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Ghosts of Boyfriends Past
First she wanted naughty. Madison Greenwood's first post-college Christmas is more Sex and the City than It's a Wonderful Life. Sure, she does the home-for-the-holidays thing, but with her cynical pal Leo tagging along, her mom confessing to an extramarital affair, and every guy she ever dated (or lusted after) in high school beating a hot path to her front door, the movie of her life is anything but G-rated. Still a girl's got to sow her wild oats while she can, right?
- Will appeal to fans of Candace Bushnell, Anna Maxted, Sophie Kinsella, Melissa Senate, Wendy Markham, Patrick Sanchez, and Roz Bailey.
- Features an excerpt from the author's new trade paperback. The Eggnog Chronicles (Strapless 10/04).
- Will appeal to fans of Candace Bushnell, Anna Maxted, Sophie Kinsella, Melissa Senate, Wendy Markham, Patrick Sanchez, and Roz Bailey.
- Features an excerpt from the author's new trade paperback. The Eggnog Chronicles (Strapless 10/04).
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
7 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 18, 2008
Awful. No one talks like the main character or would act like she does in any relationship. AWFUL.
December 13, 2017
Enjoyable, light reading for the holidays!!
December 27, 2009
I tried - I really did. But (1) I couldn't stand the main character, (2) was very turned off by the way the author made the characters talk and (3) the way it went from chick lit to porno in one sentence flat. It just didn't gel together well at all. It felt too much like an older person trying to write "hip and cool" slang. Sorry - didn't work. Who the hell calls an alcoholic drink a "coldie"??? IT'S A DRINK! After trying to read this (only made it about 100 pages through, skipped to the end and realized I called it from the get-go) I'm going to need a drink myself.
December 12, 2017
I bought this book because I am a fan of Charles Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ and I liked that the title and blurb had the same feel to it.
Madison is a party girl who hasn’t quite finished growing up when we first meet her. She will not be to everyone’s taste because of her sexing and boozing ways. However I think everyone can appreciate or even relate to the development from young adult to womanhood. Even if she is starting a little later than most.
The 4 characters I also enjoyed following are:
* Sugar - A Southern girl with all the charm verve that you could want in your best girl friend.
* Leo - Madison’s conscience and biggest cheerleader. I loved his soft spot for the Soaps.
* Wolf - A high school friend from San Francisco who is a member of the Portuguese Royal family but is just one of the gang.
* Ryan - A childhood friend and ex-high school sweetie who is the most stable, sure and steady character of them all.
The book contains a lot of people who are important for the short part they play in the story, but as they really just come and go, they are not fleshed out.
This includes Madison’s parents, so be prepared to have some unanswered questions about them, though their small part has a big impact on Madison.
Even though the story bounces through different time lines, the segues were well crafted and the transitions brought you back where you left off in the modern time. This made the story flow very nicely.
The main characters developed at a pace that was plausible and each of their storylines added to the major plot. I found the overall flow a very pleasant reading experience.
Ok, I wasn’t completely sure who the Antagonist was here until the last quarter of the book. But the way the story was written, you knew something big was coming. Well, maybe not BIG exactly, but there was some anticipation that directed the story along.
The WHO was worth the anticipation.
When we finally get to really meet him, he is kind, generous, intelligent, hardworking and dedicated. I love his persistence.
Mmmm. Gotta love a man who will give his heart once and be unshakable in his choice.
Witnessing the growth and maturity in Madison Greenwood’s character gives me some hope for these two for an HEA. At the very least they will have an active sex life.
I was rather disgusted that Madison, a woman so caring and intelligent, spent the majority of the story equating sex with love. Her friends did try to subtlety let her on the difference but even they couldn’t clue her in. She finally got it though.
The story started off pretty explicitly, but as Madison’s character started to round out and develop the bed-sport descriptions became more focused on her feelings.
Ghosts of Boyfriends Past was an entertaining, humourous and sexy read of one woman’s journey through Christmases of self discovery and discovering love. A kind of Chick-lit Christmas Carol.
I recommend this book for anyone looking for the equivalent of a beach read while enjoying their Christmas holidays.
Madison is a party girl who hasn’t quite finished growing up when we first meet her. She will not be to everyone’s taste because of her sexing and boozing ways. However I think everyone can appreciate or even relate to the development from young adult to womanhood. Even if she is starting a little later than most.
The 4 characters I also enjoyed following are:
* Sugar - A Southern girl with all the charm verve that you could want in your best girl friend.
* Leo - Madison’s conscience and biggest cheerleader. I loved his soft spot for the Soaps.
* Wolf - A high school friend from San Francisco who is a member of the Portuguese Royal family but is just one of the gang.
* Ryan - A childhood friend and ex-high school sweetie who is the most stable, sure and steady character of them all.
The book contains a lot of people who are important for the short part they play in the story, but as they really just come and go, they are not fleshed out.
This includes Madison’s parents, so be prepared to have some unanswered questions about them, though their small part has a big impact on Madison.
Even though the story bounces through different time lines, the segues were well crafted and the transitions brought you back where you left off in the modern time. This made the story flow very nicely.
The main characters developed at a pace that was plausible and each of their storylines added to the major plot. I found the overall flow a very pleasant reading experience.
Ok, I wasn’t completely sure who the Antagonist was here until the last quarter of the book. But the way the story was written, you knew something big was coming. Well, maybe not BIG exactly, but there was some anticipation that directed the story along.
The WHO was worth the anticipation.
When we finally get to really meet him, he is kind, generous, intelligent, hardworking and dedicated. I love his persistence.
Mmmm. Gotta love a man who will give his heart once and be unshakable in his choice.
Witnessing the growth and maturity in Madison Greenwood’s character gives me some hope for these two for an HEA. At the very least they will have an active sex life.
I was rather disgusted that Madison, a woman so caring and intelligent, spent the majority of the story equating sex with love. Her friends did try to subtlety let her on the difference but even they couldn’t clue her in. She finally got it though.
The story started off pretty explicitly, but as Madison’s character started to round out and develop the bed-sport descriptions became more focused on her feelings.
Ghosts of Boyfriends Past was an entertaining, humourous and sexy read of one woman’s journey through Christmases of self discovery and discovering love. A kind of Chick-lit Christmas Carol.
I recommend this book for anyone looking for the equivalent of a beach read while enjoying their Christmas holidays.
February 12, 2025
It was a good book - I love the steamy parts - but wouldn't necessarily recommend it. I read because a work friend suggested it & I had wanted a Christmas book for around the holidays, but looking back it seems like a silly book to read ... what was the plot? Some chick reminiscing on past boyfriends?
The writing was good, just not the most thought-provoking, although that was likely not the intention!
The writing was good, just not the most thought-provoking, although that was likely not the intention!
December 7, 2017
Enjoyable, readable story with happy ending.
December 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Really hit the feels at the end!
January 3, 2019
Almost gave this 1 star. I have never rooted against a main character more in my life. All of the females in this book are absolutely ridiculous. The inner monologue of Madison makes me want to gauge my eyes out when she thinks she loves every man she shares two words with. She's so ridiculous that she believes that people get engaged after 5 days of knowing someone! The author just tried too hard: its like she watched Sex and the City, Serendipity, and Scrooge and then made a poor excuse of a romantic novel. It took me over two months to cringe through this and I'm sorry I wasted my time.... how are there so many positive reviews with people saying they have read this multiple times!?!
December 18, 2015
I didn't care for the main character, madison. She slept with anyone that was male, was self absorbed. The book could have a novella instead, as it seemed to drag on and on. And I just didn't care for the ending...she couldn't stand the guy, but she slept with him, then used him, then after she introduces him to her coworker, that she didn't even like, now suddenly she's in love with him? And Ryan realizes she's the One when she blow him off - again? Sorry, it just seemed forced. This one seriously messed up lady, who is never going to be happy, no matter who she's with!
December 10, 2009
I have to say that the story started as a very cute and sexy Christmas story, but by the time "Madison" was with her third man in 10 days I couldn't help getting turned off. I know this is a fiction novel but c'mon it seems like the author used "Madison" to convey her innermost sexual fantasies! The stories in this book sound like most chick flicks very unreal.
November 7, 2011
This book is just okay. Needs editing bad. The first 2/3rds are disjointed. The last third was really pure chick lit that any chick lit fan could enjoy. The first part of the book is written cheap bodice ripper style. Would be interested in reading another of her books to see if her writing improved. Was an interesting topic, need to edit down, too much drivel at the beginning.
June 14, 2007
Loved this book! Heroine really taps into all single gals' fears of spending Christmas alone. Can't wait to read more from Alexander.
February 1, 2009
Didn't enjoy at all...the premise sounded promising. I didn't like the main character at all which goes a long way when reading a book.
Read
June 5, 2023Wasn't able to get into this story. The lead character, Madison, comes across to me as very needy and desperate.
October 13, 2009
My very favorite holiday read. It's really funny and will put, if not keep, you in the holiday spirit. I read it almost every holiday season.
Read
January 29, 2010from Joanie. it was ok. wouldn't keep it to read again
April 3, 2012
liked it so much that I tracked down her other books.
January 9, 2013
This book is cute! I try to read it every Christmas. Very girly
September 2, 2018
Badly in need of editing and I didn't like the heroine.
December 12, 2012
Read it almost every year for the Holidays. Very funny and the journey to self discovery and love is one I think most of us can relate to. VERY FUNNY! Character development is great.
December 30, 2012
Cute idea for a book, but something doesn't quite click. It's a quick enjoyable read, but I agree with other readers that the book needs better editing.
August 23, 2014
Easy and enjoyable read.
July 16, 2014
I liked this story. Thought it was cute and simple for me. (I have bad concentration so I can't read anything too deep).
Did Not Finish
March 18, 2026I got about 70 pages in, but couldn’t muster much enthusiasm.
Read
August 17, 2015really good
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews