The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert
Publication Date: April 20th 2021 by Berkley
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★
My
Thoughts:
Sabrina is back at home after losing her job, a place that
heightens her anxiety as it holds both bad memories and ghosts who try to
appeal to her for help. For the most part over the years Sabrina has avoided
talking to the ghosts, except for one, and had sent them onto her mother for assistance.
However, there are things she does love about home: her family and Molly, a fun-loving
ghost from the 1930’s, who stuck by her growing up. Another bright spot to her
return is Ray, the new owner of The Otter Club. While Sabrina doesn’t want to start
anything when she plans on leaving as soon as she can find another job, she can’t
help the attraction she feels to Ray as they are thrown together over and over.
Sabrina struggled with crippling anxiety throughout the
story which made run-ins with her childhood nemesis, Erika, and her
ex-boyfriend disheartening and I eagerly awaited payback for all they put Sabrina
through. Although, I do think just being a horrible person is payment in itself,
and Erika was definitely that.
Ray was such a sweetheart and a breath of fresh air! I loved
that he recognized he’d have to be patient with Sabrina to eventually win her
heart completely. They shared fun, lighthearted moments together, and that
along with the bits of humor balanced some of the heavier aspects of the story.
I also enjoyed getting to the bottom of the mystery behind Molly the ghost sticking
around for so many years.
4 Stars
Jobless and forced home to Wisconsin, journalist Sabrina Monroe can tolerate reunions with frenemies and kisses from old boyfriends, but not the literal ghosts that greet her in this heartwarming tale of the power of love and connection from acclaimed author Amy E. Reichert.
For Sabrina Monroe, moving back home to the Wisconsin Dells–the self-described Waterpark Capital of the World–means returning to the Monroe family curse: the women in her family can see spirits who come to them for help with unfinished business. But Sabrina’s always redirected the needy spirits to her mom, who’s much better suited for the job. The one exception has always been Molly, a bubbly rom-com loving ghost, who stuck by Sabrina’s side all through her lonely childhood.
Her personal life starts looking up when Ray, the new local restaurateur, invites Sabrina to his supper club, where he flirts with her over his famous Brandy Old-Fashioneds. He’s charming and handsome, but Sabrina tells herself she doesn’t have time for romance–she needs to focus on finding a job. Except the longer she’s in the Dells, the harder it is to resist her feelings for Ray. Who can turn down a cute guy with a fondness for rescue dogs and an obsession with perfecting his fried cheese curds recipe?
When the Dells starts to feel like home for the first time and with Ray in her corner, Sabrina begins to realize that she can make a difference and help others wherever she is.
Part of me felt the childhood nemesis storyline was unnecessary, because the rest of the story was so good.
ReplyDeleteI'd have been happy if it wasn't so prominently featured, but it did resolve satisfactorily.
DeleteThis sounds like a good read overall. I like the "talking to ghosts" angle.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
It was a fun aspect to the story. I liked the storyline.
DeleteThis is another one I really want to read! :D
ReplyDeleteHope you love it, Lark! :)
DeleteI'm hoping to read this one in the next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteHope you love it, Sophia! I look forward to your thoughts.
DeleteI'm sure I would have enjoyed this one but I passed on the chance to read it because I was already pretty committed. I know that area well, the WI Dells. Fabulous review Rachel!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Thanks, Anne. I know sometimes I have to pass on a book I think I might like because I already have enough on my plate. I usually try to pick it up from the library if I see a lot of love for it after. The WI Dells sounded like an interesting place to me. Maybe someday I'll get to visit.
DeleteI love getting bullies their comeuppance, so hopefully Erika got her due. Lol. No, I'm not petty at all.
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same, Joy!
DeleteI did not expect ghosts, but makes sense now, lol
ReplyDelete