I'm in two minds about the second volume of the Grimyard Graveyard Mystery series. If you've got it, haunt it has some good points that might lift this series from a simple Reverse Harem Paranormal to a more interesting Horror Fantasy in future novels - at least the 3rd book -, but several others had me wonder if 'Grimyard' is about to fall into the Reverse Harem pit as well as in the overemphasising of emotions, turning them cringe instead of captivating.
If you've been the lucky recipient of an ARC for the 1st novel you'll have to start with four chapters in book 2 that were originally the last four. They have to do with the discovery of Brianna's powers. As in: multiple. Shè affects the ghosts around her in more ways than one - the Moldavite was just a little helper to boost her - including ressurecting them in as of yet undiscovered ways.
With Pax suddenly a living, breathing 7-foot Centurion, Bree is about to enter a period of both ecstasy (in the bedroom), and big, big trouble. It isn't just Pax' first century weird Roman ways that cause her issues with the police (a sword carrying oaf must be Vera's murderer, so think the cops) and her best friend ("Pax will become evil"... and several other nasty comments), but Vera's murderer turns out to be hunting resurrection witches like Bree and their Living made friends.
On top of that Prince Edward is acting weirder, more morose and moodier than ever, Bree is swamped with all kinds of jobs and she has a hard time dealing with her own feelings, that predominantly revolve around fear. Fear for what she can do, should do, might do wrong, fear for love, fear for the ghosts, fear for her father, fear for her future. Fear.
While Edward's behaviour is 'explained' through his own perspective and Brianna's fears can be understood up to a point, they took up a rather large part of the book. And in many ways we're a bit... much.
And then there was Bree's best friend, who is in love with one of their old bullies and "finally belongs". Again: while a fear for being called a freak again is understandable by anyone who has ever been bullied, I was quite angry with the way Bree was treated. These girls were portrayed as best friends forever, with Dani understanding and supporting Brianna's not just seeing ghosts, but befriending them, as well as her blossoming powers. And then a few weeks later and one book further she acts exactly the same way as their nemeses from High School did?
Seriously?! If THIS is your BFF, then you'd better seek further, because adults shouldn't act this way. Not to mention the fact this came rather out of left field, madam author.
I've basically been sighing in annoyance most of the book, while I'm sure all the moping and altercations were set up to create the good kind of tension and further along the story. Imho it didn't. At all.
Then there's the fact that Edward and Ambrose aren't so much looking forward to a second chance at life, living new adventures, or becoming famous poets/writers, but that they're only thinking of diving into Bree's bed with real life hands. Thàt is what makes them jealous of Pax and pushing her to evolve her magic. I am well aware of the fact this genre has many a bedroom scene with plenty of details (though this one seems to be quite vanilla) to boot. That's fine with me.
But what's not fine, is if this is what's in their thoughts. That means the story will most likely start to revolve around that particular goal: intercourse. And getting the boys Living to show more intercourse. It is exactly what I dislike about many a Reverse Harem Paranormal. I initially thought, based on book 1, this series would focus more on the paranormal and connection. This bit points towards a different direction. I can only hope I'm very very wrong, because I will read book 3. For just one, very particular reason...
That reason is that we've figured out from If you've got it, Haunt it that Bree isn't the only one who can interact in such a special way with ghosts (more Pax's running around? ) and that she has very dangerous adversaries as a result, including an infamous historical serial killer. This could be interesting for future books and the last two pages - especially the last few sentences - definitely point towards plenty paranormal fighting and (forced) power growth. They actually made me swear out loud and look to read further.
Last, but not least: we finally know who the "Demon" in the attic is, though I suspected all along something to that extent. But said fuzzy demon immediately plays an important role in saving Bree's life as soon as he's introduced for real and I can only wonder how he'll be incorporated later on.
As said: a mixed review. Good things, bad things. It's up to you if you're letting those things mentioned discourage you, or if you don't mind them at all.
For me the end result comes up to a confused 3 star review.