Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke
Not Dead Yet #1
Paranormal M/M
February 4, 2019 by Carina Press

Wes Cooper was dead. Then he wasn’t—though he’s not exactly alive, either. As an immortal not-ghost, he can transition between this world and the otherplane, which makes him the perfect thief for hire. For seventy years he’s made a “living” returning items to their rightful owners, seeing his fair share of the bizarre in the process. But he’s never witnessed murder. Until now.

His latest mission brings him more than he bargained for: a very-dead actor who is definitely going to stay that way. It’s just Wes’s luck that his ex-boyfriend, Detective Hudson Rojas, is assigned to the case. Hudson broke Wes’s heart years ago—and could again, given he’s rocking a hot silver-fox look that shouldn’t be legal.

As they work together to track down the murderer before anyone else gets hurt, it becomes clear Wes and Hudson have unfinished business. And when a secret Hudson’s been keeping threatens more than just their happiness, it might mean the end of their not-life together—permanently.

I’ve always enjoyed this author, whether she writes alone or with a partner, but I must say I think this is my favorite of her works to date. Not Dead Yet is a fun, exciting paranormal romance featuring two interesting heroes and a cast of secondary characters who I can’t wait to get to know better. It’s also a second chance romance which is absolutely my jam.

Wes Cooper is a ghost. Sometimes, anyway. He uses his ability to ghost in and out of existence in his work as a recovery specialist. Recovering what you ask? Well, anything and everything and most of the time the rightful owner doesn’t want to let go of it. But it keeps the bills paid and Wes living comfortably. Then he walks in on a murder in progress and his life is turned upside down.

He makes an anonymous call to the police, but after talking to his best friend he also makes a call to this former lover… who happens to still be on the police force. He and Hudson haven’t seen each other for 33 years, but Wes is just as attracted to him as the day they met. This Hud seems a little darker, a little harder, but just as unforgiving of Wes’s recovery jobs as he ever was. But they begin to work together anyway.

There is so much to love about this PNR. I went in expecting another tropey, ghostly paranormal and was pleasantly surprised to discover that everything about this book felt fresh. I can honestly say I haven’t read anything like it. The mystery was very well done and left me a bit surprised at the end.

The romance between Wes and Hudson was super sexy and I enjoyed seeing them make their way back to each other emotionally. I won’t go into the reasons why they broke up, but it was realistic and I expect these characters to have to continue to deal with it as the series progresses. They have a lot of history between them and behind them, I have a feeling it’s going to take a while for them to work through it. Which is fine by me, I’ve got a little crush on snarky, cranky Wes.

I’m absolutely stoked that this is going to be a series. I’ve already put book two on my TBR list. Give Up the Ghost has a release date of June 3, 2019 and I can’t wait.

Final grade- B+

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