Review: Not Quite Dead by Lyla Payne

A broken engagement sends Graciela Harper crawling back to Heron Creek with her tail between her legs, but finds the sleepy little town too changed to set her life right. Not even her budding drinking problem can obscure her Gramps’s failing health, or erase the mental picture of her first love happily married to her childhood best friend. To top it all off, she’s having a heck of time convincing the town’s dashing young mayor of her unfit-for-dating status.

When the ghost of 18th century lady pirate Anne Bonny starts insisting on a near daily audience, Graciela has to confront something else she never expected—being certifiably nuts at twenty-five years old.

Her brand new "I don't give a crap" attitude makes it easy to dismiss the mysterious threats that seem to be tied to her search for more information on the long dead pirate, but when her family becomes a target, Gracie knows she needs to find out why the ghost insists on being a constant, reeking companion. 

If Graciela can put aside her prejudice against people without a pulse, she may discover that Anne Bonny’s problems are intricately linked with her own. The past harbors answers could help the cantankerous spirit find closure, but she is, after all, already dead. If Graciela doesn’t move fast, she might find herself doing the haunting, instead of the other way around.

This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a unique NA book and I loved it. Ghosts and a cute Southern gentleman…count me in!

Man, Gracie had some major sass in her. She was insanely independent and I can’t blame her. She’s caring but she puts up a strong front when she’s feeling particularly vulnerable. She needs someone that can read between her hard outer shell. Which brings me to…

Beauregard Drayton. My lord, such a sexy Southern gentleman! He was a perfect match for our tough Gracie. He’s persistant when Gracie shuts him down but he sticks around like a champ. He always seems to know when she needs to be taken care of and he was a total sweetheart.

Mel and Will were great friends to Gracie despite the past. Gramps was so awesome and tough and he loved Gracie so much! And Anne Bonny – the ghost – was a stellar addition to the story as well!

As I said before, this was a really unique NA story. Gracie sees a ghost that just doesn’t seem to go away. I loved the historical tie in and also how the multiple storylines seems to flow seamlessly and come together perfectly in the end. The writing was full of snarkiness, as I love so much. The romance was definitely not the forefront of the story, which was totally okay. They were truly a perfect match.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series, mostly to see where Gracie and Beau’s relationship goes!

Favorite Swoon-worthy Quote: I crush my mouth against his, opening my lips for him, find his tongue hot and willing as it toys with mine. My hands grasp his neck, one sliding higher until it twists in his hair, the combined motion pulling his body tight against mine, pressing my back into the countertop before he lifts me up by my ass and my feet lock behind his back. A growl rumbles from his throat and he nips my bottom lip, diving back in for more.

Rating: 4.5/5 Tar Heels!