delightful!!!!

story itself is funny and warm, so good that i'm finna scour amazon, audible and overdrive for everything thornton has ever written. and the audio performance is fantastic. Each character is so distinct that i truly have trouble believing they are all performed by one person.

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The ex that wouldn't go away

Let me start by saying that I truly enjoyed the performance of James Frazier in this book. All of the characters were distinct and his portrayal of Mac's character really brought him to life so to speak.

Mac was a mess. The writer wrote all the characters with true and believable flaws. The Barnyard Players were a mess. All they cared about was getting money to keep their theater going. I loved Dewey's serious and logical demeanor. Paired with Cal, they were great together.
Such a different take on the ex that won't go away scenario. I enjoyed this listen.

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When the ex refuses to leave

This was an ok listen. The story was interesting and ends in an hea. There are some explicit sex scenes and a bit of crude language. The narration was good with each character having their own voice.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

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The Ghost Slept Over

Loved the story. It's funny. Enjoy all the characters. I liked how Mack, the ghost showed himself. I was afraid he wouldn't and everyone would end up in the nuthouse.

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kept me giggling

a fun novel meant to entertain - kept me happy and smiling as the ghost and his ex interacted. Well worth the purchase and one that will be listened to over and over

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Great story ~ narration is phenomenal

This is my first book by Marshall Thorton and my first experience with Jason Frazier.

Thorton gives us a modern day haunting that is actually a love story. The world building is fantastic as we get to know three main characters and the quirky inhabitants of the small town where Mac died.

Well the story is fantastic on its own Frazier brings it to life in a way I’ve never heard from a single narrator before. He has the ability to give all the characters unique voices and personalities to the point of feeling like there was a full cast involved. His delivery also kept me laughing throughout the entire performance.

I’ll definitely be looking for more from both author and narrator.

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A unique story

This is my first book from author Marshall Thornton, and Narrator Jason Frazier. I absolutely loved it. It was so different from anything I’ve listened to before. I think the narrator did a fantastic job as well. I highly recommend this audiobook.

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Good narration. Fun story.

The narration: It’s been a while since I listened to this narrator. What I remembered was that Jason Frazier could produce some very delicious tones in his voice that could make me melt. And at times I think he could sound too sexual at times when it wasn’t quite right. I didn’t experience that in The Ghost Slept Over, though. I remembered how very talented he is at female voices. It is so different from his regular voice that I almost can’t believe it’s the same person. Overall, I was pretty pleased with his narration. I hope to hear some others from him soon.

The story: I have to explain that most of my experience reading Marshall Thorton is with his Nick Nowak Mysteries. I have read nine books in that series and I am used to that narrative. I always worry about checking out other books by an author who I associate with a certain series or set of characters. I shouldn’t have worried about this book though.

At first, the book did seem a bit slow for me. Cal isn’t really a likeable character. He is homeless but still trying to achieve his dream of acting. Usually that is the type of character I’m rooting for. Cal is just a bit full of himself though. Since I listened to the book and didn’t read it, it’s hard to say that that is the way the author wanted him to be or if that is more narrator portrayal. But I didn’t really care for him. As soon as the action started, though, I was jumping aboard this kooky ghost story.

Most ghost stories are a little more on the spooky side and I am a chicken. This story is more of a comedy. It brought back memories of watching Blackbeard’s Ghost when I was younger. Crazy ghost hijinks. I love that kind of story. The ghost of Mac is pretty egocentric and that narration is just right for him. Mac isn’t ready to get rid of his house or his ex, Cal. His attempts to stop the sale made me laugh. I didn’t really like him but enjoyed his character. His attempts to help Cal into the afterlife with him are a little bit menacing but overall, I think he just didn’t want to spend eternity alone.

There is a bit of romance in this book when Cal meets Mac’s lawyer, Dewey. I guess I like Dewey. He is pretty straight forward and wants to help others. He doesn’t seem to be your typical lawyer shark, but he is lacking a little bit of depth. His family moved out of the country and even though he is involved with the local drama group, he doesn’t seem to have any close friends. I guess since Cal is kind of a loner, too, that they make a pretty good pair. There isn’t anyone to keep them from each other and maybe they can fill the emptiness in their lives. The part that feels undeveloped is that neither of them really acknowledge being lonely. Maybe it doesn’t bother them, but I just wished for just a little bit more emotion in the story.

I am definitely glad I got this audio copy for review. There were parts that I found so funny and sweet. The narration was really good, too. I definitely think this is a good rec when you want something fun and less complicated.

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3 people found this helpful

An actor, a lawyer and a ghost walk into a bedroom

4.5

This charming book is full of delightfully flawed characters, ghostly shenanigans and wit. At the apex of this spiritual love triangle is Cal Parsons, a struggling actor living out of his truck and performing his one-man show in coffee shops along the California coastline. Enter Dewitt “Dewey” Morgan, the somewhat stiff and straight-laced lawyer who informs Cal that his ex-boyfriend, award-winning playwright McCormack “Mac” Williams has died and left Cal his estate. When Cal visits his new home, he soon comes face to face with the recently deceased Mac, the man who unceremoniously dumped him fifteen years ago and who now insists Cal is the love of is life and is determined to start their eternity together as soon as possible.

Cal is a bit self-absorbed and hilarious and certainly shows how unglamorous being a working actor can be. His and Dewey’s relationship is definitely not love/lust at first sight. There’s no instant chemistry or connection pulling them together, and their initial interactions and first dates are awkwardly funny and relatable. Mac is a selfish, snarky and spiteful delight. He is unrepentantly egotistical, demanding, manipulative and steals every scene he is in. Between Mac’s attempts to alternatively woo or force Cal into the afterlife with him and the story arc involving the local theater troupe and its amusing cast of characters, this was such a fun, entertaining book. Moreover, Jason Frazier does an excellent job matching the voices to the personality traits and characteristics in the book and bringing the comedy and snark to life. I plan on reading much more of Mr. Thornton’s work.

I voluntarily reviewed an audiobook copy of this book provided by the author.

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1 person found this helpful

Great Ghost Story/Romance and so much fun!

Marshall Thornton has another winner here. Add Jason Frazier's narration to the mix and you've got 6 hours of absolute fun.

Cal Parsons is a failed actor, best know for a gay themed movie in which he was naked for most of it. Down to his last few dollars and sleeping in his car, he gets a call from a lawyer informing him that he has inherited the estate of his ex-lover in New York. Cal sells his car and uses the money to buy a plane ticket to New York. But it's not Manhattan, it's a small town in New York state.

Cal and Mac broke up 15 years ago when Mac suddenly announced he was moving to New York and wasn't taking Cal with him. They have not seen or spoken to one another in all this time, so why would Mac, a successful playwright, leave his estate to Cal?

The small town's community theater group, of which Mac was a benefactor, is nearly out of money and the future does not look bright without Mac's money. One of their board members is a gay lawyer named Dewey. He is the one handling the estate, so the theater group enlists his aid to try to get Cal to give them some money to keep the group going. They do this by recasting the lead - with Cal!

Once Cal has moved into the mansion, he learns that Mac is still there - as a ghost. And Mac admits that he never should have broken up with Cal, that he still loves him and wants them to be together - for eternity! Accidents start happening, and guess who is causing them?

While all this is happening, Cal and Dewey become close and start dating, which infuriates Mac. He's not having it!

Marshall Thornton writes with such subtle wit and humor, and throws in some outlandish sequences that would make for a great movie. Jason Frazier did a fantastic job with the voices - especially a couple of the women. Quirky and odd, which everyone was.

This is on my list for a re-listen very soon.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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