The Right to Remain Single A Ghostly Mystery Romance Novella
Holiday Romance
July 1, 2018
Faced with the ghastly suitors her father approves, Thomasina Warren decides to lose her virginity so that no respectable man will have her. Who better to ruin her than handsome, charming James Blakely? But James is an honorable man and refuses point-blank. Humiliated, she resorts to outright refusal to wed, with the help of a ghost who scares her suitors away. But four years later, her father has arranged her marriage to a stodgy gentlemen whose only condition is that the ghost must be banished forever.
James Blakely never forgot the lovely girl who asked him to ruin her, and when he offers to get rid of the ghost, he thinks he’ll be doing a good deed. Instead, he is faced with the hostile Thomasina, her cowardly suitor, pigheaded father, lecherous cousin, an exorcist monk, and a ghost who warns of danger and deadly peril—and a few short days in which to convince Thomasina that with the right man, she might just want to marry after all.
Review by Madison Davis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Young Thomasina Warren grows up in a time when parents decide their daughters can only survive if they get married. Too often the very same parents sacrifice their daughter’s happiness on the altar of dignity to a cruel, boring or some other way unsuitable man only to make themselves feel better. But stubborn Thomasina decides never to get married. To accomplish her goal, she offers her virginity to the only man she ever was attracted to, Mr. James Blakely. During their conversation Thomasina unveils James’ secret: He’s on best terms with the Blakely House Ghost. Unfortunately, James is a gentleman and downright refuses to help her. Deeply embarrassed and hurt Thomasina leaves him.
Years later Thomasina’s father promised her hand to Mr. Tilson who only agrees to marry her if the Warren Mansion Ghost disappears for good. James Blakely arrives at the mansion to help, only to find out that the murderous ghost, called Max, refuses to leave. James discovers more secrets at the Warren House. But he also discovers that Thomasina is every bit as attractive as she was when they met last time; and that Warren House holds many more secrets than ‘only’ a ghost.
Since Thomasina is still as stubborn as she used to be and refuses to get married, James decides to protect her, and disentangle the secrets within the house.
We have James Blakely, a young, attractive and protective, caring man who, I’m convinced, every female reader, will fall in love at least a bit while reading. He’s a gentleman with a mission, and he keeps his promises. What is not to love about him?
There is stubborn and self-confident Thomasina who knows what she wants, which is, the right to remain single. She is brave, smart, and beautiful. While reading we find out Thomasina is in danger, and we wish we could help her.
And: We meet Max, who spooks through the Warren House and fights for his right to remain where he’s existed for centuries.
Additionally, there are the other important characters to add to the story: Thomasina’s suitor, Mr. Tilson, her father, her cousin and a monk who is supposed to perform an exorcism, in case Max refuses to leave. When the story builds up, we learn to hate the one or other.
I tried to re-write this review in an attempt to make this more ‘mouthwatering,’ but every time I had to delete it because I revealed too much of the story. And I don’t want to ruin it for the other readers.
Let me tell you this much:
I found an elegant historical ghostly romance which I enjoyed reading. The plot is skillfully built, the red thread recognizable without ever getting lost. We know, there is more to come, and the author lets us see the tip of the iceberg; enough to continue reading, eagerly trying to find out what happens next. The big secret is shown ‘drop-by-drop’ and revealed just the perfect time and place.
I rated the book “Young Adult.” Even though it is a romantic story, it doesn’t involve much more intimacy than a few kisses and a little exploring, very innocent in my opinion.
I enjoyed the story idea and the build of the book enormously. The author writes with fantasy, forms clear and imaginable sentences and attracts the reader’s attention with wit, humor, and suspense. The book is exciting and entertaining. I recommend lovers of ‘ghostly romance’ to read “The Right To Remain Single.”
1st Place: ROMANCE/HOLIDAY
