Hope McLean is trapped in her marriage to Richard McLean, a difficult alcoholic, and drug addict. Richard has placed Hope thousands of dollars in debt feeding his habits, and his behavior is getting more violent by the day. Hope considers herself a meek, cowardly person, but with the help of a girlfriend, Al-anon, and more importantly, Britt McLean’s personal journal, she decides she must end her marriage. Hope has admired Britt McLean, an ancestor of Richard’s, since she was an adolescent, and she developed a large crush on her romanticized ideal man. Lately, Hope realizes her teenage crush has turned into more of an overwhelming fascination.

Britt McLean, a man of honor, integrity, justice and truthfulness, was nevertheless killed – 127 years ago. Britt did not pass timely into the light because of his overwhelming need to protect his family from the villain that killed him. The light has never accepted him since, even though his family members have tried to assist him to the other side when they have passed on. Britt feels extremely alone, and every time he has made himself known to those who can sense his presence, disaster has struck. Although Britt can range far and wide, too much time away from a possession he owned in life brings incredible pain. His last remaining possession, one of his journals, is owned by Hope McLean. When Britt senses Hope’s emotions while reading his journal, he is more than touched. Against his better judgment, Britt seeks to keep Hope safe from her crazed husband, who truly wants to harm her in a drug-induced rage.

Both Richard and Hope react believably to Britt’s ghost. Richard believes he is seeing demons and leaves the house. Hope believes she has gone over the edge herself. Slowly, however, Britt convinces her that he is not a figment of her imagination. They build a wonderful relationship that has no future. There is also Richard to contend with, since he needs money for his continued drug habit.

As the author builds Britt and Hope’s relationship, I was drawn in, and could feel their pain and frustration. This has always been a problem for me in books that have ghosts as the hero. How can they ever have a relationship? Although I could see where this book was headed in solving this dilemma, the author handles the situation in a unique manner, in keeping with Britt’s character. Sometimes its hard to be an honorable guy. . . .

Richard, although he is the villain of the story, is also well-written. He is not a nice guy, but the background for his character is believable. Hope’s character truly comes into her own strength throughout the story. However, without Britt’s ghost around to “scare” Richard away, I’m not sure she could have freed herself, which was a small sore spot for me. I would have rather Hope had been able to rescue herself, and not been forced to rely on someone else to do it for her.

The tension between Hope and Britt is excellent, which is a good thing, since there is a long wait for the love scene. There are no ghostly “encounters” in this story, which makes sense in the design of the story, but darn, those can be fun! If it has been awhile since you’ve enjoyed a “haunting” love story, try this one, I think you’ll like these ghostly vibes!