Dolly's skill as a writer, from her background as a journalist, is just as apparent in Ghosts as in her columns and in her debut non-fiction book, "Everything I Know About Love".

Touching on many of the same themes - the challenges that face young women across the country as they navigate the minefield that is having a career, dating, keeping up with your friends, family and more - this book is sure to be a hit with the readers who enjoyed her first book.

Where I struggled to relate to Dolly in certain chapters of Everything I Know About Love (simply because some of my experiences were not the same), this had added depth as a result of the additional characters, and I'm sure that this will only extend its reach, particularly to those who may not be familiar with Dolly from her previous writing.

At first I thought this book was an excuse for the author to talk about all the things she dislikes about being a millennial middle class woman/millennial culture and often it repeated views expressed in her memoir, however, between the familiar passages of hating hen dos etc, the book was an interesting commentary on modern dating, changing relationships and growing up.

The way Dolly describes characters and locations is so delicious you can’t help but feel like you have known these places and people for your whole life.

Would recommend this book to fans of Emma Jane Unsworth and Sally Rooney.

After reading Everything I Know About Love a few years ago, I was excited to pick up Dolly Alderton's debut novel.
Ghosts didn't disappoint.
The story of Nina Dean was beautifully written and gripping.
Descriptive and well-paced, the story neatly weaves together the threads of Nina's different relationships.
The 4-star (and not 5-star) review is due to the storyline with the downstairs neighbour. The resolution scene felt out of place, and irrelevant to the rest of the plot.

That said, Dolly's fiction debut was an incredibly compelling read, which I have no doubt, will be as big of a hit as Everything I know About Love.

Thanks to the team for the early access.

A nice read from an entertaining columnist. If ‘Ghosts’ was a drink, it would be a cup of tea. It lacks the energy and excitement of Dolly’s columns. That is not necessarily a bad thing. ‘Ghosts’ is best suited to someone looking for a mellow, easy read.

Ghosts is the debut novel by Dolly Allerton, author Everything I Know About Love, book I loved. So I was really looking forward to reading Ghosts. I love Dolly's writing and this book confirmed this.

In Ghosts, Nina is a 32 yearly old successfulfood writer, who is navigating the dating modern world guided by her friend Lola, as they are the only singles in their group of friends. Nina is starting to feel distant from her married best friend, Katherine. As the title reveals, the book talks about ihe practise of ghosting (which I was vaguely familiar with) and the struggle of dating, but it touches more themes, such as having to deal with a parent's illness.

It is a book you will not want to put down.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin for my ARC.

I'm a big fan of Dolly Alderton's writing - her journalism and collection of essays, Everything I Know About Love - as well as her podcast work. I was nervous to start this, not sure how well her style of writing would translate to a novel about ghosting of all things, but I was so wrong to feel that way!

Nina Dean is a 32-year-old food writer. The novel follows her from her 32nd to 33rd birthdays, as she and her closest friends experience the milestones and experiences of London millennials. The book so successfully captures the way members of a friendship group can be at such different stages and the impact that can have on said friendships.

I'd never read about 'ghosting' and online dating in such a way before, in a way that was brutally honest, critical, hopeful, funny yet sad. I highlighted so many passages to read again, and again - particularly around changing female friendships, identity, and family.

This book did so much, so well. I've already recommended it to so many pals, and have kept my pre-order as it's a book I know I will want to re-read and carry with me.

I enjoyed the majority of this book, it told a wonderful tale of ghosting, letting people back in, and the woes of online dating. The storyline with the father was also wonderfully tied into the overall theme of ghosts and whilst I was quite annoyed at how the character treated their mother, I could tell it was because of how scared she was about her father's future. I thought the relationship between her and her ex was a bit odd and too close but then I totally understand people have all sorts of ways of dealing with breakups, especially if it has been amicable. I found this a pleasant read until one of the final scenes with her neighbour, sigh, there was just no need for it what so ever and it honestly dragged the whole book down to the two stars it now sits at. I totally didn't believe the story at all for one but also how it all happened just seemed out of sorts for our character and it just felt so unnecessary. I understand that there needed to be a scene in which things came to a head and then were resolved, but this wasn't' the way to do it. Either way a lovely first novel from Dolly, I really enjoyed her memoir, and whilst I think it's miles stronger than her fiction, I get it. It's much easier, perhaps to write about your life than craft fiction that totally works, especially given that it is her first fiction novel. Still a fan though.

Whilst they say this is her debut novel, I have read her previous book – which was semi(?) autobiographical. I really like her style of writing.
The concept of ‘ghosting’ – that is going silent after several dates is interesting and also nasty. When you’ve been meeting up and regularly talking to people and then they go completely silent on you, yu always wonder why they did it, was it your fault, what could have happened, how could they do this to you and so on. Whether it is a male date or a female friend – at least you thought they were a friend until.. it takes a lot of self awareness to realize it is not you but them that is at fault. You did not cause this – they did and it is their own emotions and lack of empathy that has done this.
I liked the idea of her cookery books, and as a student, could really have done with the one about cooking on a 2 burner hob – though that was my first introduction as it happens, to cooking for myself when I had a small room in a house. I learned very simple 1 pot meals – my favourite being hot dogs and rice and peas all cooked together with a good dollop of tomato sauce!
Taking on the difficulties of living with someone who has Alzheimer’s was good. It is a scourge that is affecting so many older men – more than women in our friends – I knew only one woman with it, but several men with either that or a form of dementia which was equivalent.
It can be very difficult to adjust to. The forgetfulness, the emotional highs and lows, the wandering and getting lost and sometimes the physical rage and hitting out from frustration. Even more difficult when the woman is many years younger than the man and was looking forward to more years of companionship than this illness gave them

Considering how much I loved 'Everything I Know About Love’, I started reading this expecting it to be brilliant, but I didn’t expect it to be THIS brilliant. I know for many readers this is another story of a single 30-something navigating life, but I absolutely loved it for just that. I found it relatable, authentic and poignant.

This book discusses a range of experiences from relationships, friendships, motherhood (or not), dementia, nostalgia and memory and parent-child dynamics. I think everyone reading it will relate to something within its pages.

The characters are perfectly formed, with depth and emotion that makes them almost real people in my head. Lola’s character was such a brilliant addition to the storyline, while Nina was relatable and realistic. It was so nice reading the book from the perspective of a successful career woman and I always love reading about writers.

The main love story in this book is between Nina and her closest friends and family. The discussion of friendships after children enter the mix was both saddening and hilarious. I particularly enjoyed seeing Nina interact with her mum, although the struggle between them was sad to read but understandable given the grief both are going through. Nina’s interactions with her father were heartfelt and real, and at one point he brought a tear to my eye.

I could talk about this book more, but I’ll leave this review slightly shorter. All I can say is, I found this book charming, funny, sad, heartwarming, heartbreaking and real. Congratulations on a perfect debut novel Dolly!

Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy.

What a banger of a book!

Dolly Alderton notices what makes people tick and in Ghosts writes characters with such flair and wit, perfectly balancing the tightrope between issues (dementia, adult friendships, societal expectations) and irreverent humour. From the fringe characters to protagonist Nina, I was rooting for the lot of them! Everyone will see people they know in this book, from the smug marrieds to the friends you have grown apart from. The only part that really left me pondering was how one important character from the first half of the book all but disappeared until the final scene, but maybe that was another example of the titular ghosts that went over my head.

I'm sure this book will be a huge success, resonating with women in their 30s, 40s and beyond.

And by coincidence I'm writing this as Lady in Red is playing on TOTP2...

Having read ‘Everything I Know About Love’, I jumped at the opportunity to read Dolly Alderton’s first novel. From the very beginning, the same witty tone of voice shines through and although it’s written from the perspective of a fictional character, I couldn’t help but hear this coming from the author is experiences directly - particularly when it comes to dating!

As a twenty-something myself, the themes within ‘Ghosts’ are all too relatable. Lola’s wise words about dating apps resonate and it brings the hilarity of this strange, modern way of meeting new people to a whole other level. In contrast, I thought the storyline relating to Nina’s dad with Dementia was heartbreakingly well-written. It was sensitive but close enough to the subject that it absolutely reflected the turmoil that the illness can bring into a family’s life. The exploration of female friendships is a common theme in many books I enjoy but what made this different is the realness of each character. A lot of us have our own Katherine or Lola in our lives and their differences introduce new perspectives of what we all are ‘supposed’ to have achieved in life and relationships by our mid-thirties.

This novel did not disappoint. I’m so glad Alderton wrote with such personal heart in this fiction because her voice is one that tells a story to it’s full potential. I’ll be sharing this with everyone who has read and loved the memoir, as well as encouraging those who haven’t to purchase both.

Ghosts is the debut novel from Dolly Alderton. The novel follows the life of Nina Dean, as a thirty something singleton traversing through relationships both online and in real life.

Ghosts deals with the perils of online dating and the almost new phenomenon of "ghosting"; when someone you are dating just disappears, seemingly off the face of planet earth. Alderton juggles the fears, joys and exasperation of the character during this time well along side the pressures of maintaining friendships into adulthood and juggling family relationships as well, including issues we would not want to deal with.

Overall the novel had an easy feel to it, and I felt like Alderton dealt with the more harder relationship issues well without changing the flow of the novel. My one comment would be regarding the novel is how the male characters are perceived, almost as not fully formed beings, but is this the workings of the writer or the narrator? You'll have to read to decipher this yourself. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.

Thank you to Penguin and Fig Tree for the copy of the book to review.

<i>Ghosts</i> deals with many issues I’ve faced in previous years - tackling the impossible new culture of dating apps, struggling with friendships as life priorities take over, being insanely behind in the love marriage house buying timeline, and ultimately feeling the clock ticking with no real idea of what was bloody wrong with me.

Alderton shows us that ghosting can take place in many forms, whether it’s the gorgeous guy you’ve been on a few dates with who suddenly vanishes from the face of the earth, or friends who feel your single life has nothing in common with their baby-juggling, home renovation planning existence. We even see the most heartbreaking type of ghosting - a dad with dementia, whose great mind is slowly disassembling itself.

We live with our protagonist, Nina, through all of this, and see how she navigates it all. She’s a truly wonderful character, strong and independent, yet desperately lonely and lost. She’s a woman you’d see on the street and feel jealous of her togetherness, but truly there is much more going on under the surface.

The careful handling of the dementia storyline was wonderful. Alderton dealt with this masterfully, with a subtlety that still reinforced the impact of the disease. There were moments of heartbreak alongside moments of hope, and it truly was very well done.

This was so relatable, and funny too. Nina’s descriptions of the types of men you see on these apps, the superiority of the married with kids friends, the totalitarian behaviour of the bridesmaid in charge of the hen do; all of this resonated with me as situations I’ve found myself attempting to escape in the past, and it’s such a comfort to know I wasn’t, and never was, the only one.

I was over the moon when I got accepted for Ghosts. Dolly is one of my favourite writers and I couldn't wait to read her first novel. I found the book to be a slower tempo than I thought it would be and I didn't click with Nina in the way I thought I would. I found the best part of the book the relationship with her parents and the theme of dementia. Overall I enjoyed this one but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.

First off, as always, a great big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
This is exactly what a good book should be - engaging and fast paced with characters you can empathise with.
Nina Dean is a 32 year old single author who lives in London. She has a group of close friends - Lola, who is also single and Katherine, whom she’s been best friends with since childhood, who is now married with a daughter, Olive.
Ghosts deals with online dating and the lies and oddities that go with it, along with a problem neighbour who is repellent at the beginning of the book but by the end is very likeable.
For me, the most touching part of the book was the relationship that Nina has with her parents. Her mum, Nancy is 17 years younger than her father, who is beginning to show signs of perhaps Altzheimers or dementia.
I felt that Ghosts very poignantly portrayed the conflicts many people feel over parental responsibility, trying to fit work in and spend time with friends as well as date!
After a run of “meh” books I’ve read recently, this was fantastic. I desperately needed to read it to the end but also didn’t want it to finish. Thoroughly recommended, I look forward to reading more from Dolly Alderton.

I absolutely adored this book. Dolly Alderton writes with her familiar blend of warmth, insight, wit and humour, and the story is a delight. The protagonist is a woman in her early 30s experiencing the most relatable of problems - ageing parents, drifting friendships, dating apps and a constant, underlying fear of whether or not she is making the right choices. The story is engaging and well paced, and the characters are well rounded and familiar - every 30something woman knows a Kath and a Lola, and has been at a hen party organised by a Franny. A delightful, joyous read.

I was delighted to receive an ARC copy of Dolly Alderton’s first novel, Ghosts, from NetGalley.
The story begins on Nina’s 32nd birthday and follows her life over the course of the next year, as she mixes work with dating whilst dealing with frazzled friendships and an elderly parent with a form of dementia.
A moving story that made me root for Nina all the way through. Would recommend.

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton was just the light and engaging comfort read I needed right now with some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. I really loved Alderton’s memoir ‘Everything I Know About Love’ and her debut novel is a warm hug of a novel written by the wisest of millennial agony aunts. Nina is a food writer in her early 30s who meets Max on a dating app, only for him to suddenly vanish from her life without warning – the very modern phenomenon of “ghosting”. There are other “ghosts” in Nina’s life too. Her father’s health is deteriorating due to dementia and her friendships are altering beyond recognition as one by one her mates get married and have children. I particularly enjoyed the painfully accurate account of online dating and the type of profiles men in their 30s write about themselves. I also think Lola’s experience is a very important strand of the story as perpetual singledom without the fairytale ending isn’t written about that much. Overall, I really enjoyed ‘Ghosts’ which is an excellent first novel.

Melancholic and meditative. Almost too slow for me but I found the energy of this book surprisingly complex the more I read.

I found this book slow in the beginning and therefore it took me some time to get through. Once I’d got past the beginning though I really enjoyed it. This was a novel about self discovery and I really enjoyed the ups and downs of Ninas life and how her friendships changed and evolved through the times. There is an underlying theme of dementia and the impacts it can have on everyone involved. Overall it was a good read.