Member Reviews
Such a cute, slightly paranormal romance. Perfect if you want a romance with no scares that feels right for the spooky season! I really liked the characters and their chemistry. It reminded me of the movie Last Christmas, didn't think I'd be rooting for a Human and a Ghost!
Do you have a favorite ghostly romance that you enjoy? Mostly what I can think of were movies such as Ghost and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.
A Ghost in Shining Armor by Therese Beharrie was my last spooky time read earlier this month. Gemma has been able to see ghosts since she was a child. After she accidentally kisses Levi, he now appears in human form. Levi was accidentally killed due to a food allergy and is desperately trying to get back to his sister by helping Gemma to find her way back to her sister. Gemma has recently discovered that she had a twin sister, but that her parents only adopted her. Levi and Gemma have to start a fake relationship to explain why he is suddenly always around Gemma. Being together so much starts to turn feelings from fake to real. Will Gemma find her sister and start a relationship with her? Will Levi be able become a real human again?
I enjoyed this unique story, although it did move rather slow for me. I liked the family drama and feelings about adoption. I also liked the chemistry between Gemma and Levi. I will admit though that I was weirded out a bit with Levi being a ghost. This is a good read though if you want to read a romantic ghost story without any scary bits.
Review Copy from Netgalley. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to OwnVoices, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book - I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am a little behind on my reviews - this should have been posted when I read this book last month.
This was such a fun read - I absolutely loved everything about it. The writing was good, well-paced and full of laughs. Gemma and Levi are great characters, and I loved the other characters as well.
It;s light and fun and perfect for spooky season (or if you are like me and you want it to be spooky season all year round, then read it any time). Check it out - you won't regret it. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this book! Omg this book had me hooked from the very beginning! I loved the banter between the main characters. The sexual tension was written so well! It was so easy for me to picture the world around them. I loved that Levi was there to guide Gemma and Jude was there to guide Levi 😂 This book is what true love is all about! Finding the person that makes you the best you that you can be and accepting your loved ones faults. I loved that they leaned on each other and grew together. I loved the plot twist I just wished Levi got to be with both Gemma and his sister but I understand that was kind of the point in choosing his happiness for once. I do really wish I got to see how his sister was doing but it brought me hope that the author left it open ended so that the second book about Haley starts from there.
You know, sometimes you must stop pleasing others and focus on yourself.
That's what 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫 shares with us. We have both main characters, Gemma and Levi, having this internal on either doing what they want or pleasing the people around them.
What's more intriguing, was the fact that Levi was a ghost but appeared in human form. And he was given a huge task, which ended up with him making a big decision.
The other part I found difficult to understand was the relationship between Gemma and Gaia (this is because I didn't read book one) but it's not much of a hassle as you read further.
Therese did a great job writing such a heartfelt story, filled with grief, self love and friendship.
Thanks for sending me an ARC copy.
DNF at 20%
I thought this book would be cute for a Halloween read, but I didn’t enjoy it. The ghost aspect of this story didn’t make any sense to me, and I couldn’t see how that would change. I also didn’t care for either of the MCs. I felt completely bored at the story, and I definitely missed the romance in this story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher of A GHOST IN SHINING ARMOR by Therese Beharrie.for giving me a chance to review this wonderful novel.
This novel is perfect for Halloween with ghosts and mystery. This novel is also a Rom Com about a young woman falling in love with a ghost. I was reminded of the Joseph Cotton film THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR. I enjoyed the repartee between the heroine and the hero.
I didn't initially realize that this book was a companion to Beharrie's book _And They Loved Happily Ever After_ but now I wish I read the books closer together to see how the timelines fit together, as the books do take place at the same time from each sister's perspective.
Gemma Daniels has a special talent, she sees ghosts after they die and it's up to her to help them with their last request before they cross over. One night she unknowingly kisses Levi Walker, a ghost who was sent to help HER. She and Levi have to navigate how to help each other through a friend's wedding and reuniting with a twin sister she just found out about, one who was kept a secret from her by her adoptive family, and renegotiating her relationships with this piece of information.
The premise of the book was interesting. There were some threads that were woven in but not really tied together but nothing that lessened the story. It's a cute romance with a different twist.
#arc
#netgalley
#aghostinshiningarmor
A Ghost in Shining Armor is a haunting romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud and fanning your face when the tension between Gemma and Levi gets too hot. Definitely different from any other romcom I've read before and it was a fresh read!
I enjoyed the first book in this series and even though I was not fully sold on the paranormal elements, I still chose to continue with the series. Sadly, I found this book mostly frustrating and I had to give it up at around 40%. What saved the first book for me was the contemporary romance - it was realistic, very grounded in the present and now and I managed to mostly ignore the paranormal aspect.
Here, though, the ghost element didn't make any sense and it was so overwhelming that I couldn't enjoy any of the story. I kept trying to make sense of having a ghost who is basically like any other normal being once you the heroine sees him and then when she interacts with him in the presence of other, they can also see him as a normal, living human being. What's the point of him being a ghost then? I was also confused about when/how he died (got the feeling there was so kind of time travel but it was not clear by the point I gave up).
Anyway, I still very much enjoy Therese Beharrie's writing and would love to read more of her contemporary romances but this kind of paranormal is definitely not for me.
A heartfelt paranormal, fake dating romance perfect for fans of The dead romantics by Ashley Poston.
This story features Gemma, who has been able to see ghosts since she was a child. When she accidentally kisses Levi, a ghost sent to help her, he becomes visible to everyone and the two have to fake date to explain his presence. Naturally the forced proximity leads to feelings and the two have to figure out if they can have any kind of future together in real life.
The story also sees Gemma tracking down her twin sister, Gaia (from And they lived happily ever after). The two women were separated at birth and have lots of childhood trauma to work through. I thought this was well done with a perfect balance of romance and family drama with a fun paranormal element thrown in.
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I'm excited to see whose story is next in this series!
When I found this book on NetGalley I was really excited cause I'm a lover of stories with ghosts involved and how could I pass up a romance with a ghost MC.
What I loved:
- Location, I always enjoy reading books not set in "typical" locations and having this one set in South Africa it brought a different perspective to the story
- Second Chance, I liked that Levi's options were not the typical "unfinished business" to pass on and I was surprised by what the final options ended up being
- Banter, the banter between Gemma and Levi kept me giggling throughout most of the book and I always enjoyed their exchanges around other people
The concept was there but for me I feel like the relationship between Gemma and Levi was a bit chaotic and felt forced at times. That kind of kept me from devouring this book like I thought I might. Also, there was a bit of jumping around in time and I felt a little lost at times as well which was a bit disorienting.
If you enjoy books with ghosts and love a good romance, I would absolutely recommend this book since it was a quick read and overall a unique HEA.
A delightfully whimsical romance full of so much heart and so much self care. I did not expect to be so obsessed with this. Levi and Gemma were precious and hilarious and adorable and loving and so much more. I am THRILLED with this book.
From the second I heard the description of this book, I was hooked. I mean it sounds so cool! I'm so glad it didn't disappoint, I absolutely adored this. I loved the characters and the writing style, this book was just fun, I can't recommend it enough.
A Ghost In Shining Armor tells the story of Gemma who can see ghosts and often helps them and Levi,the ghost that has been sent to help her. Gemma has always known that she was adopted, but has just recently discovered that she has a twin sister. This has thrown her life into turmoil and Levi has been sent to help.
I have always loved fantasy romance and this one did not disappoint. This was such a fun fast paced read. Therese Beharrie is a new to me author. I really liked her writing style and can't wait to get my hands on more.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨
Were you or anyone in your family adopted? My dad was adopted (and he raised me) so I have always wondered who my family is. He has never wanted to meet his biological family, but I have always had this feeling that I'm missing my cousins. Especially after my grandparents died, it feels like it's just been us. (I'm also an only child).
So, when I read #aghostinshiningarmor by @theresebeharrie, I FELT SEEN!!!! 👏 She portrayed perfectly what it's like to feel grateful, guilty and emotional about being adopted.
📝 Levi's whole life has centered around raising his younger sister. So, when he dies, he's offered an assignment by his Guardian in exchange for reuniting with his sister. Gemma has been able to communicate with ghosts ever since she was 12. It doesn't help that she can't talk to anyone about it...including her adoptive parents and needy friends. Now, she's discovered she has a twin and she may need more emotional support than she thought. A sexy ghost with unfinished business may be just who she needs.
What I 🤍:
👻 Ghosty
🔥 Instant Attraction
🚪 Forced Roommates
😂 Dirty Humor 🍑🍆
🥊 Emotional Punch
🧠 Mental Health Focused
I really appreciated how this was so much more than a romance. At the heart of this story, it's about mental health. What rang through was that each one of us matters, and how we feel is important.
Gemma was perfectly depicted as a woman with anxiety disorder. She was constantly trying to please others at the sacrifice of her well-being. I think we can all relate to this!
Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steaminess: 🔥🔥 (Fade to Black)
Read if ➡️: You loved Ghost Whisperer, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer
⏰ Read: Anytime of the Year!
Swipe to see the Book Warnings on the before reading this book. It's an adorable romance but it also has several heavier topics. Therese did a wonderful job layering in humor so it wasn't always heavy!
🙏 THANK YOU to @kensingtonbooks for a gifted copy of this book. I LOVED it!
Oh Gemma and Levi! I love a grumpy-sunshine pairing. Gemma is all sunshine, always trying to make everything ok for everyone else. Including for the ghosts who show up and need her help. Levi is the latest ghost she is to help. Levi, the grump, thinks he is to help Gemma and her quest to know her twin sister, Gaia. Levi has accepted this job, hoping it will allow him to return back to his life and be with his younger sister. Gemma has never asked to help ghosts, it has just happened.
Yes, the heroine is with a hero who is ghost. The Levi comes alive again when Gemma sees him, so Levi is not a ghostly form. Other people can see him now, which leads to a fake relationship story that Gemma and Levi tell others. He's not in his own time or his own world, so he can't just go back home. He is stuck as a human in Gemma's time and world. However he can basically "poof" and disappear to another place, within Gemma's time and world. Which is only part of the magic in this other-worldly world. It's kind of confusing, to us and to the characters, so just go with it and you'll be fine. We don't know the whole difference between Levi and Gemma's times, only references that suggest Levi's time may be more old-fashioned than Gemma's. That's only something I can surmise from comments about Levi's speech. We are never actually told. Also along for the ride is Jude, the ghostly assistant? manager? who is helping Levi and sort of helping Gemma, navigate this weird situation in which they find themselves. Jude provides comic relief, some guide posts for the deep reflection both Gemma and Levi have to do, and a de facto conductor for Levi on his "job" to help Gemma and find a way back to his previous life.
Both characters have a lot of internal dialogue going on. The dialogue can both be great humor, as well as fully informing the reader of each character's point of view. The interactions between Gemma and Levi show their chemistry (instant and angsty) and how actually thoughtful they each are about the other. These are two characters that have done everything in their lives, for someone else. They are both caretakers. Seeing each learn that they didn't have to do that all the time, that they could stand up for themselves, that they could choose to put themselves first, is a well done journey. Gemma is introspective enough that with Levi's help, she does recognize that she can choose to be a caretaker but can also choose to say no.
Levi can see that Gemma doesn't put herself first, but it takes a while for him to see the same in himself. Then Levi needs to decide if he'll choose Gemma's time or go back to his own, where he won't know or be with Gemma. That's an unusual twist. It's not just "can we be together" but will Levi choose his sister, his family, his reason for coming back to the world of the living and forget his love for Gemma - choose to forget his love - or choose to live for love and let his family move on without him. It's heavy stuff.
Of course it's a romance and has an HEA.
This book has great humor. The heat is present but not scorching. I think the side characters all added to the story. The storyline with Gemma and Gaia feels less central to the story than I thought it would. Instead it's' more about Gemma's relationship with her parents, who did not adopt Gaia and did not tell Gemma about her twin. That's a rough story to swallow for Gemma, and I think Beharrie does the right thing in not wrapping it up pretty. Instead, Gemma notes that it was going to take a while and she could still love her parents while being angry with them. The relationship between Gemma and Gaia doesn't grow into some perfect sisterhood either, which also feels more accurate and realistic. These things take time.
Pacing is a little slow, but I think that's a factor of having two characters who both really need to grow, and somewhat grow in the same ways. It's a very internal journey and that's not something that is a quick pace. I was vested in both of them however, so I was never at risk of putting it down and not finishing.
CW: adoption, issues of parental abandonment - see author's content warnings
I couldn’t get into this book although I tried many times. The premise sounded great but I couldn’t get into the relationship between the MC and the ghost, at all.
Thank you to Kensington/Zebra Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Oh, my goodness this book! It is definitely one I will never forget. Think of an intense contemporary romance with a supernatural element of ghosts and multiverses. Content warning for parental abandonment and people taking advantage of each other in more than one way. There's also a ton of beautiful romance and self-discovery as well. I think if I had any issues involving this book it would be that it was very ambiguous where it was taking place and there were moments in times where it blatantly said UK but there were not enough moments to make the setting feel UK if that makes any sense. I also appreciated the ambiguity of the gender of the guardian angel that was also in this story along with the side couple that was presented. I did though, feel like there were more questions than answers at the end of the story and I would like to know more that this author has in its world and also how the afterlife works in this story. Because of these points, I have to give this book a 4 out of 5 stars
This is one for fans of romance and it contains shades of the paranormal. A Ghost in Shining Armor tells the story of Gemma who is someone that can see ghosts. She kisses Levi on a night with her friends, but Levi has his motives. An enjoyable read with great chemistry between the main characters who have personal issues to deal with. The humour and heavier topics are well-balanced. A compelling read.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Kensington via NetGalley.