*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Patrick Boyle is 19 and his birthdate has come up in the Vietnam lottery. He is one day away from having to report for his physical before heading off to boot camp when he takes a tumble down the steps in his home and dies. That’s one way to get out of going to war. As he figures out that he’s really dead, Patrick then becomes confused as to why he’s still hanging out at home. Shouldn’t he be off to the great beyond? And he keeps wondering as the years pass and he has no way to leave the house. When Sara Oswald buys the house 40 years later, Patrick finally has something to break up the monotony, but when she starts channeling his memories things get really weird. What does it all mean? And can a ghost fall in love?
This story started out with an excellent premise. Patrick has a freak fall and now he’s a ghost stuck in his house. No matter what he tries he can’t leave the confines of the house. His mother can’t face staying there, so they move, but don’t sell. It’s a wonder Patrick didn’t go nutsy-poo being on his own for 40 years with little to keep him occupied. When Sara moves in things get even more interesting. And then…blerg. Patrick falls in love with Sara, Sara falls in love with Patrick and it turns into a sickly lovefest. “No, I love you more.” “No, I love you more.” Ad nauseam. Just shoot me now. They don’t bother trying to figure out anything that’s happening to Patrick. Oh, no. They’re too busy fawning all over each other. It went from being an exciting read to an absolute snoozefest. The bitchy sister made me want to snap her neck, Sara’s spinelessness made me want to shake her and Patrick’s obsession with Sara made me want to castrate him. And the ending? Dafuq?! I can only say that this story was quite the letdown for me.
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