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The Skeptics' Guide to Love #1
The Skeptics' Guide to the Mysteries of the Universe
Haunted pasts. History Nerds. Hot New Orleans Nights.
Grad student and New Orleans ghost tour operator Julie Deveaux is used to believing in things she cannot see. Although with her family history, spirits lurking beyond French Quarter galleries seem more plausible than true love or soul mates.
With romantic entanglements the last thing on her mind, Julie would do anything to complete her thesis research and exonerate infamous murderess Sophia Durocher in the process. Anything, that is, except further harass Sophia’s already spotlight-weary family.
However, a collision in Jackson Square puts her in the path of infuriatingly handsome fellow history-buff Griffin, and Julie is unable to ignore her attraction. After they accidentally exchange copies of a rare book, Julie gets insights into Griffin, revealing someone who grapples with the same big questions as she does. As the two grow closer, this man (whose weird internet search history might just rival her own) begins breaking down her walls one by one.
But when Griffin turns out to be the grandson of her thesis subject, Julie walks a dangerous line. He could be the key to all of the answers she seeks. But solving Sophie Durocher's mystery could mean losing the one man who makes her rethink her belief in soul mates.
Grad student and New Orleans ghost tour operator Julie Deveaux is used to believing in things she cannot see. Although with her family history, spirits lurking beyond French Quarter galleries seem more plausible than true love or soul mates.
With romantic entanglements the last thing on her mind, Julie would do anything to complete her thesis research and exonerate infamous murderess Sophia Durocher in the process. Anything, that is, except further harass Sophia’s already spotlight-weary family.
However, a collision in Jackson Square puts her in the path of infuriatingly handsome fellow history-buff Griffin, and Julie is unable to ignore her attraction. After they accidentally exchange copies of a rare book, Julie gets insights into Griffin, revealing someone who grapples with the same big questions as she does. As the two grow closer, this man (whose weird internet search history might just rival her own) begins breaking down her walls one by one.
But when Griffin turns out to be the grandson of her thesis subject, Julie walks a dangerous line. He could be the key to all of the answers she seeks. But solving Sophie Durocher's mystery could mean losing the one man who makes her rethink her belief in soul mates.
- GenresContemporary
128 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2017
13 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Arden
7 books21 followersJessica Arden writes cozy mysteries, and quirky contemporary romance, usually with a supernatural twist. She’s stomped grapes in her native California, hiked 350 miles on an ancient pilgrimage route in Spain, had breakfast with a coatimundi in Costa Rica, and spent the night in a monastery. But no matter where life takes her, her true north will always be with her husband and two energetic boys.
When she’s not writing, you can find Jessica teaching, designing graphics, logos, and book covers, making crafts (she’s currently obsessed with vinyl and stickers), reading tarot cards for her characters, and working on non-fiction projects.
Jessica also writes non-fiction for writers, including Tarot for Fiction Writers as Jessica Arden Cline.
When she’s not writing, you can find Jessica teaching, designing graphics, logos, and book covers, making crafts (she’s currently obsessed with vinyl and stickers), reading tarot cards for her characters, and working on non-fiction projects.
Jessica also writes non-fiction for writers, including Tarot for Fiction Writers as Jessica Arden Cline.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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December 19, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/19/2017)! 💝
***Previously published as part of the Under Your Spell Boxed Set***
Blurb:
Haunted pasts. History Nerds. Hot New Orleans Nights.
Grad student and New Orleans ghost tour operator Julie Deveaux is used to believing in things she cannot see. Although with her family history, spirits lurking beyond French Quarter galleries seem more plausible than true love or soul mates.
With romantic entanglements the last thing on her mind, Julie would do anything to complete her thesis research and exonerate infamous murderess Sophia Durocher in the process. Anything, that is, except further harass Sophia’s already spotlight-weary family.
However, when a collision in Jackson Square puts her in the path of infuriatingly handsome fellow history-buff Griffin, Julie is unable to ignore her attraction. When they accidentally exchange copies of a rare book, Julie gets insights into Griffin, revealing someone who grapples with the same big questions as she does. As the two grow closer, this man (whose weird internet search history might just rival her own) begins breaking down her walls one by one.
But when Griffin turns out to be the grandson of her thesis subject, Julie walks a dangerous line. He could be the key to all of the answers she seeks. But solving Sophie Durocher's mystery could mean losing the one man who makes her rethink her belief in soul mates.
What people are saying about The Skeptics' Guide to the Mysteries of the Universe:
"lf you like your romances quirky, smart and nerdy this book is for you." - Bernadette C.
"Ghost tours, otherworldly sightings, allure and mystery! This story has it all."
-April W.
***Previously published as part of the Under Your Spell Boxed Set***
Blurb:
Haunted pasts. History Nerds. Hot New Orleans Nights.
Grad student and New Orleans ghost tour operator Julie Deveaux is used to believing in things she cannot see. Although with her family history, spirits lurking beyond French Quarter galleries seem more plausible than true love or soul mates.
With romantic entanglements the last thing on her mind, Julie would do anything to complete her thesis research and exonerate infamous murderess Sophia Durocher in the process. Anything, that is, except further harass Sophia’s already spotlight-weary family.
However, when a collision in Jackson Square puts her in the path of infuriatingly handsome fellow history-buff Griffin, Julie is unable to ignore her attraction. When they accidentally exchange copies of a rare book, Julie gets insights into Griffin, revealing someone who grapples with the same big questions as she does. As the two grow closer, this man (whose weird internet search history might just rival her own) begins breaking down her walls one by one.
But when Griffin turns out to be the grandson of her thesis subject, Julie walks a dangerous line. He could be the key to all of the answers she seeks. But solving Sophie Durocher's mystery could mean losing the one man who makes her rethink her belief in soul mates.
What people are saying about The Skeptics' Guide to the Mysteries of the Universe:
"lf you like your romances quirky, smart and nerdy this book is for you." - Bernadette C.
"Ghost tours, otherworldly sightings, allure and mystery! This story has it all."
-April W.
July 21, 2020
I really wanted to give this book four stars, but the gigantic plot hole near the end was just too big. Ms. Arden acknowledges the horrendous problem in the book, but she still left it in and it ruined the book for me.
Julie is a grad student and a guide with the family's NOL tour business. Her interest is in history, but for some reason her master's thesis is on a fairly recent murder. She gets a lot of (understandable) grief from her advisor and Julie only has a short time to prove it's a worthwhile thesis. Griffin, the hero, is also a grad student and he works for his father's construction firm.
They meet when they bump into each other in the street. It turns out they are both carrying the same book and they immediately hit it off. Unfortunately, Griffin just wrote a very critical blog post about her family's tour guide business and people are cancelling right and left. Another problem is that Griffin is the grandson of the woman who was convicted of the murders.
If you want to know, here is the plot problem:
Julie is a grad student and a guide with the family's NOL tour business. Her interest is in history, but for some reason her master's thesis is on a fairly recent murder. She gets a lot of (understandable) grief from her advisor and Julie only has a short time to prove it's a worthwhile thesis. Griffin, the hero, is also a grad student and he works for his father's construction firm.
They meet when they bump into each other in the street. It turns out they are both carrying the same book and they immediately hit it off. Unfortunately, Griffin just wrote a very critical blog post about her family's tour guide business and people are cancelling right and left. Another problem is that Griffin is the grandson of the woman who was convicted of the murders.
If you want to know, here is the plot problem:
March 30, 2017
I loved this reading, it was different from what I have read, I guess that title is a little misleading. It is written in 3rd person point of view, and at first I was absolutely hooked with the sequence of events, by the middle of my reading I didn't know what to expect or think, but soon enough I was eager to know everything. It was a surprise for me, I thought it was a different kind of book, but I loved it, I recommend it, is smart, light and nerdy, and easy to handle if you are initiating yourself on the world of reading. The cover deserves a special mention because it is beautiful and it´s beautifuly related to the plot, I'm a fan of beautiful book's covers, and I should mention that cover.
March 11, 2019
Loved this book. Only regret is I’ve had this on my list for too long, should have read it ages ago. Quick read and loved the characters. Wish it was longer, would love to their story to continue. Looking forward to reading the next one.
March 13, 2017
First of all, the cover looks lovely!
I guess I would have liked the book more if I, as a reader, was more involved in solving the mystery. However, given that this is just a novella, I guess it didn't have that opportunity. Reading in a third person point of view is not really my preference and at times, it just felt that the story telling is a bit too formal in my opinion. I hope this review makes sense.
*Copy given in exchange of an honest review.
I guess I would have liked the book more if I, as a reader, was more involved in solving the mystery. However, given that this is just a novella, I guess it didn't have that opportunity. Reading in a third person point of view is not really my preference and at times, it just felt that the story telling is a bit too formal in my opinion. I hope this review makes sense.
*Copy given in exchange of an honest review.
January 6, 2017
A sexy, nerdy New Adult romance set in New Orleans amidst ghost tours, Tarot card readings, and mysterious murders. The plot of this novella was perfect for me, and the author's funny, smart writing was the powdered sugar on the beignet.
March 24, 2019
Fantastic story and great characters.
Loved this story. Great characters, a wonderful setting, and a very unique plot. I definitely recommend this! Plus it's always fun to read about fellow nerds.
Loved this story. Great characters, a wonderful setting, and a very unique plot. I definitely recommend this! Plus it's always fun to read about fellow nerds.
December 7, 2017
Great read!
Set in New Orleans, there are those that believe in paranormal and those that don't. Girl meets boy only to find out he is the grandson of a woman she is writing her thesis on. Together they solve the mystery and right wrongs.
Set in New Orleans, there are those that believe in paranormal and those that don't. Girl meets boy only to find out he is the grandson of a woman she is writing her thesis on. Together they solve the mystery and right wrongs.
December 31, 2017
Perfect book to finish out 2017!
March 25, 2018
Exciting quick read.
December 13, 2017
It just wasn't for me.
I reached for this book because we are promised "Haunted pasts. (...) Hot New Orleans Nights." I wanted to feel the atmosphere of New Orlean, of those shady psychics and creepy houses. Turned out it was just a tiny part of the book. The rest consisted of a slightly boring romance between two people who were supposed to have sad past, but really it wasn't that dramatic. The murder case was unrealistic. I can't believe the police wouldn't do the basic background check.
I enjoyed the writing though. I don't usually like stories presented in 3rd person but it work here. Loved the X-files references.
I bet some will enjoy this book much more than I did.
April 25, 2017
A sweet and charming read!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews