Echoes of the Heart

Another excellent read from Ally McGuire. I love her world building excellence and how she really draws you into the lives of the characters. I loved the characters, especially sassy Mrs. Crabtree, and the chemistry between River and Marina was electric. I also enjoyed the paranormal parts of the story - and how River used her gifts to help other people. I didn't want to put it down while I was reading it... and really wish there was a part 2 so we could see what happens next!

What do mysticism and corporate lawyering have in common? Not much. But sometimes fate intervenes and new perspectives are welcomed. I really enjoyed that this is a layered and complicated story. The story is first and foremost a slow burn, opposites attract, butch femme contemporary romance. It also layered in real ethical issues around gentrification and community renewal. Questions about moral compasses were also front and center - how they swing and what an individual decides to do when caught between a client and a right choice. Finally, it was a paranormal book where mysticism is embraced. Both protagonists were well-drawn - Marina, the career-obsessed latina lawyer was a predictable ladder climber on one hand, but also a deeply human character who had to confront how the choices she made at work impacted River and others in her community. River was an extremely grounded psychic who can speak to ghosts. She is a reluctant hero as she speaks for her community, but she accepts that things are going as they need to and is an extremely calm and steadying force, particularly in Marina’s life. I was particularly interested to see how these two women, who were completely at odds, would wind up navigating all of the challenges put in their way. Yet again, McGuire guides us through a wonderful love story.

I recommend this book. The characters are interesting and likable. The slow burn romance i s sweet. Opposite s attract romance one a non believer the other attaches spirits and reads people. I really enjoy this authors books. Thanks for another winner.

Genre: Sapphic Paranormal Rom-Com / Social Commentary TL;DR: A fierce Latina lawyer, a ghost-whispering butch, and a high-stakes battle against gentrification. A rare find that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine emotional depth. ✨ The Tropes & Highlights * Opposites Attract: An ambitious, uptight skeptic meets a laid-back, intuitive mystic. * Career Stakes: A high-powered lawyer with a career-defining promotion on the line. * Butch/Femme Dynamics: Authentic, high-chemistry representation. * The Reluctant Spokesperson: A soulful shop owner forced to find her voice to protect her community. * "Eat the Rich" Energy: A tense showdown with a ruthless corporate villainess. * A Vibrant Cast: A neighborhood full of memorable, distinct characters that make the stakes feel personal. The Setup Marina is a sharp-as-a-tack, ambitious Latina real estate lawyer who is firmly planted in the "real" world. She has no time for anything she can’t prove with facts and logic—especially the supernatural. With a career-defining promotion finally within her reach, she is more focused than ever on delivering results for her firm. River, a butch, tarot-reading shop owner, couldn't be more different. She is laid-back, guided by her cards, and prefers to stay under the radar. But when Marina’s ruthless corporate client targets River’s neighborhood, River is thrust into the role of reluctant spokesperson for the community. These two opposites don’t just attract—they collide in a…

Wow, I loved this book! The storyline was so unexpected and kept me on the edge of my seat anticipating what would happen next. There were also plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Once I started reading I didn’t want to stop and easily read this in a few sittings. I would categorize Echoes of the Heart as a paranormal sapphic rom-com with a butch/femme dynamic. The main tropes are opposites attract and a super slow burn. In the beginning we meet Marina, a successful lawyer working her way to the top of her firm. Her friend cancels dinner plans at the last minute but sets her up with someone in his place. When the “baby masc” Binky (seriously, what she goes by) enters the picture I was really nervous. I thought there’s no way this can be Marina’s love interest for the book. I’m so glad I was right because soon we get to meet the psychic hot butch River. After Binky, the ghost-seeing River seems absolutely normal. River is the owner of Echoes and Insights, a metaphysical shop that also offers psychic services and tarot readings. Her shop is located in a poorer area of Chicago that is soon to face challenges related to gentrification. She and Marina meet at a gallery showing featuring River’s goddaughter and immediately feel a connection. River is busy helping with the gallery opening but gives Marina her number. Marina is handed a big client at the firm that wants to buy up all the real estate in the area where River lives and works. This creates a lot of drama and tension…