Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Everyone wishes they were dead when wandering the purgatory of a home furnishings store, but these guys actually are.

Benji Goss is the quintessential good guy. When his boyfriend dumps him and moves out, Benji obligingly keeps the cat—even though he’s allergic—because his ex’s new place doesn’t accept pets. He’s always joked the cat would be the death of him, but not in a way he expects when a feline mishap crushes him under a DEL TORO bookcase.

Snarky loner Patrick Bryant is in such a rut he barely remembers the life he used to lead. The last thing he recalls is being decapitated by a DEL TORO bookcase in a freak accident. As a spiritual CASA resident, he haunts the aisles of affordable Italian furniture, assisting fellow spirits in moving on to their final destinations.

When Benji appears in the CASA café, Patrick considers the naïve spirit just the man to cure his boredom. Benji’s relentless optimism chips away at Patrick’s sarcasm, making him question if there’s something beyond what he can see. But the heart is like CASA furniture—there’s always some assembly required.

Book Review

‘Some Assembly Required’ is a unique book with its concept of purgatory as a home furnishings store and a humorous approach to the people (or are they ghosts?) who inhabit it that made me laugh out loud more than once. There are probably as many concepts about what the afterlife is like as there are people who believe in it, but this specific one is so modern and relatable that it had me in stitches. And as for a ghost story - most of which are either scary, creepy, or sad - this one is “none of the above” and excellent entertainment instead.
 
Benji is such a nice, likable character that he and his worries pulled me right into the story. He loves animals to the point that he kept the ex’s cat despite the fact he is allergic, he is a kindergarten teacher, and is trying desperately to get over his boyfriend leaving him. I felt for him in life – and even more so in death. How horrible to come to in the store that made the DEL TORO bookcase that killed him. Benji has no idea what is going on, and I loved learning how everything works alongside him.

Patrick, while I found him more difficult to understand initially, has not fared much better. He too was killed by a DEL TORO bookcase, but it’s been a while, and he has been working in the store that produces DEL TORO bookcases and other affordable furniture. He is a prankster, seems to take nothing seriously, and has a definite bad boy vibe that intrigued me. He helps fellow spirits move on to their final destination, but he is jaded and bored, no longer believing in an afterlife beyond where he is now.

Benji makes Patrick question what he’s been up to. It takes a while, but as the two men get to know each other, they begin to realize they not only mean a lot to each other but also may be able to “move on” together. Their journey of realization is filled with humor, sarcasm, and great observations about human nature. And the ending is just perfect!

If you like stories about the afterlife, if you prefer your ghosts to have a sense of humor, and if you’re looking for a read that is hilariously funny yet wonderfully emotional and romantic at the same time, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. It’s great whether you want something to cheer you up, or whether you’re just looking for a great laugh.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 210 pages/68821 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	08-February-2016
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/some-assembly-required-by-lex-chase-and-bru-baker-2454-b