The Ghost of Me

by Samantha Collins

Going back home to deal with the death of her grandmother, an unexpected visitor catches her by surprise. She is thrusted into the past- but a past that shredded her innocence. Will she be able to put the past behind her or will this trip turn out to be more? Follow Riley as she navigates the world of grief and tragedy, toxic family dynamics and broken relationships.

ebook

First published June 28, 2026

Reviews

[Verena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story deals with all kinds of addiction and abuse: alcoholism, drugs, toxic and abusive relationships. The trigger warnings come for good reason and sometimes I just wanted to yell at the main character to change her directions. Very intense - very catching.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished my ARC of The Ghost of Me and I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much Samantha Collins for the opportunity to read this early.

The Ghost of Me is an emotional and heartfelt story that explores trauma, healing, family relationships, and second chances. One of the book's greatest strengths is its protagonist, Riley. Her struggles feel genuine, and her journey toward self-acceptance and healing is both relatable and moving. The author does a great job portraying the lasting effects of childhood experiences and the courage it takes to confront them.

I especially enjoyed the strong focus on personal growth and resilience. The relationships between the sisters and her grandmother added depth to the story, and the bookstore dream provided a hopeful thread throughout the novel. The flashbacks helped build Riley's backstory and made her emotional journey more impactful.

I found myself invested in the characters and wanting to see how their stories unfolded. The romance was complicated and sometimes frustrating, but it sparked thoughtful conversations about forgiveness, accountability, and whether people can truly change.

Overall, The Ghost of Me is a touching, character-driven novel with meaningful themes and plenty of heart. I appreciated the emotional depth and the message that healing is possible even after life's most difficult experiences. Readers who enjoy emotional contemporary fiction and stories of personal growth will likely find a lot to appreciate here.

[Skyllar Branch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually almost put this book down.. I know not the first line you want to read on a review but im glad I didn't put it down. It wasn't due to the writing or the story but the trama and fighting of the family because I grew up with a semi normal family but it got bad and you know how your parents think you aren't watching but you are. (also a reference to a character in the book 😉) but I pushed through it and I loved it. It was a beautiful story and I hope there is another book to see where it goes 🙏🏼