“You feel so alone and scared, but you cover it up with a bravado that nothing has changed. But everything has changed, hasn’t it? You’re changing, and it scares you.” – Shane K. Morton, Shadowing My Dreams
LIFE changed for Jack Thompson when a car hit him, and he died for a few minutes. Three months later, Jack awakens from a deep coma. His body is physically healed, but his psyche is profoundly altered—has it also awakened.
In the quiet solitude of his home, a series of bizarre occurrences begin to unfold: shadows move through walls, whispers echo in his ears, relentless, unsettling dreams, and subtle chills creep up his spine. Jack quickly discovers that he can perceive the ghost of a long-dead man who used to live in his home—and this “gay ghost” isn’t moving on any time soon, especially from Jack’s bedroom. A dark cloud has descended over his once-vibrant social life. Has this presence always been in his home, or did it follow him back from—death?! Jack loves his house, but if he’s going to continue living there, he needs help!
Concerned for his well-being, Jack’s best friend, Daveed (a great supporting character), enlists the aid of Archie, a local West Hollywood paranormal investigator known for his uncanny ability to connect with the spirit world. Sure, his gift pays the bills, but people treat Archie like he’s nuts because he can pull a Haley Joel Osment and “see dead people!” Or at least communicate with them. When he meets Jack, the skeptic hot jock with a ghost problem, Archie can’t stop thinking about him. But the ghost in the house, the real reason he’s in Jack’s life—professionally—is profoundly sad and angry, which tugs at his heart. Something has to be done and quickly.
Thus begins a captivating journey, intertwining the realms of the living and the dead—a romantic ghost story filled with unexpected twists. But as the layers of this haunting narrative unfold, one must question: whose story is it truly? Perhaps it belongs to Jack, or maybe it’s the mysterious entity that haunts him or even Daveed and Archie’s shared experiences. Each character holds a piece of a greater tapestry woven from love, loss, and the supernatural.
I was immediately invested in Jack and Archie’s connection—how their journey started with a series of sharp
exchanges and irascible confrontations. Those moments were tense, but in a most entertaining way, with their initial animosity based on physical appearance and other subtle prejudgments. (And we’ve all been guilty of those.)However, as their interactions began to shift from hostility to a burgeoning interest, the dynamic between them blossomed into something truly engaging. The slow transformation from irritation to attraction deepened the satisfaction of their relationship, making every glance and subtle touch feel electric with possibility. It’s a typical trope with romance—dislike to like, mistrust to trust—but the author uses it effectively here.
Shane K. Morton has crafted an enchanting (gay) love story that beautifully balances sweetness with depth, crafting the dialogue and situations within his narrative skillfully so that it never falls into a realm of overt saccharine clichés. Set against a captivating and contemporary urban backdrop, this paranormal mystery unfolds with a low level of spice, the author preferring to provide heartfelt moments that resonate deeply, drawing readers, queer or not, into a haunting space where love and intrigue intertwine seamlessly. Shadowing My Dreams, Morton’s contribution to the “Haunted Hearts” Own-Voices Gay Paranormal Romance series, offers readers a brisk yet supremely satisfying experience.
Oh, and I cannot end this review without commenting on the cover. If any model exemplifies and projects the image of “seductive brooding,” it’s this dude. And you could cut a diamond with that jawline. Delicious.
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