Title: The Passenger
Author: Joie Lesin
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance / Fantasy
Book Blurb:
Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home. Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction. Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her?
The Passenger, a 1940s ghost story set in the California wine country, tells a tale of family connections, life-changing choices, and love—lost and found.
My Review:
All Elizabeth wants is to fit in with people and not be burdened by her gift but when she goes across the country to help an old man’s spirit find closure and his son, Gio, find peace. Along the way, she finds something she never dreamed of: love. The Passenger is a heartwarming paranormal fantasy with themes of family, moving on, and living for today. The narration is deeply emotional yet detailed so the reader can dive into the story. The historical accuracy is flawless so that while reading, you feel transported. The world-building is layered so the supernatural elements are realistic, and I am able to suspend my disbelief. But it’s the characters in The Passenger who make this an unforgettable read.
Let’s start with the characters. I connected with Elizabeth right away. Her gift is the ability to speak to and help ghosts move on. She’s a wonderfully written heroine with a sympathetic heart. Experiencing all that she goes through, including her emotions, allows the reader to immerse themselves in the story. Her reactions to situations and events are realistic even though some of the events are supernatural.
Gio is a hero who’s been through one emotional turmoil after another. His heart is closed off due to the betrayal of his father. Only all is not as it appears and Gio is left reeling. Can he believe Elizabeth and her ghost theory? More importantly, can he let go of the anger and pain to heal and allow love into his heart? My heart broke for Gio over and over. He’s a hero who has to overcome his past hurts in order to live for today.
The descriptive narration together with the world-building to create a poignant story readers clamor for. There’s plenty of emotions built into the story along with intricate details. The world-building is flawless. The historical accuracy is on point. Every detail of the story speaks of the writing prowess of the author.
If you’re looking for an emotional paranormal fantasy you won’t be able to put down, pick up The Passenger. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/
Amazon (E-book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WBVJB9/
Amazon (Paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Passenger-Joie-Lesin/dp/1509256644
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passenger-joie-lesin/1008401528?ean=2940185717905
Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger
Author Biography:
Minnesota-based author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and the author of The Passenger. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including ghosts. She loves to write a good ghost story—especially when it includes a touch of romance.
Originally from Massachusetts, at six years old, Joie moved to her mother’s birthplace, Minnesota. By eight, Joie lost her New England accent, however, it's gradually returning as the years go by. She grew up in Minneapolis but now resides in St. Paul with her husband and their blended family—which includes a rambunctious grand-corgi.
Joie misses the ocean, but she often finds herself walking by one of Minnesota’s many lakes and travels to one of the coasts as often as she can. In fact, she considers California her home away from home. When she’s not writing, reading, or walking, you can find her listening to music. She absolutely loves music—especially live—and songs have sparked most of her story ideas.
Social Media Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin
Reviewed by: Nancy