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Readers` Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
joanna fedewa
3.5/5 stars
Ghosted is mainly narrated by Sarah. It is part Women's Fiction, part romance and part mystery. This story is set in the UK.
Sarah is 37 and has recently split from her ex-husband who she co-founded a charity with (they lived in the US). She is back home in the UK on vacation and meets Eddie.
Sarah falls for Eddie. But then Eddie vanishes from her life. This is part of the mystery.
To be honest I did not love the beginning of this book. The way that the story was told did not work for me. Instead of just having the story happen Sarah recalls her time with Eddie. So we have the present (with Eddie vanishing) and then we get to go back a few weeks to get bits and pieces of their romance. Basically Sarah is repeating the story of them being together and how he disappeared. This caused me to feel little attachment to the characters.
At about halfway the book got much better for me. The story was told almost entirely in the present and I was very intrigued by things that were happening. Especially why Eddie ghosted her. But also I was curious about what exactly had happened to Sarah in her past.
Also the author did something that was so unexpected and clever. And I really enjoyed the story from that point on. There were definitely some interesting twists and the second half was really good. I think that if the whole story had been told in order with just a few flashbacks that it would have worked better for me.
The last third was so good. I really could not stop reading. However the POV changed to another character. And while I was interested in reading their POV I would have preferred to stay with Sarah's POV. Although after finishing the book I do understand why the author chose to do it the way that she did.
The end was definitely pretty dramatic and exciting. Although it was a bit too abrupt for me. I would have liked an epilogue.
Overall, I am not really sure how to rate this book. Once the story was told in the present I enjoyed it much more. But unfortunately I felt quite detached from the story at the beginning. So for me the first part is only 3 stars. But honestly the last half was really good. I think that I would rated the book a bit higher except the POV change sort of took me out of the flow of the book. But it was definitely a very strong second half of the book.
Ghosted is mainly narrated by Sarah. It is part Women's Fiction, part romance and part mystery. This story is set in the UK.
Sarah is 37 and has recently split from her ex-husband who she co-founded a charity with (they lived in the US). She is back home in the UK on vacation and meets Eddie.
Sarah falls for Eddie. But then Eddie vanishes from her life. This is part of the mystery.
To be honest I did not love the beginning of this book. The way that the story was told did not work for me. Instead of just having the story happen Sarah recalls her time with Eddie. So we have the present (with Eddie vanishing) and then we get to go back a few weeks to get bits and pieces of their romance. Basically Sarah is repeating the story of them being together and how he disappeared. This caused me to feel little attachment to the characters.
At about halfway the book got much better for me. The story was told almost entirely in the present and I was very intrigued by things that were happening. Especially why Eddie ghosted her. But also I was curious about what exactly had happened to Sarah in her past.
Also the author did something that was so unexpected and clever. And I really enjoyed the story from that point on. There were definitely some interesting twists and the second half was really good. I think that if the whole story had been told in order with just a few flashbacks that it would have worked better for me.
The last third was so good. I really could not stop reading. However the POV changed to another character. And while I was interested in reading their POV I would have preferred to stay with Sarah's POV. Although after finishing the book I do understand why the author chose to do it the way that she did.
The end was definitely pretty dramatic and exciting. Although it was a bit too abrupt for me. I would have liked an epilogue.
Overall, I am not really sure how to rate this book. Once the story was told in the present I enjoyed it much more. But unfortunately I felt quite detached from the story at the beginning. So for me the first part is only 3 stars. But honestly the last half was really good. I think that I would rated the book a bit higher except the POV change sort of took me out of the flow of the book. But it was definitely a very strong second half of the book.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
joshua
I actually feel angry I read this entire book. By the middle of it, I wanted to just skim through the rest, but I forced myself to read it. There is NO mystery. Zero, none. This book is the author leading you astray at every point she can. The thing is, a good mystery is when one or few people know what the mystery is. Here, everyone knows the problem but the reader. It makes you wonder why these people are so blessedly stupid!
The protagonist is purely exhausting. She cries all the time and a tragedy from 19 years prior keeps her from living. She continues to do one stupid thing after another and you have ZERO sympathy for her by the time you're halfway through the book (if that!). The love interest? Not much better. SPOILER ALERT - DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON"T WANT TO HEAR THIS SMALL DETAIL.. it's pretty clear in the end that he has destroyed his own mother's mental health by catering to her and thinking he knows better than any professionals. And those professionals? They all give a little wink and nod to the characters, like they're playing a game. What the heck? Honestly, I just wanted to slap everyone's faces and maybe then their tears would be real.
This book was EXHAUSTING. Do not read it.
The protagonist is purely exhausting. She cries all the time and a tragedy from 19 years prior keeps her from living. She continues to do one stupid thing after another and you have ZERO sympathy for her by the time you're halfway through the book (if that!). The love interest? Not much better. SPOILER ALERT - DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON"T WANT TO HEAR THIS SMALL DETAIL.. it's pretty clear in the end that he has destroyed his own mother's mental health by catering to her and thinking he knows better than any professionals. And those professionals? They all give a little wink and nod to the characters, like they're playing a game. What the heck? Honestly, I just wanted to slap everyone's faces and maybe then their tears would be real.
This book was EXHAUSTING. Do not read it.
The Story of 8 Best Friends - Way Too Many Emails :: The Kiss Quotient :: Wolverton Station (Kindle Single) :: Gilchrist: A Novel :: Tell Me No Lies (Lily's House Book 2)
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
marye
What a difficult book to review. At the halfway point, I would have given it five stars, but the story became tedious and contrived. The plot is simple, yet intriguing. A love story with a twist, it begins when Sarah Mackey comes upon Eddie David while walking in the Cotswolds. She can’t help but laugh while he tries to talk sense into a sheep. For reasons not yet clear, finding joy has been difficult for Sarah, but she and Eddie make an instant connection. For seven intense days they are inseparable and fall in love.
The two lovers face a dilemma. Sarah is returning to her adopted home in Los Angeles, and, more important, Eddie is going on a scheduled holiday in Spain with a friend. Sarah convinces Eddie to leave, assured that they will reunite before she leaves England. She has finally found The One and has never been happier; she assumes Eddie feels the same way.
The story then takes a mysterious turn. Eddie doesn’t respond to Sarah’s texts. She becomes frantic, obsessively texting and checking her phone. At the suggestion of friends, she posts a message on his Facebook page. To her shock, she begins to receive cryptic replies, warning her to stop contacting him. Sarah is devastated and confused. Eddie is the first true love of her life, aside from her family. She is a 40-year-old woman; how could she have gotten things so wrong.
Until this point in the story, I was captivated. It was not a stretch for me to believe that a chance meeting led to an intense love affair. I could identify with Sarah’s obsession. I could understand why she chose not to divulge a secret that had consumed her. Why jinx an idyllic seven days when she thought she would eventually tell Eddie (and the confused reader!) the truth.
Aside from the plot, I was drawn to the elegant prose. Rosie Walsh’s description of life in the Cotswolds transported me to my favorite place in England. What an ideal backdrop for a love story. I could experience vicariously Sarah’s and Eddie’s first day together, as they lingered all day in the pub because the characters were so well developed. I fell in love with their love!
What went wrong for me? At a major turning point in the story, the once elegant prose began to drag. Subplots involving ancillary characters added what I call the Lifetume Movie Syndrome to the book. Too many coincidences to be believable occurred. The twist in the story was ingenious; it caught me by complete surprise. Perhaps I would have liked the book more if the answers had been revealed closer to the end, thereby eliminating the tedium that set in.
As I read about Sarah’s obsessive attempts to find Eddie, I couldn’t help but wonder what she would have done without the Internet and her smartphone. Rosie Walsh didn’t exaggerate! Sarah used all commonly available tools to track down Eddie, e.g., email, instant messenger, Google and social media. When I had a similar experience back in the Stone Age (the 70s), I was relegated to Ma Bell and the Post Office. It’s little wonder that my efforts failed. Romance and stalking (?) in the new millennium!
It pains me to award GHOSTED only three stars. I was hooked until after the mystery was solved. The book doesn’t need an entirely different ending, but the story began to drag, and my interest waned. I enjoy Rosie Walsh’s writing so much, though, that I eagerly await her next book.
The two lovers face a dilemma. Sarah is returning to her adopted home in Los Angeles, and, more important, Eddie is going on a scheduled holiday in Spain with a friend. Sarah convinces Eddie to leave, assured that they will reunite before she leaves England. She has finally found The One and has never been happier; she assumes Eddie feels the same way.
The story then takes a mysterious turn. Eddie doesn’t respond to Sarah’s texts. She becomes frantic, obsessively texting and checking her phone. At the suggestion of friends, she posts a message on his Facebook page. To her shock, she begins to receive cryptic replies, warning her to stop contacting him. Sarah is devastated and confused. Eddie is the first true love of her life, aside from her family. She is a 40-year-old woman; how could she have gotten things so wrong.
Until this point in the story, I was captivated. It was not a stretch for me to believe that a chance meeting led to an intense love affair. I could identify with Sarah’s obsession. I could understand why she chose not to divulge a secret that had consumed her. Why jinx an idyllic seven days when she thought she would eventually tell Eddie (and the confused reader!) the truth.
Aside from the plot, I was drawn to the elegant prose. Rosie Walsh’s description of life in the Cotswolds transported me to my favorite place in England. What an ideal backdrop for a love story. I could experience vicariously Sarah’s and Eddie’s first day together, as they lingered all day in the pub because the characters were so well developed. I fell in love with their love!
What went wrong for me? At a major turning point in the story, the once elegant prose began to drag. Subplots involving ancillary characters added what I call the Lifetume Movie Syndrome to the book. Too many coincidences to be believable occurred. The twist in the story was ingenious; it caught me by complete surprise. Perhaps I would have liked the book more if the answers had been revealed closer to the end, thereby eliminating the tedium that set in.
As I read about Sarah’s obsessive attempts to find Eddie, I couldn’t help but wonder what she would have done without the Internet and her smartphone. Rosie Walsh didn’t exaggerate! Sarah used all commonly available tools to track down Eddie, e.g., email, instant messenger, Google and social media. When I had a similar experience back in the Stone Age (the 70s), I was relegated to Ma Bell and the Post Office. It’s little wonder that my efforts failed. Romance and stalking (?) in the new millennium!
It pains me to award GHOSTED only three stars. I was hooked until after the mystery was solved. The book doesn’t need an entirely different ending, but the story began to drag, and my interest waned. I enjoy Rosie Walsh’s writing so much, though, that I eagerly await her next book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
the andreea
From the title and description of this book, I truly expected a bit more mystery/action/suspense than what it is: a deep psychological study of old guilt, family ties, and emotional insecurities. For anyone looking for a fast-paced read, this book is not for you. The story concept, however, is brilliant.
Recently divorced Sarah is forging forward on a rocky, uncertain path in her life. Originally from the UK, she relocated to California to escape the memory of her losing her younger sister almost twenty years ago. She returns there, though, every year, on the anniversary of her sister's death. On this day she meets Eddie, who is sitting there on this same spot, seemingly waiting for her. They immediately click, spend the day together, and then the next two weeks.
But Sarah's Cinderella story ends when they separate--her to go back to the U.S., and he to go on holiday in Spain. He'll call, he promises. They will make this work. He never does.
The first third of this book reminded me very much of "The Girl on the Train," all the "action" taking place inside the protagonist's head. Sarah agonizes over what went wrong, whether it really was just a fling, or if perhaps something has happened to Eddie. The emotional turmoil, and her obsessive behavior, convince the reader she's gone mad.
This is the point at which I almost gave up. I persisted, however, and I was glad I did.
A deeply emotional study of tragedy, loss, guilt, insecurities, and hope, "Ghosted" was very deep. Unfortunately, there were a lot of loose ends left untied or dropped altogether, and the pacing of the first half of the book was frustratingly slow. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that the story does have a very satisfying ending, and, if you are a patient and tenacious reader, is definitely worth the ride.
Recently divorced Sarah is forging forward on a rocky, uncertain path in her life. Originally from the UK, she relocated to California to escape the memory of her losing her younger sister almost twenty years ago. She returns there, though, every year, on the anniversary of her sister's death. On this day she meets Eddie, who is sitting there on this same spot, seemingly waiting for her. They immediately click, spend the day together, and then the next two weeks.
But Sarah's Cinderella story ends when they separate--her to go back to the U.S., and he to go on holiday in Spain. He'll call, he promises. They will make this work. He never does.
The first third of this book reminded me very much of "The Girl on the Train," all the "action" taking place inside the protagonist's head. Sarah agonizes over what went wrong, whether it really was just a fling, or if perhaps something has happened to Eddie. The emotional turmoil, and her obsessive behavior, convince the reader she's gone mad.
This is the point at which I almost gave up. I persisted, however, and I was glad I did.
A deeply emotional study of tragedy, loss, guilt, insecurities, and hope, "Ghosted" was very deep. Unfortunately, there were a lot of loose ends left untied or dropped altogether, and the pacing of the first half of the book was frustratingly slow. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that the story does have a very satisfying ending, and, if you are a patient and tenacious reader, is definitely worth the ride.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
erika piquero
This is one of my favorite fiction reads of 2018. I think it helped just jumping right into the book without rereading the synopsis that I had long ago forgotten. Really all you need to know is Sarah and Eddie spend an incredible week together even though they have just met, make plans to see one another after Eddie comes back from vacation, and then Eddie ceases all communication with Sarah and she is left wondering what happened.
I just really love how the author used the whole "ghosting" concept in the book. I think it is totally relatable as a dating fear, that you will connect with someone and then the person just mysteriously vanishes from your life and you are left to wonder what went wrong. It brought a level of mystery to the story as you wondered what exactly happened to make Eddie stop contacting Sarah. The pacing of the story was excellent as the author did not drag the mystery until the last 5 pages to reveal what happened. Instead the story unfolded naturally and went in all these interesting and unexpected directions.
What I find both strange and amusing is I actually found the background of Sarah and Eddie first meeting and spending time together to be the weakest part of the story. And yet I still felt invested in their relationship and getting to the bottom of what happened. Kudos to the author for such an entertaining read!
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
I just really love how the author used the whole "ghosting" concept in the book. I think it is totally relatable as a dating fear, that you will connect with someone and then the person just mysteriously vanishes from your life and you are left to wonder what went wrong. It brought a level of mystery to the story as you wondered what exactly happened to make Eddie stop contacting Sarah. The pacing of the story was excellent as the author did not drag the mystery until the last 5 pages to reveal what happened. Instead the story unfolded naturally and went in all these interesting and unexpected directions.
What I find both strange and amusing is I actually found the background of Sarah and Eddie first meeting and spending time together to be the weakest part of the story. And yet I still felt invested in their relationship and getting to the bottom of what happened. Kudos to the author for such an entertaining read!
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
heather porter
Ghosted is very different to Walsh’s previous books (written under the moniker Lucy Robinson), but in a good way. She’s “grown up” so to speak, and while there were funny moments, this book doesn’t have the same silly/quirky vibe. It’s a lot more serious and sad, but also mature.
Among the many things I loved about Ghosted was the way Walsh paints such detailed and clear imagery of the Gloucestershire countryside. You can tell she’s in love with the area–it almost turns into its own character at times, and more than once I could feel the summer sun beating down on the back of my neck, especially during the pub scene at the start of the book! Oh how I miss pub gardens!
Ghosted doesn’t disappoint in the slightest, and I’m sure it’s going to be one of those books you see everyone reading on the Tube in London over the summer. It’s so relatable–well, up to the twist at the end where we learn Eddie’s reason for ghosting Sarah, that is! I tend to think most people who ghost don’t have a legitimate reason like Eddie does. I’ll stop there… I don’t want to ruin anything!
Be sure to pick this one up and keep an eye out for more books from Rosie!
Among the many things I loved about Ghosted was the way Walsh paints such detailed and clear imagery of the Gloucestershire countryside. You can tell she’s in love with the area–it almost turns into its own character at times, and more than once I could feel the summer sun beating down on the back of my neck, especially during the pub scene at the start of the book! Oh how I miss pub gardens!
Ghosted doesn’t disappoint in the slightest, and I’m sure it’s going to be one of those books you see everyone reading on the Tube in London over the summer. It’s so relatable–well, up to the twist at the end where we learn Eddie’s reason for ghosting Sarah, that is! I tend to think most people who ghost don’t have a legitimate reason like Eddie does. I’ll stop there… I don’t want to ruin anything!
Be sure to pick this one up and keep an eye out for more books from Rosie!
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
kylon
Ghosted, the word, is when a hookup quietly ignores your texts, calls, emails and other online communications. Ghosted, the book, is a wonderful twisty love story.
Sarah and Eddie, both in their late 30s, spend a romantic week together after meeting unexpectedly. As Eddie is leaving for a holiday in Spain, both vow to meet up again after his return. However, Sarah hears nothing. Her increasingly frantic texts, calls, Facebook messages and emails go unanswered. Her best friends tell her to move on. But Sarah is convinced something tragic has happened to Eddie and just can’t let go.
Ghosted is a delightful summer beach read for mystery lovers. The story of the romance evolving, told in flashbacks, is just as entrancing as the mystery of Eddie’s disappearance. Also, Smelly has to be the best, and probably the most accurate, name for a dog either in fiction or in real life. 4 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, Pamela Dorman Books, and Edelweiss+ for an advanced copy.
Sarah and Eddie, both in their late 30s, spend a romantic week together after meeting unexpectedly. As Eddie is leaving for a holiday in Spain, both vow to meet up again after his return. However, Sarah hears nothing. Her increasingly frantic texts, calls, Facebook messages and emails go unanswered. Her best friends tell her to move on. But Sarah is convinced something tragic has happened to Eddie and just can’t let go.
Ghosted is a delightful summer beach read for mystery lovers. The story of the romance evolving, told in flashbacks, is just as entrancing as the mystery of Eddie’s disappearance. Also, Smelly has to be the best, and probably the most accurate, name for a dog either in fiction or in real life. 4 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, Pamela Dorman Books, and Edelweiss+ for an advanced copy.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kork moyer
I am sure many people have been "ghosted" in their lives - and I am guilty of doing it to others - so this theme felt very modern and timely to me. Sarah and Eddie are both adults over 30, not teenagers, so when Eddie ghosted Sarah after a magical week together, I felt stunned.
Did Sarah misread all of the signals from their beautiful week together? Was Eddie a complete fraud? At first I thought this book would turn into a thriller, or a suspense novel, or even a mystery. But I was wrong on every count. Sarah and Eddie seemed to have fallen in love during their very short time together but this is really NOT an insta-love romance. Every step, every action, every emotion felt so real and honest that my heart was broken for Sarah. I also cringed when she began stalking Eddie on-line an in person, leaving messages on his Facebook wall and showing up at his weekly team practices.
The author did a fantastic job in creating a beautiful, passionate and very emotional story. When the reason behind Eddie's disappearance becomes clear, I was completely taken by surprise. The structure of this story is also very intriguing. We learn about Eddie and Sarah's week together in short flashbacks, interwoven with present day and also later, with letters.
Sarah is truly horrified at her total meltdown when she doesn't hear from Eddie after their first meeting. She is the head of a non-profit company and an accomplished woman! I was horrified at her behavior, too, but yet something was pulling her back to Eddie. This is a very meaty story and while I was completely transfixed by the audio book's British narrator, there are a LOT of details to this story and I probably would have skimmed over some of the parts if I was reading the book. But this did not detract from my 5-star rating.
I was 100% wrong with all my predictions about this book. The story unfolded beautifully and slowly and was a delight to listen to. I also recommend going into this book blind because the ending is a stunner!
Ultimately a story about hope, love and forgiveness, 'Ghosted' is one of my favorite books of the year. The characters are all very nuanced and engaging, and I hope the author writes more books like this in the future. Very unique and original, 'Ghosted' reminds me what a well-crafted romance can be. A true page-turner!
Did Sarah misread all of the signals from their beautiful week together? Was Eddie a complete fraud? At first I thought this book would turn into a thriller, or a suspense novel, or even a mystery. But I was wrong on every count. Sarah and Eddie seemed to have fallen in love during their very short time together but this is really NOT an insta-love romance. Every step, every action, every emotion felt so real and honest that my heart was broken for Sarah. I also cringed when she began stalking Eddie on-line an in person, leaving messages on his Facebook wall and showing up at his weekly team practices.
The author did a fantastic job in creating a beautiful, passionate and very emotional story. When the reason behind Eddie's disappearance becomes clear, I was completely taken by surprise. The structure of this story is also very intriguing. We learn about Eddie and Sarah's week together in short flashbacks, interwoven with present day and also later, with letters.
Sarah is truly horrified at her total meltdown when she doesn't hear from Eddie after their first meeting. She is the head of a non-profit company and an accomplished woman! I was horrified at her behavior, too, but yet something was pulling her back to Eddie. This is a very meaty story and while I was completely transfixed by the audio book's British narrator, there are a LOT of details to this story and I probably would have skimmed over some of the parts if I was reading the book. But this did not detract from my 5-star rating.
I was 100% wrong with all my predictions about this book. The story unfolded beautifully and slowly and was a delight to listen to. I also recommend going into this book blind because the ending is a stunner!
Ultimately a story about hope, love and forgiveness, 'Ghosted' is one of my favorite books of the year. The characters are all very nuanced and engaging, and I hope the author writes more books like this in the future. Very unique and original, 'Ghosted' reminds me what a well-crafted romance can be. A true page-turner!
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
pieter
I’m conflicted about this novel. As someone who went through a pretty awful ghosting situation, I was expecting/hoping this novel would be cathartic. Or, at least, I was hoping it would mirror all of he stages of my ghosting experience. And, for a lot of it, it did. The crazy what ifs, the follow up messages, watching for a read status on Facebook Messenger, having your friends run out of patience with you. All of that is in here and I was with it. Until I wasn’t anymore. Until the book deviated from the ghosting norm in a frustrating way. A too neat way. I was really frustrated with the last 2/3 of this book through the lens of the book’s title. Because it’s not a book about being ghosted. Not really.
If you put aside any expectations about the ghosting trend and go into it without thinking about ghosts and their victims, it’s a solid novel. There are really interesting character dynamics all around that make for really rich interactions. The main couple themselves are almost electric. They have a really great connection. There are a few events in the book that fake the reader out, leading them to assume something happened one way when it (and a few other details) happened another way (but it’s clear after the reveal that that’s what was going on all along) which was really clever. I liked being wrong about certain things and I really enjoyed a lot of the resolutions in this.
But the resolutions surrounding the ghosting were less than ideal. Reading now that the author wasn’t ghosted herself but writing about a friend makes sense and I’m impressed with how much of the emotion she was able to capture even though it never happened to her. But there are some aspects and choices that she makes that someone who was ghosted just wouldn’t.
Anyway, this novel was incredibly well-written and well-plotted and it’s worth your time to read it. Just don’t think too hard about it go in with any expectations from the title.
If you put aside any expectations about the ghosting trend and go into it without thinking about ghosts and their victims, it’s a solid novel. There are really interesting character dynamics all around that make for really rich interactions. The main couple themselves are almost electric. They have a really great connection. There are a few events in the book that fake the reader out, leading them to assume something happened one way when it (and a few other details) happened another way (but it’s clear after the reveal that that’s what was going on all along) which was really clever. I liked being wrong about certain things and I really enjoyed a lot of the resolutions in this.
But the resolutions surrounding the ghosting were less than ideal. Reading now that the author wasn’t ghosted herself but writing about a friend makes sense and I’m impressed with how much of the emotion she was able to capture even though it never happened to her. But there are some aspects and choices that she makes that someone who was ghosted just wouldn’t.
Anyway, this novel was incredibly well-written and well-plotted and it’s worth your time to read it. Just don’t think too hard about it go in with any expectations from the title.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kate ward
I grabbed this title because I was seeing it advertised on every social network, everywhere. It did not disappoint. At first, I thought it was going to be a slog because I (like the protagonist's friends) was unsympathetic to her plight. I wanted to shake her and tell her to move on from her "heartbreak" because, after all, she only knew the guy a week.
But, once I got into the story and things started to become less whiny and more plot-heavy, I couldn't put it down. The part I still find implausible is that this couple mutually had these very strong, life-long-love feelings for each other after a week... but maybe that's just because I haven't had that particular experience. I guess it's possible, though I would have found it easier to stomach if the time frame had been a month, for example.
What I appreciated by the end was that there were so many small details that seemed irrelevant throughout the book, but they became very important. This is definitely a fun, quick read if you want something engrossing and entertaining.
But, once I got into the story and things started to become less whiny and more plot-heavy, I couldn't put it down. The part I still find implausible is that this couple mutually had these very strong, life-long-love feelings for each other after a week... but maybe that's just because I haven't had that particular experience. I guess it's possible, though I would have found it easier to stomach if the time frame had been a month, for example.
What I appreciated by the end was that there were so many small details that seemed irrelevant throughout the book, but they became very important. This is definitely a fun, quick read if you want something engrossing and entertaining.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lisa swett
I won this book for free through a Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you to the author and publisher as well. As always, an honest review.
I was a bit unsure about Ghosted before I started reading. Contemporary romance books have to wow me for me to enjoy them. And wow me, it did!
Sarah and Eddie meet along a countryside road one day, immediately feel a spark, and spend the next week together. They know they have something special. Eddie goes off on his previously planned vacation. Sarah never hears from him again. And this is where the mystery begins.
The premise drew me in and captivated my attention throughout the entire read. As with many contemporary novels, it was a quick, easy and enjoyable read. Ghosted brought up so many relatable questions. Do you trust your heart? Your instincts? What other people are telling you? Logic and reasoning? Or hold out for hope that the best will happen?
I really liked that a lot of the writing was in the form of letters - both formal and informal. Eddie writing to Sarah. Sarah writing to Eddie. Both of them writing to other people. Except, most of the letters go unread or at least without a response. The unsent letters form a sort of journal of their mental processes through all of this. The writing style works really well and is quite enjoyable to read.
I can't say too much more without spoiling the book. I will say this, when you get to a certain unforeseen twist, everything will make perfect sense.
There was very little I didn't enjoy. However when Sarah was moping around about missing Eddie, it became a bit redundant and annoying at times.
Ghosted has a little something for everyone. Romance, heartbreak, hardship, caregiving, and mystery. Give it a read!
I was a bit unsure about Ghosted before I started reading. Contemporary romance books have to wow me for me to enjoy them. And wow me, it did!
Sarah and Eddie meet along a countryside road one day, immediately feel a spark, and spend the next week together. They know they have something special. Eddie goes off on his previously planned vacation. Sarah never hears from him again. And this is where the mystery begins.
The premise drew me in and captivated my attention throughout the entire read. As with many contemporary novels, it was a quick, easy and enjoyable read. Ghosted brought up so many relatable questions. Do you trust your heart? Your instincts? What other people are telling you? Logic and reasoning? Or hold out for hope that the best will happen?
I really liked that a lot of the writing was in the form of letters - both formal and informal. Eddie writing to Sarah. Sarah writing to Eddie. Both of them writing to other people. Except, most of the letters go unread or at least without a response. The unsent letters form a sort of journal of their mental processes through all of this. The writing style works really well and is quite enjoyable to read.
I can't say too much more without spoiling the book. I will say this, when you get to a certain unforeseen twist, everything will make perfect sense.
There was very little I didn't enjoy. However when Sarah was moping around about missing Eddie, it became a bit redundant and annoying at times.
Ghosted has a little something for everyone. Romance, heartbreak, hardship, caregiving, and mystery. Give it a read!
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
xapnomapcase greene
Wow. Just wow. I ended up quite loving this book. However, it didn't start that way.
This book is about two strangers that meet and have the perfect love story for seven days. There are three parts to this book. Part I almost made me stop reading. It was long, boring, and tedious. This was where Sarah was devastated that she hadn't heard from Eddie after their seven day romance. She is beside herself and does some really stupid things trying to find him. Sarah also moved to LA from England when she was 18. There had been an accident with her sister and her best friend. One of the girls died. I was that invested in this part of the story because their romance was not talked about until later. I just wanted her to get over it and move on. The first part of the book was written rather poorly. If the reader doesn't feel invested in their romance, then the reader does not care about the outcome.
However, I stuck with the book and I am so glad that I did. Part 2 and 3 are unbelievable. There are twists and turns that you never see coming. When you find out the way that Eddie and Sarah are connected from the past it will take your breath away. I don't want to say much more. This book is the Gone Girl of love stories.
I was a little disappointed in the end. I would like to have read more about Sarah and Eddie after everything was figured out. Again, I can't say too much here. I don't want to ruin this book for others.
I only gave this book 4 stars because the beginning was so slow and boring, otherwise this would have been a 5 star book.
This book is about two strangers that meet and have the perfect love story for seven days. There are three parts to this book. Part I almost made me stop reading. It was long, boring, and tedious. This was where Sarah was devastated that she hadn't heard from Eddie after their seven day romance. She is beside herself and does some really stupid things trying to find him. Sarah also moved to LA from England when she was 18. There had been an accident with her sister and her best friend. One of the girls died. I was that invested in this part of the story because their romance was not talked about until later. I just wanted her to get over it and move on. The first part of the book was written rather poorly. If the reader doesn't feel invested in their romance, then the reader does not care about the outcome.
However, I stuck with the book and I am so glad that I did. Part 2 and 3 are unbelievable. There are twists and turns that you never see coming. When you find out the way that Eddie and Sarah are connected from the past it will take your breath away. I don't want to say much more. This book is the Gone Girl of love stories.
I was a little disappointed in the end. I would like to have read more about Sarah and Eddie after everything was figured out. Again, I can't say too much here. I don't want to ruin this book for others.
I only gave this book 4 stars because the beginning was so slow and boring, otherwise this would have been a 5 star book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
annie rundle
I enjoyed this suspenseful story about a woman who returns to her hometown and meets a man, they hit it off, fall in love quickly and then something happens, all her calls go unanswered but it’s not what you think!
Something more is obviously going on and as the story progresses it becomes apparent.
A talented writer, a good plot and a few twists and turns make this an enjoyable summer read.
Something more is obviously going on and as the story progresses it becomes apparent.
A talented writer, a good plot and a few twists and turns make this an enjoyable summer read.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
leah fitzgerald
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
It took me awhile to get interested in the story. The synopsis instantly caught my attention, but the way the first chapters of Ghosted are presented to the reader can be confusing. The first chapters are written through present and past events storytelling mode. One chapter will describe a day in Sarah and Eddie’s lives and then another chapter will switch to the present where Eddie is already gone and Sarah is looking for him.
I feel that this was the author’s way of giving the readers clues to find more about Eddie and the reason he might have disappeared, but for me I just wanted to get to the point. I knew we would get there, but I just wanted it now. Eventually, half way through the book, it got really interesting. Without spoiling it too much, Sarah is visiting her parents in the UK and is also there to cheer for her best friend as he is trying to land a fitness program deal with a local school. Sarah meets Eddie, they have a wonderful week together and then he disappears. Sarah has several secrets she kept from Eddie, one being that she is in the process of getting divorced which makes her think that maybe Eddie found out through her Facebook and he doesn’t want anything to do with her.
The only problem is that Eddie hasn’t given any signs of being alive to Sarah or any of his acquaintances. Sarah begins to believe that Eddie could have gotten hurt in his trip and somehow he can’t communicate to ask for help. But the true reason Eddie disappeared is because of why Sarah visits home every year. Not just to visit her parents but because it is the anniversary of certain event. At this point in the story it is when past and present meet and the story divides into two point of views: Sarah’s coping with the idea that Eddie is gone, and Eddie telling why he left Sarah.
Sarah, Eddie and the rest of the characters are unique in their own way. I loved Rudi, Sarah’s best girlfriend’s son, he was a mature kid for his age and the one always breaking the ice. There were also several events that I liked throughout the book, but my favorite was reading about Sarah and her life in California when she moved as a teen, how she met her husband and started her foundation. Apart from that I liked when her grandfather told her his life’s story. I did not see that coming.
Ghosted is a contemporary romance novel with a dash of mystery, it starts calm and then it gets exiting. If you like mystery this is the book for you. If you like romance this is also the book for you. And if you’re like me and want to know what is the reason for Eddie’s disappearance, be patient, everything is well planned.
It took me awhile to get interested in the story. The synopsis instantly caught my attention, but the way the first chapters of Ghosted are presented to the reader can be confusing. The first chapters are written through present and past events storytelling mode. One chapter will describe a day in Sarah and Eddie’s lives and then another chapter will switch to the present where Eddie is already gone and Sarah is looking for him.
I feel that this was the author’s way of giving the readers clues to find more about Eddie and the reason he might have disappeared, but for me I just wanted to get to the point. I knew we would get there, but I just wanted it now. Eventually, half way through the book, it got really interesting. Without spoiling it too much, Sarah is visiting her parents in the UK and is also there to cheer for her best friend as he is trying to land a fitness program deal with a local school. Sarah meets Eddie, they have a wonderful week together and then he disappears. Sarah has several secrets she kept from Eddie, one being that she is in the process of getting divorced which makes her think that maybe Eddie found out through her Facebook and he doesn’t want anything to do with her.
The only problem is that Eddie hasn’t given any signs of being alive to Sarah or any of his acquaintances. Sarah begins to believe that Eddie could have gotten hurt in his trip and somehow he can’t communicate to ask for help. But the true reason Eddie disappeared is because of why Sarah visits home every year. Not just to visit her parents but because it is the anniversary of certain event. At this point in the story it is when past and present meet and the story divides into two point of views: Sarah’s coping with the idea that Eddie is gone, and Eddie telling why he left Sarah.
Sarah, Eddie and the rest of the characters are unique in their own way. I loved Rudi, Sarah’s best girlfriend’s son, he was a mature kid for his age and the one always breaking the ice. There were also several events that I liked throughout the book, but my favorite was reading about Sarah and her life in California when she moved as a teen, how she met her husband and started her foundation. Apart from that I liked when her grandfather told her his life’s story. I did not see that coming.
Ghosted is a contemporary romance novel with a dash of mystery, it starts calm and then it gets exiting. If you like mystery this is the book for you. If you like romance this is also the book for you. And if you’re like me and want to know what is the reason for Eddie’s disappearance, be patient, everything is well planned.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
meghan johnson
Rosie Walsh has written a poignant story filled with a riveting mystery, of heartbreaking grief, and an intensely moving romance. Ghosted is her American debut, but I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all of her books written under her pseudonym, Lucy Robinson, so I just had a feeling that I would love Ghosted! It didn’t hurt that Liane Moriarty, one of my favorite authors, gives the book glowing praise by saying, “I absolutely loved this book and didn’t want it to end.” That was enough for me to want to devour the book! And I’m so glad that I did since it deserves all 5 Stars!!
Ghosted was not at all what I expected; it was so much more! I just loved this book so much and am glad that I went into the book blind…even the synopsis is vague for which I’m thankful since this is definitely a book that you don’t want to begin reading knowing too much about the plot since there are so many twists and unexpected surprises in store! It is so beautifully and breathtakingly written that I became emotionally invested in the characters, so I could not put the book down and ended up reading it in just a few hours!
In the novel, Sarah Mackay, an Englishwoman living in California, has just separated from her husband after slowly falling out of love with him. She’s actually glad that the marriage is over so she can be free and they can both be happy instead of living a facade. Sarah is home to visit her parents when she meets Eddie David in a country lane and that’s the beginning of a whirlwind 7 days of fairy tale perfection together. In just one week, they both know that they have met their soulmates and make plans for the future once they both return from holiday.
Blissfully, Sarah goes on counting down the days until it is time for Eddie to call her. Yet, the call never comes. She panics and thinks of every scenario of why he hasn’t called…she knows in her heart despite her friends’ telling her he is blowing her off that he would have called if he could have. Sarah grows more desperate every single day and does everything she can to track him down until it becomes obvious she has been ghosted by the man she loves, the man who told her he wanted to spend his life with her. When it’s revealed why Eddie is ghosting her, Sarah’s whole world is torn apart, and what was a glorious love affair becomes a tragedy. How can the two of them overcome such insurmountable odds when there is no doubt they love each other?
I have to say that Ghosted definitely surprised me since I initially expected it to be typical chick lit, but wow was I wrong! Walsh digs much deeper into the emotions of falling in love, feelings of desperation and tension, heartbreak, devastation and grief of lost love, and happiness. This is a superb character study and exploration of human emotions that is wonderfully written, perfectly plotted, and touchingly loving and passionate in turns. It will be on my list of favorite books of 2018!
Walsh has shown what an outstanding author she is with her newest novel and you can be sure that I will be awaiting her future novels with much anticipation! Ghosted is one book that I highly recommend you don’t miss this summer…fans of Jojo Moyes, Jane Green, and Liane Moriarity will especially not want to miss this one!
**Thank you Edelweiss and Pamela Dorman Books for an ARC copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
Ghosted was not at all what I expected; it was so much more! I just loved this book so much and am glad that I went into the book blind…even the synopsis is vague for which I’m thankful since this is definitely a book that you don’t want to begin reading knowing too much about the plot since there are so many twists and unexpected surprises in store! It is so beautifully and breathtakingly written that I became emotionally invested in the characters, so I could not put the book down and ended up reading it in just a few hours!
In the novel, Sarah Mackay, an Englishwoman living in California, has just separated from her husband after slowly falling out of love with him. She’s actually glad that the marriage is over so she can be free and they can both be happy instead of living a facade. Sarah is home to visit her parents when she meets Eddie David in a country lane and that’s the beginning of a whirlwind 7 days of fairy tale perfection together. In just one week, they both know that they have met their soulmates and make plans for the future once they both return from holiday.
Blissfully, Sarah goes on counting down the days until it is time for Eddie to call her. Yet, the call never comes. She panics and thinks of every scenario of why he hasn’t called…she knows in her heart despite her friends’ telling her he is blowing her off that he would have called if he could have. Sarah grows more desperate every single day and does everything she can to track him down until it becomes obvious she has been ghosted by the man she loves, the man who told her he wanted to spend his life with her. When it’s revealed why Eddie is ghosting her, Sarah’s whole world is torn apart, and what was a glorious love affair becomes a tragedy. How can the two of them overcome such insurmountable odds when there is no doubt they love each other?
I have to say that Ghosted definitely surprised me since I initially expected it to be typical chick lit, but wow was I wrong! Walsh digs much deeper into the emotions of falling in love, feelings of desperation and tension, heartbreak, devastation and grief of lost love, and happiness. This is a superb character study and exploration of human emotions that is wonderfully written, perfectly plotted, and touchingly loving and passionate in turns. It will be on my list of favorite books of 2018!
Walsh has shown what an outstanding author she is with her newest novel and you can be sure that I will be awaiting her future novels with much anticipation! Ghosted is one book that I highly recommend you don’t miss this summer…fans of Jojo Moyes, Jane Green, and Liane Moriarity will especially not want to miss this one!
**Thank you Edelweiss and Pamela Dorman Books for an ARC copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kaycee ingram
While on her annual visit home to England Sarah meets Eddie and they immediately hit it off. A one day meeting at a pub turns into a magical seven days spent in his home falling in love. Or so Sarah thought. As she leaves at the end of those seven days, they exchange all information, including phone numbers and friending each other on Facebook, and Sarah never hears from him again.
OK, let’s be honest here, we have all been Ghosted. Did I know there was actually a term for what has happened in the past? Nope! When it happens to you, it’s very easy for that worry to turn into an unhealthy anxiety. In Ghosted, the novel, Sarah knows this happens to people but she can’t help wonder if something had happened. After all, she knew their feelings were true and couldn’t be one-sided. 90% of this novel is from her POV, so we only feel what she’s feeling and even though she gets kind of crazy you just know there is more to Eddie’s story.
This novel was party love story, part mystery and every bit of it fascinating. As I learned more about Sarah’s life, I really wanted this happiness to be real. I wanted her to be allowed to have this one thing that was wonderful. Her restless energy imbued me as I was reading the novel making it hard for me to sit still and finish it. Two thirds of the way through the novel the author took a sharp turn that enabled us to FINALLY get Eddie’s POV. My feelings about him shifted dramatically when I got to see what was inside his head.
I really liked this story. I will admit that as a woman, it’s hard to read from Sarah’s POV because it brings back all of those moments of uncertainty from my single days, and that was before we had all of the technology we do today. Then it was just unreturned phone calls. Now there are so many other forms of torture available! I am so glad that I stuck with this novel to the end. The ending was fabulous, but more because by living through Sarah’s pain and uncertainty her resolution became the reader’s own. It was a great feeling!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
OK, let’s be honest here, we have all been Ghosted. Did I know there was actually a term for what has happened in the past? Nope! When it happens to you, it’s very easy for that worry to turn into an unhealthy anxiety. In Ghosted, the novel, Sarah knows this happens to people but she can’t help wonder if something had happened. After all, she knew their feelings were true and couldn’t be one-sided. 90% of this novel is from her POV, so we only feel what she’s feeling and even though she gets kind of crazy you just know there is more to Eddie’s story.
This novel was party love story, part mystery and every bit of it fascinating. As I learned more about Sarah’s life, I really wanted this happiness to be real. I wanted her to be allowed to have this one thing that was wonderful. Her restless energy imbued me as I was reading the novel making it hard for me to sit still and finish it. Two thirds of the way through the novel the author took a sharp turn that enabled us to FINALLY get Eddie’s POV. My feelings about him shifted dramatically when I got to see what was inside his head.
I really liked this story. I will admit that as a woman, it’s hard to read from Sarah’s POV because it brings back all of those moments of uncertainty from my single days, and that was before we had all of the technology we do today. Then it was just unreturned phone calls. Now there are so many other forms of torture available! I am so glad that I stuck with this novel to the end. The ending was fabulous, but more because by living through Sarah’s pain and uncertainty her resolution became the reader’s own. It was a great feeling!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
amy mcdangerfield
Ghosted has such a relatively new cultural definition of ending an intense emotional relationship abruptly, without communication, or a known cause. Using this as a launching pad for her novel Ghosted, Rosie Walsh creates a modern Gothic tale that engages your imagination as you try to figure out the 'why' of the story.
Instant chemistry causes Sarah and Eddie to spend seven seemingly idyllic days together, pledging to return to be together after a long-planned vacation and a brief time with friends. Both feel that they have met their soul mate. Then the ghosting begins.
Sporadic epistolary chapters addressed to 'Dear You' are confusing at first and only later begin to give away secrets of the past. Walsh does a fine job developing the setting of a British countryside, making it both vivid and wistful. The building of emotional bridges and longing are also crafted quite well. Sarah's friends urging her to forget Eddie go unheeded because Sarah is certain that Eddie had also filename in love with her. Convinced that something must have happened to him, she begins cyber stalking him and remembering clues about his routines that he had mentioned during their long conversations. She becomes convinced something must have happened to him, so she ignores the warnings of her friends.
Walsh weaves several red herrings alongside true clues as the 'you' in the letter comes to be revealedone. I found myself guessing too early, then updating my guess a couple of times along the way. A true-to-life twist adds to the gothic-romance tale. The tension that lead to the climax was well worth it, but I wished for more elaboration or detail as the denouement hurriedly unraveled the final plot twist. This is a fine summer beach read or perfect for a rainy weekend. I give it 4.5 stars.
Instant chemistry causes Sarah and Eddie to spend seven seemingly idyllic days together, pledging to return to be together after a long-planned vacation and a brief time with friends. Both feel that they have met their soul mate. Then the ghosting begins.
Sporadic epistolary chapters addressed to 'Dear You' are confusing at first and only later begin to give away secrets of the past. Walsh does a fine job developing the setting of a British countryside, making it both vivid and wistful. The building of emotional bridges and longing are also crafted quite well. Sarah's friends urging her to forget Eddie go unheeded because Sarah is certain that Eddie had also filename in love with her. Convinced that something must have happened to him, she begins cyber stalking him and remembering clues about his routines that he had mentioned during their long conversations. She becomes convinced something must have happened to him, so she ignores the warnings of her friends.
Walsh weaves several red herrings alongside true clues as the 'you' in the letter comes to be revealedone. I found myself guessing too early, then updating my guess a couple of times along the way. A true-to-life twist adds to the gothic-romance tale. The tension that lead to the climax was well worth it, but I wished for more elaboration or detail as the denouement hurriedly unraveled the final plot twist. This is a fine summer beach read or perfect for a rainy weekend. I give it 4.5 stars.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
renee wickham
**Spoilers**
It is kind of impossible to review this without giving spoilers because those very spoilers are what dropped this from a good book to only okay for me.
I honestly cannot imagine a scenario in reality where ANYONE would legitimately blame Sarah for the accident that happened. Maybe Alex’s mom, in her grief, and Sarah feeling guilty (a typical survivor’s guilt) and blaming herself, but that is about it. The blame getting laid on her by pretty much everyone around her, including her apparently very close sister is completely unbelievable. If there is any blame to be laid on anyone other than the idiotic driver, it would have been Hannah, not Sarah. Because of that, the entirety of what this story is based on kind of falls flat and Eddie’s reaction becomes unreasonable.
While I liked the fact that the reader’s perspectives and assumptions got turned around, that turn around worked against the grain, again, because of the attitudes toward Sarah. Going from feeling sympathetic towards her to having the author try and make her out to be the bad guy, when she REALLY isn’t left a bad taste in my mouth over a story that I had been liking up to that point.
I don’t think the story was awful, but it fell apart and didn’t work for me by the time it was over. Especially when everything gets tied up so cleanly and neatly without any actual work through that the reader gets to experience first hand. They just get told it worked out and are expected to accept it without details. So, I didn’t dislike this, but I didn’t particularly like it either.
It is kind of impossible to review this without giving spoilers because those very spoilers are what dropped this from a good book to only okay for me.
I honestly cannot imagine a scenario in reality where ANYONE would legitimately blame Sarah for the accident that happened. Maybe Alex’s mom, in her grief, and Sarah feeling guilty (a typical survivor’s guilt) and blaming herself, but that is about it. The blame getting laid on her by pretty much everyone around her, including her apparently very close sister is completely unbelievable. If there is any blame to be laid on anyone other than the idiotic driver, it would have been Hannah, not Sarah. Because of that, the entirety of what this story is based on kind of falls flat and Eddie’s reaction becomes unreasonable.
While I liked the fact that the reader’s perspectives and assumptions got turned around, that turn around worked against the grain, again, because of the attitudes toward Sarah. Going from feeling sympathetic towards her to having the author try and make her out to be the bad guy, when she REALLY isn’t left a bad taste in my mouth over a story that I had been liking up to that point.
I don’t think the story was awful, but it fell apart and didn’t work for me by the time it was over. Especially when everything gets tied up so cleanly and neatly without any actual work through that the reader gets to experience first hand. They just get told it worked out and are expected to accept it without details. So, I didn’t dislike this, but I didn’t particularly like it either.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lucia
Ghosted is a spectacular debut novel; it is beautifully written and perfectly paced, and I could not put it down until I was finished reading it. Walsh kept me guessing the entire time, and I thought the book was truly perfect from beginning to end. The plot and storytelling are unique, the characters are highly likeable, and the ending is both satisfying and believable. I highly, highly recommend it, and I cannot say enough good things about it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lanore
Ghosted is the immersive, beguiling story of Sarah, a woman who spends seven wondrous days with the man of her dreams only to be devastated, mystified, and tormented with the question why when he seemingly disappears, and his promised call never arrives.
The writing is fluid, seamless, and expressive. The characterization is well done with an unforgettable cast of characters that are multilayered, strong, supportive, and determined. And the character-driven plot using the perfect mixture of narrative, letters, and emails, interweaves the lives of multiple families and friends as they each learn to cope, survive, heal, forgive, love, and move on from tragedy, heartbreak, marital discord, mental health issues and infertility.
Overall, Ghosted is a special blend of mystery, hope, humour, grit, romance, and heart-wrenching emotion that is much deeper and touching than it first appears. It’s enthralling, twisty, and engaging from the very first page, and I absolutely adored it!
The writing is fluid, seamless, and expressive. The characterization is well done with an unforgettable cast of characters that are multilayered, strong, supportive, and determined. And the character-driven plot using the perfect mixture of narrative, letters, and emails, interweaves the lives of multiple families and friends as they each learn to cope, survive, heal, forgive, love, and move on from tragedy, heartbreak, marital discord, mental health issues and infertility.
Overall, Ghosted is a special blend of mystery, hope, humour, grit, romance, and heart-wrenching emotion that is much deeper and touching than it first appears. It’s enthralling, twisty, and engaging from the very first page, and I absolutely adored it!
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
martha janners
Deceptive. uniquely written, not in a good way. I certainly thought Sarah was ridiculous. Without giving the story away Sarah, girl he doesn’t want you, say next, and give it up. Why would you put yourself out there like that. I tend to get involved in the stories I’m reading. I’m writing this review as I’m reading the book. Is it possible that someone that old could be so dense. As I read on, the more I can’t believe....
Then suddenly it was not as l had comprehended or I thought I had
Then suddenly it was not as l had comprehended or I thought I had
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sharmila
Ghosted is a spectacular, beautifully written love story with quite a twist. It is a tale of two people, Eddie and Sarah, falling in love after spending only one week together. Eddie has a two-week holiday planned but promises to reconnect as soon as he returns. But Sara does not hear from Eddie. He does not call or answer her desperate pleas to talk. Has Sarah been "ghosted" or has something happened to Eddie? Sarah is devasted and realizes that there is more to this love story than she could have ever imagined. They shared everything with each other but the truth. This story has a wonderful mystery element that is well done. It is about love, forgiveness, and redemption. I absolutely loved this book!
I received this book from Goodreads and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Goodreads and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
bakhtyari mehdi
GHOSTED is one of the truly great reads. Period.
Two people meet, have a glorious week together, and he disappears. Typical.
And yet not.
And the root of all the pain in their lives is what comes up as Sarah struggles to understand why Eddie, who is so perfect, is suddenly gone. He hasn't been killed by terrorists. He isn't married. She's sure he cares about her.
This novel is almost impossible to describe adequately, except to say it has the mother of all twists in it, and it's one you won't see coming.
Read it. It will haunt you. And it will remind you that redemption, no matter what, is always possible.
Two people meet, have a glorious week together, and he disappears. Typical.
And yet not.
And the root of all the pain in their lives is what comes up as Sarah struggles to understand why Eddie, who is so perfect, is suddenly gone. He hasn't been killed by terrorists. He isn't married. She's sure he cares about her.
This novel is almost impossible to describe adequately, except to say it has the mother of all twists in it, and it's one you won't see coming.
Read it. It will haunt you. And it will remind you that redemption, no matter what, is always possible.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
adam m
Sobbing profusely! There is no better feeling, upon finishing a book, than to have been so moved by it that I burst into tears. Such is my reaction to having just turned the last page of "Ghosted" by Rosie Walsh. The characters of Sarah and Eddie came alive by virtue of the author's ability to write brilliantly and beautifully. There was a twist coming... I knew that, and thought I had it all figured out, I had not. That, too, is a sign of a great book, when the author can continually surprise his/her audience. "Ghosted" is a beautiful story of a deep love, of unbearable loss, and of hope and new beginnings.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
jes fernie
Ghosted is a decent enough story, but very slow starting with a small amount of suspense. It's a big "who cares?" This is mis-branded. It's a women's fiction story with a slight suspense subplot. While not bad, it was disappointing because I expected something else, and oh, the potential. A great title and cover for a so-so book.
Wait for the paperback or head to the library.
Wait for the paperback or head to the library.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
greg turner rahman
This was not a comfortable read for me. The author kept going back and forth in time and it was confusing. I understand using this technique occasionally to reveal a backstory, but this author did it too often. Another distraction: interspersed with the narrative were a number of letters to “You”, not always signed, and which I ultimately discovered were addressed to two different people.
As expected, at the approximate midpoint of the novel the pieces started to come together and the great reveals began to unfold, and then I was able to enjoy the novel. But, I’ve read many mysteries and love stories where the writer held my attention throughout the book, not just during the second half.
I also didn’t find the main character, Sarah, to be plucky or witty or possess many of the character traits that we typically expect in our heroines, although, granted, in her own way she was likeable. This is a story of a woman in her 30’s who loses her grip on reality and obsesses over a ‘ghosted’ relationship to a degree that is not healthy. And she uses social media unsparingly.
Finally, I understand the author is trying to suffuse the novel with suspense, but I could see only an overabundance of foreshadowing with the repetitive theme being, ‘what happened to Eddie?’ This theme went hand-in-hand with the obsessiveness, and it turned me off. I appreciate the foreshadowing, I really do. But this was overkill.
I think this author has a great narrative ability because once I got past all the perplexing timeline changes it turned into a good book. This is summer popcorn, a book for a quick read and a plot twist, but don’t look for any thoughtful reflections or insights.
As expected, at the approximate midpoint of the novel the pieces started to come together and the great reveals began to unfold, and then I was able to enjoy the novel. But, I’ve read many mysteries and love stories where the writer held my attention throughout the book, not just during the second half.
I also didn’t find the main character, Sarah, to be plucky or witty or possess many of the character traits that we typically expect in our heroines, although, granted, in her own way she was likeable. This is a story of a woman in her 30’s who loses her grip on reality and obsesses over a ‘ghosted’ relationship to a degree that is not healthy. And she uses social media unsparingly.
Finally, I understand the author is trying to suffuse the novel with suspense, but I could see only an overabundance of foreshadowing with the repetitive theme being, ‘what happened to Eddie?’ This theme went hand-in-hand with the obsessiveness, and it turned me off. I appreciate the foreshadowing, I really do. But this was overkill.
I think this author has a great narrative ability because once I got past all the perplexing timeline changes it turned into a good book. This is summer popcorn, a book for a quick read and a plot twist, but don’t look for any thoughtful reflections or insights.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
christina royster
Auctions. Bidding wars. Squealing agents and champagne toasts. To some, this is the stuff writerly dreams are made of. Novelist Rosie Walsh deserves EVERY BIT of the magic carpet ride she’s on as the author of one of this much anticipated global publication (with deals in 31 countries so far) that totally delivers. Cover to cover, I was swept away by this book—as was Aditi Khorana, also a Penguin novelist, who joined me in interviewing Rosie on her publication day here in America for the Beautiful Writers Podcast. Aditi and I laughed about how hard we bawled our eyes out while reading this book—way more enjoyable than it sounds—and how we never saw the secret at this book’s heart coming.
Rosie and her editor (the legendary Pamela Dorman) have created a masterpiece with this sweet, beautiful tale. I predict GHOSTED will make a riveting movie one day (hopefully soon)!
Rosie and her editor (the legendary Pamela Dorman) have created a masterpiece with this sweet, beautiful tale. I predict GHOSTED will make a riveting movie one day (hopefully soon)!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
maeltj
The title of this book lends itself to something silly, but the content of the book is anything but. It's part romance and part mystery, with captivating main characters as well as really well fleshed out minor characters. I felt so invested in all of them. I rarely cry while reading and I'm not a typical "romantic at heart" but this story captured my heart like very few I've read. Hard to describe the book without giving away spoilers, it's better to read it and see it unfold. My favorite book of the year - a keeper and one to be read again and again.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jigar
What chance do we stand against destiny, fate, kismet? It can happen in a moment, with a word, a smile. Our hearts are not our own when love strikes, regardless of the circumstances. Once that happens, how do you fall out of love? How do you forget that person even when you find out that they changed your life forever and not in a good way?
So goes our story. The story of Sarah and Eddie.
This is a jewel of a book. Just a lovely story. Well, Liane Moriarty loved it so it must be, right? #Ghosted #NetGalley
So goes our story. The story of Sarah and Eddie.
This is a jewel of a book. Just a lovely story. Well, Liane Moriarty loved it so it must be, right? #Ghosted #NetGalley
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
tom hitchner
I am honestly not sure which genre to consider this book. I love psychological thrillers and thought this may be in the genre. Then it wasn't. Still, I was entertained and surprised in a few places. The downfall, for me, is this was really drawn out. I wanted to tell them both to shut up and move on. I have trouble buying into true love in a period of seven days. OK, so I'm not a romantic. But it went beyond romantic into obsessive and creepy. This book really tried, but it wasn't a slam dunk.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ceecee
A wonderful, captivating read, GHOSTED is a touching novel centered around love and loss. Walsh's engaging writing style, the relatable characters, and the looming, unanswered question at the heart of the story drew me in from the start. But what impressed me most with this novel were the unexpected twists I never saw coming. This book is women's fiction at its finest.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
dave schumaker
Good characters and nice description, but I think it would make for a better short story than a novel. Felt dragged out with a lot of character introspection and lengthy flashbacks. I ended up skimming a bit. But plenty of readers enjoy introspective passages, so my words should be taken with a grain of salt. Many will enjoy the lovely, atmospheric writing. (Review based on a library copy.)
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
joanna kimball
3 1/2 ⭐️‘S
Ghosted was a good read. Walsh has a great way of leading the reader astray making for a nice middle twist. While a bit repetitive and predictable, it was still an engrossing book. After the twist it meandered a little too long until reaching the conclusion, but overall a good story.
Ghosted was a good read. Walsh has a great way of leading the reader astray making for a nice middle twist. While a bit repetitive and predictable, it was still an engrossing book. After the twist it meandered a little too long until reaching the conclusion, but overall a good story.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
chinmayee
The Audible version was over the top! Fantastic narrator, truly loved this story! Some of the negative reviews involved readers skipping and skimming which is not fair. Authors prose is outstanding. And how can you review if you miss gobs of it? Will recommend this book to personal friends.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
cayla mclean
I started reading "Ghosted" on the Sunday night before Labor Day and was glad the holiday came up because I finished the book on Monday. While I thought the ending was predictable once the 'big reveal' hit, until that point the book was a joy to read.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
ryan young
You need to read the first couple of chapters but I found the whole first part kind of boring. Yet I had to know what happened to him! Where did he go? The whole second part of the book was a page turner. Couldn’t put it down!!!
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
ateesh kropha
I definitely enjoyed this book! It was a love story but had some twists and turns along the way - secrets, tragedy, but also hope and love. It was a quick read with very likable characters. A well-done debut novel by English author Rosie Walsh!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
charles
A wonderful narrative about love,loss, anger and forgiveness--you find yourself rooting for the characters who represent all these emotions that we all experience in our lifetimes and we can therefore relate to
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
merlin jobst
For a five star rating, a book is completed within a week. I stay awake at night, and read every moment the kids are entertained. It took me three weeks to finish Ghosted. Partially, because I started reading another series then forced myself to come back around. It was sweet, and had a satisfying ending, but the beginning/middle failed to completely draw me in.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
spudballoo
Ghosted is a spectacular, beautifully written love story with quite a twist. It is a tale of two people, Eddie and Sarah, falling in love after spending only one week together. Eddie has a two-week holiday planned but promises to reconnect as soon as he returns. But Sara does not hear from Eddie. He does not call or answer her desperate pleas to talk. Has Sarah been "ghosted" or has something happened to Eddie? Sarah is devasted and realizes that there is more to this love story than she could have ever imagined. They shared everything with each other but the truth. This story has a wonderful mystery element that is well done. It is about love, forgiveness, and redemption. I absolutely loved this book!
I received this book from Goodreads and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Goodreads and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
sherif bakr
This is a “good” book. There are some nice twists that I did not see coming- however, you have to wade through a barrage of human emotions that are repeated over & over and very redundant. It was very boring for long stretches.
Please RateGhosted: A Novel
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss