Review of ‘Stay’ by Mildred Gail Digby

This was a really enjoyable read. I have been fighting off an awful reading slump lately. This lesbian mystery romance book with a paranormal twist was exactly the kind of book I needed to help combat my slump. This book releases October 1st and is the perfect kind of book to read for this time of year. While this is the first book I have read by Digby, it absolutely won’t be my last.

Jade is a foul-mouthed private investigator with a tough past. Now in her early 40’s, Jade is trying to reinvent herself by helping people who can’t help themselves. Or in this case, instead of helping a person, she’s helping a ghost. After a near death experience, Jade can see and communicate with ghosts so when the adorable Connie asks for help finding her murderer, Jade can’t say no. Can Jade find out the truth of what happened to Connie and what happens if Jade starts having feelings for a ghost?

I do have to admit it took a minute to get into the story. I felt some of the early dialogue was almost a little forced, it kept me from not really understanding who Jade’s character is supposed to be. However, once a few chapters go by, Digby gets on a roll and the writing smoothed out nicely. I soon felt connected to the book, to the characters of Jade and Connie, and I didn’t want to stop reading.

I was really happy with how well developed both main characters are. You slowly learn more about both characters and you can’t help rooting for them. Jade’s past affects her every day of her life and I thought her character ended up being very well done. Connie’s life is part of the mystery and as you find out more clues, you understand more about her too. I’m really happy with how well written both characters were.

While this is a mystery that had some good twists to keep things interesting, what I found to be surprising was how much I actually enjoyed the romance of the book. This is an age-gap romance between a human and a ghost. First just to address the age-gap. Where both characters are in their lives, I felt they really fit together. And even with Jade being older, her maturity level is close to Connie’s so it made the age-gap really work and I hardly noticed it.

Okay, now I’m going back to the ghost-human part of the romance. As a paranormal fan, this is not a new storyline for me and many readers out there. Luckily, the way Digby handed it was really well done and very satisfying. Parts of the romance are a little limited considering the different circumstances the characters have to deal with, so it is not a normal everyday romance, but it worked. I was happy with the romance and I think romance fans will be happy with something that’s a little different but still sweet and enjoyable.

The way this book ended, everything is wrapped up but there could easily be a sequel. I’m keeping my fingers crossed because I want more of the foul-mouthed investigator. I absolutely recommend this to mystery and or paranormal-romance fans. While this deals with murder and ghosts, this book has a lightness about it so it’s never too dark or scary. Digby has been on my radar for a while so I was happy to finally get a chance to read her. She did not disappoint and I will be reading her books again. 4.25 Stars.

A copy was given to me for an honest review.