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Mack's Marvelous Manifestations #5
Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town
Apprentices, and two ghost towns, and almost-demons oh…no.
Mack doesn’t mind the apprentice part of this job; in fact, finding Gwyn is delightful, though he hates she grew up in such a haunted town with parents who don’t believe she’s a Medium.
Mack really hates the old mining ghost town is locked down with weird energy and none of the ghosts can see them, which makes passing them difficult.
Mack especially hates that in Black Rock there’s an almost-demon ghost inciting other ghosts to cause a mob, how is that allowed to be a thing?!
Who you gonna call for help when you’re the experts? Mack wants to know for a friend. (Him. He’s the friend.)
Mack has found hell on earth, this was not on his bucket list, Accidental apprentice acquisition, Lachlan is back!, ghost gangs, chaos magician, Seiji is a new bonk bro, wedding, almost demons lurking, too much water and limestone for a medium’s peace of mind, uncharted haunted mines make Lachlan’s day, Eli is her usual scary self, Mack goes Wild West, Brandon can see ghosts here, that’s not a good thing, Brandon gets to have an apprentice too and can’t be happier, ghost pranks, Mack has picked too many battles, he’s putting some back, Ghost-hunting squad–assemble!
MM Romance, Multicultural Romance, Ghost Town, Ghost Medium, Age Gap, Apprentices, Wedding, HEA
This is the fifth and final book in the series following a plot crossover with the Jon's Mysteries Series. While it would be best to read the books listed in the below order, you can read Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town without having read "Book 4" with minimal confusion. To read in series order, Book 1 - Brandon's Very Merry Haunted Christmas, Book 2 - Mack's Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming, Book 3 - Mack's Rousing Ghoulish Highland Adventure, Book 4 - Jon & Mack's Terrifying Tree Troubles, and Book 5 - This title.
Mack doesn’t mind the apprentice part of this job; in fact, finding Gwyn is delightful, though he hates she grew up in such a haunted town with parents who don’t believe she’s a Medium.
Mack really hates the old mining ghost town is locked down with weird energy and none of the ghosts can see them, which makes passing them difficult.
Mack especially hates that in Black Rock there’s an almost-demon ghost inciting other ghosts to cause a mob, how is that allowed to be a thing?!
Who you gonna call for help when you’re the experts? Mack wants to know for a friend. (Him. He’s the friend.)
Mack has found hell on earth, this was not on his bucket list, Accidental apprentice acquisition, Lachlan is back!, ghost gangs, chaos magician, Seiji is a new bonk bro, wedding, almost demons lurking, too much water and limestone for a medium’s peace of mind, uncharted haunted mines make Lachlan’s day, Eli is her usual scary self, Mack goes Wild West, Brandon can see ghosts here, that’s not a good thing, Brandon gets to have an apprentice too and can’t be happier, ghost pranks, Mack has picked too many battles, he’s putting some back, Ghost-hunting squad–assemble!
MM Romance, Multicultural Romance, Ghost Town, Ghost Medium, Age Gap, Apprentices, Wedding, HEA
This is the fifth and final book in the series following a plot crossover with the Jon's Mysteries Series. While it would be best to read the books listed in the below order, you can read Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town without having read "Book 4" with minimal confusion. To read in series order, Book 1 - Brandon's Very Merry Haunted Christmas, Book 2 - Mack's Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming, Book 3 - Mack's Rousing Ghoulish Highland Adventure, Book 4 - Jon & Mack's Terrifying Tree Troubles, and Book 5 - This title.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2026
About the author
A.J. Sherwood
83 books2,098 followersAJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 15, 2026
3/5. Cute-ish end to the series? A half-assed end, tbh, but cute enough if you squint real hard and pretend. It was messy, a lot of nothing all over the place, but the concept was interesting. Everything just felt… dropped? Like, literally everything that got started or mentioned just felt like it was abandoned before it could be wrapped up or fully actualized to hurry things along. That’s cool, I guess, if you’re into that. I’m just a whore for fully-fleshed stories, and this didn’t satiate my gremlin because it was absolutely a quarter of a book. But that’s just my opinion and we all know how those are received. I gave it an extra half of a star because I feel bad for being an ass about the fact that I’m still annoyed every fucking time I see “I left errors to prove it’s not AI” like that’s doing anything other than making my bullshit detector go haywire. i LeFt ErRoRs iN mY rEviEw So yOu KnOw I d0n’T really care if you don’t like it. 😒😌
June 14, 2026
I wanted to love this one so bad! I love the ghost hunter stuff and spooky things and I've loved these characters so much throughout this series. Sadly, this ending was a bit of a let-down.
While I liked the mystery of this case and how so many of our favorite ghost wranglers came together, and I liked that Mack got his very own apprentice... It all felt a bit... unpolished. The ending most of all. It just ends. With a brief epilogue that kind of just shows a glimpse of a wedding. But this is the last book in the series, and with it, both Jon's series and Mack's, has ended. And this is the grand finale, the big goodbye (at least for now). And it just... ends. Absolutely nothing gets tied up. Hell, they haven't even fully concluded this massive case when suddenly we're in the epilogue. Also, where in the hell was that apprentice for Brandon that's mentioned in the blurb.
Honestly, it just makes me mad. And it brings back this feeling that while the author is talented and I love her ideas and such, her execution as of late leaves a lot to be desired. And I can easily guess that it's because she has too many projects going at the same time, all the time.
So yeah. Very disappointing end to a series I've loved so much.
While I liked the mystery of this case and how so many of our favorite ghost wranglers came together, and I liked that Mack got his very own apprentice... It all felt a bit... unpolished. The ending most of all. It just ends. With a brief epilogue that kind of just shows a glimpse of a wedding. But this is the last book in the series, and with it, both Jon's series and Mack's, has ended. And this is the grand finale, the big goodbye (at least for now). And it just... ends. Absolutely nothing gets tied up. Hell, they haven't even fully concluded this massive case when suddenly we're in the epilogue. Also, where in the hell was that apprentice for Brandon that's mentioned in the blurb.
Honestly, it just makes me mad. And it brings back this feeling that while the author is talented and I love her ideas and such, her execution as of late leaves a lot to be desired. And I can easily guess that it's because she has too many projects going at the same time, all the time.
So yeah. Very disappointing end to a series I've loved so much.
June 15, 2026
I'm sad that this one is the last in the series. They have been fun and full of mad adventures and this one was all of that! It was great to see so many characters show up, how they all banded together to basically save a town and they honestly needed everyone, things were so bad in town. I did love how Mack seemed to manifest an apprentice. He and Brandon were just talking about finding someone to work with and then 5 minutes later they run into a girl who desperately needed their kind of help! Gwyn's situation was awful! I was so glad the guys stumbled upon her and took quick action, she really fit in with the crew and was so eager to learn.
It was tough going to do what they needed to around town, they had to bring in someone even more specialized then they all were, but who ended up fitting in with them all so great!
The ending was perfect, loved seeing the wedding and Mack and Brandon starting their lives together.
It was tough going to do what they needed to around town, they had to bring in someone even more specialized then they all were, but who ended up fitting in with them all so great!
The ending was perfect, loved seeing the wedding and Mack and Brandon starting their lives together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2026
This book starts out great but is rushed towards the end. Still a wonderful series.
Rating: 4🌈
Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town is the finale story in the Mack's Marvelous Manifestations paranormal series by A. J. Sherwood and it’s a really good read.
I’m sorry to see this series and set of characters go, especially since Sherwood actually introduces some new and engaging characters here in the finale novel. Maybe, as the author writes in the notes, they might speak to her sometime in the future.
Brandon and Mack , new apprentice Gwyn who’s part of the story, and all the Paranormal Activity Division, FBI friends they’ve worked, all engage in two big spooky battles in Black Rock, Arizona, a mining ghost town.
“a coal mining town in Arizona—or a former coal mining town, I should say—that’s haunted as hell.”*
I’ll come back to this.
Lachlan and Seiji, chaos magician and fabulous new character as well as new romantic/paranormal partner for Lochlan, were a wonderful surprise couple. They got a small amount of narrative time and a chapter’s perspective here. Honestly they were both a lovely team and a frustrating element of the story because they were great together and then it ends. So why do it at all?
Mack and Brandon are ready to get married and settle down, a running thread here. This is the case just before they get married and are into their next adventure.
The town in Arizona, Black Rock, which is an actual copper mining town, here is a ghost town full of ghosts and things that go bump into the night. Tons of them. And the Mayor has asked for help.
There’s also a haunted coal mine outside of town with something down deep in the deserted mine shafts to deal with as well. That’s the second issue. The town’s ghosts and the thing in the mine.
Added to that is a young girl, a medium, Gywn, who needs saving from her family and the dark ghosts attacking her.
So there’s a lot of storytelling and elements that the narrative needs to handle. Which it does by bringing back multiple characters from books to help Mack and Brandon deal with the situation. And Gywn’s, who turns out to be a great delight here. She needs to be factored into Lachlan and Seiji stories.
The actual battles seemed to be more Seiji’s than anyone else’s, fierce as they were, with Lachlan and Dor’s fighting too.
Mack and Brandon took care of the rest of the ghosts, surprisingly easy as this is their story.
The locations of the mines and areas of interest, Clifton, an actual great historical copper mining town in Arizona , about 3.5 hours east of Phoenix. Check it out! The real historical coal mining sites were northeastern parts of the state in Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation lands, like the Kayenta Mine.
There’s more than one Black Mesa too. That’s directly east of Phoenix.
So in the story and town it’s a bit different than what you might expect to see historically correct sites.
But it’s a finale book, they’re headed off to get married, which they quickly do in the epilogue. Short and sweet.
I was disappointed not to see the characters who were in the story not to be mentioned in the wedding section but it’s so hurried that hardly anyone is.
This book starts out great but is rushed towards the end. Still a wonderful series.
Cover by Katie Griffin
Mack's Marvelous Manifestations (4 book series)
Brandon's Very Merry Haunted Christmas #1
Mack's Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming #2
Mack's Rousing Ghoulish Highland Adventure #3
Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town #4
Crossover series:
Jon's Mysteries Case (6 book series)
Rating: 4🌈
Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town is the finale story in the Mack's Marvelous Manifestations paranormal series by A. J. Sherwood and it’s a really good read.
I’m sorry to see this series and set of characters go, especially since Sherwood actually introduces some new and engaging characters here in the finale novel. Maybe, as the author writes in the notes, they might speak to her sometime in the future.
Brandon and Mack , new apprentice Gwyn who’s part of the story, and all the Paranormal Activity Division, FBI friends they’ve worked, all engage in two big spooky battles in Black Rock, Arizona, a mining ghost town.
“a coal mining town in Arizona—or a former coal mining town, I should say—that’s haunted as hell.”*
I’ll come back to this.
Lachlan and Seiji, chaos magician and fabulous new character as well as new romantic/paranormal partner for Lochlan, were a wonderful surprise couple. They got a small amount of narrative time and a chapter’s perspective here. Honestly they were both a lovely team and a frustrating element of the story because they were great together and then it ends. So why do it at all?
Mack and Brandon are ready to get married and settle down, a running thread here. This is the case just before they get married and are into their next adventure.
The town in Arizona, Black Rock, which is an actual copper mining town, here is a ghost town full of ghosts and things that go bump into the night. Tons of them. And the Mayor has asked for help.
There’s also a haunted coal mine outside of town with something down deep in the deserted mine shafts to deal with as well. That’s the second issue. The town’s ghosts and the thing in the mine.
Added to that is a young girl, a medium, Gywn, who needs saving from her family and the dark ghosts attacking her.
So there’s a lot of storytelling and elements that the narrative needs to handle. Which it does by bringing back multiple characters from books to help Mack and Brandon deal with the situation. And Gywn’s, who turns out to be a great delight here. She needs to be factored into Lachlan and Seiji stories.
The actual battles seemed to be more Seiji’s than anyone else’s, fierce as they were, with Lachlan and Dor’s fighting too.
Mack and Brandon took care of the rest of the ghosts, surprisingly easy as this is their story.
The locations of the mines and areas of interest, Clifton, an actual great historical copper mining town in Arizona , about 3.5 hours east of Phoenix. Check it out! The real historical coal mining sites were northeastern parts of the state in Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation lands, like the Kayenta Mine.
There’s more than one Black Mesa too. That’s directly east of Phoenix.
So in the story and town it’s a bit different than what you might expect to see historically correct sites.
But it’s a finale book, they’re headed off to get married, which they quickly do in the epilogue. Short and sweet.
I was disappointed not to see the characters who were in the story not to be mentioned in the wedding section but it’s so hurried that hardly anyone is.
This book starts out great but is rushed towards the end. Still a wonderful series.
Cover by Katie Griffin
Mack's Marvelous Manifestations (4 book series)
Brandon's Very Merry Haunted Christmas #1
Mack's Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming #2
Mack's Rousing Ghoulish Highland Adventure #3
Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town #4
Crossover series:
Jon's Mysteries Case (6 book series)
June 12, 2026
Seriously disappointing. I do love AJ Sherwood. Brilliant author. But i'm seriously disappointed in this one book. Enough that i'm feeling it in my body.
I literally just finished reading it. It took me less than 6 hours to read it, and frankly that just makes me feel it was incredibly short. I didn't finish any of the other books in the series THAT fast, even when reading without a break. This one felt incredibly short and...fast. Not like rushed, no, but still fast somehow. Or just plain short.
Quite a few details felt like they were just a wasted opportunity to write more important stuff. I don't know how to explain it better. The "case" on the plane felt like it was just filler, and once more a wasted opportunity. Why the heck would we want to read filler, instead of getting more of the important stuff, like their wedding?
And seriously? The last book in the series, and this is the end we're getting? ARE YOU SERIOUS???? THIS MUST BE A JOKE. Because this ending was absolutely RIDICULOUS!!!
I don't even care about spoilers. How can we NOT get at least SOME details on their last weeks in that town? How can we NOT get all of them parting ways and saying goodbye, and whether Seiji will become FBI? How can we NOT get Gwyn meeting the Havili family, and Mack's mother, at least through a video call? And also, are you JOKING with that wedding???? Like 14 pages, and we only get Brandon and Don having a short chat for most of the pages and Brandon and Mack saying "I Do" for like...2-3 pages, and NOTHING ELSE???? The finale, and THIS IS WHAT WE GET?????
I do love the author, and i do apologize if i'm offending, but this is SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTING!!!! I'm seriously disappointed in this author. Sure, the spooks and action scenes were plenty cool and detailed, but also actually felt TOO detailed in places and like it was wasted space that could've been filled with something more important.
It felt like the author didn't give as much focus and interest in this book as they did in others. Frankly, knowing the author, it feels like they took on writing too many books and thus can't give every book the attention and interest it deserves. It feels like the author just wanted to get the book out faster and be done with it. Like they couldn't wait to be done with it.
It was so disappointing when i turned the page and i was suddenly at the Epilogue, that i just had to stop and say "wtf?" and seriously wanted to fling my phone across the room, cursing at it.
THAT'S IT??????!!!! How can that POSSIBLY be it?????!!!!!
The final book. The one we've been waiting for sooo freakin' long... And what do we get? A major disappointment.
Ugh. Now i'm gonna feel all depressed for the rest of the day, because of this major disappointment. *sigh*
I want my money back....
I'm a huge fan of AJ Sherwood, like i said, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be afraid to say when I'm incredibly disappointed in the author and a book they've written. I refuse to lie just put of fear of offending. If they can't take a little criticism, it's not my problem. It doesn't mean they're not a brilliant author anymore or that I'm not going to read their future books. It just means that I'm disappointed in this one book and how they've written it, being made to feel like the author didn't give as much interest and focus to it. Maybe they had, but it definitely didn't feel that way to me.
(I'm only giving it 5 stars because i love the other books in the series. But in my heart, it's 0 stars. Not even 1 star.)
I literally just finished reading it. It took me less than 6 hours to read it, and frankly that just makes me feel it was incredibly short. I didn't finish any of the other books in the series THAT fast, even when reading without a break. This one felt incredibly short and...fast. Not like rushed, no, but still fast somehow. Or just plain short.
Quite a few details felt like they were just a wasted opportunity to write more important stuff. I don't know how to explain it better. The "case" on the plane felt like it was just filler, and once more a wasted opportunity. Why the heck would we want to read filler, instead of getting more of the important stuff, like their wedding?
And seriously? The last book in the series, and this is the end we're getting? ARE YOU SERIOUS???? THIS MUST BE A JOKE. Because this ending was absolutely RIDICULOUS!!!
I don't even care about spoilers. How can we NOT get at least SOME details on their last weeks in that town? How can we NOT get all of them parting ways and saying goodbye, and whether Seiji will become FBI? How can we NOT get Gwyn meeting the Havili family, and Mack's mother, at least through a video call? And also, are you JOKING with that wedding???? Like 14 pages, and we only get Brandon and Don having a short chat for most of the pages and Brandon and Mack saying "I Do" for like...2-3 pages, and NOTHING ELSE???? The finale, and THIS IS WHAT WE GET?????
I do love the author, and i do apologize if i'm offending, but this is SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTING!!!! I'm seriously disappointed in this author. Sure, the spooks and action scenes were plenty cool and detailed, but also actually felt TOO detailed in places and like it was wasted space that could've been filled with something more important.
It felt like the author didn't give as much focus and interest in this book as they did in others. Frankly, knowing the author, it feels like they took on writing too many books and thus can't give every book the attention and interest it deserves. It feels like the author just wanted to get the book out faster and be done with it. Like they couldn't wait to be done with it.
It was so disappointing when i turned the page and i was suddenly at the Epilogue, that i just had to stop and say "wtf?" and seriously wanted to fling my phone across the room, cursing at it.
THAT'S IT??????!!!! How can that POSSIBLY be it?????!!!!!
The final book. The one we've been waiting for sooo freakin' long... And what do we get? A major disappointment.
Ugh. Now i'm gonna feel all depressed for the rest of the day, because of this major disappointment. *sigh*
I want my money back....
I'm a huge fan of AJ Sherwood, like i said, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be afraid to say when I'm incredibly disappointed in the author and a book they've written. I refuse to lie just put of fear of offending. If they can't take a little criticism, it's not my problem. It doesn't mean they're not a brilliant author anymore or that I'm not going to read their future books. It just means that I'm disappointed in this one book and how they've written it, being made to feel like the author didn't give as much interest and focus to it. Maybe they had, but it definitely didn't feel that way to me.
(I'm only giving it 5 stars because i love the other books in the series. But in my heart, it's 0 stars. Not even 1 star.)
June 20, 2026
Special Agent Mackensie Lafayette and his Anchor and fiancé Special Agent Brandon Havili of the FBI Paranormal Activity Division are on their way to Black Rock Arizona where they will join a number of their other colleagues to clean out a real ghost mining town that has started to turn deadly to some of it’s residents. Mack had just been discussing taking on an apprentice when one dropped in his lap the next day. Brandon may not have been able to see ghosts himself but he could tell the teenager was fighting off one on the sidewalk. Mack knew by her aura that she was going to be as strong a medium as he was someday but when they went to meet her parents he was appalled at how they refused to believe she was a medium, saw ghosts and was being constantly harassed and physically harmed by some of the town’s more aggressive ghosts. Good thing they brought along the police so that they could remove Gwyn from the toxic home she lived in without more aggression from her parents. Pulling in Mack’s mentors Beau and Hannah were going to be a great help raising this one. Especially since she had to be protected now from the malignant forces inhabiting the town and the mine. Even with 10 of them they still had to request a special supe to end this madness once and for all.
Watching a story come together one chapter at a time on the author’s Patreon is thrilling but there is nothing like getting the final product in your hands. Can’t wait to but the audiobook once it comes out
Watching a story come together one chapter at a time on the author’s Patreon is thrilling but there is nothing like getting the final product in your hands. Can’t wait to but the audiobook once it comes out
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A.J. Sherwood has done it again with another delightful installation and conclusion to this series! I adore the magic in this universe and I’m happy to be back on another adventure with Mack and Brandon who have managed to find an even bigger disaster area than last time! This book is once again filled with delightful A.J. Sherwood humour alongside a sweet relationship and the love and support that only a Havili can provide. I was so happy to see all the friends that were brought into this book even though it meant something very very bad had happened. I love seeing Eli’s crew as well as Lachlan who were just as wonderful as when they were first introduced. It’s so much fun seeing how well everyone gets along and the amount of chaos that happens when everyone is together! I was also a huge fan of all the new characters that were introduced and very hopeful about some more additions to this universe with some of them possibly? While the mess in this book required more help than the last book (which is a frame of reference for bad bad things in this book) it was not as spooky as the last book was. I didn’t have any trouble reading this book as someone who is easily spooked and I really enjoyed following along on their adventures to banish all the big bads. And of course it was wonderful meeting Gwyn and seeing Mack also get an apprentice to teach. I was very very frustrated with Gwyn’s parents and very very happy about all the good revenge that Gwyn was able to get with the help of Mack and the rest of the crew! While I am sad that we won’t be seeing more of Mack and Brandon, I am very pleased with this story and I had so much fun reading it. A.J. Sherwood is one of my favourite authors and as soon as this dropped into my inbox I dropped everything to pick it up and I have no regrets!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
A.J. Sherwood is one of my very favorite authors. I have reread her books multiple times. I knew that this was the last one of the series and so I tried to make it last.
I was hoping characters we fell in love with in other books would make an appearance and they did! I was not disappointed. Sherwood's character development is amazing. You feel like you would know these characters if you met them on the street.
Mack is a medium and he has what every psychic wishes they had a Havili as an anchor. I think all of us queer people wish we had the Havili parents.
This story takes place in a very haunted ghost town with some seriously bad ghosts. The ghosts are so bad it takes everybody we know and love to help. Eli and her husbands are there, and I liked we saw a bit more of Booker in this book. I always thought he was someone I would like to know and that was confirmed in this book.
We also met a new character in Seiji. He is a chaos magician and a great addition. I so hope that Lachlan and Seiji start talking to AJ so we can have another spinoff series. I am too sad about leaving this world behind.
I tried to read this book very slowly, allowing myself only a bit each day, alas it came to an end all to quickly.
I hope that you enjoy this conclusion to the series even more than I did, and hopefully we will see them again!
I was hoping characters we fell in love with in other books would make an appearance and they did! I was not disappointed. Sherwood's character development is amazing. You feel like you would know these characters if you met them on the street.
Mack is a medium and he has what every psychic wishes they had a Havili as an anchor. I think all of us queer people wish we had the Havili parents.
This story takes place in a very haunted ghost town with some seriously bad ghosts. The ghosts are so bad it takes everybody we know and love to help. Eli and her husbands are there, and I liked we saw a bit more of Booker in this book. I always thought he was someone I would like to know and that was confirmed in this book.
We also met a new character in Seiji. He is a chaos magician and a great addition. I so hope that Lachlan and Seiji start talking to AJ so we can have another spinoff series. I am too sad about leaving this world behind.
I tried to read this book very slowly, allowing myself only a bit each day, alas it came to an end all to quickly.
I hope that you enjoy this conclusion to the series even more than I did, and hopefully we will see them again!
Review of advance copy received from Author
My reviews are my own. If you enjoyed this book, I’m glad you did. If not, I respect your opinion, so please respect mine. This is simply my view, so let's keep it courteous. My review is honest and voluntary.
I'm so sad this series is over! It's been such a wonderful ride getting to know all of these characters and spending time in this world. I especially loved the apprentice and enjoyed seeing their journey unfold.
As always, this book was fun, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny. My only real complaint is that it didn't always feel like Mack was the main character. There were so many perspectives and storylines competing for attention that it sometimes took the focus away from the central couple. I also felt that the "new" relationship developed a little too quickly and could have used more time to grow naturally. In addition, many times I felt that everyone else were more of an MC than the MC's, everyone seemed more OP than them. Maybe a segue for a spinoff? But I like my MC's to be the OP ones and the focus of the book on them.
That said, this was still a fantastic read. This entire series has become my go-to comfort read whenever I need a laugh. The characters feel real, flawed, and lovable, which is a big part of why I've become so attached to them.
I'm genuinely sad to say goodbye to this world and these characters, but what a fun journey it has been!
I will definitely reread over and over and hope we get a novella or spin-off on the new couple. Maybe another joint story on a family vacation?!?! I just don't want to say goodbye!
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
I'm so sad this series is over! It's been such a wonderful ride getting to know all of these characters and spending time in this world. I especially loved the apprentice and enjoyed seeing their journey unfold.
As always, this book was fun, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny. My only real complaint is that it didn't always feel like Mack was the main character. There were so many perspectives and storylines competing for attention that it sometimes took the focus away from the central couple. I also felt that the "new" relationship developed a little too quickly and could have used more time to grow naturally. In addition, many times I felt that everyone else were more of an MC than the MC's, everyone seemed more OP than them. Maybe a segue for a spinoff? But I like my MC's to be the OP ones and the focus of the book on them.
That said, this was still a fantastic read. This entire series has become my go-to comfort read whenever I need a laugh. The characters feel real, flawed, and lovable, which is a big part of why I've become so attached to them.
I'm genuinely sad to say goodbye to this world and these characters, but what a fun journey it has been!
I will definitely reread over and over and hope we get a novella or spin-off on the new couple. Maybe another joint story on a family vacation?!?! I just don't want to say goodbye!
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
June 21, 2026
I love this series, but this last installment did not do the series justice. It felt like the book was a “to do” and the author wanted to get it over with. It missed the good vibes the previous books had. I still liked it, but mostly because of the established characters. There was a hint of a spin off, but the author said in the afterword that there are no guarantees.
The thing that bugged me the most was that the characters were constantly complaining, but then by so called funny remarks. Yes we got that this case was not easy. It also felt weird that they would be sent in but there were no regular agents to assist with all other not-ghost retlated stuff. For the clearing of a whole town… So yeah this book did not do the series justice.
The thing that bugged me the most was that the characters were constantly complaining, but then by so called funny remarks. Yes we got that this case was not easy. It also felt weird that they would be sent in but there were no regular agents to assist with all other not-ghost retlated stuff. For the clearing of a whole town… So yeah this book did not do the series justice.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Conclusion of a great series. Lots of characters from the previous books, plus two new ones: an apprentice for Mack and a possible boyfriend for Lochlan. I’ll probably binge reread the whole series every two or three years. Since we now have three apprentices I’m hoping for an eventual spinoff series with the apprentices as the main characters. Or perhaps just a novella like Alan's Utterly Accidental Dream-Cute.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A fitting ending to this series, with the biggest and baddest haunting ever. While there were a lot of very dangerous beings to battle, it wasn't as tense and spooky as the Tree Troubles. They really needed all hands on deck, which gave a good opportunity to include a lot of the characters from previous books, and added a few new ones. There were so many characters given space that there wasn't as much left for Mack and Brandon.
A spin-off series featuring Seiji would be very welcome, a chaos magician sounds very unusual.
Thanks for the advance copy via NetGalley, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
A spin-off series featuring Seiji would be very welcome, a chaos magician sounds very unusual.
Thanks for the advance copy via NetGalley, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
June 15, 2026
I’ve really enjoyed this series but…
Well to start with it’s a quick read. I couldn’t believe just how quick.
Everything was going well. I absolutely loved Gwyn and couldn’t wait for the big meet the family moment. I mean the Havili family is just going to love her.
And that in the end was my main problem. The meet moment happened off page. I was gutted. Also the wedding was a blink and miss it moment as well.
I like all the characters which is good because I don’t feel Mack is enough to carry a book. Jon was different I could read about Jon all day.
All that said it’s still an enjoyable read. I just felt being the last Mack & Brandon book it would have tied itself up better.
Well to start with it’s a quick read. I couldn’t believe just how quick.
Everything was going well. I absolutely loved Gwyn and couldn’t wait for the big meet the family moment. I mean the Havili family is just going to love her.
And that in the end was my main problem. The meet moment happened off page. I was gutted. Also the wedding was a blink and miss it moment as well.
I like all the characters which is good because I don’t feel Mack is enough to carry a book. Jon was different I could read about Jon all day.
All that said it’s still an enjoyable read. I just felt being the last Mack & Brandon book it would have tied itself up better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a fun conclusion to Mack and Brandon's story! Hate to say that it is the final book in the series, but it was great to see a bunch of favorite characters come back. Including Eli with Booker and Quinn and Lachlan from Scotland. We also were introduced to Lachlan's cousin Davina, an apprentice and the fun new psychic Seiji.
I hope this isn't the end to this universe, I would love to see a book or series with Lachlan and Seiji. No matter what, I and anticipating the next book released by AJ Sherwood!
I hope this isn't the end to this universe, I would love to see a book or series with Lachlan and Seiji. No matter what, I and anticipating the next book released by AJ Sherwood!
June 14, 2026
Loved It!
I really love this series. Mack and Brandon‘s relationship has grown stronger and stronger. I love the way they interact with each other.
In this book, they have a Ghost Town and a nearby town to clear out of ghosts and some other nasties. Mac and Brandon are I joined in the adventure by Ellie and her husband’s, Mack’s mentor Beau and Hanna, Lachlan and his cousin Davina join in and a new comer a Chaos Magician joins them to help with the ghost town. All the while teaching Mack’s new apprentice.
I loved this book and I REALLY wish it wasn’t the last book.
I really love this series. Mack and Brandon‘s relationship has grown stronger and stronger. I love the way they interact with each other.
In this book, they have a Ghost Town and a nearby town to clear out of ghosts and some other nasties. Mac and Brandon are I joined in the adventure by Ellie and her husband’s, Mack’s mentor Beau and Hanna, Lachlan and his cousin Davina join in and a new comer a Chaos Magician joins them to help with the ghost town. All the while teaching Mack’s new apprentice.
I loved this book and I REALLY wish it wasn’t the last book.
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June 14, 2026I wasn't ready
How do I put into words that I absolutely wasn't ready for Mack and Brandon's last chapter to end? This world of physics is one of my comfort reads whether its Jon or Mack with their Havili. Mack was such a riot with his Creole temper, Brandon's protective instinct, an apprentice, Lachlan's surprise chapter, AND a new psychic for him?! Just YES. I truly hope any of these beautiful characters speak again in the future. They've all been a light to help my own path seem brighter.
How do I put into words that I absolutely wasn't ready for Mack and Brandon's last chapter to end? This world of physics is one of my comfort reads whether its Jon or Mack with their Havili. Mack was such a riot with his Creole temper, Brandon's protective instinct, an apprentice, Lachlan's surprise chapter, AND a new psychic for him?! Just YES. I truly hope any of these beautiful characters speak again in the future. They've all been a light to help my own path seem brighter.
June 16, 2026
Mack and Brandon tie the knot
Before they can get married, they need to clear ghosts out of a small town, and the dark presence in the ghost town next door. Really, this book is about 90% fighting ghosts and the unreasonable parents of a young medium. There is a tiny amount of sex and wedding planning, most of which is handed off to professionals.
There is also a new character for Lachlan to drool over. Seiji is awesome. AJ does not yet have plans to write their story, but I hope she'll change her mind!
Before they can get married, they need to clear ghosts out of a small town, and the dark presence in the ghost town next door. Really, this book is about 90% fighting ghosts and the unreasonable parents of a young medium. There is a tiny amount of sex and wedding planning, most of which is handed off to professionals.
There is also a new character for Lachlan to drool over. Seiji is awesome. AJ does not yet have plans to write their story, but I hope she'll change her mind!
June 17, 2026
Mack & Brandon
I really enjoyed this universe. I feel like it could keep going but we’ll have to wait and see if the characters keep talking to the author. The team ends up in a haunted old mining town with a load of issues. They need all the help they can get. Lachlan’s cousin, Davina, Beau and Hannah, Sieji who is full of chaos, Eli, Quinn and Booker, and Gwen the new apprentice who they adopt along the way. The gang is all here and they are ready to take on all the colors of ghosts. Excellent read.
I really enjoyed this universe. I feel like it could keep going but we’ll have to wait and see if the characters keep talking to the author. The team ends up in a haunted old mining town with a load of issues. They need all the help they can get. Lachlan’s cousin, Davina, Beau and Hannah, Sieji who is full of chaos, Eli, Quinn and Booker, and Gwen the new apprentice who they adopt along the way. The gang is all here and they are ready to take on all the colors of ghosts. Excellent read.
June 21, 2026
I'm actually sad I have to say goodbye to these characters. I feltt he same with the Jon series, these characters have wormed their way into my heart. As usual the jobs keep getting weirder and harder for Mack and Brandon. I loved having the gang all together again and with a lunatic case to boot. When I thought it couldnt get any crazier it kept going and going. I loved how protective they were with Gwen. I honestly wish I could punch her parents. I really want more of these characters. I hope A.J Sherwoods writes more of this same universe. 5/5 stars.
June 21, 2026
Mack’s Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town
Book 4 and the last in the series. Their latest job takes them to Arizona and possibly the hardest one yet. Dealing with a haunted town and a haunted mine with some seriously bad ghosts and more, they are joined by most of their friends and Mack gets an apprentice plus they meet a Chaos Magician who is a serious bad ass and all round great guy.
Book 4 and the last in the series. Their latest job takes them to Arizona and possibly the hardest one yet. Dealing with a haunted town and a haunted mine with some seriously bad ghosts and more, they are joined by most of their friends and Mack gets an apprentice plus they meet a Chaos Magician who is a serious bad ass and all round great guy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg what a finale!!! I literally could NOT put this book down. All the Mack team players are there (Lachlan 😮) Eli, Booker & Quinn along with a couple of new ones. Gwyn was beautifully written and had a very real grasp on my heart bless her. The adventure did not stop in this book from beginning to end. This is going to be a firm favourite reread for me! A very very deserved 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the last book of the series, and I found it poignant that it is just as good as all the others if not better. There’s ghosts, there’s a beastie, which means Lachlan‘s running around with a sword, there’s almost demons. Mack finds an apprentice along the way. This will definitely be a series that I return to time again.
I am hopeful the Author will expand the world.
I am hopeful the Author will expand the world.
June 12, 2026
For Mack and Brandon their new case is a team effort and goes downhill before it can even get started. A huge case of not just scope but areas, plural. It's not all doom and gloom because as the blurb says, apprentices, Lachlan, Eli, a wedding, 5th and final in series so best read in order.
I loved this book and will definitely be rereading!
I loved this book and will definitely be rereading!
June 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC.
I adore AJ Sherwood, all their books are always an adorable, quirky and romantic ride. The newest installment in Mack and Brandon’s adventure is no different. If you are already a fan of this series you won’t be disappointed. If you’re new to this world then you’re into a great story once you get here.
I adore AJ Sherwood, all their books are always an adorable, quirky and romantic ride. The newest installment in Mack and Brandon’s adventure is no different. If you are already a fan of this series you won’t be disappointed. If you’re new to this world then you’re into a great story once you get here.
Read
June 15, 2026Loved it!
Mack is performing his magic again along with Brandon as his anchor and his love. A large group of people with various talents have to get together to defeat various evils. Among them a new one, Gwyn who Mack will be teaching all he can and protecting her as well. Some others may be joining the group as their talents are different and needed.
Mack is performing his magic again along with Brandon as his anchor and his love. A large group of people with various talents have to get together to defeat various evils. Among them a new one, Gwyn who Mack will be teaching all he can and protecting her as well. Some others may be joining the group as their talents are different and needed.
June 16, 2026
I love this series, and have been waiting on this book. It closed the series so well, I loved the way it pulled all old and new characters together to solve the ghostly mystery. It set the scene perfectly for Lachlan’s book. So sad there are no more, Jon and Mack with the Havilli brothers, gonna miss you guys .
June 16, 2026
Sad that this is the final book, especially since the author introduced some new awesome characters that I’d love to see more of. This ghost town was hellaciously creepy and definitely had me wanting a nightlight in my room. Loved seeing the finale, so to speak, of Mack and Brandon’s relationship. A great series overall.
June 17, 2026
It didn't quite hit the spot? There was too much telling to the show-and-tell balance. How difficult this case they were assigned was mentioned tediously too often. I was like, yes, you've said it's really a lot of work like a million times; can we get to actual action?
There was a lot of action, truth be told, but it was only as much as the case-is-horrible mentions.
There was a lot of action, truth be told, but it was only as much as the case-is-horrible mentions.
June 20, 2026
Great ending to this series!
I loved this series! Mack and Brandon are the best. AJ's writing made you see what was happening out in the desert, you could feel the dry heat and see all the ghosts. I am very sad this is the last book in this series but I hope Lachlan gets one... Hint, hint.
I loved this series! Mack and Brandon are the best. AJ's writing made you see what was happening out in the desert, you could feel the dry heat and see all the ghosts. I am very sad this is the last book in this series but I hope Lachlan gets one... Hint, hint.
June 21, 2026
This is the last ( I think) in this series. The gang are back together and go down to the southwest to fight ghosts in 3 small towns. Mack finds a new apprentice, Gwen, who is bullied by the ghosts and whose parents don't seem to believe her.
There is a bit at the end about the wedding but it would have been nice to see more.
There is a bit at the end about the wedding but it would have been nice to see more.
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