“‘Okay, so you hear a voice, and there’s no one there?’ Teo asked. I nodded. ‘I assumed he was a ghost. It’s not like he’s confirmed it.’ The awkward silence hung between us until he said, ‘I’ve been hearing a voice too.’” – Finn Dixon, Frat Ghost Wingman
PART of the Own-Voices Gay Paranormal Romance series “Haunted Hearts,” Finn Dixon’s Frat Ghost Wingman finds long-time friends and college Frat Boys Teo and Zach juggling a possible whirlwind romance as they navigate eerie and erotic encounters with a ghost that blur the lines between the living and the supernatural. Oh, they also experience the chaos of misplaced clothes. Are jockstraps in the underwear family?
The premise of a ghost erotically engaging with and uniting two men across time and space struck me as a wonderfully inventive concept. As a fan of the literary trope of friends-to-lovers, more than enemies-to-lovers (I prefer revenge, LOL), I was definitely intrigued.
In a gay romance novel, I yearn for palpable chemistry that sizzles between characters, a relationship that blossoms gradually, weaving together the emotional depth and connection outside of the passionate encounters; let’s face it, the “spice” is pretty much a given in M/M fiction, to varying degrees.
Zach is gay and has been in love with Mateo, a man disconnected from his authentic sexuality, for years. When
they are both visited by a ghost it pushes them together. Mateo has never really felt a connection with anyone, but once he starts exploring his feelings for Zach, romance and his sexuality begin to make sense to him.
The comedic element of the novel is very apparent, and Dixon doesn’t shy away from the absurd, especially regarding the Kappa Omega Kappa (KOK) frat. Twins, jockstraps, and lingerie, OH MY! It’s very Revenge of the Nerds meets Animal House by way of Van Wilder—but very gay in keeping with Finn’s signature style; the narrative brims with playful banter and an electrifying tension that sizzles on every page.
The “frat boy” dialogue is often crude and quite sexual, but not in an offensive way. Well, not if you understand that the genre of M/M will usually have overt homoerotic elements. It works with the sexual openness of the characters, both in private and public and this, I feel, helps Mateo feel more at ease in accepting and exploring his own queerness, both in the emotional and sexual aspects. They don’t call ’em the boys of KOK for nothing.
And speaking further on that, as it’s an own-voice gay romance, paranormal or not, with a high leaning toward playful sex romp, there’s a lot of talking about “ass” in this book. But as Tom Skerritt says in Steel Magnolias, “Nothin’ like a good piece of ass.” (I can’t believe I just quoted that. Apparently, the novel’s bawdiness is rubbing off on me! My colours ARE NOT blush and bashful.)
The warm acceptance from Zachary and Teo’s fraternity brothers wasn’t surprising, but the supportive parents arc creates a solid foundation for their relationship, weaving a deeper bond between them. The trope of high-angst coming out has its place in queer fiction, but the embrace from the people around them was a refreshing change of pace in this tale of gay romance.
With Finn Dixon’s Frat Ghost Wingman, prepare for an unforgettable adventure filled with passion and excitement as two best friends embark on a journey that transforms their bond into something deeper and more intimate. With the playful guidance of a randy ghost, their shared experiences become a gateway to steamy encounters and newfound feelings that challenge the boundaries of a seemingly platonic friendship.
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