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Hot Ghoul Summer
Toby
Death takes a vacation.
Literally.
I’m a not-very-grim Reaper, just enjoying my annual two-weeks summer holiday when something happens that I can’t ignore. I hear some lowlife striking a deal to save his sorry neck by giving his beautiful stepdaughter to an even bigger piece of pond scum. Even though I’m not supposed to intervene, I can’t resist, especially after I see her photo and see the face of the girl I fell in love with ages ago. I know this woman and the love I lost aren’t the same, but I know a sign when I see one. I’m supposed to save Molly—even if I have to break all the rules to do it.
Molly
When my stepfather tells me he wants to leave me a beautiful beach house, it’s a dream come true. One, it means he’s finally trying to make amends for the crap he put me through, and two, if I sell this place, I can pay off my student loans.
But when I arrive, Gary (AKA Loser Two) is nowhere to be found, and I’m someone’s prisoner.
It’s Death. Actual Death, a pale, ghoulish guy who reaps souls. Well, he’s not getting mine without a fight.
Funny, he almost makes me believe that he doesn’t want my soul—just my heart.
Two Weeks
I've promised Molly that I’ll let her go when my vacation is done—after I hunt down the man who tried to hurt her. I know it’s hopeless to believe that a monster like me can win her heart in just a few days, but I’ve got to try. Who knows? Maybe moonlight walks on the beach and a romantic retreat with someone who would die for her (or kill for her) will turn my eternity alone into a hot ghoul summer that never has to end?
Hot Ghoul Summer is a steamy paranormal/monster romance from the author of The Minotaur's Valentine and Velvet Wings. It's a spicy stand alone novella in the Pine Ridge universe!
Death takes a vacation.
Literally.
I’m a not-very-grim Reaper, just enjoying my annual two-weeks summer holiday when something happens that I can’t ignore. I hear some lowlife striking a deal to save his sorry neck by giving his beautiful stepdaughter to an even bigger piece of pond scum. Even though I’m not supposed to intervene, I can’t resist, especially after I see her photo and see the face of the girl I fell in love with ages ago. I know this woman and the love I lost aren’t the same, but I know a sign when I see one. I’m supposed to save Molly—even if I have to break all the rules to do it.
Molly
When my stepfather tells me he wants to leave me a beautiful beach house, it’s a dream come true. One, it means he’s finally trying to make amends for the crap he put me through, and two, if I sell this place, I can pay off my student loans.
But when I arrive, Gary (AKA Loser Two) is nowhere to be found, and I’m someone’s prisoner.
It’s Death. Actual Death, a pale, ghoulish guy who reaps souls. Well, he’s not getting mine without a fight.
Funny, he almost makes me believe that he doesn’t want my soul—just my heart.
Two Weeks
I've promised Molly that I’ll let her go when my vacation is done—after I hunt down the man who tried to hurt her. I know it’s hopeless to believe that a monster like me can win her heart in just a few days, but I’ve got to try. Who knows? Maybe moonlight walks on the beach and a romantic retreat with someone who would die for her (or kill for her) will turn my eternity alone into a hot ghoul summer that never has to end?
Hot Ghoul Summer is a steamy paranormal/monster romance from the author of The Minotaur's Valentine and Velvet Wings. It's a spicy stand alone novella in the Pine Ridge universe!
- GenresNovella
206 pages, Paperback
Published August 17, 2024
40 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Principale
93 books133 followersAuthor of romance with bite.
Especially fond of monster and paranormal romance, but she'll write some all-human romances, too!
Especially fond of monster and paranormal romance, but she'll write some all-human romances, too!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 8, 2024
I am absolutely infatuated with this story!! Molly and Toby are the cutest couple ever! This is a story that has it all. Humor, spice, good guys, bad guys, even a dog. It's an absolute must read
August 17, 2024
Gleeful Goblin Review: I absolutely adore this universe of stories and this one is no exception. One of the things I love most is the conversational style of the writing. When the characters are going through and explaining their world it flows naturally to the point I can easily see this being a story that a good friend is telling me. Full of fun side thoughts and tangents that give context and personality to what's being said.
Our MCs meet in a most unusual way of course and things do start off on what the author describes accurately as "the wrongest foot possible". But that comedy of errors and bad men shuffling off this mortal coil is part of what makes this book so utterly charming. Well, that and Musketeer the Cerbi: "Sera bends and scoops up my dog, a three-headed Cerberus-Corgi cross. (People in Pine Ridge call it a Cerbi.) “Using a man’s dog against him...” I frown. “Just think about what I’m saying. There has to be another way besides taking a soul that’s not yours to reap.” I do think about it. I think about Musketeer. (Named after the book. Get it?) I should have brought him with me, but he caught seventeen seagulls last year, and if you’ve ever had to catch seagull ghosts, you’d know that it’s easier to hire a pet-sitter. (Even undead, they still poop and peck. They also steal your lunch.) I love him, but he’ll still love me whether I lose my job or not. In fact, I’d rather my dog know I did the right thing for a woman in danger than the right thing for my career or reputation."
From the sweet to the adorkable to the steamy this book was a joy from start to finish. 5/5 Stars
Our MCs meet in a most unusual way of course and things do start off on what the author describes accurately as "the wrongest foot possible". But that comedy of errors and bad men shuffling off this mortal coil is part of what makes this book so utterly charming. Well, that and Musketeer the Cerbi: "Sera bends and scoops up my dog, a three-headed Cerberus-Corgi cross. (People in Pine Ridge call it a Cerbi.) “Using a man’s dog against him...” I frown. “Just think about what I’m saying. There has to be another way besides taking a soul that’s not yours to reap.” I do think about it. I think about Musketeer. (Named after the book. Get it?) I should have brought him with me, but he caught seventeen seagulls last year, and if you’ve ever had to catch seagull ghosts, you’d know that it’s easier to hire a pet-sitter. (Even undead, they still poop and peck. They also steal your lunch.) I love him, but he’ll still love me whether I lose my job or not. In fact, I’d rather my dog know I did the right thing for a woman in danger than the right thing for my career or reputation."
From the sweet to the adorkable to the steamy this book was a joy from start to finish. 5/5 Stars
August 18, 2024
Humor, Wit and Romance
Loved this story! Many funny parts, dash of romance, spicy scenes with the usual paranormal flair this series offers! The ninja turtle line had me laughing out loud. If you've read and enjoyed the rest of the novels in this series, you'll enjoy this one.
I do find myself wondering though why the author writes 67% of the listed amount of pages and then fills the rest of the book with four chapters from her next book and excerpts from books previous? I understand adding maybe ONE chapter from the upcoming book but four? I want to read the book when it comes out not dive in. And excerpts from previous books makes no sense. As long as the book is logged as being part of this series we probably have already read the previous ones! It seems like such a waste to be padding the page count. The book was already good! You don't need to make it look like you wrote 30% more!
Loved this story! Many funny parts, dash of romance, spicy scenes with the usual paranormal flair this series offers! The ninja turtle line had me laughing out loud. If you've read and enjoyed the rest of the novels in this series, you'll enjoy this one.
I do find myself wondering though why the author writes 67% of the listed amount of pages and then fills the rest of the book with four chapters from her next book and excerpts from books previous? I understand adding maybe ONE chapter from the upcoming book but four? I want to read the book when it comes out not dive in. And excerpts from previous books makes no sense. As long as the book is logged as being part of this series we probably have already read the previous ones! It seems like such a waste to be padding the page count. The book was already good! You don't need to make it look like you wrote 30% more!
August 19, 2024
How Ghoul Summer is an adorable paranormal romance. Molly is a caring, hard-working nurse and Toby is a caring, hard-working reaper of souls. Molly knows nothing about the supernatural world. So it becomes a big surprise to find out that the guy who has kidnapped her can teleport and looks other than human. Of course, Toby would argue that he is protecting and saving Molly. And it's true!
Toby is super powerful, but he has rules to live by. He's ready and willing to take any consequences that may come when he has to break those rules to protect Molly. He's a cinnamon-roll character (hot and spicy, but so warm and sweet). Molly is strong and determined, but not afraid to be vulnerable.
This book is on the short end but it gets everything done I wanted it to. There's character development, relationship development and some suspenseful plot. Loved it!
Toby is super powerful, but he has rules to live by. He's ready and willing to take any consequences that may come when he has to break those rules to protect Molly. He's a cinnamon-roll character (hot and spicy, but so warm and sweet). Molly is strong and determined, but not afraid to be vulnerable.
This book is on the short end but it gets everything done I wanted it to. There's character development, relationship development and some suspenseful plot. Loved it!
October 21, 2025
First off, I really loved Toby. He was so sweet and caring, and I’ve never read a reaper like him before (which I really liked!); such a devoted sweetheart.
However, I didn’t love Molly in the beginning. Maybe it’s just the way I think, but she did not really listen to Toby when he talked about what he did (she didn’t believe him until he showed her). She was firmly against the whole “you kill people, I save them” dialogue even when he told her many times that he didn’t kill people, they were already going to die, he just helped their soul along into the next life.
I definitely was feeling it more as the story progressed.
Let’s not forgot to mention the 🔥. Toby had different forms with different equipment, and I was here for it 👌
However, I didn’t love Molly in the beginning. Maybe it’s just the way I think, but she did not really listen to Toby when he talked about what he did (she didn’t believe him until he showed her). She was firmly against the whole “you kill people, I save them” dialogue even when he told her many times that he didn’t kill people, they were already going to die, he just helped their soul along into the next life.
I definitely was feeling it more as the story progressed.
Let’s not forgot to mention the 🔥. Toby had different forms with different equipment, and I was here for it 👌
August 22, 2024
Reapers with union reps
The heroine was not my favorite in this one; being a nurse seemed to be her whole personality. However, I think the story is worth reading for the amusing representation of Reapers and Guardian Angels as union workers. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.
The heroine was not my favorite in this one; being a nurse seemed to be her whole personality. However, I think the story is worth reading for the amusing representation of Reapers and Guardian Angels as union workers. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.
August 30, 2024
Ghouly Good!
A reaper named Toby happens to hear and see a man lie and say his ex's daughter killed a mob leader. Molly is the daughter who gets caught up in this, and Toby wants to keep her safe. I really enjoyed this story. It was steamy, with great details, and it was different.
A reaper named Toby happens to hear and see a man lie and say his ex's daughter killed a mob leader. Molly is the daughter who gets caught up in this, and Toby wants to keep her safe. I really enjoyed this story. It was steamy, with great details, and it was different.
May 14, 2025
Hot hot hot
Couldn't put this book down from the time I picked it up. I fell in love with this story. I couldn't wait to see where it would.
Go! You can never go wrong with S.C principles books. If you're now just finding her, you're in a frared treat because all of her books are out of this world and worth the read
Couldn't put this book down from the time I picked it up. I fell in love with this story. I couldn't wait to see where it would.
Go! You can never go wrong with S.C principles books. If you're now just finding her, you're in a frared treat because all of her books are out of this world and worth the read
August 26, 2025
Death has never been this adorable
This was a delightful read. Both characters inner dialogues were hilarious. I chuckled at all the death-related bureaucratie, with forms to fill, union reps, etc. And Toby is heart meltingly cute.
I think this was my favourite from the Pine Ridge Universe yet.
This was a delightful read. Both characters inner dialogues were hilarious. I chuckled at all the death-related bureaucratie, with forms to fill, union reps, etc. And Toby is heart meltingly cute.
I think this was my favourite from the Pine Ridge Universe yet.
August 18, 2024
Spicy paranormal male female romantic comedy. I enjoyed both main characters and the secondary characters as well. The main male lead's monster form was extra spicy. There is some action/peril but still a very cozy read.
October 23, 2024
Spicy paranormal romance with lighthearted characters. The monster being the "nice guy" was a fun twist to the monster romance. I do think Molly could have used more to her character than just being a nurse, but I think we like her because Toby likes her.
August 25, 2024
Sweet and Spicy
Toby and Molly make such a sweet couple! A rocky start leads to a strong bond and a lot of spice! Plus, justice is served in a dark and satisfying way.
Toby and Molly make such a sweet couple! A rocky start leads to a strong bond and a lot of spice! Plus, justice is served in a dark and satisfying way.
May 12, 2025
Translation below:
Det var väl ett jävla tjatande om att hon är sjuksköterska!
"Could you please repeat what Molly was again, I didn't catch it?"
No, but seriously. Pretty good story, funny and just the right amount of silly/hotness.
But it bugged me to 10000s: 'I a nurse'.
To be honest, she is nurse fresh from school, what does she know?!?!?!?
And it can't be 50% of her personality and the other 50% daddy issues 🤦♀️
But funny enough to finish 🥳
Det var väl ett jävla tjatande om att hon är sjuksköterska!
"Could you please repeat what Molly was again, I didn't catch it?"
No, but seriously. Pretty good story, funny and just the right amount of silly/hotness.
But it bugged me to 10000s: 'I a nurse'.
To be honest, she is nurse fresh from school, what does she know?!?!?!?
And it can't be 50% of her personality and the other 50% daddy issues 🤦♀️
But funny enough to finish 🥳
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews