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Ghosted

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How badly have you been ghosted? No, literally.

A year ago, Emily was ghosted.

But it's fine, she's over it. And Andy was never part of the plan anyway. She's working on Project New Emily - New Emily goes to cocktail bars, wears ankle-breaking heels and has her life together. She's looking for a new man to match; Andy's old Converse and bad jokes were never going to work.

Thoughts about Andy are firmly in the past - until his name is spelled out on a Ouija board at a party. Emily discovers that Andy didn't ghost her - he died. And just as she's trying to work out how she feels, Andy turns up in her flat as a ghost. A ghost . In her flat.

Once she's over the shock, Emily realises she needs to get rid of this ghost of dating past so she can focus on the new man in her sights - and that the only way she can do that is to help Andy solve the mystery of his death. But as she spends more time with him, she remembers how nice it was to let her guard down and just be Old Emily sometimes.

Emily must choose between her new life and the past that's come back to haunt her. But she soon discovers that when it comes to putting her ghosts to rest, it's not as easy as she might think...

A hilarious and feel-good rom com, perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane's Between Us, Lucy Vine's Seven Exes or Emily Henry's Happy Place .

Real readers love Ghosted :

'The funniest [romcom] you'll read this year or your money back (not legally binding).' Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt

' Charming, fresh, and side-splittingly funny ...I laughed, I cried, I'll be recommending to everyone!' Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing Booth

'A fabulously written five-star read ...a great rom com and one you would be sorry to miss' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely amazing book... loved every minute of it...would recommend to anyone. 10/10 !' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This fabulous, well-written rom com really lifted my spirits...a perfect book to take away with you on holiday this summer' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A hilarious and charming romantic comedy with a supernatural twist...Mullender's writing is witty and filled with laugh-out-loud moments , making it an entertaining read from start to finish ...a delightful and engaging read... standout ' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2023

17 people are currently reading
1854 people want to read

About the author

Rosie Mullender

4 books13 followers

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5 stars
56 (16%)
4 stars
117 (35%)
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111 (33%)
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41 (12%)
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8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Marie Garner.
35 reviews
April 4, 2024
I’ve finally finished this book and WHAT THE HELL? It is just absolutely bafflingly bad. So many plot holes, the characters (particularly the main character Emily) are detestable and completely 2 dimensional, and some of the decisions made are just utterly delusional and extremely frustrating. The idea isn’t great but was executed to the lowest possible standard - it’s branded as a mystery when about 70% of the book is about her job and counting calories. Let’s find out about the death shall we???? no? okay!! There’s also a page where a name is spelt 2 different ways (Kirsty and Kirstie) - same character. There is also a character who you think “oh, they might actually be likeable because they have good values”, but even though she has good intentions and the possibility to be even slightly likeable in this array of boring, mundane and often selfish characters, the author decides to make her extremely rude, unbearable and condescending, again undermining any possibility of positivity in the form of a feminist standpoint. Don’t waste your time.
1 review
June 12, 2024
This was the first time I had come across Miss Mullender's work and I was blown away. I read the whole thing cover to cover in two days and probably missed a few meals in the process. The plot was clever and well-paced. The characters felt very real and frankly I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this author until recently.
Profile Image for bookishcharli .
686 reviews154 followers
July 23, 2023
A romcom involving a ghost? Yeah I need to read it. This book had me in stitches more times than I could count, even if sometimes I didn’t agree with some of the choices Emily made and I found myself facepalming. I really enjoyed seeing how Andy’s character played out in this one as I found him to be an intriguing character. I thought the romance at the end was sheer perfection. I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend adding this to your TBRs.


Thank you to Little Brown UK for sending me a proof of this one.
Profile Image for L.M. Chilton.
Author 4 books311 followers
July 13, 2023
A great premise, and super funny. Imagine you've just met your dream guy, and then your annoying dead ex decides to turn up?

I really liked the main character, Emily, and her arc is actually quite moving. For such a funny book, it's got a heartfelt message about how we don't always know we've got til it's gone...
Profile Image for Shasmeen Khan.
1 review
November 13, 2024
That was terribly bad in a way that I never knew was possible. The original premise seemed interesting - your ex who ghosted you turned out to be dead and now he’s turned up in your life as a ghost - but damn the execution was not it. Reading through this book was a chore but I forced myself to finish it (in silent hopes that things would get better)
First of all there’s Emily, the most unlikable fmc I’ve ever encountered. Her constant need to keep up appearances gets exhausting quick. There’s trying to better yourself after experiencing something horrible or even traumatic, and there’s whatever the fuck she does. I don’t need to hear about how she’s gotta be on constant diets and she’s always sucking in her tummy. GIRL I’ve seen the cover art, you’re skinny and being annoying. There’s a tasteful way to address these issues in a book (insecurities and diet culture) but the author spends no time denouncing such things. Additionally, Emily is incredibly insecure about her upbringing and status. A lowly copywriter at work, didn’t go to a fancy university, or grow up with money. She talks about her home as though she was raised by trolls in a dumpster, and makes such comments in front of her supposed best friend, WHO LIVED IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD. The only reason she even likes Oliver is because he’s rich and well educated.
Actually let’s talk about Oliver for a minute! He’s a douche from the beginning, and if you didn’t pick up on that immediately, I fear there’s no hope for you. In fact, her best friend Zoe as well as Andy pick up on this instantly, yet Emily continues to pursue him. He has absolutely NO redeeming qualities even before the reveal at the end of the book making him the official villain of the story. (A plot point that I absolutely hated mind you.) The fact that it took Oliver stealing her pitch for himself and being responsible for Andy’s death for her to finally stop chasing him is deeply upsetting. This man is absolute shit but none of that matters until it’s piled on top of this other stuff. I fear that Emily would’ve still been throwing herself at him otherwise.
Her entire life seems to revolve around men in the most un feminist way possible. I get it, really, she’s got daddy issues or whatever, but seriously??? She meets Andy, the sweetest guy who didn’t have any poor qualities (that we know of at least) other than the fact that he’s not rich or career driven. She treats him like crap, being hot and cold until he “ghosts” her, then she has the audacity to be heartbroken! Babe, even if he didn’t die, he still should’ve ghosted you. Anyway, after this she has her whole “new Emily” arc where she tries to be the best version of herself (which conveniently fits perfectly into the male gaze) and she all but launches herself head first at the successful new hire at work. It’s embarrassing to say the least. And finally at the end, she finds enough reason to not want Oliver and she also says goodbye to Andy, which would mean no more men in her life right? WRONG! The next thing we see is her budding new relationship (9 months in already) with Simon. Who’s Simon you might ask… I DONT FUCKING KNOW. We see him maybe 3 times, where he’s a background character in each scene, and are given no inclination that him and Emily would be a good match. They barely interact with one another the whole book. Towards the end there were a few little hints building up to the reveal that he’s got a huge crush on Emily but that’s it. Sorry, I misspoke, he’s in love with her apparently. Although why, I have no idea, given that she’s the world’s shittiest person. And even if he does love Emily, why the fuck do they end up together? It seems like she only dates him because he likes her (and got a shiny recommendation from Andy himself). But seriously why was that necessary? And if it really was important to have Emily immediately jump from man to man, then there should have been some sort of set up from before. Any small proof that they would be a good match.
If you are like me, and was interested in the premise, (dead ex coming back to haunt her and trudging up all this baggage from her past which she is forced to face head-on) do I have a recommendation for you! No One Here is Lonely by Sarah Everett has a similar story but it is 10x better. First of all, there is more diversity with the main characters. You follow a girl who is flawed (as we all are) but not a complete dickhead like Emily. Her friendship with her best friend is complex and challenging, but really nice to explore. The fmc has to come to terms with her grief in a way that feels real.
Anyway, if you haven’t already read Ghosted, maybe don’t, I sincerely think it is a waste of your time. I learned nothing from this experience other than the fact that I now hate anyone with the name Emily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Shazzie.
293 reviews36 followers
July 3, 2023
Cute, but has some structural issues for me. I received an early review copy from the publisher
Profile Image for Anna.
341 reviews5 followers
May 30, 2025
3.5

“Ghosted” ist eine ganz süße Geschichte mit einer unsympathischen Protagonisten und einem schnellen und teilweise vorhersehbaren Ende.

Obwohl der Einstieg etwas holprig war, braucht man nicht lange, um in das Buch hineinzufinden. Die Handlung selbst ist simpel und in mehreren Punkten vorhersehbar, was ich allerdings nicht unbedingt immer als etwas Negatives sehe, so auch hier.
Mein größtes Problem war eindeutig Protagonistin Emily.

Emily war so ziemlich während des ganzen Buches unfassbar anstrengend. Aufgewachsen in einem Sozialviertel, möchte sie auf keinen Fall, dass ihre Vergangenheit ihr auch nur irgendwie anzusehen ist: Es wird anders geredet, anders gegessen, andere Kleidung getragen. Der "Traummann" soll unbedingt ein bestimmtes Niveau haben und ihr somit den sozialen Aufstieg und die damit verbundene (finanzielle) Sicherheit geben, die sie als Kind und Jugendliche nicht hatte.
Wenn man über Emilys Kindheit & Jugend liest, dann ist dieser Wunsch nach Sicherheit und Stabilität nachvollziehbar und mehr als verständlich. Das Resultat davon ist, wie schon erwähnt, fragwürdig. Nicht nur aus Lesersicht, sondern auch aus Sicht einiger anderer Charaktere. Dass diese Scharade früher oder später zusammenfällt, kann man sich an dieser Stelle bestimmt denken.

Andy ist quasi das komplette Gegenteil von Emily und ihrem Leben. Seine Geschichte und das Rätsel um seinen Tod fand ich sehr unterhaltsam und es hat mich auch immer gefreut, wenn die Handlung in diese Richtung gewechselt ist.

Die Auflösung am Ende war genau das, was man sich auch ungefähr während des Lesens zusammenreimen konnte.
Es ging alles vergleichsweise doch etwas schnell & einfach und ja, es gab ein Happy End, aber vielleicht nicht unbedingt im klassischen Sinn. Ich kann daher auch nicht sagen, dass ich mit dem Ende 100% zufrieden bin.

“Ghosted” ist damit für mich ein typisches “kann man machen, muss man aber nicht”-Buch. Es ist sicherlich auf eine Weise unterhaltsam und ich denke nicht, dass man einen Fehler macht, wenn man sich entschließt, zu dem Buch zu greifen. Man kann es gut zwischendurch lesen, vor allem, wenn man beide Augen zudrückt, was Protagonistin Emily angeht.
Profile Image for Kat.
577 reviews99 followers
July 23, 2023
I found this very slow. I’d say the last 20% was the best as twists I hadn’t expected happened. I liked the writing but the pace was too slow for me, Emily annoyed me with the choices she made. Thanks goes to net galley and the publisher and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Zaza.
9 reviews
February 21, 2025
A fun read, fast paced and easy to understand storyline- seemingly original concept, too. Though the main character annoyed me more than anything, but... (careful, minor spoiler alert!)... she "bettered" herself in the end, by being exactly who she is!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Thanusha.
118 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2023
A big thank you to the fab Niamh at Piatkus for #ghostednovel! My fave heartfelt and witty summer romance with an interesting ghostly element👻.

The book follows Emily who assumed she had been ghosted by Andy, but accidentally discovers that he died☠️, after playing with an Ouija board and being surprised by Andy’s ghost! I really enjoyed two aspects of the book: the self discovery journey that Emily went on as well as the mystery and chaos that Andy’s reappearance as a ghost brought to the story.

Although Emily could be unlikeable at times, I felt like she was a relatable main character, with her obsession of changing herself and looking boujee to fit in, after being jaded by her upbringing and the bullying she endured for not being well off. New Emily pretends to enjoy spenny cocktails, wears heels and wants to find her Prince Charming. Andy was the guy that she put her guard down for and was comfortable to be her authentic self, but being ghosted by him was the trigger to put out the best and improved version, which proves difficult to maintain. His reappearance puts a spanner in the works but ultimately leads her to going on a journey and finding the truth about her past and also realising the important things in her life.

Ghosted was an easy read that I flew through, especially due to the supporting characters and the mysterious aspect of Andy’s death. There were so many heartwarming and realistic moments between Emily and her family and friends that really enriched the story and had me in my feels. Uncovering the truth behind Andy death was completely unpredictable, and the twists in this story showed that our first impressions about the characters aren’t always completely true👀 Overall this book reminded me of old school romcoms, had me cackling and I loved how it was so much more than a romance!
Profile Image for itsallaboutbooksandmacarons.
2,301 reviews51 followers
July 29, 2023
This book, thoughtfully gifted by my dear friend, took me on an extraordinary journey that I'll forever cherish. Reading it together intensified the experience, making it a truly magical and heartwarming adventure.

The story's seamless blend of reality and the mystical elements left me spellbound. Each chapter brought new surprises and emotions, immersing me completely in its world. The characters, so vividly portrayed, became dear companions, and I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering for them as they faced life's challenges and the unknown.

The paranormal encounters, though spine-chilling, ignited a thrilling sense of curiosity and excitement within me. They added a delightful tinge of fear, keeping me at the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages.

But it was the heartfelt moments that truly made this book exceptional. The tender bonds of love and friendship, beautifully depicted, tugged at my heartstrings and left me feeling profoundly moved. I couldn't help but shed tears of joy and sorrow as the characters' emotions resonated with my own.

As I reached the last page, a bittersweet feeling washed over me. The book had left an indelible mark on my heart. The memories of its captivating narrative and unforgettable characters will stay with me, lingering in my thoughts like cherished keepsakes.

If you share a passion for the movie "Ghost" or simply crave a tale that evokes a rollercoaster of emotions, this book is an absolute treasure. A heartfelt and enchanting masterpiece, it's meant to be shared with friends, spreading its magic and leaving a lasting impression that will endure for years to come.
Profile Image for Emmie Rose.
933 reviews12 followers
July 10, 2023
I absolutely loved Rosie's debut novel, The Time of My Life, so when I heard Rosie had a new book coming out I was eager to read it and let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. ⁣

I love everything about this book, from it's characters, it's plot and the message it holds. Rosie has an amazing way of writing and I felt so connected to our main characters. Emily, while frustrating at times, deals with a lot in her life and I completely understand why she acts the way she does. Andy is just absolutely adorable and he definitely wins the award for my favourite character! ⁣

Whilst this book is funny, it's also incredibly heartfelt and had me in tears. Ghosted is a beautiful and fast-paced story about accepting who you are and being true to yourself. I could easily go on about how much I loved this one but I think you should just go get yourself a copy on the 13th. ⁣
Profile Image for Takealookinsideabook .
514 reviews
August 27, 2023
Ok this is just brilliant! Theres so much to this book, its funny and sassy and emotional! Its also mysterious and mind blowing and I loved the detective who dunnit part of the story too.
I loved the authors previous book but this it definitely my favourite so far and Andy is such a sweetheart! Love love love ❤️

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Rachael ❀.
23 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2024
One of my fave reads of this year! I loved Andy’s character so much. 🌷
118 reviews
July 8, 2024
absolutely ate this book up! i laughed and cried but it was amazing!
Profile Image for Cristina Neves.
166 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2024
Fun, original and emotional. A rom com / cozy mystery with a ghost as lovable as Andy!
I can't wait to read her first book!
Profile Image for Georgia Linkeviciene.
111 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2024
If I read this instead of listening to the audio I would have DNF’d this, the main character was so annoying and ruined the book for me 😂
Profile Image for Danielle Goddard.
255 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2025
Mixed feelings on this book. Made me laugh serval times, but I feel I was only enjoying it when reading scenes with Andy and Emily. Loved their relationship. Didn’t love the whole book overall though. Great lesson in the book about being yourself.
Profile Image for Melanie.
452 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2025
Emily ist Ende 20 und lebt in London. Ihre Vergangenheit in einem Problemviertel in Essex hat sie weit hinter sich gelassen und sich ganz neu erfunden. Fehlt nur noch der richtige Mann und sie kann endlich das erträumte Leben der Neuen Emily beginnen.
Nachdem ihr letzter Freund sie geghostet hat, arbeitet sie noch härter daran, die perfekte Frau für den perfekten Mann zu werden. Doch es stellt sich heraus, ihr letzter Freund hat sie keineswegs geghostet. Er ist gestorben und erscheint nun, Monate später, Emily als Geist, um mit ihrer Hilfe seinen mysteriösen Tod aufzuklären.
Emilys geordnetes Leben und ihr Plan für die Neue Emily werden dadurch komplett durcheinander gewirbelt …
Ghosted ist eine gut lesbare Geschichte, die mir sehr gefallen hat. Die Charaktere sind gelungen und es gibt viele Stellen, an denen ich wirklich lachen konnte. Auch der Schluss hat mir sehr gefallen und alle Stränge zu einem für mich passenden Ende geführt – und ein paar Tränen habe ich auch verdrückt. 😉
Ich kann das Buch absolut weiterempfehlen!
Profile Image for Lisa Lucie.
96 reviews1 follower
July 11, 2024
Sooo, this book has so many problems: Emily is insufferable as a character, and so are most of her friends. This gave me an early 2000s romcom feel, where everyone is obsessed with how fat they are and so on. The moral at the end is predictable and shallow buuuut...I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this book. From a critical thinker perspective, it is not a good novel. Ghosted is a bit like a Christmas movie: you know it is cheesy and awful, but you can't help reading it. In this sense, it is slightly comforting.
Profile Image for Hel Cruse.
282 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2025
When I finish a book in three days you know is good
Profile Image for Lorraine Berry.
1,019 reviews8 followers
June 13, 2023
This fabulous, well written rom-com, really lifted my spirits (no pun intended!). The romantic elements, coupled with the 'whodunnit/how did he die' mystery, kept the story interesting and kept me invested in finding out how it all turned out in the end. The tongue in cheek humour, coupled with slapstick moments, did have me smiling and almost laughing out loud at times and although many parts of the story are predictable, there are some huge surprises along the way. The characters are likeable and relatable; especially Emily, who is obsessed with trying way too hard to change herself, so that she can be accepted by others who are clearly not worthy. In terms of the romance, like Emily, I was so focussed on the saga between Andy and Oliver, that I didn't see what was in front of me, so the romantic twist at the end came as a massive surprise to both Emily and myself! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and feel like at the end, there should be a statement saying 'and the morale of the story Gals is ..... be true to yourself and don't try to change who you are, when it's likely you are perfect exactly as you are' .... (or something to that effect). A huge thanks to NetGallery and Little Brown Book Group Ltd for allowing me to get a copy of the book, which is out on July 13, 2023 - It's a perfect book to take away with you on holiday this Summer.
Profile Image for Kit.
82 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2023
Ghosted by Rosie Mullender is a contemporary mystery/sort of romance about a young woman who thinks she was ghosted by her ex until she plays with a Ouiji board and finds out her ex is literally a ghost and is now haunting her. Will she discover how he died and help him move on? Will she land her perfect ad campaign and get herself a new boyfriend that fits in with her new chic London life?

This was funny and heartfelt and I really liked the character of Andy, though the main protagonist of Emily was really very insufferable. There was a lot of mentions of class and "improving yourself" in this one and whether curating your life for instagram really makes for a better life. I really enjoyed the main storyline but did find some of that commentary really irritating.

4 stars - it was a cute summer read that I really enjoyed but it wasn't groundbreaking and didn't come without flaws. However, it was one of my most enjoyed contemporary reads of this year so far,
Profile Image for Hi…I’m a Bookaholic.
111 reviews8 followers
July 2, 2023
This is a fantastic read. If you need a cute palate cleanser - this is it!

I felt for Emily as she battled with her past and the future she saw for herself. She struggled to maintain the polished persona she had created online and tried to forget her council estate roots. But then she meets Andy - an unpolished, lovable chap who preferred fun over career. As she doesn’t see him as the forever type, she lets him see the real Emily. Feelings start to encroach until one day Andy ghosts her. But not in the way she thinks. Andy died and now he needs Emily to help him figure out why he lost his life so young.

I got so emotional reading this and the ending was so cute. Love this story.
Profile Image for Laura.
165 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2023
4.25 stars ⭐️ I really liked this book. It's a sort of cosy mystery rom com hybrid and I can't say I've ever read anything like it before. However I did not like our main character Emily. She's self centred and honestly just not very nice. Andy deserved better in so many ways. Sure the point of the book is her changing between Old Emily and New Emily but New Emily is annoying and idiotic. If you can put your dislike of Emily aside (which does get easier) this was a fun and interesting read and I would like to read more books by Rosie Mullender.
Profile Image for Laura.
165 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2023
4.25 stars ⭐️

I really liked this book. It's a sort of cosy mystery rom com hybrid and I can't say I've ever read anything like it before.

However I did not like our main character Emily. She's self centred and honestly just not very nice. Andy deserved better in so many ways. Sure the point of the book is her changing between Old Emily and New Emily but New Emily is annoying and idiotic.

If you can put your dislike of Emily aside (which does get easier) this was a fun and interesting read and I would like to read more books by Rosie Mullender.
Profile Image for Amy Dora.
432 reviews12 followers
October 24, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the synopsis of this book and felt it was fabulously written. I really felt for Emily who had her heart broken when she was 'ghosted' by the guy she was seeing, Andy, only to discover later on when playing with a ouija board at a party that he didn't ghost her, he died - OMG! This book had me laughing out loud and crying, was a really good rom com that I loved from start to finish and it was such a heart-warming, feel good book.
27 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2023
The worst book I have read in 2023!

Ghosted follows Emily after she realises that past flame, Andy, died in a freak accident. When Andy’s ghost turns up in Emily’s flat, she is forced to reconsider her current attitude to dating.

Unfortunately I don’t have many positives to say about this book. It was not funny, the plot was a mess and the main character was hugely unlikable.

With predictable plot points, this book was unenjoyable from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews

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