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Jonah's Ghost

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Taryn Hopkins and her husband, Oliver, recently bought and moved into their first home, an old Victorian in small-town Pennsylvania. However, when her airline pilot husband is away, Taryn is visited by a dark-haired male apparition who appears in unlit hallways and, eventually, her dreams.

Jonah’s so real, she can touch him.
He calls her by the name “Odette” and strokes her like his long-lost love.
But soulmates don’t simply travel through time in search of one another to reclaim a tragic past. Prophecies that claim she’ll meet her true love, and that he’ll be wearing gold, live only in old black-and-white romantic films.

That's why, when Special Agent Asher Renaud shows up on her porch, touting a gold badge, she doesn’t pay it much mind. There’s also the fact that Asher looks exactly like Jonah, but that doesn’t mean she’s Asher’s Odette.

Neither does it mean that their souls were destined to find each other, over one hundred years later, to solve Odette's mysterious disappearance, finally giving the lovers a chance to finish their story.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2022

192 people are currently reading
1593 people want to read

About the author

K. Alex Walker

34 books556 followers

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5 stars
342 (59%)
4 stars
148 (25%)
3 stars
58 (10%)
2 stars
20 (3%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
Profile Image for Bea.
177 reviews3 followers
November 5, 2022
Did Not Enjoy

I have read (almost) everything from this author, with the Angels and Assassins series being my favorite. I preordered this book because of the author.

I may be in the minority, but this didn’t do it for me.

Too many characters, complicated and confusing. Introducing a new, key character in the last quarter of the book was unnecessary. It was often difficult for me to discern what was “memory”, what was reality, who was speaking…so occasionally I had to reread a page or two to understand. Because of this, I lost interest in the story and what should have been a day of reading enjoyment became a 5-day crawl through the book. In an attempt to be a complex story, it was overly complicated, fraught with character overload and just not my favorite from this author.

But that’s okay, I will continue to look for her books in the future.
Profile Image for Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈.
2,039 reviews6 followers
December 11, 2022
This is a strange book in that it felt like 3 stories in one. The story took a lot of twists and turns and also had some really weird things going on regarding black men? Like, it was just very odd and left me uncomfortable reading this as a black woman.

To start with, the supernatural element was enough for one story, in my opinion. A woman in an awful marriage with a cheating husband moves to a haunted house in a small town. That's a story. We then add that the descendant of the ghost haunting her house comes to find her. That also fits in the story. We then add that he's an FBI agent hunting her husband. That's an entirely different story and pushes the genre into crime thriller. We then add that he's a serial killer and they both have a history of extremely traumatizing child abuse at the hands of kidnappers and I am confused about what I read entirely.

The Odette/Jonah thing only went so far. I found it odd from the start that Taryn was masturbating to thoughts of Jonah. I was sure at the start this was a story about her falling in love with the ghost. Then it becomes about Asher and Taryn trying to figure out what happened to Odette in the midst of everything else going on. There's some scenes meant to explicitly say they like each other and it's not all because of Odette and Jonah's presences in them but it still felt (especially at the end) like they were trying to fulfill some of what Odette and Jonah didn't get to have. That's weird.

As a character, Taryn was extremely passive. The attempt to give her agency over her revenge at the end didn't go far for me because we spend most of the book finding out how much of the plot could've been fast forwarded if she'd just told Asher what Oliver did. It almost felt like her history was being written as the book went on, not that it was planned from the start. When she tells Pittman about her past, it was even more baffling why she and Asher were racing around the country. And don't get me started on Pittman going from PA to TX in like three minutes. The Sammy reveal also felt tossed in there last minute.

The weird stuff regarding black men was confusing. We have Audrey dumping Asher because he's white and she wants to marry a black man. Totally fine. Some black women can't see themselves married to someone that doesn't personally understand prejudice. Except, Audrey is then violently murdered by that man. On its face, in a book where a woman is suffering from extreme domestic violence from her white "husband", not necessarily a pattern. But we add that the reason Odette left Jonah was that her family kidnapped her so she'd marry a black man who knowingly went along with the kidnapping. We have Pittman saying Taryn would never love Asher because he's white and she gives a whole speech defending him. There's a lot of stuff about Asher's complex about not being "black enough" despite every description of him meaning he's obviously a white man. I just don't get the point of all of that, to be honest. Especially because Odette loved Jonah who had not a drop of black blood in him. What was the point?

Anyway, the story was interesting at first but it really went off the rails about 33% in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for T.M. Pigatt.
Author 35 books83 followers
December 19, 2022
amazing

I have read many books by this author and they have all good. I normally only stars reviews but this time I had to leave a real review. I haven’t read anything like this story before. It was great.
Profile Image for Tay.
184 reviews41 followers
November 29, 2023
K. Alex Walker’s Pen Game is UNMATCHED…

It’s official, I will read a grocery list from Ms. Walker. Definitely one of my ‘buy without reading the blurb’ authors. I mean, who would have thought it?

The synopsis had me believing I was going into read about a ghost romance- and while I did! It was so much more than that.

This story had it all! Great character development, strong female lead, a strong plot, SUSPENSE, side characters that were ALIVE. Not just 2-D and forgettable.

The imagination of this woman. (Walker) never give it up. It has made all the stories I’ve been from her a positive delight thus far. Despite having to read them in the first person narrative. (Something I rant about ardently) but whenever it’s a book from Ms Walker, I never seem to notice the book is in first person.

The MCs I loved, but, and I have to be honest here. The way they initially started the ‘romance’ was a bit muddled. To be fair, it would be, with Taryn’s background and all. I had my hesitation about it, but after the initial awkwardness, everything smooth out and things between them didn’t read, peculiar.

Let’s talk about Oliver - what a messed up sociopath! My word, the writing around him gave me the heebie jeebies. He was so calculating and arrogant and also charismatic. A well written villain. I liked his backstory a lot too. It was … a lot.

Read this book. I cannot say enough about it. The pages melted so quickly into each other because of how ravenous I was as I consumed it. It was a very good!

Read it!
Profile Image for Rosie.
1,652 reviews32 followers
November 5, 2022
“You’re not for me.” —Odette
"Tell that to my heart." —Jonah

Those five words grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go, until they did.

It's official—apparently I like a more unrealistic paranormal with shapeshifters because I'm definitely scared of ghosts that haunt houses or any other place!

It took me a while to read this story, because at times, it didn't hold my interest and I found the plot, at times, very confusing. There were lots of characters that I was unable to keep track of, so I had to keep searching to find out if I'd met them already in the story.

Initially, when the modern day descendants of Jonah (Asher) and Odette (Taryn) meet, it's rather ho-hum—neither one mentions a spark or feel any kind of connection, so that was a disconnect for me. Later, in the story it felt forced, and it just felt like they came together but that is what was expected given their shared ancestral history.

There were some scenes I thought could have been left on the cutting room floor. I enjoyed the flashback scenes of Jonah and Odette (I felt their love), which are few and far between and I was invested in finding out how they got separated. The story is told, but the reader has to piece the story together.

It could just be me and I certainly think it's worth reading.

Recommended: Read It!
Profile Image for Bree.
472 reviews34 followers
November 1, 2022
When FBI agent Asher sees Taryn, the wife of the man he’s investigating, he finds his missing piece.

This was an interesting story that dealt with trauma, sociopathy, ghosts, and everlasting love.

I like all the characters, although I would’ve liked to see more of the historical society. Seeing more Asher and Taryn learning to love each other would’ve been nice too. One character I just couldn’t feel bad for the way i probably should is Aubrey, she was a user.

Overall this was an interesting story, with a creative plot. A nice non-horror Halloween read.
Profile Image for Theodora.
131 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2022
LOVED IT!!!!

I started this on Vella and literally sat on pins and needles waiting for the next episode to drop…then I saw that an actual book was coming out so I not so patiently waited for it…and let me say I am FAR from disappointed. I would have never guessed that the storyline would play out the way it did. Kudos Ms. K for delivering a love story of this magnitude. I’d give you 10 ⭐️ if I could.
Profile Image for Nene.
1,783 reviews25 followers
January 20, 2023
Enjoyed!

Asher aka Jonah and Taryn aka Odessa. I enjoyed their storyline and the supporting characters. If you enjoy a psychological romance thriller then this book is for you. This cover is amazing.
Profile Image for Sarah L.
12 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2025
It was good — a solid 3.75 so I rounded up 😉 honestly it was a really easy read and I loved the whole premise. What I think I needed more of was like an earth shattering mystery or reveal. I don’t know what it was, but everything felt very spelled out and explained and , for me, I like to some times get to the conclusion on my own or put things together. That to say, I also just came off of a crazy intense book that had too much of that… too much of a puzzle… so it was a good pallet cleanser and page turner in its own right!
67 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2022
Amazing

This book was everything I didn’t know I needed in a story thank you K. Alex Walker you never cease to amaze me. The story of Jonah and Odette, Asher and Taryn left me wanting more another must read, A love that transcends time.
Profile Image for Colee Porter.
1,144 reviews26 followers
November 5, 2022
long-awaited

I have eagerly been waiting this book. I’m so happy that I got to meet Taryn and Asher.

The development of his book was amazing and definitely will keep you intrigued and engaged.

This book is more than a love story this author just knows how to do it.

This is such a great book and definitely a wonderful read.

Happy reading, and wine drinking.
28 reviews
July 7, 2024
Wow wow wow!! I've not enjoyed a book.as much as I enjoyed this one! If I wasn't a fan of K.A. Walker before this, I am definitely one now! My goodness, this book had everything. A psychological drama with paranormal activity AND a romance?! Amazing!!! 10-10-10s across the board!!!
342 reviews4 followers
November 4, 2022
4 1/2 stars!!!

So glad we finally got this book! K. Alex had us on the cliff trying to hang us with Kindle Vella😅. Loved the Jonah's and Odette's. Though paranormal is not my thing and was confusing sometimes, I still loved the sordid story and plot twists. Multicharacter, past/present, slow burn, unsolved murders...there was a lot here, but keeps you engaged. Just was not a fan of Kindle Vella or the format...at all.
136 reviews2 followers
November 6, 2022
Good..

I started reading this on Kindle villa and I must say I am so glad she made it into a full book. I loved Asher, Taryn, Odette and Jonah. Such a good story and I'm not really into the super natural.
43 reviews
November 5, 2022
Nice Book

First time I read a book like this, I loved this book will try to find more from this author.
143 reviews
November 6, 2022
loved

Could. Not put down this book had everything I loved everyone about it .Just mind blowing the suspense a must read sure
16 reviews
November 3, 2022
Twists, turns and surprises

This book was awesome. Each chapter took you somewhere different. Nothing was predictable. I loved the journey. I read in a day because I couldn’t put it down. K. Alex Walker I think this was your best and I have read all your books. I think suspense and thriller is definitely your genre. Future reader you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Olubunmi Akinadewo.
535 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2022
A great read

Aww this was a really nice story, I did not expect to enjoy this story as much as I did. Very intriguing and mysterious, may love that transcends time find us all
40 reviews
November 4, 2022
definitely recommend

Get this book… I’m glad I read it, held my interest from beginning to end. I felt bad for Oliver and his crazy self. Such a good read
Profile Image for Lauretta Beckett.
11 reviews
November 4, 2022
Great read

I loved the premise of this story. A love that lasted over a century and truly stood the test of time.
1,066 reviews5 followers
November 28, 2022
In For an Intense, Compelling Ride

*****Spoilers*****

I was a little skeptical about this book going in because its synopsis was iffy for me. The idea of soul mates reconnecting after generations usually turns me away because the history and past for me gets in the way of the present story. However, that was an initial reaction and in no way felt even remotely like that when reading. The author blended the past lives of Asher and Taryn together so well with their ancestors Jonah and Odette that it created an intense environment where the present got to experience both both sets of lives sometimes simultaneously but also separately.

Taryn is pseudo married to Oliver, probably closer to a common law marriage though since they've never actually gotten married by hold themselves out as husband and wife. He's a serial killer who brainwashes Taryn until she snaps out of it and runs. Taryn and Asher meet when he comes to their home looking for Oliver. Asher works for the FBI and believes he's found the man who killed her sister along with many more women. Little do either of them know at the time, but they're the descendants of a couple of soul mates whose lives were unfortunately separated and cut short.

Asher had to be one of the sweetest when it came to Taryn, but not only that, his character was something to admire I thought. Taryn had a complicated relationship with her husband Oliver, who actually really never was her husband. The story of how Taryn and Oliver came to be together, their histories as a couple and children were so intertwined it's a wonder that Taryn was able to come back to herself time and again to run and try to get away from Oliver. This is an obsession that's far from healthy and we see how it manifested with Oliver and Taryn.

Some things that I didn't understand were the why when it came to Oliver. He constantly says how much Taryn is the only woman he could ever love but goes off all the time to sex and kill women. It's explained in the book as a compulsion but I couldn't quite wrap my arms around that reasoning though it fits. Kind of. I was mostly wondering about him bringing back STDs to Taryn because as soon as he got back home to her, he took her to bed.

A few things that keep this from being 5 stars for me. The attention to detail could use some help. I admired Oliver's countdown when he was talking to Pitt but the countdown is flipped. The earlier in the conversation should be where he said his wife's been missing for some odd time and 7 minutes and the next time it should be some odd time and 9 minutes. Certain information is disclosed but could use a deeper dive such as Oliver's mental state, his father who was his accomplice, Taryn and her complacency. Not an exhaustive list but it would've added more I thought.

In any case, surprises abound, the connection is deep, and I couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for Betty Harvey.
4 reviews3 followers
November 1, 2022
well written story

I love this book. It is worth the time it takes to read it. It has romance and mystery . It is a multilayered story that has all of the elements that makes it a great book to read.
73 reviews
November 2, 2022
Yes!

Enjoy reading this paranormal romance novel on Halloween night 🎃. It was a great love story that put into perspective the notion of true soul mates and that one cannot rest in the afterlife without their love one. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Deidre.
3 reviews
November 2, 2022
PHENOMENAL

This author does NOT disappoint! Great story, twists and turns, and an epic love story to tie it all together. I can see my self reading this book again and again!
4 reviews
November 3, 2022
Work of art

All the twist and turns to put you on the edge of your feet with just enough feel good ropes to bring you back again very very well written
504 reviews6 followers
December 23, 2022
Sorry.....

I gave you a three star rating what I read of this book. You confused me a lot, but it was drawn out. A lot of points could have been made sooner. I got bored. I skipped to the end and figured the whole book out after all that boring stuff. The ending was even boring. I am a fan of your writing,so this one disappointed me. I will not stop reading your books, that's for sure.
Profile Image for Dana (Williamson) Neal.
Author 8 books1 follower
November 1, 2022
ohhhhh my my

I loved this story! I’m in tears at the ending but this is the truth of life as we know it! Whew Lord I thank you for allowing me to read this! Superb writing!!!
Profile Image for Devlyn.
252 reviews10 followers
November 3, 2022
awesomeness

I stayed up past my bed time reading this book. This was so darn good and the twists and turns has me hooked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews

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