Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Ghosts

Grim. Which I guess is a success if the point of the book is to make the reader empathise with just how horrific our current culture of dating is. Other than that, I'm not sure what the message of the book is...

There's lots of things I could nitpick about this book,

like how horribly the main character thinks about her friends who are married/mothers/settled down, and only reflects on her way of thinking when she sees her friend's naked body and notices the physical differences that childbirth has had on her (?). Not to mention the spontaneous unprotected sex?! Not in a prudish way, but I was shocked that the author didn't even acknowledge the risks of unprotected sex without any conversation of consent or sexual history/health.

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ella1212's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Loved this book.

Was nervous Nina would take Max back

however very glad at the ending.

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laurineco's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective

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

3.5

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jb_variant's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.5

Easy read, funny writing and a story that I wanted to see through to the end. Highly recommended for anyone in their 30s. A really interesting dynamic between all of the characters, and a plot that deals with

loss in friendships, romance, family, and all facets of life.

as well as dating apps!

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leanneymu's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

3.75

While I enjoyed reading this book (the audiobook was very well read and recorded) I don't think it will stay with me - it was an engaging read, but there's not enough there for a re-read.

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kgroods9's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

a perfect beach read (good story and characters, not too dumb, but also not groundbreaking)

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sebibieber's review against another edition

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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

4.0

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snowhitereads's review against another edition

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emotional reflective fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

I’ve read Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, and I’m… conflicted.

I really liked the concept of ghosts, not only in terms of the obvious modern day ghosting, and how our past originates some ghosts, and how dementia makes you face ghosts head on everyday.

My favourite dynamic in this book was actually between Nina and Katherine, portraying how friendships change over time. Their reconciliation was probably the best part of the book.

Now.. the parts that were my least favorite.

I found most of the characters were quite flat and cliché. The middle age crisis mom, the unlucky at love best friend, the girl frustrated by her man child husband, and creppy turned adorable neighbour. Take a pick, we have it all in this book.

But, above all else, I have a problem with the feminism in this book. Although there is an alleged feminist discourse throughtout the book, I didn’t find genuine at all.

The main character gave off very “woke” and I’m not like other girls' vibes. Her passive aggressive and self-righteous tension towards her married & parent friends and judgemental behaviour towards every woman who wasn’t exactly like herself made me mad.

Overall, this book was enjoyable but frustrating at the same time… if that makes any sense at all.

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