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wordsofclover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Nina is 32 years old and after focusing on her career as a food writer/author for the last couple of years, she's finally ready to get back out there and meet someone. With encouragement of her friends, she downloads dating app Linx and meets Max who appears to be the person she is looking for. As they fall into a whirlwind romance, Nina is also struggling with keeping up with her friends who are all getting married or starting families, as well as dealing with the declining health of her dad. And then Max disappears, ghosting Nina and leaving her heartbroken.
I listened to this on audiobook narrated by Holiday Grainger and I absolutely loved it - I was totally hooked on this story and I think part of it is being the exact age of the character and experiencing so many of the same things from friends getting married, starting families and this changing friendships in so many different ways as well as memories of dealing with the torture that is online dating. Dolly Alderton was able to expertly write what it feels like to be a woman in your thirties, someone who is so successful in so many ways yet somehow inexplicably 'failing' in society's eyes because of her relationship status.
I also really appreciated the storyline about Nina's father and his progression into the horrible disease that is Alzheimer's and we see both Nina's heartbreak over slowly losing her father bit by bit with every visit. There were definitely times I felt very frustrated with Nina and her mother over what felt like their impatience with her father when he was clearly confused and not doing so well but it was also a good example of how people experience and deal with a loved one's illness in many different ways.
One of my only gripes in this book is I do find it very weird still being so close to your ex-boyfriend (and introducing your new boyfriend to him first before other friends??), and being his usher/groomslady AND going to your ex's future wife's hen do. Weird weird weird.
I just really enjoyed this and I had a lot of fun listening to it, and really rooted for Nina to find everything she wanted.
I listened to this on audiobook narrated by Holiday Grainger and I absolutely loved it - I was totally hooked on this story and I think part of it is being the exact age of the character and experiencing so many of the same things from friends getting married, starting families and this changing friendships in so many different ways as well as memories of dealing with the torture that is online dating. Dolly Alderton was able to expertly write what it feels like to be a woman in your thirties, someone who is so successful in so many ways yet somehow inexplicably 'failing' in society's eyes because of her relationship status.
I also really appreciated the storyline about Nina's father and his progression into the horrible disease that is Alzheimer's and we see both Nina's heartbreak over slowly losing her father bit by bit with every visit. There were definitely times I felt very frustrated with Nina and her mother over what felt like their impatience with her father when he was clearly confused and not doing so well but it was also a good example of how people experience and deal with a loved one's illness in many different ways.
One of my only gripes in this book is I do find it very weird still being so close to your ex-boyfriend (and introducing your new boyfriend to him first before other friends??), and being his usher/groomslady AND going to your ex's future wife's hen do. Weird weird weird.
I just really enjoyed this and I had a lot of fun listening to it, and really rooted for Nina to find everything she wanted.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
americattt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
“What would it be like, I wondered, to be seen through such adoring eyes, that they would not only capture you in a painting, but rearrange you to further exhibit who you were? I stroked the rounded ankle of where my neck met my shoulder like it was the hand of a lover and thought about being put inside a Rubik’s cube of someone’s gaze. I couldn’t imagine ever being studied or known like that.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Dementia, and Toxic relationship
michelleka's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Alcohol
rachaelwho's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good. Not sure about the ending. The parents storyline was really well done, as well as the big fight with her friend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
laura_alsop's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Toxic relationship
alexandramillar's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
rhii_reading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I will never get sick of Dolly Alderton writing books about millennial women trying to navigate their way through life - it’s always like she is literally in my head putting my thoughts on the page.
Whilst Nina and James’ relationship was quite compelling, I thought Nina’s non romantic relationships were the best aspects of Ghosts. Her struggling friendship with Katherine and the horrible sensation of realising childhood friends are slowly drifting onto different paths is as painfully realistic and relatable as it was in Everything I Know About Love. Likewise, the role reversal in her relationship with her parents, especially her father, and the subsequent reflection of her childhood memories was some of the most emotional moments I’ve ever had in a book.
When it comes to the actual romantic relationship that is supposed to be the focus of this novel, whilst it does manage to be appropriately contemporary and realistic without being overly cliche, it felt less significant and frankly interesting than everything else going on in Nina’s life. In this respect it almost feels like the book was mis-marketed.
That being said, the way that Alderton writes about the trials and tribulations of dating, especially as you get older, is painfully relatable - like everything else she writes about! The characters and narration are witty without every being too cliche or on the nose. As always, a funny and touching book about juggling all the different relationships we have in life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Terminal illness
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book came to me at perfect time in my life. dolly alderton writes some of the some realistic characters i’ve ever read. her characters are flawed and just so human. the themes of ghosts and self contentment are so well done. i love how the story actually revolves around the main character, rather than the main character AND the love interest. it involved the main characters whole life, her romantic relationships, friendships, family, and even her relationship with herself. i just adored this book and will read anything dolly alderton writes till the end of time <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Cursing
carmentxx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
this book was everything i needed to read and more. alderton writes characters so vivid you cant believe they’re not real people. i adore this book. read this book when you’re on the verge of giving up on love. this book will show you that it’s always in the unexpected places.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
passionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Emotional read. LIFE is hard for Nina right now. She is being ghosted by Max the man she thought she could see herself married to. Her parents are having problems. She's questioning her relationship with her closest friend and her neighbor is horrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Sexual content