Ghost Writing

Ghost Writing #1

by Danielle Smyth

Ghost Writing, the 2025 North American Book Awards gold medalist in romance and a Shelf Media Top Notable Indie Book of 2025, is also an Amazon Best Seller. Recognized for its heartfelt voice, compelling characters, and page-turning emotional depth, this stunning debut will sweep away readers who love character-driven fiction, slow-burn romance, and stories about finding your own voice.

Callie Sheffield dreams of being a novelist, but for now, she’s stuck ghostwriting other people’s stories. Her latest project is a finance book for the boss of her long-time boyfriend, Thomas. Their relationship is safe but stagnant, and with every passing day, Callie feels her own ambitions slipping further out of reach.

To carve out some time away from Thomas, Callie takes her laptop to the local library, where she meets Will Pearson, a plaid-shirted library clerk with messy hair, a secret tattoo, and the effortless charm of a millennial heartthrob (think Pacey Witter). Will makes it impossible for Callie to ignore what she’s been missing—but the deeper their connection grows, the more she realizes he has secrets that could upend everything.

With Will’s encouragement and the quiet inspiration of her beloved great-aunt Esperanza, Callie begins to imagine a life where she writes her own story rather than someone else’s. But when tragedy strikes, she’s hit with the bittersweet reminder that love and loss often walk hand in hand.

Full of millennial nostalgia—Clueless references, 90s music, and late-night Gilmore Girls marathons—Ghost Writing is a cozy, slow-burn romance with just the right amount of heat and plenty of heart.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2025

Reviews

[Trevor Hiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danielle Smyth’s Ghosts Writing is pure fun—swoony romance, snappy banter, and feel-good drama that delivers cozy, escapist joy in every page.

[Jen Hiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a treat! Danielle’s prose is beautiful, emotional, upbeat, and fun. Multiple family plots added depth to the sweet friends-to-lovers romance. Can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read for anyone who loves romance with heart and a touch of nostalgia.

Callie is a ghostwriter who spends her days telling other people’s stories while quietly wishing she could write her own. Her relationship with Thomas feels safe but uninspiring, and I could feel her frustration at being stuck in a life that doesn’t match her dreams.

Everything changes when she meets Will Pearson at the library. He’s charming, a little mysterious, and exactly the kind of person who makes Callie start questioning what she truly wants. The moments between them were sweet, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking, especially as his secrets began to surface.

I also really enjoyed the nostalgic touches sprinkled throughout 90s music, Gilmore Girls marathons, and little cultural references that made the book feel cozy and familiar.

What stood out most to me was Callie’s journey. Watching her move from ghostwriting other people’s lives to finally daring to imagine her own future was inspiring.

[Desi Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie is struggling after finishing college, dreams of being writer not panning out the way she envisioned. Her boyfriend has his own visions for her future, and frankly makes her feel invisible, or maybe nothing at all.

She finds solace in the library, among books, to work on a ghost writing project and meets new friends who help her start to see value and joy in life again. That is until a family tragedy occurs and she has to bear the sorrow of losing someone close.

This is a beautiful story written about finding your own value, chasing dreams no matter how hard, and supporting those you care about. It is a love story wrapped up with an almost love story.

I loved Will and Callie as characters, and of course Esperanza.
It would have been nice to have one more chapter or two about Callie’s future, like maybe a year or two down the road, but honestly it was still a good ending.

Thank you for the arc Hidden Gems and Danielle Smyth. This is a voluntary review.

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet and hearfelt book. The idea of a ghost writer aiding others to write their stories, but wanting to be more is at the center of this book, that is how Callie feels about her writing, about her life, and her relationship. She hopes for more. Then she meets Will, and she starts to see in him what she is looking for. Their connection is instant, their chemistry is palpable, their interactions are beautiful. But there are a few twists that will threaten her future. Can she achieve her dreams? Is Will the one to help her achieve them?
This plot is layered in dreams, strong well developed characters, a bit of suspense, lots of passion, and the chance of a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book chewed me up & spit me out. It's been so long since a book has made me feel so many feelings so intensely. I LOVED every character in this book (minus that one guy). I ripped through this book & although the first few chapters seemed a little boring there was always something stringing me along until eventually I was so engrossed that I couldn't even believe the book was already over. So much happened in 326 pages & I'm still reeling from it. READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE, it makes the book better (even though the book is already so amazing)!

[Ruba Abu Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Ghost Writing’ by Danielle Smyth is such an enthralling read. The characters are likeable and relatable. Moreover, the witty and quirky sense of humor is heartwarming.

I was particularly touched by the inspiration behind the book.

Many thanks to BookSirens, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC of this beautiful novel.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story held my interest from the start and I loved the characters, except Thomas. It ended up a very emotional read which required lots of tissues and I was glad I wasn't leaving home.
This story was very well told and I'll gladly read more from this author.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is a ghost writer for other people while wanting to be an author in her own right. She will meet him and he will encourage her to give it a go. See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read

[Sara Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Perfect balance of sweet and spice, plus some truly bittersweet moments.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written romance with humor, I really enjoyed it.

[Anna G · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the story. It was written well but there was something missing for me to give a 5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.