Book 96, 2021
Christmas Spirit by Rebecca York
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
During my lunch hour today I finished reading Christmas Spirit by Rebecca York. It's part of Harlequin's "Intrigue" line. The main characters were Chelsea Caldwell and Michael Bryant. Story is told in first person point of view, but the perspective alternates between them.
Chelsea has returned to Jenkins Cove to help her Aunt Sophie run her B & B. Not long after she arrives, Chelsea witnesses a murder in a swampy area. She contacts the police, who find the body of a young woman where Chelsea indicated. The thing is, Chelsea thought she saw a woman in the road just prior to witnessing the crime. When word gets out, the locals begin talking about the fact that Chelsea had claimed to see a ghost when she was a child. Chelsea just wants to forget all about both encounters.
Michael is an investigative reporter, whose mother was scammed by a fake psychic. He's made it his mission to expose other posers, and he travels to Jenkins Cove to out Chelsea Caldwell. Chelsea isn't what he expected, however. She isn't interested in discussing her ghostly encounter, nor does she seem the sort to hoodwink anyone for monetary gain. When strange occurrences begin happening, which seem to be targeting Chelsea, Michael realizes there is more going on in Jenkins Cove than meets the eye, and when Chelsea is in danger, it's Michael who reaches out to the other side for a miracle.
The story made a better mystery than a romance. Once again, the characters fall in love in a very short time frame (a week, maybe), which is so cringe-worthy. I know the whole point of Harlequins is true love, but it would make more sense for the characters to acknowledge there's an attraction between them, with the agreement to explore it once the mystery has been solved and the danger behind them. Eh.
Favorite line: "This place is spooky. I think I'd go home if I were alone."
The story was written well enough, but these cheesy romances are no longer to my taste. Average score.