The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet Stacey Kade at the RT convention in Chicago earlier this year.  She participated in a speed reading panel and read a short section from her latest book Body and Soul.  I was so intrigued, I added her entire Ghost and the Goth series to my to be read list on Goodreads as soon as she finished.

Later that evening, I received a copy of Body and Soul as part of the teen day gift bag we received at the reception.  I was SO excited, I had to track her down to get it autographed. 

The Ghost and the Goth is told from both Alona Dare and Will Killian's perspectives with alternating points of view each chapter.  At the beginning of the story we meet Alona, who was a senior in high school when she died in an unfortunate accident.  (She was literally hit by a bus.)  She was a cheerleader, three time homecoming queen, and a member of her school's elite.  Will is about as far down on the social ladder as one can get.  He is perceived to be schizophrenic and has a medical excuse to wear headphones during school.  The real reason for his "condition" is the fact that he can see ghosts.  The ghosts are constantly talking to him, so he needs the headphones to help tune them out.   

After Alona's death she comes back as a ghost and quickly discovers Will's ability.  Alona wants Will to help her "find the light" while he can benefit from her keeping the other ghosts away from him.  They establish a working relationship, which eventually develops into a friendship. 

The Ghost and the Goth was very light, humorous, and highly entertaining.  I loved the characters and look forward to seeing what is in store for them in Queen of the Dead, which is the second book in this series.