Guest Reviewed by Trish
Title: The Ghost on My Couch
Author: L.A. Gilbert
Heroes: Alex/Sid
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 168 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: March 23, 2011
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Alex Tanner is a male nurse who divides his time between his job and his television schedule. His idea of the perfect partner, like so many other people’s, is a tall, dark, and handsome man. Preferably alive and breathing. Surely that’s not asking too much? Then an uninvited guest—a ghost, of all things—forces Alex to question what he’s always looked for in a lover and his definition of what makes a person so beautiful.
Review:
So how would you react when you see a Ghost on your couch? Read this and you may find out. 🙂 The writing was solid, the funnies were funny, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It’s a feel good story, and for me, a lesson that there is more to us than the outside. The beginning grabbed me, the middle had me wondering where the story was heading, and the ending was happy. However, the end was a bit of let down because if felt rushed.
We meet Alex, a nurse living alone but hooking up with men who are only pretty on the outside. The story takes off right away, and when Alex heads home after a long shift at the hospital, seeing a person on his couch freaked him out, but he chalked it up to a hallucination. Alex’s initial reaction had him sprinting from his apartment and straight to his best friend Andy’s home. This opening scene was hysterical. Andy is a wiseass but a lovable one. The banter between Alex and his straight best friend was enjoyable and really summed up the importance and deep respect they have for each other. After Alex calms down and returns to his apartment with Andy in toe, the funnies kept coming. At one point Andy says, “you need a hug or something….” Alex seems shocked but Andy grabs him and says “We’re hugging, you like this hugging crap and I’m trying to be a good friend, so just go with it”.
Sid, the Ghost, and the circumstances leading up to him being on Alex’s couch, pretty much play out for the better part of the story. This was a nice part of the story, and it showed Alex learning that the inside of a person outweighs the outside. He lives a full week with Sid in his apartment, and Alex finds the daily nuances of living with someone you get along with is rather enjoyable. Of course, the story is not all lighthearted. Alex realizes he loves Sid but he also realizes there could never be a relationship.
I have to say got a bit teary eyed about a ghost.
At this point, the story wraps up, and the ending is happy but it was also the shortest part to the story thus making it feel rushed. Won’t go into details because of spoilers, however, this minor issue should not stop you from enjoying the story as a whole.
This was my first read by this author but it won’t be my last. 🙂
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*
“The Ghost on My Couch” is one of my favourite re-reads its just such a wonderful story.