Scan barcode
rynicolereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.5
The first word that comes to mind when thinking about how to describe Ghosts is "relatable," but I'm guessing that's because I'm in my 30's. Even though my life isn't anything like the main character's, her experiences and relationships felt familiar. In addition to being relatable, it's also funny, charming, and well-written!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Terminal illness
ellereadsbookslike's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
~Short Synopsis~
Nina George Dean is in her early thirties. She's a successful food writer, she has a new flat in central London and she is surrounded by her loving friends and family. But as she watches her friends get married, start families and move to the suburbs, she can't help but feel like she's getting left behind. Nina is confronted with a whole host of new challenges she wasn't expecting - dating apps, drifting away from her friends and her Dad's worsening health. Maybe her 30s won't be as fun and carefree as she expected.
~Review~
I definitely didn't expect to like this book as much as I did but that being said, I also had some issues with it.
Nina is a fairly relatable protagonist (if not a bit pessimistic but aren't we all) and I feel Alderton really captures the essence of a woman that feels something is missing from her life. There were times when I had a literal knot in my stomach because I was really feeling Nina's pain. I think that is a sign of a successful protagonist. I also have personal experience with watching someone decline from dementia so I could definitely relate to what Nina was going through with her dad. I've seen a few reviews that criticise Nina for wallowing in her pain and to be honest that was one of the most realistic things about the character for me - we all wallow in self pity, no matter how self-actualised we are.
Some of the plot was fairly predictable and I was hoping that Alderton was going to shock me by not going in the direction I expected, but alas. I especially felt this with the neighbour arc, I knew it would go in that direction but there was some part of me that hoped I was wrong. But call be professor Trelawney because I was spot on. I felt there was just no need for it to resolve like that (I won't spoil but if you've read it, you'll know). I am also yet to read a book that shows dating apps in a positive light...although, personally, I do despise dating apps with my entire being so that might have something to do with it.
I would put this in the category of 'if you like Bridget Jones then you'll like this'. It's not as funny or as warm hearted as the Bridget Jones books, but it is definitely the first book, that I have read, that I think deserves to be in that category.
Overall an enjoyable read but I don't think I'll read it again (3.5/5)
Nina George Dean is in her early thirties. She's a successful food writer, she has a new flat in central London and she is surrounded by her loving friends and family. But as she watches her friends get married, start families and move to the suburbs, she can't help but feel like she's getting left behind. Nina is confronted with a whole host of new challenges she wasn't expecting - dating apps, drifting away from her friends and her Dad's worsening health. Maybe her 30s won't be as fun and carefree as she expected.
~Review~
I definitely didn't expect to like this book as much as I did but that being said, I also had some issues with it.
Nina is a fairly relatable protagonist (if not a bit pessimistic but aren't we all) and I feel Alderton really captures the essence of a woman that feels something is missing from her life. There were times when I had a literal knot in my stomach because I was really feeling Nina's pain. I think that is a sign of a successful protagonist. I also have personal experience with watching someone decline from dementia so I could definitely relate to what Nina was going through with her dad. I've seen a few reviews that criticise Nina for wallowing in her pain and to be honest that was one of the most realistic things about the character for me - we all wallow in self pity, no matter how self-actualised we are.
Some of the plot was fairly predictable and I was hoping that Alderton was going to shock me by not going in the direction I expected, but alas. I especially felt this with the neighbour arc, I knew it would go in that direction but there was some part of me that hoped I was wrong. But call be professor Trelawney because I was spot on. I felt there was just no need for it to resolve like that (I won't spoil but if you've read it, you'll know). I am also yet to read a book that shows dating apps in a positive light...although, personally, I do despise dating apps with my entire being so that might have something to do with it.
I would put this in the category of 'if you like Bridget Jones then you'll like this'. It's not as funny or as warm hearted as the Bridget Jones books, but it is definitely the first book, that I have read, that I think deserves to be in that category.
Overall an enjoyable read but I don't think I'll read it again (3.5/5)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
courtsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Abandonment
thelibraryofanna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Terminal illness
ninaszewczyk's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
addie's review
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Terminal illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexism
siob___'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Abandonment
katiemack's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love this, and parts of it--the vulnerability inherent in being ghosted and in navigating a parent's illness--were relatable, heartfelt, and intriguing. Honestly, though, chunks of this book were boring for me; I found myself not caring about the characters when their quotidian conversations played out on the page. Alderton brings some charming Bridget Jones moments to her chapters, though, including some laugh-out-loud one-liners; e.g., when talking about men's dating profiles, main character Nina sighs, "They all say they love napping. I don't know why. I don't know who told all these grown men that what women really love are giant pizza-guzzling babies who need sleep all the time."
This is one of the most British books I've read lately--that's neither a flaw nor a positive factor--so if you don't like British humor then I'd skip this one. You should also stay away from it if you need or want more faith in men, as this book has no redeemable male characters.
I wanted to love this, and parts of it--the vulnerability inherent in being ghosted and in navigating a parent's illness--were relatable, heartfelt, and intriguing. Honestly, though, chunks of this book were boring for me; I found myself not caring about the characters when their quotidian conversations played out on the page. Alderton brings some charming Bridget Jones moments to her chapters, though, including some laugh-out-loud one-liners; e.g., when talking about men's dating profiles, main character Nina sighs, "They all say they love napping. I don't know why. I don't know who told all these grown men that what women really love are giant pizza-guzzling babies who need sleep all the time."
This is one of the most British books I've read lately--that's neither a flaw nor a positive factor--so if you don't like British humor then I'd skip this one. You should also stay away from it if you need or want more faith in men, as this book has no redeemable male characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
indistop12's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
When I started it I was really struggling to like it (and the protagonist, had issues with gelling with how she spoke initially) but by the end I found myself enjoying it and actually tearing up a little
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Terminal illness
katherine_ridley's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness