Review originally published on Romancing the Dark Side:A sweet and softer side to the dark Grim Reaper!
David Anderson was a soldier on the battlefield on the verge of death when Fate intervened, making him immortal to serve Death himself as a Grim Reaper. David is destined to usher lost souls to the after life to atone for his past mistakes. The life of a reaper has finally taken its toll on him, leaving him broken and jaded, until he meets his neighbor Sarah Griffith, a scientist who spends her days in a lab, working on a cure for dementia and evenings visiting her eccentric grandmother. Just when things are starting to look up for David, Fate comes knocking, asking him to make a difficult choice that puts his newfound love in danger.
Grave Intentions is a fun and sweet romance that brings two lonely souls together with some unexpected and unfair hurdles to overcome. David is a tortured hero (my favorite) who is given a second chance, one that comes with a price of losing his humanity to all the violence and death he sees in his line of work. Reapers are sometimes portrayed as heartless, but that's not the case with David, his pain and emotions are clearly felt through the pages of the story and inspire compassion.
Watching David play the big brother role to his new trainee Adam, shows a playful side he often keeps hidden and the dark humor only a grim reaper could possess. He's the perfect dose of an alpha, he's honorable and protective but not in a suffocating way. Sarah and David's personalities are evenly matched and while there's no lack in chemistry, I wanted more of a spark between them to love them more, just my opinion.
Sarah is a smart and sassy leading lady that is instantly likeable. She is practical, outspoken and independent, so it was a lot of fun to watch her interact with David, epecially when she discovers the supernatural world around her. Sarah and David have their share of sexy moments but also have some tender ones where they bare their souls that really solidified their romance for me. They're both willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good and you hope that a HEA is in their future.
Lori Sjoberg brings the reader right into her world of reapers with the detailed world building and her complex characters. The dark tone of death is lightened by the budding romance and this pairing is executed beautifully. While the pacing is a little slow at times, the story is engaging and the supporting characters add a bit of flair to the action with their unforgettable charm. If you're in the mood for a feel good romance with a paranormal twist, I recommend picking up Grave Intentions.
{ebook courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.}
