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The Tenant
Noel
Okay, so my life is officially at rock bottom. I’m 26 with nothing more to show for myself than a mountain of debt I can't pay back because I just got fired from my job as an assistant manager at a third-rate fast food chain. So, when I get a phone call from a rude lawyer telling me that my great aunt Sophie has died and she's left me a house - a whole damn house! - in Alexandria, Louisiana, I jump at the opportunity to skip out on next month's rent, since I can't afford it anyway.
I maybe should have thought about this a little bit longer, because what I find when I get to the house on 2320 Fleur Belle Court is a two-story Victorian dump. The floors creak, the water temperature is either ice cold or scalding hot and I swear it feels like there’s someone watching me.
I'm pretty sure this place is haunted.
Ruby
Of course, this house is haunted. I've been here since 1930 and nothing is getting me out of here, especially not Noel Delisle. His people stole this house from my cold dead hands, and he'll get what his ancestors had coming.
Too bad. He’s the prettiest Delisle I’ve ever seen and sometimes I swear he can see me and feel me.
I can sure feel him.
Okay, so my life is officially at rock bottom. I’m 26 with nothing more to show for myself than a mountain of debt I can't pay back because I just got fired from my job as an assistant manager at a third-rate fast food chain. So, when I get a phone call from a rude lawyer telling me that my great aunt Sophie has died and she's left me a house - a whole damn house! - in Alexandria, Louisiana, I jump at the opportunity to skip out on next month's rent, since I can't afford it anyway.
I maybe should have thought about this a little bit longer, because what I find when I get to the house on 2320 Fleur Belle Court is a two-story Victorian dump. The floors creak, the water temperature is either ice cold or scalding hot and I swear it feels like there’s someone watching me.
I'm pretty sure this place is haunted.
Ruby
Of course, this house is haunted. I've been here since 1930 and nothing is getting me out of here, especially not Noel Delisle. His people stole this house from my cold dead hands, and he'll get what his ancestors had coming.
Too bad. He’s the prettiest Delisle I’ve ever seen and sometimes I swear he can see me and feel me.
I can sure feel him.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2020
About the author
Katrina Jackson
44 books709 followersKatrina is a seasoned spinster with an active imagination, a love of romcoms and a keenly critical nature. She's a college professor by day who writes romances by...weekend. Right now she also happens to be on summer vacation. She enjoys yogurt, sparkling water and her three cats, who don't appreciate her love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 11, 2024
okay friends if you're looking for some paranormal romances to add to your tbr I recommend this one! In it we have young, listless, and very broke 26yo protagonist named Noel who inherits a home from his beloved auntie with strict instructions to move in immediately and restore the home to former glories. Only problem is that the house is super duper mega haunted by a hot and very annoyed ghost named Ruby who delights in antagonizing Noel. It's a very erotic sort of haunting that concludes with a bang (actually several) so I say check it out.
Even if erotica is not necessarily your thing, it's still a worthwhile southern gothic, it's very atmospheric, and delves into the complexities of the American south in the 1930s, while still balancing a sense of lightness. It even managed to be a little emotional in the limited page time it offered and I kinda loved every minute of it.
Definitely give it a shot for spooky season babes
Even if erotica is not necessarily your thing, it's still a worthwhile southern gothic, it's very atmospheric, and delves into the complexities of the American south in the 1930s, while still balancing a sense of lightness. It even managed to be a little emotional in the limited page time it offered and I kinda loved every minute of it.
Definitely give it a shot for spooky season babes
November 3, 2022
3 3/4 "Haunted House" Stars!
I really liked this story a lot. Noah was much braver than me. I don't know if I would have stayed. And that was My only complaint is that I'd like a little more solid conclusion on, or to know what happen over time with Ruby and Noah and to see the house restored. But overall, very good. Happy reading!
I really liked this story a lot. Noah was much braver than me. I don't know if I would have stayed. And that was My only complaint is that I'd like a little more solid conclusion on, or to know what happen over time with Ruby and Noah and to see the house restored. But overall, very good. Happy reading!
November 16, 2020
Katrina Jackson could write about dripping water going down a drain and it would be a good read!! "The Tenant" was most definitely an enjoyable read!
September 10, 2022
This book is part ghost story, haunted house, family mystery. It’s emotional, sexy, a bit creepy at times - it’s basically everything I want when I want to read a Halloween romance.
November 9, 2020
I went in expecting full on romance, but The Tenant is more a ghost story with a romance attached. Family history plays a big part in the plot, and I like how the situation is slowly spun out for the reader, as well as how all the delicious details come together in the end. And getting it on with a bisexual ghost? Yes, please.
This is only my second book by Jackson and apparently it's a bit different from her usual, but I'll have to read a few more before I fully grasp what her "usual" is. Go in expecting a ghost story with some sex instead of a full on ghost romance and you'll be golden.
This is only my second book by Jackson and apparently it's a bit different from her usual, but I'll have to read a few more before I fully grasp what her "usual" is. Go in expecting a ghost story with some sex instead of a full on ghost romance and you'll be golden.
October 29, 2022
Friendly Ghost
This was such a beautiful story is so many ways. Noel was funny and charming and beautiful. Ruby is literal a beautiful spirit, and the type of character you immediately fall in love with. The memories of Sophia, the humor, the Southern sayings and temperaments. This story felt familiar in a bitter sweet kind of way. Loved it so much.
10/28/22
This was even better the second time around. Making this a yearly reread was one of the best decisions ever.
This was such a beautiful story is so many ways. Noel was funny and charming and beautiful. Ruby is literal a beautiful spirit, and the type of character you immediately fall in love with. The memories of Sophia, the humor, the Southern sayings and temperaments. This story felt familiar in a bitter sweet kind of way. Loved it so much.
10/28/22
This was even better the second time around. Making this a yearly reread was one of the best decisions ever.
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 22, 2021DNF at 8%
Writing style not working for me
Writing style not working for me
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 28, 2023DNF at 48%
As much as it pains me to DNF something Katrina Jackson wrote, I have to concede defeat at least for now. I wish we’d only gotten ghost Ruby’s POV as she’s way more interesting than spoiled, overly dramatic Noel. As I told a friend, it’s not great that I’m hoping she’ll get vengeance against Noel instead of fall for him LOL. Ruby’s interstitials are interesting and I want to know all about her past life and how she became a ghost and why and how the Delisles stole her house but I’m too annoyed with Noel to find out. At this point, Noel doesn't even know Ruby exists (beyond cold drafts) so I'm wondering if she's even the end game love interest. Perhaps I’ll give this another chance down the line.
Characters: Noel is a 26 year old Black recently fired fast food restaurant assistant manager. Ruby is mixed race ghost and former sex worker. This is set in Alexandria, LA.
Content notes: nonconsensual voyeurism (by ghost FMC), racial slur, death of great-aunt, FMC’s biological father was an enslaver who raped her enslaved mother, past enslavement of ancestors, past death of FMC’s family, poverty, student loan debt, ageism, erotic dream, inebriation (minor character), casual ableism, ableist language
As much as it pains me to DNF something Katrina Jackson wrote, I have to concede defeat at least for now. I wish we’d only gotten ghost Ruby’s POV as she’s way more interesting than spoiled, overly dramatic Noel. As I told a friend, it’s not great that I’m hoping she’ll get vengeance against Noel instead of fall for him LOL. Ruby’s interstitials are interesting and I want to know all about her past life and how she became a ghost and why and how the Delisles stole her house but I’m too annoyed with Noel to find out. At this point, Noel doesn't even know Ruby exists (beyond cold drafts) so I'm wondering if she's even the end game love interest. Perhaps I’ll give this another chance down the line.
Characters: Noel is a 26 year old Black recently fired fast food restaurant assistant manager. Ruby is mixed race ghost and former sex worker. This is set in Alexandria, LA.
Content notes: nonconsensual voyeurism (by ghost FMC), racial slur, death of great-aunt, FMC’s biological father was an enslaver who raped her enslaved mother, past enslavement of ancestors, past death of FMC’s family, poverty, student loan debt, ageism, erotic dream, inebriation (minor character), casual ableism, ableist language
November 4, 2022
A bit more of an ending?? Like does Ruby get her corporeal form back somehow? Is Nina their conduit forever? Does the house get renovated correctly? The end was out of nowhere, there should have been an actual like, ending. It was a neat idea and a well-told story but this non-ending is getting to me. 3.75 stars ig ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
July 27, 2021
Wow. Katrina Jackson's The Tenant is an amazing read. This is the tale of a young man who inherits a house from his great-aunt, only to find out it's haunted. The characterization in this book is excellent. With just a couple of well-placed sentences, the author creates vivid pictures of the people who make up this house's story. It is so compelling. Personally, I love a good ghost story, and this one ticked all my boxes. I don't think there are too many authors who could make a haunting so sexy, but Katrina Jackson does it. I was so invested in Noel and Ruby's unusual romance, and in the history that brought them together. This book is definitely going to stay with me for a long time.
October 30, 2021
Somebody is watching
Ok so this book took a bit to make sense to me like the pieces didn't click until the midway point. This story is told in flashbacks and present day so pay close attention to who the narrator and the timeframe. Also be aware that the timeline written in the past was the early 1900s/30s so there are descriptions of rape, beatings, and overt racism.
What I thought was really important was how we were reminded how a city's history can be rewritten for architectural charm but the erasure the exploitation of Black is erased AND eminent domain is another form of state violence and another form of slavery.
I felt Ruby's sadness and rage but I didn't get her motivation with Noel even though it was explained on page. But the family secrets also was a touchy point because those secrets are either rooted in shame or violence. It made me think how important it is to document your history so someone else doesn't tell it for you (and gets it wrong). For history buffs this a good balance of historical fiction mixed with paranormal romance. Yes everyone made me aware of the ghost sex 😄
CW/N: rape, murder, violence agar Black people, gentrification, microagressions, lost of job, family death
Ok so this book took a bit to make sense to me like the pieces didn't click until the midway point. This story is told in flashbacks and present day so pay close attention to who the narrator and the timeframe. Also be aware that the timeline written in the past was the early 1900s/30s so there are descriptions of rape, beatings, and overt racism.
What I thought was really important was how we were reminded how a city's history can be rewritten for architectural charm but the erasure the exploitation of Black is erased AND eminent domain is another form of state violence and another form of slavery.
I felt Ruby's sadness and rage but I didn't get her motivation with Noel even though it was explained on page. But the family secrets also was a touchy point because those secrets are either rooted in shame or violence. It made me think how important it is to document your history so someone else doesn't tell it for you (and gets it wrong). For history buffs this a good balance of historical fiction mixed with paranormal romance. Yes everyone made me aware of the ghost sex 😄
CW/N: rape, murder, violence agar Black people, gentrification, microagressions, lost of job, family death
October 11, 2023
CW: murder, racism, past (but not graphic) descriptions of beatings and rape. Also the haunted house is a former plantation, so there are descriptions of enslavers and Black folks being enslaved.
And even with all of that, this novella has me laughing out loud nearly every chapter.
This was a fantastic novella if you’re looking for something a bit scary and also funny.
Noel inherits a house from his grandmother and meets Ruby, the “daughter” of the enslaved man who built the intricately detailed house and she wants to protect the house from enslavers.
Noel and Ruby also begin falling in love along the way.
Notes: set in Alexandria, Louisiana. Both 2020 and 1933. Noel and Ruby are both Black. Ruby was terrorized by the enslaver of her parents.
And even with all of that, this novella has me laughing out loud nearly every chapter.
This was a fantastic novella if you’re looking for something a bit scary and also funny.
Noel inherits a house from his grandmother and meets Ruby, the “daughter” of the enslaved man who built the intricately detailed house and she wants to protect the house from enslavers.
Noel and Ruby also begin falling in love along the way.
Notes: set in Alexandria, Louisiana. Both 2020 and 1933. Noel and Ruby are both Black. Ruby was terrorized by the enslaver of her parents.
October 29, 2021
I adore this book!
I utterly adore this book! Noel and Ruby are so fantastic and I laughed so much reading this. I love the way things worked out and would love to read more of Noel and Ruby~
I utterly adore this book! Noel and Ruby are so fantastic and I laughed so much reading this. I love the way things worked out and would love to read more of Noel and Ruby~
October 15, 2023
heads up: I love Katrina Jackson so everything I read by her is my favorite and I may not be able to be objective about her books . . . but this novella is perfect for scary season and Jackson should write more PNR!
October 31, 2020
This is way different than any other Katrina Jackson book I've read before. I think this might be the best thing she has ever written.
December 7, 2020
My new favorite of hers? Love the weaving together of history and present, love the characters, love how it is resolved, historically, emotionally, physically.
September 13, 2022
This was a brilliant story. Superbly written and fascinating story with plenty of history woven in.
The last chapter was unexpected and maybe needed an epilogue to expand on it.
The last chapter was unexpected and maybe needed an epilogue to expand on it.
October 31, 2023
this is such an incredibly weird book lmfao, Katrina Jackson said "I'll take the ghost trope into a whole new dimension". so well developed for a novella & perfect for spooky season
June 25, 2024
2.5 stars ✨
This was fine. It was short and i wanted more from it. More suspense, more chills and more emotional complexity. But the premise was interesting and the mystery decent.
This was fine. It was short and i wanted more from it. More suspense, more chills and more emotional complexity. But the premise was interesting and the mystery decent.
November 5, 2020
I just... KATRINA JACKSON IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST. This was such a rich reading experience because there’s so much here.
November 8, 2020
"I can also smell him; soap and some spicy cologne."
August 10, 2021
2.5. A strangely-titled ghostly sex/romance novella, as both the ghost haunting the Randall House, a former Louisiana plantation house, and the young man who inherits it are owners, not renters of the property.
Jackson's writing immediately drew me in. She's great at capturing the voice of a disillusioned twenty-something black man, Noel Deslisle, whose liberal arts degree has netted him nothing but a gig at a burger joint. And now not even that, as his company is reorganizing and has cut his job. Good thing that his great Aunt Sophie, who liked him better than all her other nieces and nephews (for no apparent reason), just left him an old house in Alexandria, Louisiana. Bad thing that the house hasn't been lived in since the 1930s and is is pretty poor shape, that the town's historical commission has all sorts of rules and regulations about how it needs to be revived, and that a former occupant is haunting it. I was deeply drawn to both Noel and to Ruby, the former whorehouse owner who "stole" Randall House from her biological father but who mysteriously disappeared shortly after inheriting.
The story is rich with fascinating themes: the history of enslavement, and how we talk about it (or don't talk about it) in the context of current-day property rights. Gentrification. The student debt crisis. Yet it doesn't all come together in any organic or meaningful way. There's a lot in the story that's implausible, or simply left unexplained (Where did the $ for renovations and for living expenses come from? Why is the local lawyer so dismissive towards Noel? Why would a young woman working toward a PhD ?). And the ending feels rushed and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Worst of all, there isn't much of a romance here, just sexy times. (There's hints of a past romance for Ruby, but since she's dead, that's not a romance that has much of a future on-page...)
I feel like this was a fascinating story idea that didn't get explored to its full potential, either sex-wise or romance-wise. Disappointing, because Jackson's writing is so strong.
Jackson's writing immediately drew me in. She's great at capturing the voice of a disillusioned twenty-something black man, Noel Deslisle, whose liberal arts degree has netted him nothing but a gig at a burger joint. And now not even that, as his company is reorganizing and has cut his job. Good thing that his great Aunt Sophie, who liked him better than all her other nieces and nephews (for no apparent reason), just left him an old house in Alexandria, Louisiana. Bad thing that the house hasn't been lived in since the 1930s and is is pretty poor shape, that the town's historical commission has all sorts of rules and regulations about how it needs to be revived, and that a former occupant is haunting it. I was deeply drawn to both Noel and to Ruby, the former whorehouse owner who "stole" Randall House from her biological father but who mysteriously disappeared shortly after inheriting.
The story is rich with fascinating themes: the history of enslavement, and how we talk about it (or don't talk about it) in the context of current-day property rights. Gentrification. The student debt crisis. Yet it doesn't all come together in any organic or meaningful way. There's a lot in the story that's implausible, or simply left unexplained (Where did the $ for renovations and for living expenses come from? Why is the local lawyer so dismissive towards Noel? Why would a young woman working toward a PhD ?). And the ending feels rushed and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Worst of all, there isn't much of a romance here, just sexy times. (There's hints of a past romance for Ruby, but since she's dead, that's not a romance that has much of a future on-page...)
I feel like this was a fascinating story idea that didn't get explored to its full potential, either sex-wise or romance-wise. Disappointing, because Jackson's writing is so strong.
October 2, 2021
Noel’s great aunt dies and leaves him an old house in Louisiana that he didn’t even know the family owned, with the request to restore the historic home. Since he just lost his job when he gets the call about his inheritance, he decides it’s a good time for a move too. As soon as he shows up in town he can tell there is more to the history of the house and his family than he ever knew. He also quickly realizes the home is haunted by a 100-year-old ghost named Ruby who only he can seem to see and feel.
This is more ghost story with some sexy times attached at the end, about the first half of the story is really just about Noel’s life and trying to figure out inheriting this historic house. Which is fine but I did go in expecting more of a ghost romance and felt the romance lacking because of those expectations. I wanted more of Noel and Ruby together because we really don’t get them connecting or him realizing she’s there until at least half into the already short novella. Also the romance isn’t really built, we get a lot of steamy sexy times and that’s about it with a wild end and what I felt like was an open-ended ending to their relationship. That said, I was very intrigued with Ruby’s past and her as a character, I just wish we had more. This story does have heavy tones and centers around racism and slavery. It does really add to the history of Noel’s family, Ruby’s life, and the house he inherits.
This is more ghost story with some sexy times attached at the end, about the first half of the story is really just about Noel’s life and trying to figure out inheriting this historic house. Which is fine but I did go in expecting more of a ghost romance and felt the romance lacking because of those expectations. I wanted more of Noel and Ruby together because we really don’t get them connecting or him realizing she’s there until at least half into the already short novella. Also the romance isn’t really built, we get a lot of steamy sexy times and that’s about it with a wild end and what I felt like was an open-ended ending to their relationship. That said, I was very intrigued with Ruby’s past and her as a character, I just wish we had more. This story does have heavy tones and centers around racism and slavery. It does really add to the history of Noel’s family, Ruby’s life, and the house he inherits.
November 2, 2020
A sexy take on falling for a ghost
This is a short book about a ghost that lives in a run down home that gets inherited by the grandnephew of the owner.
Noel is down on his luck when an unexpected opportunity arises. He takes it with loads of apprehension, but he does so because why not? The bottom has been reached, or so he thought.
I have come to just adore Katrina Jackson’s writing. It just speaks to me. The way she wove in gentrification in a small town was just amazing.
And then the ghost! Ruby was a multifaceted character. Smart and passionate, but also unfortunate. There’s the violent history of slavery and at the same time, there’s a story of found family. When friends can be more than blood.
And yes, the afterworld has a libido and it is hot.
I think the beauty of this story is that we have two souls trying to find their way. Their purpose. With so many lost souls in this world, even in a paranormal story, it’s lovely when they find their way.
This is a short book about a ghost that lives in a run down home that gets inherited by the grandnephew of the owner.
Noel is down on his luck when an unexpected opportunity arises. He takes it with loads of apprehension, but he does so because why not? The bottom has been reached, or so he thought.
I have come to just adore Katrina Jackson’s writing. It just speaks to me. The way she wove in gentrification in a small town was just amazing.
And then the ghost! Ruby was a multifaceted character. Smart and passionate, but also unfortunate. There’s the violent history of slavery and at the same time, there’s a story of found family. When friends can be more than blood.
And yes, the afterworld has a libido and it is hot.
I think the beauty of this story is that we have two souls trying to find their way. Their purpose. With so many lost souls in this world, even in a paranormal story, it’s lovely when they find their way.
June 21, 2021
4.5 actually.
I really liked this. It got a little weird at the end, but building up to that was great. This is about Noel inheriting a house from his great aunt who ends up already being lived in by the ghost Ruby. I liked how this touched on elements of racism and the history of slavery, but in a really subtle way. I liked how Noel's character and him figuring out how to adult as a house owner. I really liked the progression of their connection to each other.
Definitely want to check out more from Katrina Jackson, I really liked her writing style and characters.
I really liked this. It got a little weird at the end, but building up to that was great. This is about Noel inheriting a house from his great aunt who ends up already being lived in by the ghost Ruby. I liked how this touched on elements of racism and the history of slavery, but in a really subtle way. I liked how Noel's character and him figuring out how to adult as a house owner. I really liked the progression of their connection to each other.
Definitely want to check out more from Katrina Jackson, I really liked her writing style and characters.
October 20, 2023
I thought the premise of this story was interesting to begin with. I was pulled in right away by Noel. His character was great and I loved his humor. It was fun to hear his inner monologue because it felt so relatable.
I loved learning about the mystery aspect of this story and finding out what happened piece by piece.
The romance side of this wasn’t what I expected and threw me for a loop.
Overall, I still had fun reading this and it was great for Halloween!
I loved learning about the mystery aspect of this story and finding out what happened piece by piece.
The romance side of this wasn’t what I expected and threw me for a loop.
Overall, I still had fun reading this and it was great for Halloween!
June 17, 2024
This book was fucking bananas. I was halfway through explaining it to a friend before I recognized how fully unhinged it was, but it was definitely fun. We were just mozzying along and bam, ghost threesome (well, two living people and one ghost) and then it abruptly ended. I could have used an epilogue that provided some closure about what happened with the house, and if the ghostly threesome was endgame.
November 6, 2020
Please please please
Please continue writing creative masterpieces like this. I love how this is not your conventional love story. Friendship, family, sex with a ghost. This does not go by the played out rules. And that is why this is so much fun to read.
Please continue writing creative masterpieces like this. I love how this is not your conventional love story. Friendship, family, sex with a ghost. This does not go by the played out rules. And that is why this is so much fun to read.
November 14, 2020
I bet you're wondering "but how will this work?" Let me tell you. It works. It works in a big way.
This was less on the romance and more of a ghost story and that is not a complaint. If this is how she's going to supernatural and then continue to sign me up.
This was less on the romance and more of a ghost story and that is not a complaint. If this is how she's going to supernatural and then continue to sign me up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews