Red-Haired Ash Reads

When Luca trades his last painting for a “lucky” necklace he finds himself cursed with a heavily tattooed ghost named Prudence. Determined to try to make the best of it, Luca strikes a bargain with Prudence and plans to help him go to Oregon so he can get the last piece he needs to die. Instead, Luca finds himself falling for the grumpy emotionless ghost. 

When I initially went to start this book I didn’t think I was going to enjoy Prudence because he is just very angry and distant. But the more I read his POV, the more I loved Pru. He may be angry and antisocial, but that’s just because his life has taught him to be that way. His story is heartbreaking and then to find out he was killed for a crime he didn’t do, and that involved the one person who actually cared for him, was even more heartbreaking. I found myself loving Pru’s character before I was even 20% into the book. 

“I’m not a good person….But you’re my person. And for me, that’s good enough.”

Luca is a successful artist who unfortunately trusted the wrong man and is now struggling. He is grieving the possible death of his career, disappointing his parents, and the possibility of losing everything because he is broke. In the beginning, we see that Luca’s emotions are all over the place and he easily gets upset. I really like that this book shows a guy who isn’t afraid to cry over his life. Luca was a sweet guy who had a very interesting past that we see him slowly revert back to as the need arises. Luca’s sunshine went perfectly with Pru’s darkness and I loved how well they worked together. 

“Sunrise follows even the darkest night.”

Luca and Pru’s relationship was very intense, steamy, and emotional. Luca and Pru both enjoy a bit of sadomasochism and Luca is a submissive to Pru. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy a story where pain was involved with pleasure, but it worked really well with these two. Also I really liked the fact that while Luca is bigger than Pru  he wasn’t the dominant one. These two brought out all the feels though during their relationship and I loved them so much. I was so upset toward the end trying to figure out how they get their HEA and I like how Quin presented it. 

“You make me feel alive, Prudence…You make me happy. You make me brave. You make me accept the parts of myself I’ve always buried…“You make me better. I make you better too.”

Overall, this was a fantastic book with a fantastic couple finally finding their happiness. This series has really surprised me by how it has hooked me. Quin has done a great job at creating unique characters, emotional romances, and an engaging world. I can’t wait to read the next one. 

TW: child abuse; physical assault; emotional manipulation; stealing and theft; child kidnapping mentioned; arson; car accident; death by lethal injection discussed; murder; choking/asphyxiation scenes; mild sadomasochism;

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Previous books and reviews for the series:

#0.5 There’s a Monster In the Woods
#1. Bite Me! (You Know I Like It)