The Sceptic is a paranormal romance that has a bit of a different feel to it than many Lily Morton books. Honestly, I think it had more of a scare factor and suspense than The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings, which this series is a spin-off from. That said, the spookiness is well balanced with a sweet romance and some lighter moments to make it an enjoyable read I was more than happy to get lost in while listening.
Both main characters in The Sceptic are introduced in The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings and there is some character overlap fans will no doubt appreciate. However, I believe this book could read just as well as a standalone as it follows secondary characters on an entirely new adventure. I quite liked both men and found Jem’s gentle demeanor and calm insistence to fit well with Will. Conversely, Will is a complex, interesting character I really enjoyed seeing develop throughout The Sceptic. I loved how his comfort in himself and his place in York among his found family palpably took hold while the story unfolded. It drew me into Will and Jem’s life just as much as the ghost story intrigued me.
The paranormal element in The Sceptic is exceptionally well done. I loved the twists and revelations throughout the book. I also appreciated that there was a full story to learn, rather than a jump scare factor for the reader.
As always, Joel Leslie imparts a fair bit of personality and emotion into his narrative performance. I believe his bright, lively tone probably lightened the book a bit—as even with the scary bits, I didn’t feel exceptionally jumpy. Rather I was pulled along on a wonderfully spooky adventure and lovely romance. I’d definitely recommend The Sceptic to readers who enjoy paranormal romance and think the audiobook may be a particularly good option for those readers who tend to get scared more easily.