Title: Be Our Ghost [The Duchess Hotel #2]
Author: Carla Luna
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: ★★★★☆
Source: Rachel’s Random Resources
Blurb: Knox McIntyre has mastered the art of avoiding drama, especially the romantic kind. Ever since his screenwriting career went up in flames, the grumpy bartender has kept his past buried and his heart off-limits. But when a paranormal reality show sets its sights on the boutique hotel where he works, he gets roped into the production—and partnered with the one woman who just might unravel him.
Charlotte “Charlie” Fraser is the Duchess Hotel’s sunny front office manager, a hopeless romantic with a weakness for happy endings and broody bartenders. After months of pining for Knox, she’s ready to act—even if it means battling her inner scaredy-cat by helping him bring a ghost-hunting show to the hotel this Halloween.
As Knox and Charlie dig into the hotel’s chilling past, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Every lingering look, near kiss, and shared secret brings them closer to something real. But unless they can summon the courage to face their feelings head-on, their love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.
Review: I opted to review Be Our Ghost the second I read the title – I love a good pun, and this one is great. I loved the storytelling and the mild, spooky vibes (I’m so not a horror fan!) but then Rachel got in touch with some awful news that did take the shine off – author Carla Luna passed away suddenly before the book was due to be published.
However, with Carla’s family choosing to go ahead with publication in her honour, I felt like giving a good review would be mine. And, honestly, having read Be Our Ghost, the romance world has lost a light.
While Be Our Ghost is the second of the Duchess Hotel series, it reads perfectly well as a standalone, which is always a good thing. Readers are pulled instantly into the story by bartender Knox – a bit unusual, as we’re normally introduced to the heroine first, but it works in this case. The prose here is fast and terse, well-reflecting the grumpy hero, and is frankly delightful.
Then we’re introduced to Charlie and things slow down a little. I’m used to characters’ voices being different, but this is the first time that the prose sounded different. It genuinely seems like the chapters are written by the characters that they’re about, and I loved that.
The slow burn romance is delicious and has a fabulous, spicy payoff. And honestly, I was thrilled for the characters when it happened. Knox is a grump, but he has reasons for being so, and I was really rooting for him to leave his past behind and find love. Especially with someone as adorable as Charlie.
With the ghostbusting and spooky vibes, Be Our Ghost is a perfect autumnal/Halloween read. It’s best enjoyed with the lights down low, in a comfy chair, under a cosy throw while the fire blazes. A glass of your favour tipple wouldn’t go amiss, either.
It’s full of love and light, and you cannot help but come away with a massive smile and a gooey centre. It’s heart-lifting in the very best way, and I’m saddened to know there’ll be no more of this series or other books.
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