The Ghost and Mrs. Miller

by Sandra Tilley

Libby Miller is a good Southern girl, and good Southern girls know the rules. But fate has no rules. On her nineteenth wedding anniversary, fate whips up a tornado of turmoil when Libby finds her husband Neil in the arms of his assistant. But the storm’s not over. Neil flips his BMW, and Libby comes home to find his ghost in the dining room. How is Libby supposed to grieve and move on with Neil’s ever-present, meddling ethereal presence in her life?

With her twentieth high school reunion looming, Libby finds herself torn between two men from her past. One man promises passion and a new beginning, and the other wants to pick up where they left off. Neil stirs up a maelstrom of mischief, making it almost impossible for Libby to sort through the rubble. Libby anticipates a confrontation between her two suitors–not a shadowy stalker who chooses the reunion as his setting for a showdown.

In Libby’s quest for independence, she rejects the one man who can save her. Can she compromise the price of her freedom, or will it cost her a second chance at love and put her life in danger?

Genres: Romance

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2017

About the author

Sandra Tilley is a former middle school English teacher and award winning writer who lives in the South where she enjoys the surf, sand, and fair winds of Pensacola, Florida.

Reviews

[Sharon Wishnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

An imaginative story that reminds me of gothic haunting a la Brit Lit but for the 21st Century. Libby must make peace with her emotions and dead husband as he haunts her life after his affair and subsequent death.

Tilly creates a complex relationship that is both supernatural and real as Libby deals with her husband's betrayal, her life, and the future she wants to have for herself and her family. Not quite a beach read but a multi-layered emotional journey.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

On her nineteenth anniversary, Libby discovers her husband is cheating on her with a new, young assistant. Angry and upset, Libby pours as much debris as she can find in his gasoline tank. A short time later, an old friend and policeman, Eli, informs her that her husband has been killed in a dreadful accident as he drove home, making her wonder if her messing with the gas tank had anything to do with it. To complicate things, Libby arrives home to find her husband’s ghost waiting for her. This really mucks things up. Throughout the rest of the story, Libby keeps seeing the ghost, though no one else does. She is constantly trying to explain her comments to the ghost to others who overhear them. She is also worried that telling others about her ghost husband will cause them to think less of her. As the story progresses, Libby works to understand her ghost husband while trying to figure out the new twists and turns her life has taken. In addition, Eli and another old friend of her and her dead husband begin pursuing Libby—Eli looking to reclaim the love he once lost and the other friend to get another notch on his belt.

I was confused when I read the other reviews of this book, as most reviewers really enjoyed the book while I did not like it very much. The plot is pretty good. The characters also come across as developed and realistic. I realize that Libby has difficulty with the death of her husband, but I grew tired of her antics, indecisiveness and sometimes immaturity as the book progressed. In fact, I found the book dragged as things went on. The ending was not what I expected, and I felt there was little lead up to it. I must give the author credit for the basic plot. Having the ghost of a dead husband follow you around is different. I also get that the book worked for others, so will not recommend against trying it. The book just did not work for me. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra Tilly has done a really good job with this book. I personally really enjoyed it. I am all about ghost's as lead characters. Although I am not a huge romance reader this one really grabbed me and did not let go. The book has really no horror or thriller to it, but you do get a ghost. At times the book was sad, funny, and more or less a feel good type story. It really runs the gambit of emotions and tells a true to life story, except maybe the ghost aspect.

On Libby and Neil's 19th anniversary, Libby catches Neil cheating with his assistant. On his way home that same night Neil looses control of his car and dies in a car crash. Neil may be dead but he isn't gone. He is a ghost and only Libby can see him.

Libby is still very mad at Neil and wants him to cross over, Neil has other ideas. He shows up whenever he is least expected or wanted. Libby is trying to stat a new life with her 2 kids and gain independence, along with a whole cast of childhood friends.

Eli and Jesse grew up with Neil they considered themselves the 3 Musketeers. Both Eli and Jesse are trying to get Libby to go out with them. There is a past there as well, Jesse stood Libby up at their senior prom, and that same night Eli and Libby, had sex. Afterwards Eli ignored her. Neil in the end won the prize so to speak.

Neil also lets Libby in on some of the 3 Musketeers secrets over the years. One of which Jesse is using against Eli, and Neil before his death. As Libby tries to figure out which way her life should turn she also tries to help her friends.

[ShariB · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am not a fan of books written in the 1st person, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Well fleshed out characters with believable personalities made for an interesting, entertaining read. It held my interest from beginning to end; I was mad, sad, happy and fearful right along with Libby. This is a well written tale of friends, family, forgiveness, choices and a second chance at love for Libby and Eli. A little bit of sizzle, a persistent spirit, and a happily ever after round out the story.
I received this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on my Blog @ http://reaviewallaboutit.blogspot.com...

The book was good. I found it a little difficult to initially get into and took me a good few chapters before I started to warm to Libby and the story. As I continued to read the book I found myself more and more interested in what was going to happen. There was romance, mystery, intrigue and humour, which all makes for a good story. Overall I rated the book 4 stars.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read about a husband who returns to his home to keep a watch on his wife and sons. It doesn't matter to him that he died in a car wreck the same night his wife caught him with another woman. When Libby decides to go to her high school reunion and rekindle relationships with two old boyfriends Neil the ghost decides to sabotage the relationships. Libby has her hands full in a delightful way. Funny and an easy read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting well-written novel with laughter, love, and tears. A heart warming ending rounds out this multi-layered story. This book has all the right elements that keeps the reader hoping the heroine makes the right choices in her unusual circumstances.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Ghost and Mrs. Miller” is a tale of disappointment and regret.

Read full review in the 2018 July Aug issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This is a nice Romantic Fantasy held together with good characters.
Well written with a nice easy flow to make a very pleasant read.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read and really enjoyable. This book is well written the character are well developed.
It is really enjoyable and fun to read.
Many thanks toThe Wild Rose Press, Inc and Netgalley

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting quick read. To come home and find the ghost of your husband in your dining room is not an everyday occurence. Well written, fun characters.