Review: Stumptown Spirits by E.J. Russell (Legend Tripping #1)


Note: This ARC was provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Stumptown Spirits is the first novel in the new M/M paranormal romance series by author E.J. Russell entitled Legend Tripping. Seven years ago, Logan Conner lost his best friend Trent Pielmeyer when Trent found himself standing in for a ghost who wanted freedom from the repetitiveness of being hanged for a crime he says was unintentional. Since then, Logan has desperately tried to find an answer that will help him figure out a way to get Trent back, but what was supposed to be nothing more than listening in on a lecture about folklore has him focusing more on the TA, folklorist Riley Morrel. Then before he knows it, a year and a half passes by and he's fallen even more in love with Riley. But with one statement that he believes is the key to saving Trent, Logan ups and leaves, breaking Riley's heart and his own to do what he has to for costing his best friend his freedom. Five months later and he's just days away from fulfilling his plan...but the ex-boyfriend he still loves comes into town? Now that was something he hadn't planned on.

A second chance between two men who still love each other while dealing with spirits that have made it to the mortal world and mortals who have switched places with? Yes, please. I love paranormal reads and when merged with another favorite genre--romance--it feels like double the fun. Stumptown Spirits has both the paranormal and romance, although the latter comes in the form of self-sacrificing action from Logan Conner and going above and beyond for the one he loves from Riley Morrel. If you're looking for flowery words and vows of love bandied about in every other page, I suggest you move along. Logan and Riley are immersed in all things spirits. Well, okay, not really. There are sexy times between the two ex-lovers, but yes, a lot of the time, both Logan and Riley are consumed with trying to save one another from the whole spirit swapping scenario. The book, though, lacked the kind of tension that a story like this--and readers like me--demands, making Stumptown Spirits an okay read with some unmet potential. 3.5 stars. ♥

Release Date: 16 May 2016

Date Read: 15 May 2016

Learn more about E.J. Russell.

Purchase Stumptown Spirits on Amazon | B&N | Kobo.

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