Title: Waiting for Patrick
Author: Brynn Stein
Genre: Contemporary, Spirits
Length: Novel (280pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-63477-398-0
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (16th September 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Architect Elliot Graham has bought and restored dozens of historic homes to their original splendor. As in his personal life, he loves them and leaves them, selling them off without looking back. But there’s something about the old plantation house he finds in South Carolina—a connection he can’t explain. He feels as though he recognizes the house, as if within its crumbling walls he might find something he doesn’t even realize he’s lost.
Ben Myers had promised his lover and soul mate, Patrick, that he would wait for his return. Ben has kept his word ever since Patrick left him to wait at the plantation house—during the Civil War. For the first time in many long years, Ben is no longer alone, and he reaches out to Elliot in dreams. Elliot tries to convince Ben that Patrick isn’t coming back, and Ben’s devotion is about to change not only his lonely existence, but Elliot’s life as well.
Purchase Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/waiting-for-patrick-by-brynn-stein-7518-b
Review: Elliot has a great life as an architect buying homes, restoring them and selling them, moving from place to place and enjoying one night stands and short flings, but when he buys an old plantation house in South Carolina he finds himself drawn to the house and the spirit that lurks there. Ben swore to his lover, Patrick, that he would wait for him and Ben has waited a long, long time for Patrick to return to him, now there’s a man who calls to him and Ben shares with Elliot in his dreams.
This is an amazing story that is slightly bittersweet. Elliot has never been able to settle, almost like he is constantly searching for something on a subconscious level, so when he finds an old house that strikes a chord with him he begins to think about settling down. Discovering the house is haunted doesn’t actual phase him all that much because he has a connection to the ghost Ben through his dreams, his best friend Sheri (or Cher as Elliot calls her) and his new friend Daniel (Darrell as Elliot calls him) both have some good freak out moments about it though.
We discover, through Elliot’s dreams, Ben’s life with Patrick, the love they shared and the lives they lived; it’s bittersweet and heart-aching when you see the scenes of them going to fight in the civil war. We see a lot of Elliot’s life and his friendships with Sheri and Daniel, Elliot’s relationship with Daniel starts hot and heavy but quickly turns to that of just friends (jealous ghost!), we watch as Elliot starts to suffer from devastating health and it’s just so painful to watch.
The story really is wonderful as we see Elliot fall in love with his ghost Ben, but it’s also painful to watch because Ben knows something that Elliot doesn’t so Elliot is both trying to get Ben to cross over but also trying to find some way of keeping him around. I can’t really say much more otherwise I’d give everything away so there you have it!
The story is beautifully written and it flows wonderfully, each character shines in their own way but it is all from Elliot’s point of view and Ben’s really only around when he’s typing messages, moving the odd object and in Elliot’s dreams. And the ending! OMG grab tissues… you will need them!
I recommend this to those who love soul mates, love stretching through the years even past death, great characters, hot sex, and an incredible ending that will leave tear trails down your face.
Title: What No One Else Can Hear
