I appreciate that Shelly Jay Shore wants to writing about concepts important to her and the queer community, but this suffers from bloat as a result of her trying to include SO much. Still, the notions of found family and the navigation of one's trans identity are the strongest of these.

I thought this book was beautiful, hopeful, and a really poignant take on grief and moving on.

The heart of this story is a romance, but there’s so much more beyond that to really make this book something special. The family dynamics in this book are messy and real, and the character interactions between parents, children, and siblings are so true to how they’d be off the page.

There also the added element of wanting to tell someone you love who you really are and wanting them to know you even though they aren’t there anymore, which is something that really resonated with me. Everyone wants closure and this book really shows you how much or little closure can help and what ultimately matters.

A beautiful debut.

Wow. This book was so much more than I was expecting it to be. I figured it would tackle some heavier themes, but I didn’t realize how much it would.

I really connected with Ezra and the role he kind of feel into/was forced into at a young age. While not the exact same, it was similar for me growing up. I have struggled with asking for help the way Ezra does because of it.

The author did such a great job tackling that, grief, family dynamics and so much more.

This is such a phenomenal debut and I will be keeping an eye out for this author’s future works.

This book exists somewhere between several genres: paranormal fantasy, romance, family drama. It never fully commits to any one, but it is a deeply emotional book full of strong queer representation.

I think the overall concept of this book is definitely interesting and has a lot of potential. I just overall wasn't a huge fan of it and found myself getting very confused at times of what and where things were happening. Also there was so so many characters that I could not remember half the time who people were and that could totally be on me simply because of the timing that I started reading/listening to it because I am exhausted from school and life, but overall this wasn't for me!! Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read this ARC!

Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore quite a delightful and quirky read! The characters were written so well that they felt instantly familiar and were endearingly flawed—whether they were living or... not so much. Very cute read. Will definitely add it to our purchase list.

I've read a lot of books recently that have similar stories to Rules for Ghosting, and I've learned that ghosts can really make relationships more complicated. While I enjoyed this story, I didn't expects it to be so much about Ezra's family drama, but more so about his ability to see ghosts and interact with them. In fact he just mostly ignores them until he wants to start dating one of the ghost's widows. Overall, there were sweet moments in this story, but the plot just didn't captivate me the way I had hoped. I wanted more about the ghosts and why Ezra was being haunted by them. Maybe it's a metaphor for how we ignore our own ghosts. But having a supernatural element that doesn't fully get addressed just left me wanting more.

Thank you Dell for the ARC!

Soo sweet. I loved this book, and how it beautifully combined comedy and grief. Normally I don't read sad books (lol), but seriously this one is just different. Trust me!!

Ezra can see ghosts, so growing up at his family's Jewish funeral home wasn't always easy. Now an adult and past his second HRT-induced puberty, Ezra's dream job at the queer community center is put on pause. On top of that, his mother comes out as having an affair with the rabbi's wife. Ezra takes over her position and is reintroduced to a life of grief, generational trauma, and ghosts. When Ezra starts seeing the ghost of his cute neighbor/funeral home volunteer's dead husband, Ezra needs to learn how to start living for himself.

I adored Ezra, and his role in the family as the emotional support for his siblings and parents on top of being the only one to see ghosts was so eye opening. The relationship between him and his siblings felt so real which, as someone with a sibling, I appreciate so much. It's always such a tell when the siblings feel fake.

I can't leave this review without talking about the healthy relationship that bloomed between Ezra and Jonathan. Queer relationships are all different and can be messy, and I loved every part of it. More emotionally healthy adult romances!!!!

Overall such an incredible book and I'm so lucky I got the read the e-ARC. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!!

There's something about a familial drama that really pulls me in.

I definitely went into this thinking it was going to be one thing and was pleasantly surprised that it ended up being something completely different. The premise that the MC, Ezra, can see ghosts is what first sparked my interest. How could he juggle this burden while growing up with a family business that's literally dedicated to the dead? The ability to see ghosts, however, wasn't the plot point that I thought it was going to be. I had assumed it would take more of a central role in the conflict - and while there are ghosts, and they do impact Ezra, I felt like the other plot points were far more compelling and interesting to read.

This is a family drama - a character study on the sibling who carries the burdens of their family on their shoulders and just deals with it. This is a story of Ezra realizing that it's okay to not be okay and to allow himself an opportunity to just exist without the pressures or expectations placed on him by his family.

I really really enjoyed this book. It caught me from the beginning and provided a wonderful insight into a queer perspective and a viewpoint of someone trying to be the pillar that their family needs, but doesn't always deserve. I loved the rep, the familial relationships - both Aaron and Rebecca are beautiful, if not frustrating, siblings to Ezra.

While this wasn't what I was expecting, I very much enjoyed it!

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, Random House Publishing for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: LGBTQ representation, family drama, paranormal

This was so good. This was hilarious, sweet, and funny. I loved the mix of fantasy and romance. I loved Ezra. This was such a great debut. I recommend this!

Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore is a delightful and engaging contemporary novel that blends humor, mystery, and a touch of romance in an unexpected and charming way. Shore introduces readers to the quirky and relatable world of protagonist, Gwen, who finds herself caught up in the aftermath of a ghosting incident and must navigate the complexities of relationships,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Honestly, I loved this book. I found it to be delightful. I loved Ezra's journey as he learned to accept himself for who he was and as he discovered his worth.

Dnfed at 15%. This book was not for me. I was bored, There were a few bright spots but not enough to make me care to read more. Not paranormal which is what I was expecting and wanting.

3.25 ish stars!

I went into this book thinking it would be a cute mildly spooky paranormal romance with great representation but but it didn’t really give that to me, I felt like the paranormal aspects kinda got put on the back burner throughout. It was bad by any means. I loved the sibling relationships. I loved the premise and plot. I just felt like there was something missing throughout the book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publishers are RH-Ballantine for the digital arc of this lovely book!

Okay I loved some parts of this book and was just meh about others. I feel like it’s much less romance than the synopsis lets on but it wasn’t an interesting plot. Something I haven’t really seen before. Overall it was meh for me. Easily forgettable but kept me interested while reading

Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore is a quirky, thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of modern relationships in the digital age. The book takes an intriguing approach to the concept of "ghosting"—the act of suddenly cutting off communication with someone without explanation—by turning it into a central theme that resonates with contemporary experiences of love, friendship, and personal growth.

The protagonist, navigating the ups and downs of her social and romantic life, discovers that the world of dating and relationships is filled with unspoken rules, many of which are explored in the book’s witty, yet insightful narrative. Rules for Ghosting is both humorous and reflective, offering a look at how we interact with others in an increasingly disconnected world, where technology often complicates genuine human connection.

Shore's writing style is sharp and engaging, with plenty of humor and wit to keep the reader entertained. However, the novel also delves deeper into the emotional complexities of ghosting, showcasing the hurt, confusion, and self-doubt that can come with being ghosted or ghosting others. The story provides a nuanced look at how people can struggle with vulnerability, commitment, and communication in relationships, making it both an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

One of the strengths of Rules for Ghosting is its relatable exploration of social media and dating culture, reflecting how these platforms often blur the lines between genuine connection and superficial interaction. The characters are well-drawn, and their experiences feel realistic, with plenty of humor and warmth that balances the more serious aspects of the narrative.

While the book is undoubtedly funny, it also doesn't shy away from examining the emotional consequences of ghosting, providing depth and insight into both the pain and the liberation that can come with distancing oneself from relationships that no longer serve us. This makes the book not just a humorous exploration of modern dating, but also a thoughtful reflection on how we manage connections in the digital age.

Overall, Rules for Ghosting is a witty, smart, and entertaining novel that tackles a subject that’s all too familiar in today’s dating culture. With a mix of humor, heart, and insight, Shelly Jay Shore has crafted a fun and meaningful read for anyone who has ever navigated the sometimes awkward, often confusing world of relationships in the digital era.

I could not get into Rules for Ghosting. It didn't interest me and I didn't care for the characters.

This beautiful, poignant story had me in tears for like 60%. If you haven't picked this one up, you're missing out big time!

I wish I hadn’t gone into this thinking it was a romance, because it’s much more a family drama than a romance. It’s not a plot heavy book but it is about really digging into a lot of different relationships, with family, friends, exes, romantic partners, and ghosts! It has some really touching moments.

I absolutely adored the cover of Rules for Ghosting honestly, it’s one of my favorite designs from 2024. But here’s the thing: it totally tricked me. With that playful vibe, I was gearing up for a fun, breezy read...and, well, that’s not exactly what I got. Don’t get me wrong, Shore knows how to spin a story. Even though the vibe wasn’t what I expected, the writing kept me hooked. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever Shore dreams up next.