Member Reviews
I’ve given five stars to Sarah Ready’s previous two books from this year (French Holiday April 2023 & The Space Between July 2023) and was surprised at another novel so soon. When Ghosted was available freely in ARC and audiobook form on NetGalley I took both alternating between the two.
Jillian Nejat writes advice for love and dating for an online magazine in NYC. She moves into a near work, very cheap, studio apartment even though it has sleazy mirrors on every wall. She quickly learns that she isn’t alone. Daniel is seemingly a ghost and appears shirtless to her in her apartment. He doesn’t remember much other than he knows her. He decides he needs to accomplish something so he can move on. Jillian’s love life is non existent and her career is sinking. So he needs to help her attract men and to spice up her online writing advice.
This is such a fun paranormal romance. Jillian is a Star Trek geek and struggles talking to men. Almost so much so it seems impossible her godmother has already set her up on over 150 dates. Daniel becomes her friend, confidant and the guy she can open up to. She is a little afraid that if he is successful he really will leave.
Ready writes longer than the norm books. Her last was 540 pages and I loved the extra time with the characters. But with this one I struggled with the length. I felt I read, listened and read some more and still was only in the middle of the story. I could have easily trimmed over 100 pages and still had a very good story. The antics of co-workers adds some humor to the book. I felt unrealistic that the moment the L word is mentioned in more than one case a marriage proposal follows. I am recommend this book especially if you enjoy paranormal romances. I just didn’t click with this book as much as her previous stories. I did enjoy the narration by Sarah Naughton and Rob Brinkman. And I will be watching for the next book by the author.
Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Crown for the ARC and audiobook and I am leaving a voluntary review.
I love Sarah Ready so I was looking forward to reading her new paranormal romance. It was 454 pages - but it didn't drag at all. Kept my interest until the end. Can't wait to read her next one!!
Sarah Ready, thank you for Jillian. Thank you for a nerdy and creative female protagonist with dark hair that feels like she’s carrying the weight of the world. As if a Star Trek loving main character wasn’t enough, you gave us a story that was heartwarming and heartbreaking and everything in between. I think we all feel a little like Jillian—afraid to forgive ourselves for the guilt we carry, and we all need someone to come alongside us and love us as we are.
One week ago, I was joking about how paranormal romances are absolutely unnecessary. But as soon as Sarah Ready produced one, I ate my words, and then proceeded to make fun of myself the whole time I was reading this book. I can’t and won’t speak for all paranormal romances, but this one is really sweet. It reads like a sci-fi fairy tale, which is right up my alley.
This story is full of real emotions—even the hard ones—which I believe is one of the author’s greatest strengths. She knows how to tap into what we think and feel as humans. And I appreciate that. I liked the complexity of the plot, and all the science-y tidbits scattered through the story that made everything seem logical. I was cheering for Jillian from the beginning, and even though I could anticipate the ending, I enjoyed the twists and turns that got me there.
If I had a critique, it would be this—Sarah Ready seems to be adept at writing men who are certainly too good to be true. But there’s a hopefulness in her characters that I love.
Like other Sarah Ready romances, this is an open door romance. So read with discernment if that’s not your thing, but I love her books, and I think they’re worth the read. I can say, without a doubt, that I will continue to read whatever Sarah Ready writes. Thank you to NetGalley, W. W. Crown, and the author for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jillian can't talk to men but she writes a dating and advice column. When she moves in to a new apartment she realises its already occupied by sexy, shirtless Daniel who's dead and the only man Jillian can talk to. He's also adamant they know each other and makes it his mission to help her love life as he believes this will help him move on. Jillian agrees to try but as they get to know one another Jillian believes she's falling in love with the one man she can't have.
This was such a fun read you have to suspend all belief and just take this as the fun ride it is. All the way through this it gave me vibes of 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Ghost'. I honestly didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as it did. It kept me gripped and I didn't want to put it down. I loved Daniel he was a great mmc. This also dealt with some hard topics like death and grief but i feel they were handled really well. The only reason I gave this 3 stars is there was far too much physics stuff that went way over my head and that it was very insta-love where I would've liked more of a slow burn.
Overall I highly recommend if you're looking for something fun, quirky and different to read.
Ghosted by Sarah Ready
My first read from Sarah Readyand and it didn't disappoint. A paranormal romance that had me guessing to the end and a plot twist out of nowhere that was unexpected.
At this point, when I see the name Sarah Ready pop up- it's just an auto read for me. I have never been disappointed and I know that whatever the storyline is, it'll be filled with some beautiful feel-good moments and some lovable characters that stay with you. With that being said, I almost always go in blind and this one took me by surprise. Perhaps it was reading it so closely after The Space Between (and being absolutely wrecked emotionally by it) that this felt so left field or maybe it's the 'paranormal' aspect that just throws me off in general with books that include the theme.
Overall, this still didn't fail me. The story kept going when I thought it would end and went in a whole new direction that ended up hooking me in deeper. Did it take until that point to develop a bit more interest in the characters? Yes, but even before it I was still satisfied with the read. I'm a fan of the dynamics that are often created between the love interests and this was perfect in the 'not who you thought they were' twist. As always, banter and moments of laughing out loud was never lacking and we still get a good bit of emotional twists.
Will I continue to read whatever Sarah Ready puts out? Absolutely. They never seem to fail to be the absolute perfect afternoon read to scratch that feel good romance read in such cozy ways, I just might need to pay a bit closer attention at times to the synopsis because we've clearly gotten to the point that Sarah Ready is reaching to try out some quirky themes!
Ghosted by Sarah Ready was an emotional and heartfelt paranormal romance that enraptured me completely from start to finish. Sarah has this way of creating such angst, and passion between her characters that will stick with you long after you finish. Jillian and Daniel’s history romance is full of sentimental twists and jaw dropping turns that will leave you captivated.
Sarah Naughton narrates this book, and she is simply stunning. Sarah’s melodic tone perfectly depicts the vulnerable, dedicated, and persistent journalist, Jillian. In her performance, she creates the perfect amount of tension that will leave you hanging on every word. Rob Brinkmann narrates the second epilogue where you finally get to hear swoony, Daniel’s voice.
Overall, I loved this book. If you are a fan of a paranormal romance with a hot shirtless jean clad ghost, a sweet and sassy journalist, mirrors in apartments, psychics, finding your voice, gaining confidence, mystery, suspense, light passionate spice, a shocking climax, and a HEA this is simply fate and meant to be then you will love Jillian and Daniel’s story. I always look forward to more from Sarah Ready.
Ghosted by Sarah Ready
Format: audio/ebook hybrid
Release Date: 9/26/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my first book by Sarah Ready and it was really charming! Ghosted is a romcom that definitely gave me some Lucy Score vibes and you know I’ll never complain about that!
Jillian is dreadfully shy in front of men and has trouble getting any conversation out during dates but somehow is the dating and relationship expert at the publication she works at. So of course it only makes sense that when she finally meets a man who she vibes with…he’s totally a ghost.
I really love the chemistry between Daniel-the-ghost and Jilli mix of laugh out loud romantic comedy moments while also really tugging on your heartstrings with tender and real moments.
Coming in at 454 pages, I felt Ready was really able to fully develop the plot and cast of characters well without making it drag too much. I enjoyed a lot of the side characters and how everything tied together in the end! I could have done without multiple epilogues in an already long romcom, but other than that this was a total winner!
Big thanks to @netgalley for the advanced audio and ebook copy of this book!
Ghosted is a delightful feel-good romance that had me wondering if I would ever get the happy ending I so hoped for.
Jillian is a dating and relationship expert, but her advice is somewhat skewed given she is incapable of speaking to men. This all changes, however, when she moves into her new apartment and discovers that a very handsome man is already in her abode, the only problem with this whole situation is that Daniel is a ghost.
It seems that because he's already dead Jillian can talk to him, and the two become friends with him helping her to save her job and move on with her quest of finding her one true love. Before long she begins to fall in love with him, and I enjoyed seeing how their story unfolded, filled as it was with humour, romance (albeit paranormal), and friendship. I loved the Star Trek references in the book.
Ghosted by Sarah Ready
This is my first book from Sarah and this book was absolutely amazing. It really had me at the ending, it was paranormal romance that has me guessing throughout the end and it was the plot twist I never could imagine.
10/10
Ghosted
Book by Sarah Ready
Audiobook narrated by Sarah Naughton and Rob Brinkman
Pub Date 26 Sep 2023
W. W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
New Adult | Romance | Women's Fiction
Spice: 🌶🌶
Rating: 4/5
Ghosted by Sarah Ready is a paranormal romance about Daniel, a ghost, and Jillian, the only person who can see him. As they journey through the realms between the living and the dead, they discover a world of untapped emotions. Watching them connect and offer comfort to one another filled my heart with warmth.
Jillian Negat feels awkward and has trouble talking to men until a shirtless ghost named Daniel shows up in her apartment. Daniel is also struggling as he cannot recall the circumstances of how he died or how he became a ghost. Through their dialogue, Daniel reveals he may be the key to unlocking secrets of Jillian's past, allowing her to uncover the truth and take control of her future. Jillian's communication skills are improved, but she also discovers her true passion and purpose thanks to Daniel's guidance. In the most unusual circumstances, this is a sweet story of friendship and love.
I listened to the audiobook as well as reading the book. Sarah Ready is one of my favorite authors, and I have read several of her books which are always delightful. Her stories are captivating and I often cannot put the book or audiobook down, wanting to find out what happens next. Sarah Naughton and Rob Brinkman deliver engaging and believable characters in their audiobooks. There is no doubt that both of them are excellent narrators. I recommend this book and audiobook to anyone who enjoys cozy paranormal romances. The characters are well-developed and the narration is superb. It was a pleasure to listen to the audiobook and read this book.
Thank you NetGalley and W.W. Crown for the opportunity to review Ghosted in the book and audiobook versions.
I have a definite Sarah Ready rom-com hangover right now! I immediately fell in love with the whole situation and finished in one day. Jillian, a shy, nerdy, Trekkie, moves into a low rent apartment that looks like it’s been used to film 70s porn. But that’s not the weirdest thing. Turns out it’s haunted by a hot, shirtless guy who just won’t leave her alone.
I loved how the story unfolded and the ultimate conclusion. The peripheral characters were hilarious. I listened as I read this touching, funny, romantic story made more so with excellent narration by Sarah Naughton and Rob Brinkman. 4.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed this. It was an interesting spin on the "there's a hot ghost in my apartment" trope that I've seen a bit lately.
I thought Jillian was sweet. I didn't entirely understand her reasoning for why she quit talking to men entirely but it falls under the grief umbrella. The idea of a silent woman who only interacts in awkward chuckles and shrugs sounds like an awful dating partner and I cringed hard at the idea that she was set up on 150 dates. I loved that she didn't have any issues opening up to Daniel when she finds him in her apartment.
Daniel remembers nothing from what he assumes is an accident except that he feels safe and calm next to Jillian. He accompanies her on her horrible dates and helps to coach her through awkward situations. They end up becoming extremely close and the plot diverges here from where I thought it would.
I thought this was such an interesting take because I expected him to be in a coma or something and he absolutely was not. I actually "oooh-ed" when everything came out the way it did. It took me DAYS to finish the book because I knew the blow up was going to be absolutely brutal and it was.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my God I LOVED this book! I need to own a physical copy of this book now—it’s definitely needs to live on my rereads shelf right next to Emily Henry’s Book Lovers and Abby Jimenez’s Part of Your World.
This feel-good book hooks you in almost immediately and keeps you transfixed the whole time. I didn’t even want to put it down to sleep! I wasn’t sure what I’d think about a paranormal romance but it was so funny, sweet, and optimistic and the characters won me over. Think “Ghost” (the movie) only it leaves you feeling happy and hopeful, if not a little bit spicy, but definitely not depressed at all.
You go into it knowing surely there’s some kind of twist where these character could have a real chance, but (perhaps because I’m not a Trekkie) I didn’t guess it correctly, so I didn’t anticipate the direction but I loved it as it played out. Sarah Ready did an amazing job tying all of the ends together and making the whole paranormal/mystical make sense. Her writing style was so easy to read and now I find myself going to my Goodreads shelf and adding ALL of her other books to my TBR!
Jillian Nejat cannot have a conversation with a man. If she is at a coffee shop and it is a man taking her order, she has to point or nod her head to try to communicate with them. Right now, her life is a dumpster fire with her work and personal life. She goes on blind dates where the date does all of the talking and she nods and listens. Jilly moves into an apartment that is filled with glass mirrors all around and one night unexpectedly a man shows up. The man, Daniel, continues to let her know that they are friends and have been friends. Jilly throws something at him and tries to hit him with a baseball bat, but all of a sudden he disappears. However, he keeps coming back and trying to help her. Jilly finally decides that he is a ghost and they discover a beautiful friendship where they help each other out along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I love Sarah Ready's writing style and have loved her light hearted romances they make me cry and smile through the whole reading.
Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy!
Oh my god, this is my new favourite book.
I was a bit dubious when I read the blurb but I love Sarah Ready so I was willing to give anything a try. I did think that, at best, it would be a kind of "Just Like Heaven" book. But it was so much better!
I loved everything about it - Jillian, Daniel, Fran, everyone at The Daily Expose and especially the connection between Jillian and Daniel that transcends time and space. I genuinely could not fault anything in this book!
Let me tell you, I have NEVER cried like this at a book before. I read it all in one morning and had to stop more than once for a breather because I was sobbing so much.
This is one of the most fantastically written books I have ever read and I already can't wait to read it again!
Oh my stars, let me gush about how much I enjoyed this book! I desperately needed a romance to whisk me away from the clutches of an impending reading slump, and lo and behold, this book saved me!
MAN, the roller coaster of emotions! Laughter, tears, and an undeniable connection flowed through every page, leaving me utterly captivated from the very first word. I was utterly spellbound, unable to pry away from this magnetic romance tale. The universe heard my deepest desires for the perfect love story and granted me this story!
Within the pages of "Ghosted," we meet the extraordinary Jillian. A luminary of relationship wisdom, her struggles in love are as palpable as they are endearing. With a twist of fate, she encounters the enigmatic Daniel, a spectral being who ignites a flame of connection like no other. Their journey of discovery, both in the realms of the living and the ethereal, is a symphony of delight. I couldn't help but root for this dynamic duo as they sought to bridge the gap between their worlds and offer salvation to each other.
Yet, my dear reader, this tale goes beyond mere romance. It was also a symphony of growth, an exploration of the intricate tapestry of fate and free will, and an ode to healing from the wounds of the past. It's a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings, urging us to embrace every facet of our journey.
Oh, and let's not forget the ensemble of characters that grace the pages! Each one was a stroke of genius, adding depth and nuance that made my heart sing. From chuckles to nods of understanding, I was enveloped in many emotions that only a masterful author could evoke.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Netgalley, the publishers, and the brilliant author for allowing me to dive into this captivating tale.
I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've been enjoying Sarah Ready's books, and this one is another to add to that list. What an in-depth look at love, and how it defies all odds. I was worried it was going to be another coma story, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The story was longer than I thought it would be, and covered many issues. Loss, suicide, and how to move on. It was very thought provoking. How the author has written so many books in such a small amount of time is beyond me, but I'll be here to read them, hopefully ;)
This book was unputdownable! The main characters were certainly quirky, but they grow on you quickly. This reminded me a lot of the Mediator series by Meg Cabot, which was one of my favorites growing up. I love a paranormal romance , and this one certainly didn’t disappoint.
So I’ve made a habit of keeping up with Sarah Ready’s new releases, thank you to NetGalley for always having the audiobooks on listen now. At this point I’d easily call myself a fan. Not every single book knocks it out of the park, but they’re always good. Some are better than others by far, or course. But I was excited to see a new book available, and a paranormal romance premise at that!
With Ghosted there were a couple things that caught me right away, one being that cover! Holy lord it’s gorgeous, and then the second one that opening line, “if I’d known that my new apartment was a sex maniac‘s love den, I never would’ve invited my parents along” it had me rolling on the floor laughing right off the bat. This book is silly, it is, you can’t take the ghost boyfriend concept too seriously. That said the relationship is in no way ridiculous and the character growth and development is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Sarah Ready books. There’s gravity to the story and characters, even with the willing suspension of disbelief necessary to create a paranormal relationship.
I loved this book, Daniel and Jillian may possibly be my new favorite Sarah Ready couple (though Josh and Gemma are hard to beat.) When it comes down to it this was pure escapist romance and it was perfect to me. I thought the balance between humor and heart was so fulfilling. This will definitely be one to buy and add to my collection!
Audio: 5/5 Loved the reading of this, it was clear, well paced and energetic. the narrator really did a great job portraying the emotions of each scene, and I just genuinely found it very pleasing and easy to listen too.