What do you think?
Rate this book
The West Hills #1
The Ghosts Between Us
Dr. Christopher Allen knows how to deal with death. He’s a psychiatrist who works with hospice patients and their families, helping them cope with grief and letting go. But Chris’s job doesn’t prepare him for the sudden death of his devil-may-care brother Cal.
At Cal’s funeral, Chris is completely thrown when he meets Elliot Rawlings, an artist Cal has been dating. Chris is hurt to discover that the brother he knew as straight was actually bisexual. Elliot is angry and resentful of having been kept hidden from Cal’s family.
After the funeral, a night of drinking at the bar with Cal’s friends leads to Chris and Elliot falling into bed together. The next morning, they’re overwhelmed by guilt and grief and agree to never speak of it again.
But Cal’s apartment needs to be packed up and Elliot reluctantly agrees to help Chris, as well as answer some questions about Cal’s life and their relationship. Despite their guilt and initial dislike for one another, they sort through the pieces of Cal’s life and begin to fall for each other.
Despite his best efforts to fix things, Chris’s family seems to be crumbling around him and he begins to question who he is and what his role with them is. As his feelings for Elliot grow, Chris must decide if they’re worth further damaging his fragile relationships with his friends and family.
Elliot’s rough upbringing has left him distrustful of getting close to anyone, much less another man who isn’t willing to acknowledge him in public. The odds seem stacked against Chris and Elliot, but if they can overcome them, they may be able to lay Cal’s ghost to rest, along with their own demons.
Reader Advisory: This story deals with themes related to alcoholism, death (of secondary characters), and past abuse/neglect.
At Cal’s funeral, Chris is completely thrown when he meets Elliot Rawlings, an artist Cal has been dating. Chris is hurt to discover that the brother he knew as straight was actually bisexual. Elliot is angry and resentful of having been kept hidden from Cal’s family.
After the funeral, a night of drinking at the bar with Cal’s friends leads to Chris and Elliot falling into bed together. The next morning, they’re overwhelmed by guilt and grief and agree to never speak of it again.
But Cal’s apartment needs to be packed up and Elliot reluctantly agrees to help Chris, as well as answer some questions about Cal’s life and their relationship. Despite their guilt and initial dislike for one another, they sort through the pieces of Cal’s life and begin to fall for each other.
Despite his best efforts to fix things, Chris’s family seems to be crumbling around him and he begins to question who he is and what his role with them is. As his feelings for Elliot grow, Chris must decide if they’re worth further damaging his fragile relationships with his friends and family.
Elliot’s rough upbringing has left him distrustful of getting close to anyone, much less another man who isn’t willing to acknowledge him in public. The odds seem stacked against Chris and Elliot, but if they can overcome them, they may be able to lay Cal’s ghost to rest, along with their own demons.
Reader Advisory: This story deals with themes related to alcoholism, death (of secondary characters), and past abuse/neglect.
523 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2019
About the author
Brigham Vaughn
65 books523 followersBrigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 9, 2019DNF @ 23%
Sorry, but I'm not feeling it...
Sorry, but I'm not feeling it...
Shelved as 'didnt-finish'
March 6, 2019Good premise, but I had to quit this.
This book is like that acquaintance you (probably) have whom you reluctantly meet for coffee every once in while, but you know she's gonna tell you stories, and these stories probably have a point but to get there you first have to find out the backstories of every person even tangentially involved and every irrelevant conversation said acquaintance has had with any tangentially involved person, and by the time it threads back to the original story you have totally lost interest and are just waiting for enough time to pass so you can say you've really got to go.
This book is like that acquaintance you (probably) have whom you reluctantly meet for coffee every once in while, but you know she's gonna tell you stories, and these stories probably have a point but to get there you first have to find out the backstories of every person even tangentially involved and every irrelevant conversation said acquaintance has had with any tangentially involved person, and by the time it threads back to the original story you have totally lost interest and are just waiting for enough time to pass so you can say you've really got to go.
September 9, 2019
Edit: it’s hard to read a book with so many good elements but then character actions piss me off so very much and the resolution doesn’t feel adequate. I’m still stewing over this and I’m taking my rating down to three. It certainly made an impact but not in a good way.
3.5 Stars Both wrenching and aggravating
This delves into deep subjects: death, grief, personal and family secrets and blindness to faults. I liked a lot about the storyline and disagreed with much of it. I didn’t sense much chemistry with Chris and Elliott and I thought Chris was an a$$. I could also see how he would have become that way and I will say I was riveted to finding out how they would reach the other side of the cluster they were embroiled in. I had a hard time believing in Chris’s turnaround from a vacation and a voice from beyond. As a youngest child, I found it quite easy to identify with Cal’s character as he was described. The author is a fabulous writer and she certainly pulled strong reactions from me with her prose.
3.5 Stars Both wrenching and aggravating
This delves into deep subjects: death, grief, personal and family secrets and blindness to faults. I liked a lot about the storyline and disagreed with much of it. I didn’t sense much chemistry with Chris and Elliott and I thought Chris was an a$$. I could also see how he would have become that way and I will say I was riveted to finding out how they would reach the other side of the cluster they were embroiled in. I had a hard time believing in Chris’s turnaround from a vacation and a voice from beyond. As a youngest child, I found it quite easy to identify with Cal’s character as he was described. The author is a fabulous writer and she certainly pulled strong reactions from me with her prose.
February 24, 2019
I really love a hurt/comfort/healing and this was a perfect example of that trope.
Chris, having always looked up to his younger brother, Cal, is devastated at his funeral. Soon after, he realizes that his relationship with his brother wasn't at all what he thought and he's reeling from all of the questions and dishonesty surrounding his new found information.
Elliot loved Cal, but after six months of dating, he wanted more than just being his dirty little secret. And then suddenly, there was no time left. He was mad at the funeral. No one knew him there and seeing Chris for the first time brought back so many memories of Cal.
Neither of them could stay away from each other long and their odd friendship morphed into more.
Just reading this story was so interesting to me. The dynamic between Chris and Elliot and Cal was overwhelming at times. Everything they felt and worried about was so real. All of the questions... how much is he thinking of Cal instead of me? Gah. I loved how Brigham Vaughn just layed it all out there and forced the two to pick up the pieces.
Told solely from Chris's POV, I kind of wanted to get in Elliot's head a bit more. He was so much the typical brooding artist, but then he had this whole other side where he was funny and sweet and romantic.
Honestly, they were perfect for each other. There was an ensemble cast of friends and family that really left you raw, as a reader, and added so much to the story. I loved the story, the emotions, the feelings and the ending.
This is a great story and I'm excited to know it's just the start of a series that I can't wait to dive in to!
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *
Chris, having always looked up to his younger brother, Cal, is devastated at his funeral. Soon after, he realizes that his relationship with his brother wasn't at all what he thought and he's reeling from all of the questions and dishonesty surrounding his new found information.
Elliot loved Cal, but after six months of dating, he wanted more than just being his dirty little secret. And then suddenly, there was no time left. He was mad at the funeral. No one knew him there and seeing Chris for the first time brought back so many memories of Cal.
Neither of them could stay away from each other long and their odd friendship morphed into more.
Just reading this story was so interesting to me. The dynamic between Chris and Elliot and Cal was overwhelming at times. Everything they felt and worried about was so real. All of the questions... how much is he thinking of Cal instead of me? Gah. I loved how Brigham Vaughn just layed it all out there and forced the two to pick up the pieces.
Told solely from Chris's POV, I kind of wanted to get in Elliot's head a bit more. He was so much the typical brooding artist, but then he had this whole other side where he was funny and sweet and romantic.
Honestly, they were perfect for each other. There was an ensemble cast of friends and family that really left you raw, as a reader, and added so much to the story. I loved the story, the emotions, the feelings and the ending.
This is a great story and I'm excited to know it's just the start of a series that I can't wait to dive in to!
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *
March 10, 2019
The Ghosts Between Us is not an easy book to read, at least for me. From a mourning, to a slow burn, and some aspect I didn't really comfortable to read, but read it anyway.
This is a little heavy story, hurt/comfort, and a maddening slow burn, I almost gave up. Glad I didn't.
Turned out, this one was worth my time and heart-ache.
Recommended!
March 10, 2019
I knew going in this book would require a box of tissues. I was not wrong. This was a difficult story and journey, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. I really don't want to rehash the plot because the blurb is pretty clear. It was an emotional and worthy read for me. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
January 31, 2023
Starts with a death, ends
with a memorial. Long,
flashbacks, unsexy.
with a memorial. Long,
flashbacks, unsexy.
March 6, 2019
Whenever you lose someone that's really close to you, a family member, a spouse, whoever, it's extremely devastating. Some people can learn to deal. Most often, though, they can't. It's too much. Even people trained in dealing with death often can't deal with it when it comes to themselves. This is that kind of journey. It's a story of death, grief, and all that comes with it. The anger, guilt, despair. But it also shows that there is still life after death. Still hope and a chance to be reborn. But we have to be willing to take the steps necessary. This is one hell of a book, and through the tears cried, I enjoyed every minute. I hope that don't sound morbid. For the things this book dealt it, it was so well written. The author showed all of it. Good, bad and ugly.
Chris dealt with grief in forms every day. Being a psychiatrist that deals specifically with death and coming to terms with it, you'd think he'd be prepared when death dealt a blow to him. But no one's ever really ready and losing his only brother was a blow he could not cope with. Especially when a strange man from the funeral told secrets no one really knew about Cal. The more secrets were spilled, the more Chris questioned everything. Why, of course, is always the biggest? And the one person who seemed to get it and him was the one person who spilled the secrets to begin with. Cal’s boyfriend, Elliot. As time passed, the grief weighed heavily. His father lost his way again in ways Chris had hoped he never would again. His mom found solace in other ways too. His family was falling apart. What friends he thought he had, he realized weren't HIS friends to begin with. And the relationship he finally wanted, that made him feel, was fraught with both of their doubts, fears, Elliot's past and Chris's grief. And it finally came to a head. Chris is now at a turning point. He has to ‘fix’ himself and move ahead or possibly lose everything completely.
I remember when I lost two very important people in my life. I never thought I'd be able to get over it. Fortunately, I had a little girl who made me have to get up and face every day. So I can just imagine the grief. I've been there. Reading the journey of this family, of Chris and Elliot, through everything they went through, it brought back a lot of memories. I guess it's true what they say. Time heals wounds. They never go away. Not truly. We just have to learn how to grieve and move on and realize life is for living. Loving. Joy and happiness.
One thing I especially loved about this book, is that even though there is a 'happy’ ending, it showed that the happiness was worked at. It was work and a process. There is no magic pill or fairy or whatever and poof, everything is ok. Nope. It doesn't work that way. And even with the happiness the characters felt, they all knew it could blow up in their faces if they didn't keep working at it. Keep getting help. These characters were so real. You could literally take them off the pages and put them anywhere in this world.
This is not an easy read story. It's another book that doesn't hold back. It shows all the nasty. But it is one hell of a book. It was beautifully written. The characters are endearingly flawed and it's worth reading every page.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
Chris dealt with grief in forms every day. Being a psychiatrist that deals specifically with death and coming to terms with it, you'd think he'd be prepared when death dealt a blow to him. But no one's ever really ready and losing his only brother was a blow he could not cope with. Especially when a strange man from the funeral told secrets no one really knew about Cal. The more secrets were spilled, the more Chris questioned everything. Why, of course, is always the biggest? And the one person who seemed to get it and him was the one person who spilled the secrets to begin with. Cal’s boyfriend, Elliot. As time passed, the grief weighed heavily. His father lost his way again in ways Chris had hoped he never would again. His mom found solace in other ways too. His family was falling apart. What friends he thought he had, he realized weren't HIS friends to begin with. And the relationship he finally wanted, that made him feel, was fraught with both of their doubts, fears, Elliot's past and Chris's grief. And it finally came to a head. Chris is now at a turning point. He has to ‘fix’ himself and move ahead or possibly lose everything completely.
I remember when I lost two very important people in my life. I never thought I'd be able to get over it. Fortunately, I had a little girl who made me have to get up and face every day. So I can just imagine the grief. I've been there. Reading the journey of this family, of Chris and Elliot, through everything they went through, it brought back a lot of memories. I guess it's true what they say. Time heals wounds. They never go away. Not truly. We just have to learn how to grieve and move on and realize life is for living. Loving. Joy and happiness.
One thing I especially loved about this book, is that even though there is a 'happy’ ending, it showed that the happiness was worked at. It was work and a process. There is no magic pill or fairy or whatever and poof, everything is ok. Nope. It doesn't work that way. And even with the happiness the characters felt, they all knew it could blow up in their faces if they didn't keep working at it. Keep getting help. These characters were so real. You could literally take them off the pages and put them anywhere in this world.
This is not an easy read story. It's another book that doesn't hold back. It shows all the nasty. But it is one hell of a book. It was beautifully written. The characters are endearingly flawed and it's worth reading every page.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
March 5, 2019
♥.•🌟¨)☆♡¸.•🌟´¨)☆♡¸.•♥🌟´¨)☆♡♥
♡🌟(¸.•♥´🌟5 stars for this not so new to me author.
When a story starts with death and a mystery, I know the words inside would hold my attention. Chris was a Psychiatrist who made his living bringing peace with holistic care. And then his only brother died and his life was thrown in a spinner. The day we buried my brother, I'd slept with his lover. Gasp!! How did one go from mourning loss to the guilt that Chris was now suffering?
For Elliot, he had come to say goodbye and lay eyes on the family he had never gotten to meet. He was hurting and maybe revenge was not on the table, but Cal's brother was there and the pain was real. "Loving your brother was easy, but being with him wasn't." What should never had happened did, and now the morning after set the precedence for what the rest of their lives would be based on.
This was a tough, and truly painful read. Told from Chris's point of view, the readers got to feel his hurt, his pain, his guilt and the process he had to go through while grieving the loss of his brother and understanding why the one person he could always hold a conversation with was keeping secrets from him.
Death is a tough subject to expand on and I can say, the author did a very good job of telling the story of death, grieving and finding life after it was all over. I understood the guilt between all the characters and could say that yes, their reactions were so real it palpated off the pages. Exploring the secrets that Cal left behind and watching everyone grow and try to survive; both Chris and Elliott needed to learn how to let go of the guilt of turning to each other in their grief and realise that sometime the dead brings people together.
I look forward to the book two in this exciting series, tentatively called Lost in the Black and features Cal's best friend Dave.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion through KU.
♡🌟(¸.•♥´🌟5 stars for this not so new to me author.
When a story starts with death and a mystery, I know the words inside would hold my attention. Chris was a Psychiatrist who made his living bringing peace with holistic care. And then his only brother died and his life was thrown in a spinner. The day we buried my brother, I'd slept with his lover. Gasp!! How did one go from mourning loss to the guilt that Chris was now suffering?
For Elliot, he had come to say goodbye and lay eyes on the family he had never gotten to meet. He was hurting and maybe revenge was not on the table, but Cal's brother was there and the pain was real. "Loving your brother was easy, but being with him wasn't." What should never had happened did, and now the morning after set the precedence for what the rest of their lives would be based on.
This was a tough, and truly painful read. Told from Chris's point of view, the readers got to feel his hurt, his pain, his guilt and the process he had to go through while grieving the loss of his brother and understanding why the one person he could always hold a conversation with was keeping secrets from him.
Death is a tough subject to expand on and I can say, the author did a very good job of telling the story of death, grieving and finding life after it was all over. I understood the guilt between all the characters and could say that yes, their reactions were so real it palpated off the pages. Exploring the secrets that Cal left behind and watching everyone grow and try to survive; both Chris and Elliott needed to learn how to let go of the guilt of turning to each other in their grief and realise that sometime the dead brings people together.
I look forward to the book two in this exciting series, tentatively called Lost in the Black and features Cal's best friend Dave.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion through KU.
March 13, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
This book packs a lot into it. Chris is devastated after the tragic and sudden death of his brother, Cal. Cal was everything to everyone and his absence leaves a hole in everyone’s lives, but also reveals secrets that Cal was hiding. Cal was not an on-page character as he is deceased as the book opens, but the author does a fantastic job of bringing him to life between the pages. Chris is further devastated that the brother he thought he was so close to didn’t confide in him and Chris is crushed and can’t let it go. Chris is a bit of a loner and his closest friends were Cal and Cal’s group of friends. His last relationship ended in a mess and Chris’ life currently revolves around his work. He is lonely and a night of comfort was what he was looking for, but he can’t handle the guilt when he wakes up next to Elliot.
Elliot was in love with Cal, but was tired of being his secret. Now, Elliot has to navigate his grief in the shadows and being with Chris was not in the plan. While Elliot resists at first, Chris might get him better than anyone ever has, including Cal.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
This book packs a lot into it. Chris is devastated after the tragic and sudden death of his brother, Cal. Cal was everything to everyone and his absence leaves a hole in everyone’s lives, but also reveals secrets that Cal was hiding. Cal was not an on-page character as he is deceased as the book opens, but the author does a fantastic job of bringing him to life between the pages. Chris is further devastated that the brother he thought he was so close to didn’t confide in him and Chris is crushed and can’t let it go. Chris is a bit of a loner and his closest friends were Cal and Cal’s group of friends. His last relationship ended in a mess and Chris’ life currently revolves around his work. He is lonely and a night of comfort was what he was looking for, but he can’t handle the guilt when he wakes up next to Elliot.
Elliot was in love with Cal, but was tired of being his secret. Now, Elliot has to navigate his grief in the shadows and being with Chris was not in the plan. While Elliot resists at first, Chris might get him better than anyone ever has, including Cal.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
March 29, 2019
“Make the most of your regrets; never smother your sorrow, but tend and cherish it till it comes to have a separate and integral interest. To regret deeply is to live afresh.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Dr. Christopher Allen, of ‘The Ghosts Between Us’ by Brigham Vaughn, always tries to do everything he can for everyone he’s involved with. In his job as a psychiatrist for hospice patients, he is compassionate, but is still able to be objective. In his private life, not as much. At a young age, Chris has taken on far too much responsibility, as peacemaker and fixer for his family, especially for his younger brother, Cal. When a tragedy occurs and twenty-eight-year-old Cal dies, Chris is devastated. But when he meets Elliot Rawlings at Cal’s funeral and learns that Chris’s brother, who he always thought was straight, and Elliot were lovers, his grief is intensifies. He begins to wonder if he ever truly knew his brother at all!
Still reeling from grief, now entangled with disbelief and feelings of betrayal, Chris goes out drinking with his brother’s friends. He’s surprised to see Elliot there and experiences a mix of bewilderment, sadness, and frustration. Chris is distracted by his grief and drinks far more than he means to. Before he realizes it, he is staggeringly drunk. Concerned, his friends call Uber, but are afraid that he still should not go alone, so Elliot, who is slightly less drunk, goes with him. As odd as it may seem, they end up at Elliot’s place and comfort each other with grief sex. When Chris is sober enough, he is mortified that the day he buried his brother, he also had sex with his brother’s lover!
Elliot is not nearly as upset as Chris. He is so angry at Chris and his family for being Cal’s dirty little secret, that he takes it out on Chris, wanting to be rough and hurt him. When he does, Chris is confused yet curious. He has so many questions he wants answers to and Elliot is the only one who can provide them. The address where they meet turns out to be an apartment that Cal’s family did not know he had. Chris’s brother was leading a double life. It turns out that Elliot is an artist associated with a prestigious art gallery in the city. He needed a model and Cal answered the ad. Chris is amazed to find hundreds of amazing photographs of same-sex couples, another surprising interest his brother never told him about.
As Elliot helps Chris sort through Cal’s stuff, both of them are inundated with bombardments of grief and sadness—almost every item evokes almost unbearable pain. Through this process they become close but do not know what to do with their feelings. In so many ways, they are perfect for each other, in a way in which no one else can be, but it’s a mess. Yet, in an unconventional way, who besides each other can possibly understand the depth of their grief. Both have a lot of unresolved issues in their lives; there are many other “ghosts” between them, besides Cal’s.
Having lost my thirty-eight-year-old son over a year ago, I related deeply to many of the situations in this book, the moments of seeing something and wanting to tell him, then remembering... oh yeah... I can’t do that anymore. The feeling of everything reminding me of him like Chris did with Cal’s surfboard, guitar, etc., all part of his life and mine. My son and I were so intertwined that, like Chris, I had to learn where my son ended and where I began. Brigham does an amazing job of bringing together all of the elements involved, not only in the grief process, but of what’s necessary to learn how to live again without them, honoring those we love by living our lives to the fullest. Sometimes I will read a lengthy book and feel like some of it could have been left out, but with this story, I felt like every word is necessary. Thanks, Vaughn, for every sigh, every tear, but also for the great catharsis this novel provided me. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Dr. Christopher Allen, of ‘The Ghosts Between Us’ by Brigham Vaughn, always tries to do everything he can for everyone he’s involved with. In his job as a psychiatrist for hospice patients, he is compassionate, but is still able to be objective. In his private life, not as much. At a young age, Chris has taken on far too much responsibility, as peacemaker and fixer for his family, especially for his younger brother, Cal. When a tragedy occurs and twenty-eight-year-old Cal dies, Chris is devastated. But when he meets Elliot Rawlings at Cal’s funeral and learns that Chris’s brother, who he always thought was straight, and Elliot were lovers, his grief is intensifies. He begins to wonder if he ever truly knew his brother at all!
Still reeling from grief, now entangled with disbelief and feelings of betrayal, Chris goes out drinking with his brother’s friends. He’s surprised to see Elliot there and experiences a mix of bewilderment, sadness, and frustration. Chris is distracted by his grief and drinks far more than he means to. Before he realizes it, he is staggeringly drunk. Concerned, his friends call Uber, but are afraid that he still should not go alone, so Elliot, who is slightly less drunk, goes with him. As odd as it may seem, they end up at Elliot’s place and comfort each other with grief sex. When Chris is sober enough, he is mortified that the day he buried his brother, he also had sex with his brother’s lover!
Elliot is not nearly as upset as Chris. He is so angry at Chris and his family for being Cal’s dirty little secret, that he takes it out on Chris, wanting to be rough and hurt him. When he does, Chris is confused yet curious. He has so many questions he wants answers to and Elliot is the only one who can provide them. The address where they meet turns out to be an apartment that Cal’s family did not know he had. Chris’s brother was leading a double life. It turns out that Elliot is an artist associated with a prestigious art gallery in the city. He needed a model and Cal answered the ad. Chris is amazed to find hundreds of amazing photographs of same-sex couples, another surprising interest his brother never told him about.
As Elliot helps Chris sort through Cal’s stuff, both of them are inundated with bombardments of grief and sadness—almost every item evokes almost unbearable pain. Through this process they become close but do not know what to do with their feelings. In so many ways, they are perfect for each other, in a way in which no one else can be, but it’s a mess. Yet, in an unconventional way, who besides each other can possibly understand the depth of their grief. Both have a lot of unresolved issues in their lives; there are many other “ghosts” between them, besides Cal’s.
Having lost my thirty-eight-year-old son over a year ago, I related deeply to many of the situations in this book, the moments of seeing something and wanting to tell him, then remembering... oh yeah... I can’t do that anymore. The feeling of everything reminding me of him like Chris did with Cal’s surfboard, guitar, etc., all part of his life and mine. My son and I were so intertwined that, like Chris, I had to learn where my son ended and where I began. Brigham does an amazing job of bringing together all of the elements involved, not only in the grief process, but of what’s necessary to learn how to live again without them, honoring those we love by living our lives to the fullest. Sometimes I will read a lengthy book and feel like some of it could have been left out, but with this story, I felt like every word is necessary. Thanks, Vaughn, for every sigh, every tear, but also for the great catharsis this novel provided me. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
January 20, 2021
I was really looking forward to this book based on the premise and the super high ratings but unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype for me. The pacing was SO SLOW that I struggled to not put this book down and move onto something else. There were also so many things going in this book that I felt like the relationship itself got a bit lost and wasn't focused on enough. There were some emotional moments but almost too many with all the hospice patients we are told about, the friendship issues, the family issues and then of course the issues between the MCs. Strangely enough I was the most caught up in Cal (the brother who died). He seemed to be the most interesting character and the one I wanted to know more about. I wasn't a big fan of Dave so I don't see myself reading the next book. Plus I read the chapter of that book at the end of this one and I don't particularly like books where one MC treats the other like total shit.
March 11, 2019
I have to be honest, when I picked up The Ghosts Between Us, I was not in the mood for a full length drama at all, nothing against dramas because I love them I just didn't feel like one at the time. However, I went ahead and opened my kindle and got stuck in. Now it did take a couple of chapters to really pull me in but that was more me not ready to let go of the couple from the book I read previous. All of sudden I was right there, like someone flipped a switch and before I knew it I was halfway through the book and desperate to learn the rest of Chris and Elliot's journey.
There is heartache and loss, distrust and pain, but there is also growth and discovery, friendship and heart. Some people don't like backstory, I however love when an author can "fill us in" on the past in a fluid manner without making the story "choppy" or pieced together and that's what Brigham Vaughn has done, a perfect balanced journey. Let's be honest, what better setting to use backstory than when you are packing up a loved one's possessions after they've been taken from us? Good or bad memories help us remember and move forward when grieving.
As for Chris and Elliot, well I won't lie, there are more than a few times I found myself wanting to give the doc a good shaking and more than a few whacks to the backside to make him see what he's taking for granted. But then if everything was hunky-dory from the get go than you'd be reading a 10-paragraph pamphlet instead of a full length novel and walkaway not nearly as entertained.
Chris, Elliot, and all the secondary characters all have a place in this story of grief, healing, and discovery and I wouldn't label a single one "extra" or "filler", each one has a purpose no matter how big or small. One thing I really loved about Ghosts is even when I wanted to throttle Chris I realized that what made him so real is as a doctor he deals with death and families on a daily basis and yet when it comes to his own grief he's completely lost making him that much more real and possible. It was elements such as Chris' expertise not really helping him that made me realize I could run into any one of these characters around the corner, at the gas station, or getting stamps. The Ghosts Between Us may be a fictional creation of Brigham Vaughn but they are very real and "everyday" kind of people.
So I may not have been in the mood for a drama when I started Ghosts but by the last page I wasn't ready to say goodbye and that feeling when I put my kindle down afterwards says more than anything I mentioned in this review as to how amazing this story is. Being able to get so sucked in when I was in the mood for something completely different takes talent and that is exactly why Brigham Vaughn is a member of what I like to call the Automatic-1-clickers Club.
There is heartache and loss, distrust and pain, but there is also growth and discovery, friendship and heart. Some people don't like backstory, I however love when an author can "fill us in" on the past in a fluid manner without making the story "choppy" or pieced together and that's what Brigham Vaughn has done, a perfect balanced journey. Let's be honest, what better setting to use backstory than when you are packing up a loved one's possessions after they've been taken from us? Good or bad memories help us remember and move forward when grieving.
As for Chris and Elliot, well I won't lie, there are more than a few times I found myself wanting to give the doc a good shaking and more than a few whacks to the backside to make him see what he's taking for granted. But then if everything was hunky-dory from the get go than you'd be reading a 10-paragraph pamphlet instead of a full length novel and walkaway not nearly as entertained.
Chris, Elliot, and all the secondary characters all have a place in this story of grief, healing, and discovery and I wouldn't label a single one "extra" or "filler", each one has a purpose no matter how big or small. One thing I really loved about Ghosts is even when I wanted to throttle Chris I realized that what made him so real is as a doctor he deals with death and families on a daily basis and yet when it comes to his own grief he's completely lost making him that much more real and possible. It was elements such as Chris' expertise not really helping him that made me realize I could run into any one of these characters around the corner, at the gas station, or getting stamps. The Ghosts Between Us may be a fictional creation of Brigham Vaughn but they are very real and "everyday" kind of people.
So I may not have been in the mood for a drama when I started Ghosts but by the last page I wasn't ready to say goodbye and that feeling when I put my kindle down afterwards says more than anything I mentioned in this review as to how amazing this story is. Being able to get so sucked in when I was in the mood for something completely different takes talent and that is exactly why Brigham Vaughn is a member of what I like to call the Automatic-1-clickers Club.
March 3, 2019
…despite the guilt and regret, there was no denying that a big part of me still responded to Elliot. And the more common ground Elliot and I found, the more difficult to ignore the attraction I felt to him. Nothing about him was my type and yet something about him drew me in.
🍀🍀🍀
This book come with super maddening slow burn pace, but trust me it’s worth every second of your patience and time!
I know that this book will gonna be something since the first time the blurb caught me. And I’m so glad that the book had fulfill my expectations.
The emotional journey about the grieving and how the two main characters trying to cope it had successfully gripping my heart right from the very first page to the end. I have this constant ache in my heart during the reading. The raw emotions the author trying to portrayed through some emotional scenes had success put me in constant gloomy. I cried, mad and my heart broke for both Elliott, Chris….and Cal….
I mad at Cal for what he did to Elliott, but completely understand why the guilty eat him slowly from inside. I mad at Chris for almost hurt Elliott like what his brother did, but again I understand the dilemmas and the guilt he feels about his attraction to his brother boyfriend, and I have this constant urge to hug Elliott almost the entire reading because this poor guy didn’t deserve for being a dirty little secret. Elliott deserve all the best in his life, that include love...
The way the author woven the conflicts between the two main characters and people around them feels believable and squeeze my heart again and again, the main characters raw emotions and vulnerability are strip bare to the reader through the dynamic of the ups and down of their fragile relationship. And it’s all combined beautifully with the good writing that made this book feel stellar.
Brigham Vaughn is a new author to me and this is the first time I read her work, but I’ll make sure it won’t be the last…
That was the odd thing about all of this. I hardly knew him, yet Elliot understood me better than anyone else in my life.
....the way he’d held me, let me grieve, anchored me. I had to believe it had meant something.
Recommended!
*ARC is kindly provided by the Author through Signal Boost Promotions in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review*
March 2, 2019
A 4.5 star review by The Blogger Girls
Hurt-Comfort. Heart Wrenching. Heart breaking. Grief ridden. Guilt ridden. These are just some of the adjectives to describe this book. But never fear, there is also self -forgiveness, self-discovery, acceptance, and learning to love for one character, and learning to love again for another. This book made me cry, more than once, and it made me a bit uncomfortable, a lot, but I got past that and it settled into a story of new beginnings and hope. I doubt I will forget this story anytime soon.
I am not going to sugar coat it, parts of this story were really hard to read, and it did seem a lot longer than the page numbers indicated. I kept thinking it was almost over only to realize I had a ways to go. In a book full of grief, guilt and sorrow, that is a lot of pages to wade through. But, once our characters turned the corner, the suffocating weight is lifted from your shoulders and you realize that the storm was finally coming to an end. And not only was it coming to an end, it was ending with rainbows, kittens and unicorns. Yeah, it was a long, hard ride, but the destination was worth it.
And then I realize it’s a series…oh be still my heart. I will definitely continue reading, with caution, and my curiosity is killing me (no pun intended) who the next book is about. My guess is Dave.
Overall Impression: I Loved It
Hurt-Comfort. Heart Wrenching. Heart breaking. Grief ridden. Guilt ridden. These are just some of the adjectives to describe this book. But never fear, there is also self -forgiveness, self-discovery, acceptance, and learning to love for one character, and learning to love again for another. This book made me cry, more than once, and it made me a bit uncomfortable, a lot, but I got past that and it settled into a story of new beginnings and hope. I doubt I will forget this story anytime soon.
I am not going to sugar coat it, parts of this story were really hard to read, and it did seem a lot longer than the page numbers indicated. I kept thinking it was almost over only to realize I had a ways to go. In a book full of grief, guilt and sorrow, that is a lot of pages to wade through. But, once our characters turned the corner, the suffocating weight is lifted from your shoulders and you realize that the storm was finally coming to an end. And not only was it coming to an end, it was ending with rainbows, kittens and unicorns. Yeah, it was a long, hard ride, but the destination was worth it.
And then I realize it’s a series…oh be still my heart. I will definitely continue reading, with caution, and my curiosity is killing me (no pun intended) who the next book is about. My guess is Dave.
Overall Impression: I Loved It
May 28, 2022
This was a lovely story of one man coming to terms with the loss of his brother, realising his own life was flat and lifeless due to past heartache and being overshadowed by his more vivacious younger brother.
Chris has tried to live up to his parents and his own expectations about how he should live and be…he’s a fixer …but forgot to fix his own life and it’s quite sad to see how he falls apart when everyone else does and how he takes on guilt and responsibility for their grief while ignoring his own.
Why 3 stars… only because I personally love every page to be about the couple! I just adored how both Elliot and Chris were together. Watching them politely grow closer! The caution and guilt they both had for their growing affection and how they negotiated these obstacles, was the most interesting.. and the lack of page time they were both given, is why the low stars.
Their relationship and emotional journey was the most important to me and the least explored.
As for Dave—- he gets his own book….. well.. there is a tone of redeeming the author will have to write! He was a dick and I’m not sure if he can be redeemed in my eyes!!!
Chris has tried to live up to his parents and his own expectations about how he should live and be…he’s a fixer …but forgot to fix his own life and it’s quite sad to see how he falls apart when everyone else does and how he takes on guilt and responsibility for their grief while ignoring his own.
Why 3 stars… only because I personally love every page to be about the couple! I just adored how both Elliot and Chris were together. Watching them politely grow closer! The caution and guilt they both had for their growing affection and how they negotiated these obstacles, was the most interesting.. and the lack of page time they were both given, is why the low stars.
Their relationship and emotional journey was the most important to me and the least explored.
As for Dave—- he gets his own book….. well.. there is a tone of redeeming the author will have to write! He was a dick and I’m not sure if he can be redeemed in my eyes!!!
March 2, 2019
I love reading an emotionally intelligent character, especially when that character is the younger one in the couple. I didn't expect Elliot, the artist, to be the mature one in this pairing - Chris is the grief specialist, after all - which is why Elliot snuck up on me and completely stole my heart. I love the way this author takes her time with their story, never rushing the characters or pushing them easily through difficult, emotionally charged situations. Grief is a messy journey at best. Add on a few secrets, parental expectations, and the baggage we all carry around, and it makes sense these two would have a rough go of it. Not gonna lie, I did get mighty frustrated with the doc a few times when he failed to see what he was taking for granted. They struggle, alone and together, and when they come out the other side, they (and the story) are all the better for it. This was a highly satisfying read, and Elliot has made my top shelf of favorite characters.
March 11, 2019
When I choose to read a romance novel I set my expectations low, and usually breeze through a story of superficial fluff. This is not what you get with The Ghosts Between Us. Brigham Vaughn has crafted a beautiful story with real, fully developed characters with great emotional depth. I cried at one part, cursed under my breath at the main character, Cal, at another, and was transported to another place during a gorgeously described travel montage in yet another. (I actually felt warm sunshine on my face and it's cold and snowy where I am right now.)
I don't want to spoil any surprises for readers, but this is a book that gives you an emotional roller coaster ride with characters you really want to root for. The story takes place mostly in Portland, Oregon and it's obvious Brigham did her research to bring the place to life in your mind. I hope there are more stories to come with these characters because I want to be able to check in and see how they're doing in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I don't want to spoil any surprises for readers, but this is a book that gives you an emotional roller coaster ride with characters you really want to root for. The story takes place mostly in Portland, Oregon and it's obvious Brigham did her research to bring the place to life in your mind. I hope there are more stories to come with these characters because I want to be able to check in and see how they're doing in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 5, 2019
This is a well written book with a deep emotional story. The author does a wonderful job building the story , describing the characters ,scenes and events in vivid detail , pulling at your emotions and into the story , making you feel their pain. It's a story of dealing with the pain , grief and loss of a loved one. It's a gripping story that held me fast right to the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
March 31, 2019
Excellent
This is an excellent, emotional read. If you’re looking for a load of sex and romance, this isn’t it. It is a well-written story about, love, family and grief.
This is an excellent, emotional read. If you’re looking for a load of sex and romance, this isn’t it. It is a well-written story about, love, family and grief.
February 25, 2019
This was such a fantastic, bittersweet, poignant, raw, gritty, gripping, intense, hauntingly beautiful, heartbreaking yet hope, emotionally charged, grab-you-by-the-feels, simmering, and totally awesome story. Filled with tears, jeers, fears, and cheers, it pulled me in from the very first page, leaving me with a massive book hangover because I just could NOT put it down. It is now at the top of my "re-read over and over again" list.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 4, 2022
This story line is similar to "Without You" by Marley Valentine except the family not knowing their son is in relationship with a man. Although I loooooved "Without You" so much, this did not really capture my interest. I like stories that are centred on MCs but this book has too much focus on other characters and not much interaction happens between MCs at least till 200th page after which I couldn't continue. It just is not appealing to me. DNF!
March 24, 2019
The premise was good but it took the really, really long way around to get to the destination. With one person being a psychiatrist, there sure was some seriously bad communication and listening going on. It was a good premise but it just never really grabbed onto me or make me feel much for the characters.
March 5, 2019
So painful and yet so beautifully moving, 4.5 stars rounded up
Tears. Actual tears came out of my eyes. The was so much pain and yet it was so moving and beautiful I couldn't bring myself to care that I usually have a harder time with books filled with angst and suffering. Even the whole brother's-ex-lover thing wasn't as difficult for me to swallow. This was a long story and while I thought I would be skimming to get to the point of most passages, I was riveted. With the depth of the story's themes I was glad for all the words because without them, the grief, angst, pain, and healing wouldn't have had enough attention to grow to a climax and then to settle into something like peace.
Sometimes when brothers end up dating the same person (AT DIFFERENT TIMES) it can feel creepy and just wrong. In this situation it fully explores the guilt and confusion Chris feels over the situation. It felt believable and a lot easier to stomach the reality that Elliot was just a man in whom both brothers saw something special. The confessions and difficulties were hard to get through because they felt so real. I really, really wanted a dual POV with this one though I think that would have led the story down some darker, more painful paths and with the amount of agony already included, I don't think we would have come out of that dark tunnel without additional emotional scars.
We got so much detail in this story that Chris' emotional journey was all-encompassing and felt so complete. From the shocking revelations that tipped his world off its axis, to the emotional roller coaster they led him on, to the devastation and destruction of his family, and finally to the peace of letting go and moving forward, there was a lot to cover. Had this book been any shorter and it wouldn't have done that trek justice. It was a painful ride and while I was shocked that no one seemed to be on Chris' side except Ed, his godfather and mentor, it didn't shy away from everyone else's struggle with the secrets Cal left behind. I could appreciate that at the same time as being disappointed in certain characters.
With no shortage of torment, it was difficult to see just how everything would work out for Elliot and Chris, but when they got there, it was fitting. There was no magic cure, no saving moment, it wasn't even a fully healed ending either. It was real in that grief isn't linear and the path to finding peace among all the inner turmoil is never easy and doesn't always have a terminus. But love, true and abiding love, being willing to see one another through to the other side, that's what matters. Accepting yourself and your mistakes, making amends, and moving forward one step at a time gets the results. I was moved from the very start to the very end.
Tears. Actual tears came out of my eyes. The was so much pain and yet it was so moving and beautiful I couldn't bring myself to care that I usually have a harder time with books filled with angst and suffering. Even the whole brother's-ex-lover thing wasn't as difficult for me to swallow. This was a long story and while I thought I would be skimming to get to the point of most passages, I was riveted. With the depth of the story's themes I was glad for all the words because without them, the grief, angst, pain, and healing wouldn't have had enough attention to grow to a climax and then to settle into something like peace.
Sometimes when brothers end up dating the same person (AT DIFFERENT TIMES) it can feel creepy and just wrong. In this situation it fully explores the guilt and confusion Chris feels over the situation. It felt believable and a lot easier to stomach the reality that Elliot was just a man in whom both brothers saw something special. The confessions and difficulties were hard to get through because they felt so real. I really, really wanted a dual POV with this one though I think that would have led the story down some darker, more painful paths and with the amount of agony already included, I don't think we would have come out of that dark tunnel without additional emotional scars.
We got so much detail in this story that Chris' emotional journey was all-encompassing and felt so complete. From the shocking revelations that tipped his world off its axis, to the emotional roller coaster they led him on, to the devastation and destruction of his family, and finally to the peace of letting go and moving forward, there was a lot to cover. Had this book been any shorter and it wouldn't have done that trek justice. It was a painful ride and while I was shocked that no one seemed to be on Chris' side except Ed, his godfather and mentor, it didn't shy away from everyone else's struggle with the secrets Cal left behind. I could appreciate that at the same time as being disappointed in certain characters.
With no shortage of torment, it was difficult to see just how everything would work out for Elliot and Chris, but when they got there, it was fitting. There was no magic cure, no saving moment, it wasn't even a fully healed ending either. It was real in that grief isn't linear and the path to finding peace among all the inner turmoil is never easy and doesn't always have a terminus. But love, true and abiding love, being willing to see one another through to the other side, that's what matters. Accepting yourself and your mistakes, making amends, and moving forward one step at a time gets the results. I was moved from the very start to the very end.
March 4, 2019
I am not known as a particularly emotional person and pride myself on not crying at sappy movies or sob stories. It takes a lot for me to ride along with a character’s emotional journey. But The Ghosts Between Us by Brigham Vaughn is so well put together that I was completely drawn in and lost count of how many times I teared up, sobbed and downright bawled my eyes out during my read.
Elliot’s life has always been rough but losing Cal could be the biggest blow he’s faced. Elliot accepted being Cal’s dirty little secret while his lover worked things out. Cal had never been attracted to a man before and wasn’t sure how to make the life adjustment, so unfair or not – he asked Elliot for time. Then Cal was gone, leaving Elliot alone once again.
Chris has tragically lost his brother, Cal, and he is struggling to cope in a world without him. Cal was larger than life, popular with everyone (especially the ladies) and Chris can’t figure out who he is without his beacon of a brother. Especially when he uncovers a web of secrets his brother has kept from him.
‘The Ghosts Between Us’ is a book with lingering emotions, deep connection to characters… and Brigham Vaughn’s insight into the human psyche is impressive.
This story has some beautiful moments and some seriously sweet emotional scenes as well as vivid characters and an unhurried tempo. Chris and Elliot’s journey to be together is complex and arduous while at the same time being most clear that they need each other.
While there is a HEA, there are all the feels along the way, with some very serious issues and situations being addressed. Many readers may be confronted with mirrors from their own lives, as I was.
The Ghosts Between Us is a book with lingering emotions, deep connection to characters… and Brigham Vaughn’s insight into the human psyche is impressive. Readers wanting to feel on a deep level will enjoy being drawn into this tumultuous journey with Chris and Elliot – I know I was! Being book 1 in The West Hills series I am eagerly awaiting which couple we’ll see in book 2.
Elliot’s life has always been rough but losing Cal could be the biggest blow he’s faced. Elliot accepted being Cal’s dirty little secret while his lover worked things out. Cal had never been attracted to a man before and wasn’t sure how to make the life adjustment, so unfair or not – he asked Elliot for time. Then Cal was gone, leaving Elliot alone once again.
Chris has tragically lost his brother, Cal, and he is struggling to cope in a world without him. Cal was larger than life, popular with everyone (especially the ladies) and Chris can’t figure out who he is without his beacon of a brother. Especially when he uncovers a web of secrets his brother has kept from him.
‘The Ghosts Between Us’ is a book with lingering emotions, deep connection to characters… and Brigham Vaughn’s insight into the human psyche is impressive.
This story has some beautiful moments and some seriously sweet emotional scenes as well as vivid characters and an unhurried tempo. Chris and Elliot’s journey to be together is complex and arduous while at the same time being most clear that they need each other.
While there is a HEA, there are all the feels along the way, with some very serious issues and situations being addressed. Many readers may be confronted with mirrors from their own lives, as I was.
The Ghosts Between Us is a book with lingering emotions, deep connection to characters… and Brigham Vaughn’s insight into the human psyche is impressive. Readers wanting to feel on a deep level will enjoy being drawn into this tumultuous journey with Chris and Elliot – I know I was! Being book 1 in The West Hills series I am eagerly awaiting which couple we’ll see in book 2.
March 9, 2019
I would rate this 5 stars.
This starts with the funeral of Chris's 28 year old baby brother Cal. A stranger at the funeral, Cal's lover Elliot, upends everything Chris (also called C.J.) thought he knew about his brother. Drunk and in pain, they connect, adding a load of guilt to the grief. Chris is unhappy with his life and feeling the burden of keeping secrets from his parents. Although he is a psychiatrist working with terminally ill patients, he feels overwhelmed and unable to help himself, let alone his family in the face of his grief. The reader is thrown into Chris's angst and gets to know Cal through flashbacks.
There are times when I like books that are fun and easy to read, but other times I miss more depth. This is a book for when you want more depth. Dealing with Cal's death is not glossed over. Chris's job interacting with his dying patients is not glossed over. Their father's alcoholism is not glossed over. This whole book is devastating and devastatingly well written; it's about working through the stages of grief and making incredibly bad decisions. It's about Chris working on himself and who he is as a person. It's about the difference between lust and love, sex and making love, using people as a crutch vs having a healthy relationship. If you like books that drop you into the psychology of a character, this book is for you. I loved the journey this book took me on. It has "all the feels," but I didn't feel manipulated or like the scenes where there for emotional pornography. It's rare that a book can capture the agony of loss and the exuberance of living.
This starts with the funeral of Chris's 28 year old baby brother Cal. A stranger at the funeral, Cal's lover Elliot, upends everything Chris (also called C.J.) thought he knew about his brother. Drunk and in pain, they connect, adding a load of guilt to the grief. Chris is unhappy with his life and feeling the burden of keeping secrets from his parents. Although he is a psychiatrist working with terminally ill patients, he feels overwhelmed and unable to help himself, let alone his family in the face of his grief. The reader is thrown into Chris's angst and gets to know Cal through flashbacks.
There are times when I like books that are fun and easy to read, but other times I miss more depth. This is a book for when you want more depth. Dealing with Cal's death is not glossed over. Chris's job interacting with his dying patients is not glossed over. Their father's alcoholism is not glossed over. This whole book is devastating and devastatingly well written; it's about working through the stages of grief and making incredibly bad decisions. It's about Chris working on himself and who he is as a person. It's about the difference between lust and love, sex and making love, using people as a crutch vs having a healthy relationship. If you like books that drop you into the psychology of a character, this book is for you. I loved the journey this book took me on. It has "all the feels," but I didn't feel manipulated or like the scenes where there for emotional pornography. It's rare that a book can capture the agony of loss and the exuberance of living.
April 1, 2019
Grab a box of tissues and jump right in.
The last week or so has been one where I've read books by new-to-me authors. The Ghosts Between Us is the first one I've read by Brigham Vaughn and I loved it so much. It was a fantastic introduction to her writing.
It's a wonderful story but I must warn you there is more than a little angst so it may not be for everyone. I happen to enjoy a good angst-y story and this one was perfect. The blurb for the story describes it so much better than I ever could. You get all of the important highlights of the book but you really must read the story to appreciate the depth of it.
This is yet another one of those books that I just don't know how to put into words how much I loved it. It's not only a love story with an unusual beginning and a very rocky road, it's also a story about family and how the loss of a child can break a relationship. But amidst all of the tough things to read there is also hope that things that are broken can be repaired, even if they are never quite what they were before.
The Ghosts Between Us will stick with me for a while. There were several interesting side characters and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me by the author via Signal Boost Promotions but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
The last week or so has been one where I've read books by new-to-me authors. The Ghosts Between Us is the first one I've read by Brigham Vaughn and I loved it so much. It was a fantastic introduction to her writing.
It's a wonderful story but I must warn you there is more than a little angst so it may not be for everyone. I happen to enjoy a good angst-y story and this one was perfect. The blurb for the story describes it so much better than I ever could. You get all of the important highlights of the book but you really must read the story to appreciate the depth of it.
This is yet another one of those books that I just don't know how to put into words how much I loved it. It's not only a love story with an unusual beginning and a very rocky road, it's also a story about family and how the loss of a child can break a relationship. But amidst all of the tough things to read there is also hope that things that are broken can be repaired, even if they are never quite what they were before.
The Ghosts Between Us will stick with me for a while. There were several interesting side characters and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me by the author via Signal Boost Promotions but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
March 2, 2019
The ghost between Chris and Elliot is Chris’s brother Cal. When Cal died Chris lost part of heart. When he had sex with his dead brothers boyfriend the same night he buried his brother he lost his soul. Everything he knew about his brother crashed and burned. Watching his family fall apart, losing a patient, and desperately needing something to save himself he turns to Eliot, knowing that it’s wrong and that it will ultimately infuse his life with more pain.
I didn’t care for Chris. He was just to selfish and needy and treated Eliot the same way his brother had by hiding the relationship. Promising he’d tell his family and friends about them but never doing it. It took probably half the book to warm up to him.
Eliot got the brunt of the pain. Losing one brother, being overwhelmed with feelings for the other. Wanting to be loved openly. He was hurt by the men who should of put him before themselves.
This was an incredibly sad story. Full of pain and loss. But it showed that the human spirit can come back from unbearable pain and that good things can sometimes come from bad. Heartbreaking, beautifully written, and raw. Perfect tearjerker.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
I didn’t care for Chris. He was just to selfish and needy and treated Eliot the same way his brother had by hiding the relationship. Promising he’d tell his family and friends about them but never doing it. It took probably half the book to warm up to him.
Eliot got the brunt of the pain. Losing one brother, being overwhelmed with feelings for the other. Wanting to be loved openly. He was hurt by the men who should of put him before themselves.
This was an incredibly sad story. Full of pain and loss. But it showed that the human spirit can come back from unbearable pain and that good things can sometimes come from bad. Heartbreaking, beautifully written, and raw. Perfect tearjerker.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
March 2, 2019
The emotions run very deep in The Ghosts Between Us. Like there are some ugly cry moments in here that deal with death and loss. It's beautiful and so bittersweet with a satisfying ending.
This is a first-person narrative told from the POV of the main character Chirs, who is mourning the sudden loss of his brother, Cal. Through his grief Chris makes a number of questionable decisions, starting with sleeping with his brother's grieving secret lover, Elliot.
I know a lot of readers might not like the brother's now-former lover dynamic--but it's good and so perfectly human.
I like the dynamic and blowback that develops from this unexpected relationship and find the way Chris is able to grow and heal due to his feelings for Elliot compelling. I think the reactions from family/friends are reasonable.
I did find myself wishing I was in Elliot's head more. He's an interesting character with layers I'd love to peel away.
I can also see the beginning of a series in this novel and look forward to the next one.
I received an Arc via Booksprout and was happy to give an honest review.
This is a first-person narrative told from the POV of the main character Chirs, who is mourning the sudden loss of his brother, Cal. Through his grief Chris makes a number of questionable decisions, starting with sleeping with his brother's grieving secret lover, Elliot.
I know a lot of readers might not like the brother's now-former lover dynamic--but it's good and so perfectly human.
I like the dynamic and blowback that develops from this unexpected relationship and find the way Chris is able to grow and heal due to his feelings for Elliot compelling. I think the reactions from family/friends are reasonable.
I did find myself wishing I was in Elliot's head more. He's an interesting character with layers I'd love to peel away.
I can also see the beginning of a series in this novel and look forward to the next one.
I received an Arc via Booksprout and was happy to give an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews