Levi Black is at a crossroads. After suffering a loss and breaking up a long-term relationship, he’s looking for a change. When he receives the news he’s inherited a house in York, he seizes the opportunity to begin a new chapter in his life.However, when he gets there, he finds a house that has never kept its occupants for very long. Either through death or disinclination, no one stays there, … stays there, and after a few days of living in the place, Levi can understand why. Strange noises can be heard at all hours of the day and night, and disturbing and scary things begin to happen to him. He never believed in ghosts before, but when events take a sinister turn, he knows he must look for help. He finds it in the unlikely form of the blue-haired leader of a ghost tour.
Blue Billings is edgy, beautiful, and lost. Utterly lost. He conceals so many secrets that some days it’s a miracle he remembers his own name. He knows that he should ignore Levi because he threatens the tenuous grip Blue has on survival. But there’s something about the kind-eyed man that draws Blue to him. Something that demands he stay and fight for him when he would normally run in the opposite direction.
As the two men investigate the shocking truth behind Levi’s house, they also discover a deep connection that defies the short length of time they’ve known each other. But when events escalate and his life is on the line, Levi has to wonder if it was wise to trust the Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings.
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This is a wonderfully haunting story. I loved the characters and Lily’s top notch snark is always a joy to read. It’s one of my favorite books she’s written.
Just read it. One of my reads of the year. Loved it.
I loved this book
Each time Lily Morton releases a book, I say that she’s outdone herself. It’s always true, of course, but with The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings, she’s crossed into a new subgenre – paranormal. Make perfect sense for England, right? York feels almost like another character in the book, it’s so vividly drawn. And talk about vivid characters! Blue Billings and Levi Black are almost corporeal they’re so alive. I fell in love with them and their slow-burn, opposites-attract story, and enjoyed the action and suspense Lily created. I’m ever-so-glad there will be more to come from this couple. I’ve read all of Lily’s books except her MF books, some of them multiple times and I think that this is her best work yet.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
I love a good ghost story!
4.5
The epilogue really pushed this story up a notch for me, I loved it! I don’t necessarily need an epilogue for every book I read, but sometimes they can be the icing on the cake, and in the case of The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings that’s exactly what it was! Don’t get me wrong, I very much enjoyed the book throughout, but there was just something special about this epilogue.
I love a good ghost story and found this one to be really entertaining. I had a feeling there was more to the story about what happened in the house, I liked how it all played out.
I thought Levi and Blue were endearing characters, especially Blue. His backstory was a heart-tugger for sure! I really liked seeing there relationship evolved, from that instant connection to something deeper.
I can’t wait to read more about these 2!
Joel Leslie once again did a wonderful job! He really pulls you into a story with his performance.
This book has everything you’d ever want in a romance. Quirky but lovable characters, sweetness, romance, evil and kind ghosts, psychics, soul mates, right amount of steamy encounters just to name a few and a lovely happy ending. There are moments in this book you won’t forget. Highly recommend.
5 Stars!!!
So, I’m weird and I’m one of those strange persons who can’t watch horror movies, I really enjoy horror/ghost books, though. And this one was quite a treat!
I loved Levi! He’s so supportive and sweet and I just wanted to cuddle him, especially when he broke down grieving after his mom. That was such a poignant, heartfelt scene. I loved Blue, too. He had such a hard time growing up, even before his mother died. His insecurities and uncertainty that he could be enough for Levi were completely understandable, even if unfounded. It was obvious Levi and Blue were made for each other, they were just perfect together.
The whole thing with Levi’s house was intriguing and scary and had me at the edge of my seat. I was swept away by the mystery and the twists and turns. It was all so interesting! I adored Tom and Will and I hope to see more of them in the next book, which I’m starting right after this one. This is definitely a book I have no trouble recommending!
*WARNING* contains adult m/m situations
I quite enjoyed this story. Blue is full of snark and witty words. I like that this is NOT an Insta love thing as it makes the characters more realistic. Blue uses his snark and wit to cover up pain and embarrassment at times, but Mr. Black sees through that and the progression of the relationship is a beautiful thing. There is a steady presence of ghosts for the Amazing Blue to contend with. Tom may be grumpy, but he’s an amazing character and I hope to continue to see him in future books.
I could barely put this book down (or take off the headphones, as I listened to the exceptional audio performance of Joel Leslie) – such a gripping, absorbing storyline, let alone how engaging and fascinating the characters are!
This book is the whole package: magnificent characters, sweet and heat, exciting story and soooo much funny dialogue and snark that you’ll never want it to end (I didn’t!).
Everyone should read (or better still, listen) to this book – it’s just simply THAT entertaining.
Audio: 4.5
Levi is so adorable and easily flustered, yet a bit snarky. How his grief is handled and incorporated into the narrative feels organic. The only issue I had with him was his (imo) EXTREME denial. I understand being sceptical, and as a scientist, I like to base my thoughts on evidence too but this dude was determined to discount solid evidence. At first it was understandable but then just annoying.
Blue’s aloof charm, which hides his loneliness, pain and struggles makes Levi (and me) want to smother him in warmth and love and laughter; watching his wariness slowly fade as he and Levi becomes friends and he learns to trust is beautiful.
Really enjoyable characters (and secondary characters), good scares/tension building and a nice balance of humor and angst.
Oh my! I am soooo happy I stepped out of my comfort zone for this!
I usually don’t read paranormal romances with psychics but this grabbed my attention quite a bit! (I really don’t like the cocver though)
So what’s this? You ask.
This is an amazing mystery about a haunted house that fell into Levi’s hands through inheritance. Of course he had no idea about the hauntedness before he moved in, strange things happened, and a ghost tour guide mentioned his house as the Murder House as an attraction in his tour.
The blue haired, very peculiar Blue Billings might just be the person who has answers about Levi’s strange situation.
Blue is a psychic. He sees the ghosts but can’t conmunicate with them. He does not particularly like his power. Though, when Levi shows up on one of his tours he feels an urge to help the man. And to get to know him.
The story:
The story is mysterious, haunting, creepy and really very romantic! The mystery of the haunted house was perfect, full of twists and excitement. The budding love between our two main characters was sweet, romantic and amazing.
I really really liked how the story unfolded!
The characters:
Levi is a quiet artist, not much for excitement. He escapes his grief and bad relationship to come to live in York in the old house. He thinks it’s the perfect solution.
And maybe it truly is because in York he meets Blue.
Blue is the main focus of the character development in this book. His past is tearjerking and his present is not much better. He doesn’t trust people, he’s unhappy and he struggles with his abilities. But generally he’s a good person and that’s what first leads him to Levi and the mystery of the Murder House.
I absolutely loved this story. The perfect mix of mystery and romance! This was huge surprise for me but I actually feel like paranormal romances might just be my jam now.
Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews for providing me an ARC to review!
Love love love this book (an audio review)
I’ve made no secret of my love for Lily Morton and Joel Leslie. Separate they are both talented. Together they are dynamite. This book is just proof of that.
I knew this story was going to be a bit different than Ms. Morton’s usual fare. She serves up snark better than just about anyone writing contemporary gay romances today. I love her snippy dialogue, intriguing characters, and unique stories. I adored her Finding Home and Mixed Messages series. Some particular scenes I return to again and again. And although it’s usually the funny moments I remember, there are poignant ones that stick around as well. There was one scene in this book that was especially poignant and I found myself reduced to tears. Well done, Ms. Morton.
This book is also funny. It’s a ghost story and I love those. Levi Black inherits a house in York and even before he moves in, strange things happen. He’s happy to move in once the renovations are complete. He’s even happy to walk about his new home naked, although that might not be the best idea.
Levi has spotted a young man he’s nicknamed ‘Blue’ several times, but it’s only when Blue reveals he knows about the ghosts in Levi’s house does Levi approach him. Blue is, frankly, a unique character with singularly unique abilities. Abilities that, it turns out, Levi needs. Blue was also an incredibly empathetic character and I wanted to wrap him up in a blanket and hold him tight. I liked that once Levi came into his life, positive things started happening. If anyone deserves something good, it’s Blue.
But those pesky ghosts have their own agenda and soon Blue and Levi are dragged into the nightmare that is the murder of prostitutes in the past in York. Blue and Levi will have to solve the crime if they’re ever going to find peace. Just quickly, why go into the cellar? Asking for a friend.
This book is labelled as a Black and Blue book with the implication there are more to come. Uh, yes please. I’ll happily be the first in line to get the next one – especially if it is narrated by Joel. More of Blue’s talents and more of Levi’s adventures. And I wouldn’t mind seeing Rosalind again.
Another great book and one I will add to my faves list.
Audiobook Review
Narrator: Joel Leslie
Ratings:
Overall: 5 stars
Narrator: 5 Stars
Story: 5 Stars
The author/narrator combination was the first thing I noticed about this book. From all accounts, they work really well, together. Reading the blurb, I was instantly intrigued. I don’t have a long history of reading books with a paranormal twist. I’ve just dipped my toes in with a few books prior to this one. Boy, am I glad I gave it a go, because I couldn’t put it down. This story kept me me on my toes throughout the entire book. It was well written, with dynamic characters that were completely captivating—flaws, uniqueness, and all! I went from hesitant about being interested, to completely under Lily Morton’s spell. Her humor was sprinkled throughout the book, and was an utter delight. I loved Blue and Levi. They were mysteriously drawn to each other from the very moment they laid eyes on the other. I loved how they couldn’t even explain why; they just were. I enjoyed watching their relationship progress. I also loved how much they both wanted to take care of each other, beyond just physically. They sincerely cared about each other’s well being. It just made my heart happy. Joel Leslie did a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. His talents amaze me. He was absolutely perfect for these characters. I feel like they were written with him in mind, because it was absolutely perfect. He gave the words life in a way that made this audiobook one that I think everyone needs to listen to. It’s just that good.
ARC provided by GRR in exchange of an honest review. This book blew me away. It is a bit out of my typical comfort zone but it was amazing. See what I did there, I know, riot. Any way, I loved this book from page one and loved it even more at the end. The story was exciting and insightful, the world building was superb and the MCs were relatable and loveable. The side characters were great as well. There is literally nothing I do not like about this book. I was scared at times, happy, sad, elated, worried and I love that in books. I thought Joel did phenomenal with this and moved up to one of my favorites from him. He has a way of making you feel so much through his narrations and this book only bolstered that.
I normally don’t like ghost stories; I’m a big wimp and have a very low tolerance for scary situations, especially scary paranormal situations. However, I’m also a fan of Lily Morton and love her brand of humor, fluff, and romance, so I decided to take a chance on this book. And I’m so happy that I did.
Levi Black is a cartoonist who just inherited a haunted house and a strange mystery—not that he knows it at first. Blue Billings is an untrained medium who can see ghosts, but doesn’t really know what to do with his abilities so he leads a ghost tour around the city. Both men are extremely different, but they fit together perfectly. Blue has a lot of insecurities and emotional walls, and he is very reluctant to let Levi inside his defenses, but Levi is patient and loving and gains Blue’s trust. While they are building their relationship, they are also attempting to solve an old murder mystery and how to deal with the ghost haunting. The plot and romance are both extremely engaging and interesting, and I could hardly put this book down. There was suspense, tense moments, and a lot of humor and snark.
Joel Leslie narrates the audiobook and does a fantastic job with it. He voices each character perfectly and makes their voices distinct from each other. I could easily follow along in the book and enjoyed it immensely. Joel Leslie is a fantastic audio performer and knows how to bring a book to life without over doing it. All in all, I really enjoyed everything about this book.
Blue and Levi are Ghost slayers and this is their adventures together. But the story has some beautiful moments between Blue and Levi and they were lovely to read. Overall enjoyed it.
Ghost walks and history
I read this book during covid quarantine and it took me days to read, not sure if it was the book or my mental health state.
But I loved the characters, the theme and the whole story, lots of twist that you don’t expect. Beautifully written and will come back to it again after this is all over. But I do recommend that you try this book, Blue is amazing.
This was my first Lily Morton book and I love love loved it! Can’t recommend it enough.
I’m not sure where to start about this book. The world that Lily Morton created is amazing. I love York the setting was a win. And what is there to say about the house itself? I couldn’t read this book in the dark to start off with. It was kind of creepy And I have this really weird thing about ghosts they really freak me out. But I persevered in daylight because the thing I loved the most is the fact that the romance is really rich and full and I truly felt that the two leads were meant for each other. I so look forward to book two. Highly recommended.
I am gonna be honest here and say that so far 2019 has been a bit of a let down bookwise… Especially when it comes to the mm genre, I wasn’t as blown away as I was the previous years. You know who absolutely didn’t let me down? Lily Morton !! She wrote some pretty awesome books and I have to say that this book, it took the cake and it will definitely go on my “Top Reads of 2019” list.
Levi is moving to York, where he has inherited a house from some far-away family member. It actually comes at a perfect time, because he has just left his cheating boyfriend and he is ready for a new start. Had he known about the “state” of the house, he might have reconsidered.
It soon becomes clear that his new house isn’t like any other house, and even being the skeptic that he is, he has to admit that something is amiss. When he finds out his (murder)house is part of a “ghost tour”, the puzzle pieces start to fall together. How he finds out made me laugh my ass off.. poor Levi.
All of this gives him the perfect excuse to chat up the ghost-tour guide, “the mysterious and amazing” Blue. I mean he has been having his eye on the man since he first saw him.
Turns out the amazing Blue is even more amazing than Levi thought and he comes with some very special abilities. Together they try to find out what is wrong with Levi’s house and how to put a stop top it. Secrets are revealed and slowly the danger keeps on rising. Thankfully the love keeps on rising as well and it was wonderful to see these two men grow closer and closer and fall for one another.
This book is definitely a slow burn and the steam level is quite a bit lower than what I was used to from Lily Morton. That said, it had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish and really scared the crap out of me at times. I was totally invested right from the very first line. Blue and Levi were awesome characters and it really felt as if I was “living” this story right along with them, which caused me some serious palpitations.
It was very refreshing to read something different. I am very highly impressed and I really hope there will be more to come…