In my recommendation for this book, I referred to it as a "reluctant ghost story."
Bulla's descriptions of grief are evocative and haunting, and acknowledge the added weight that these emotions have on young folks dealing with loss.

This was a beautiful book exploring grief and how to move on with your life when someone else's has ended. The writing style was quite lyrical and cozy but could at times feel stilted as it felt like the narrative didn't progress. At the same time, it is a heavy book - it's not one I think people can read and not feel like your heart's been ripped out of your chest. I love that the story explores more than just grief though - it also looks at friendships, love and family.

Petition for people to stop sleeping on Michael Gray Bulla's books.

Having loved his debut, If I Can Give You That, and having loved The Ghost of You now, I think it's safe to say I can add a new author to my list of favourites. I'm so impressed with his ability to write books with super heavy themes in a way that gives them space to exist while still remaining hopeful.

The Ghost of You is about grief, following trans teen Caleb who's lost his brother to addiction. Caleb is really struggling to process this enormous loss, and he doesn't always use the healthiest of coping mechanisms. I love how real this book felt, with Caleb portrayed as a realistic character, instead of a rolemodel. Caleb doesn't know how to deal with his grief, particularly how to talk to others about it, and I empathized with him so much.

But in the midst of all the grief, this book is also filled with so many different kinds of love, which really made this story feel hopeful. Caleb is surrounded by so many loving people, like his parents, best friend, and new-found partner Emmett, who is an absolutely wonderful love interest.

This was a deeply personal and at times very emotionally heavy book about a trans boy dealing with his grief overing losing his older brother to a heroin overdose. When Caleb starts seeing a ghost cat, he doesn't know if he's starting to lose it or if perhaps the cat is there to help him deal with his grief. Moving and raw and good on audio, this is highly recommended for fans of books like What about Will by Ellen Hopkins or Ghosts we keep by Mason Deaver (both deal with sibling addiction or death). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how much I enjoyed it. It is not my usual genre or trope that I read. This book deals with the loss of a loved one, drug addiction, grief, depression, substance abuse, and the LGBTQ community. The author effortlessly portrayed Caleb's emotional and inner turmoil as he tries to deal with the loss of his brother and how that affects the relationships around him.

The Ghost of You offers a riveting and heart-wrenching look at how grief can shape one's every day life and future. This book was filled with emotionally charged narratives, strong character development, and a storyline that will resonate with almost everyone who has lost a loved one.

I highly recommend diving head first into Caleb's story and experiencing the power of resilience and the stages of grief while overcoming adversity for yourself.

#HarperCollins #Netgalley

I'm incredibly thankful to HarperCollins for gifting me a copy of The Ghost Of You by Micheal Gray Bulla. This captivating novel delves into Caleb's emotional journey as he copes with the devastating loss of his brother Jack to drug addiction. The author masterfully portrays Caleb's inner turmoil and showcases how his grief affects his interactions with those around him. One particularly intriguing character is Ghost, a mysterious black cat who becomes Caleb's spectral companion, adding a unique and mystical element to the narrative. The bond between Caleb and Ghost adds depth to the story, highlighting themes of companionship and healing in the face of tragedy.

Exploring the themes of grief, addiction, and companionship, The Ghost Of You offers a poignant and thought-provoking look at how loss can shape our lives. With its rich character development and evocative storytelling, this novel is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy emotionally charged narratives. Dive into Caleb's emotional journey and experience the power of resilience and connection in the face of adversity.

TW; CSA, Drugs, Death of a Sibling
#HarperCollins #TheGhostOfYou #MichealGrayBulla #EmotionalJourney #Grief #Addiction #Companionship #Resilience #Healing #PowerfulNarrative

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

For fans of Mason Deaver. For those who have a soft spot for sadder stories. And definitely for cat lovers.

The Ghost of You is just up my alley, and I was so happy that I got to read it. I'm also a little stunned, that so few people have read it so far and added it to their TBR. This book is really good, everyone!

The Ghost of You is an emotionally charged story about grief with a great cast of side characters. This year, I read quite a few new YA books about losing someone, such as This is Me Trying, Another First Chance, and When Haru was Here, and The Ghost of You perfectly fits this list.

Caleb is lost. He lost his older brother who was addicted to drugs because of an overdose, he feels like he lost the connection to his parents who want to start living again, and without noticing at first, he also slowly loses his best friend. He loves to write music but lost the ability to write since Jack, his brother died. But when he gets closer to Emmet, a classmate, he starts to feel happier again but, at the same time, feels like he is not allowed to be happy.

A cat plays a major role in this story, and I loved it. Caleb sees the black cat often and knows it’s not a living cat, so he calls it Ghost. Ghost follows Caleb everywhere, especially if he’s not feeling well or when he meets new people.

As time passes, Caleb drinks and uses weed more. He even finds Jack’s cigarettes and starts smoking to be closer to Jack. Throughout the story, it became so clear that Caleb didn’t know how to deal with his grief. I had tears in my eyes while reading the first part quite a few times because of all those small signs of pain, also from his parents. The second half of the book focuses more on Caleb’s coping mechanisms.

I loved the side characters: Caleb’s parents, who tried to help their son while dealing with their own grief; Tanya, Caleb’s best friend; and, of course, Emmett. They were such a wonderful friend, calm and fierce at the same time.

I liked one thing less and, therefore, decided to round my 4.5 rating down instead of up. A few times, it was mentioned that Caleb needed to sober up before driving home. He only got called out on it because Tanya came home too late (1.5 hours) and because she disapproved of his drinking habits overall. Thinking you can sober up on the same evening you got drunk or high? This is so dangerous. You might think you’re able to drive again, but in reality, you need to wait much longer than 1.5 hours.

Overall, I really loved this story and can’t wait for what Michael Gray Bulla has in store for us next!