If you're a fan of the classic rom-com "Just Like Heaven," prepare to fall head over heels for this book. I've lost count of how many times I've watched that movie, but I have to admit, I may just prefer this book a tad more!

Most romance novels follow a predictable path: a meet cute, a budding romance, a plot twist to shake things up, and the inevitable "happily ever after." But this book? It takes that formula and flips it on its head. Imagine a wrench thrown into the works, resulting in a complete do-over, but with a catch: only one of the characters remembers anything about their past relationship. Now, that's a twist that adds a whole new layer of intrigue and complexity to the story.

Sarah Ready, the author, has a knack for keeping her readers engaged. I've delved into a few of her other works, including "French Holiday," and I'm consistently impressed by her writing style. It's like sinking into a cozy blanket with a hot beverage on a rainy day – comforting, heartwarming, and utterly captivating!

First, let me thank Sarah and Netgalley for allowing me to be a part of the ARC readers of this amazing story in exchange of my review.

My rating: 4.75⭐

Read this book if you like:
🔸Paranormal romance (NOT scary!!)
🔸Star Trek references
🔸Forced proximity
🔸Conversations about intimacy and connection beyond sex
🔸A bit of physics
🔸Golden retriever and celebrity MMC
🔸Shy but sunshiny FMC

TW:
🔸Depression
🔸Suicide
🔸Mention of self-harm
🔸Grief

My review:

I have no words. I can't believe this book, with the fun and a bit silly premise, hit this hard. But it has.
Sarah, with the adorable story, the incredibly relatable characters, the little pinches of fun and crazy, and the heartwarming HEA has torn my heart in tiny little pieces and put it back together about a dozen times.

I've sobbed; I've chuckled; I've kicked my feet in the air and now my soul is full of love and gratitude and a new appreciation for the little things in life.

Thank you Sarah for this journey. It's been a delight.

Thank You to NetGalley for the ARC.

Ok I really did not have high hopes for this book. The premise sounded hokey but I was in it for the Spice. I didn’t expect for it to be as touching as it turned out to be, especially in the first half of the book. I found the story to be sweet and silly in all the right ways. This is an endearing story with likable characters and I’m not going to lie…it would make a great movie.

This book was whimsical and touching. It hit me in all the right feels. I loved the found family and the unexpected chemistry between our FMC and her ghost. It wasn’t too deep, but also not too light hearted…. it lives right in that perfect sweet spot.

I was not ready to experience what I did while reading this book. I was thinking this would be a forbidden love between a human and a ghost. It was so much more.

Jillian has just moved into her new studio apartment where the walls are lined with mirrors. She heard the former tenant was a ladies man with a different woman coming to the apartment with him every night. While she is unpacking at the end of the day, a shirtless man wearing low hung jeans and possessed abs for days appears in her apartment. She tries to hit the man with her handy baseball bat, but the swing goes through him and then he disappears.

We learn that Jillian is a writer for a small newspaper consisting of herself, three others, a slew of interns, and the editor in chief/owner. She writes about love and relationships, passing on her beliefs, all the while her dating life is a disaster. Jillian lets herself be set up on dates by her former childhood neighbor who she thinks of as another mother. After around one hundred and fifty or so dates, she still hasn’t over come her biggest weakness, her inability to talk to men. So when her hot, half-naked ghost shows up again and she’s able to talk to him, Jillian starts to hope she might be able to overcome her limitations. Her ghost friend, Daniel, is now following her to work and giving her advice, becoming her best friend and a little bit more.

I don’t want to give any spoilers of how Jillian and Daniel figure out their roads in this life and beyond. Sarah Ready elevates the ghost romance to another level. Her storytelling is compelling and it kept me fully engaged from one page to the next. While most expect the happily ever after, we do get there, but the journey is beautiful, at times heart wrenching, and one of the best ghost romance stories I’ve ever read. This is my first read from Sarah Ready and I will definitely be reading more from her soon.

I received Ghosted for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I got an ARC on a whim from NetGalley. I was expecting a pretty standard rom com, possibly a gender-swapped version of Just Like Heaven. This book was so much better than that. It was unique, genuine, and charming. It did not hug onto tropes like I anticipated. The relationship was so genuine that I found myself fighting tears at one point. Easily one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Highly recommend.

wow this is dull for such an interesting concept. I'm baffled by some of the plot devices: the FMC is a twenty-seven-year-old self-described "virgin geek" who Doesn’t Know She’s Beautiful and literally cannot speak to any human adult male aside from her father or her boss until Daniel comes along? Her mom questions why there are so many mirrors in Jillian's new apartment, like a late 40s/early 50s woman wouldn't have at least an idea of why? Was Jillian a virgin birth (serious eyeroll here). And good lord, “fuckucking”?! Are we in fourth grade?
Let’s tackle the concept of the One True Love for whom Jillian seems to be waiting. She loves empowering, optimistic ouvres such as Star Trek, and we all know Captain James Tiberius Kirk was often portrayed as a lusty, human and alien-banging manly dude, so how on earth is it possible for her to be so absolutely flustered and embarrassed by mention of anything of a sexual nature? Somehow despite all this, she recognizes the looks of lust and want in Daniel? In addition, she is a columnist, and knows per her unhappy neighbor that a man named Daniel lived in her apartment prior to her moving in. How does she not immediately research him? SHE HAS A FIRST NAME AND ADDRESS, its not rocket science, it’s HER JOB 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ it would’ve been at least one mystery solved, that of a different Daniel.
The revolving dating game that Fran has had her on, somewhere north of 150 blind, one time dates over seven years or so SHOULD HAVE made her more communicative with the opposite sex. How on earth did so many agree to essentially spend time with a situationally mute person? Fran seems off putting to anyone who doesn’t know her, so it’s implausible to expect that anything close to that number of persons would agree to anything she might orchestrate.
The caricature-laden bevy of Jillian’s work mates at the first team meeting was so cliche it was torture to read. I found my attention drifting, and had to reread a great deal of it, having lost my place many times.
Honestly I would hope an editor could salvage this mess of a tale and prune it into something more cohesive and tight. Again, loved the premise, didn’t love the execution.
I received this advance reader copy for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read a lot is time travel/time slip romances so perhaps my expectations were too high. But I felt like a lot of things were left unexplained in this book. I liked the romance between Daniel and Jillian better when he was a ghost. 🤣 I liked this book, but I think overall it fell sorta flat for me.

Sarah always gives her readers fantastic and unique stories filled with amazing characters, passion, many emotions and love. This book is amazing. So many twists and turns but this is a true love story. Jillian is a bit quirky, has amazing friends and is trying her best at work….but she needs help. She is painfully shy with men and her sister has set her up on so many dates that have not gone very well. Lol Daniel is such an interesting character that we get to see in a couple of different ways…dead and alive. As he meets Jillian he realizes how much he needs her and she knows how much she needs him.

I am a sucker for anything ghost romance, so when I saw the premise of this book, I was immediately sold. What was really enjoyable while reading it was that it was not predictable at all - I had no idea where it was leading, and even when the clues pointed a certain way, I was skeptical as to where the story would go. I knew there would be a happy ending, but would they get there? And how would they get there, when one of them is dead? It was really a magical and at times funny story of love in the most unexpected of places. Believing that love will work itself out, even when you can't be with that person physically. Just as life will find a way, so will love.

Out of desperation, Jillian Nejat rented an apartment sight unseen - and she instantly regrets it when she opens the front door. Mirrors. Mirrors everywhere. And not in an art deco sort of way but more of a low-budget adult film sort of way. And just as she has finished talking herself into making the space work for her, in pops an unexpected visitor - a shirtless ghost named Daniel who refuses to leave her alone. Claiming to be her friend, and showing a surprising amount of knowledge in the things she enjoys, Daniel insists that he is exactly where he is meant to be. Which ends up being a sort of saving grace for Jillian, who can barely speak more than a few words to anyone of the male persuasion, except, apparently, if they are no longer breathing. With Daniel's help, she begins to turn her career around and even manages to have a conversation with men while on dates. But as time passes, the thing she wants most in the world is to be with Daniel. And he wants her too. Love survives even death...but can it defeat death too?

I loved the banter, the instant chemistry, the quirky side characters, and the idea of love beyond the physical. While I do read closed door romance frequently, it was intriguing to see the intimate scenes in this book where they couldn't touch each other. They had to improvise, find ways to make sure they felt loved without actually touching, and there's something intensely emotional about that sort of encounter. I was so moved by the entire thing, and it was definitely a unique concept in ghost romance. Most others I've read, the author finds a way so that they can touch each other, but that was not the case in this book. Jillian's coworkers were another highlight of the story, with their hilarious personalities and what felt like very genuine workplace experiences. It almost felt like a slice of life romance at times, and with Daniel helping her out unseen by others, it often became hilarious. Now I can't talk too much about the latter half of the book without spoilers, but suffice to say that you will not be disappointed. I found the entire way the author helped these two find love to be fascinating. I was speeding through the pages, into the wee hours of the night, so that I could see how things would end. It will make you laugh, yell, and cry from beginning to end. Jillian and Daniel were made for each other.

We definitely need more romance with this vibe, and I hope to read more by Sarah Ready soon! Not sure if any more ghost romance is in the future, but I would not turn it down.

Wow. Where do I begin? I went into this thinking I knew how it was all going to go. I’ve read a few paranormal love stories and they tend to be similar. This one ended up going in a totally unexpected direction. In a great way.

Jillian is a shy young woman who has trouble even talking to guys. Except it turns out, to the ghost in her apartment. Daniel. I loved Jillian and Daniel and their unique love story. I laughed and teared up. It took me through all the emotions. I discovered Sarah Ready a few months ago and have devoured most of her collection at this point. This one might be my favorite. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Ghosted had me smiling from ear to ear as well as sobbing like a baby. It was funny, comfortable, charming and heartbreaking (in the best way).

I cannot even begging to describe how incredible this books is. At one point I was laughing and the next I was yelling at the book like a lunatic trying to make the characters open their eyes! The emotional rollercoaster that you feel while reading this novel is exactly what I look for when deciding if it’s a book I would recommend to others.

Rom-com, chick lit, fiction romance is how I would categorize it. The cover is appealing to the eye and depicts the novel well.

This book makes me believe love is infinite.

Thank you to Sarah Ready, NetGalley and W.W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love the movie Just Like Heaven so of course I had to read this book since the description was similar to the movie. All I can say is that even though I can watch the movie over and over, I would not read this book again. It felt like it dragged on and on. My eyes skimmed over the majority of it. I don't feel like I missed anything. Jillian was annoying and not likeable at all in my opinion. Not sure how I feel about Daniel, I will say that I also didn't feel the connection between Jillian and Daniel. I don't mean to sound negative, but this book wasn't for me.

Special thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Ready & WW Crown IBPA for giving me the chance to read this book 🥰

This was by far one of my favourite coziest reads! It was an easy, enjoyable book with good pacing and the right amount of spice.

Highly recommend this for anyone in a reading slump, it's a short read and definitely worth it!

#NetGalley #Ghosted

wow just wow! this book had all the emotions. it made me smile happy smiles and then made me sad. it made me laugh and it made me want it all to work out.
i loved the dynamics of this book and as a fellow trekkie love the references in the book.
it’s a great story that has all the feels 5 out of 5!!

Oh my goodness what can I say. I actually thought i was requesting a different book with the same title but I am so happy I got to read this delightful book that has it all. It has the best opening paragraph I've ever read. I laughed loads during the first few chapters and then it got serious. I felt the pain and the emotion of the lead character and the frustration. I felt it all. I even cried during a story line of two of the supporting characters. And it had the all important satisfying ending. I absolutely loved it.

Jillian may be the columnist for the <i> The Daily Expose</i> where she answers questions about love, dating, sex, and marriage, but it doesn't mean she's experience all of those. Infact, Jillian can't even talk to men, so when Daniel shows up at her apartment out of nowhere, she very quickly discovers she can talk to Daniel (After almost bashing him with a bat and throwing her <i>Star Trek</i> model at his head). Thats just her luck - The one man she can talk to is a ghost.
Daniel thinks it's his afterlife job, to save Jillian's non-existent love life, and help her career, before her boss gives her the sack for her 'hopeless romantic' columnist advice that doesn't work.

<b><i> 'Apparently Daniel is very protective of me, and also of who gets to eat vicariously with me' </i></b>

Before long, Jillian finds herself in an unusual position with Daniel, the ghost, and she needs to tell him the truth.

<b><i>'He's planning a smash and dash, a pump and dump, an ejaculate and evacuate'</i></b>
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* Paranormal Romance
* Friends to lovers
* Slow Burn
* Second chance romance
* Found Family
* Time travel
* Plot Twist/s

This is giving similar vibes to: <I><b>Ps. I Love you, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, You've Reached Sam </i></b></B>
______

<b><u>Narrator:</B></u> <i>Sarah Naughton</i> and <i>Rob Brinkman</i>
Both Sarah and Rob did a fantastic job. I didn't pick up on any missed or incorrect words. Additionally, the quality was great.
Only criticism I have is between chapters, the gap is too big (too much silence, several times I thought I bumped my phone and stopped the audio)
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This book had everything you need for a 5-star read.
The plotline was fantastic, the banter had me in fits of laughter, the characters were loveable, not just the main characters. It just gave me so much joy reading it. <i><b>Ghosted</i></b>, left me crying happy tears.

I must admit, I am a huge movie buff, so when I realised the storyline is similar to <i> Just Like Heaven</i>, I thought I had this book pegged. I was wrong, so so wrong.

Jillian has a ghost haunting her apartment. The apartment in question is shady, but it's all she could afford, moving to New York. Mirrors cover every surface; It was definitely used for sexy times, there is no doubt about it.
Jillian tried to question Daniel about his <i>'past life'</i> to try and get him to <i>'move on'</i>. Daniel can only remember little snippets of his life. Yachts, women in bikinis, a mountain lake, gambling in Monaco, clubs in Paris (Jillian knew he was a playboy, I mean LOOK at this sex den apartment). Daniel is adamant about two things, and that is: <i><u>HE ISN'T DEAD!</u></i> and he knows Jillian - they are friends. That isn't possible according to Jillian.

<b> You can see why I thought this was the same storyline as 'Just Like Heaven'</b>
I'm over here thinking, '<i>We'll of course he doesn't think he's dead, he must be in hospital somewhere, that's why every time he disappears on Jillian at the apartment, all he sees is 'black'. Man is in a freakin' coma, laying in a hospital bed somewhere. </i> He isn't dead, but he is in limbo, so to speak.

The only way to convince Daniel, he is dead and misguided, is to take him to a psychic.
The age-old story: Spirits linger, because they have unfinished business. Daniels gets it into his head, that he needs to get Jillian's dating life back on track, help her communicate with men, and help save her career (Jillian's boss has given her, one last chance to turn her dating and relationship advice Column around)

<b><i> 'You're the women who went on a hundred terrible dates because you believed someone would see you for you'</i></b>

This can't be a romance story, without some romance. Ghost Daniel and Jillian find themselves catching feelings for each other, and what started out as a simple mission - 'Help Daniel move on', has turned into something more. Something that neither of them, can explain or want to end.

<b><i> 'You don't want a living, breathing man? You don't want someone who can give you a life'</i></b>

With the success at work and her dating life, one day, Daniel disappears without warning, and just never comes back. Jillian waits and waits and waits.... It has been weeks since she saw Daniel and she's miserable. Aimlessly searching for her ghost, going through the motions. Daniel must have finally moved on? Thats what she wanted right? That was the goal afterall!

When Fran sets Jillian up for yet another disastrous date, following a hundred or more unsuccessful dates before Daniels appearance, Jillian isn't expecting to see him. He's back.... Daniel is not a ghost? He's real!
<u>PLOT TWIST:</u> Daniel doesn't know who she is. <i><b>Sigh! My poor heart!</b></i>
Now, Jillian decides, she must make Daniel remember her. With the help of a work colleague, she's able to track Daniel and find out everything about him. As she inserts herself into his life. <b><i> Only some light good-natured stalking here ;) </i></b>
Daniel and Jillian can finally be together (Its short lived - not even 1 night together)- queue the drama: Daniel finding out she's tracked him, and now he thinks Jillian is a stalker.
Jillian tries explaining the <i>'Crazy true story'</i> of them, but this only cements to Daniel, that this woman he thought he knew is unwell and not who he thought she is.
And that's when it happens.
Thats when Daniel dies.

You'll have to read it to find out the ending, but it's a plot twist on-top of a plot twist, that will have you sobbing, and throwing the book.
Don't get me wrong, this is a HEA but it's one, that will stay with you for a long time.

Thank you again to Sarah Ready, the publisher W.W. Crown, and NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley, Publisher and Sarah for this arc. This is not my first book by Sarah Ready but its different from others in the premise that it talks about timelines, universes and ghost, a hot one at that 😏. Jillian and our ghost, Daniel meet the first day she shifts to her new apartment. They don't hit it off right away, I mean just think you move to a new place and bam, a ghost is there to greet you, well Jillian kinda the same but she talks with him which surprises her since she normally can't talk with alive men, so she doubts it herself, is he alive or not? Jillian is determined to help Daniel get to afterlife and she does all that could be done. As time passes, things happen and we get to know why Daniel is only ever around Jillian and it all makes perfect romance between them except they are only there to help each in someway. He teaches her of love, to be open and she teaches him to eat imaginary food. It's a good story where our side characters have their own romance, the story line of second leads is fireeeee, the friends and family members make the book more interesting to keep reading of..

Jillian has just moved into a new studio apartment, sight unseen. The small size, skeevy mirroring of every surface and a few other details have her down, but between location and price she’s still willing to give it a go.
Daniel - the half naked guy that appears after she’s safely locked away inside, and then *literally* disappears as she tries to fend him off with a bat - was more than she bargained for.

Our ghostly friend Daniel thinks his unfinished business is saving her job and finding the cripplingly unable to speak to men Jillian love. Unfortunately, even though it works in that she starts to fall for someone, it’s not someone she thinks she can have (it’s him)

I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but I’ll tell you that when Daniel disappears? That’s when the story got Really Interesting to me. Unraveling what happened to him and how she could find her way back to being together with him was a trip.
This book was a little mysterious in a timey-wimey sci-fi way, dramatic and a whole lot of fun. There were a couple times I was seriously questioning how a HEA could come out of it all, but I shouldn’t have doubted!

Thanks to NetGalley, WW Crown and IBPA for the ARC!

I’m still not sure how I feel about this story. Paranormal romance isn’t usually something I go for but this one sounded intriguing. There was some surprises that I wasn’t expecting which was a nice surprise but overall the story fell flat for me.