Who Would Like This Book:
If you love your romance with a gothic twist and a side of haunting history, Sommersgate House will hit the spot. Kristen Ashley brings her signature alpha hero and strong, relatable heroine together in a slow-burn, chemistry-packed partnership. The moody English estate setting, the tangled family drama, and the presence of lingering spirits give it a unique vibe. Fans of angsty, emotional journeys with mature characters, steamy moments, and just a sprinkle of the supernatural will likely devour this one.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the story a bit slow to start, with a lot of backstory and family set-up before the romance really takes off. If you’re not a fan of alpha male characters, a slightly overbearing (but ultimately softened) hero, or lengthy emotional struggles, this may not be your cup of tea. Others mention that the paranormal element isn’t front and center - so if you’re craving truly spooky ghosts, you might want something more intense.
About:
"Sommersgate House" in the series "Ghosts and Reincarnation" by Kristen Ashley follows the story of Julia Fairfax and Douglas Ashton, who are brought together to care for three children after a tragic accident. Julia, having moved from the US to the UK to fulfill her brother's final wishes, finds herself sharing custody of the children with the cold and emotionally distant Douglas. As they navigate their shared responsibilities and the paranormal elements of the house, a slow-burning romance develops between Julia and Douglas, leading to a heartwarming tale of love and family. is praised for its blend of romance, tragedy, and supernatural elements, creating a captivating and emotionally engaging story that keeps readers hooked until the satisfying conclusion.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of grief, emotional abuse, and the loss of loved ones, which may be intense for some readers.
Has Romance?
The romance between Douglas and Julia is central to the plot and develops significantly throughout the story.
From The Publisher:
Douglas Ashton is the cold and unfeeling owner of the sprawling, gothic Victorian Mansion, Sommersgate House. Julia Fairfax is his stubborn American sister-in-law. After tragedy strikes, Douglas and Julia are forced to live together at Sommersgate and raise their newly-orphaned nieces and nephew. Douglas has no desire to raise his dead sister's children nor does he want the distraction of the tempting Julia living under his roof. Julia is struggling with grief and trying to make a go in a new country without much help from impossibly handsome but even more impossibly remote Douglas. Not to mention, she has to deal with the active hostility of Douglas's frosty, Attila-the-Hun-in-a-skirt mother, Monique. Douglas decides the best way to give the children what they need, get his mother to behave and give himself what he wants is to marry Julia. When he tells her (yes, tells her) she will be his wife, Julia thinks Douglas is (probably) insane. And anyway, she's decided if she ever has another husband (since the last one wasn't so great), he was going to be short, balding, have a paunch and worship the ground she walks on (none of these characteristics define Douglas in the slightest). One more thing, Sommersgate House is haunted by the ghosts of the man who built it and the woman who was the love of his life. They both died mysteriously at Sommersgate months after it was finished. When they did, a curse settled on the house making it seem strangely alive. And the only way for the beautiful but frightening house to rid itself of this curse is for its owner to find true love.
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What can you read after
Sommersgate House?
About the Author:
Kristen Ashley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in Indiana, but has lived in Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she's been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least), but loopy is good when you want to write. Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched). Needless to say, living in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up. And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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