The Handyman and The Drama Queen: A Ghostly Gay Romance

by Shaw Montgomery

Ezra
Being dead sucks…but it starts looking up when a handsome handyman shows up and can actually see Ezra. Of course, he has to put up with the ridiculous handyman’s teasing and terrible jokes, but Ezra knows dead beggars can’t be choosers. He also knows there’s no way the captivating man is actually interested in a bored dead guy with an attitude problem.

Stone
Being newly dead is probably always difficult…but Stone doesn’t mind helping out the grumpy ghost with a drama problem. Ezra is cute when he’s being ridiculous and there’s just something about the man that pulls Stone in. Sure, they’ve got a few things to work out, but being dead isn’t a deal-breaker. They have enough interesting things in common that Stone knows they can work anything out…even a little problem like death.

When a happy handyman meets a dead drama llama, it’s combustible and complicated, but since love conquers all, they aren’t going to let a little thing like death stand in their way.



Author’s The Handyman and The Drama Queen has one live, slightly take-charge (we know what that means) handyman and one not-so-live drama queen who is very curious about his new friend. This is an irreverent, medium-steam HEA with a new ghost who’s still slightly frustrated by the way he passed on. See the author’s site for more details on the content.

Genres: M M Romance

Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2025

About the author

Shaw Montgomery loves reading, traveling, and family. While not necessarily in that order, they all rank pretty close. Shaw has lived all over the United States and even Germany. While the coast of North Carolina is a favorite place Shaw currently lives in the Western United States. Current wish list places to travel to are Australia, Italy, and Scotland.

When Shaw wants to write about things that are a little more taboo (or sometimes a lot more taboo), Shaw writes under the name M.A.Innes.

Do you want to get sneak peeks at upcoming books? Personal updates? A chance at freebies and more? Click here to join Shaw Montgomery's Newsletter!

Reviews

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ezra, a grumpy ghost, finds his afterlife taking an unexpected turn when Stone, a handyman, shows up and can actually see him. Despite Ezra's attitude and Stone's teasing, the two form a connection that transcends their unusual circumstances. As they navigate the challenges of being dead, their bond deepens, proving that even death can't stand in the way of love.

I loved this story with the two men who were physically very different but together they had a great connection which transcended their problems. It was great that the community supported them even if it was sometimes a little intrusive. Some discussions of emotions and feelings. Easy to read and understand. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like dynamic.

[Rainbow Reads and Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, this is not it.

Why was there no prologue for this series? There was one for the omega series and one for the dragons. This one would have benefited from world building.

Other than that, the entire plot of this book is to make the ghost solid enough to have s*x. That’s it. The entirety of the book is about that. There’s no D/s in this and for the love of all things holy can we stop with the doms giggling. You have them doing that in every book lately and it’s time for a new word. At least we moved past “thinked like Pooh.”

Not going to lie…this feels like it was written by a ghost writer.

This is getting a 2 because it’s not nearly as bad as the last education of the heart book or that awful beautiful shame book.

[Emilyrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this book and Ezra was a hilarious character with so much personality. Stone was protective and they had great chemistry together. I think it could have done with a bit more background about the wider world building to make it slightly clearer. It was good that they came together to support Ezra but it did feel a little bit like his dramatic, honest personality was muted in the face of Stone's mother when I really wanted to see his interactions with others reflect how he'd been for the rest of the book. I'm glad the pair of them got their HEA and hopefully I'll get to see more of the world building in future books.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was so good. So much so I forgot to review it. It’s one of those reads that has you sinking into the world and not wanting to leave. It had me thinking about who lived in the town and what we will see next. And the reveals are so smoothly woven in it’s like you don’t even realize you learned it and have accepted it as fact. I can’t wait to get more of this town where paranormal is a normal state of being for its citizens except those not in the know. The author can take this anywhere and I can’t wait to see where they take it.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to be a fun world to explore and learn more about. Stone finds his perfect match when is sent to his next job. But it not at all what you expect. Ezra is a grumpy ghost who wasn't expecting to find anyone who could see him let alone make him their entire world. These two made me laugh so much and I really enjoyed getting to see their relationship grow. There is definitely all the spice but we get to see them both grow together. These two bring all the drama and laughter.

I can’t wait to see what is next in this world.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute, sexy, fun start to a new series. Ezra and Stone are such an interesting couple, and I love every bit of banter and teasing between them. I like the secondary characters, the small and not so small bits of magic, and the original take on ghosts and their rights.
I smiled a lot as I read this, and I look forward to the next book in the series. This author has written some of my favorite series, and I can tell this will be another one of those. It's a great read!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra and Stone’s book is great. Full of hilarious drama, a patient Dom who likes to rile his Sub, death not being as much of an end as you might think, all the sweet feels, and steamy scenes. I really love their relationship, it’s so perfect for both of them. This book is so fun, sweet, and steamy. The other characters are so much fun too, I can’t wait for the next book!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I absolutely loved this story. This was such a fantastic story. The world building is wonderful and the characters are all so fascinating and crazy. This was such a unique and fun story and I completely loved Stone and Ezra’s dynamic. I can’t wait for more stories set in this world.

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iloved the idea of a dead boy meets his perfect dom, when the Handyman, comes to fix up the rental house he died in. Stone and Ezra were brilliant together, and the bratiness was high with both of them. This is a fun read, Stone's mom is a hoot. I really enjoyed it. I am hoping that there is more from this quirky town.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the crazy characters in this story. Ezra may be a drama queen ghost but he is not the only zany one. If you like the Dragon town folks you will love this magic town and all the characters that live there. Stuck in his house as a ghost Ezra gets to get up close and personal the the man sent to fix the problems. Stone is charmed and charming from the start.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and cute read that I was recommending to friends by the 25% point. Poor Ezra has an unfortunate death but meets handyman and Dom, Stone who helps change his life after death. This is a very fast paced and steamy book filled with a unique cast of characters in a quirky small town. I can’t wait to read more books set in this world because they will be a lot of fun.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone is a handyman fixing an old house and he stumbles upon a cute ghost, Ezra. Instead of being scared, he finds him adorable and sexy. In this different kind of paranormal story, it's a series of dates, flirtations and dirty talks as he teaches Ezra how to materialize and find/give satisfaction. It's whimsical, playful and hot. And Ezra is very much a drama queen.

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Handyman and the Drama Queen is the first book in the Myths, Legends, and Southern Charm series by Shaw Montgomery's. This is the story of Stone and Ezra, who's dead. I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.

[Himom90 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I enjoyed Stone and Ezra’s book. It’s got a grumpy submissive ghost and a Dom who is an equal mix of brat and dominant, so it’s not your typical romance. This was a fun start to a new series and I’m looking forward to more

[Sarah Mitcham · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM, Small Town, Paranormal, Romance. The first book in the series and what a great start! I never saw it coming, such an unusual love story but utterly captivating in all the best ways. Guaranteed HEA.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jan]

DNF

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent take on spirits and the supernatural.
BDSM light.

[Dreamcatcher]

DNF @ 6%

[Fay MMBookworm]

I wanted to love this book as its about a ghost but right from the start I had problems the way its written. Yeah its sadly a pass for me DNF

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the arc, I voluntarily give it an honest review. I knew this was going to be goood, because instead of being stunned by the fact Stone could see him Erza started off with a rant. Cant wait to see more of the ghostly specter kind coming out of this town, with all the craziness.

Stone and Ezra first meeting was just hilarious, had a fast need of  that only if I corporeal vibe. Once I started this book, I just couldn't put Erza down. Which is really the drama brat in this situation!?! Because the running is tight. 

[FHR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a unique read. Ezra is a Dom who connects with Stone in an unexpected way.
The story has moments of humour, spice and kink.
It was the plot idea itself which was a bit over the top for me.