go from comfort to kissing quickly. And without much preamble Leif is calling Blair babe. For them to move along so quickly I almost wish their pasts had crossed previously.
I did like the twists and turns and while I got some of the ending correct did not get the big reveal. This was a likable mystery with just the right amount of creep. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)
At the start of the story I thought Leif was very immature. In fact I wondered if she was still in high school. But that went away as the book picked up. The author does a good job of setting up the doomed adventure and the various characters. The whole investigator vs. ghost hunter doesn’t really build to anything other than they have differing online styles. Once there is a body they are both in investigative mode. Also Leif and Blair seem to go from comfort to kissing quickly. And without much preamble Leif is calling Blair babe. For them to move along so quickly I almost wish their pasts had crossed previously.
I did like the twists and turns and while I got some of the ending correct did not get the big reveal. This was a likable mystery with just the right amount of creep. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)
January 21, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in an exchange for my honest review!
Ghost Town is a murder mystery that for the most part plays in the haunted town of Masonville. The story revolves around Blair Wyndon, a passionate paranormal investigator, and Leif Henderson, who is a ghost hunter. Both of them get invited to the town of Masonville, given the chance to investigate the infamous manor. Though, turns out, they’re not the only ones who have been invited. Once the group arrives there, everything seems normal, and not creepy at all. Until it no longer is…..
I enjoyed the plot of the book and honestly did not expect the plot twist at all, because it left me guessing until the very end. My only critique is that the writing felt too fast and rushed at places where it needed more detail, and it was too slow paced when it didn’t have to be. Some parts of the dialogue were a bit immature and made me question whether the book I was reading was supposed to be adult or YA. The romance between Leif and Blair was cute but it also lacked development in my opinion. But we love to see lesbians winning!
Overal rating: 3.5 /5
Ghost Town is a murder mystery that for the most part plays in the haunted town of Masonville. The story revolves around Blair Wyndon, a passionate paranormal investigator, and Leif Henderson, who is a ghost hunter. Both of them get invited to the town of Masonville, given the chance to investigate the infamous manor. Though, turns out, they’re not the only ones who have been invited. Once the group arrives there, everything seems normal, and not creepy at all. Until it no longer is…..
I enjoyed the plot of the book and honestly did not expect the plot twist at all, because it left me guessing until the very end. My only critique is that the writing felt too fast and rushed at places where it needed more detail, and it was too slow paced when it didn’t have to be. Some parts of the dialogue were a bit immature and made me question whether the book I was reading was supposed to be adult or YA. The romance between Leif and Blair was cute but it also lacked development in my opinion. But we love to see lesbians winning!
Overal rating: 3.5 /5
April 9, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
👻📹⛺𖤐☠️
Ghost Town is a great spooky read about a group of ghost hunters who come together to investigate a haunted abandoned town. It follows the points of view of rivals, Blaire and Leif. Both have their own way of hunting ghosts, and they clash with the way each other does it, so being forced to be together with a group of like-minded people, they get to know each other a bit better and realize it isn't all just rivalry.
Things go from bad to worse when the first ghost hunter is found dead. Strange things keep happening, and you'll be on the edge of your seat wondering who or what the heck is killing the ghost hunters off one, by one.
R.E Ward writes in a way that keeps you glued to the pages. It was easy to read, it was spooky, and there was a well-written spicy scene. I recommend it to all who love a good sapphic spooky story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldstroke Books for a copy of the ebook this review is left voluntarily.
🌶️🌶️
👻📹⛺𖤐☠️
Ghost Town is a great spooky read about a group of ghost hunters who come together to investigate a haunted abandoned town. It follows the points of view of rivals, Blaire and Leif. Both have their own way of hunting ghosts, and they clash with the way each other does it, so being forced to be together with a group of like-minded people, they get to know each other a bit better and realize it isn't all just rivalry.
Things go from bad to worse when the first ghost hunter is found dead. Strange things keep happening, and you'll be on the edge of your seat wondering who or what the heck is killing the ghost hunters off one, by one.
R.E Ward writes in a way that keeps you glued to the pages. It was easy to read, it was spooky, and there was a well-written spicy scene. I recommend it to all who love a good sapphic spooky story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldstroke Books for a copy of the ebook this review is left voluntarily.
February 2, 2024
This book made my little Scooby Doo Mystery loving heart pitter patter to the max. No spoilers as I never want to ruin the surprise for a reader. It's an essential part to the experience of this book. I will say that Ward really brings it together for a satisfying conclusion. And if you ever wanted a Velma/Daphne pairing, Leif and Blair make great stand-ins. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.
March 3, 2024
A very entertaining and well plotted queer paranormal romance: enemy to lovers, ghosts, skeptics vs believers, humour.
I loved it and had fun, hope to read other books by this author soon
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved it and had fun, hope to read other books by this author soon
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 25, 2024
Blair is committed to scientifically proving that ghosts exist while Leif knows that they do and hunts them for clicks on her social media posts. The two are at odds with each other.
That is, until they both end up in Masonville, a famed ghost town where they and others of their ilk have been invited gather.
The mystery and thrills begin there as one by one someone is murdered survivors must unite to save their lives as they are all stranded in Masonville without phone service. The story unfolds from there. Blair and Leif find under the friction, there is attraction brewing. An unexpected twist occurs that ups the tension even further.
I enjoyed this sapphic murder mystery. Thank you to Boldstrokes Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
That is, until they both end up in Masonville, a famed ghost town where they and others of their ilk have been invited gather.
The mystery and thrills begin there as one by one someone is murdered survivors must unite to save their lives as they are all stranded in Masonville without phone service. The story unfolds from there. Blair and Leif find under the friction, there is attraction brewing. An unexpected twist occurs that ups the tension even further.
I enjoyed this sapphic murder mystery. Thank you to Boldstrokes Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2024
{4,5} stars
I am a huge fan of queer romance, any paranormal stuff and especially enemies to lovers. This book delivers ALL.
Blair Wyndon, Ghost Hunter, is determined to prove that ghosts are real. She and a group of ghost hunting vloggers receive invitations from a company to stay at Hastings Manor; a historic estate known for paranormal activity. Little do they know, things do not go their ways, and they are suddenly forced to bond together for only one goal: staying alive.
The plot and plot twist were extremely smart. The author was throwing little ides here and there, a small hint to what was about to come that you only understood after the big reveal. I definitely loved that aspect.
The romance was also very sweet, a bit rushed in some parts, but if you don't like a slow enemies to lovers, this one's for you.
The only things I'd day I was not a fun of was the dialogue sometimes. I was surprised to find out they were adults because they talked and made the decisions of fresh teens. Perhaps some parts kept repeating too much, but other than that, it was fine.
As for the writing, I personally liked it. I was easy to read through, and the plot being so engaging made me finish it quickly. Even thought the writing was pretty plain or simple, I LOVED the descriptions of the gore. They were so well-written it made me picture every scene perfectly. Huge fan of that.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and also for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
I am a huge fan of queer romance, any paranormal stuff and especially enemies to lovers. This book delivers ALL.
Blair Wyndon, Ghost Hunter, is determined to prove that ghosts are real. She and a group of ghost hunting vloggers receive invitations from a company to stay at Hastings Manor; a historic estate known for paranormal activity. Little do they know, things do not go their ways, and they are suddenly forced to bond together for only one goal: staying alive.
The plot and plot twist were extremely smart. The author was throwing little ides here and there, a small hint to what was about to come that you only understood after the big reveal. I definitely loved that aspect.
The romance was also very sweet, a bit rushed in some parts, but if you don't like a slow enemies to lovers, this one's for you.
The only things I'd day I was not a fun of was the dialogue sometimes. I was surprised to find out they were adults because they talked and made the decisions of fresh teens. Perhaps some parts kept repeating too much, but other than that, it was fine.
As for the writing, I personally liked it. I was easy to read through, and the plot being so engaging made me finish it quickly. Even thought the writing was pretty plain or simple, I LOVED the descriptions of the gore. They were so well-written it made me picture every scene perfectly. Huge fan of that.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and also for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
February 18, 2024
I love romance.
I love ghost stories.
This book has a bit of both.
The two main characters are rival ghost hunters who dislike each other based on perceived slights. They, along with other ghost hunting teams, are invited to an abandoned town not open to the public. Things quickly start to go downhill.
My favorite part of a ghost story or mystery is not being able to guess "who dunnit" or if what is happening is real; this book was able to string me along almost to the end with one major plot point I didn't see coming.
Easy read that I enjoyed.
I love ghost stories.
This book has a bit of both.
The two main characters are rival ghost hunters who dislike each other based on perceived slights. They, along with other ghost hunting teams, are invited to an abandoned town not open to the public. Things quickly start to go downhill.
My favorite part of a ghost story or mystery is not being able to guess "who dunnit" or if what is happening is real; this book was able to string me along almost to the end with one major plot point I didn't see coming.
Easy read that I enjoyed.
February 19, 2024
This was a really good story. Creepy and on the scary side in places. With a mysterious feel. It had me gripped and turning the pages from the beginning . However, I feel it could have been written better in places with a bit more detail but overall this book is worth a read. Note - it does contain some gore, which I actually didn’t mind. 3.5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for this review
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for this review
February 19, 2024
This was a really good story. Creepy and on the scary side in places. With a mysterious feel. It had me gripped and turning the pages from the beginning . However, I feel it could have been written better in places with a bit more detail but overall this book is worth a read. Note - it does contain some gore, which I actually didn’t mind. 3.5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for this review
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for this review
January 17, 2024
Really fun little paranormal mystery. I loved all the characters a lot and the reveal was shocking! The angst romance was nice too and the culmination scene was ominous. Thanks for the arc!
January 16, 2024
Talk about a good paranormal mystery. The actual whodunnit was nothing less of shocking. If you are a fan of murder mystery and ghosts you are in for a treat. I loved the angst buildup romance of Leif and Blair, opposites do attract. All the characters were perfectly written and so different from one another each adding to the story. They all banded together for one common goal, staying alive. I found the pacing to be quite steady keeping me drawn into the story. I loved the premise of ghost hunting which I already find very intriguing and the ultimate plot surprising. Overall a very great read and my first with this author.
March 16, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book. This review contains spoilers.
"Ghost Town" is a book that partially surprised me. In the beginning, it was hard for me to get into the story and to adjust myself to the author's writing style. Then, after I had 30 % of the book finished, suddenly I couldn't put it down, until I reached 80 %. That's when the storyline's pace dropped for me again. Overall, I can say that the plot of this book is very interesting, but it is also very foreseeable, and the writing style is not very fleshed out. Without further ado, let's analyze some key points:
The plot: As mentioned, I liked the idea of the book. Lesbian ghost hunters trapped in a ghost town and they have to solve a mystery to get out, whilst one by one their crew is diminished due to paranormal circumstances? Count me in. However, what made the story very boring for me in the beginning and in the end, was that some things were very easily guessable. Such that Gen was one of the bad guys. It was too on the nose for me, all facts pointed to her and her general suspicious behaviour. Then there was the romance between Leif and Blair, which was of course obvious to happen, but foreshadowed so heavily, that at one point I got quite exasperated with that. Nevertheless, as mentioned, from 30%-80%, the book does pick up speed and I wasn't able to put it down, because I wanted to know how Tannincorp was involved in all of this and what kind of experiment the ghost hunters were a part of. Overall, 50% of the book were unfortunately hard to get through, whilst the other 50% were surprisingly easy to read.
The writing style: Was not my cup of tea. What I noticed was that many of the same words were used frequently after each other, without being replaced by other words of the same meaning. That to me made the reading experience less enjoyable.
The characters: They were all mostly endearing. Especially the representation of deaf people and the use of ASL language was very refreshing and I liked it a lot. Abe is everyone's sweetheart and mine as well.
The setting: Was really good. I liked the old manor they stayed in as well as the depictions of the woods. It set the scene nicely for the horrors that were happening.
The ending: Some questions of mine remained open, such as why the bodies of Jessica and Ivan didn't decompose for days. And why, in the end, Blair and Leif would want to return to Masonville even though Blair mentions that she has episodes of PTSD.
Overall, the reading experience was 50% not my thing and the other 50% quite entertaining. I give one star for the general idea & the setting, one star for the characters, and minus three stars for the writing style, the foreseeable plot twists and the fact that this reading experience was at times quite bumpy for me.
"Ghost Town" is a book that partially surprised me. In the beginning, it was hard for me to get into the story and to adjust myself to the author's writing style. Then, after I had 30 % of the book finished, suddenly I couldn't put it down, until I reached 80 %. That's when the storyline's pace dropped for me again. Overall, I can say that the plot of this book is very interesting, but it is also very foreseeable, and the writing style is not very fleshed out. Without further ado, let's analyze some key points:
The plot: As mentioned, I liked the idea of the book. Lesbian ghost hunters trapped in a ghost town and they have to solve a mystery to get out, whilst one by one their crew is diminished due to paranormal circumstances? Count me in. However, what made the story very boring for me in the beginning and in the end, was that some things were very easily guessable. Such that Gen was one of the bad guys. It was too on the nose for me, all facts pointed to her and her general suspicious behaviour. Then there was the romance between Leif and Blair, which was of course obvious to happen, but foreshadowed so heavily, that at one point I got quite exasperated with that. Nevertheless, as mentioned, from 30%-80%, the book does pick up speed and I wasn't able to put it down, because I wanted to know how Tannincorp was involved in all of this and what kind of experiment the ghost hunters were a part of. Overall, 50% of the book were unfortunately hard to get through, whilst the other 50% were surprisingly easy to read.
The writing style: Was not my cup of tea. What I noticed was that many of the same words were used frequently after each other, without being replaced by other words of the same meaning. That to me made the reading experience less enjoyable.
The characters: They were all mostly endearing. Especially the representation of deaf people and the use of ASL language was very refreshing and I liked it a lot. Abe is everyone's sweetheart and mine as well.
The setting: Was really good. I liked the old manor they stayed in as well as the depictions of the woods. It set the scene nicely for the horrors that were happening.
The ending: Some questions of mine remained open, such as why the bodies of Jessica and Ivan didn't decompose for days. And why, in the end, Blair and Leif would want to return to Masonville even though Blair mentions that she has episodes of PTSD.
Overall, the reading experience was 50% not my thing and the other 50% quite entertaining. I give one star for the general idea & the setting, one star for the characters, and minus three stars for the writing style, the foreseeable plot twists and the fact that this reading experience was at times quite bumpy for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2024
Blair Wyndon and Leif Henderson might both be paranormal investigators who want to show the world that ghosts and paranormal activity really do exist, but beyond that they have very little in common. While Blair likes to confront her paranormal work with research, science, and facts, Leif likes her videos to be flashy and entertaining. So, when Blair, Leif, their personal crews, and a few other paranormal hunters are mysteriously invited to a well-known but highly guarded and evacuated ghost town on the pretense of trying catch paranormal activity, everyone jumps at the opportunity. Although Blair and Leif do nothing but butt heads when everyone first arrives to the ghost town of Masonville, they quickly have to look past their differences and start working together when more sinister activities begin threatening the stranded group's lives. Only time will tell in this fast-paced sapphic mystery/thriller if Blair, Leif, and their friends will be able to figure out the mystery of Masonville and escape with their lives and sanity intact.
I am an avid reader and big fan of sapphic novels and thriller novels separately so I was very excited to see Ghost Town by R.E. Ward combine two of my favorite genres. All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I thought Blair and Leif really complimented each other well and it was sweet to see their relationship change and develop throughout the story. While I loved the two main characters, I was also drawn in by the supporting characters and the plot. While it took me a little while to get into the story and keep everyone organized in my mind at the beginning (I had to keep reminding myself who was a part of which group), I was quickly drawn in and found the book difficult to put down once the first major incident happened. I was also able to predict part of the ending/reveal, but I feel like the author did a good job of providing enough subtle clues to make that possible. I also appreciated that, even though I might have known “the who,” I had no idea what “the why” was until the end. While I would have liked the ending better if it had been a little more realistic, this is a paranormal book after all so I cannot fault it for not catering to my personal preferences. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a paranormal mystery with sapphic main characters.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of Ghost Town in return for my honest review.
I am an avid reader and big fan of sapphic novels and thriller novels separately so I was very excited to see Ghost Town by R.E. Ward combine two of my favorite genres. All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I thought Blair and Leif really complimented each other well and it was sweet to see their relationship change and develop throughout the story. While I loved the two main characters, I was also drawn in by the supporting characters and the plot. While it took me a little while to get into the story and keep everyone organized in my mind at the beginning (I had to keep reminding myself who was a part of which group), I was quickly drawn in and found the book difficult to put down once the first major incident happened. I was also able to predict part of the ending/reveal, but I feel like the author did a good job of providing enough subtle clues to make that possible. I also appreciated that, even though I might have known “the who,” I had no idea what “the why” was until the end. While I would have liked the ending better if it had been a little more realistic, this is a paranormal book after all so I cannot fault it for not catering to my personal preferences. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a paranormal mystery with sapphic main characters.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of Ghost Town in return for my honest review.
June 23, 2024
Book Review for Ghost Town by R.E. Ward
Book Summary: Paranormal investigator Blair Wyndon is hell-bent on proving that ghosts are real. She posts the evidence she collects on the website, SpiritScientific, a well-known haven for like-minded paranormal believers. Well, like-minded except for Leif Henderson.
Leif is a ghost hunter, not some stuffy paranormal investigator. She makes the kind of videos that thrill her audience, not bore them nearly to death. It’s all about clicks, views, and keeping the public watching to grow her fan base. She’s going to prove that ghosts exist with a dash of flair. Not like Blair.
When they each receive an exclusive invitation to investigate the famed ghost town of Masonville, they jump at the chance. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity neither is willing to give up, even if it turns out that they must share the glory.
But they aren’t the only ones who have been invited. The mystery suddenly turns deadly. Someone or something else is in Masonville, and if Blair and Leif don’t find a way to escape, they might never leave.
Book Review: ⭐️
I was looking forward to reading this book based on the summary. I love a good ghost story and throw in some paranormal research and I am in. It starts off with Blair and her partner Abe investigating at a paper mill. I was expecting a little more spookiness during the investigations.
Blair and Abe are invited to investigate an entire ghost town. The book was good up until about the midpoint. The dialogue between the characters was so cringy. I felt like I was reading something between kids.
As the book got closer to the end, I started hating it. It just started getting weird and the things the characters were doing was just downright idiotic. The dialogue just got worse. I wanted to read a spooky paranormal investigation book, not a book that had a love blossoming between two characters. A lot of the things going on between those characters should have been left out because who acts in that way during being scared? I wanted to like it more but the book just went from good to bad.
Thanks to Bold Stroke Books and Netgalley for the arc.
Book Summary: Paranormal investigator Blair Wyndon is hell-bent on proving that ghosts are real. She posts the evidence she collects on the website, SpiritScientific, a well-known haven for like-minded paranormal believers. Well, like-minded except for Leif Henderson.
Leif is a ghost hunter, not some stuffy paranormal investigator. She makes the kind of videos that thrill her audience, not bore them nearly to death. It’s all about clicks, views, and keeping the public watching to grow her fan base. She’s going to prove that ghosts exist with a dash of flair. Not like Blair.
When they each receive an exclusive invitation to investigate the famed ghost town of Masonville, they jump at the chance. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity neither is willing to give up, even if it turns out that they must share the glory.
But they aren’t the only ones who have been invited. The mystery suddenly turns deadly. Someone or something else is in Masonville, and if Blair and Leif don’t find a way to escape, they might never leave.
Book Review: ⭐️
I was looking forward to reading this book based on the summary. I love a good ghost story and throw in some paranormal research and I am in. It starts off with Blair and her partner Abe investigating at a paper mill. I was expecting a little more spookiness during the investigations.
Blair and Abe are invited to investigate an entire ghost town. The book was good up until about the midpoint. The dialogue between the characters was so cringy. I felt like I was reading something between kids.
As the book got closer to the end, I started hating it. It just started getting weird and the things the characters were doing was just downright idiotic. The dialogue just got worse. I wanted to read a spooky paranormal investigation book, not a book that had a love blossoming between two characters. A lot of the things going on between those characters should have been left out because who acts in that way during being scared? I wanted to like it more but the book just went from good to bad.
Thanks to Bold Stroke Books and Netgalley for the arc.
January 19, 2024
2.5/5 ⭐️
I was so hopeful that I'd love this book; The premise, of a pair of dueling ghost hunters falling in love, seemed like the perfect setup for a new favourite book. In hindsight, that probably would have been the case if I'd read this book as a teenager rather than as an adult.
The tone of this book felt distinctly like a YA novel when I'd hoped it would feel a bit more mature. As a 25-year-old Canadian myself (a bit of bad luck on my part, because it had the side effect of making me a little more critical of the main characters), I found myself regularly questioning if the characters felt relatable-- and often came up feeling like the protagonists seemed much younger. This feeling was reinforced by a "quirky" style of characterization that resulted in quotes like the following:
"She was greeted by a post from Wyndon. Of course. And a selfie. A selfie where she looked way too pretty to be allowed."
To me, this expression of romantic frustration felt more like it came from a teenager than someone in their 20s, and it could be challenging to stay engaged when this was consistently the case. This issue was persistent in romantic scenes as a whole, and I felt the relationship between Leif and Blair developed with surprising speed. It's not story-ruining by any means, but the romance seemed to develop with very little by way of conflict despite their "rivalry."
The mystery itself, however, was well-paced and drove the story forward in a way that kept me eager to continue reading. I found the overall conclusion to the mystery somewhat disappointing, but the reveal of the story's antagonist was an awesome surprise.
Overall, this was a cute debut novel but didn't feel like it was for me. I hope to try again if Ward ends up releasing more books in the future!
Likes:
- Fun cast of side characters
- Well-paced mystery
- Lesbians (quite frankly, always a win in any book)
Dislikes:
- "Quirky" characterization & writing style
- High-speed romantic development, with little real conflict despite the "enemies to lovers" premise
I was so hopeful that I'd love this book; The premise, of a pair of dueling ghost hunters falling in love, seemed like the perfect setup for a new favourite book. In hindsight, that probably would have been the case if I'd read this book as a teenager rather than as an adult.
The tone of this book felt distinctly like a YA novel when I'd hoped it would feel a bit more mature. As a 25-year-old Canadian myself (a bit of bad luck on my part, because it had the side effect of making me a little more critical of the main characters), I found myself regularly questioning if the characters felt relatable-- and often came up feeling like the protagonists seemed much younger. This feeling was reinforced by a "quirky" style of characterization that resulted in quotes like the following:
"She was greeted by a post from Wyndon. Of course. And a selfie. A selfie where she looked way too pretty to be allowed."
To me, this expression of romantic frustration felt more like it came from a teenager than someone in their 20s, and it could be challenging to stay engaged when this was consistently the case. This issue was persistent in romantic scenes as a whole, and I felt the relationship between Leif and Blair developed with surprising speed. It's not story-ruining by any means, but the romance seemed to develop with very little by way of conflict despite their "rivalry."
The mystery itself, however, was well-paced and drove the story forward in a way that kept me eager to continue reading. I found the overall conclusion to the mystery somewhat disappointing, but the reveal of the story's antagonist was an awesome surprise.
Overall, this was a cute debut novel but didn't feel like it was for me. I hope to try again if Ward ends up releasing more books in the future!
Likes:
- Fun cast of side characters
- Well-paced mystery
- Lesbians (quite frankly, always a win in any book)
Dislikes:
- "Quirky" characterization & writing style
- High-speed romantic development, with little real conflict despite the "enemies to lovers" premise
February 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book had me feeling a lot of different ways, and I had to sit with this book for several days after reading it to determine how I felt about it.
This novel did several things that I really enjoyed, and the biggest one was the atmosphere. I loved the feeling of being beside the main characters through every step of the journey, good or bad. I also enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and the realization that they’re only enemies because of a misunderstanding and after clearing that up, they realize they work really well together and have a lot in common. This allows for their relationship to bloom quite fast after that. I also loved how there was enough clues for the reader to predict things that were going to happen, without being too obvious or being a boring book. An example of this is the big betrayal at the end, I think most readers could predict that from very early on in the story. I’m also a huge fan of queer stories, especially when romance isn’t the forefront of the book, and “Ghost Town” had a great premise and had the potential to be a great book.
However, several things within this book felt weak or under-developed. The first thing that comes to mind is the transcripts at the beginning of each chapter. Some of these gave more context to the chapter, while others just seemed to be there simply to fit the aesthetic. Another point that was really weak for me was the ending, the entirety of the ending brought in a whole secondary plot line that really didn’t make sense to me. I felt like this cheapened the book, because it came so out of left-field it didn’t make sense.
I really don’t think I’d revisit it, or recommend it unless someone is looking for a book about sapphic ghost hunters (and this is simply because I don’t know of another sapphic ghost hunting book).
Overall rating: 2.75/5 stars
This novel did several things that I really enjoyed, and the biggest one was the atmosphere. I loved the feeling of being beside the main characters through every step of the journey, good or bad. I also enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and the realization that they’re only enemies because of a misunderstanding and after clearing that up, they realize they work really well together and have a lot in common. This allows for their relationship to bloom quite fast after that. I also loved how there was enough clues for the reader to predict things that were going to happen, without being too obvious or being a boring book. An example of this is the big betrayal at the end, I think most readers could predict that from very early on in the story. I’m also a huge fan of queer stories, especially when romance isn’t the forefront of the book, and “Ghost Town” had a great premise and had the potential to be a great book.
However, several things within this book felt weak or under-developed. The first thing that comes to mind is the transcripts at the beginning of each chapter. Some of these gave more context to the chapter, while others just seemed to be there simply to fit the aesthetic. Another point that was really weak for me was the ending, the entirety of the ending brought in a whole secondary plot line that really didn’t make sense to me. I felt like this cheapened the book, because it came so out of left-field it didn’t make sense.
I really don’t think I’d revisit it, or recommend it unless someone is looking for a book about sapphic ghost hunters (and this is simply because I don’t know of another sapphic ghost hunting book).
Overall rating: 2.75/5 stars
March 1, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book had me feeling a lot of different ways, and I had to sit with this book for several days after reading it to determine how I felt about it.
This novel did several things that I really enjoyed, and the biggest one was the atmosphere. I loved the feeling of being beside the main characters through every step of the journey, good or bad. I also enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and the realization that they’re only enemies because of a misunderstanding and after clearing that up, they realize they work really well together and have a lot in common. This allows for their relationship to bloom quite fast after that. I also loved how there was enough clues for the reader to predict things that were going to happen, without being too obvious or being a boring book. An example of this is the big betrayal at the end, I think most readers could predict that from very early on in the story. I’m also a huge fan of queer stories, especially when romance isn’t the forefront of the book, and “Ghost Town” had a great premise and had the potential to be a great book.
However, several things within this book felt weak or under-developed. The first thing that comes to mind is the transcripts at the beginning of each chapter. Some of these gave more context to the chapter, while others just seemed to be there simply to fit the aesthetic. Another point that was really weak for me was the ending, the entirety of the ending brought in a whole secondary plot line that really didn’t make sense to me. I felt like this cheapened the book, because it came so out of left-field it didn’t make sense.
I really don’t think I’d revisit it, or recommend it unless someone is looking for a book about sapphic ghost hunters (and this is simply because I don’t know of another sapphic ghost hunting book).
This novel did several things that I really enjoyed, and the biggest one was the atmosphere. I loved the feeling of being beside the main characters through every step of the journey, good or bad. I also enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and the realization that they’re only enemies because of a misunderstanding and after clearing that up, they realize they work really well together and have a lot in common. This allows for their relationship to bloom quite fast after that. I also loved how there was enough clues for the reader to predict things that were going to happen, without being too obvious or being a boring book. An example of this is the big betrayal at the end, I think most readers could predict that from very early on in the story. I’m also a huge fan of queer stories, especially when romance isn’t the forefront of the book, and “Ghost Town” had a great premise and had the potential to be a great book.
However, several things within this book felt weak or under-developed. The first thing that comes to mind is the transcripts at the beginning of each chapter. Some of these gave more context to the chapter, while others just seemed to be there simply to fit the aesthetic. Another point that was really weak for me was the ending, the entirety of the ending brought in a whole secondary plot line that really didn’t make sense to me. I felt like this cheapened the book, because it came so out of left-field it didn’t make sense.
I really don’t think I’d revisit it, or recommend it unless someone is looking for a book about sapphic ghost hunters (and this is simply because I don’t know of another sapphic ghost hunting book).
March 6, 2024
A dark and chilling adventure with a twist!
Blair investigates the paranormal and Leif is a ghost hunter but they don’t quite agree with one another’s methods. Upon receiving what they each think is an exclusive invite to investigate a famous ghost town, there is instant tension when they both turn up with their teams, and find other likeminded people there too. Innocent investigating takes a deadly turn when they realise they might not be alone there, and if they don’t try to work out what, they might never find a way to escape.
At first I really thought this was going to be a fun ghost hunting story with a few spine-chilling experiences that in the end would have an explanation, or turn out to be some sort of prank, but it quickly took a turn and had me on the edge of my seat. Doing exactly as the title would suggest, a story unfolded that had even Blair and Leif finding common ground and agreeing that whatever was there with them was definitely something dark and sinister that resulted in nasty consequences. Everything in this story shocked me, expect for Blair and Leif realising that they actually made a good team and had an amazing connection.
As they worked together to try and uncover the truth about what was happening to their friends and the other’s there with them, they uncovered some uncomfortable things that had me glad they had put their differences aside so they had each other for emotional support. I loved the tingling feeling I got from their perceptions of strange findings and goings on, and my heart broke for them all when the fact they were in real danger dawned and no help was coming.
It was such an experience to join them on this adventure, and now I hope for more stories where they really get to investigate the paranormal and ghosts, rather than fear for their lives.
Blair investigates the paranormal and Leif is a ghost hunter but they don’t quite agree with one another’s methods. Upon receiving what they each think is an exclusive invite to investigate a famous ghost town, there is instant tension when they both turn up with their teams, and find other likeminded people there too. Innocent investigating takes a deadly turn when they realise they might not be alone there, and if they don’t try to work out what, they might never find a way to escape.
At first I really thought this was going to be a fun ghost hunting story with a few spine-chilling experiences that in the end would have an explanation, or turn out to be some sort of prank, but it quickly took a turn and had me on the edge of my seat. Doing exactly as the title would suggest, a story unfolded that had even Blair and Leif finding common ground and agreeing that whatever was there with them was definitely something dark and sinister that resulted in nasty consequences. Everything in this story shocked me, expect for Blair and Leif realising that they actually made a good team and had an amazing connection.
As they worked together to try and uncover the truth about what was happening to their friends and the other’s there with them, they uncovered some uncomfortable things that had me glad they had put their differences aside so they had each other for emotional support. I loved the tingling feeling I got from their perceptions of strange findings and goings on, and my heart broke for them all when the fact they were in real danger dawned and no help was coming.
It was such an experience to join them on this adventure, and now I hope for more stories where they really get to investigate the paranormal and ghosts, rather than fear for their lives.
January 26, 2024
Blair Wyndon, Ghost Hunter, is determined to prove that ghosts are real. She and a group of ghost hunting vloggers receive invitations from a company Tanningcorp to stay at Hastings Manor; a historic estate known for paranormal activity. Located in the town Mansonville, this ghost of a town has been off-limits from visitors for 14 years. Rachel, Gen, Rose(a psychic), Abe, Johnny, Leif, Jessica along with Blair get stranded in Masonville after finding files within the estate all containing information on themselves along with maps and notes on an experiment that is happening. People start going missing, and bodies are turning up. Who invited them here? whom or what is hunting them down? Twisty, entertaining, and a fast-paced read!
The characters lacked some depth, and because I didn't get much info on them, It wasn't easy to form an attachment to them throughout this plot. So much so that everything happening felt like I was mearly watching from a distance. So as we move along this quick twisty plot, we are told the place is haunted, Rose is a psychic but there's no actual evidence of this and then with the high tension happening you suddenly find a love interest/connection happening between 2 characters and its not very convincing. The pace was just really off. The romance felt very rushed, very second thought or last minute add to the plot. would have loved to feel the connection because it was interesting, just not believable; it deserved better substance in the plot. This also read very YA. The references and dialogue between characters didn't fit the suggested maturity/age depicted in the characters.
Great ending! Overall, I enjoyed it and gave this a 3.5.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
The characters lacked some depth, and because I didn't get much info on them, It wasn't easy to form an attachment to them throughout this plot. So much so that everything happening felt like I was mearly watching from a distance. So as we move along this quick twisty plot, we are told the place is haunted, Rose is a psychic but there's no actual evidence of this and then with the high tension happening you suddenly find a love interest/connection happening between 2 characters and its not very convincing. The pace was just really off. The romance felt very rushed, very second thought or last minute add to the plot. would have loved to feel the connection because it was interesting, just not believable; it deserved better substance in the plot. This also read very YA. The references and dialogue between characters didn't fit the suggested maturity/age depicted in the characters.
Great ending! Overall, I enjoyed it and gave this a 3.5.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
January 29, 2024
Leif and Blair are both ghost hunters, but each in their own way. Leif is a sensationalist wanting to capture real-time interaction with the paranormal. Blair is more scientific in her approach and wants to prove there is a paranormal part of life. Both jump at the chance to explore an abandoned supposedly ghost hotspot town in the middle of nowhere. They are less than thrilled, however, when they meet in person despite their mutual attraction? Can they figure out what’s going on when their friends start turning up dead and before they windup the same way?
I 110% misjudged this book in the beginning! The description checked all the trope boxes for me. The paranormal, enemies to lovers, lesbian main characters, and a plot that promised to capture my attention. I got bogged down in the first part of the book, though.
There was so much detail about the characters. I got a bit annoyed that each and every character was described in extreme detail. I was worried the plot would get bogged down and lost for me if the high level of detail continued. I was wrong, however, and the plot soon took off!
All the characters turned out be their own person outside of each other and all of them were relatable in some way. Leif and Blair were convincing when it came to their rivalry and their attempts to stonewall their growing feelings for each other. Their relationship developed organically and wasn’t rushed for the sake of the story.
The story itself was full of twists and turns that kept me interested. I can usually figure out where a book is going early in the story, but this one actually kept me guessing. Despite its slow start, the book turned out to be a wild ride and one very much worth the read!
I 110% misjudged this book in the beginning! The description checked all the trope boxes for me. The paranormal, enemies to lovers, lesbian main characters, and a plot that promised to capture my attention. I got bogged down in the first part of the book, though.
There was so much detail about the characters. I got a bit annoyed that each and every character was described in extreme detail. I was worried the plot would get bogged down and lost for me if the high level of detail continued. I was wrong, however, and the plot soon took off!
All the characters turned out be their own person outside of each other and all of them were relatable in some way. Leif and Blair were convincing when it came to their rivalry and their attempts to stonewall their growing feelings for each other. Their relationship developed organically and wasn’t rushed for the sake of the story.
The story itself was full of twists and turns that kept me interested. I can usually figure out where a book is going early in the story, but this one actually kept me guessing. Despite its slow start, the book turned out to be a wild ride and one very much worth the read!
March 28, 2024
thank you to netgalley for providing me with an arc for this book!
ghost town is a sapphic love story plonked into a mystery thriller in which we follow groups of ghost hunters as they try and solve the mystery of an abandowned town.
in theory i should have loved this book. in reality i did not. the synopsis doesn't mention if this is a YA or an adult book, but i really do hope it falls into the first category. the writing style feels quite juvenile, which makes it an easy read, but also a little too over-explained at times and we're really spoonfed a lot of exposition at the start. it doesn't really leave room for the reader to draw their own conclusions or have their own thoughts.
my main gripe though is that for a book about ghost hunting, there's barely any ghost hunting in it? feels like the whole ghost premise was way too underused.
i never really felt like i had a good grasp on the characters and that only goes downhill once the mystery starts up. we end up with a couple of ghost hunting crews and the group of characters is just too big for individual personalities to shine through and i have to admit i did forget about a couple of characters more than once.
there is a twist at the end which wasn't too surprising to me and i guessed it pretty early on. again, i think you should be able to guess a twist as a reader because it means the author left enough breadcrumbs throughout the story and it makes sense within the plot, but i would like breadcrumbs instead of a whole loaf.
the pacing didn't quite land for me either. we get to the central mystery a little too fast, but then once that starts up the book slows down a little too much again which really undercuts the tension it's trying to build up.
ghost town is a sapphic love story plonked into a mystery thriller in which we follow groups of ghost hunters as they try and solve the mystery of an abandowned town.
in theory i should have loved this book. in reality i did not. the synopsis doesn't mention if this is a YA or an adult book, but i really do hope it falls into the first category. the writing style feels quite juvenile, which makes it an easy read, but also a little too over-explained at times and we're really spoonfed a lot of exposition at the start. it doesn't really leave room for the reader to draw their own conclusions or have their own thoughts.
my main gripe though is that for a book about ghost hunting, there's barely any ghost hunting in it? feels like the whole ghost premise was way too underused.
i never really felt like i had a good grasp on the characters and that only goes downhill once the mystery starts up. we end up with a couple of ghost hunting crews and the group of characters is just too big for individual personalities to shine through and i have to admit i did forget about a couple of characters more than once.
there is a twist at the end which wasn't too surprising to me and i guessed it pretty early on. again, i think you should be able to guess a twist as a reader because it means the author left enough breadcrumbs throughout the story and it makes sense within the plot, but i would like breadcrumbs instead of a whole loaf.
the pacing didn't quite land for me either. we get to the central mystery a little too fast, but then once that starts up the book slows down a little too much again which really undercuts the tension it's trying to build up.
February 3, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy to me in exchange for honest criticism.
Lesbian ghost hunters - need I say more?
It was more or less what I was expecting it to be based on the description. A group of ghost hunters are invited to explore the most haunted town in Canada, and the two main characters are rival ghost hunters. Their rivalry isn’t fully fleshed out - it pretty much comes down to one of the girls believing in ghosts and posting dramatic videos, and the other girl believing in ghosts but posting more researched, scientifically grounded videos. I can understand the dynamic, but for the first few chapters the comparisons to Ghost Files were impossible not to make.
Both leads - Blair and Leif - are likable. It’s easy to believe that these women exist, and that they could fall for each other under less than ideal circumstances. They were definitely the highlight of the book - I would have loved to spend more time with them, getting to know them before they vanished to Masonville. I honestly loved most of the characters. I wanted to spend more time with each of them, getting to know them and who they were before the ghost hunt started.
The story itself is a bit simple, like a skeleton was carefully constructed but the rest of the body wasn't completely filled in. The premise lends itself to opportunity after opportunity, but it seems like it was underutilized. The potential for genuine scares was there, but the ghosts weren’t the main focus of the story, so it’s understandable that they took a backseat to the developing love story. There is a twist towards the end of the book - if one is used to mysteries and horror stories, the twist may seem a little obvious, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.
The underutilization of the location is a bit disappointing, and the lore of the town itself was underdeveloped. I do feel as if there was something missing there, like perhaps a part of the story was developed but then cut. I would have loved to learn more about the history of the town, and the hauntings that have put it on the map.
Overall, Ghost Town is a fun, queer story that can easily become a favorite Halloween comfort read. There is some gore and death, so go into it wary of that, but if that’s something that doesn’t bother you, I would definitely recommend this book.
Lesbian ghost hunters - need I say more?
It was more or less what I was expecting it to be based on the description. A group of ghost hunters are invited to explore the most haunted town in Canada, and the two main characters are rival ghost hunters. Their rivalry isn’t fully fleshed out - it pretty much comes down to one of the girls believing in ghosts and posting dramatic videos, and the other girl believing in ghosts but posting more researched, scientifically grounded videos. I can understand the dynamic, but for the first few chapters the comparisons to Ghost Files were impossible not to make.
Both leads - Blair and Leif - are likable. It’s easy to believe that these women exist, and that they could fall for each other under less than ideal circumstances. They were definitely the highlight of the book - I would have loved to spend more time with them, getting to know them before they vanished to Masonville. I honestly loved most of the characters. I wanted to spend more time with each of them, getting to know them and who they were before the ghost hunt started.
The story itself is a bit simple, like a skeleton was carefully constructed but the rest of the body wasn't completely filled in. The premise lends itself to opportunity after opportunity, but it seems like it was underutilized. The potential for genuine scares was there, but the ghosts weren’t the main focus of the story, so it’s understandable that they took a backseat to the developing love story. There is a twist towards the end of the book - if one is used to mysteries and horror stories, the twist may seem a little obvious, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.
The underutilization of the location is a bit disappointing, and the lore of the town itself was underdeveloped. I do feel as if there was something missing there, like perhaps a part of the story was developed but then cut. I would have loved to learn more about the history of the town, and the hauntings that have put it on the map.
Overall, Ghost Town is a fun, queer story that can easily become a favorite Halloween comfort read. There is some gore and death, so go into it wary of that, but if that’s something that doesn’t bother you, I would definitely recommend this book.
April 10, 2024
3.5! Ghost Town follows paranormal investigator, Blair Wyndon, as she posts scientific based evidence she collects on the website, SpiritScientific. Similarly, Leif Henderson has an interest in the paranormal, although calls herself a ghost hunter and likes to thrill her audience with a dash of flair (resulting in views and clicks), unlike Blair. Both women (eeeee let's go girls! WLW WOO) receive an exclusive invitation to investigate the famed, privately owned ghost town of Masonville, But, wait!... soon the ghostly mystery turns deadly!!! "omg shock*
Okay, I genuinely had fun reading this. Although the rivalry narrative seemed to be ghosted (pardon the pun LOL) and fell flat—they legit only had different styles of investigation/hunting??—I couldn't. put. it. down, fr. This, paired with the fact young love seemed a bit rushed in literature—hell young love in my own life was as well lmaoooo—and they forgot said rivalry and went to lesbihonest and pet names? Give me more hate-wanting, and looks of longing with internal waring pls.
Absolutely lurved the twists and turns and the creepy atmosphere Ward created. Kinda read like a YA at times due to immature dialogue, although me loves a Young Adult (the genre, not the man) so not entirely mad about dat (I'm also very immature soooo).
We love women loving women, YTG! YEAH THE GIRLS! and yeah the ghosts works as well, YTG! 👻 lmaooo.
Okay, I genuinely had fun reading this. Although the rivalry narrative seemed to be ghosted (pardon the pun LOL) and fell flat—they legit only had different styles of investigation/hunting??—I couldn't. put. it. down, fr. This, paired with the fact young love seemed a bit rushed in literature—hell young love in my own life was as well lmaoooo—and they forgot said rivalry and went to lesbihonest and pet names? Give me more hate-wanting, and looks of longing with internal waring pls.
Absolutely lurved the twists and turns and the creepy atmosphere Ward created. Kinda read like a YA at times due to immature dialogue, although me loves a Young Adult (the genre, not the man) so not entirely mad about dat (I'm also very immature soooo).
We love women loving women, YTG! YEAH THE GIRLS! and yeah the ghosts works as well, YTG! 👻 lmaooo.
July 4, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, R E Ward and Bold Strokes Books, Inc for the eArc of Ghost Town.
This is a great YA ( not sure if that's the target audience ) atmospheric mystery thriller. It has a very similar premise to Agatha Christies stories which works well. Blair is a Paranormal Investigator and often posts her video and evidence on an influencer channel, SpiritScientific. Many likeminded people also use this channel, including Leif. As with these channels, there's some healthy competition and when they all get invited to investigate a famed ghost town, Masonville, it's apparent that Leif and Blair don't like each other much. As day turns to evening, things start to happen, spooky going ons and then someone dies. It something supernatural going on? or is it something more sinister?
I really enjoyed this book. It's medium paced and it does read like a YA book for me, mainly because of the age of the characters. The POV is mainly from Blair and Leif, trying to figure out what they are feeling about each other and what's going on with the spooky surroundings. The characters were developed and I really enjoyed the banter between Abe, Leif and Blair. I also felt that the LGBTQ representation was done tactfully and respectfully.
If you like mystery thrillers like Then there was none or cosy paranormal thrillers with good rep, then Ghost Town is a good pick.
3.5 rounded to 4 for Netgalley/Amazon/ Goodreads
This is a great YA ( not sure if that's the target audience ) atmospheric mystery thriller. It has a very similar premise to Agatha Christies stories which works well. Blair is a Paranormal Investigator and often posts her video and evidence on an influencer channel, SpiritScientific. Many likeminded people also use this channel, including Leif. As with these channels, there's some healthy competition and when they all get invited to investigate a famed ghost town, Masonville, it's apparent that Leif and Blair don't like each other much. As day turns to evening, things start to happen, spooky going ons and then someone dies. It something supernatural going on? or is it something more sinister?
I really enjoyed this book. It's medium paced and it does read like a YA book for me, mainly because of the age of the characters. The POV is mainly from Blair and Leif, trying to figure out what they are feeling about each other and what's going on with the spooky surroundings. The characters were developed and I really enjoyed the banter between Abe, Leif and Blair. I also felt that the LGBTQ representation was done tactfully and respectfully.
If you like mystery thrillers like Then there was none or cosy paranormal thrillers with good rep, then Ghost Town is a good pick.
3.5 rounded to 4 for Netgalley/Amazon/ Goodreads
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