Book Review: The Gravedigger’s Brawl by Abigail Roux

Title: The Gravedigger’s Brawl
Author: Abigail Roux
Genre: Paranormal Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: October 15, 2012 by Riptide Publishing

Dr. Wyatt Case is never happier than when he’s walking the halls of his history museum. Playing wingman for his best friend at Gravedigger’s Tavern throws him way out of his comfort zone, but not as much as the eccentric man behind the bar, Ash Lucroix.

Ash is everything Wyatt doesn’t understand: exuberant, quirky, and elbow deep in a Gaslight lifestyle that weaves history into everyday life. He coordinates his suspenders with his tongue rings. Within hours, Wyatt and Ash are hooked.

But strange things are afoot at Gravedigger’s, and after a knock to the head, Ash starts seeing things that can’t be explained by old appliances or faulty wiring. Soon everyone at Gravedigger’s is wondering if they’re seeing ghosts, or just going crazy. The answer to that question could end more than just Wyatt and Ash’s fragile relationship—it might also end their lives.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: This is a perfect Halloween book with creepy paranormal happenings and a decent romance of two unique guys.

Why I Read this Book: I am a huge Abigail Roux fan (hello! Cut & Run author!)

What I Liked: This is a believable romance. Wyatt is a lonely academic so when he meets the quirky Ash it’s lust at first sight but slowly develops into more as they spend time together. Ash is fun character who “coordinates his suspenders with his tongue rings.” He’s unapologetic about the life he leads and I loved that about him. Wyatt is emotionally distant at first but he slowly opens up and allows Ash in and that was fun to read. Wyatt pointlessly hurts Ash at the novel’s beginning so I disliked him initially but he grovels sufficiently to redeem himself to Ash and me as a reader. Their romance is sexual but wasn’t the point of the romance or the novel. I like that this is a book which has erotic moments but more plot and character development than sex.

What I Also Liked: Nearly better than the romance is the Gravedigger Tavern’s cast of characters. The bar is gaslight themed so Ash and his friends wear throwback Victorian costumes mixed with goth gear. Ash is only one of the fun characters, including smartaleck Delilah and frat boy turned gaslight bartender Ryan. The owner is a cranky British man who falls in love with Wyatt’s playboy friend, Noah. But the best thing is these people create a family who welcome Wyatt and Noah into their fold and love and protect each other.

I also like the southern setting for the ghost story and romance. Being a City girl, I’ve always been fascinated with the South and its charm overlaying creepy. I can’t think of a better setting for a ghost story than the South!

What I Didn’t Like: This isn’t a dislike so much as me admitting to being a wimp. I’m super scared of the supernatural world and this book has that constantly. I was like a little kid hiding under the covers with all the suspenseful parts as Ash and the Gravedigger crew figure out the haunted tavern and how it’s affecting them. I think other readers may like this but I wasn’t prepared for the supernatural theme and likely wouldn’t have read it if I knew this was a ghost story.

IMO: Readers wanting a little spooky with their romance will enjoy this novel.

J9’s Rating: