Reviews

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

brook_price's review against another edition

emotional funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

This book is about a 30 something woman dealing with the aftermath of being ghosted, however, perhaps she is struggling with more than just her romantic relationships. This story shines in its background elements, Nina (MC) and her relationships with her friends, Lola the bubbly (Tylee coded honestly, lol Nina is Mai) lover girl, Kathrine the sorta best friend and new mother, Joe, her ex partner and friend, Lucy, Joe’s fiance, Angelo, her downstairs menace of a neighbor, and her parents, the emotionally repressive mother, and the slowly descending into dementia father. Perhaps the title of this story, “ghosts”, references  more than simply being abandoned by an aloof broody man-child. It also encompasses our memories, the emotions we hide, and how versions of who we used to be do and don’t stick with us. 

This book took me a while to get into. At first I low key thought it was shallow, boring, unsuccessful in its intentions, and that Nina was super annoying lol. HOWEVER, the last 25% of this book really saved it for me. The wrap ups and character conclusions all worked so well. Strong fleabag energy for sure, I was underlining things left and right. If there is a book out there that is as good as this book is during its last 50 pages, sign me the hell up! 

jessreid's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

jessluff's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

martssbee's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

sj_meadows's review against another edition

4.0

Once again, Dolly knocks it out of the park

sarahps58's review against another edition

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

4.0

ciara_g's review against another edition

2.0

I’m 99% sure that I was not the intended target audience for this book because my god was it boring. If that’s life in your 30’s, I want no part in it. The only plot points that slightly tickled my interest were Nina and Angelo’s neighbourly domestics (what a fun climax to that one 😏) and my hope that Nina and Lola would just say “fuck it” and get together themselves. Instead we got the love-bombing, rollie smoking accountant…

After giving up on Good Material and forcing myself through Ghosts, I’m genuinely wondering what I’m missing here? Do I need to be a woman in my mid-30’s with children to enjoy reading Dolly Alderton?? 

lydiacolleen's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.5

mjoyce14's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

daniellecollins9's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0