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A Spirited Match
Two friends. A fraternity hazing.
Two cantankerous ghosts.
Jim and Randy have known each other since Kindergarten and have been teased through their teen years for being the textbook definition of “bromance” - never apart, finishing each other’s sentences, only truly happy in the other’s company, completely platonic. Now in their first semester at college together, and pledging the same fraternity, they are sent to stay the night in a supposedly haunted house as part of the hazing process.
No big deal, right? The two besties can conquer anything together, right?
Except the current resident of the house is grumpy. It’s been too long since Brenden McClain has lived with humans, not since old Linda Richmond had passed on. Since then, he’s only had the joy of toying with the young people who dared to visit the “haunted house” he occupies. In all fairness, he is indeed haunting it but only because he seems to be bound there for no reason other than to be regularly annoyed by Edward, who appears to be stuck on the property as well, though he tends to spend most of his time where the old barn used to be.
When Jim and Randy get dropped off on his front porch to stay the night, Brendan nearly swoons over the prospect of having guests to play with. His excitement escalates when he picks up on a very repressed emotion emitting from both young men...and decides to have a different kind of fun with the pair.
Two cantankerous ghosts.
Jim and Randy have known each other since Kindergarten and have been teased through their teen years for being the textbook definition of “bromance” - never apart, finishing each other’s sentences, only truly happy in the other’s company, completely platonic. Now in their first semester at college together, and pledging the same fraternity, they are sent to stay the night in a supposedly haunted house as part of the hazing process.
No big deal, right? The two besties can conquer anything together, right?
Except the current resident of the house is grumpy. It’s been too long since Brenden McClain has lived with humans, not since old Linda Richmond had passed on. Since then, he’s only had the joy of toying with the young people who dared to visit the “haunted house” he occupies. In all fairness, he is indeed haunting it but only because he seems to be bound there for no reason other than to be regularly annoyed by Edward, who appears to be stuck on the property as well, though he tends to spend most of his time where the old barn used to be.
When Jim and Randy get dropped off on his front porch to stay the night, Brendan nearly swoons over the prospect of having guests to play with. His excitement escalates when he picks up on a very repressed emotion emitting from both young men...and decides to have a different kind of fun with the pair.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2018
17 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Jill Wexler
11 books67 followersSo, about Jill. She's a voracious reader since the days of Frog and Toad and Pippa Mouse. From there she ran into Little House on the Prairie (in fact, the first stories Jill imagined as a child were about being Laura's twin sister and when Jill's mom made her a bonnet, that kinda sealed the deal for Jill's imagination). And everything Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. And never forget The Boxcar Children. By the time she would have normally started in on the Sweet Valley High books, Jill discovered the be-all-end-all of angsty feels for the teenaged soul - VC Andrews. From there, it evolved naturally into Danielle Steel and...well...it never stopped.
Jill fell in love with what was dubbed ChickLit - the books of Jill Shalvis, Charlaine Harris, Sophia Kinsella, Janet Evanovich, Susan Elizabeth Philips...for the witty humor that got me through some rough adult times. Lori Foster, too.
And of course, Nora Roberts (Ryder Montgomery, anyone?).
Never. Stop. Reading.
Jill fell in love with what was dubbed ChickLit - the books of Jill Shalvis, Charlaine Harris, Sophia Kinsella, Janet Evanovich, Susan Elizabeth Philips...for the witty humor that got me through some rough adult times. Lori Foster, too.
And of course, Nora Roberts (Ryder Montgomery, anyone?).
Never. Stop. Reading.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 21, 2019
This quick, short story was very cute.
My only complaint is that I really wanted it to be much longer, which was a good sign that it held my interest and intrigued me.
Jim and Randy's BFF relationship felt genuine, as they joked around and roughhoused playfully, while something deeper and more meaningful simmered underneath that casual playfulness.
So did the somewhat-tragic story between the two ghosts, Brendan and Edward, since their young love had been cut short decades ago due to a tragic accident.
I liked how both couples were happily on their way to "more" as the book ended -- except that I myself also wanted more.
4 stars.
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January 1, 2019
Wow. That was beautiful and sweet.
Who knew a story about two frat boys and a ghost would bring me to tears. But this one totally did. Jim and Randy were funny and cute together. While Brendan and Eddie just broke my heart. This story was so well put together. I loved watching the story unfold.
Who knew a story about two frat boys and a ghost would bring me to tears. But this one totally did. Jim and Randy were funny and cute together. While Brendan and Eddie just broke my heart. This story was so well put together. I loved watching the story unfold.
October 31, 2019
I think ghost stories just might not be my thing. I always end up feeling so sad!
This was cute enough, but like I said, kind of sad.
The young boys weren't sad though.
Very happy ending for both couples.
This was cute enough, but like I said, kind of sad.
The young boys weren't sad though.
Very happy ending for both couples.
November 11, 2018
An utter delight
This was so melancholy and sweet and cute and sad and awesome. Just. The best. I am always so impressed with the author’s writing, and she proves with this short story that there’s a reason she’s one of my favorite authors. Lovely execution of a dual storyline that will have you going awwww and maybe dabbing at your eyes a little. I loved this so much.
This was so melancholy and sweet and cute and sad and awesome. Just. The best. I am always so impressed with the author’s writing, and she proves with this short story that there’s a reason she’s one of my favorite authors. Lovely execution of a dual storyline that will have you going awwww and maybe dabbing at your eyes a little. I loved this so much.
November 1, 2018
Fantastic
A great story with humour and love. It was engaging and sweet and the characters are fabulous! Another great read by Jill!
A great story with humour and love. It was engaging and sweet and the characters are fabulous! Another great read by Jill!
November 6, 2018
Small nudges and big shoves
A very sweet little story! Mixing together the beautiful discovery of new love and remembering of old love, all pushed along by some meddling ghosts! There is a little bit of mystery as the memory must be sought, causing friction and tension in the house. At the same time the boys exploring the house must be willing to take that leap and trust that they will both be on the other side. But then that is what this story really comes down to; trusting in love, and taking the chance to embrace it.
A very sweet little story! Mixing together the beautiful discovery of new love and remembering of old love, all pushed along by some meddling ghosts! There is a little bit of mystery as the memory must be sought, causing friction and tension in the house. At the same time the boys exploring the house must be willing to take that leap and trust that they will both be on the other side. But then that is what this story really comes down to; trusting in love, and taking the chance to embrace it.
November 25, 2018
A cute 2-in-1 story
A sweet, 👻 story and young 💘 story combined. Two boys, best friends really, have to stay in a haunted house as part of pledging to a frat. Unbeknownst to them, the house is really haunted by 2 ghosts whose story is bittersweet. There's a lot more to this fun, short story - but you'll have to find out for yourself; it's certainly worth it!
A sweet, 👻 story and young 💘 story combined. Two boys, best friends really, have to stay in a haunted house as part of pledging to a frat. Unbeknownst to them, the house is really haunted by 2 ghosts whose story is bittersweet. There's a lot more to this fun, short story - but you'll have to find out for yourself; it's certainly worth it!
November 5, 2018
Short & Sweet
This was the sweetest. Or the cutest. Either way it was a fantastic quick read. It was an engaging story with wit, humor and a touch of the feels. I got teary over ghosts you guys! This story left me with a smile on my face and I loved it!
This was the sweetest. Or the cutest. Either way it was a fantastic quick read. It was an engaging story with wit, humor and a touch of the feels. I got teary over ghosts you guys! This story left me with a smile on my face and I loved it!
November 3, 2018
I absolutely loved it...so sweet and so Jill and a must read!!....It's a totally complete short...As usual, you will have a smile on your face when you are done...Quintessential Jill!!!!
June 25, 2019
Adorable! Had me smiling the whole time and I just wanted it to keep going.
October 10, 2022
Short and sweet with ghosts.
November 25, 2018
💕 4+ STARS 💕
👏 A SPIRITED MATCH by Jill Wexler is a short love story that is definitely worth reading. 😀
⭐ I read the story's blurb and decided I wanted to read it but wasn't sure exactly what to expect...
. 💕 I know I wasn't expecting to discover such a sweet love story that brought a few tears to my eyes, but this story contained that and more: a haunted house, 2 ghosts, 2 college students, a story of never-ending love, a story of new love, ...
😀 I hope you read and enjoy this short story too!
👏 A SPIRITED MATCH by Jill Wexler is a short love story that is definitely worth reading. 😀
⭐ I read the story's blurb and decided I wanted to read it but wasn't sure exactly what to expect...
. 💕 I know I wasn't expecting to discover such a sweet love story that brought a few tears to my eyes, but this story contained that and more: a haunted house, 2 ghosts, 2 college students, a story of never-ending love, a story of new love, ...
😀 I hope you read and enjoy this short story too!
November 22, 2018
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it is more then a one-time-reader.
It’s like a B-, C
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it is more then a one-time-reader.
It’s like a B-, C
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
November 6, 2018
This story is a lot of fun and great for this time of year. I liked the mystery of what happened between Brenden and Edward and learning their story as they, er.. nudge.. Jim and Randy in a new direction relationship-wise. Poor clueless Jim and Randy.. they are inseparable and undeniably the best of friends, but are both oblivious to the potential for more. But Brenden sees it, and what happens next is just a lot of fun. My only complaint (which is not actually a complaint) is that I wish it was longer to see a little more of the relationship developing between Jim and Randy. But really, that is just me being greedy.. :D
November 11, 2018
Emotional rollercoaster short MM romance
4 stars!
This book is very different! Unique! I feel like the cover and blurb were oddly misleading, not that they lied but more like they lead me to think it was going to be a New Adult short about 2 college guys spending the night in a haunted house and it was but it was also so much MORE!
The NA was good but the MORE was incredible! It was emotional and raw. It was a look back in time and it was amazing! I want more more more of Eddie and Brenden!
4 stars!
This book is very different! Unique! I feel like the cover and blurb were oddly misleading, not that they lied but more like they lead me to think it was going to be a New Adult short about 2 college guys spending the night in a haunted house and it was but it was also so much MORE!
The NA was good but the MORE was incredible! It was emotional and raw. It was a look back in time and it was amazing! I want more more more of Eddie and Brenden!
July 12, 2019
I'd describe it as short, cute and funny.
This was a heart warming little story, about lost love and love found...
Two best friends have to spend the night in a haunted house to enter a fraternity.
It just so happens that they are into each other, even if they haven't admitted it to themselves.
Thanks to mysterious forces, they manage to make sparks fly and it works very fine. For everybody.
This was a heart warming little story, about lost love and love found...
Two best friends have to spend the night in a haunted house to enter a fraternity.
It just so happens that they are into each other, even if they haven't admitted it to themselves.
Thanks to mysterious forces, they manage to make sparks fly and it works very fine. For everybody.
November 4, 2018
Delightful
Like a scrumptious and unexpected treat , this short story hits all the boxes. It's smart, funny, evocative, emotionally engaging and original with fully developed characters and a layered backstory ; I mean it , this tale packs a punch.
This is a little gem; a satisfying and delightful read , that left me feeling good and happy.
Like a scrumptious and unexpected treat , this short story hits all the boxes. It's smart, funny, evocative, emotionally engaging and original with fully developed characters and a layered backstory ; I mean it , this tale packs a punch.
This is a little gem; a satisfying and delightful read , that left me feeling good and happy.
November 6, 2018
Adorable!
This was the cutest little story I've read in a while! Two best friends, a couple of ghosts, and a lot of love make this a great quick read. It's alittle sad, a little funny, and a lot sweet. Just read it. You'll love it!
This was the cutest little story I've read in a while! Two best friends, a couple of ghosts, and a lot of love make this a great quick read. It's alittle sad, a little funny, and a lot sweet. Just read it. You'll love it!
November 25, 2018
Sweet, touching and heartbreaking all at once
Sweet, slightly mysterious heartbreaking ghost story mixed in with two living boys taking a dare. It was touching, and I’m glad I read it.
Sweet, slightly mysterious heartbreaking ghost story mixed in with two living boys taking a dare. It was touching, and I’m glad I read it.
August 9, 2019
This was doubly sweet . . . both the fratboy bromance-turned-romance . . . and the ghosts who haunt the house and barn that play a role in the fratboys' pledge. . . . A lazy summer afternoon read in the yard or on the beach . . . preferably under a shady oak.
June 22, 2019
4.5 - This story was so cute! I absolutely loved it and it had me in tears through certain parts (but we'll just blame that on the fact that I read this during Cancer season).
June 22, 2019
2.5 rated up. It was ok, much more interested in Brendan and Edward.
December 26, 2021
All the feels.
This packs a punch in such a short story. It's predictable, but so well written. Ghost Brendan's glee at having new trespassers to haunt sets a fun tone for the story. The way he and Edward relate to Jim and Randy starts as a bit of fun then turns heartbreaking as we learn their story. At the same time that I'm crying over love cut short by death with two spirits refusing to let go of one another, we've got Jim and Randy making their way from friends to lovers. It's beautiful and bittersweet how the new lovers are able to set the old ones free. I'm a sucker for stories like this yet I so rarely seek them out. Probably because of the vast amount of tissues I go through as the gamut of feels just gets me all teary eyed.
This packs a punch in such a short story. It's predictable, but so well written. Ghost Brendan's glee at having new trespassers to haunt sets a fun tone for the story. The way he and Edward relate to Jim and Randy starts as a bit of fun then turns heartbreaking as we learn their story. At the same time that I'm crying over love cut short by death with two spirits refusing to let go of one another, we've got Jim and Randy making their way from friends to lovers. It's beautiful and bittersweet how the new lovers are able to set the old ones free. I'm a sucker for stories like this yet I so rarely seek them out. Probably because of the vast amount of tissues I go through as the gamut of feels just gets me all teary eyed.
March 20, 2020
Super cute and sweet
Sweet story of young love and old love - I enjoyed both stories and the interactions of the two couples.
Sweet story of young love and old love - I enjoyed both stories and the interactions of the two couples.
December 7, 2020
This was a cute, fun, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews