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Most romantic comedies want you to believe that finding The One is a fun-filled adventure, with just a few bumps but even more laughs along the way. But in Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, a lonely young woman experiences more than her share of bumps in her quest to find love.
The story navigates thirty-something life and love in London with teacher turned successful food writer Nina Dean. Everything finally seems to be falling into place for Nina. She has a job she loves, and she even bought herself her first apartment. The only thing missing is a man to share her life with. Then she meets Max on a dating app, and it seems like she’s found The One. He’s handsome and professional, and he seems to fall for her from their first date. And she’s thrilled to be able to move into that settling-down phase that so many of her friends reached long before her.
While Nina’s story may seem to be heading down the typical chick lit path, though, that’s not how it plays out. And instead of facing those typical romantic bumps, her tale is much more honest and realistic. Together with her friend Lola—who also acts as her guide though the world of online dating—she experiences the excitement and anticipation and the pain and confusion that single women so often face.
Admittedly, the truthfulness of Nina’s story does sometimes make it feel emotionally draining. Most of us have been here before in some way or another—we have the same ghosts in our past—and that makes it seem painfully predictable. For some, it may even reopen some old relationship wounds.
While her story may initially seem predictable, though, it’s the way in which Nina eventually handles the situation that makes it different and refreshing. For many of us, it may be too late to go back and change our own story of romantic roadblocks. But this novel gives a bit of a new outlook on old heartbreak. And it sometimes even feels empowering to live vicariously through this character as she works to battle those old ghosts and find happiness on the other side.
For any woman who’s struggled with dating—whether online or off—Ghosts will most likely be a relatable novel. Its authenticity may not always make it an easy, effortless read, but as the character finds strength and perspective, readers will cheer on her growth.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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