First off I have to say that I don't really like the cover on this book and I was nearly put off reading this book as I thought it looked a little too cheesy and frankly looks like a sci fi romance! Well I'm so pleased that I didn't let the image put me off and the author has done an amazing job of bringing something completely new and different to the paranormal romance genre. There seems to be a plethora of books featuring Reapers hitting bookstores at the moment but Ms Ardito brings a completely fresh approach to the subject which had this reader eagerly turning the pages . This story charts what happens to Jodie after she commits suicide and begins her afterlife. She is a young woman who has suffered greatly in her human life and her reward was to have been a life and children with Gabe but she puts the kibosh on that happy ending when she takes her own life! Arriving in the afterlife far sooner than expected there's no plans seemingly ready for her so what will happen to Jodie now? It's decided that perhaps she could assist in retrieving wayward souls and she is set up as an trainee with Luc. Luc prides himself on a job well done. Always able to retrieve the souls he is assigned with just one short trip but having Jodie thrust upon him is not making him a happy bunny! She is quite obviously far too sweet and naive for this kind of work and her impulsive touchy freely nature is bound to cause all kinds of problems . Luc has enough demons of his own to cope with without having to watch out for the maddening Jodie as well but as they start working together Jodie's compassion astounds the jaded Luc. Jodie may just be in the right place at the right time after all!
This amazed me. Not at all what I expected and why have I not discovered this author sooner? This is most definitely a romance but it's almost a spiritual journey as these characters discover more about themselves. It's such an enthralling story that I am loathe to say too much lest I give spoilers but suffice to say love conquers all as two tortured souls learn all about forgiveness . Even the authors more romantic scenes standout as original and if you are a reader who dislikes too much sex in a story then rest assured that this author has a truly unique manner for her characters to connect!
Very well written and there's a deft touch here with truly likeable characters that will make you smile . This may be the first in this series but there's a certain deceased police detective who will be revealing his own secrets and I for one will be eager to read more. This book was heartwarming, romantic and although perhaps a little emotional it was a delight to read. A new author to me but one I will definitely be following from now on.