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Kilty Pleasures #1
Best Laid Plaids
Scotland, 1928.
Dr. Ainsley Graham is cultivating a reputation as an eccentric. Two years ago, he catastrophically ended his academic career by publicly claiming to talk to ghosts. When Joachim Cockburn, a WWI veteran studying the power of delusional thinking, arrives at his door, Ainsley quickly catalogs him as yet another tiresome Englishman determined to mock his life's work.
But Joachim is tenacious and openhearted, and Ainsley's intrigued despite himself. He agrees to motor his handsome new friend around to Scotland's most unmistakable hauntings. If he can convince Joachim, Ainsley might be able to win back his good name and then some. He knows he's not crazy - he just needs someone else to know it, too.
Joachim is one thesis away from realizing his dream of becoming a psychology professor, and he's not going to let anyone stop him, not even an enchanting ginger with a penchant for tartan and lewd jokes. But as the two travel across Scotland's lovely - and definitely haunted - landscape, Joachim's resolve starts to melt. And he's beginning to think that an empty teaching post without the charming Dr. Graham would make a very poor consolation prize indeed....
Contains mature themes.
Dr. Ainsley Graham is cultivating a reputation as an eccentric. Two years ago, he catastrophically ended his academic career by publicly claiming to talk to ghosts. When Joachim Cockburn, a WWI veteran studying the power of delusional thinking, arrives at his door, Ainsley quickly catalogs him as yet another tiresome Englishman determined to mock his life's work.
But Joachim is tenacious and openhearted, and Ainsley's intrigued despite himself. He agrees to motor his handsome new friend around to Scotland's most unmistakable hauntings. If he can convince Joachim, Ainsley might be able to win back his good name and then some. He knows he's not crazy - he just needs someone else to know it, too.
Joachim is one thesis away from realizing his dream of becoming a psychology professor, and he's not going to let anyone stop him, not even an enchanting ginger with a penchant for tartan and lewd jokes. But as the two travel across Scotland's lovely - and definitely haunted - landscape, Joachim's resolve starts to melt. And he's beginning to think that an empty teaching post without the charming Dr. Graham would make a very poor consolation prize indeed....
Contains mature themes.
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Published August 31, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
May 14, 2023
Dnf @ 30%
Clunky writing (I had a hard time following the characters’ thoughts) one MC is constantly sexually-harassing the other one, they jump in bed in 10 min flat and they keep at it for the entire book (apparently). The plot is forgotten, of course because they were busy having sex. Another erotica wrongly labeled as romance. This author didn’t even try…
Clunky writing (I had a hard time following the characters’ thoughts) one MC is constantly sexually-harassing the other one, they jump in bed in 10 min flat and they keep at it for the entire book (apparently). The plot is forgotten, of course because they were busy having sex. Another erotica wrongly labeled as romance. This author didn’t even try…
September 16, 2020
Witty and poignant, and sexy as hell, Ella Stainton’s debut novel Best Laid Plaids is the most fun I’ve had in ages! With a racy courtship, several spectral family members, and a whole lot of Roaring 20s charm, Joachim and Ainsley explore some of Scotland’s haunted places, and find way more than just spooks and spirits along the way.
On a quest for research material for his PhD thesis, Joachim Cockburn heads out to investigate Ainsley Graham’s claim he can speak with ghosts. Widely regarded as eccentric, Ainsley is a respected author and folklorist, but his career as a university professor ended abruptly once he began inviting ghosts into his classroom.
The last thing Joachim expects when he arrives at Ainsley’s home is to be propositioned by a luscious hunk of Scottish goodness, fully decked out in a kilt. Joachim rebuffs the forthright come-on (after all, this is illegal in 1928!). But Ainsley is quite persistent and it doesn’t take long for Joachim’s resolve to crumble. Their dance of woo is flirty and sassy, and the fun is just getting started when these two find their way to the bedroom.
Ella Stainton writes a gorgeous love scene, and I adore what happens to these two men as their intimacy grows. Feeling free to explore their inner desires, aspects of their characters emerge to reveal a natural D/s connection. Joachim revels in dominating as thoroughly as Ainsley finds peace in submission, and the result is erotic and truly lovely.
These characters are so likable and real, and their idiosyncrasies add so much to enhance the story. I couldn’t help but adore them both, but my heart really went out to Joachim. Learning to cope with the physical handicap of his war injury is devastating, and he’s also battling loneliness and depression. A true romantic soul, Joachim has long since dismissed his dream of a lifelong companion. I found the emotions he shows while processing his intimate relationship with Ainsley to be very moving.
A captivating blend of ghost story and erotic romance, I couldn’t put this novel down for a minute. Ella Stainton’s writing style is thoroughly engaging, and the characters are complex and interesting. Ms. Stainton is truly outstanding when she brings out Ainsley’s Scots mannerisms and explores the depths of that sensual man whom Joachim hides under his buttoned-up façade.
I love historical romances where the characters find a way to be together, and Ainsley and Joachim do it one better in Best Laid Plaids. With the support of their family and friends, these two special guys can revel in their well-deserved happily ever after. Well, at least until their next adventure, Where There’s a Kilt, There’s a Way, which is anticipated for March, 2021. I can hardly wait for this Kilty Pleasures series to continue!
On a quest for research material for his PhD thesis, Joachim Cockburn heads out to investigate Ainsley Graham’s claim he can speak with ghosts. Widely regarded as eccentric, Ainsley is a respected author and folklorist, but his career as a university professor ended abruptly once he began inviting ghosts into his classroom.
The last thing Joachim expects when he arrives at Ainsley’s home is to be propositioned by a luscious hunk of Scottish goodness, fully decked out in a kilt. Joachim rebuffs the forthright come-on (after all, this is illegal in 1928!). But Ainsley is quite persistent and it doesn’t take long for Joachim’s resolve to crumble. Their dance of woo is flirty and sassy, and the fun is just getting started when these two find their way to the bedroom.
Ella Stainton writes a gorgeous love scene, and I adore what happens to these two men as their intimacy grows. Feeling free to explore their inner desires, aspects of their characters emerge to reveal a natural D/s connection. Joachim revels in dominating as thoroughly as Ainsley finds peace in submission, and the result is erotic and truly lovely.
These characters are so likable and real, and their idiosyncrasies add so much to enhance the story. I couldn’t help but adore them both, but my heart really went out to Joachim. Learning to cope with the physical handicap of his war injury is devastating, and he’s also battling loneliness and depression. A true romantic soul, Joachim has long since dismissed his dream of a lifelong companion. I found the emotions he shows while processing his intimate relationship with Ainsley to be very moving.
A captivating blend of ghost story and erotic romance, I couldn’t put this novel down for a minute. Ella Stainton’s writing style is thoroughly engaging, and the characters are complex and interesting. Ms. Stainton is truly outstanding when she brings out Ainsley’s Scots mannerisms and explores the depths of that sensual man whom Joachim hides under his buttoned-up façade.
I love historical romances where the characters find a way to be together, and Ainsley and Joachim do it one better in Best Laid Plaids. With the support of their family and friends, these two special guys can revel in their well-deserved happily ever after. Well, at least until their next adventure, Where There’s a Kilt, There’s a Way, which is anticipated for March, 2021. I can hardly wait for this Kilty Pleasures series to continue!
October 18, 2020
I've given this a C+ at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars
Best Laid Plaids is the first book in a new series of historical romances set in 1920s Scotland by début author Ella Stainton. The blurb promised a romance between an eccentric former academic who trashed his career when he announced he could talk to ghosts and a war veteran turned PhD student who is writing his thesis on the power of delusional thinking, and a road-trip around Scotland’s lovely—and definitely, definitely haunted—landscape. It sounded like a winning combination. But perhaps my expectations were too high; I was hoping for creepiness and chills akin to those in The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal or Spectred Isle– but it was all pretty insipid with nary a fright in sight, and the opposites-attract romance is basically a book-long case of insta-lust with no real relationship development to go with it.
Joachim Cockburn (pronounced Coe-burn) is a psychologist preparing to write his PhD thesis on the manifestation of delusions in those otherwise accounted as sane. His friend and mentor Dr. Stuart Graham arranges for him to stay at his family home in Fifeshire, in order to spend some time with his brother Ainsley, “a certified genius with no sense of self-preservation, whatsoever”, who committed career suicide a couple of years earlier when he admitted he spoke to ghosts on a daily basis. Joachim is prepared to meet an eccentric; he doesn’t expect to be greeted by the most gorgeous young man he’s ever seen – or to be propositioned by him.
Ainsley is immediately taken with the big, braw man from Durham – and immediately mistaken as to his identity, believing him to be the man with whom his best friend Barley is infatuated. Barley has asked Ainsley to ascertain if the object of his affections is attracted to men and Ainsley sets about his task with gusto, until the penny drops and he realises he’s made a horrendous mistake. Fortunately, his visitor doesn’t run away screaming, and, the misunderstanding cleared up, they talk about why Joachim is there, and Ainsley offers to drive him to a few places legend says are haunted. Perhaps, if he takes Cockburn to see spirits that even sceptics can see, he’ll have to admit that Ainsley isn’t mad. After all, if he’s there to use Ainsley for his research, it’s only fair that Ainsley gets to use him back.
That’s the set up, and most of the events of the story take place over the next few days as Ainsley and Joachim embark upon their ghostly tour. They start in a medieval road buried under the city of Edinburgh, then move to a remote field where there’s a Thing In A Hedge whose “presence makes you feel as though you’re slipped inside an icy cold nog and you’ll never get out.” But just telling me that doesn’t make it so; I was waiting for something truly spooky to happen… and it didn’t. In fact, the only thing that happens on that night is Ainsley and Joachim getting it on in a tent. Which they then proceed to do at pretty much every opportunity – although no more tents are involved!
The characters themselves are quite charming, but as I write this review, I’m having trouble recalling what actually happens in this story. Ainsley and Joachim look for ghosts and have a lot of sex is the best I can come up with. Ainsley is handsome and mercurial, witty and winsome, with a penchant for tartan and bawdy jokes; he’s highly intelligent, earned his doctorate at twenty-four, and is a leading expert on British folklore. Joachim is his opposite, both physically and temperamentally, taciturn where Ainsley is talkative, circumspect where Ainsley is impulsive. Both men are struggling – Ainsley with guilt over the death of his brother and because he’s itching to get back to his research and writing, Joachim because he’s still grieving the loss of his wartime lover and despairs of ever finding that sort of connection again – and Ainsley is obviously more than ‘eccentric’; he has what we’d today recognise as ADHD and often has difficulty remaining focused and in the now.
But even though Joachim works out ways to help Ainsley with his concentration quite quickly, there is no sense of a real emotional connection between the pair. Reading the teaser chapter for book two, I see Ainsley and Joachim are the leads once again, so why rush them into bed (and so often)? A series allows time for an author to develop an actual relationship and for lots of lovely sexual tension; instead, we get sex scene after sex scene, each one stretched over two chapters (the author seems to think we have to read each one from both PoVs). It’s true that they both tell themselves that this is only a week-long fling, so I suppose one could argue they’re getting it while they can (!) But it’s still too much too soon. They don’t really talk until fairly late in the book – about the effect that the publication of Joachim’s thesis could have on Ainsley’s life and mental state, or the fact that they’re developing feelings for one another and don’t want things to end between them (and can’t admit it) – and I couldn’t help wishing that they’d stopped fucking long enough to have an actual substantive conversation.
There was one thing about the writing that drove me completely nuts. Ainsley – who is auburn-haired – is constantly referred to as “the/his ginger”. I’m not sure when the word “ginger” started to be used as a noun rather than an adjective, but I suspect it’s more recently than 1928. But historically accurate or not, it’s overused to a ridiculous degree. I also had issues with some of the terminology – Joachim isn’t at “school”, he’s at university – and we don’t “shift” when driving, we change gear. Then there’s the name Cockburn, which I’m guessing the author chose for comedy value despite knowing its correct pronunciation – but as it’s written down any potential joke falls flat and isn’t remotely funny.
Best Laid Plaids had great potential, but falls down in the execution. If you take out all the sex scenes, there might be enough material left over to fill a novella; the plot is sketchy to say the least, there aren’t many ghosts (and they’re not all that scary) and I wasn’t convinced there was much more than physical attraction between the leads until really, really late on. On the plus side, the characters are engaging and they make a good couple, their differences complementing one another – and when the ghosts do actually show up, they provide some really poignant and emotional moments.
As I said at the beginning, perhaps part of my disappointment with the book can be accounted for by too-high expectations. But that doesn’t excuse the focus on sex at the expense of relationship and plot or the writing quirks that should have been ironed out during the editing process.
I can’t quite recommend Best Laid Plaids, but I might read the next book to see if the author is able to develop her ideas and characters more successfully next time.
Best Laid Plaids is the first book in a new series of historical romances set in 1920s Scotland by début author Ella Stainton. The blurb promised a romance between an eccentric former academic who trashed his career when he announced he could talk to ghosts and a war veteran turned PhD student who is writing his thesis on the power of delusional thinking, and a road-trip around Scotland’s lovely—and definitely, definitely haunted—landscape. It sounded like a winning combination. But perhaps my expectations were too high; I was hoping for creepiness and chills akin to those in The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal or Spectred Isle– but it was all pretty insipid with nary a fright in sight, and the opposites-attract romance is basically a book-long case of insta-lust with no real relationship development to go with it.
Joachim Cockburn (pronounced Coe-burn) is a psychologist preparing to write his PhD thesis on the manifestation of delusions in those otherwise accounted as sane. His friend and mentor Dr. Stuart Graham arranges for him to stay at his family home in Fifeshire, in order to spend some time with his brother Ainsley, “a certified genius with no sense of self-preservation, whatsoever”, who committed career suicide a couple of years earlier when he admitted he spoke to ghosts on a daily basis. Joachim is prepared to meet an eccentric; he doesn’t expect to be greeted by the most gorgeous young man he’s ever seen – or to be propositioned by him.
Ainsley is immediately taken with the big, braw man from Durham – and immediately mistaken as to his identity, believing him to be the man with whom his best friend Barley is infatuated. Barley has asked Ainsley to ascertain if the object of his affections is attracted to men and Ainsley sets about his task with gusto, until the penny drops and he realises he’s made a horrendous mistake. Fortunately, his visitor doesn’t run away screaming, and, the misunderstanding cleared up, they talk about why Joachim is there, and Ainsley offers to drive him to a few places legend says are haunted. Perhaps, if he takes Cockburn to see spirits that even sceptics can see, he’ll have to admit that Ainsley isn’t mad. After all, if he’s there to use Ainsley for his research, it’s only fair that Ainsley gets to use him back.
That’s the set up, and most of the events of the story take place over the next few days as Ainsley and Joachim embark upon their ghostly tour. They start in a medieval road buried under the city of Edinburgh, then move to a remote field where there’s a Thing In A Hedge whose “presence makes you feel as though you’re slipped inside an icy cold nog and you’ll never get out.” But just telling me that doesn’t make it so; I was waiting for something truly spooky to happen… and it didn’t. In fact, the only thing that happens on that night is Ainsley and Joachim getting it on in a tent. Which they then proceed to do at pretty much every opportunity – although no more tents are involved!
The characters themselves are quite charming, but as I write this review, I’m having trouble recalling what actually happens in this story. Ainsley and Joachim look for ghosts and have a lot of sex is the best I can come up with. Ainsley is handsome and mercurial, witty and winsome, with a penchant for tartan and bawdy jokes; he’s highly intelligent, earned his doctorate at twenty-four, and is a leading expert on British folklore. Joachim is his opposite, both physically and temperamentally, taciturn where Ainsley is talkative, circumspect where Ainsley is impulsive. Both men are struggling – Ainsley with guilt over the death of his brother and because he’s itching to get back to his research and writing, Joachim because he’s still grieving the loss of his wartime lover and despairs of ever finding that sort of connection again – and Ainsley is obviously more than ‘eccentric’; he has what we’d today recognise as ADHD and often has difficulty remaining focused and in the now.
But even though Joachim works out ways to help Ainsley with his concentration quite quickly, there is no sense of a real emotional connection between the pair. Reading the teaser chapter for book two, I see Ainsley and Joachim are the leads once again, so why rush them into bed (and so often)? A series allows time for an author to develop an actual relationship and for lots of lovely sexual tension; instead, we get sex scene after sex scene, each one stretched over two chapters (the author seems to think we have to read each one from both PoVs). It’s true that they both tell themselves that this is only a week-long fling, so I suppose one could argue they’re getting it while they can (!) But it’s still too much too soon. They don’t really talk until fairly late in the book – about the effect that the publication of Joachim’s thesis could have on Ainsley’s life and mental state, or the fact that they’re developing feelings for one another and don’t want things to end between them (and can’t admit it) – and I couldn’t help wishing that they’d stopped fucking long enough to have an actual substantive conversation.
There was one thing about the writing that drove me completely nuts. Ainsley – who is auburn-haired – is constantly referred to as “the/his ginger”. I’m not sure when the word “ginger” started to be used as a noun rather than an adjective, but I suspect it’s more recently than 1928. But historically accurate or not, it’s overused to a ridiculous degree. I also had issues with some of the terminology – Joachim isn’t at “school”, he’s at university – and we don’t “shift” when driving, we change gear. Then there’s the name Cockburn, which I’m guessing the author chose for comedy value despite knowing its correct pronunciation – but as it’s written down any potential joke falls flat and isn’t remotely funny.
Best Laid Plaids had great potential, but falls down in the execution. If you take out all the sex scenes, there might be enough material left over to fill a novella; the plot is sketchy to say the least, there aren’t many ghosts (and they’re not all that scary) and I wasn’t convinced there was much more than physical attraction between the leads until really, really late on. On the plus side, the characters are engaging and they make a good couple, their differences complementing one another – and when the ghosts do actually show up, they provide some really poignant and emotional moments.
As I said at the beginning, perhaps part of my disappointment with the book can be accounted for by too-high expectations. But that doesn’t excuse the focus on sex at the expense of relationship and plot or the writing quirks that should have been ironed out during the editing process.
I can’t quite recommend Best Laid Plaids, but I might read the next book to see if the author is able to develop her ideas and characters more successfully next time.
June 14, 2020
Best Laid Plaids is an amazing debut. It’s fun, sexy, charming, and heart-warming and so much more. Ainsley and Joachim are two unique academics each in search of a new beginning as well as someone to truly understand them. The slightly eccentric ADD Ainsley’s career was cut short due to his insistence of the existence of the supernatural (Ainsley is a wonderfully hilarious character who at times overestimates his own power but is somehow still extremely endearing due to massive amounts of wit, charm, and sexiness. You want to shake your head at him, but also want to both laugh and kiss him. The balance in creating him and making him both venial and likable is something to behold.).
Anyway, while Ainsley doesn’t need to work due to his family’s wealth, after quite a bit of time doing everything healthy and un not to be sad, he needs purpose, almost as much as he needs to overcome his own guilt over his brother’s death.
Joachim is a former WWI solider from a much more modest background, who is working hard to be a credible academic and help his own family. He’s cautious, caring, and conscientious, but with a quiet but wicked sense of humor, and his own stern sexiness. He’s fighting both guilt from his love’s death and PTSD as well as a whole lot of feelings of inadequacy when he comes to “study” Ainsley.
What starts out as two men ostensibly using each other (Ainsley feeling far less guilt that Jochim) becomes a journey through the world of both the supernatural and their own healing. It has a bunch of surprises in store for skeptic Joachim as well as commitment-phone Ainsley.
The build of their relationship is a joy to watch. The banter in this book is the absolute best as are the teasing and sly jokes. There are also just so many funny moments, both clever and slapstick. The side characters are all unique and weird and interesting and hilarious. As are the ghosts. Everyone needs ghosts. And Violet is the best of good dogs.
What’s even better is the writing. First, there is the atmospheric quality that the voice, the writing, and the details create. Its everything. It feels 1920s but in all the best was, the tone, the fun, the little bit of underlying sadness. It’s just fabulous.
And second, the voice is so incredibly unique and delightful and delicious, it is just everything. No one writes like this. It’s signature. You will be able to tell a Ella Stainton book a million miles away in the future, in the best way possible. It’s a star voice.
Anyway, all I can say is READ THIS BOOK. Seriously. It will make your entire year. Thank you so much Carina and NetGalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Anyway, while Ainsley doesn’t need to work due to his family’s wealth, after quite a bit of time doing everything healthy and un not to be sad, he needs purpose, almost as much as he needs to overcome his own guilt over his brother’s death.
Joachim is a former WWI solider from a much more modest background, who is working hard to be a credible academic and help his own family. He’s cautious, caring, and conscientious, but with a quiet but wicked sense of humor, and his own stern sexiness. He’s fighting both guilt from his love’s death and PTSD as well as a whole lot of feelings of inadequacy when he comes to “study” Ainsley.
What starts out as two men ostensibly using each other (Ainsley feeling far less guilt that Jochim) becomes a journey through the world of both the supernatural and their own healing. It has a bunch of surprises in store for skeptic Joachim as well as commitment-phone Ainsley.
The build of their relationship is a joy to watch. The banter in this book is the absolute best as are the teasing and sly jokes. There are also just so many funny moments, both clever and slapstick. The side characters are all unique and weird and interesting and hilarious. As are the ghosts. Everyone needs ghosts. And Violet is the best of good dogs.
What’s even better is the writing. First, there is the atmospheric quality that the voice, the writing, and the details create. Its everything. It feels 1920s but in all the best was, the tone, the fun, the little bit of underlying sadness. It’s just fabulous.
And second, the voice is so incredibly unique and delightful and delicious, it is just everything. No one writes like this. It’s signature. You will be able to tell a Ella Stainton book a million miles away in the future, in the best way possible. It’s a star voice.
Anyway, all I can say is READ THIS BOOK. Seriously. It will make your entire year. Thank you so much Carina and NetGalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
August 5, 2022
I enjoyed the historical aspects of this story almost more than the romance between the two main characters. I later learned that the author is a history teacher, teaching history’s "scandals" to teenagers near Richmond, Virginia. Where was she when I was going to school? Probably not born yet:) Three things attracted me to this book...the setting...my grandfather came from Scotland only two years prior to the 1928 setting of the story... the characters of Ainsley and Joachim...who couldn't love two hot guys?... and the ghosts...I am the ghost story junkie after all. The guys meet by accident, literally. Jochim is expecting a romantic hook-up, not a hot-as-all-get-out ghost hunter, but the ghosts are the stars of the show...they are simply hilarious. If you can read books with same sex couples this one should be on your list.
Read
March 11, 2025DNF - chapter 14
All the ingredients for an interesting read but the execution was sadly lacking. I was extremely bored despite Cornell Collin’s very enthusiastic narration during the long winded sex scenes.
Interesting setting and premise for a historical paranormal romance which unfortunately has clunky writing and minimal plot, romance or likeable characters so far.
Also a warning that the initial meeting and getting together of these two is likely supposed to be full of sexual tension but it comes across as more like sexual harassment with no chemistry to make these scenes appealing in any way.
Free on Audible Plus
All the ingredients for an interesting read but the execution was sadly lacking. I was extremely bored despite Cornell Collin’s very enthusiastic narration during the long winded sex scenes.
Interesting setting and premise for a historical paranormal romance which unfortunately has clunky writing and minimal plot, romance or likeable characters so far.
Also a warning that the initial meeting and getting together of these two is likely supposed to be full of sexual tension but it comes across as more like sexual harassment with no chemistry to make these scenes appealing in any way.
Free on Audible Plus
September 11, 2020
ToD 36%
I'm bored out of my mind. Do these guys ever get out of bed - or even stop thinking about sex?
I'm bored out of my mind. Do these guys ever get out of bed - or even stop thinking about sex?
September 1, 2020
In this debut novel, set in post WWI England, Ella Stainton introduces us to two academicians, Ainsley and Joachim, who are different in nearly every way, yet are perfect for one another.
Joachim is a no nonsense middle class Englishman with a wry sense of humor and an imposing physique, but a rather tender heart. He still carries physical and emotional scars from his service in WWI. Joachim is working toward a doctorate in psychology, while resigning himself to the fact he will need to be careful and hid his queerness for the rest of his life once he achieves his goal. Joachim's final doctoral thesis is on "the manifestation of delusions in those otherwise accounted as sane."
Enter one brilliant, insanely gorgeous, gay Scotsman Ainsley Graham with what appears to be ADD, heir to a large estate and a scholar who "had annihilated his reputation as one of the Empire's most learned folklorists by publicly insisting that he chatted with ghosts. On a daily basis." He is also an exquisite ginger with a fondness for wearing plaid, and is "simply the most magnificent creature Joachim had ever encountered in his life."
Ainsley gives Joachim a driving tour of paranormal locations, and in between ghostbusting, Ainsley and Joachim indulge in deliciously explicit sex with more than a touch of dominance on Joachim's part. Ainsley simply does not do cuddling ... or emotion ... or relationships and feelings make his stomach ache and skin itch. So Joachim figures he needs to stay in charge so he can walk away unscathed since both men agree this is just a few nights of exquisite passion and nothing more.
So many things work so well in this story, and Stainton balances this incredibly sexual relationship and the feelings each man is trying to tamp down, and blends in with the paranormal explorations. Ainsley truly does talk to ghosts ..... but Joachim is able to also see them and some of the encounters with Ainsley's family members are so touching.
She also touches on the aftermath of WWI and grieving for all the young men who died in that war "with some notion that their sacrifice might mean something, not realizing it didn't when all was said and done."
Ella Stainton has hit it out of the ball park on this debut book, and I love her unique voice and solid writing talent. 5 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Joachim is a no nonsense middle class Englishman with a wry sense of humor and an imposing physique, but a rather tender heart. He still carries physical and emotional scars from his service in WWI. Joachim is working toward a doctorate in psychology, while resigning himself to the fact he will need to be careful and hid his queerness for the rest of his life once he achieves his goal. Joachim's final doctoral thesis is on "the manifestation of delusions in those otherwise accounted as sane."
Enter one brilliant, insanely gorgeous, gay Scotsman Ainsley Graham with what appears to be ADD, heir to a large estate and a scholar who "had annihilated his reputation as one of the Empire's most learned folklorists by publicly insisting that he chatted with ghosts. On a daily basis." He is also an exquisite ginger with a fondness for wearing plaid, and is "simply the most magnificent creature Joachim had ever encountered in his life."
Ainsley gives Joachim a driving tour of paranormal locations, and in between ghostbusting, Ainsley and Joachim indulge in deliciously explicit sex with more than a touch of dominance on Joachim's part. Ainsley simply does not do cuddling ... or emotion ... or relationships and feelings make his stomach ache and skin itch. So Joachim figures he needs to stay in charge so he can walk away unscathed since both men agree this is just a few nights of exquisite passion and nothing more.
So many things work so well in this story, and Stainton balances this incredibly sexual relationship and the feelings each man is trying to tamp down, and blends in with the paranormal explorations. Ainsley truly does talk to ghosts ..... but Joachim is able to also see them and some of the encounters with Ainsley's family members are so touching.
She also touches on the aftermath of WWI and grieving for all the young men who died in that war "with some notion that their sacrifice might mean something, not realizing it didn't when all was said and done."
Ella Stainton has hit it out of the ball park on this debut book, and I love her unique voice and solid writing talent. 5 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
August 31, 2020
DNF at 20%. I found this book incredibly boring. I appreciated the Scottish historical setting and liked one of the heroes, tragic, taciturn, grad student and injured war veteran Joachim. He’s studying ghosts for his dissertation and enlists the help of a wealthy friend’s brother, eccentric ghost scientist Ainsley. I hated Ainsley. He’s “overbearing”, used to getting his way, sexually harasses Joachim for an Excruciatingly long opening scene, and is prone to long and repetitive internal monologues about nothing. I found him very unlikable and didn’t want to see the two of them together. Because Joachim is dependent on Ainsley to get his professorship, their “flirtatious” dynamic felt creepy to me. Especially since it seemed to make Joachim so uncomfortable. This book did not handle the legality or stigma of queerness in a remotely believable way, but perhaps it gets better later on.
The ghosts are the best part of this book, they were amusing and not really scary.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The ghosts are the best part of this book, they were amusing and not really scary.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2020
I was really looking forward to this story set post WW1 with a military vet in rural Scotland, thinking it would be along the lines of stories I've enjoyed by K.J. Charles and Allie Therin. It turns out to have been an okay read, with some parts that I really liked, and others I have mixed feelings about.
I had a hard time connecting with Ainsley at the start (the opening scene made me uncomfortable) but I definitely came to like him more as a character as the story went on. And Joachim I liked right from the beginning. The set up is interesting - Ainsley has been shunned from the intellectual community because of talking about his belief in ghosts and Joachim is writing a dissertation for his PhD about people in insane asylums and their supernatural beliefs. Joachim is hoping that Ainsley will show him his 'ghosts' so that Joachim (who doesn't believe he will see them) will have data for his dissertation. But the jokes on him when he does in fact see the ghosts in question, and speak to them.
As Ainsley and Joachim embark on a road trip to find the ghosts, they also begin a steamy affair. There's no dearth of dirty sex in this story but I didn't feel like it made the emotional connection between Ainsley and Joachim any stronger. In fact, I'd have been happy with less sex (hard to believe!), or less D/s type of sex - it just didn't feel true to Joachim's character to be this dominant bossy guy in bed. At any rate, the real problem for them is what Joachim will do with his newfound knowledge - ignore it and discredit Ainsley further or tell the truth and ruin his own career? It's a hard choice but the author does a good job coming up with a compromise that ensures their happy ending.
The other secondary characters are definitely unique, and the ghost members of Ainsley's family were some of my favorites. As for Joachim and Ainsley, I didn't really feel that their romance developed that well. So it's a mixed bag - great setting and interesting premise, some intriguing paranormal scenes but a romance overshadowed by the sex. I'm interested in seeing where the series is going though and the time period will no doubt lure me into another one.
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I had a hard time connecting with Ainsley at the start (the opening scene made me uncomfortable) but I definitely came to like him more as a character as the story went on. And Joachim I liked right from the beginning. The set up is interesting - Ainsley has been shunned from the intellectual community because of talking about his belief in ghosts and Joachim is writing a dissertation for his PhD about people in insane asylums and their supernatural beliefs. Joachim is hoping that Ainsley will show him his 'ghosts' so that Joachim (who doesn't believe he will see them) will have data for his dissertation. But the jokes on him when he does in fact see the ghosts in question, and speak to them.
As Ainsley and Joachim embark on a road trip to find the ghosts, they also begin a steamy affair. There's no dearth of dirty sex in this story but I didn't feel like it made the emotional connection between Ainsley and Joachim any stronger. In fact, I'd have been happy with less sex (hard to believe!), or less D/s type of sex - it just didn't feel true to Joachim's character to be this dominant bossy guy in bed. At any rate, the real problem for them is what Joachim will do with his newfound knowledge - ignore it and discredit Ainsley further or tell the truth and ruin his own career? It's a hard choice but the author does a good job coming up with a compromise that ensures their happy ending.
The other secondary characters are definitely unique, and the ghost members of Ainsley's family were some of my favorites. As for Joachim and Ainsley, I didn't really feel that their romance developed that well. So it's a mixed bag - great setting and interesting premise, some intriguing paranormal scenes but a romance overshadowed by the sex. I'm interested in seeing where the series is going though and the time period will no doubt lure me into another one.
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
dnf
February 9, 2021DNF at 22%
CW: sexual harassment
I needed to take a few days before I could write about why I DNFed this. I had only heard great things about this book and I was very excited to start it. It started off with a meet-disaster that felt over the top and required some suspension of disbelief. Ainsley has ADHD and is not great at keeping track of things so when Joachim arrives at his house, Ainsley believes he’s someone else, someone he’s meant to come on to on behalf of a friend in order to determine whether they’re gay. The reason didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
Joachim, however, is there because his colleague and Ainsley’s brother set it up—his dissertation is about delusional beliefs and he wants to interview Ainsley since he believes in ghosts. This is the reason I wanted to read this book in the first place so while I wasn't sure about Ainsley's behavior, I kept hoping the story would correct course. Unfortunately, it did not. Joachim has no idea why Ainsley is behaving the way he is but eventually makes it known that he’s not interested and they figure out it’s a case of mistaken identity. I was uncomfortable while reading that scene. I couldn’t understand why Joachim didn’t straight up ask Ainsley what he was doing, which would have cleared everything up much sooner. Except I can understand because sometimes staying quiet and doing your best to avoid confrontation is the only recourse around a man who is sexually harassing you. Ainsley didn’t help his case much when he’s angry that Joachim turns him down post-mistaken identity because no one ever turns him down. He goes into the village to find a one-night stand…because that will teach Joachim?
But I did my best to roll with it because surely Ainsley would stop acting like an entitled brat and start treating Joachim like a houseguest. However, the next scene made me even more uncomfortable. Ainsley sexually harasses Joachim. Again: the hero is harassing the other hero. This is who we’re supposed to root for. Joachim is staying at Ainsley's house. The next day, Ainsley walks into the guest room (without a shirt on) to wake Joachim up since they're going to leave on a trip. And then Ainsley takes off his kilt and is completely naked in front of him. LIKE WHAT?!
He walks about Joachim's room completely naked, then wanders into the kitchen and then they eat breakfast...all while he's naked. And Joachim doesn't say a word, partly because he's hungover but also because WTF. It made me feel small and frozen while I was reading it...I don't know that I was triggered per se but I did have to talk this through with friends to make sure I wasn't overreacting because I had not seen any reviews mention sexual harassment. It completely caught me off guard. I was deeply uncomfortable and it brought up my own experiences of being sexually harassed. What I went through pales in comparison to what Joachim experienced. If you've experienced sexual harassment, I would exercise a lot of caution in determining whether you should read this.
Joachim firmly rejected Ainsley’s advances the night before. How would it ever be appropriate to enter the guest room of someone who has not consented to anything happening sexually between you and then strip naked? It doesn't matter if part of Joachim is attracted to Ainsley; Ainsley doesn’t know that. That's not what you do with houseguests!!! If I was staying at some man's house and he pulled this shit with me, I would have been out of there so fast.
I tried to read a little further because I wanted to see what everyone else seems to see in this book but Ainsley would not quit with the innuendos and come-ons and even asked Joachim if he had any venereal diseases. I had to stop because there was no saving this story for me. The amount of inappropriateness just boggles the mind. Ainsley’s character feeds into the stereotype of the “predatory gay,” which is beyond problematic. His behavior simply isn’t okay and it sure isn’t what I want in a romance hero. Were this a m/f romance, would people overlook his behavior then? I sure hope not.
CW: hero sexually harasses the other hero (not challenged), ADHD, death of loved ones in WWI, Joachim was in the British Army, Joachim has a bad ankle (war injury), ableism, alcohol
CW: sexual harassment
I needed to take a few days before I could write about why I DNFed this. I had only heard great things about this book and I was very excited to start it. It started off with a meet-disaster that felt over the top and required some suspension of disbelief. Ainsley has ADHD and is not great at keeping track of things so when Joachim arrives at his house, Ainsley believes he’s someone else, someone he’s meant to come on to on behalf of a friend in order to determine whether they’re gay. The reason didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
Joachim, however, is there because his colleague and Ainsley’s brother set it up—his dissertation is about delusional beliefs and he wants to interview Ainsley since he believes in ghosts. This is the reason I wanted to read this book in the first place so while I wasn't sure about Ainsley's behavior, I kept hoping the story would correct course. Unfortunately, it did not. Joachim has no idea why Ainsley is behaving the way he is but eventually makes it known that he’s not interested and they figure out it’s a case of mistaken identity. I was uncomfortable while reading that scene. I couldn’t understand why Joachim didn’t straight up ask Ainsley what he was doing, which would have cleared everything up much sooner. Except I can understand because sometimes staying quiet and doing your best to avoid confrontation is the only recourse around a man who is sexually harassing you. Ainsley didn’t help his case much when he’s angry that Joachim turns him down post-mistaken identity because no one ever turns him down. He goes into the village to find a one-night stand…because that will teach Joachim?
But I did my best to roll with it because surely Ainsley would stop acting like an entitled brat and start treating Joachim like a houseguest. However, the next scene made me even more uncomfortable. Ainsley sexually harasses Joachim. Again: the hero is harassing the other hero. This is who we’re supposed to root for. Joachim is staying at Ainsley's house. The next day, Ainsley walks into the guest room (without a shirt on) to wake Joachim up since they're going to leave on a trip. And then Ainsley takes off his kilt and is completely naked in front of him. LIKE WHAT?!
He walks about Joachim's room completely naked, then wanders into the kitchen and then they eat breakfast...all while he's naked. And Joachim doesn't say a word, partly because he's hungover but also because WTF. It made me feel small and frozen while I was reading it...I don't know that I was triggered per se but I did have to talk this through with friends to make sure I wasn't overreacting because I had not seen any reviews mention sexual harassment. It completely caught me off guard. I was deeply uncomfortable and it brought up my own experiences of being sexually harassed. What I went through pales in comparison to what Joachim experienced. If you've experienced sexual harassment, I would exercise a lot of caution in determining whether you should read this.
Joachim firmly rejected Ainsley’s advances the night before. How would it ever be appropriate to enter the guest room of someone who has not consented to anything happening sexually between you and then strip naked? It doesn't matter if part of Joachim is attracted to Ainsley; Ainsley doesn’t know that. That's not what you do with houseguests!!! If I was staying at some man's house and he pulled this shit with me, I would have been out of there so fast.
I tried to read a little further because I wanted to see what everyone else seems to see in this book but Ainsley would not quit with the innuendos and come-ons and even asked Joachim if he had any venereal diseases. I had to stop because there was no saving this story for me. The amount of inappropriateness just boggles the mind. Ainsley’s character feeds into the stereotype of the “predatory gay,” which is beyond problematic. His behavior simply isn’t okay and it sure isn’t what I want in a romance hero. Were this a m/f romance, would people overlook his behavior then? I sure hope not.
CW: hero sexually harasses the other hero (not challenged), ADHD, death of loved ones in WWI, Joachim was in the British Army, Joachim has a bad ankle (war injury), ableism, alcohol
Read
January 27, 2022DNF at 50%.
This book has all the makings of a good story: 1920s Scotland, ghosts, two wounded MCs. What we get is one unlikable MC who harasses the other MC into having $*X, historical inaccuracy in portraying gay men in 1920s, no plot and ghosts as an afterthought. The humor is awkward and conversations are uncomfortable and stilted. Ainsley's monologues are dragging and make him sound so juvenile and immature (he is supposedly a 26 year old professor *eye roll*). I do not know if I like Joachim at all. He just goes along with anything that Ainsley suggests. He has no backbone or any distinguishable qualities.
The steam level is 5 out 5, but there is nothing holding the story together. Even the "chemistry" between Ainsley and Joachim is forced and does not feel natural. Ainsley talks and thinks about $*X all the time. The first meeting between them is one big cringe and, unfortunately, the book doesn't improve after that. This author is not for me.
This book has all the makings of a good story: 1920s Scotland, ghosts, two wounded MCs. What we get is one unlikable MC who harasses the other MC into having $*X, historical inaccuracy in portraying gay men in 1920s, no plot and ghosts as an afterthought. The humor is awkward and conversations are uncomfortable and stilted. Ainsley's monologues are dragging and make him sound so juvenile and immature (he is supposedly a 26 year old professor *eye roll*). I do not know if I like Joachim at all. He just goes along with anything that Ainsley suggests. He has no backbone or any distinguishable qualities.
The steam level is 5 out 5, but there is nothing holding the story together. Even the "chemistry" between Ainsley and Joachim is forced and does not feel natural. Ainsley talks and thinks about $*X all the time. The first meeting between them is one big cringe and, unfortunately, the book doesn't improve after that. This author is not for me.
October 1, 2024
3.5 stars
There's nothing spooky about this one, but if you're looking for a sexyfuntimes ghost story for Halloween, this makes a pretty good choice.
I was getting nervous that it wasn't going to work for me after the first couple of chapters, but about halfway through Chapter 3 the MC literally says, "Stop. Redo. This isn't working," and not only is he successful, but the way he says it instantly got me invested. I have a weakness for MCs who know how to use their words :)
The romance is definitely the focus here. There's plenty of detail to these guys' worlds/backgrounds/characters, but it's only their dynamic that gets fully developed.
The 3.5 stars reflects how often and deeply I was thoroughly engrossed in their romance -- and also: hot sex :) The balance worked for me, but I like a high heat rating when it's done well (This one wasn't due so much to the number of sex scenes as to the fact that there are several very long ones) -- and the rounding down reflects the fact that I was jarred out of that fully invested state of mind every single time by some aspect that didn't quite ring true to me. Usually by something outside the romance plot, but there was also something about Ainsley's personality that I couldn't quite wrap my head around. I don't think I ever fully grasped what the author was trying to express there.
I also hesitated with the historical setting. It definitely has the flavor of the time period, but if historical realism is necessary for you, you should probably skip this one. On the other hand, if you need to remove the risky realities of two men in love in the 1920s to be able to enjoy the romance, this will be perfect. I can handle that rose-colored lens to an extent, but it crossed the lines of reality a bit too far several times.
When I saw the excerpt for a Book Two in this series, I assumed it was going to be about Ainsley's psychic friend, and I was on board for that. But apparently it's a second book with these two MC's, and .... I don't think there's any way that will work for me. Whatever the UST would be called if we're talking about the feels part of a relationship -- UFT?? -- is the thing that makes this work. The whole casual sex to something serious trope. Remove that and I'm not sure there's enough substance left to satisfy me.
**This book was provided for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley**
There's nothing spooky about this one, but if you're looking for a sexyfuntimes ghost story for Halloween, this makes a pretty good choice.
I was getting nervous that it wasn't going to work for me after the first couple of chapters, but about halfway through Chapter 3 the MC literally says, "Stop. Redo. This isn't working," and not only is he successful, but the way he says it instantly got me invested. I have a weakness for MCs who know how to use their words :)
The romance is definitely the focus here. There's plenty of detail to these guys' worlds/backgrounds/characters, but it's only their dynamic that gets fully developed.
The 3.5 stars reflects how often and deeply I was thoroughly engrossed in their romance -- and also: hot sex :) The balance worked for me, but I like a high heat rating when it's done well (This one wasn't due so much to the number of sex scenes as to the fact that there are several very long ones) -- and the rounding down reflects the fact that I was jarred out of that fully invested state of mind every single time by some aspect that didn't quite ring true to me. Usually by something outside the romance plot, but there was also something about Ainsley's personality that I couldn't quite wrap my head around. I don't think I ever fully grasped what the author was trying to express there.
I also hesitated with the historical setting. It definitely has the flavor of the time period, but if historical realism is necessary for you, you should probably skip this one. On the other hand, if you need to remove the risky realities of two men in love in the 1920s to be able to enjoy the romance, this will be perfect. I can handle that rose-colored lens to an extent, but it crossed the lines of reality a bit too far several times.
When I saw the excerpt for a Book Two in this series, I assumed it was going to be about Ainsley's psychic friend, and I was on board for that. But apparently it's a second book with these two MC's, and .... I don't think there's any way that will work for me. Whatever the UST would be called if we're talking about the feels part of a relationship -- UFT?? -- is the thing that makes this work. The whole casual sex to something serious trope. Remove that and I'm not sure there's enough substance left to satisfy me.
**This book was provided for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley**
December 28, 2020
Pre-release ARC review on July 13, 2020 . Book releases on August 31,2020
4.5 Stars
Playful, heart-warning, witty, sexy, charming , very well written and crafted , funny, captivating, entertaining comes to my when I think about Best Laid Plaids, the debut novel by Ella Stainton.
Set in gorgeous and breath taking Scotland in the 1920's , you feel transported to the era , it's society and way of life.
This book made me feel happy and relaxed. And that folks, is all I ask , when reading a Romance Book.
Re-read: Yes
Recommend: Yes
#NetGalley #ReadOn2020 #BooksILove
4.5 Stars
Playful, heart-warning, witty, sexy, charming , very well written and crafted , funny, captivating, entertaining comes to my when I think about Best Laid Plaids, the debut novel by Ella Stainton.
Set in gorgeous and breath taking Scotland in the 1920's , you feel transported to the era , it's society and way of life.
This book made me feel happy and relaxed. And that folks, is all I ask , when reading a Romance Book.
Re-read: Yes
Recommend: Yes
#NetGalley #ReadOn2020 #BooksILove
September 27, 2020
Society has moved beyond the need to describe two men as "the ginger" and "the dark-haired man". In two PARAGRAPHS of sex scene I counted: 2 instances of "the younger man" 2 instances of "the ginger" and 1 "the Scotsman". All describing the same person! There's only two people here, it shouldn't be this hard to differentiate them. This book is just poorly written. Eye rolling insta-lust, absolutely no romantic tension whatsoever. Ainsley begins a campaign of sexual harassment from the moment he first sees Joachim, even after Joachim turns him down. Also Ainsley had ADHD that's so laughingly overblown it's hard to treat it seriously as earnest representation of neurodiversity.
September 20, 2020
DNF at 24%, primarily due to the author's inability to keep me appraised of who's where in a sex scene, of all things. Lots of authors manage it just fine, so I don't think it's me. Very glad this was a library book. It's too bad. Otherwise, I was rather intrigued.
August 14, 2020
I’m a sucker for anything Scottish - which was the reason I picked this book. The title, the setting, the blurb. Alas, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
The writing didn’t particularly click with me; it was told in alternate POVs and both seemed undecided what to call the other - or even themselves for that matter - it kept changing from first name to surname every few lines. Also, the chemistry between Ainsley and Joachim felt pretty tepid and unconvincing. From the first time Ainsley took charge as somewhat predatory (sexually) in a forceful way while Joachim - a strapping but wounded war vet scholar - his butt of the joke, so to speak.
Hopeful as I was (while struggling) I had hope for the sort of gradual enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract dynamics between the two. Again, I was disappointed as Ainsley and Joachim started the carnal gymnastics straight away... just because. No phase whatsoever. Oh yeah, the heat-o-meter is quite steamy - if that’s what (readers) look for. But story-wise it felt very disjointed which made their joyful happy-ending unconvincing and far-fetched.
The only good part for me was the supernatural element in there, some of them were quite friendly ghosts - at least not frightening - and happened to be close relatives of our MC. Too bad it wasn’t given due probes and felt mostly told as an aside (even the backstory of these ghosts wasn’t too obvious).
Overall this installment didn’t give me confidence to pursue the series further. We shall see, shall we. I’d be delighted to be proven wrong.
Copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The writing didn’t particularly click with me; it was told in alternate POVs and both seemed undecided what to call the other - or even themselves for that matter - it kept changing from first name to surname every few lines. Also, the chemistry between Ainsley and Joachim felt pretty tepid and unconvincing. From the first time Ainsley took charge as somewhat predatory (sexually) in a forceful way while Joachim - a strapping but wounded war vet scholar - his butt of the joke, so to speak.
Hopeful as I was (while struggling) I had hope for the sort of gradual enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract dynamics between the two. Again, I was disappointed as Ainsley and Joachim started the carnal gymnastics straight away... just because. No phase whatsoever. Oh yeah, the heat-o-meter is quite steamy - if that’s what (readers) look for. But story-wise it felt very disjointed which made their joyful happy-ending unconvincing and far-fetched.
The only good part for me was the supernatural element in there, some of them were quite friendly ghosts - at least not frightening - and happened to be close relatives of our MC. Too bad it wasn’t given due probes and felt mostly told as an aside (even the backstory of these ghosts wasn’t too obvious).
Overall this installment didn’t give me confidence to pursue the series further. We shall see, shall we. I’d be delighted to be proven wrong.
Copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2020
I received a copy from Carina Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dr. Ainsley Graham set his career on fire when he went public with the claim that ghosts are real and that he has been communicating with them. Since then, he’s spent his time drinking and floating around as he desires since the world thinks he’s odd. When Joachim Cockburn is sent his way to check out known hauntings in Scotland, Ainsley thinks he’s just another person coming to poke fun at him for his beliefs. What he did not expect was an extremely sexy man to come knocking at the door. Even more shocking, he wasn’t even expecting Joachim when he arrives, so Ainsley puts the moves on him in a case of mistaken identity. What else could possibly go wrong?
This book had me at spooky romance set in 1920s Scotland. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t care for the story. The book told through the rotating perspectives of Ainsley and Joachim. Despite seeing things through their perspectives, I quickly discovered that I didn’t particularly care for either character. Ainsley is arrogant, both flighty and clingy, and doesn’t know what he wants on top of shutting down when he does get what he was hoping for. Meanwhile, Joachim is arrogant in a different sense while closed off and stiff. I couldn’t connect with either of them in addition to not being interested in following them as I continued to read. The romance couldn’t been on fire if the two didn’t keep waffling about each other to the very end.
Honestly, I found myself more interested in the hauntings, which were sadly lackluster. I would say this is a romance with a touch of paranormal. I was really interested in the ghosts along with the other characters, including Ainsley’s sister. I think I was happiest whenever a chapter came along that included a gathering of characters because I didn’t care for the leads.
I wouldn’t say that this is a bad book. I do think that Ella Stainton had something going here, but I just didn’t care for Ainsley and Joachim as characters and the romance didn’t seem all that romantic to me. If you like romance novels that are sex without the romancing, this might be something you’ll like.
Dr. Ainsley Graham set his career on fire when he went public with the claim that ghosts are real and that he has been communicating with them. Since then, he’s spent his time drinking and floating around as he desires since the world thinks he’s odd. When Joachim Cockburn is sent his way to check out known hauntings in Scotland, Ainsley thinks he’s just another person coming to poke fun at him for his beliefs. What he did not expect was an extremely sexy man to come knocking at the door. Even more shocking, he wasn’t even expecting Joachim when he arrives, so Ainsley puts the moves on him in a case of mistaken identity. What else could possibly go wrong?
This book had me at spooky romance set in 1920s Scotland. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t care for the story. The book told through the rotating perspectives of Ainsley and Joachim. Despite seeing things through their perspectives, I quickly discovered that I didn’t particularly care for either character. Ainsley is arrogant, both flighty and clingy, and doesn’t know what he wants on top of shutting down when he does get what he was hoping for. Meanwhile, Joachim is arrogant in a different sense while closed off and stiff. I couldn’t connect with either of them in addition to not being interested in following them as I continued to read. The romance couldn’t been on fire if the two didn’t keep waffling about each other to the very end.
Honestly, I found myself more interested in the hauntings, which were sadly lackluster. I would say this is a romance with a touch of paranormal. I was really interested in the ghosts along with the other characters, including Ainsley’s sister. I think I was happiest whenever a chapter came along that included a gathering of characters because I didn’t care for the leads.
I wouldn’t say that this is a bad book. I do think that Ella Stainton had something going here, but I just didn’t care for Ainsley and Joachim as characters and the romance didn’t seem all that romantic to me. If you like romance novels that are sex without the romancing, this might be something you’ll like.
August 9, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book. I am providing a voluntary review. All thoughts and views are my own.
Holy smokes, folx. Best Laid Plaids by Ella Stainton was an utter delight. It combined historical and paranormal—admittedly two of the romance subgenres I struggle the most to connect with—and did so with finesse and ease. While the historical aspects were clearly there, they didn’t overtake the story, which was refreshing. As someone who prefers contemporary, I can sometimes get lost in the weeds of historical fiction when an author gets too hung up on using every scrap of research they did on the era. A little bit can go a long way, and Stainton does a lovely job with that.
As far as the paranormal aspects, I found those to be fun and well handled. They added to the story without causing cringe, and their involvement helped to move the plot forward rather than stagnating it as paranormal elements can often do. Again, like historical, I find many authors in the PNR genre can get distracted by their world-building and forget to tell the story. Stainton stays on track and delivers a page-turning romance with just the right hint of historical and paranormal to keep things interesting.
I would recommend this book to a much wider audience than I might have originally thought. It seems quite niche in appearance, but because Stainton keeps the story focused on the romance—and the steamy smexy scenes!—it will find a much wider audience than it might have if her focus had been shifted even marginally more toward the subgenre specifics. So, if you love romance and, like me, often shy away from historical and/or paranormal, I would highly recommend you give this a read! It’s a unique and enjoyable tale, and a fun divergence from your average contemporary.
Holy smokes, folx. Best Laid Plaids by Ella Stainton was an utter delight. It combined historical and paranormal—admittedly two of the romance subgenres I struggle the most to connect with—and did so with finesse and ease. While the historical aspects were clearly there, they didn’t overtake the story, which was refreshing. As someone who prefers contemporary, I can sometimes get lost in the weeds of historical fiction when an author gets too hung up on using every scrap of research they did on the era. A little bit can go a long way, and Stainton does a lovely job with that.
As far as the paranormal aspects, I found those to be fun and well handled. They added to the story without causing cringe, and their involvement helped to move the plot forward rather than stagnating it as paranormal elements can often do. Again, like historical, I find many authors in the PNR genre can get distracted by their world-building and forget to tell the story. Stainton stays on track and delivers a page-turning romance with just the right hint of historical and paranormal to keep things interesting.
I would recommend this book to a much wider audience than I might have originally thought. It seems quite niche in appearance, but because Stainton keeps the story focused on the romance—and the steamy smexy scenes!—it will find a much wider audience than it might have if her focus had been shifted even marginally more toward the subgenre specifics. So, if you love romance and, like me, often shy away from historical and/or paranormal, I would highly recommend you give this a read! It’s a unique and enjoyable tale, and a fun divergence from your average contemporary.
September 20, 2020
Ghosts and so much sex!!! This was fun to read.
November 7, 2021
I actually really enjoyed this book and since I have already read book #2 I could see the differences in the two books. This one has a ton of hot sex while #2 has quite a bit less.
I loved the story, the way the two MCs interacted and the paranormal aspect which almost seemed secondary even though it was a huge point of the story. Ainsley and Joachim had to navigate so many hurdles and even though the author had a preface about how it wasn't always hard to find love and keep it for anyone who wasn't straight during their time period, it sure did feel like it was extremely hard since it was considered illegal. They had to deal with their own insecurities on top of Ainsley being ADHD (I believe) AND being able to hear ghosts. Ainsley was a brilliant Dr. in his field but was disgraced after thinking his colleagues would be alright with him lecturing on the reality of ghosts.
Joachim was such a gruff teddy bear and equally as intelligent but terrified to make a wrong move in his field so he could keep going to get his doctorate.
They were lovely and hot together when they weren't arguing, misconmunicating or misinterpreting each other. I liked that the story was character-driven and still had a good plot with excellent secondary characters.
The best part of it was that Cornell Collins narrated and even though he doesn't change his types of voices in between different books and series, I still love him and haven't gotten tired of him!
I loved the story, the way the two MCs interacted and the paranormal aspect which almost seemed secondary even though it was a huge point of the story. Ainsley and Joachim had to navigate so many hurdles and even though the author had a preface about how it wasn't always hard to find love and keep it for anyone who wasn't straight during their time period, it sure did feel like it was extremely hard since it was considered illegal. They had to deal with their own insecurities on top of Ainsley being ADHD (I believe) AND being able to hear ghosts. Ainsley was a brilliant Dr. in his field but was disgraced after thinking his colleagues would be alright with him lecturing on the reality of ghosts.
Joachim was such a gruff teddy bear and equally as intelligent but terrified to make a wrong move in his field so he could keep going to get his doctorate.
They were lovely and hot together when they weren't arguing, misconmunicating or misinterpreting each other. I liked that the story was character-driven and still had a good plot with excellent secondary characters.
The best part of it was that Cornell Collins narrated and even though he doesn't change his types of voices in between different books and series, I still love him and haven't gotten tired of him!
November 7, 2021
I have to be honest with you all, in the beginning I didn't know what to do with this book. It felt like they never left the bedroom. And while I enjoy steam in my romance books I had a hard time finding a plot within all the steam. But it got better the more I read. I'm usually not one for historical romances, but as far as this one went it was a pretty solid read.
September 1, 2020
Hot, hot hot! Ainsley and Joacihm have undeniable, intense chemistry that develops into a powerfully emotional connection over the course of Best Laid Plaids. This effervescent debut brings humor, attraction, and all-around fun to a story of opposites attract who are stuck in the crucible of a situation that's inherently prone to conflict, ideal for stoking both tension and desire.
The author did such an amazing job of crafting a plot situation designed to showcase character growth as these two grapple with both their personal stakes and deepening feelings for each other. Ghosts, psychic moments, and an inherited crystal ball add touches of paranormal intrigue to highlight the couple's similarities as well as their differences in a fascinating way. There's even a sweet, naughty dog in here to make you smile. Highly recommended!
The author did such an amazing job of crafting a plot situation designed to showcase character growth as these two grapple with both their personal stakes and deepening feelings for each other. Ghosts, psychic moments, and an inherited crystal ball add touches of paranormal intrigue to highlight the couple's similarities as well as their differences in a fascinating way. There's even a sweet, naughty dog in here to make you smile. Highly recommended!
November 12, 2020
The good things about this book were the Scottish hijinx, the excellent dog, the fact that one of the protagonists makes a risotto, the funny spooks, the emotional spooks, the spooky spooks, the ADHD and PTSD rep, the hilarious female side characters, a boring man called Hugh, and the general lolworthy humour.
The bad things were mostly the way that most of the many, many, many, many sex scenes were written in a way that meant you couldn't always tell who was doing what to who, and sometimes it meant that I basically pictured them playing naked Twister with quite a lot of lube. Although, you know what, it brought me a lot of joy, so maybe that should go on the good list, too.
The bad things were mostly the way that most of the many, many, many, many sex scenes were written in a way that meant you couldn't always tell who was doing what to who, and sometimes it meant that I basically pictured them playing naked Twister with quite a lot of lube. Although, you know what, it brought me a lot of joy, so maybe that should go on the good list, too.
August 28, 2020
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via the Publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honestreview. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
It’s hard to believe that this is a debut book by the author - it’s a hilarious M/M historical romance with such smexy times as well a hint of paranormal activity that will have you intrigued with the plotline until the end.
Dr. Ainsley’s reputation is in tatters because he never his the fact that he talks to ghosts. A brilliant mind, adorable and charming in totally a boyish way; but considered a joke because he admits he can see and talk to ghosts.
Joachim Cockburn .(and yes, the puns with the last name in this M/M romance were amazingly hilarious!), a war veteran now continuing his own studies in Psychology, is highly interested in making Ainsley his case study.
An opposites attract romance; the contradictions and the push and pull connection and relationship between Ainsley and Joachim will have you charmed right from the start! The language and the writing style does take getting used to; however it is the slow burn attraction that will have you cheering for these two right from the start!
P. S. I am not sure if there are more books in the historical romance in the M/M genre exists; but if it does; I would love your recommendations please! 😬
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August 3, 2020
4.25*
Quelle très bonne surprise ! J’ai vraiment accroché avec l’écriture de l’autrice qui signe là un bien joli premier roman. Elle parvient à jongler avec des émotions très différentes grâce à l’alternance de passages drôles, sensuels et plus légers alterne avec d’autres plus mélancoliques ; à des petits quiproquos très plaisants (ou agaçants !).
Le cadre du roman a de quoi faire rêver puisque ce livre nous propulse dans l’Écosse mystérieuse des années 1920. Et justement, l'Écosse sans ses fantômes ne serait pas l’Écosse ! Autant dire qu’ici nous sommes bien servis et là encore, cet élément fantastique est un atout supplémentaire qui rend l’histoire encore plus attrayante.
Le couple Joachim Cockburn et Ainsley Graham est une réussite. Et cela commence par leur rencontre, un vrai régal ! Quand un Anglais, ancien soldat de la guerre 14-18, doté d’un esprit rationnel et scientifique rencontre un Écossais excentrique affirmant parler aux fantômes …cela nous promet de grands moments et effectivement, le couple formé par Joachim et Ainsley est une réussite et cela commence dès leur rencontre, délectable et si drôle !
Ainsley aura à cœur de prouver à Joachim qu’il n’est pas le fou que tout le monde croit, et il l’entraînera dans un périple qui sera bien plus qu’une simple « chasse aux fantômes » mais qui signera un nouveau départ pour les deux hommes, avec son lot d’embûches à surmonter et de remises en question.
Les deux héros ont de multiples facettes qu’ils dévoileront au fil du roman et la vulnérabilité qui émane d’eux lors de certains passages est bien souvent bouleversante. Et puis, ils ne sont pas parfaits et j’ai souvent eu envie de les secouer, mais finalement cela leur va si bien ! Autre point à souligner ( je ne sais pas pourquoi mais je ne m’y attendais pas…) : ce livre contient de nombreuses scènes lascives et sensuelles (surprenantes aussi, mais dans le bon sens du terme) et lors de ces passages j’avoue que la compatibilité entre les deux hommes est démentielle ! Cerise sur le gâteau : la plupart du temps, Ainsley porte un kilt et quoi de plus sexy qu’un homme en Kilt ? RIEN ! C'est d'ailleurs dommage que ce détail n'apparaisse pas sur la couverture 😭
Des héros que j’ai donc beaucoup aimés et il en va de même pour les personnages secondaires qui sont bien travaillés et qui apportent vraiment à l’histoire. Trixie est géniale, la sœur d’Ainsley est très moderne, extravertie, avec un petit brin de folie hyper rafraîchissant. Et mon cher Alec, oh que je l’ai aimé cet homme, sa sensibilité m’a vraiment touchée et j’espère vraiment qu’il aura droit à son histoire ! J’ai fondu aussi pour l’adorable Violet, si fidèle et précieuse pour Ainsley.
Best Laid Plaids a été une lecture particulièrement agréable, de celles qui vous entraînent dans une bulle en compagnie de personnages délicieux. Vivement la suite ❤❤❤
Quelle très bonne surprise ! J’ai vraiment accroché avec l’écriture de l’autrice qui signe là un bien joli premier roman. Elle parvient à jongler avec des émotions très différentes grâce à l’alternance de passages drôles, sensuels et plus légers alterne avec d’autres plus mélancoliques ; à des petits quiproquos très plaisants (ou agaçants !).
Le cadre du roman a de quoi faire rêver puisque ce livre nous propulse dans l’Écosse mystérieuse des années 1920. Et justement, l'Écosse sans ses fantômes ne serait pas l’Écosse ! Autant dire qu’ici nous sommes bien servis et là encore, cet élément fantastique est un atout supplémentaire qui rend l’histoire encore plus attrayante.
Le couple Joachim Cockburn et Ainsley Graham est une réussite. Et cela commence par leur rencontre, un vrai régal ! Quand un Anglais, ancien soldat de la guerre 14-18, doté d’un esprit rationnel et scientifique rencontre un Écossais excentrique affirmant parler aux fantômes …cela nous promet de grands moments et effectivement, le couple formé par Joachim et Ainsley est une réussite et cela commence dès leur rencontre, délectable et si drôle !
Ainsley aura à cœur de prouver à Joachim qu’il n’est pas le fou que tout le monde croit, et il l’entraînera dans un périple qui sera bien plus qu’une simple « chasse aux fantômes » mais qui signera un nouveau départ pour les deux hommes, avec son lot d’embûches à surmonter et de remises en question.
Les deux héros ont de multiples facettes qu’ils dévoileront au fil du roman et la vulnérabilité qui émane d’eux lors de certains passages est bien souvent bouleversante. Et puis, ils ne sont pas parfaits et j’ai souvent eu envie de les secouer, mais finalement cela leur va si bien ! Autre point à souligner ( je ne sais pas pourquoi mais je ne m’y attendais pas…) : ce livre contient de nombreuses scènes lascives et sensuelles (surprenantes aussi, mais dans le bon sens du terme) et lors de ces passages j’avoue que la compatibilité entre les deux hommes est démentielle ! Cerise sur le gâteau : la plupart du temps, Ainsley porte un kilt et quoi de plus sexy qu’un homme en Kilt ? RIEN ! C'est d'ailleurs dommage que ce détail n'apparaisse pas sur la couverture 😭
Des héros que j’ai donc beaucoup aimés et il en va de même pour les personnages secondaires qui sont bien travaillés et qui apportent vraiment à l’histoire. Trixie est géniale, la sœur d’Ainsley est très moderne, extravertie, avec un petit brin de folie hyper rafraîchissant. Et mon cher Alec, oh que je l’ai aimé cet homme, sa sensibilité m’a vraiment touchée et j’espère vraiment qu’il aura droit à son histoire ! J’ai fondu aussi pour l’adorable Violet, si fidèle et précieuse pour Ainsley.
Best Laid Plaids a été une lecture particulièrement agréable, de celles qui vous entraînent dans une bulle en compagnie de personnages délicieux. Vivement la suite ❤❤❤
July 26, 2020
Maybe the horniest book I've read in a long time, and shockingly, I mostly didn't mind it, which is huge for someone like me.
Really fun romp! It has post WW1 roadtrip across Scotland to prove whether ghosts are real, all the while the heroes attempt to not jump each other's bones. Or rather, they attempt to attempt that, but give up pretty fast. Like I said, horny.
I really liked the characters, especially Ainsley, who is a darling gremlin. He's also dealing with some severe undiagnosed ADHD, which, combined with his ability to sense and hear, makes his life really hard. I just wanted to scoop him up in a hug, honestly.
My one big gripe is that they never really... talk about what Joachim is doing? They don't really discuss until really late into the book the consequences his paper on Ainsley's mental state would have on his reputation? And then it of course it blows up in their face. I just fish they stopped fucking for five minutes to actually talk about their issues.
I liked how it ended and am excited for the sequel, but it really needs more communication.
Really fun romp! It has post WW1 roadtrip across Scotland to prove whether ghosts are real, all the while the heroes attempt to not jump each other's bones. Or rather, they attempt to attempt that, but give up pretty fast. Like I said, horny.
I really liked the characters, especially Ainsley, who is a darling gremlin. He's also dealing with some severe undiagnosed ADHD, which, combined with his ability to sense and hear, makes his life really hard. I just wanted to scoop him up in a hug, honestly.
My one big gripe is that they never really... talk about what Joachim is doing? They don't really discuss until really late into the book the consequences his paper on Ainsley's mental state would have on his reputation? And then it of course it blows up in their face. I just fish they stopped fucking for five minutes to actually talk about their issues.
I liked how it ended and am excited for the sequel, but it really needs more communication.
April 27, 2021
I have struggled to write this review for a long time. Best Laid Plaids was something I anticipated so much, because it's set in 1920s Scotland and features academics. I loved the historical period, the atmosphere and small road trip, which toured some parts of the Scotland. I lived there for years and studied Scottish history so I was on my element. Ainsley's a disgraced academic and Joachim a PHD student and I enjoyed that aspect, along with the paranormal aspects of Ainsley being able to hear ghosts.
However, I had some issues with the romance. There was a lot of sex in the story, which is not inherently a bad thing. But here it hindered the relationship development and did not allow for open communication. Ainsley and Joachim dance around their feelings, which they do not discuss with each other. Instead they have sex again and again, and honestly, I became bored of the sex and skimmed some of it. It started to feel like there was not enough plot and character/relationship development to fill the page count so sex scenes were thrown there. It's a shame, because the setting, the ghosts and the conflict between Ainsley and Joachim's academic lives had plenty to offer. They also had chemistry and complemented each other. I wished they'd have a substantial conversation about their feelings and intentions, which would have developed and deepened the relationship, but it all came too late.
Best Laid Plaids had plenty of great potential and I really liked some aspects of it, but I feel it did not fulfill its potential.
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
However, I had some issues with the romance. There was a lot of sex in the story, which is not inherently a bad thing. But here it hindered the relationship development and did not allow for open communication. Ainsley and Joachim dance around their feelings, which they do not discuss with each other. Instead they have sex again and again, and honestly, I became bored of the sex and skimmed some of it. It started to feel like there was not enough plot and character/relationship development to fill the page count so sex scenes were thrown there. It's a shame, because the setting, the ghosts and the conflict between Ainsley and Joachim's academic lives had plenty to offer. They also had chemistry and complemented each other. I wished they'd have a substantial conversation about their feelings and intentions, which would have developed and deepened the relationship, but it all came too late.
Best Laid Plaids had plenty of great potential and I really liked some aspects of it, but I feel it did not fulfill its potential.
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
August 31, 2020
I had higher hopes for this book after reading the description but the pacing was a bit slow at times, the romance fell flat and it took a big chunk of the book before I even started to like one of the MC's.
The book flips between alternate POV's and it kept changing whether the MC's were referred to by their first or last names (in the same paragraph) which threw me off a bit. Ainsley is a very hard character to like in the beginning - in fact I didn't like him at all. He comes across as arrogant, entitled and a bit predatory in his sexual pursuit of Joachim. So I settled in hoping for an enemies to lovers story. Unfortunately that didn't pan out and the two start having sex very early on and with no real lead up - which given the historical time setting was very hard to believe. The relationship never evolved for me to anything more than sex and I didn't feel the romance nor did I buy into deeper feelings between the two.
What I did very much enjoy were the paranormal "ghost" aspects and Joachim's struggle on what to do once he discovered that Ainsley really did see ghosts. Destroy his own career or continue to hurt Ainsley by not admitting the truth. I liked the way the author worked through that and handled the final outcome.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
The book flips between alternate POV's and it kept changing whether the MC's were referred to by their first or last names (in the same paragraph) which threw me off a bit. Ainsley is a very hard character to like in the beginning - in fact I didn't like him at all. He comes across as arrogant, entitled and a bit predatory in his sexual pursuit of Joachim. So I settled in hoping for an enemies to lovers story. Unfortunately that didn't pan out and the two start having sex very early on and with no real lead up - which given the historical time setting was very hard to believe. The relationship never evolved for me to anything more than sex and I didn't feel the romance nor did I buy into deeper feelings between the two.
What I did very much enjoy were the paranormal "ghost" aspects and Joachim's struggle on what to do once he discovered that Ainsley really did see ghosts. Destroy his own career or continue to hurt Ainsley by not admitting the truth. I liked the way the author worked through that and handled the final outcome.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
February 1, 2021
I tried reading this last year and since my concentration has been messed up I couldn’t get into it but I always knew I’d come back to read it. I felt it was time and I’m very happy I was able to read this book. It’s set in Scotland in the 1920’s and the two mc’s, Ainsley & Joachim, are lovely together.
This book has less to do with ghosts and more to do with the building relationship between the two men. One of the negatives, in my opinion, about this story is that I wish there were more ghostly location encounters. I was hoping for more of a creepy feel. On the positive side though is the ghosts that we do meet are a huge part of Ainsley’s life and it was really touching.
I did think the book dragged on a bit and it took me longer than usual to finish it. I didn’t want to put it down though because I adored Ainsley & Joachim so much. There is also a fair bit of sex in the book and at times I almost felt like it overshadowed the story. But it was very hot and so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. It’s not like you have to twist my arm to read hot, sexy scenes!
I also enjoyed the other characters in the story. Trixie and Poppy are so fun and I really loved Barley and would love to read more about him!
There is a second book coming out soon so I will be happy to catch up with these characters. This was a very good debut novel. I’m happy I was able to pick it back up when I was ready to give it my full attention.
This book has less to do with ghosts and more to do with the building relationship between the two men. One of the negatives, in my opinion, about this story is that I wish there were more ghostly location encounters. I was hoping for more of a creepy feel. On the positive side though is the ghosts that we do meet are a huge part of Ainsley’s life and it was really touching.
I did think the book dragged on a bit and it took me longer than usual to finish it. I didn’t want to put it down though because I adored Ainsley & Joachim so much. There is also a fair bit of sex in the book and at times I almost felt like it overshadowed the story. But it was very hot and so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. It’s not like you have to twist my arm to read hot, sexy scenes!
I also enjoyed the other characters in the story. Trixie and Poppy are so fun and I really loved Barley and would love to read more about him!
There is a second book coming out soon so I will be happy to catch up with these characters. This was a very good debut novel. I’m happy I was able to pick it back up when I was ready to give it my full attention.
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