*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*

I liked the characters and their development more in this book than in the others I've read by the author, but even so, I felt that the reading experience was not so good.
There were several moments when I wanted to give up reading this story.
What I liked most about this book was the development of the romance between the characters, the rest I found quite boring.
The plot itself was pretty meh.
I wish I had liked it more, I would read more things by the author because I kind of liked her writing.

Thank you Kensington Books for my copy. All thoughts are my own!

While I’m not a huge high fantasy reader, I do love a little Romantasy, a little urban fantasy from time to time. I grew up lusting over Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and devouring The Mediator series by Meg Cabot. I ate up the Twilight series. I’m not stranger to paranormal elements with my Romance. So I was super excited when i read the synopsis of A Ghost in Shining Armor!

It’s a cute, easy read that is perfect for a cozy fall day. At just 320 pages, you can easily read it in a single sitting over a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning. It’s fun for spooky season but not Halloween focused at all.

Synopsis:

“Once haunted . . .Gemma Daniels has never been quite the “down to earth” woman her adoptive parents raised her to be. She even has a unique gift: she can see ghosts—and she likes helping them settle their unfinished business. But the hotter-than-hot stranger she impulsively kisses on a bet is not only a phantom, he's determined to help her. And the only way Gemma can explain his presence is to pretend they’re a real-life couple . . .Twice shy . . .Levi Walker lived—and died—to save his sister. Now he’s got a second chance at life if he assists Gemma in reuniting with her own long-lost sibling . . . and then never sees Gemma again. But as he starts to enjoy her irrepressible personality, he’s finding it hard to abide by any rules at all . . .Third time’s the unforgettable charm . . .Gemma is thrilled to be getting to know her sister, but it causes a family rift she may not be able to heal. On top of that, she’s falling for a ghost with a dilemma. For Levi must decide what loyalty—and living—is truly all about. To fix their mistakes, Gemma and Levi must risk being real with themselves—and each other—if they’re ever to claim true love . . .” —StoryGraph

What I Liked:

The Concept—I LOVE The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my favorite shows. Therefore, a love a little forbidden Romance between the living and the undead.

The Characters—I really liked the characters individually! I thought they were fun and I was excited to take a walk in their shoes.

What Didn’t Work:

The Chemistry—Things felt a little forced between them. There was something missing, like a spark.

The Pacing—That same spark was lacking in the pacing for me. I couldn’t get into a good reading groove.

Character Authenticity: 3/5 Spice Rating: 1.5/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings:

estranged sibling relationship, death

A very interesting premise and the copy really gripped me. Can’t say the same for the book, unfortunately. The author is clearly a talented writer but I was confused about the way the magic in this ghost world worked— who could see the ghosts; etc. It felt a bit like Beetlejuice’s waiting room. Maybe I’m missing something (is this book part of a series or in an already existing universe from the author?) but it just didn’t capture my attention. And I love anything to do with ghosts, witches, spook spooks. Maybe next time!

Cute but the plot details of worldbuilding are just lacking. The idea is interesting and sweet but there in not a whole lot of substance.

One of the frequent fights that happens on the borders of romancelandia is whether or not a romance is a romance if the love interest dies. The two central elements of the romance genre are:

the romantic relationship is central to the story,
and there is a happily ever after/happy for now ending.
Nicholas Sparks’ books, among others, are often trotted out in this fight because he is known to kill off his romantic partners. In Ghost in Shining Armor, Therese Beharrie is going one better – she’s written a love interest that starts off dead. It is a romance.

On Gemma’s 18th birthday, she is surprised to find her teacher in her bedroom. He has just dies and has come to tell Gemma that she can now see ghosts and her job is to help them so that they can cross over. If you read And They Lived Happily Ever After, you will remember that Gemma was popping up in the book with a man lurking behind her. That man is Levi, and he is a ghost. Ghost in Shining Armor expands on the magic in Happily Ever After, casually introducing alternate universes.

Gemma lives outside of Cape Town, South Africa, has been helping spirits cross over for 12 years and has a system. Levi also lived around Cape Town, but in an alternate universe. He has suddenly died and who ever it is that manages ghosts has offered him an opportunity. If he helps Gemma work through a difficult emotional issue in 3 months, he can go back to his own life and not be dead. Gemma feels like she needs to help him complete his life business so he can move on. Gemma and Levi are both helpers and neither wants any help for themselves. They also both bottle up their emotions and shove them away. If they had existed in the same universe and met in their daily lives, they would have fled from each other. Forced together, both in crisis, they (eventually) open and grow in ways they never would have otherwise. Because they are so alike, they spend a good portion of the book bouncing off each other and pointing out the things they each want to ignore. Like recognizes like.

Early in the book there were some high cringe moments of embarrassment that were hard for me to read. But, I trust Therese Beharrie so I powered through. As usual, she rewarded me with a thoughtful romance that cuts to the heart of how to give yourself a happily ever after.

CW – accidental death, ghosts, adoption, abandonment, controlling parents, boundaries

I received this as an advance reader copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I wish I could have loved this book more.
The initial relationship between Gemma and Levi put me off a bit and then if felt like they fell a bit too fast.
In the end I actually liked waht blossomed of the two of them. They had an understanding relationship that made me very feel very soft.

This is not your typical romcom. But definitely worth your while. It’s a fun charming read. I loved the relationship between Gemma and Levi. They really helped each other and their banter was so funny,

Thank you @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

This fell flat and I'm not certain why. The chemistry between Gemma and Levi is great and their banter is entertaining. Gemma's family dilemma is sad and has depth. I think maybe Levi's background and ridiculous Jude may have soured the overall book for me. And the ghost thing just wasn't convincing.

I love a good ghost story, and a ghost romance. This one didn't quite hit the mark exactly where I wanted it to, but it was great for a rainy afternoon where I wanted to turn my brain off and just have a good time.

I adored this book - very much Meg Cabot <i>The Mediator</i> series vibes but like, an adult romance.

It was such an interesting take on the afterlife & the multiverse, and I really enjoyed the blend of contemporary and paranormal elements. Some people will find it a little 'insta-love' as there was a kiss and definite attraction early on, but personally I really enjoyed this and felt like it was just attraction, emotions developed as the plot and story evolved. Gemma's inner monologue was so funny - I think some readers will struggle to relate to her as she's so chaotic and basically having a breakdown, but personally I loved her and found her super relatable. And the way Gemma spoke about people needing things from her but never giving her the same energy? Wow, I felt that. Levi was just so gone for her and it was super sweet. I really enjoyed them together, but I feel like we could have done with some more scenes that were less about pushing the plot forward and more about developing their relationship, as at times it did feel it was moving a little fast.

I did feel that sometimes scenes and dialogue jumped a bit erratically leaving me a little confused, and that the ending felt a bit abrupt and a little unresolved (what happened to Haley and his old life??). But that epilogue?! Are we getting a Haley book next?? I'm so confused what is happening GIVE ME MORE!!

(I would also love a Lacey and Chet book? And more from Jude/them? Soooooo much more to explore in this world!!)

This had a very interesting premise, and I like the main character, but unfortunately it just didn’t grab me. I spent majority of the reading experience bored, and not long after finishing it, I struggle to remember most of the events. It wasn’t bad by any means, perhaps i may have even enjoyed it if i had opened it at a different time, but as is, it does not spark joy.

I received an ARC from NetGelley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The premise is so fun. I loved the chemistry between the characters is great. And it's well written.

However, I didn't finish because I could tell it was going to get spicy. Spicier than my preference. But if you like a very spicy, light-hearted read, this is for you.

This romcom was super cute and had a premise unlike any romance I’ve read before. A ghost & a woman who can see ghosts! How fun does that sound? And that’s exactly what it was. This book isn’t something that I’m going to remember forever or keep on the back burner of my memory, but it was a fun time and I really felt the chemistry between Levi and Gemma. I also really enjoyed the underlying themes this book touched on. Overall, this was an enjoyable read!

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington books for the arc, but this just wasn't for me and I didn't really enjoy it. It just felt like something was missing, and I struggled to connect with the story.

*3.5

I had a good time reading this but it felt like it was missing something. I think the fact that they never really explored her ability to ghosts was part of it. I really enjoyed the romance though.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Wonderful premise, but not for me. There is too much dialogue (internal and external) that doesn’t move this story along. I tried to push through, but I about 30% of the way through I gave up.

Honestly, I DNF’d this book. It wasn’t appealing to me in any way. Though, I did have a major book hang over at the time so perhaps I will try again later. No disrespect or hate towards the author at all.

The entire ghost thing was very interesting to me and made me want to finish the book because I just want to know what's the reason behind that and Gemma's ability. However, the romance in this book was very bland and there's no chemistry of any kind between Gemma and Levi. I find the plot surrounding Gemma stalking her long lost twin sister to be boring and just uninteresting to read.

This ARC was given to me by Netgalley and Kensington books in exchange for a honest review. These thoughts are my own opinions. This was a Cute paranormal romance about Gemma who has been able to see ghosts for 12 years since her biology teacher died of an anursym. Fast forward 12 years later and at her friends bachlerette party gets dared to kiss someone. Gemma sees a man at the bar and ends up kissing him. Gemma ends up kissing a ghost and this broke one of the main rules and know he's been kissed into existence.

Levi has a mission of his own to get Gemmas help so he can save his little sister or he will seize to exist. I liked beginning and end but the middle lost my interest a bit. Lots of flashbacks and I found myself confused at times. Still very good quick read.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.