Member Reviews
4.5 stars
Jillian has just moved to a new apartment, and she's far from lonely. WHY? Because there's a ghost, a super hot ghost, named Daniel, "living" there too. He decides that he needs to help her live her best life so he can move on. The problem? Daniel and Jillian start falling for each other. But how can it work if one is living and one is not? This book will keep you laughing, smiling, crying, and guessing until the end!
This book is EPIC. I thought I was in for a magical rom com that was fluffy and fun, until about 25% in when the book went DEEP. SCIENCE and LOVE were brought into play. There were scenes that gave me head-to-toe goosebumps. I cried at the beautiful and tasteful scenes of Daniel and Jillian expressing their love in the only ways they could. A plot I'd assumed would be formulaic, or something I'd already seen, surprised me multiple times. I was riveted to the page and desperate to see how this story would end. The conclusion was WONDERFUL. I was shocked by the second epilogue, giving me something to think about long after closing the book.
But why did I give this book 4.5 stars instead five? The length. It was nearly 500 pages long, and at times I FELT it. I'd say about 75% of this book was really compelling, but it would have been an even better story with roughly a quarter chopped away. The reader is treated to many scenes with extra characters that felt a bit superfluous. (I'm looking at you, work colleagues, haha!) I feel like it could have ended sooner, but by the time we reached the actual end, I was so happy that I sort of forgot about how long it had taken to get there. :oD
The bottom line...I still HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who wants some angst, science, and soulmates who find a way to each other despite all the odds. You'll be glad you did!!! :o)
Trigger warning: suicide (off page), car accident
I'd like to thank W.W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association, and Members' Titles, and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ghosted is @sarahreadyauthor’s next novel and it was such a fun read. Thank you @netgalley and W.W. Crown for the chance to read and review this book via gifted eARC. All thoughts are my own and honest.
I don’t read a lot of paranormal romances, but the synopsis of this book really intrigued me. I wondered how this could possibly work out for Jillian and I am pleased to say that I loved this book so much.
I could identify with Jillian’s relationship struggles. Her growth over the course of the story was some of the best I’ve ever read.
And Daniel, oh Daniel. Even though he’s a ghost, I think he’s Ready’s HOTTEST book boyfriend to date. And the SPICE?? I wasn’t entirely sure how spicy this would be, but it was HOT.
Although this started a little slow, it picked up very quickly. Ghosted is available on September 26.
NetGalley Review — my rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
“Ghosted” by Sarah Ready is definitely an original. Jillian is a writer in NYC with a small, ok big obsession with Star Trek and an even bigger problem talking to guys. Cue Daniel. He appears out of nowhere & Jillian seems to have no problem talking to him & doesn’t know why…until she realizes he’s different….because he’s dead.
This novel was certainly a different one. I still haven’t figured out if I liked it but points for originality. It gives Just Like Heaven vibes with a science fiction twist.
All in all, written well (albeit longer than it needs to be) and worth a shot.
#netgalley #arc #sarahready #ghosted
By looking at the cover I expected this to be a modern take on the 1990 Ghost movie with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. It was not.
I love the characters and their immediate chemistry. The storyline hit all the marks: funny, sweet, suspenseful, mysterious, romantic. I love the main characters transformation as she grows and gains confidence. I wanted this to go more down the paranormal path. I wasn’t a fan of the male character personality switch after the plot twist.
The midway plot twist was interesting but the story never got more exciting. It stayed a slow pace the entire time in my opinion.
Lots of Star Trek references that melted my little nerd heart!
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review
I really see the similarities with the movie Just like heaven, which was a really good surprise, you can tell the inspiration of that really good movie.
I really liked the book and the characters the reason they actually know each other is kind of confusing, it reminds me a little of the movie Your name.
It was a great read I didn't read the blurb before reading this book because I really loved the cover and also with the tittle you can tell the subject of the book, but it was just so amazing reading the first chapter and REALLY see where the book was going.
Usually I don't really like paranormal romance book because I feel like sometimes they are kind of boring and maybe a little over the top but this one was fast paced and it had a lot of things goibg on, some of them confusing but the author tries her best to explain it
I felt like this book is for people that prefer closed door scenes, you have one that is kind of open but isn't that explicit.
I feel this is a good book for people that maybe don't really like books where they just show a lot of sex scenes there is even a scene in the book where they say the characters want intimacy first.
I had the opportunity of reading it and also listening to the audiobook which was really good and loved the author and it was just so relaxing and made me be more and made the experience more enjoyable
Wow! Ghosted is an EPIC love story! I was hooked immediately and binged the book in a day. I am a huge fan of both magical realism and romance. The two combined is a big win for me! I will say that it’s important to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy this book. It’s far-fetched in some ways, but fully enjoyable if you let yourself fall in.
I found the main character to be so lovable and easily relatable. I found her shy nerdiness and sense of humor to be endearing. The way she blossomed into her own overtime was beautiful and it didn’t hurt that MMC Daniel was a total dreamboat. I also found a soft spot for many of the side characters. Sarah Ready really knows how to create lovable characters!
Though I did feel like this story could have been a little shorter, I still found myself curious enough to keep moving through to the good parts. I also felt like I read two loves stories in one as the story time hops in a way that causes the characters to fall in love both separately and together. That was a cool experience!
All in all, Ghosted was a creative out-of -the-box love story that brought me to a place beyond time and space where only love exists!
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy
"I could find you anywhere. You're like a flame. I'm drawn to you. Everyone else is muted, but you burn bright."
I loved the premise of this book. I've never read another "ghostly" romance, so this was new and exciting! I thought I knew what was in store, I was going to see a girl fall in love with a ghost. I wasn't prepared for how much I not only enjoyed that half of the book, but I adored the second half where it's not about that at all!
Plot.
Jillian can't talk to guys and her career is going down the drain. She moves into a new apartment in NYC and finds out that it's inhabited by an attractive ghost named Daniel. Jillian is so lucky he died without his shirt on, because who wouldn't want a tall, muscled ghost with a six pack and no shirt with them 24/7? I don't see the problem. Daniel is convinced that it's his after-life mission to help fix Jillian's love life and job. This creates some clever and hilarious situations and I loved the banter between Jillian and Daniel. This is what the first half of the book is about, Daniel helping Jillian.
What I didn't expect is the entire second half where Jillian gets her time to shine in Daniel's life. I can't say much without spoilers, but in a creative twist, you get to see not only Jillian following in love with Daniel, but also get to see Daniel fall in love with Jillian in a uniquely different way. As a ghost, Daniel thinks that he already knew Jillian for some reason, but to her they had never met. You will be delighted when you find out why.
"There's nothing, or there's you. There's darkness and a single point of light. All I have to do to come back to you is think about you, and I'm here."
"But what about the first time?" I ask. "You didn't know me."
Daniel frowns at me, thoughts racing behind his eyes. "I did though," he says with quiet conviction.
Pacing.
At 460 pages, I thought this was a bit long for a romance. The first 10-20% was hard to get into, spending time introducing side characters that were ultimately forgettable. In fact, it seemed that most supporting characters in this book were either very over-the-top or bland. Once it got going though and we get ghostly interactions, it kept my interest. The twist right in the middle had me desperately wanting to find out what happens. The last 30% I couldn't put down and by the end, I could understand why I needed 450+ pages of this.
Science?
So, Jillian's best friend is some sort of physicist. I honestly don't care much for them trying to explain through science how it's possible that she's seeing a ghost and potential time-travel as well. I would be okay with them just not explaining anything, or since Jillian is super into Star Trek and starts to apply several Trekker theories, maybe she just accepts it. What makes things even more confusing is that at the end, some key events are not explained or attempted to be explained at all. Just a bit inconsistent.
Overall, I loved this. I didn't need to know why it was happening, I just enjoyed the ride. I would recommend this one whole-heartedly.
Thank you to W.W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been posted to Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. It will be posted on Amazon on release date 9/26. Content is also being shared on my Instagram account @_bookish.brittany between 9/7 and 9/26 to promote the book.
I love a good romance book., add a ghost and I will love it even more, just not this book. This took me much longer to read than most books, but I was determined to finish it. It dragged and was so long winded. The basis of the book is brilliant, some parts were more drawn out than needed to be where other parts came out of the blue far to little information.
Omg this book! Loved it! I seriously devoured this in one sitting. Thanks for the ARC Netgalley, author and publisher.
If you're a Trekkie or speak Klingon - Ghosted is the romance for you! The love child of 'Age of Adeline' and 'Ghost' - with a semi-scientific explanation that just made sense!
The best part of this book is that the ending makes everything make sense. When I started Ghosted, I had no idea how it was going to turn into something different than Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze's ghost - but as Sarah Ready does - she turned the story into something entirely different!!
I've also read Sarah Ready's 'French Holiday' - and even though I liked that one more - I think Ready has become a dependable rom-com author for me!! You can always expect lovable characters, drama and downright easy reading.
NOTES:
- Would be a perfect audiobook
- 🌶️🌶️/5 Open door
**Thank you to W.W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Truly fantastic novel. Two people who don't make sense on paper but worked so well for each other. And goodness, the hurt they each worked through. This was not a standard romance by any means. This wasn't the standard ghost story. It was a wonderful read. I had no idea where this was going. I was so unsure of what was going to happen. This was different from anything I had ever read and I loved it. I mean LOVED this. I had so many feelings reading this book. Not at all what I expected and I am so glad the author took a different approach. It's a great book.
I was provided an e-arc by NetGalley and W.W. Crown in exchange for an unbiased review.
"Ghosted" promises to be a unique and intriguing romantic comedy with a supernatural twist. This imaginative premise sets the stage for a humorous and heartwarming story that explores love, personal growth, and the unexpected connections that can transcend the boundaries of life and death.
The main character, Jillian Nejat, immediately captures readers' attention with her quirky inability to speak to living men. Her relatable struggles with both her career and her stagnant dating life make her an endearing protagonist. The introduction of Daniel, the charming and handsome ghost with a mission, adds a delightful and unconventional element to the story.
The plot appears to be driven by a clever mix of humor and romance as Daniel takes on the role of Jillian's dating coach from beyond the grave. This setup promises plenty of comedic situations and heartfelt moments as they embark on a mission to resurrect Jillian's love life.
The theme of personal growth and self-discovery seems to be at the core of the narrative, as Jillian faces her fears and navigates the challenges of dating with Daniel's ghostly guidance. The dynamic between the living and the supernatural offers ample opportunities for character development and emotional depth.
Readers are likely to be drawn into the story as they root for Jillian to find love and for Daniel to achieve his own afterlife goals. The intriguing blend of the paranormal with real-life dating struggles adds a layer of magic to the narrative that is sure to captivate romance enthusiasts.
Overall, ""Ghosted" appears to be a delightful and imaginative romance novel that promises a fresh take on the genre. With its quirky premise, relatable characters, and a touch of the supernatural, this book is likely to offer readers an enjoyable and heartwarming reading experience.
Omigod! I’m in love with sarah ready’s books already and this book was phenomenal.
I can say it exceeded my expectations and is one of my favorite reads for 2023! What a beautiful, magical and deeply emotional paranormal love story that will remain in my heart forever! It's about confronting, forgiving and moving forward from your past, dealing with your insecurities and loving the people in your life. Ghosted was an emotional roller coaster of a ride that had my smiling, laughing and sobbing! I was hooked from the very beginning and could not stop reading!
Jillian writes a dating and relationship advice column but oddly struggles with speaking to men in real life. Strangely, she finds herself able to easily communicate with the endearing and hot ghost, Daniel, that appears in her new apartment. Daniel decides to help Jillian find love and overcome her fear of talking to men. He believes if he can save her from her problem it will help him to move on to the next life. As they spend time together practicing dates and getting to know each other, they develop a deep connection that neither of them can deny. They realize that they could never be fully together because he is a ghost! All of a sudden, Daniel is gone and Jillian is left trying to move on and make sense of it all.
I enjoyed how the characters interacted. Both were likeable and I enjoyed seeing Jillian become more self-confident. She also comes to terms with a painful part of her past and learns to forgive herself. This book does take a little leap of faith as one character is a ghost, but it is so worth it.
I love this authors writing so much! She really makes you feel. I normally don’t like books about ghosts but this one had another layer I enjoyed so much. The love story, heartbreak and ending were perfect.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
If you like a paranormal rom com, mystery all wrapped into one then this is the book for you! I read this book in one sitting because I was so invested in these characters, I laughed and I cried with the characters and enjoyed every last second. It was a nice break from the heavy fantasy books I usually read and is a great palate cleanser - if you know what I mean.
This was the first book from Sarah Ready that I have read and it’s made me want to buy her other books to see if they are as good as this one. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is wanting a slightly different kind of romance novel.
I have to say, it's a real gem. The story revolves around Jillian Nejat, a dating expert who can't talk to men. Her life takes a wild turn when she moves into a shabby NYC apartment already inhabited by a handsome ghost named Daniel. Yup, you read that right—she's got a ghostly roommate on a mission to help her find love and resurrect her career. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, from laughs to tears. It's about self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of connection. Jillian and Daniel's chemistry is palpable, even though they can't be together fully. The audiobook narration is spot on, too; I couldn't stop listening. If you're into unconventional love stories with heart, "Ghosted" is a must-read. Sarah Ready nails it again!
“I could find you anywhere,” he says dismissively. “You’re like a flame. I’m drawn to you. Everyone else is muted, but you burn bright.”
Five million stars! This book was amazing! It had many heartwarming and swoon-worthy moments like the one I quoted above! It was slow to start but once I got into it, I loved it.
The characters were very well written. Jillian, Hayley, and Fran were my favorites. They had me laughing hard many times! This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I’ll be reading more of her books from now on!
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
This was a romance with a bit of sci-fi thrown in. Jillian is apparently a relationship “expert,” but she CANNOT even speak to men…unless they are dead. She moves into a new apartment [site unseen]—it’s covered in mirrors (possible sex pad?). AND it’s already occupied—by a ghost, Daniel. Since Daniel is dead, Jillian has no issues speaking to him. Daniel makes it his mission to turn Jillian’s dating life around.
I had moments where I really liked this book and moments where it felt like more of a chore to read. There was a bit too much science-fiction and Star-trek references for me and not enough “action.” I would recommend this book if you are into romance and Star-trek/the multiverse—but I certainly struggled to follow along to some of the references and overall this book did not suck me in.
The writing style itself was good, but the topics/content just wasn’t for me. I would definitely give this author another chance though!
Only Sarah Ready can make me fall in love with the ghost and cry for a man who didn't even exist. Yes I think you are intrigued by just reading these few lines and add the power of Sarah Ready's amazing writing, Ghosted is a clear winner .I cannot imagine how I existed as a romance reader before I stumbled upon the genius called Sarah Ready's writing. She has an epic way of bringing out the most powerful raw heart shattering feels from her characters & her story .Ghosted was no exception. This story is a powerhouse of all kinds of emotion I laughed. I swooned. I loved. I got heartbroken and at the end I am not sure why I am crying Maybe I am so overwhelmed with all the feels that I cannot help but break down into tears.
This is the story of Jillian who cannot talk to any male species in this world. Shehe is shy and naughty and adorable ..a Star Trek loving journalist who is still working for the paper she first started working after graduation. She gets the surprise of her lifetime when she moves into her new apartment in New York City with mirrored walls put up by the previous tenant.A shirtless man appearing in her apartment Out of nowhere and he's vanishes out of nowhere. Yes you guessed it right. Daniel is a ghost.But Gillian doesn't know what Daniel is doing in her apartment. Daniel. himself is not very sure what happened to his life unintended .Jillian thinks she has to get rid of Daniel and a psychic says it can only happen if Daniel helps her in some way because she thinks that's the reason Daniel is here and Daniel decides his duty is to help Jillian to get into dating other men but the problem is: as Jillian spends more time with a ghost she is falling in love with the ghost and Daniel is feeling the same but there is no future for them. Feelings come and feelings becomes stronger and then one day he just disappears .Will he come bac? is there any chance of happily ever after ?
So it was a very interesting idea. I don't think I have ever read such a plot and you think it will be difficult to fall for a ghost who cannot touch or who cannot do anything physical like a simple kiss for Gillian but Sarah Ready's genius really knows no bound. The way she brought everything,the way she manufactured every single tiny detail is enough to make me believe that Daniel is More real than anything in Jillian's life. It was exceptional. It was incredible and my heart was breaking over and over again for both Daniel and Jillian. I am not sure if New York is a recurring theme for Sarah Ready's book but here it plays a character itself as Daniel and Jillian explores the little delights of this big city together. I also loved the whole family of Daily Expose,the paper where Jillian works. they may be eccentric ,they may have their quirks and fights but together they are a family. Jillian is Such a sweet and shy and beautiful woman who is unsure of her feelings because of a tragic past. But then Daniel makes her see that she deserves every love, every devotion, every adoration for the kind of person she is . She doesn't need to change for getting a man. It is a joke that she is running the dauly exposes relationship column but Daniel is teaching her to fall in love and in the process they fall in love with each other .what can I say about Daniel .He is an amazing man and it captures nothing of his perfection .He is charming .He is so respectful of her choices And yet he is irresistible in an alpha way and I was so sad for him that he was floating around in this world and he cannot remember anything of his past but he feels that he knew Nillian from beforehand and then the mega twist comes after Daniel's disappearance.
I assure you there is a happily ever after and I assure you Jillian gets what she e wanted. She deserved an epic man an epic love and epic love story and she got it with Daniel
..how ?to know that You have to read the story because I won't be giving you any spoiler. I will tell you this much ,like jillian's physicist best friend, that there are certain things beyond science and reality . There are things those don't make sense yet they fit perfectly in the world .Jillian and Daniel's love story is exactly like that . it could have been impossible, it could have been a disaster but it ultimately ended up being angsty heart wrenching and life-changing love story. Jillian and Daniel has such a beautiful connection from the first day.that is each other.They push each other ,they brings out the best in each other , when they are together they are just so wholeheartedly happy that it is impossible not to smile like lunatic. You can feel the power and intensity of their connection coming off the pages. the chemistry would have been an awkward thing but Sarah Reddy again built it up in a effortlessly. I didn't know or expect that sex with a ghost could be so such a sublime experience . I can say this much Sarah ready always brings something fresh something phenomenal something overwhelming and all-consuming in her love stories and now I know I should not ever Miss A single romance by hurt if you are missing her books you are missing something big time
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily through Netgalley
How pretty is this cover?
I loved this book so much! It was sweet and heartwarming and emotional and funny! I couldn't put it down all weekend. A unique love story that kept me hooked until the very end!
Favorite line: "Everyone else is muted, but you burn bright."
Favorite part: the 2nd epilogue <3
Rating: 4.5/5
Audio: 5/5
Spice Level: 1.5/5
Holiday Vibes: Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Christmas