Review for Shades of Summer (The Haunting of Ruby Series, Book1) by Joy Elbel

Here is the official overview of the book from Goodreads.com:

Love…the only thing more powerful than death.
Seventeen year old Ruby Matthews spent the last year of her life crippled by guilt and grief over the death of longtime friend and boyfriend Seeley “Lee” Lucas. Feeling that a change of scenery might snap her back to reality, Ruby’s father moves the family out of their home in the Philadelphia suburb of Trinity and into small town life in Charlotte’s Grove, Pennsylvania. Life is better here for Ruby—she quickly makes friends with handsome Zach Mason and his twin sister Rachel. Every moment spent with Zach makes life and love seem possible again. But passion comes with a high price. Things are not what they seem at Rosewood, the Matthews’ historic plantation-style home. Paranormal activity at the mansion intensifies as she draws closer to Zach. Is it Lee—coming back to claim her heart and maybe even her soul? Or is something more sinister hiding in the shadows? Ruby must delve into her own past and the history of Rosewood before it is too late.

   I was so excited to read this book, the overview sounded amazing and I love a good paranormal romance book.  Often the overviews of books make it sound amazing and then you read the book and are disappointed.  This book definitely did not disappoint, in fact it was one of the best paranormal romance books that I have read.

   Ruby is the main character in this book and I immediately fell in love with her.  She is recovering from a life changing tragedy when she is forced to move to a new town and start over.  She is socially awkward and very shy.  She reminded me so much of me in high school.  Never sure what to say and always worried about not being accepted.  I think that many people can relate to her character.  Luckily she ends up meeting some amazing twins, Zach and Rachel, who immediately become her best friends and bring her out of her shell. 

   Ruby quickly falls for Zach.  Who wouldn't fall for someone so amazingly good looking and sweet.  Unfortunately she tries to keep her past a secret and as secrets do they cause problems in her relationship with Zach.  Ruby has no idea how dangerous her secrets will become.  Throw in a haunting that threatens her life and you have one amazing story. 

   The characters in this story are so genuine and sweet that you can't help but fall in love with them.  The author does a great job at introducing their stories and you feel like you really understand them and you get drawn in to their lives.  The love between Zach and Ruby is so amazing that you can't help but root for everything to work out so they can be together.  I love that the romance is portrayed in a way that is simple and clean, instead of the usual overtly sexual, teen soap opera way.  It was very refreshing and actually lent to the overall feeling that Zach and Ruby are truly meant to be together. 

   Anyone that is a fan of the Twilight series should take the time to read this book.  The haunting is intense and you get caught up in the mystery of it all.  Not to mention how amazing the relationship of Zach and Ruby is.  Love truly does conquer all in this book.  I can't wait for book two so I can find out what happens to Ruby and Zach!

Parent's Guide:  There is some minor swearing in the book.  Ruby and Zach do talk about having sex but their view is all about waiting, which I thought was great of the author.  Rachel and her boyfriend are having sex but no details are given.  Unfortunately there are two episodes of references to male anatomy when they are aroused.  This was disappointing since the author had been so good about the way she approached sex in the book and these references were totally unnecessary.  Some scenes of the haunting are kind of intense and does get violent and physical as the story progresses.  It may be a little intense for some people.