I really enjoyed Alderton's non-fiction, and Ghosts is an absolute winner too. Nina George Dean is successful and competent, and starts a new relationship while keeping an eye on developments in the lives of her friends and family. I thought this was a really well observed novel, loaded with humour and clever in its approach to this whole-life consideration. The 'ghosts' are all over Nina's life, and as a reader I was drawn into the full complexity of her world, rooting for her to somehow work it all out.

This is a fun and easy read while still touching on some heartbreaking subjects. Perfect for a holiday read.

I loved this book. I laughed a lot and nearly cried in a few places. I loved the characters and the storyline and I wanted to keep reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

loved this much more than i expected! and i gotta say before i was even 50% into the book i had already preordered my copy so that’s saying something.

this is kind of coming of age sort of story but for a 30-something year old rather than a teen, and frankly i’ve related to this more than any other teen coming of age story (i am in my 20s) and probably more than any other character i’ve read from as well and idk if that should say something about me but oh well. I loved how this book dealt with a lot more than just romance, the topic of family is quite a big one and more specifically parents (trigger warning for parents with Alzheimer’s?) and there is also the topic of (complex and long term) friendships and how when people change, so do those friendships. I like how there are also a lot of bits and pieces of mundane stuff that one deals with in daily life, like having a noisy neighbor for example and i like how romance and dating isn’t portrayed as something perfect or easy, on the contrary which also explains the title of the book.

This title was outside of my usual genres, but Dolly Alderton's reputation made me want to read her work of fiction. It was incredibly relatable and demonstrated the challenges and pressures faced by a lot of thirty-something women, who aren't married or parents, and are facing the very real prospect of losing their parents, friends and partners as the demands of life continue to change,

The digital dating world is a key theme and is explored and in many respects, exposed. I didn't truly understand what 'ghosting' was until I read this and the story really made me appreciate how faceless technology can make us, if we are so inclined. Alderton's writing is very accessible and the story was very enjoyable, so I'd reccommend to anyone looking for something subtly thought-provoking and modern.

Ghosts is a painfully familiar story about dating in your thirties. It should be a tired subject, but the novel is so compelling, sensitive and astute it feels completely fresh.

The novel centres around the main character, Nina's, foray into app dating, and although it was clear from the title that the boyfriend would 'ghost', I was surprised at how shocked I was. Like Nina, the reader is drawn into the relationship and you genuinely believe that this is the one.

This is a brilliant debut and I can't wait to see what Dolly Alderton does next.

Loved this book. I could really relate to Nina's life struggles. It made me laugh in parts but also made me have empathy for Nina with her emotional rollercoaster of a life in her thirties. Did not want to put this book down!

Nina Dean is a food writer turning 32. Best friends with her ex Joe, she has been single for two years but feels ready to start dating again. Most of her friends are married with children, but she has best friend Lola, who understands the plight of the thirty-something woman trying to find love in the age of dating apps and commitment-phobic men. She's also devastated by her father's descent into dementia and nostalgic for the times she has shared with him.

When Nina matches with Max, she has the best first date of her life, and they quickly become inseparable - he is the one pursuing her and wanting to spend all his time with her - he even told her they were going to get married on their first date. But then, inexplicably, he ghosts her. No calls, no responses to texts - it's like their relationship never happened. Hurt and confused she thinks of him often. But accepts that she will never see him again, and does her best to get on with her life. Five months later, he is waiting on her doorstep. He begs her forgiveness and promises that he will always be honest with her if she will only give him a chance to prove himself. Against her better judgement, she takes him back. And they seem blissfully happy. Until the day he ghosts her again.

A thoroughly modern look at what it is to be a thirtysomething woman trying to navigate life, love, friendship and the heart-breaking reality of watching those we love age in such a cruel way. Beautifully writing, and a strong female cast make this a highly relatable and thoroughly enjoyable read.

I absolutely adored this novel. Dolly has perfectly captured the anguish involved in dating in these strange times. My heart ached when lovely Nina was ghosted, my stomach sunk as her messages were left unanswered. I don't think I've ever felt so seen by a novel before- my copy is now thoroughly highlighted and I think this is one I'll definitely go back to!

ghosts | dolly alderton

like a lot of people i bought dolly alderton’s essay collection everything i know about love in 2018 and fell in love, rereading it a couple of times since, and internalising so many of her thoughts that seemed to reach deep inside of me

i was lucky enough to be sent an advanced copy of ghosts, her debut novel, and, after a couple of months of not reading at all, i picked this up and read it in a day

it follows nina, a 32 year old food writer, as she lives a year of her life, from her experiences with dating to her friendships to her relationship with her parents. all standard stuff tbh and it’s not usually enough to keep me interested

but of course the writing hooked me in and had me reading it whenever i stood still. it’s clever and sharp while somehow being gentle? which doesn’t seem like the right word but it’s the one that fits best

the way dolly alderton writes is like she can scoop out parts of my brain and rearrange them in a way i understand. she discusses being single in your twenties and thirties and how important friendships are and the fragility of your parents’ health and some parts made me feel so seen it was almost hard to read

it’s funny, too, some parts making me laugh out loud, while other parts cut very close. it touched on the main topics that are always discussed, esp with dating, but made them fresh and new

as i keep being drawn to in books now, my favourite parts were about her friendships, both with lola and with katherine, and the way she grew in herself

this is all very gushy so i’ll stop now. if you didn’t get along with everything i know about love you might have the same issues with this, from the privileged perspective amongst other things, but, after a long long reading slump, i had a great time reading this and i think a lot of people will love

it’s one of the ones that has stayed in my head and has formed some of the thoughts i’ve had and i think it will stay with me

Thank you to @penguinuk, @netgalley and @dollyalderton for an advance copy of 'Ghosts' to be published on October 15th.

Having been an avid listener of Dolly on her weekly podcasts 'PanDolly' and 'The High Low' and a reader of her columns in The Sunday Times, I knew this would be a book I would enjoy. Dolly's musings on love and friendships in 'Everything I Know About Love' was one of the books I read in 2018 which has stayed with me and I know 'Ghosts' is another I won't forget in a hurry.

Our protagonist Nina Dean is 32 years old and the book follows a year in her life; beginning on her 32nd birthday and ending on her 33rd birthday. It's that cyclical narrative that I really enjoy but so much has changed during the course of the year and we, as the readers, are along for the journey; circumnavigating the trials that come with adulthood.

Without providing spoilers, I will say that I found the book to be rich in empathy and sensitivity in its depiction of dementia. The section taking place in the hospital was frank and raw. Having previously viewed Nina's mother Nancy/ Mandy as frivolous and skittish in her rhinestone encrusted leisurewear, we are given a heartbreakingly true picture of a woman terrified for her future. Likewise, the scene previous to this where Nina's father is described as having that "hissing Muttley cackle" brought to mind my late father, who had the same distinctive laugh. His words "Life is what happens" were real and honest - just what Nina needed at that time.

There are far too many sections I could rave incandescently about from the unwrapping of suspect parcels, the Schadenfreude Shelf, Katherine's arrival jangling the blue plastic bag and the references to Helena and Demetrius from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (one of my favourite plays).

@dollyalderton's writing is utterly beautiful and captivating. The image of the lacy suds on Nina's hands in the segment when Katherine leaves for Surrey, the "props of a tryhard renaissance man" and the discussion of Italian vs English idioms were especially memorable.

Thank you @dollyalderton for a brilliant five star read. Pre-order now for October 15th.

I loved 'Everything I Know About Love' -- Dolly Alderton's non-fiction debut. And her fiction debut did not disappoint at all. You can hear her (brilliantly funny) voice throughout.
'Ghosts' is smart, funny, and poignantly touching in places when it deals with dementia. There's plenty to keep any 30-something woman relating to the page, be it dating apps, friends with babies, or inevitable friendships drifting apart. It might have rung a particular bell with me as I am a 33-year-old food writer, so I was always going to be on Nina's side. But I think Dolly Alderton has written a real-life character that most of us can relate to and I'd love to read anything else she writes.
Definitely one for fans of Holly Bourne's 'Pretending' and Emma Gannon's 'Olive'

I know I've read an brilliant book when I have to add notes to my phone.
I have so much to say about this book in my podcast where I'll be doing my full review. This is a beautiful book full of heart and warmth and humor.
Dolly opens up her front door and invites you into her world. This is fiction but so well observed.
An excellent writer. An excellent debut novel.

This is Dolly Alderton’s first fictional book and I think it is fantastic. I have read several of her columns and enjoyed her writing style and I think this has crossed over perfectly to fiction.
Our protagonist is Nina Dean, she is in her early 30’s, a successful food writer with one published book and another on the way. Whilst her career is on the up, other areas of her life are not so positive. Her father who she adores is in the early stages of dementia and she is terrified of the day when she won’t be able to reach him at all. Her mother almost seems to be in denial as to what is happening and appears to be having some kind of late mid-life crisis which involves changing her name becoming the life and soul of her local social scene. Nina’s friendships are changing, people are having babies and moving out of London and she is no longer on their priority list. Then there’s her love life, she joined the dating app Linx and met a lovely man called Max but now he’s disappeared, along with Nina’s self esteem.
Dolly Alderton has captured the life of a thirty-something female brilliantly. I think your thirties can be such a time of change and you have to decide where you are really going and what you want to be. Nina’s career is in a good place but she is having to adapt to the changing lives of her friends who have had babies already. They have different stresses and priorities and she has to decide where she fits in their world now, if at all. Her relationship with her parents has also shifted, she is having to take on a parental role when she is still in need of their support and guidance. Nina wants a relationship but she is also at a point in life where she doesn’t have time for games whereas the men she meets seem to be several years behind in that thought process.
Ghosts is modern, witty and tremendously poignant. I loved the idea of the different ghosts that are surrounding Nina; you have Max who is quite literally ghosting her; her friendships from the past that she is nostalgic for but also knows they have to change; plus the ghost of her father and the relationship they had. It is such a clever way of bringing these different story lines together, it allows for deep emotions whilst still maintaining a captivating pace.
There was so much to enjoy in this book, I can highly recommend.

Smart, Succinct, Acutely Observed.....
Smartly and succinctly written, keenly and acutely observed, ‘Ghosts’ will awaken and stir a whole host of emotions. The protagonist is not only likeable but fully relatable. She’s real. Raw and funny in equal measure. This study of life, love, family, friendships and everything in between is perfectly penned. A first rate read.

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton is not my usual go to book; but like on those rare occasions where magic will make sure it’s noticed, it has kept popping up in my peripheral!

Luckily, my curiosity was satisfied when I got accepted for an arc for this genuinely human book.

I have to talk mainly about what a lot of the other reviews have been saying which is the WRITING, Dolly truly owns the hands she writes with and brings life to characters with purely thought. If these characters aren’t you, they are definitely someone you know. It can be something you’ve been through or something you know is coming and you will not question it as fiction, or as someone else’s story.

This book is relevant, relatable; part of it made me laugh, parts made me sore and I had to ring a few people after certain chapters just to hear their voice or smile and tell them I miss them.

I weirdly was smiling even though I felt like I should be depressed? As a 26 year old there was an aspect of this book that was just a mirror showing me that more and more adulting was coming, that soon I’ll be 30!

Love is a great foundation of this book and I think if you can’t compare a similar love you’ve felt in your life, you can still feel the strength and longing of Nina Dean’s.

My downfall from this book are purely due to my usual tastes, it’s not really a dent for the book, as it’s genre it’s a well fitting puzzle piece. For me there wasn’t a complete moment of closure or climax for certain things, I’m used to a more harsh push I guess rather than just life moments or whisperings.

A brilliantly written, savagely funny look at modern day life for women in their early 30s; whether you've found your life partner, broken up, never found love, or not interested in it at all, there's someone in here for everyone. Nina is a 32 year old food writer living in London; she has an enviable life with great friends, dream job, beautiful flat and close family. 'Ghosts' follows Nina's life as she navigates everything that growing older entails, I really enjoyed reading it, For fans of 'Expectation' by Anna Hope and Emmajane Unsworth's 'Adults'.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the chance to read it.

Nina Dean is a successful food writer living in London. Through a dating app, she meets Max and has one of the best dates of her life. At the very end of the night, he candidly tells her he's going to marry her. But, Nina is constantly aware of time getting away. Her friends are settling down, her mum is on some sort of mid-life-makeover-extravaganza, and her dad is slowly declining away from dementia.

The best thing about Ghosts is Nina. She's a loveable protagonist. It's not just that she's relatable, there's something refreshing about her. She's a hard worker, ambitious and intelligent. Nina feels very much like the type of woman I'd want to be friends with, and that made Ghosts a really enjoyable read.

Interestingly, the ghosts in Nina's life are not just ex-boyfriends. The honest novel highlights how we can be ghosted by friends, family, and maybe even ourselves from time to time. The entire concept has a vulnerability to it that makes it easy to devour. The characters have depth, and are well-developed in a way that makes them easy to attach to.

I really love Dolly Alderton's whit. And this book made me laugh significantly more than Everything I Know About Love. Alderton has a brilliant way of bringing up memories I never realised I had. And it really brought a smile to my face. She constantly attaches tiny but significant details to the character’s thoughts that not only add to the story but also bring a heart-warming sense of nostalgia. Although it's an emotional read, Ghosts is very much a comfortable one.

I also like how this story explores the mindset of someone who feels left behind. It's a very real and common worry that I found relevant and comforting. Nina is in her 30s and dating while her friends are getting married or having children. And she started to feel like the only one left. The way the author expressed Nina's hopes and insecurities marvellously humanises her. The pressures gradually build, while her connections gradually fade.
One of the most heart-breaking parts of the book is Nina's experience with a parent living with dementia. She has to watch her father slowly lose himself in one way, while her mother loses herself in another way. I found the striking link to childhood and family to be surprisingly hearty and sincere. It grounds both the character and the overall narrative.

This book really hooked me. And I'm so happy about it. The poignant theme of holding on to one's identity as life curves and changes really touches the heart. Alderton's humour is perfectly displayed through Nina, and the contemporary exploration of a millennial in London makes for a truly enjoyable read.

Dolly Alderton captures a great mix of humour and heartbreaking emotion. Nina is in her early 30s, successfully carving out a career in food writing and following her dream. There's alot going on in her life, getting back on the dating scene after her last long term relationship ended, keeping up with all her friends life changing moments and supporting her parents who are dealing with the true loss that dementia brings. When Nina is ghosted by a man after an intense relationship, it really hits Nina but also makes her look at relationships with her friends and family. I really liked the characters, some more than others but could relate them to people in my life. I found myself laughing, gasping and a bit emotional as I went through the book, thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the advanced copy.

STOP! EVERYTHING! YOU! ARE! DOING! AND! PREORDER! THIS! MASTERPIECE! RIGHT! NOW! 👻

it was last year when i first came across the majestic creature @dollyalderton whilst reading her debut memoir ‘Everything I Know About Love’ and like every other millennial woman i developed a bit of an obsessive girl crush on everything she wrote/did.

SO WHEN she announced the release of her debut fiction novel, you bet i did whatever i could to get my paws on this book (patience isn’t MY virtue). admittedly, i was nervous before i began reading , incase i completely overhyped what i was about to read and was left feeling let down.

THANK ALL THE PLANETS IN THE UNIVERSES THIS WASN’T THE CASE ❤️💜💙💚🧡💛 yet again, dolly alderton has wrote the most perfect novel for all millennial women globally !!!!! I don’t know what exactly she sold to the devil for this remarkable skill but she just KNOWS how to write for women, it’s just pretty excellent really.

whilst ‘Ghosts’ is themed around that cute n really attractive talent guys have mastered: ‘the act of ghosting’ - girl meets boy, boy is incredibly charming, girl falls for boy, boy disappears like an extra in ‘The Prestige’ 😅, this isn’t the full plot, Dolly also explores dating in your 30s, being ‘the single friend’, outgrown friendships and feeling left behind whilst all your friends seem to be getting engaged or pregnant. Dolly also includes quite a tender and heartbreaking storyline narrating the struggles of watching a family members health decline quite rapidly to dementia, this is done brilliantly.

Our protagonist Nina was an amazing character and someone i really enjoyed spending 300-odd pages with, she was extremely relatable with a fantastic sense of humour, with an interesting group of friends.

i would highly highly recommend this book to every female i know and i can tell already it’s going to be so many people’s favourites of 2020. I ALSO CAN’T WAIT TO DISCUSS MAX WITH EVERYONE ONCE THEY’VE READ IT SO HURRY UP !!!!!! 🤣

@netgalley thank-you so much for the advanced preview, you guys really rock !!!!!