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RIPP: Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon #1
Coldburgh Train Station
Do you hear bumps in the night? Get unexplained chills? Feel like someone’s watching you when you’re all alone? Don’t stay scared! Shoot RIPP a message for all your spooktacular needs!
Dane
I only go along with Rory and Thad’s crazy plan of checking out an abandoned train station because they seem so excited, and I honestly don’t care what we do for our film class project. Transferring colleges was supposed to be my escape from reality, anyway, so there’s no harm in doing a little ghost hunting, right? It’s not like we’ll find anything. I really just want to go through the motions, but these guys have a way of making me care—ugh. Even Rory’s older brother is able to get under my skin in ways I wish he couldn’t. I should stay away, but his sweet and caring nature keeps pulling me in—damn him.
Brooks
Helping Rory and Thad with RIPP is just something I do to spend time with them. Bless their little hearts, they really believe in ghosts and are determined to prove it to the world. When Dane gets assigned to their group for their class project, my worry they won’t need me anymore is overshadowed by my desire to spend as much time as possible getting to know the mysterious new man. I get my wish when we have an encounter that seems… unbelievable. As scary as it is, my life becomes less aimless when Dane and I team up to protect my brother and his best friend when they insist on returning to the train station again... and again.
What happens when two men experience something no one else sees? Can they stay alive long enough to fall in love or is seeing what lives at Coldburgh Train Station the beginning of the end?
Coldburgh Train Station is book one in the RIPP (Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon) series. It’s a 90K word standalone MM romance with spooky fun, cute guys, apparitions, a hyper younger brother that won’t stay away from the coffee pot, a friend that cares way too much about his tan, spirits, a crazy mom, amazing friendships, love, and did we mention ghosts?
Intended for audiences 18 years and older.
Dane
I only go along with Rory and Thad’s crazy plan of checking out an abandoned train station because they seem so excited, and I honestly don’t care what we do for our film class project. Transferring colleges was supposed to be my escape from reality, anyway, so there’s no harm in doing a little ghost hunting, right? It’s not like we’ll find anything. I really just want to go through the motions, but these guys have a way of making me care—ugh. Even Rory’s older brother is able to get under my skin in ways I wish he couldn’t. I should stay away, but his sweet and caring nature keeps pulling me in—damn him.
Brooks
Helping Rory and Thad with RIPP is just something I do to spend time with them. Bless their little hearts, they really believe in ghosts and are determined to prove it to the world. When Dane gets assigned to their group for their class project, my worry they won’t need me anymore is overshadowed by my desire to spend as much time as possible getting to know the mysterious new man. I get my wish when we have an encounter that seems… unbelievable. As scary as it is, my life becomes less aimless when Dane and I team up to protect my brother and his best friend when they insist on returning to the train station again... and again.
What happens when two men experience something no one else sees? Can they stay alive long enough to fall in love or is seeing what lives at Coldburgh Train Station the beginning of the end?
Coldburgh Train Station is book one in the RIPP (Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon) series. It’s a 90K word standalone MM romance with spooky fun, cute guys, apparitions, a hyper younger brother that won’t stay away from the coffee pot, a friend that cares way too much about his tan, spirits, a crazy mom, amazing friendships, love, and did we mention ghosts?
Intended for audiences 18 years and older.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
85 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Michele Notaro
76 books947 followersMichele is married to an awesome guy that puts up with her and all the burnt dinners she makes—hey, sometimes characters are a bit distracting, and who doesn’t plot when they’re supposed to be cooking? They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with two little monsters, a three-legged princess, a four-legged goofball, and a cutie with giant ears (aka their two kids, their two cats, and their dog). She hopes to rescue another cat soon, and if her hubby wouldn’t kill her, she’d get more than one… and maybe a few more dogs as well.
She loves creating worlds filled with lots of love, chosen family, and of course, magic, but she also likes making the characters fight for that happy ending. She hopes to one day write all the stories in her head—even if there are too many to count!
If you would like updates on my new books or to be notified when a new book is released, please join my mailing list:
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You can find me on Facebook here:
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Feel free to contact me. I’d love to hear from you.
She loves creating worlds filled with lots of love, chosen family, and of course, magic, but she also likes making the characters fight for that happy ending. She hopes to one day write all the stories in her head—even if there are too many to count!
If you would like updates on my new books or to be notified when a new book is released, please join my mailing list:
http://eepurl.com/cseIXT
You can find me on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Feel free to contact me. I’d love to hear from you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
June 29, 2021
What I liked:
The paranormal aspect.
The sweet relationship between siblings.
Thad and Rory's friendship and enthusiasm of all things paranormal.
What I did not like:
The big secret of Dane as to why he tries to say closed off.
The characters all seemed younger than college aged. I had to double check to be sure I was not reading a book about high school kids (I'm talking freshman status).
The sweet relationship between siblings...I know I said I like it! I also thought it was too sweet at times. I feel like Brook treated Rory like a kid brother in moments. It was odd.
The relationship build was slow burn. There was a lot of hurt comfort going on as Dane was working through his issues.
I tried with this book but it was hard for me to stay interested with it. I usually devour books in a day or 2 and this one took me over 2 weeks to finish. In the end, I guess, it was not the right fit for me. 🤷🏽♀️
* I was provided an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, this is my honest review*
The paranormal aspect.
The sweet relationship between siblings.
Thad and Rory's friendship and enthusiasm of all things paranormal.
What I did not like:
The big secret of Dane as to why he tries to say closed off.
The characters all seemed younger than college aged. I had to double check to be sure I was not reading a book about high school kids (I'm talking freshman status).
The sweet relationship between siblings...I know I said I like it! I also thought it was too sweet at times. I feel like Brook treated Rory like a kid brother in moments. It was odd.
The relationship build was slow burn. There was a lot of hurt comfort going on as Dane was working through his issues.
I tried with this book but it was hard for me to stay interested with it. I usually devour books in a day or 2 and this one took me over 2 weeks to finish. In the end, I guess, it was not the right fit for me. 🤷🏽♀️
* I was provided an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, this is my honest review*
July 12, 2021
Wow! This one gave me feels and the chills!!!
From start to the finish this book was full of mystery, ghosts and a ton of love! It is my new favorite book this year! Dane and Brooks are beyond incredible and seeing Brooks help Dane learn to live again was so touching! Can't wait for the next RIPP adventure to be released!
From start to the finish this book was full of mystery, ghosts and a ton of love! It is my new favorite book this year! Dane and Brooks are beyond incredible and seeing Brooks help Dane learn to live again was so touching! Can't wait for the next RIPP adventure to be released!
September 2, 2021
This could have been a meh 3 star read, but the incomparable moron Rory stole the show and sank the whole book like I have never seen before. It gets two stars because I, for no apparent reason, finished the book.
I guess I should note that Dane and Brooks were pretty meh characters to me. I couldn’t tell their POVs apart. Dane’s Big Secret was infuriatingly dragged out. You can only hide a Secret when you’re in a characters head for so long, and this far surpasses that limit. Once they finally got over themselves, their relationship went at light speed, instalove style. Lots of creepy staring. Brooks gets a bunch of green stuff because Dane’s eyes are green. Like a toothbrush.
Now. For Rory, who is an absolutely confusing and inconsistent character. And Thad a little, as the sidekick.
These absolute paragons of worthlessness. I can only skim the surface of their ineptitude. These imbeciles descended to levels of foolishness yet unplumbed by humanity.
Rory surpassed TSTL. He is too stupid to be conceived. His stupidity knows no bounds. Thad is a whatever, slightly less stupid by virtue of being less present.
* Rory reads like a child, a literal child, not a college student. It doesn’t help that Brooks calls him “squirt” constantly, which is something you call a four year old.
* Rory believes in ghosts, and has been trying to see one for ages. Suddenly Dane and Brooks have multiple terrifying experiences encountering ghosts, and they have proof. Rory is an absolute brat about it, and is extremely dismissive of them. Why?
* He mocks Brooks and Dane for researching ghost protection after they’ve experienced terrifying ghost encounters. Does it not occur to him that ghosts can be violent? Where’s the harm in using the protection stuff? If you believe in ghosts, why wouldn’t you believe in protection from ghosts? He was such a nasty little shit about it, refusing to wear a simple necklace to make his brother feel better. How terrible of a person can you be?
* His absolutely bizarre disbelief extends to accusing Brooks of destroying their campsite in a bid to pull a prank of faking a ghost encounter. Dane and Brooks are so scared, why would they do that? He even has a recording of an evil ghost voice, and still doesn’t believe them?
* To bolster the idiocy, he was so self-absorbed in this childish tantrum that he crawled out of the salt circle to get his precious video camera directly towards a violent ghost. Oh wait - he leaves a salt circle not once, but twice, even though the first encounter was violent. Thad and Rory leave the circle to poke at bones (?) and get kidnapped by ghosts, getting Brooks and Dane in trouble too.
* In addition to his rampant stupidity, Rory and Thad are both terrible friends. Brooks feels like he can’t talk to them about his feelings for Dane because they’ll just make fun of him forever. They can’t even be supportive of him? The number of times I read “Rory/Thad didn’t mean to be insensitive” or “he was unintentionally cruel“ shows that they are both useless self centered assholes. You don’t get a pass to be cruel because you lack the social graces to realize when you’re hurting people.
* This book would be improved if Rory got eaten by a ghost. Or had his eyes cut out. Or his mouth so he would shut up. He is a colossal, irredeemable fool. A self-centered, insensitive child. Thad is inexplicably idiotic, though at least I can file him under musclebound brickbrain.
* Critical: It is 2021, you are not allowed to use “orbs” for eyes, that is banned.
* I had a dream* that Dane got fucked by a ghost, and that would honestly improve this book so much
Overall. It would be meh, if it weren’t for world-ruining infuriatingly awful side characters.
*it’s a medication thing ok don’t judge my weird brain
I guess I should note that Dane and Brooks were pretty meh characters to me. I couldn’t tell their POVs apart. Dane’s Big Secret was infuriatingly dragged out. You can only hide a Secret when you’re in a characters head for so long, and this far surpasses that limit. Once they finally got over themselves, their relationship went at light speed, instalove style. Lots of creepy staring. Brooks gets a bunch of green stuff because Dane’s eyes are green. Like a toothbrush.
Now. For Rory, who is an absolutely confusing and inconsistent character. And Thad a little, as the sidekick.
These absolute paragons of worthlessness. I can only skim the surface of their ineptitude. These imbeciles descended to levels of foolishness yet unplumbed by humanity.
Rory surpassed TSTL. He is too stupid to be conceived. His stupidity knows no bounds. Thad is a whatever, slightly less stupid by virtue of being less present.
* Rory reads like a child, a literal child, not a college student. It doesn’t help that Brooks calls him “squirt” constantly, which is something you call a four year old.
* Rory believes in ghosts, and has been trying to see one for ages. Suddenly Dane and Brooks have multiple terrifying experiences encountering ghosts, and they have proof. Rory is an absolute brat about it, and is extremely dismissive of them. Why?
* He mocks Brooks and Dane for researching ghost protection after they’ve experienced terrifying ghost encounters. Does it not occur to him that ghosts can be violent? Where’s the harm in using the protection stuff? If you believe in ghosts, why wouldn’t you believe in protection from ghosts? He was such a nasty little shit about it, refusing to wear a simple necklace to make his brother feel better. How terrible of a person can you be?
* His absolutely bizarre disbelief extends to accusing Brooks of destroying their campsite in a bid to pull a prank of faking a ghost encounter. Dane and Brooks are so scared, why would they do that? He even has a recording of an evil ghost voice, and still doesn’t believe them?
* To bolster the idiocy, he was so self-absorbed in this childish tantrum that he crawled out of the salt circle to get his precious video camera directly towards a violent ghost. Oh wait - he leaves a salt circle not once, but twice, even though the first encounter was violent. Thad and Rory leave the circle to poke at bones (?) and get kidnapped by ghosts, getting Brooks and Dane in trouble too.
* In addition to his rampant stupidity, Rory and Thad are both terrible friends. Brooks feels like he can’t talk to them about his feelings for Dane because they’ll just make fun of him forever. They can’t even be supportive of him? The number of times I read “Rory/Thad didn’t mean to be insensitive” or “he was unintentionally cruel“ shows that they are both useless self centered assholes. You don’t get a pass to be cruel because you lack the social graces to realize when you’re hurting people.
* This book would be improved if Rory got eaten by a ghost. Or had his eyes cut out. Or his mouth so he would shut up. He is a colossal, irredeemable fool. A self-centered, insensitive child. Thad is inexplicably idiotic, though at least I can file him under musclebound brickbrain.
* Critical: It is 2021, you are not allowed to use “orbs” for eyes, that is banned.
* I had a dream* that Dane got fucked by a ghost, and that would honestly improve this book so much
Overall. It would be meh, if it weren’t for world-ruining infuriatingly awful side characters.
*it’s a medication thing ok don’t judge my weird brain
June 15, 2021
If you're a fan of actual paranormal phenomenon, not what's categorized as paranormal in the romance genre, grab this book! It's a low-heat, slow-burn, high=-tension romance with hurt-comfort and some pretty scary ghosts. I loved all the characters and enjoyed their journey to friendship and then Brooks and Dane's coming together as lovers. Would make a great summer movie!
June 29, 2021
I love spooky stories so I was really looking forward to reading this book and I am more than happy to say I loved it!
With a story line that grabbed my attention straight from the beginning,scares along the way and a beautiful romance this is a story that I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending!
I received an ARC copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
With a story line that grabbed my attention straight from the beginning,scares along the way and a beautiful romance this is a story that I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending!
I received an ARC copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
June 27, 2021
ghosts... love... ghosts.... ghosts... did i mention ghosts.. i freakin love it.. it was fun.. it was sexy and it was entertaining.. i enjoyed so many things about this.. it was amazing and wonderful
June 16, 2021
Loved it
This manages to be a perfect mix of plot and romance. The relationship between Brooks and Diane is slow burn as Dane is very closed off. Dane's past made me cry a bit.
The paranormal plot was fantastic, balancing creepy and interesting. I actually put this down which was a struggle, only to pick up the prequel. Cannot wait for Rory's book
This manages to be a perfect mix of plot and romance. The relationship between Brooks and Diane is slow burn as Dane is very closed off. Dane's past made me cry a bit.
The paranormal plot was fantastic, balancing creepy and interesting. I actually put this down which was a struggle, only to pick up the prequel. Cannot wait for Rory's book
June 17, 2021
3.5 stars
This book was such a wonderful story invoking very contrasting feelings. On one hand there was a romance that was almost tooth-rotting sweet at times, and on the other there were paranormal experiences that made my heart beat alarmingly fast. Scary and romantic, it almost shouldn’t work, but it definitely does! I also really enjoyed the focus on found family and friendship, as you can feel how much this group cares for each other. Although I actually hated Rory at times (sorry, not sorry), I’m still looking for ward to his story as this series promises to be fun, exciting, spooky, and sweet!
This book was such a wonderful story invoking very contrasting feelings. On one hand there was a romance that was almost tooth-rotting sweet at times, and on the other there were paranormal experiences that made my heart beat alarmingly fast. Scary and romantic, it almost shouldn’t work, but it definitely does! I also really enjoyed the focus on found family and friendship, as you can feel how much this group cares for each other. Although I actually hated Rory at times (sorry, not sorry), I’m still looking for ward to his story as this series promises to be fun, exciting, spooky, and sweet!
June 13, 2021
Coldburgh Train Station, book one in the new RIPP series from Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee, stokes a perfect balance between plot, characters and relationships.
The plot focuses on RIPP, Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon, a YouTube channel created by Rory and his best friend That with behind the scenes support from Rory's brother, Brooks, and now Dane who is put to work with the duo in their film class. This book focuses on Brooks and Dane as the MC's of the story from when they are first introduced, both awkward as they are aware of their attraction, as they build a tentative friendship and support each other when something happens on their first trip the the station. This visit is just what the creators of RIPP have been waiting for, not so much for the two sceptics. It does work to bring them closer together, though there is something in Dane's last that keeps him from making that full connection.
These are a really great group of guys, very distinct personalities who work very well together, pretty much like a family unit. Rory and Brooks have got a wonderful relationship as brothers, constantly ragging on each other but you can feel the love between them. Rory and Thad's friendship is a strong as anything, occasionally wondering if there's something more but I think it's on the side of brotherly love rather than attraction. Brooks is protective of those he cares for, not afraid to stand up for them but very shy about himself. Dane has had hardship in his recent past which has made him wary of connecting with others but there's no way of denying the chemistry and welcome that the three young men offer him and he soaks it up. Brooks and Dane's relationship is a slow burner with a lot going on for Dane to start with before he can move forward and then they have the stress and fear of the case to deal with.
The plot of Coldburgh Train Station becomes quite dark and very interesting in the way it develops. I'm looking forward to many more of these stories with this group of men at the helm. I love the premise of the series and am interested to see how they develop as a group, with this outing being their first real encounter, and definitely not the easiest one to start off with!
Definitely a recommended read from these much loved authors. A great paranormal outing that I'm excited to hear more from, especially from Rory and Thad's POV.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
The plot focuses on RIPP, Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon, a YouTube channel created by Rory and his best friend That with behind the scenes support from Rory's brother, Brooks, and now Dane who is put to work with the duo in their film class. This book focuses on Brooks and Dane as the MC's of the story from when they are first introduced, both awkward as they are aware of their attraction, as they build a tentative friendship and support each other when something happens on their first trip the the station. This visit is just what the creators of RIPP have been waiting for, not so much for the two sceptics. It does work to bring them closer together, though there is something in Dane's last that keeps him from making that full connection.
These are a really great group of guys, very distinct personalities who work very well together, pretty much like a family unit. Rory and Brooks have got a wonderful relationship as brothers, constantly ragging on each other but you can feel the love between them. Rory and Thad's friendship is a strong as anything, occasionally wondering if there's something more but I think it's on the side of brotherly love rather than attraction. Brooks is protective of those he cares for, not afraid to stand up for them but very shy about himself. Dane has had hardship in his recent past which has made him wary of connecting with others but there's no way of denying the chemistry and welcome that the three young men offer him and he soaks it up. Brooks and Dane's relationship is a slow burner with a lot going on for Dane to start with before he can move forward and then they have the stress and fear of the case to deal with.
The plot of Coldburgh Train Station becomes quite dark and very interesting in the way it develops. I'm looking forward to many more of these stories with this group of men at the helm. I love the premise of the series and am interested to see how they develop as a group, with this outing being their first real encounter, and definitely not the easiest one to start off with!
Definitely a recommended read from these much loved authors. A great paranormal outing that I'm excited to hear more from, especially from Rory and Thad's POV.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
June 21, 2021
DNF and I feel really bad about that. I couldn’t click with the characters. If I can’t read a book in 6 days then it’s not keeping my interest. I might try it again the the future as it might be a case of it’s not u but me.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion
June 23, 2021
slow burn romance with paranormal bits? YEAHHH.
going on a ride with Brooks, Dane, Rory and Thad, with their paranormal investigation to the scariest place, got me scared, like "oh no they won't be able to leave there" and "they are gonna die" scary. i don't think I'll be able to stay sane in their situations at all! but these four boys were interesting and cool. their banters and chemistry was perfect, it lessen the heaviness of everything.
the romance was really developed and sweet, Brooks and Dane were so adorable and supportive to each other.
Rory kinda annoyed me at some parts, even though i understood his side. but i hope he learnt his lesson there.
going on a ride with Brooks, Dane, Rory and Thad, with their paranormal investigation to the scariest place, got me scared, like "oh no they won't be able to leave there" and "they are gonna die" scary. i don't think I'll be able to stay sane in their situations at all! but these four boys were interesting and cool. their banters and chemistry was perfect, it lessen the heaviness of everything.
the romance was really developed and sweet, Brooks and Dane were so adorable and supportive to each other.
Rory kinda annoyed me at some parts, even though i understood his side. but i hope he learnt his lesson there.
June 24, 2021
So good! But then again, with both Sammi and Michele in the project, I expected nothing less than to really like it. It also had good prep, based on the short story. I can't wait to see the guys up in the cabins!
June 15, 2021
Spooktacularly thrilling
First, don’t read this at night unless you enjoy going to bed scared. Second, make sure no one can sneak up on you while reading it. Third, this is a primo ghost story. It has it all: creepy and terrifying ghosts, spellbinding atmosphere, and some of the best characters I’ve been introduced to recently as ghost hunters. The men of RIPP are truly amazing. I love the ride-or-die vibe they have, how close-knit they are as family, how clever they are, and let’s not forget the tender but fiery love between Brooks and Dane. “I wanted to live. I wanted to be happy. And Brooks was my happy place.” So many swoons, sighs and chills with these two, I’ll never have enough of them in my life. They’re my new happy place.
First, don’t read this at night unless you enjoy going to bed scared. Second, make sure no one can sneak up on you while reading it. Third, this is a primo ghost story. It has it all: creepy and terrifying ghosts, spellbinding atmosphere, and some of the best characters I’ve been introduced to recently as ghost hunters. The men of RIPP are truly amazing. I love the ride-or-die vibe they have, how close-knit they are as family, how clever they are, and let’s not forget the tender but fiery love between Brooks and Dane. “I wanted to live. I wanted to be happy. And Brooks was my happy place.” So many swoons, sighs and chills with these two, I’ll never have enough of them in my life. They’re my new happy place.
June 18, 2025
4.5 stars
Creep factor to the Max with a good romance underneath. I loved how Brooks, Rory, and Thad welcomed Dane and brought him out of his shell. I look forward to more in this series!!!
Creep factor to the Max with a good romance underneath. I loved how Brooks, Rory, and Thad welcomed Dane and brought him out of his shell. I look forward to more in this series!!!
June 17, 2021
This is the first book in a new series, though there is a prequel available which I discovered after reading this book.
Dane is a college Junior who just transferred to a new school after a traumatic event and taking a year off. He is willing to go through the motions of life, maintaining a sense of numbness, in order to keep his mother off his back. Part of those efforts include taking a film class where he is matched up with Rory and Thad for a group project. Unbeknownst to him this will change everything.
Brooks is floating through life. A college grad with a job he kind of stumbled into but one which gives him a comfortable life and allows him to help out his little brother Rory and their friend Thad and support them in their YouTube channel RIPP where they do a ghost hunting show. He’s a homebody who is happiest spending time with his brother and Thad and cooking for them. He comes home from work one day to discover a new guy in the living room and is immediately blindsided and instantly attracted to Dane. But he can sense Dane is full of secrets, holding his emotions back and deeply unhappy.
As the group pursues a ghost hunting project at Coldburgh Train Station as a project for their film class Brooks and Dane grow closer and Dane finds friends in Rory and Thad. He begins to believe he can live life again perhaps.
The way the authors build the friendships and relationships is well done and draws the reader right in. I deeply wanted to root for Brooks and Dane (who I kept wanting to call Brooks and Dunn!) and I loved the little family that develops with the four characters. The ghost mystery is creepy as hell and in the big climactic scene I’m not sure I actually was able to breathe! The story is engaging and kept me glued to it as I read it in one sitting (it’s 3:45 am as I write this!)
The beginning of the book was a bit annoying as I hate it when there is a continual referencing to some event we aren’t privy to that has a major impact on a character’s thoughts and actions. I read series in order because I hate not knowing stuff. When an author strings that play out it irritates the crap out of me and I don’t think it serves the story as keeping it a mystery from the reader doesn’t enhance the character development, it interferes with it. There are also some elements of the ghost story that don’t make much sense (no spoilers) but they are kind of glossed over. It doesn’t ruin the story but it does make you go hmmmm.
Overall I enjoyed the book and am going to read the prequel right now and look forward to the next book in the series.
**I voluntarily read an arc and this is my unbiased opinion.**
Dane is a college Junior who just transferred to a new school after a traumatic event and taking a year off. He is willing to go through the motions of life, maintaining a sense of numbness, in order to keep his mother off his back. Part of those efforts include taking a film class where he is matched up with Rory and Thad for a group project. Unbeknownst to him this will change everything.
Brooks is floating through life. A college grad with a job he kind of stumbled into but one which gives him a comfortable life and allows him to help out his little brother Rory and their friend Thad and support them in their YouTube channel RIPP where they do a ghost hunting show. He’s a homebody who is happiest spending time with his brother and Thad and cooking for them. He comes home from work one day to discover a new guy in the living room and is immediately blindsided and instantly attracted to Dane. But he can sense Dane is full of secrets, holding his emotions back and deeply unhappy.
As the group pursues a ghost hunting project at Coldburgh Train Station as a project for their film class Brooks and Dane grow closer and Dane finds friends in Rory and Thad. He begins to believe he can live life again perhaps.
The way the authors build the friendships and relationships is well done and draws the reader right in. I deeply wanted to root for Brooks and Dane (who I kept wanting to call Brooks and Dunn!) and I loved the little family that develops with the four characters. The ghost mystery is creepy as hell and in the big climactic scene I’m not sure I actually was able to breathe! The story is engaging and kept me glued to it as I read it in one sitting (it’s 3:45 am as I write this!)
The beginning of the book was a bit annoying as I hate it when there is a continual referencing to some event we aren’t privy to that has a major impact on a character’s thoughts and actions. I read series in order because I hate not knowing stuff. When an author strings that play out it irritates the crap out of me and I don’t think it serves the story as keeping it a mystery from the reader doesn’t enhance the character development, it interferes with it. There are also some elements of the ghost story that don’t make much sense (no spoilers) but they are kind of glossed over. It doesn’t ruin the story but it does make you go hmmmm.
Overall I enjoyed the book and am going to read the prequel right now and look forward to the next book in the series.
**I voluntarily read an arc and this is my unbiased opinion.**
June 20, 2021
Adorable Geeks and Ghosts
I enjoyed this story so much. It has everything I love: adorable geeks and ghosts. I’m always extra excited when there’s a good ghost story, wrapped in a sweet romance. It’s the best of both my worlds.
This is the first book in the RIPP (Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon) Series, co-written by Michelle Notaro and Sammi Cee. These two authors write beautifully together. Their styles mesh so well, it was as if one person wrote this, and not two. That doesn’t often happen when you have two writer’s working together. There is a prequal to this book, but it’s not necessary to read it, before diving into this fun fest.
This book introduces us to all the guys in RIPP: Brooks, Rory and Thad, and also their newest member Dane, but the main focus is on the relationship that develops between Brooks and Dane.
Brooks is the older brother of Rory, and “adopted” brother of Rory’s best friend, Thad. He absolutely does not believe in ghosts, or any of that nonsense, but he follows Rory and Thad around on their adventures. Filming their exploits for their YouTube channel, and wanting to stay behind the camera at all times. Mostly to make sure they stay out of trouble, but also helping them with equipment, and marketing. So far, he’s not seen anything to make him change his mind on the subject of ghosts being real. But he adores Rory, and he made me wish I had a big brother just like him.
Dane gets assigned to work on a class project with Rory and Thad, and gets thrust into researching, and filming, a segment for RIPP. He also is a non-believer and is really just going along with it for his grade. He’s new to the school, the class, and the town, and he’s fine with keeping himself walled off from everyone. He has no intention of making friends. He’s actually nursing an incredibly broken heart, full of grief, pain and loss. He took a year off from school to heal, and he’s not there yet.
On their first night filming, Dane and Brooks, have a terrifying ghost encounter, which leaves them both shaken. Especially since neither believed in anything dealing with the supernatural. They team up to research what they saw, and how to combat it, especially after one of the spirits seems to be targeting Rory.
This is a slow burn, low heat read, but I didn’t mind at all. I loved these guys (all of them), and they are so well written, that the build up to their romantic relationship, was just perfect. It was sweet, and I liked the fact that they didn’t instantly hop into bed. Brooks is a good guy, he’s happiest being at home, cooking, and having movie nights with his brothers. Once Dane started opening himself up to letting people in, to having friends, I just wanted to wrap him up in a big hug. The process of them getting to know each other, was real, and when they finally had their first official date – swoon worthy.
The side characters are great – Dane’s mom is a hoot! – and I love, love, love Rory! He’s a little ADHD, over-caffeinated, energizer bunny, full of sass. I can’t wait for his book in this series.
This book made me smile and gave me all the warm feels. These guys are sweet, funny and adorable (and sexy), and the ghost story was spot on with how I like them. Not too scary in my book, just the right amount of chill. I’m looking forward to all the books in this series.
I enjoyed this story so much. It has everything I love: adorable geeks and ghosts. I’m always extra excited when there’s a good ghost story, wrapped in a sweet romance. It’s the best of both my worlds.
This is the first book in the RIPP (Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon) Series, co-written by Michelle Notaro and Sammi Cee. These two authors write beautifully together. Their styles mesh so well, it was as if one person wrote this, and not two. That doesn’t often happen when you have two writer’s working together. There is a prequal to this book, but it’s not necessary to read it, before diving into this fun fest.
This book introduces us to all the guys in RIPP: Brooks, Rory and Thad, and also their newest member Dane, but the main focus is on the relationship that develops between Brooks and Dane.
Brooks is the older brother of Rory, and “adopted” brother of Rory’s best friend, Thad. He absolutely does not believe in ghosts, or any of that nonsense, but he follows Rory and Thad around on their adventures. Filming their exploits for their YouTube channel, and wanting to stay behind the camera at all times. Mostly to make sure they stay out of trouble, but also helping them with equipment, and marketing. So far, he’s not seen anything to make him change his mind on the subject of ghosts being real. But he adores Rory, and he made me wish I had a big brother just like him.
Dane gets assigned to work on a class project with Rory and Thad, and gets thrust into researching, and filming, a segment for RIPP. He also is a non-believer and is really just going along with it for his grade. He’s new to the school, the class, and the town, and he’s fine with keeping himself walled off from everyone. He has no intention of making friends. He’s actually nursing an incredibly broken heart, full of grief, pain and loss. He took a year off from school to heal, and he’s not there yet.
On their first night filming, Dane and Brooks, have a terrifying ghost encounter, which leaves them both shaken. Especially since neither believed in anything dealing with the supernatural. They team up to research what they saw, and how to combat it, especially after one of the spirits seems to be targeting Rory.
This is a slow burn, low heat read, but I didn’t mind at all. I loved these guys (all of them), and they are so well written, that the build up to their romantic relationship, was just perfect. It was sweet, and I liked the fact that they didn’t instantly hop into bed. Brooks is a good guy, he’s happiest being at home, cooking, and having movie nights with his brothers. Once Dane started opening himself up to letting people in, to having friends, I just wanted to wrap him up in a big hug. The process of them getting to know each other, was real, and when they finally had their first official date – swoon worthy.
The side characters are great – Dane’s mom is a hoot! – and I love, love, love Rory! He’s a little ADHD, over-caffeinated, energizer bunny, full of sass. I can’t wait for his book in this series.
This book made me smile and gave me all the warm feels. These guys are sweet, funny and adorable (and sexy), and the ghost story was spot on with how I like them. Not too scary in my book, just the right amount of chill. I’m looking forward to all the books in this series.
July 29, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
There is a great deal of focus on the growing and established friendships in this story, which makes sense as this is the first book in the Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon series. Dane has suffered a horrible event that has left him heartbroken and afraid to get close to others, but something about the three members of RIPP warm a frozen part of him. They don’t push, they don’t demand, and yet they don’t ignore, either. They’re aware he’s keeping them at arm’s length, but they’re willing to be patient and wait for him to be able to talk to them about what he needs from them and what he wants. Brooks, especially, who wants more from Dane than just a friendship.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
There is a great deal of focus on the growing and established friendships in this story, which makes sense as this is the first book in the Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon series. Dane has suffered a horrible event that has left him heartbroken and afraid to get close to others, but something about the three members of RIPP warm a frozen part of him. They don’t push, they don’t demand, and yet they don’t ignore, either. They’re aware he’s keeping them at arm’s length, but they’re willing to be patient and wait for him to be able to talk to them about what he needs from them and what he wants. Brooks, especially, who wants more from Dane than just a friendship.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
August 10, 2021
2.5 rounded down
Decent enough read, but a bit uneven. We get both Dane & Brooks POV but for the first 50% there's a mysterious ~secret~ that Dane is keeping about his past which got frustrating super quickly. I did like Dane and Brooks's connection, but after a slower start they then jump to serious super quickly. I found Rory's behavior to be super childish and pretty awful and not really in line with what we're told about him--it felt like a forced plot point to get the group to return to the train station. Which, was another choppy aspect--they leave and return like 4 times and it felt quite clunky in terms of pacing and build. It was fine, and I'll probably read the next.
Decent enough read, but a bit uneven. We get both Dane & Brooks POV but for the first 50% there's a mysterious ~secret~ that Dane is keeping about his past which got frustrating super quickly. I did like Dane and Brooks's connection, but after a slower start they then jump to serious super quickly. I found Rory's behavior to be super childish and pretty awful and not really in line with what we're told about him--it felt like a forced plot point to get the group to return to the train station. Which, was another choppy aspect--they leave and return like 4 times and it felt quite clunky in terms of pacing and build. It was fine, and I'll probably read the next.
June 29, 2021
I loved the mix of romance and paranormal in this story. The characters are appealing, but not without their own past tragedies, and the scenes with the ghosts are scary and atmospheric. I’m looking forward to more cases from the Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon!
Although this is Brooks’ and Dane’s story, family and found family plays an important role. I loved Brooks’ and Rory’s sibling relationship, and the friendship between Thad and Rory. I liked how it avoided the best friends to lovers trope and kept them as friends who have no interest in each other romantically. I loved how they took Dane under their wing and included him as family very early on. Poor Dane! I could understand why he was wary of starting another relationship, and I thought his fear was very realistic considering what he’s been through. I also liked how his past wasn’t fully revealed until later, with the hints keeping me guessing until the reveal. I liked Brooks and how protective he is of Rory and Thad, yet never treats them as younger and not knowing what they’re doing.
Rory and Thad’s enthusiasm for the paranormal is endearing and I loved how things swapped around after the disbeliever in their midst has an encounter, and they haven’t seen any ghosts yet.
The ghosts in this story are scary, especially the bad guy amongst them. I liked how the guys took the time to not only research the history of the station but dug deeper to get the true story. I also liked how they didn’t know how to banish spirits, and had to research that too.
Dane’s mother is wonderful. She’s a hoot, yet caring and doing her best to be there for Dane. Be sure to check out the bonus episodes at the back of the book. I loved the revelation about his mother. Perfect plot twist!
Although this is Brooks’ and Dane’s story, family and found family plays an important role. I loved Brooks’ and Rory’s sibling relationship, and the friendship between Thad and Rory. I liked how it avoided the best friends to lovers trope and kept them as friends who have no interest in each other romantically. I loved how they took Dane under their wing and included him as family very early on. Poor Dane! I could understand why he was wary of starting another relationship, and I thought his fear was very realistic considering what he’s been through. I also liked how his past wasn’t fully revealed until later, with the hints keeping me guessing until the reveal. I liked Brooks and how protective he is of Rory and Thad, yet never treats them as younger and not knowing what they’re doing.
Rory and Thad’s enthusiasm for the paranormal is endearing and I loved how things swapped around after the disbeliever in their midst has an encounter, and they haven’t seen any ghosts yet.
The ghosts in this story are scary, especially the bad guy amongst them. I liked how the guys took the time to not only research the history of the station but dug deeper to get the true story. I also liked how they didn’t know how to banish spirits, and had to research that too.
Dane’s mother is wonderful. She’s a hoot, yet caring and doing her best to be there for Dane. Be sure to check out the bonus episodes at the back of the book. I loved the revelation about his mother. Perfect plot twist!
July 24, 2021
This was wonderful! A perfect mix of a ghost story and a love story!
The ghost story was very engaging, I was spooked by that station from the start. Of course, the awesome writing helped keep me engaged, but the spooky plot and suspense were awesome too. The romance part was also nice. It was sweet and cute, but also funny and steamy enough, and it blended in perfectly with the spooky ghost adventure. This whole book was damn near perfect!
**I was provided an ARC of this book from the GRR for an honest review**
The ghost story was very engaging, I was spooked by that station from the start. Of course, the awesome writing helped keep me engaged, but the spooky plot and suspense were awesome too. The romance part was also nice. It was sweet and cute, but also funny and steamy enough, and it blended in perfectly with the spooky ghost adventure. This whole book was damn near perfect!
**I was provided an ARC of this book from the GRR for an honest review**
July 25, 2021
I felt sorry for Brooks. It was babysitting at its best. Stubborn younger brothers trying to prove the existence of ghosts for their channel. Thad was redeemable but Rory was pigheaded. I had a feeling it was gonna be one of those someone will get hurt to make him see sense, but nope. Still there with the camera getting into trouble. I’m curious who Rory will end up with to anchor him, also wondering if anything will happen with the dead link site. Dane and Brooks were sweet together. The mother was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
RIPP's paranormal adventure was much spookier than I expected, and I loved every second!
I consider myself a paranormal skeptic like Brooks and Dane were at the beginning, but even I can't deny how chillingly real the ghosts in this book were. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying to see Brooks, Dane, Rory, and Thad investigate Coldburgh train station, and the ghostly activity only ramped up in intensity as this story progressed. I loved watching these guys unravel the mystery of how the ghosts came to be, and it was really cool (and scary) to see how they managed to cleanse the area and keep everyone safe.
Even though I had assumed Dane was part of RIPP from the start, I had a ton of fun seeing how he stumbled into the project with Rory and Thad. Those two were so passionate about their work that it was impossible not to get invested in it, and even with all of Dane's effort to remain closed off from others he was still drawn into the excitement. I wasn't sure Dane would ever drop his walls, but after a particularly terrifying encounter at Coldburgh he finally accepted that he didn't have to go through life alone anymore. It was absolutely adorable to see him and Brooks fall for each other, and I appreciate that they took things slow to ease themselves into physical intimacy. After finding out what happened to Dane in the past I completely understand his hesitation, and I loved Brooks all the more for being respectful and patient. Their romance was definitely more of a slow burn, but the best kind of slow burn, where I could feel their emotional connection growing with every day they spent together.
As much as I loved the romance and mystery, what really made this story special were the amazing characters. Rory, Thad, Brooks, and Dane brought this adventure to life for me, and I felt like I was living in the same moments they were. Brooks was the protective, cautious older brother, but he had too much love for Rory and Thad to ever dampen their enthusiasim. Rory was a bouncy ball of excitable energy, usually spurred on by Thad in their quest to prove that ghosts were real. Dane started out separate from it all but ended up being a valuable contributor to RIPP and coming up with some cool ideas of his own. Separately, these guys were wonderful, but together they were a fantastic, engaging team. If this is what I have to look forward to in the rest of this series, I can't wait to see what paranormal quest they end up solving next!
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
I consider myself a paranormal skeptic like Brooks and Dane were at the beginning, but even I can't deny how chillingly real the ghosts in this book were. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying to see Brooks, Dane, Rory, and Thad investigate Coldburgh train station, and the ghostly activity only ramped up in intensity as this story progressed. I loved watching these guys unravel the mystery of how the ghosts came to be, and it was really cool (and scary) to see how they managed to cleanse the area and keep everyone safe.
Even though I had assumed Dane was part of RIPP from the start, I had a ton of fun seeing how he stumbled into the project with Rory and Thad. Those two were so passionate about their work that it was impossible not to get invested in it, and even with all of Dane's effort to remain closed off from others he was still drawn into the excitement. I wasn't sure Dane would ever drop his walls, but after a particularly terrifying encounter at Coldburgh he finally accepted that he didn't have to go through life alone anymore. It was absolutely adorable to see him and Brooks fall for each other, and I appreciate that they took things slow to ease themselves into physical intimacy. After finding out what happened to Dane in the past I completely understand his hesitation, and I loved Brooks all the more for being respectful and patient. Their romance was definitely more of a slow burn, but the best kind of slow burn, where I could feel their emotional connection growing with every day they spent together.
As much as I loved the romance and mystery, what really made this story special were the amazing characters. Rory, Thad, Brooks, and Dane brought this adventure to life for me, and I felt like I was living in the same moments they were. Brooks was the protective, cautious older brother, but he had too much love for Rory and Thad to ever dampen their enthusiasim. Rory was a bouncy ball of excitable energy, usually spurred on by Thad in their quest to prove that ghosts were real. Dane started out separate from it all but ended up being a valuable contributor to RIPP and coming up with some cool ideas of his own. Separately, these guys were wonderful, but together they were a fantastic, engaging team. If this is what I have to look forward to in the rest of this series, I can't wait to see what paranormal quest they end up solving next!
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 19, 2021
I want to thank the author/publisher for giving me an advanced reading copy of this book for this review. Although I am very grateful for their generosity, the following review is completely my own and not influenced by either the author or the publisher.
I was not familiar with either author of Coldburgh Train Station: RIPP (Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon) Book 1, Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee, before reading this book. I can say I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book.
The basic premise of the book is pretty straight forward. Rory and Thad created a YouTube channel called Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon (RIPP) where they go and investigate haunted sites. Along for the usual ride is Rory's older brother, Brooks.
On the first day of their film class, a new student, Dane, is added to their group for the course project they've already been working (RIPP). Dane has a few ghosts in his closet and is going to school because he wants to make his mother happy. On the first day of class, Dane has decided he doesn't want to make friends at his new school. Dane just wants to get through the semester and finish his business degree. Surprisingly, Dane and Brooks take an immediate attraction to each other, and despite Dane's best efforts to put a halt to their growing relationship, their coming together is simply inevitable. Of course, when the RIPP team investigates a haunted railway station that provides considerably more paranormal activity than they asked for, Brooks and Dane start a whirlwind of emotions and romance.
As for my analysis of this book, I think it was well written and the pacing was good. There were a few parts where I thought things slowed down a bit, but this wasn't a huge distraction from the overall story. I liked the book enough to go back and buy the prequel novella just to see where things began. I definitely look forward to seeing where this series leads.
One thing I really appreciated about this book is that the gay characters were three-dimensional and not just gay. I appreciate a good story where being gay isn't the most interesting thing about the plot, which is exactly what I found in this book. If you're a fan of urban fantasy or ghost stories, I would highly recommend giving this fast read a chance.
I was not familiar with either author of Coldburgh Train Station: RIPP (Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon) Book 1, Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee, before reading this book. I can say I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book.
The basic premise of the book is pretty straight forward. Rory and Thad created a YouTube channel called Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon (RIPP) where they go and investigate haunted sites. Along for the usual ride is Rory's older brother, Brooks.
On the first day of their film class, a new student, Dane, is added to their group for the course project they've already been working (RIPP). Dane has a few ghosts in his closet and is going to school because he wants to make his mother happy. On the first day of class, Dane has decided he doesn't want to make friends at his new school. Dane just wants to get through the semester and finish his business degree. Surprisingly, Dane and Brooks take an immediate attraction to each other, and despite Dane's best efforts to put a halt to their growing relationship, their coming together is simply inevitable. Of course, when the RIPP team investigates a haunted railway station that provides considerably more paranormal activity than they asked for, Brooks and Dane start a whirlwind of emotions and romance.
As for my analysis of this book, I think it was well written and the pacing was good. There were a few parts where I thought things slowed down a bit, but this wasn't a huge distraction from the overall story. I liked the book enough to go back and buy the prequel novella just to see where things began. I definitely look forward to seeing where this series leads.
One thing I really appreciated about this book is that the gay characters were three-dimensional and not just gay. I appreciate a good story where being gay isn't the most interesting thing about the plot, which is exactly what I found in this book. If you're a fan of urban fantasy or ghost stories, I would highly recommend giving this fast read a chance.
June 16, 2021
4.5*
Wow, this was fab, really enjoyed reading this, if you love a bit of a scare with your romance then def give this one a go. Can't wait to read the next book!
Wow, this was fab, really enjoyed reading this, if you love a bit of a scare with your romance then def give this one a go. Can't wait to read the next book!
June 28, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up because the book was FUN.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this story as I hadn't heard much about it but I'm glad I read it. The story successfully pulls off combining a suspense story with romance. Dane, a transfer student is assigned to a film project with Rory and Thad. Brooks, Rory's brother, helps them as they choose to investigate the haunting of a notorious train station. They think they're going to have a successful film but end up getting a bit more than they bargain for when the rumors of haunting end up being very, very real.
As to the paranormal element of the story, it's handled very well by the authors. There were some genuinely creepy moments and to my surprise the authors didn't shy away from some of the horrific aspects of the haunting, which in my opinion made the story that much stronger. They didn't overdo the creep factor but had they not included the romance between Brooks and Dane, this story could have been shifted to an out and out horror story easily. I love it when a book works on several different levels, and this story is one of them.
Dane and Brooks' romance is handled very well and is very believably. It's a slow burn romance, understandably considering the experiences the young men are going through and the fact that both are dealing with some factors from their past. I particularly liked how the authors tied in events from Dane's past indirectly to their present investigation.
I had a few quibbles about plot pacing when they first get to the train station but nothing too major. All in all, I enjoyed this one a lot and am looking forward to the next one. These are some fun characters with some great potential and an interesting premise for their investigations going forward.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this story as I hadn't heard much about it but I'm glad I read it. The story successfully pulls off combining a suspense story with romance. Dane, a transfer student is assigned to a film project with Rory and Thad. Brooks, Rory's brother, helps them as they choose to investigate the haunting of a notorious train station. They think they're going to have a successful film but end up getting a bit more than they bargain for when the rumors of haunting end up being very, very real.
As to the paranormal element of the story, it's handled very well by the authors. There were some genuinely creepy moments and to my surprise the authors didn't shy away from some of the horrific aspects of the haunting, which in my opinion made the story that much stronger. They didn't overdo the creep factor but had they not included the romance between Brooks and Dane, this story could have been shifted to an out and out horror story easily. I love it when a book works on several different levels, and this story is one of them.
Dane and Brooks' romance is handled very well and is very believably. It's a slow burn romance, understandably considering the experiences the young men are going through and the fact that both are dealing with some factors from their past. I particularly liked how the authors tied in events from Dane's past indirectly to their present investigation.
I had a few quibbles about plot pacing when they first get to the train station but nothing too major. All in all, I enjoyed this one a lot and am looking forward to the next one. These are some fun characters with some great potential and an interesting premise for their investigations going forward.
July 7, 2021
Sweet ghostly story.
June 21, 2021
4.5 Stars
Coldburg Train Station is the first book in the Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon series. This Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee gem is perfect for fans of paranormal light.
I am not a big fan of paranormal books. Not at all. But give me a good paranormal light romance and I am all over it. And this book is just that.
I rarely talk about covers, but I have to address this one. It is simply perfect for this book. It had me intrigued and assuming it would be light and cute, as opposed to scary and deep.
Then I started reading. The writing is wonderful, with lots of humor sprinkled throughout. The characters are well developed and the storyline is riveting. I was instantly invested.
I love the men and their journey. It's a fabulous college romance centered around a fun ghost story. I love it all.
The ghost story aspect is a fabulous mix of creepy and entertaining. It's full of humor, as well as serious moments. I adore the You Tube channel and it's fan base.
And then there's the layers. This tale addresses some serious issues. It's about accepting that one can love after loss. It's about accepting that it's okay to live fully after losing someone.
Overall, Coldburgh Train Station is a wonderful read. The authors team up perfectly to create this charming story.
Coldburg Train Station is the first book in the Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon series. This Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee gem is perfect for fans of paranormal light.
I am not a big fan of paranormal books. Not at all. But give me a good paranormal light romance and I am all over it. And this book is just that.
I rarely talk about covers, but I have to address this one. It is simply perfect for this book. It had me intrigued and assuming it would be light and cute, as opposed to scary and deep.
Then I started reading. The writing is wonderful, with lots of humor sprinkled throughout. The characters are well developed and the storyline is riveting. I was instantly invested.
I love the men and their journey. It's a fabulous college romance centered around a fun ghost story. I love it all.
The ghost story aspect is a fabulous mix of creepy and entertaining. It's full of humor, as well as serious moments. I adore the You Tube channel and it's fan base.
And then there's the layers. This tale addresses some serious issues. It's about accepting that one can love after loss. It's about accepting that it's okay to live fully after losing someone.
Overall, Coldburgh Train Station is a wonderful read. The authors team up perfectly to create this charming story.
June 15, 2021
5 stars
New Friends, New Love and OMG Ghosts!
Having read the prequel to this book, I knew I wanted to jump right in! This writing duo have proven their chops and this is another awesome series! A hurt/comfort, medium angst, slow burn, paranormal mystery/read with the addition of deadly ghostly interference. Brooks is the shy ‘holder of the camera’ for his younger brothers’, one by blood, one by choice, paranormal group. He is not a believer and is somewhat pleased when the new addition to the group is as well, especially when he is also exactly Brooks’ type.
Dane moved to a new school after a year off to deal with tragedy. He fully intends to keep everyone at a distance, which isn’t helped by his professor adding him to Rory and Thad’s group. The last thing he wants is to find new people to care for but it’s impossible not to like his group mates and extremely hard to not fall for Brooks.
Watching Brooks and Dane work through their issues and begin to fall together is super sweet and I needed lots of tissues. In addition to building their relationship, Brooks and Dane also have to figure out how to keep their team safe from the spirits, since Thad and Rory are running on excitement and don't realize the danger until too late.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal, ghost stories with an amazing love story attached.
New Friends, New Love and OMG Ghosts!
Having read the prequel to this book, I knew I wanted to jump right in! This writing duo have proven their chops and this is another awesome series! A hurt/comfort, medium angst, slow burn, paranormal mystery/read with the addition of deadly ghostly interference. Brooks is the shy ‘holder of the camera’ for his younger brothers’, one by blood, one by choice, paranormal group. He is not a believer and is somewhat pleased when the new addition to the group is as well, especially when he is also exactly Brooks’ type.
Dane moved to a new school after a year off to deal with tragedy. He fully intends to keep everyone at a distance, which isn’t helped by his professor adding him to Rory and Thad’s group. The last thing he wants is to find new people to care for but it’s impossible not to like his group mates and extremely hard to not fall for Brooks.
Watching Brooks and Dane work through their issues and begin to fall together is super sweet and I needed lots of tissues. In addition to building their relationship, Brooks and Dane also have to figure out how to keep their team safe from the spirits, since Thad and Rory are running on excitement and don't realize the danger until too late.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal, ghost stories with an amazing love story attached.
September 6, 2021
I liked the premise of this book and at first I liked the characters but the more I read the more it all just fell flat for me. Brooks has no life of his own, he just lives for his brother and that would be okay (I guess?) if I feel like he really enjoyed RIPP but mostly he just felt like the underpaid sherpa carrying all the gear. The one time I felt like he was really and truly his own person was when he realised coworker Lisa was really his friend.
As for Dane, well the build up surrounding his past trauma was more traumatic (as a reader) than the event itself and that led me to have quite a few issues with Dane - but also a general “why does nobody in books ever get therapy??”.
Much like Brooks’ relationship with his brother, his relationship with Dane felt one-sided for the majority of the book and the resolution of their relationship fell flat for me.
I didn’t particularly like Rory, I’m undecided on Thad and there was not enough Lisa, I cannot stress that enough. A book that was supposed to be about Brooks and Dane felt much more like a book about Brooks following three other people around like a tolerant parent and I just…
I think for this book to work for me (outside the supernatural element because that was just fine) then I needed to see Brooks more as his own person and not the indulgent adult trotting along and picking up after a bunch of kids.
As for Dane, well the build up surrounding his past trauma was more traumatic (as a reader) than the event itself and that led me to have quite a few issues with Dane - but also a general “why does nobody in books ever get therapy??”.
Much like Brooks’ relationship with his brother, his relationship with Dane felt one-sided for the majority of the book and the resolution of their relationship fell flat for me.
I didn’t particularly like Rory, I’m undecided on Thad and there was not enough Lisa, I cannot stress that enough. A book that was supposed to be about Brooks and Dane felt much more like a book about Brooks following three other people around like a tolerant parent and I just…
I think for this book to work for me (outside the supernatural element because that was just fine) then I needed to see Brooks more as his own person and not the indulgent adult trotting along and picking up after a bunch of kids.
June 16, 2021
Coldburgh Train Station was a really cute book! It was a friends to lovers, paranormal romance that was the perfect mix of sugary sweet romance, and creepy, scary supernatural weirdness.
This series is based around the members of Research in Paranormal Phenomenon, a.k.a RIPP. If you've seen Supernatural, then this group is just like the Ghostfacers from the show, only more adorable and endearing. They run a YouTube channel where they explore and investigate places that are claimed to be haunted and try to find evidence of ghosts.
The main duo of this group is Rory and Thad, who have been best friends since high school. They live with and run the channel with Rory's older brother, Brooks. When they get paired up with Dane for an assignment in their film class, things start to take a turn for both the channel and the group.
Ever since Brooks graduated from college, he feels like he's just drifting. His life revolves around RIPP and his closest friends are his brother and Thad. When Dane comes into the picture, he feels like he's become redundant and doesn't have a purpose anymore.
But Dane's hiding secrets of his own and has been living half a life for more than a year. The only time he ever relaxes and finds joy in living is when he's around the guys from RIPP.
When Brooks and Dane have a scary supernatural experience at the Coldburgh Train Station, they start to lean on one another. And when Rory and Thad decide they want to keep going back to the scary station, Dane and Brooks come together in their collective mission to keep the other two safe.
Every time they go to the station, Brooks and Dane experience something different and every experience just brings them closer and closer together. They learn to not only trust and depend on one another, but also love each other.
This book was super, super sweet! Brooks has a major protective instinct and that comes out in all sorts of ways. From the moment he locks eyes with Dane's haunted green eyes, that instinct immediately extends to Dane as well. Not to mention, he also develops an obsession with the color green and starts to but anything and everything that resembles Dane's eyes!
Dane is slower to reach out. For the past year, he's just been surviving. It's only with the help of the guys that he starts to come out of his shell and finds his way back to himself.
Together, Dane and Brooks were super cute and I absolutely adored them! They constantly made me swoon and smile with each one of their interactions! Rory and Thad were great additions to the book and I cannot wait to read their stories!
While the romance was absolutely wonderful, a major part of the book was also focused on the friendships. This is an incredibly tight-knit group where they genuinely care about one another. They all have their roles, but they really shine when they're together.
I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a sweet, paranormal romance that is equal parts scary and adorable. There were definitely moments where I felt chills because of the creepiness at the train station, but there were so many more moments where I had to swoon because of how adorable the characters were!
Full review at https://echoesoutloud.wordpress.com/2...
"I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review."
This series is based around the members of Research in Paranormal Phenomenon, a.k.a RIPP. If you've seen Supernatural, then this group is just like the Ghostfacers from the show, only more adorable and endearing. They run a YouTube channel where they explore and investigate places that are claimed to be haunted and try to find evidence of ghosts.
The main duo of this group is Rory and Thad, who have been best friends since high school. They live with and run the channel with Rory's older brother, Brooks. When they get paired up with Dane for an assignment in their film class, things start to take a turn for both the channel and the group.
Ever since Brooks graduated from college, he feels like he's just drifting. His life revolves around RIPP and his closest friends are his brother and Thad. When Dane comes into the picture, he feels like he's become redundant and doesn't have a purpose anymore.
But Dane's hiding secrets of his own and has been living half a life for more than a year. The only time he ever relaxes and finds joy in living is when he's around the guys from RIPP.
When Brooks and Dane have a scary supernatural experience at the Coldburgh Train Station, they start to lean on one another. And when Rory and Thad decide they want to keep going back to the scary station, Dane and Brooks come together in their collective mission to keep the other two safe.
Every time they go to the station, Brooks and Dane experience something different and every experience just brings them closer and closer together. They learn to not only trust and depend on one another, but also love each other.
This book was super, super sweet! Brooks has a major protective instinct and that comes out in all sorts of ways. From the moment he locks eyes with Dane's haunted green eyes, that instinct immediately extends to Dane as well. Not to mention, he also develops an obsession with the color green and starts to but anything and everything that resembles Dane's eyes!
Dane is slower to reach out. For the past year, he's just been surviving. It's only with the help of the guys that he starts to come out of his shell and finds his way back to himself.
Together, Dane and Brooks were super cute and I absolutely adored them! They constantly made me swoon and smile with each one of their interactions! Rory and Thad were great additions to the book and I cannot wait to read their stories!
While the romance was absolutely wonderful, a major part of the book was also focused on the friendships. This is an incredibly tight-knit group where they genuinely care about one another. They all have their roles, but they really shine when they're together.
I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a sweet, paranormal romance that is equal parts scary and adorable. There were definitely moments where I felt chills because of the creepiness at the train station, but there were so many more moments where I had to swoon because of how adorable the characters were!
Full review at https://echoesoutloud.wordpress.com/2...
"I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review."
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