[Book Review] Ghost Of You By Kelly Moran & Peri Coffee Pixie Dust Blend

Title: Ghost of You
Series: Phantoms 3
Author: Kelly Moran
Publication date: February 21th 2022
Page Count: 276 pages
Age Rating: Adult (explicit sexual scenes, language, mentions of past sexual assualt, mentions of past sexual assault of minors)
How I got my hot little hands on it: Received a review copy
Publisher’s page: Ghost of You

It’s no secret among the Phantoms crew that lead investigator Sammy Hanesworth pretty much hates team psychologist Cain McClutchen. The friction between them is taut with tension…and unexpected attraction. He knows full well that something about him rubs her the wrong way, even though he admires the witty, gorgeous spitfire more than a lot. But now they’re on a terrifying case—with orders from the network to get along or else.

Filled with past horrors, the rural Nebraska site is beyond creepy. And Sammy knows it all too well. It’s her hometown and near the place where her mother was killed. As a sinister presence makes itself known, Sammy finds herself turning to Cain, the last person she expected. Despite darkness surrounding them, animosity gives way to something bright and unpredictably intimate.

Yet nothing will prepare them for the evil they are about to face…

My Review

Do not open this book unless you have the time because you won’t want to put it down. I started reading it before bed (like an amateur, I should have known better) and didn’t get a wink of sleep. I also had the urge to turn on the lights a quarter way through, because the haunting investigation got dark, real quick. (Keep in mind I’m someone who, while a fan of ghost hunting shows, does not mess with the ones with demonic energy, so that might just be me.)

Ghost of You is the last book in the Phantoms series and, in my opinion, the best and most intense book of the trilogy. The series follows the cast of the hit paranormal investigation show Phantoms as they hunt ghosts and fight their own inner demons to open themselves up to love.

Lead investigator Sammy is being pushed to get along with and channel some of her obvious dislike for the new guy on the team, Cain, into some onscreen chemistry to boost ratings.

There’s nothing fake about the chemistry between Sammy and Cain, but he’s a psychologist and she doesn’t know if she can get over the distrust she has of shrinks. Cain is tall, tattooed, into open communication, and looking for a deeper connection. Sammy is a fearless pixie-sized badass who doesn’t let anyone get too close. Cain wants to worship at her feet. It makes for an amazing dynamic.

A new investigation takes the crew to Sammy’s hometown and a location with a very dark history, one interlinked with Sammy’s own unhappy backstory. (spoiler/trigger warning: there are mentions of past sexual abuses of minors in this book. it’s nothing explicit, but it’s something to keep in mind.)

Shortly after arriving, a menacing entity attaches itself to Sammy and things gets very dark and emotional. Cain is a strong, determined presence at Sammy’s side the whole way, even when she tries to push him away, and trust and intimacy grows between the stubborn pair. Cain has his own scarred past and while he’s all alpha male when the occasion calls for it, he’s also so patient with Sammy as she struggles with allowing herself to be vulnerable (get yourself a man that can do both).

Ghost of You is a strong ending to the Phantoms series. If you’re only going to read one book of the series, I recommend this one, but definitely think you should read all three, especially if you’re a fan of paranormal investigation tv shows (see my reviews for Ghost of a Promise and Give Up the Ghost). I’m sad this is the end of the series and would love see the characters reunited for more paranormal investigations (maybe a Phantoms Christmas Special novella? I would snatch that up so quick).

Let’s Talk Coffee

Cain refers to Sammy as his little badass pixie (“tiny and mighty, with a side of naughty, masked by an innocent face”) which I thought was super cute and very fitting for Peris Coffee Pixie Dust Blend – a coffee blend that’s sweet & spicy with a delicate blend of orange blossom cinnamon and caramel berry