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The Ghost of Exes Past
Belle is marrying the kindest, funniest and all-round best man she’s ever met. But when the ghost of her ex, and the best sex of her life, arrives to take her on a trip down memory lane, she has to resist reawakening past desires…
Everything is going to be perfect on Belle’s wedding day. She’s got the most beautiful dress, the most romantic (but not cliché) music, it’s due to snow overnight and – most importantly – the perfect man will be waiting for her at the end of the aisle.
But disaster strikes when, at their rehearsal dinner, she sees a last-minute addition to her carefully curated guest her rugged and troubled childhood sweetheart, Jake.
Having an ex show up at your wedding is nobody's idea of a fairytale – but it’s especially problematic when he’s been dead for the last decade. Past and present collide as Jake walks Belle down memory lane on a tour of her previous exploits. Suddenly, Belle finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about herself.
Is her fiancé, Timothy, really the man of her dreams? Or could fate have something – and someone – else in store for her?
This spicy, paranormal romance is perfect for fans of Lyla Sage, B.K. Borison, Jen DeLuca and Jenna Lavine.
Everything is going to be perfect on Belle’s wedding day. She’s got the most beautiful dress, the most romantic (but not cliché) music, it’s due to snow overnight and – most importantly – the perfect man will be waiting for her at the end of the aisle.
But disaster strikes when, at their rehearsal dinner, she sees a last-minute addition to her carefully curated guest her rugged and troubled childhood sweetheart, Jake.
Having an ex show up at your wedding is nobody's idea of a fairytale – but it’s especially problematic when he’s been dead for the last decade. Past and present collide as Jake walks Belle down memory lane on a tour of her previous exploits. Suddenly, Belle finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about herself.
Is her fiancé, Timothy, really the man of her dreams? Or could fate have something – and someone – else in store for her?
This spicy, paranormal romance is perfect for fans of Lyla Sage, B.K. Borison, Jen DeLuca and Jenna Lavine.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
goodreads removing my 1 star review after i pointed out this book (which i read!) sexualises and objectifies queer women ?? that tracks.
and bold of GR / Katie Snooks to think i don’t save the reviews i write 🤣 so here it is again xx
this was going to be a three star read for me because i found the writing rather juvenile and Jake to be not an endearing hero to root for, but i appreciated the concept and it kept me engaged.
HOWEVER, and a BIG however, is that one scene at the 50% mark made me feel so physically uncomfortable and disgusted, that i can’t rate this higher than 1 star unless the author and publisher remove the scene from the book.
i know i will not be the only person who will find issue with this scene.
the story follows Belle (h) who is getting married, but on the eve of her wedding, her dead ex-boyfriend Jake (H) appears to take her through all of her past relationships before she can get married.
Jake takes Belle through all her relationships throughout the duration of the novel, and they are all men up until the 50% mark where we see Belle with Emma— in a queer, same sex relationship. when Jake sees Belle with her previous relationships, he’s either indifferent, jealous or shocked. when he sees Belle with Emma he is immediately described as “smirking” and grinning “too eagerly” at Belle, and is essentially leering at Emma and Belle together.
ithe memory, the women eventually kiss and Belle turns to find Jake riveted by the two women in the memory, and she wonders if he’s turned on by the scene in front of him. when it was clear Belle had sex with other men in the previous memories, Jake did not have a “grinning” “eager” reaction. but now when Belle is with another woman he does?the implications of this scene don’t take a genius to figure out.
the fact in the year of 2026, we have an author writing a male character (the hero who we are supposed to root for) sexualising and objectifying two women who are involved romantically and sexually, is just bizarre and disgusting. it was presented like he was living out some perverted fantasy of having two women have sex in front of him, and didn’t view them as human beings.
the author then shows Emma and Belle escalating their interaction and they begin taking each others clothes off (which i found to be a weird choice since when Belle had sex with other men in the previous memories, the reader sees the interaction but Jake doesn’t— but when Belle has sex with a woman, Jake gets a front row seat like Humbert Humbert ???) Jake is eagerly leaning in to get a better view and he’s really no better than a salivating dog humping a chair leg.
Belle has to intervene to get him to stop looking and he WHINES, WHINES I TELL YOU!! when she tells him they need to leave, as he wants to continue watching. i really need to know what possessed Katie Snooks to write this scene and that it was morally acceptable to do so.
i think she thought this would be funny? it is anything but. it is inherently disgusting. queer women are sexualised enough in everyday life, they don’t need Katie Snooks writing ugly loser men doing the same thing !!
i am also shocked the publisher didn’t flag this internally as an inappropriate display of queer women being sexualised when the manuscript was going through edits. i really think it should be removed from the novel before publication and rewritten as the rest of Belle’s relationships with men are written.
***i need to reiterate that it is NOT funny and no one else reading it will find it funny. the author should be ashamed of herself, truly.
disgusting book and what an embarrassing author for reporting this review the first time round.
review copy obtained from NetGalley
and bold of GR / Katie Snooks to think i don’t save the reviews i write 🤣 so here it is again xx
this was going to be a three star read for me because i found the writing rather juvenile and Jake to be not an endearing hero to root for, but i appreciated the concept and it kept me engaged.
HOWEVER, and a BIG however, is that one scene at the 50% mark made me feel so physically uncomfortable and disgusted, that i can’t rate this higher than 1 star unless the author and publisher remove the scene from the book.
i know i will not be the only person who will find issue with this scene.
the story follows Belle (h) who is getting married, but on the eve of her wedding, her dead ex-boyfriend Jake (H) appears to take her through all of her past relationships before she can get married.
Jake takes Belle through all her relationships throughout the duration of the novel, and they are all men up until the 50% mark where we see Belle with Emma— in a queer, same sex relationship. when Jake sees Belle with her previous relationships, he’s either indifferent, jealous or shocked. when he sees Belle with Emma he is immediately described as “smirking” and grinning “too eagerly” at Belle, and is essentially leering at Emma and Belle together.
ithe memory, the women eventually kiss and Belle turns to find Jake riveted by the two women in the memory, and she wonders if he’s turned on by the scene in front of him. when it was clear Belle had sex with other men in the previous memories, Jake did not have a “grinning” “eager” reaction. but now when Belle is with another woman he does?the implications of this scene don’t take a genius to figure out.
the fact in the year of 2026, we have an author writing a male character (the hero who we are supposed to root for) sexualising and objectifying two women who are involved romantically and sexually, is just bizarre and disgusting. it was presented like he was living out some perverted fantasy of having two women have sex in front of him, and didn’t view them as human beings.
the author then shows Emma and Belle escalating their interaction and they begin taking each others clothes off (which i found to be a weird choice since when Belle had sex with other men in the previous memories, the reader sees the interaction but Jake doesn’t— but when Belle has sex with a woman, Jake gets a front row seat like Humbert Humbert ???) Jake is eagerly leaning in to get a better view and he’s really no better than a salivating dog humping a chair leg.
Belle has to intervene to get him to stop looking and he WHINES, WHINES I TELL YOU!! when she tells him they need to leave, as he wants to continue watching. i really need to know what possessed Katie Snooks to write this scene and that it was morally acceptable to do so.
i think she thought this would be funny? it is anything but. it is inherently disgusting. queer women are sexualised enough in everyday life, they don’t need Katie Snooks writing ugly loser men doing the same thing !!
i am also shocked the publisher didn’t flag this internally as an inappropriate display of queer women being sexualised when the manuscript was going through edits. i really think it should be removed from the novel before publication and rewritten as the rest of Belle’s relationships with men are written.
***i need to reiterate that it is NOT funny and no one else reading it will find it funny. the author should be ashamed of herself, truly.
disgusting book and what an embarrassing author for reporting this review the first time round.
review copy obtained from NetGalley
Want to Read
July 17, 2026The cover is literally stunning! 😍🫶🏼 AND it’s a story about ghosts??? Take my money! 💳
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I know this is a debut and not to judge too harshly, but I just didn’t enjoy The Ghost of Exes Past and can’t rate it higher.
I appreciate what the author was trying to do here, taking a beloved classic and turning it into a gimmicky romance, but it just fell flat for me. Belle was just really bland despite us seeing so many versions of her over the years through memory. There was just nothing distinct about her.
Jake was pretty awful as a hero. I found myself rooting for Belle to NOT end up with him 😵💫 he was just too immature, rude and judgemental, especially towards Belle, in both the past and the present. The stuff he said about her before he died was so mean and I never forgave him for it because he never truly grovelled / proved he didn’t mean any of it. And then his behaviour throughout the present just reinforced that he’d never changed and I wasn’t convinced he ever would. He judged her past relationships, tried to ruin her rehearsal dinner and never truly apologised for his behaviour. His apology essentially consisted of him saying he laughs in awkward situations so that’s why he laughed when he made her cry? Really? Of all the excuses and justifications? It just felt cheap and lazy, and again just reinforced to me that he was too emotionally immature for me to root for and forgive. There was also the weird scene where he was being pervy towards Belle and her ex-gf that just made me uncomfortable and I thought was an unnecessary addition to the story. It really didn’t help Jake’s case.
The writing was also way too cheesy, with Belle saying things like “What in the Sabrina the Teenage Witch?” and the overuse of exclamation marks. The humour was also embarrassingly millennial that I couldn’t take it sometimes. But I think with more practice, the author will eventually be a much better writer… just not right now lol.
I received a review copy from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
I appreciate what the author was trying to do here, taking a beloved classic and turning it into a gimmicky romance, but it just fell flat for me. Belle was just really bland despite us seeing so many versions of her over the years through memory. There was just nothing distinct about her.
Jake was pretty awful as a hero. I found myself rooting for Belle to NOT end up with him 😵💫 he was just too immature, rude and judgemental, especially towards Belle, in both the past and the present. The stuff he said about her before he died was so mean and I never forgave him for it because he never truly grovelled / proved he didn’t mean any of it. And then his behaviour throughout the present just reinforced that he’d never changed and I wasn’t convinced he ever would. He judged her past relationships, tried to ruin her rehearsal dinner and never truly apologised for his behaviour. His apology essentially consisted of him saying he laughs in awkward situations so that’s why he laughed when he made her cry? Really? Of all the excuses and justifications? It just felt cheap and lazy, and again just reinforced to me that he was too emotionally immature for me to root for and forgive. There was also the weird scene where he was being pervy towards Belle and her ex-gf that just made me uncomfortable and I thought was an unnecessary addition to the story. It really didn’t help Jake’s case.
The writing was also way too cheesy, with Belle saying things like “What in the Sabrina the Teenage Witch?” and the overuse of exclamation marks. The humour was also embarrassingly millennial that I couldn’t take it sometimes. But I think with more practice, the author will eventually be a much better writer… just not right now lol.
I received a review copy from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
September 28, 2026
Anyone else struggle to sleep after finishing a book because you literally CANNOT stop thinking about it? Yeah… that happened with this one. 🥹📖
👻 The Ghost of Exes Past by Katie Snooks 👻
Why am I such a sucker for a second-chance romance?! And why have I finished this book crying like a baby?! 😭
That ENDING. Oh gosh. I genuinely can’t say too much about this one because it’s just way too spoilery, but this book had me feeling EVERYTHING. I was smiling, laughing, getting angry, feeling nostalgic, thinking about my own past… and then doing it all over again. 🥹
⚠️ Be warned: the MMC will probably scream 🚩🚩🚩 at you for a good portion of this book… until suddenly he doesn’t. And trust me, it was all worth it.
We know the MMC is dead, and I really felt like the FMC lost a huge part of herself when he died. She was never quite the same afterwards, and watching everything unfold through their past was honestly heartbreaking. And the same with her past after him, was an emotional rollercoaster.
This isn't your perfect fairytale romance. They both have flaws, they make mistakes, and their relationship is messy and complicated. But that's what made it feel so real, and I got SO in my feels with this one.
If you're a second-chance romance girlie like me, you NEED to read this. 🥹❤️
It felt like A Christmas Carol meets past relationships meets rom-com meets One Day… and yes, you will probably cry at least once. Maybe more than once. 👀😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Thank you so much to Avon UK and the author for this amazing proof copy. I’m forever grateful to have been given the chance to read this one. 💕
👻 The Ghost of Exes Past by Katie Snooks 👻
Why am I such a sucker for a second-chance romance?! And why have I finished this book crying like a baby?! 😭
That ENDING. Oh gosh. I genuinely can’t say too much about this one because it’s just way too spoilery, but this book had me feeling EVERYTHING. I was smiling, laughing, getting angry, feeling nostalgic, thinking about my own past… and then doing it all over again. 🥹
⚠️ Be warned: the MMC will probably scream 🚩🚩🚩 at you for a good portion of this book… until suddenly he doesn’t. And trust me, it was all worth it.
We know the MMC is dead, and I really felt like the FMC lost a huge part of herself when he died. She was never quite the same afterwards, and watching everything unfold through their past was honestly heartbreaking. And the same with her past after him, was an emotional rollercoaster.
This isn't your perfect fairytale romance. They both have flaws, they make mistakes, and their relationship is messy and complicated. But that's what made it feel so real, and I got SO in my feels with this one.
If you're a second-chance romance girlie like me, you NEED to read this. 🥹❤️
It felt like A Christmas Carol meets past relationships meets rom-com meets One Day… and yes, you will probably cry at least once. Maybe more than once. 👀😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Thank you so much to Avon UK and the author for this amazing proof copy. I’m forever grateful to have been given the chance to read this one. 💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honestly, I wasn’t sure how to rate this book. I didn’t like it in the beginning at all. I need to like at least one main character so I have someone to root for. And it this case I didn’t. Especially Jake. He was irritating.
But as the book progressed, I got very emotionally attached. Belle’s life journey was breaking my heart.
There were times I had to stop. Because the choices they were both making were making me angry. Or sad.
But by the end of the book I understood.
I think this book would make a great read for any book club as there are many things I would like to discuss, but I can’t do it online, because I would spoil the book for the people who didn’t read it yet. There are many: what ifs, or how do you feel about this.
Overall, I think this was a very fresh and interesting take on romance. And I am here for it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books UK for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
But as the book progressed, I got very emotionally attached. Belle’s life journey was breaking my heart.
There were times I had to stop. Because the choices they were both making were making me angry. Or sad.
But by the end of the book I understood.
I think this book would make a great read for any book club as there are many things I would like to discuss, but I can’t do it online, because I would spoil the book for the people who didn’t read it yet. There are many: what ifs, or how do you feel about this.
Overall, I think this was a very fresh and interesting take on romance. And I am here for it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books UK for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 23, 2026
I am a sucker for ghost novels. I don’t like horror stories much, for some reason they don’t vibe with me but ghost romance novels? Hell yeah. The first ghost romance novel I read was Heaven Can Wait by Cally Taylor, before she abandoned romance to writer thrillers and I’ve just always been such a sucker for ghostly beings.
Last year I read Good Spirits by BK Borison which was excellent too and I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Ghosts of Exes Past is based, I believe, on A Christmas Carol, and Belle is visited by her ex Jake who died a decade earlier and they take a trip down Belle’s past loves on her wedding weekend no less (in fact, the night before the wedding!!!) so Jake can move on to his next life.
This was a lush novel. Set in Whitby (Graham and I love Whitby) and was lush to remember the Abbey and the steps you can climb there. I loved Belle, I thought she was flawed and so human and made mistakes like we all do but I totally understood why she was the way she was, especially after visiting all of her exes (some where awful).
I loved Jake. Oh my gosh like he clearly wasn’t the best boyfriend ever, and I think he’d cop to that, but 10 years drifting aimlessly as a ghost with nothing to do but watch movies gives a person some perspective and I liked him a lot. I thought he was very honest and he had a fab story arc.
I flew through this book, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and Katie is a fantastic writer, I’ve never seen her YouTube videos, but if she’s as warm and personable as her writing is I can see why she’s so popular. This was a delightful, fun, sweet read and I loved it.
Last year I read Good Spirits by BK Borison which was excellent too and I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Ghosts of Exes Past is based, I believe, on A Christmas Carol, and Belle is visited by her ex Jake who died a decade earlier and they take a trip down Belle’s past loves on her wedding weekend no less (in fact, the night before the wedding!!!) so Jake can move on to his next life.
This was a lush novel. Set in Whitby (Graham and I love Whitby) and was lush to remember the Abbey and the steps you can climb there. I loved Belle, I thought she was flawed and so human and made mistakes like we all do but I totally understood why she was the way she was, especially after visiting all of her exes (some where awful).
I loved Jake. Oh my gosh like he clearly wasn’t the best boyfriend ever, and I think he’d cop to that, but 10 years drifting aimlessly as a ghost with nothing to do but watch movies gives a person some perspective and I liked him a lot. I thought he was very honest and he had a fab story arc.
I flew through this book, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and Katie is a fantastic writer, I’ve never seen her YouTube videos, but if she’s as warm and personable as her writing is I can see why she’s so popular. This was a delightful, fun, sweet read and I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was really looking forward to reading this and unfortunately I never did finish, I DNF’d. And 2 stars was probably generous but I didn’t finish the book so I’d say this was fair.
I try not to DNF where I can because I know a lot of books take time to build character and plot but this I really struggled with.
I got just over half way through and it was just awkward, we go back and see past relationships for our main character before her wedding day which I thought was a cool concept like a Christmas carol which is an iconic story. But we see the past relationships, only to have her ex who’s a ghost be a not a hero but a pig when it comes to her relationship with a woman, there was no front row seat for him at the male relationships but there was for a woman which is weird. He was pervy and made me dislike him. His smirking, eager grinning and leaning in for a better view of her and a woman made me want to make a ghost a ghost.
Also he’s kicked about for years as a ghost and comes back on her rehearsal dinner for the wedding because it suits him and he gets something out of it.
She is treated like crap by him while together and during this experience and never grew up even after death.
I found the MMC immature and whiny.
This wasn’t the debut book I was expecting and it wasn’t the review I expected to write, I was excited about it now I’m left disappointed.
Thank you Avonbooksuk for the arc opportunity
Thank you NetGalley as always for the opportunity for an ARC
I try not to DNF where I can because I know a lot of books take time to build character and plot but this I really struggled with.
I got just over half way through and it was just awkward, we go back and see past relationships for our main character before her wedding day which I thought was a cool concept like a Christmas carol which is an iconic story. But we see the past relationships, only to have her ex who’s a ghost be a not a hero but a pig when it comes to her relationship with a woman, there was no front row seat for him at the male relationships but there was for a woman which is weird. He was pervy and made me dislike him. His smirking, eager grinning and leaning in for a better view of her and a woman made me want to make a ghost a ghost.
Also he’s kicked about for years as a ghost and comes back on her rehearsal dinner for the wedding because it suits him and he gets something out of it.
She is treated like crap by him while together and during this experience and never grew up even after death.
I found the MMC immature and whiny.
This wasn’t the debut book I was expecting and it wasn’t the review I expected to write, I was excited about it now I’m left disappointed.
Thank you Avonbooksuk for the arc opportunity
Thank you NetGalley as always for the opportunity for an ARC
August 8, 2026
The tagline should be “Man learns that he is the worst.”
I had a lot of thoughts while reading Ghost of Exes Past, and most of them were angry. The setup is basically:
The guy who was Belle’s first love, treated her carelessly, dies, comes back when she’s moved on and is getting married, and treats her like shit AGAIN.
It’s the eve of Belle’s wedding and the ghost of her ex Jake has appeared to tell her that she needs to revisit her previous relationships and learn *something* or her soul is damned for eternity. Except no, really he’s been wandering around as a ghost for a decade and is damned if he doesn’t resolve his unfinished business in the next 12 hours or so.
Honestly, I had a hard time connecting to either character for half the book. Jake is kind of the worst. Belle is…fine. About halfway through we finally get some insight into her life after Jake died at 25 and my feelings towards them both grew a bit softer. Jake and Belle both seemed just so young and it was sad that he died before they had a chance to live and grow up. I still feel like they would have broken up but they’d both have matured on their own timelines. Him dying left her in a really dark stunted place, there’s no closure with something like that. And he stayed stunted in death. Jake died before he ever matured.
But it failed for me as a romance, because I don’t truly believe the characters should be together. I don’t want them together. I don’t think they’d be better off together. Even towards the end, Belle is the one explaining to Jake all the shit he was supposed to learn along the way. Dude has stayed stagnant for a decade as a ghost, no introspection at all, and then has like 8 hours to figure himself out and Belle is the one doing ALL THE WORK. Jake does pop out a bit of grovel towards the end but for me it didn’t magically resolve things. I’m glad he finally had some clarity on his life after spending a few hours thinking about things but that’s it.
Thank you to Katie Snooks, Avon, and NetGalley for the ARC.
I had a lot of thoughts while reading Ghost of Exes Past, and most of them were angry. The setup is basically:
The guy who was Belle’s first love, treated her carelessly, dies, comes back when she’s moved on and is getting married, and treats her like shit AGAIN.
It’s the eve of Belle’s wedding and the ghost of her ex Jake has appeared to tell her that she needs to revisit her previous relationships and learn *something* or her soul is damned for eternity. Except no, really he’s been wandering around as a ghost for a decade and is damned if he doesn’t resolve his unfinished business in the next 12 hours or so.
Honestly, I had a hard time connecting to either character for half the book. Jake is kind of the worst. Belle is…fine. About halfway through we finally get some insight into her life after Jake died at 25 and my feelings towards them both grew a bit softer. Jake and Belle both seemed just so young and it was sad that he died before they had a chance to live and grow up. I still feel like they would have broken up but they’d both have matured on their own timelines. Him dying left her in a really dark stunted place, there’s no closure with something like that. And he stayed stunted in death. Jake died before he ever matured.
But it failed for me as a romance, because I don’t truly believe the characters should be together. I don’t want them together. I don’t think they’d be better off together. Even towards the end, Belle is the one explaining to Jake all the shit he was supposed to learn along the way. Dude has stayed stagnant for a decade as a ghost, no introspection at all, and then has like 8 hours to figure himself out and Belle is the one doing ALL THE WORK. Jake does pop out a bit of grovel towards the end but for me it didn’t magically resolve things. I’m glad he finally had some clarity on his life after spending a few hours thinking about things but that’s it.
Thank you to Katie Snooks, Avon, and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 4, 2026
The beautiful book cover pulled me in and set the mood for an endearing paranormal romance. And I really wanted to love it, but I struggled with the plot and pacing.
While the two main characters’ development is thorough, the pace dragged formulaically through so many exes with so much gaslighting that isn’t well-resolved. This might work for readers who like emotional reflection across an array of lovers, both healthy and unhealthy.
We meet Belle on the eve of her wedding when the ghost of her ex-boyfriend Jake from 10 years ago arrives to revisit her past (i.e., her exes) to make right something he wrongfully took from her. We watch Belle lose a little bit of herself with each situationship after Jake’s death while ghost Jake remains mostly emotionally constipated.
The plot became predictable with how each ex is introduced (with hot sex, every one!) and not a ton of learning along the way. I think the story ultimately took the easy way out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to read and review before publication.
While the two main characters’ development is thorough, the pace dragged formulaically through so many exes with so much gaslighting that isn’t well-resolved. This might work for readers who like emotional reflection across an array of lovers, both healthy and unhealthy.
We meet Belle on the eve of her wedding when the ghost of her ex-boyfriend Jake from 10 years ago arrives to revisit her past (i.e., her exes) to make right something he wrongfully took from her. We watch Belle lose a little bit of herself with each situationship after Jake’s death while ghost Jake remains mostly emotionally constipated.
The plot became predictable with how each ex is introduced (with hot sex, every one!) and not a ton of learning along the way. I think the story ultimately took the easy way out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to read and review before publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love this because the premise was unique but sadly that did not happen. And it was really down to the hero, Jake, who was just irredeemable and inherently unlikeable. He was awful in the beginning and still awful by the end. He doesn’t go on a big character development journey, he stays the same the entire time and never once convinced me that he was worthy of Belle.
When Belle eventually admits that if she could choose Jake, she would, I was really confused because he hadn’t done a single thing to earn back her love and trust. Not even the cute epilogue could change my mind. All he did was complain, ruin parts of her rehearsal dinner and laugh at her / judge her.
Maybe if I’d seen some growth from him, this would be a higher rating, but there was no difference between who he was on page 1 versus who he was on the final page.
I wanted to love this because the premise was unique but sadly that did not happen. And it was really down to the hero, Jake, who was just irredeemable and inherently unlikeable. He was awful in the beginning and still awful by the end. He doesn’t go on a big character development journey, he stays the same the entire time and never once convinced me that he was worthy of Belle.
When Belle eventually admits that if she could choose Jake, she would, I was really confused because he hadn’t done a single thing to earn back her love and trust. Not even the cute epilogue could change my mind. All he did was complain, ruin parts of her rehearsal dinner and laugh at her / judge her.
Maybe if I’d seen some growth from him, this would be a higher rating, but there was no difference between who he was on page 1 versus who he was on the final page.
October 11, 2026
The Ghost of Exes Past by Katie Snooks
Some love stories are about finding the right person. Others are about finding your way back to the person you were before life taught you to hide parts of yourself. *The Ghost of Exes Past* is a funny, heartfelt mix of both, with a wonderfully unexpected twist. Belle is days away from marrying Timothy, the man who seems to offer everything she could want. Her life is organised, her future looks secure, and she has worked hard to become the woman she believes she should be. Then her first love, Jake, turns up as a ghost, bringing ten years of unfinished feelings and a very inconvenient trip down memory lane. What I loved most was the chemistry between Belle and Jake. Their conversations are funny, sharp, and full of the kind of teasing that comes from knowing someone far too well. Beneath all the banter, though, there is genuine tenderness. Their shared memories feel personal, and their history gives even the smallest moments an emotional weight. The book also made me think about how relationships change us. Every person we love leaves something behind, whether it is a happy memory, a painful lesson, or a habit we never realised we had picked up. As Belle revisits her past, she has to look honestly at her choices and question whether the life she has built reflects who she really is. I especially appreciated that the story does not treat love as a simple competition between a first love and a new partner. Timothy is not merely an obstacle, and Jake is not presented as a perfect man just because he is the one Belle lost. The differences between them make the emotional choices feel much more meaningful. Katie Snooks balances romance, humour, grief, and a little supernatural chaos beautifully. Jake's experiences in the afterlife add some wonderfully funny moments, while Belle's struggle to understand herself gives the story its heart. The dialogue feels lively and natural, and I enjoyed how the humour never completely pushes the more vulnerable emotions aside. Belle is also refreshingly imperfect. She can be anxious, controlling, and far too concerned with keeping everything looking perfect, but those flaws make her journey feel believable. Watching her confront the distance between the person she presents to the world and the person she really is was one of the most satisfying parts of the book. The story does take its time exploring Belle's relationship history, so readers who prefer a fast-moving romance might find some sections slower than others. For me, however, those memories are what give the central relationship its depth. I finished this book thinking about first love, second chances, and the strange ways the past can help us understand the present. It is romantic without being sugary, funny without being shallow, and emotional without losing its lightness.
This Book reminded me that growing up does not mean becoming a perfectly polished version of yourself. Sometimes it means finding the courage to be honest about who you are, what you want, and what your heart has been trying to tell you all along.
A lovely, witty, and deeply human romance that I would happily recommend to readers who enjoy second chances, supernatural twists, and love stories with a little more heart beneath the humour.
Some love stories are about finding the right person. Others are about finding your way back to the person you were before life taught you to hide parts of yourself. *The Ghost of Exes Past* is a funny, heartfelt mix of both, with a wonderfully unexpected twist. Belle is days away from marrying Timothy, the man who seems to offer everything she could want. Her life is organised, her future looks secure, and she has worked hard to become the woman she believes she should be. Then her first love, Jake, turns up as a ghost, bringing ten years of unfinished feelings and a very inconvenient trip down memory lane. What I loved most was the chemistry between Belle and Jake. Their conversations are funny, sharp, and full of the kind of teasing that comes from knowing someone far too well. Beneath all the banter, though, there is genuine tenderness. Their shared memories feel personal, and their history gives even the smallest moments an emotional weight. The book also made me think about how relationships change us. Every person we love leaves something behind, whether it is a happy memory, a painful lesson, or a habit we never realised we had picked up. As Belle revisits her past, she has to look honestly at her choices and question whether the life she has built reflects who she really is. I especially appreciated that the story does not treat love as a simple competition between a first love and a new partner. Timothy is not merely an obstacle, and Jake is not presented as a perfect man just because he is the one Belle lost. The differences between them make the emotional choices feel much more meaningful. Katie Snooks balances romance, humour, grief, and a little supernatural chaos beautifully. Jake's experiences in the afterlife add some wonderfully funny moments, while Belle's struggle to understand herself gives the story its heart. The dialogue feels lively and natural, and I enjoyed how the humour never completely pushes the more vulnerable emotions aside. Belle is also refreshingly imperfect. She can be anxious, controlling, and far too concerned with keeping everything looking perfect, but those flaws make her journey feel believable. Watching her confront the distance between the person she presents to the world and the person she really is was one of the most satisfying parts of the book. The story does take its time exploring Belle's relationship history, so readers who prefer a fast-moving romance might find some sections slower than others. For me, however, those memories are what give the central relationship its depth. I finished this book thinking about first love, second chances, and the strange ways the past can help us understand the present. It is romantic without being sugary, funny without being shallow, and emotional without losing its lightness.
This Book reminded me that growing up does not mean becoming a perfectly polished version of yourself. Sometimes it means finding the courage to be honest about who you are, what you want, and what your heart has been trying to tell you all along.
A lovely, witty, and deeply human romance that I would happily recommend to readers who enjoy second chances, supernatural twists, and love stories with a little more heart beneath the humour.
October 13, 2026
I really loved the concept of this. It definitely gave me the BK borison, Ashley Poston Vibes. Each Man had my eyes rolling. Jake included. He had pissed me off quite a bit actually but he was funny so it saved him (just) Each relationship experience felt like something women actually go through and thought out each experience Belle changed something about herself or put up walls. It was quite powerful in that we can be guilty of changing ourselves to please and loosing ourselves along the way. I did have a little cry towards the end but the final chapter felt extremely rushed and lacked detail. It took me out of the story a little. The explanation was hinted at but i would have preferred more clarity for some aspects (see spoiler) .
The behaviour towards the female relationship was a red flag. Both from Jake and Belle. It played into the male fetish of sexualising FF relationships which made me uncomfortable. Especially when this was the nicest relationship experience
*spoiler below*
At the end would it be like he was never dead? Or would she be explaining to her family how she was marrying her previously dead ex boyfriend instead of timmy
The behaviour towards the female relationship was a red flag. Both from Jake and Belle. It played into the male fetish of sexualising FF relationships which made me uncomfortable. Especially when this was the nicest relationship experience
*spoiler below*
At the end would it be like he was never dead? Or would she be explaining to her family how she was marrying her previously dead ex boyfriend instead of timmy
September 19, 2026
I really enjoyed The Ghost of Exes Past! The whole idea of Belle’s dead ex showing up on the eve of her wedding and taking her on a trip through her romantic history was such a fun and slightly chaotic premise, but there’s also a really lovely story underneath it all about grief, self-worth and figuring out what you actually want from love.
I really liked seeing Belle look back on her past relationships and start to realise the patterns she’s fallen into. Jake definitely annoyed me at times, but I liked that the book didn’t just brush over his flaws and actually gave him a chance to grow.
The writing is really easy and chatty, with plenty of humour and pop-culture references, which made this such an easy read. And I may have shed a few tears towards the end because my heart was just SO full. Overall, this was such a fun, emotional romance with a little supernatural chaos thrown in, and I really enjoyed it!
I really liked seeing Belle look back on her past relationships and start to realise the patterns she’s fallen into. Jake definitely annoyed me at times, but I liked that the book didn’t just brush over his flaws and actually gave him a chance to grow.
The writing is really easy and chatty, with plenty of humour and pop-culture references, which made this such an easy read. And I may have shed a few tears towards the end because my heart was just SO full. Overall, this was such a fun, emotional romance with a little supernatural chaos thrown in, and I really enjoyed it!
October 7, 2026
Lived up to expectations - it’s a great read and would recommend! Made me think a lot about our personal histories and the trails we leave behind.
October 8, 2026
Absolutely brilliant read. Beautifully written.
Recommended highly for anyone
Recommended highly for anyone
October 13, 2026
The Ghost of Exes Past is exactly what the title suggests: we go down on memory lane on Belle’s previous relationships and she does it with her first love that passed away quite abruptly! It was very interesting to see her changing as she goes through life and with the experiences and lessons that come her way; and at the same time, it was interesting seeing Jake still as a 25 year old, understanding how those 10 years have shaped today’s Belle.
The writing was ok, I think it took me a few chapters to get into it but once I did, it was quite enjoyable and in general, this book was a quick read. I was a bit confused at the end, I think it happened a bit too fast which left me with some questions but I did like the end!
The writing was ok, I think it took me a few chapters to get into it but once I did, it was quite enjoyable and in general, this book was a quick read. I was a bit confused at the end, I think it happened a bit too fast which left me with some questions but I did like the end!
October 13, 2026
Ahh I loved this book so much!!
I really loved how Katie took the aspect of a Christmas carol and gave it a different take. A look into all of Belle’s previous relationships but it’s not all that it seems!
For a debut, this was really good. I was constantly kept entertained and really enjoyed Katie’s writing!
I really loved how Katie took the aspect of a Christmas carol and gave it a different take. A look into all of Belle’s previous relationships but it’s not all that it seems!
For a debut, this was really good. I was constantly kept entertained and really enjoyed Katie’s writing!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I saw the cover for the Ghost of Exes Past and knew I had to read it while it was Read Now on NetGalley. I've read a few paranormal romance books this year and this one definitely reminded of Charles Dickens' the Christmas Carol, B.K. Borison's Good Spirits, the upcoming book Love You to Death by Jenna Levine, and Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner's 2009 film, Ghost of Girlfriends Past.
If you're familiar with the Christmas Carol, then it's pretty easy to figure out where the book will go when it comes to exploring the past. In this instance, the day before her wedding, Belle encounters the ghost of one of her past relationships and both of them explore her past relationships and see if she learned anything from them in an "attempt to save her soul". While this is a unique take, I did find some of the relationships to be a bit unnecessary, especially considering how she was treated. My heart did break a bit for Jake because considering his circumstances...he never got the closure necessary while he was alive. I do feel that his presence as the "ghost of exes past" was able to provide him with some sense of closure even with the odds working against him. I would have liked to have seen a bit more exploration into Belle and his relationship but for what's given in the book, I do think that things ended well between them.
Even though Belle seemed very adamant about marrying Timothy, having these memories resurface definitely made her question whether or not he was the right person for her. With the way the ending went, I do think that Belle made the right choice.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read for me. There is plenty of spice in this book, so for those readers who are looking for a spicy paranormal romance to read, you will not be disappointed. Highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy paranormal romance with second chances, magic, and spice.
Thank you Avon Books UK for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
If you're familiar with the Christmas Carol, then it's pretty easy to figure out where the book will go when it comes to exploring the past. In this instance, the day before her wedding, Belle encounters the ghost of one of her past relationships and both of them explore her past relationships and see if she learned anything from them in an "attempt to save her soul". While this is a unique take, I did find some of the relationships to be a bit unnecessary, especially considering how she was treated. My heart did break a bit for Jake because considering his circumstances...he never got the closure necessary while he was alive. I do feel that his presence as the "ghost of exes past" was able to provide him with some sense of closure even with the odds working against him. I would have liked to have seen a bit more exploration into Belle and his relationship but for what's given in the book, I do think that things ended well between them.
Even though Belle seemed very adamant about marrying Timothy, having these memories resurface definitely made her question whether or not he was the right person for her. With the way the ending went, I do think that Belle made the right choice.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read for me. There is plenty of spice in this book, so for those readers who are looking for a spicy paranormal romance to read, you will not be disappointed. Highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy paranormal romance with second chances, magic, and spice.
Thank you Avon Books UK for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2026
*The Ghost of Exes Past* has an intriguing premise: on the eve of her wedding, Belle’s dead ex-boyfriend returns to take her through her romantic history. What begins as an awkward supernatural interruption becomes a story about grief, self-worth, and the ways relationships can change what we expect from love.
The strongest part of the novel is Belle’s gradual recognition of her own patterns. Revisiting her past reveals more than a succession of unsuitable partners; it shows how she has learned to protect herself, sometimes at the expense of knowing what she actually wants. The contrast between her carefully managed present and the different versions of herself she encounters gives the story its emotional weight.
Jake is frequently frustrating. His sarcasm, jealousy and instinct to turn uncomfortable moments into jokes can make him difficult to warm to. But the novel does recognise that these are flaws. His treatment of Belle matters, and his eventual willingness to confront it is essential to his development. Whether that earns him enough goodwill will probably determine how well the romance works for each reader.
Belle’s relationship with Emma is also given genuine emotional significance. Alongside their attraction, there is affection, respect and the experience of feeling understood. In the version I’m reviewing, Emma is remembered warmly as someone whose presence helped Belle understand herself. Some of Jake’s remarks may still grate, but they don’t encompass everything the novel says about that relationship.
The writing is conversational, with frequent pop-culture references and comic asides. These give it energy, although sometimes the jokes interrupt moments that would be stronger with more room to breathe. The repeated structure of revisiting relationships can also become predictable, and the narration occasionally explains feelings that the scene has already conveyed.
Ultimately, this is an emotionally ambitious romance with an appealing concept and some uneven execution. Its most interesting question is whether Belle can recognise the difference between being loved and reshaping herself to keep that love. That gives the book more substance than its playful premise initially suggests.
The strongest part of the novel is Belle’s gradual recognition of her own patterns. Revisiting her past reveals more than a succession of unsuitable partners; it shows how she has learned to protect herself, sometimes at the expense of knowing what she actually wants. The contrast between her carefully managed present and the different versions of herself she encounters gives the story its emotional weight.
Jake is frequently frustrating. His sarcasm, jealousy and instinct to turn uncomfortable moments into jokes can make him difficult to warm to. But the novel does recognise that these are flaws. His treatment of Belle matters, and his eventual willingness to confront it is essential to his development. Whether that earns him enough goodwill will probably determine how well the romance works for each reader.
Belle’s relationship with Emma is also given genuine emotional significance. Alongside their attraction, there is affection, respect and the experience of feeling understood. In the version I’m reviewing, Emma is remembered warmly as someone whose presence helped Belle understand herself. Some of Jake’s remarks may still grate, but they don’t encompass everything the novel says about that relationship.
The writing is conversational, with frequent pop-culture references and comic asides. These give it energy, although sometimes the jokes interrupt moments that would be stronger with more room to breathe. The repeated structure of revisiting relationships can also become predictable, and the narration occasionally explains feelings that the scene has already conveyed.
Ultimately, this is an emotionally ambitious romance with an appealing concept and some uneven execution. Its most interesting question is whether Belle can recognise the difference between being loved and reshaping herself to keep that love. That gives the book more substance than its playful premise initially suggests.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Ghost of Exes Past is a really difficult one to rate because there is real character development throughout the book, and there are some emotional moments in there, but I think the main problem is that the MMC of the story, Jake, starts off at such a low bar that even the character development arc couldn't fully redeem him for me.
Ten years after his death, Jake appears to FMC Belle as a ghost on the eve of her wedding to someone else, and he shows up smirking at her, and calling her a bridezilla as she panics about seeing the ghost of her dead ex. It took Jake 9 years to even work out that his unfinished business was his ex, and even then he was told that by his spirit guide since Jake thought that seeing all the top rated movies was more likely to be his unfinished business than the woman he broke up with on the night he died. And then he spent another 11 months NOT seeing her, until he finally decides to give it a try on the last month of his 10 year deadline. And when he finally sees her again, he ridicules her. So while I understand that the whole point of this story is Jake realising the impact that his actions had on Belle's life, and that arc would require his behaviour to be poor to start with, it's just hard to connect to and root for a character like that.
So this is a difficult one to rate because the author fully delivered the story she was going for, and it was definitely successful in delivering that character development arc, but that plotline is dependent on Jake being unlikeable. The ending is wrapped up extremely quickly too with no real explanation, so I think more context and scenes at the end are needed to finish off the story.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Ten years after his death, Jake appears to FMC Belle as a ghost on the eve of her wedding to someone else, and he shows up smirking at her, and calling her a bridezilla as she panics about seeing the ghost of her dead ex. It took Jake 9 years to even work out that his unfinished business was his ex, and even then he was told that by his spirit guide since Jake thought that seeing all the top rated movies was more likely to be his unfinished business than the woman he broke up with on the night he died. And then he spent another 11 months NOT seeing her, until he finally decides to give it a try on the last month of his 10 year deadline. And when he finally sees her again, he ridicules her. So while I understand that the whole point of this story is Jake realising the impact that his actions had on Belle's life, and that arc would require his behaviour to be poor to start with, it's just hard to connect to and root for a character like that.
So this is a difficult one to rate because the author fully delivered the story she was going for, and it was definitely successful in delivering that character development arc, but that plotline is dependent on Jake being unlikeable. The ending is wrapped up extremely quickly too with no real explanation, so I think more context and scenes at the end are needed to finish off the story.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was not what I expected from a paranormal romance at all.
A somewhat cute take on the age old story of the ghost of Xmas past.
I was expecting romance but ultimately got emotional trauma. There is a romance underneath the plot in this book but it didn’t feel all that substantial to me even if I was routing for them.
So Belle is visited by her long dead ex to ‘put right her wrongs’ or so he tells her and they take a trip down memory lane through all her relationships , this means there’s a lot of back and forth with memories and present day which happens to be the eve of her wedding. If you can’t deal with time jumps, this will not be for you but it should be expected.
Belle watching her younger self retreat into herself over a man whom she had thought loved her but ultimately dismissed her feelings resonated on a level that reminded me to read trigger warnings! Some part of this book will be traumatic if you have been through an emotionally abusive relationship but it is dealt with quite well.
After grief, some poor decisions and choices in men that resulted in heartbreaks and self depreciation Belle realises some things about herself that she wouldn’t have and it’s sweet to watch Jake and Belle re living falling in love the first time round. I am glad this had a happy ending because like I said it isn’t particularly romantic.
Jake as an mmc can be quite immature but I accepted that he died young and hasn’t done anything with his time to warrant growing up apparently but I took it as it was. There was some character growth but the book pretty much spans a day so I don’t expect miracles any more than I expected how sad some of this story is.
If you love a good Christmas carols story with spice then brilliant, just be warned it’s not all that cute!
A somewhat cute take on the age old story of the ghost of Xmas past.
I was expecting romance but ultimately got emotional trauma. There is a romance underneath the plot in this book but it didn’t feel all that substantial to me even if I was routing for them.
So Belle is visited by her long dead ex to ‘put right her wrongs’ or so he tells her and they take a trip down memory lane through all her relationships , this means there’s a lot of back and forth with memories and present day which happens to be the eve of her wedding. If you can’t deal with time jumps, this will not be for you but it should be expected.
Belle watching her younger self retreat into herself over a man whom she had thought loved her but ultimately dismissed her feelings resonated on a level that reminded me to read trigger warnings! Some part of this book will be traumatic if you have been through an emotionally abusive relationship but it is dealt with quite well.
After grief, some poor decisions and choices in men that resulted in heartbreaks and self depreciation Belle realises some things about herself that she wouldn’t have and it’s sweet to watch Jake and Belle re living falling in love the first time round. I am glad this had a happy ending because like I said it isn’t particularly romantic.
Jake as an mmc can be quite immature but I accepted that he died young and hasn’t done anything with his time to warrant growing up apparently but I took it as it was. There was some character growth but the book pretty much spans a day so I don’t expect miracles any more than I expected how sad some of this story is.
If you love a good Christmas carols story with spice then brilliant, just be warned it’s not all that cute!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted to love this one, and while I did enjoy parts of it, I had a few issues with the story. I think if you don’t overthink it, it’s a cute little rom-com with a really original premise, perfect for spooky season and a little bit spicy in places.
Belle is about to marry Timothy when, at their rehearsal dinner, her first proper ex-boyfriend suddenly turns up. The slight problem? He died shortly after they broke up ten years ago. In a sort of A Christmas Carol meets rom-com situation, he takes Belle back through her previous relationships, revisiting her exes and the choices she made along the way, in the hope that they can work out what’s keeping his soul from moving on.
I’ve followed Katie on social media for a while, so I really enjoyed spotting some of the little Easter eggs throughout, particularly the hamster, the Whitby references and some of Belle’s fashion choices. Those details made it feel very Katie and were a cute addition if you’re familiar with her content.
The concept was fun and different, and I can definitely see this going down well as a cosy spooky-season read. Unfortunately, there were quite a few plot holes that I couldn’t quite ignore, and I found the ending a little under-explained. Things seemed to just sort of... happen, and I was left with quite a few questions about how and why it all worked.
If you can just go along for the ride without thinking about the mechanics too much it's ok with. Unfortunately, overthinking the plot is exactly the kind of thing I do when I read, so some of those unanswered questions stopped me from loving it as much as I wanted to. I think the characters could have been built out a little more too.
Belle is about to marry Timothy when, at their rehearsal dinner, her first proper ex-boyfriend suddenly turns up. The slight problem? He died shortly after they broke up ten years ago. In a sort of A Christmas Carol meets rom-com situation, he takes Belle back through her previous relationships, revisiting her exes and the choices she made along the way, in the hope that they can work out what’s keeping his soul from moving on.
I’ve followed Katie on social media for a while, so I really enjoyed spotting some of the little Easter eggs throughout, particularly the hamster, the Whitby references and some of Belle’s fashion choices. Those details made it feel very Katie and were a cute addition if you’re familiar with her content.
The concept was fun and different, and I can definitely see this going down well as a cosy spooky-season read. Unfortunately, there were quite a few plot holes that I couldn’t quite ignore, and I found the ending a little under-explained. Things seemed to just sort of... happen, and I was left with quite a few questions about how and why it all worked.
If you can just go along for the ride without thinking about the mechanics too much it's ok with. Unfortunately, overthinking the plot is exactly the kind of thing I do when I read, so some of those unanswered questions stopped me from loving it as much as I wanted to. I think the characters could have been built out a little more too.
October 9, 2026
The Ghost of Exes Past by Katie Snooks
Belle is just a day away from marrying Timothy when her first love, Jake, suddenly returns as a ghost. Having been dead for ten years, Jake has unfinished business, and Belle finds herself revisiting her past relationships at the worst possible time.
I really enjoyed the idea behind this story. Belle is organised, funny and determined to keep her life under control, while Jake is cheeky, sarcastic and still knows exactly how to get under her skin. Their banter is one of the best parts of the book, but there's also a more emotional side to their relationship as they face old memories and unresolved feelings. Timothy adds another layer to Belle's situation, making her question what she really wants from love.
Katie Snooks writes in a very conversational style, with plenty of humour and pop culture references that make the characters feel relatable. The story moves along well, although some parts feel a little drawn out, and the jokes occasionally take away from the more serious moments. Still, I liked how the book explores growing up, heartbreak and how our past relationships shape us.
Overall, this was a fun, heartfelt read with an unusual twist on the second-chance romance idea. A good choice if you enjoy witty dialogue, complicated feelings and a little supernatural chaos.
Belle is just a day away from marrying Timothy when her first love, Jake, suddenly returns as a ghost. Having been dead for ten years, Jake has unfinished business, and Belle finds herself revisiting her past relationships at the worst possible time.
I really enjoyed the idea behind this story. Belle is organised, funny and determined to keep her life under control, while Jake is cheeky, sarcastic and still knows exactly how to get under her skin. Their banter is one of the best parts of the book, but there's also a more emotional side to their relationship as they face old memories and unresolved feelings. Timothy adds another layer to Belle's situation, making her question what she really wants from love.
Katie Snooks writes in a very conversational style, with plenty of humour and pop culture references that make the characters feel relatable. The story moves along well, although some parts feel a little drawn out, and the jokes occasionally take away from the more serious moments. Still, I liked how the book explores growing up, heartbreak and how our past relationships shape us.
Overall, this was a fun, heartfelt read with an unusual twist on the second-chance romance idea. A good choice if you enjoy witty dialogue, complicated feelings and a little supernatural chaos.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
On her wedding day Belle comes face to face with the ghost of her ex, Jake, who died 10 years ago. They then embark on a journey through all of her past relationships before her wedding day.
Overall, I think this book was too much. It was cringey, overused modern words to sound more "teen," and lost me halfway through the book. I appreciate the thought and I think it would have been a good plot, but it read like a Wattpad novel and I just couldn't get into it. By the time it was over, I was ready to be done and move on.
I like the happy ending, but I feel like it lacked depth. Jake and Belle didn't seem to mature and develop as characters. Jake was childish and immature, so I found myself not even wanting her to be with him. But once I got about halfway through, I didn't like either of them and didn't care what happened to them at all. I may have missed it, but I also couldn't figure out why Jake and Belle had to go through all her previous relationships either and how the ending made sense. I can't go into detail because I don't want to spoil it, but the ending fell flat to me and I was confused.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I think this book was too much. It was cringey, overused modern words to sound more "teen," and lost me halfway through the book. I appreciate the thought and I think it would have been a good plot, but it read like a Wattpad novel and I just couldn't get into it. By the time it was over, I was ready to be done and move on.
I like the happy ending, but I feel like it lacked depth. Jake and Belle didn't seem to mature and develop as characters. Jake was childish and immature, so I found myself not even wanting her to be with him. But once I got about halfway through, I didn't like either of them and didn't care what happened to them at all. I may have missed it, but I also couldn't figure out why Jake and Belle had to go through all her previous relationships either and how the ending made sense. I can't go into detail because I don't want to spoil it, but the ending fell flat to me and I was confused.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2026
I really did not enjoy reading The Ghosts of Exes Past, as the story unfortunately just did not work for me personally. The female main character is getting ready to marry someone who seems truly lovely, so the sudden return of a toxic ex-partner as a ghost right before the big day would have simply annoyed me; I would have much preferred to see her enjoying the evening before her wedding with her future husband. Instead, she gets entirely swept up in revisiting old relationships with this ghost, which felt quite strange to follow. I found that the characters simply weren't likeable enough to get behind, and the narrative focus felt too heavily placed on previous sexual encounters rather than building a genuine emotional connection. While the concept is a fun, spicy spin on a classic tale, it fell flat for my tastes. That being said, it is a quick and light read, so if you are looking for a fast escape packed with plenty of spice, then this one might still be for you. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"I really need the ghost of my ex to not be here right now." I really struggled with this one, I felt like Jake obviously stuck at the age he was when he died, expected Belle to be exactly the same and didn't want her to change. Obviously there is wanting someone to remain who they are but also people will grow so there will be change, it took a very long time for Jake to think about what Belle could of been through to make her who she was the day they reunited. I just did not feel that invested in the characters, Belle had been through a lot and though she chose answers which were safe in the end, that then seemed to erase any other parts of her story?
This book showed some hard relationships and a rough time Belle had been through, I did like the fact they both made notes. Unsure how I feel on the ending.
This book showed some hard relationships and a rough time Belle had been through, I did like the fact they both made notes. Unsure how I feel on the ending.
September 18, 2026
This was such a cosy, easy read but a difficult one to rate. Whilst I did like it and the premise was there, the MMC was slightly unlikeable and I was struggling rooting for them to get back together. I don’t feel like there was a lot of character development for Jake nor did I find that the chemistry was there between Jake and Belle until the very end.
They didn’t seem very happy to see each other which did confuse me as the book went on because they didn’t actually want to split.. so I would of thought there would of been a bit more of a reconcile between them. And Jake staying away for 10 years and not going to see her? I don’t get that.
I feel like there could have been a lot more to the ending as it left me with a few questions.
For a debut Novel, it wasn’t bad and I would read from this author again. And would probably read this book again despite the characters development as it was an easy read for cosy season.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC
They didn’t seem very happy to see each other which did confuse me as the book went on because they didn’t actually want to split.. so I would of thought there would of been a bit more of a reconcile between them. And Jake staying away for 10 years and not going to see her? I don’t get that.
I feel like there could have been a lot more to the ending as it left me with a few questions.
For a debut Novel, it wasn’t bad and I would read from this author again. And would probably read this book again despite the characters development as it was an easy read for cosy season.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2026
The Ghost of Exes Past by Katie Snooks is such a fun mix of romance, humour, and a little bit of magic. Belle is about to marry her dream guy when her first love, Jake, suddenly shows up as a ghost, even though he died ten years ago. Now she has to revisit her past relationships and face memories she thought she had moved on from.
I really liked the banter between Belle and Jake. Their conversations are funny, messy, and full of that familiar tension you just can't ignore. Belle's journey also adds an emotional side to the story, making it about more than just romance. The writing is easy to follow, with plenty of humour and some genuinely heartfelt moments. The pacing kept things moving, although a few parts felt a little long. Overall, it's a charming read about love, heartbreak, and learning from your past. A lovely pick if you enjoy romance with a supernatural twist!
I really liked the banter between Belle and Jake. Their conversations are funny, messy, and full of that familiar tension you just can't ignore. Belle's journey also adds an emotional side to the story, making it about more than just romance. The writing is easy to follow, with plenty of humour and some genuinely heartfelt moments. The pacing kept things moving, although a few parts felt a little long. Overall, it's a charming read about love, heartbreak, and learning from your past. A lovely pick if you enjoy romance with a supernatural twist!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read an eARC of The Ghosts of Exes Past in exchangeforhonestfeedback!
I've followed Katie Nooks on socials for a whiley (fellow emetophobe!) & I've always found her really relatable, so I was really excited when I discovered she was writing a book! 😍
We take a trip down memory lane with Belle & her ghost ex, Jake, through all of her previous partners - I feel like this would be terrifying 😅 I enjoyed the dual POV throughout the story, especially the fact it was written in first person! 🤌🏻
If I'm being completely honest, I wasn't completely invested in this story as I didn't connect to the characters but I will say that the ending was really cute 🥹
Thank you so much to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read an eARC of The Ghosts of Exes Past in exchangeforhonestfeedback!
I've followed Katie Nooks on socials for a whiley (fellow emetophobe!) & I've always found her really relatable, so I was really excited when I discovered she was writing a book! 😍
We take a trip down memory lane with Belle & her ghost ex, Jake, through all of her previous partners - I feel like this would be terrifying 😅 I enjoyed the dual POV throughout the story, especially the fact it was written in first person! 🤌🏻
If I'm being completely honest, I wasn't completely invested in this story as I didn't connect to the characters but I will say that the ending was really cute 🥹
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital copy of this ARC through NetGalley.
I truly enjoyed this book. On the night before her wedding, Belle is met by Jake, the ghost of a boyfriend that she had lost 10 years ago. I like how Jake was able to take Belle back to watch many of the good and bad things that happened in her relationships following his death. It shows how one tragic event can change your life and the person that you become. Some of the partners that Belle had following Jake were pretty terrible even though Jake had made his mistakes when he was alive and as a ghost. There are moments that will make you laugh and moments that will make you sad throughout the book. There are definitely some spicy moments and the ending was not predictable.
I truly enjoyed this book. On the night before her wedding, Belle is met by Jake, the ghost of a boyfriend that she had lost 10 years ago. I like how Jake was able to take Belle back to watch many of the good and bad things that happened in her relationships following his death. It shows how one tragic event can change your life and the person that you become. Some of the partners that Belle had following Jake were pretty terrible even though Jake had made his mistakes when he was alive and as a ghost. There are moments that will make you laugh and moments that will make you sad throughout the book. There are definitely some spicy moments and the ending was not predictable.
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