First of all, I have to say that I was kindly accepted to read an advanced copy of this book before it was published through Netgalley so a big thank you and shout out to Penguin Fig Tree for accepting my request!

Before I read this book, I actually bought a ticket to Dolly’s live show in celebration of Ghosts being published. So as I tuned in to the live event (which I watched from my kitchen sink whilst washing the dishes), I found myself completely mesmerised by the things that Dolly and the interviewer and Dolly’s close friend Caroline O'Donoghue were saying. Everything that they were discussing was making me think, ‘OK, hang on a minute, is everything I want in life really what I want or am I just made to think that I want this because this is what society wants for me?’

For example, Dolly was saying that when she saw the effects that childbirth had had on her best friend, it was like the bubble of this magical baby world burst and suddenly she was pulled into the very real reality of being a parent. Although probably magical in itself when you eventually experience it, as an outsider looking in on a world that you haven’t had the chance to discover yet, Dolly was asking herself and I suppose I found that I was now asking myself… ‘Is this actually what I want? Do I want my life to change that dramatically?’

So after listening to Dolly and her wisdom during this event, I knew that I had to do one thing… I had to read her first ever fiction novel, Ghosts. Ghosts is the story of 30 year-old Nina Dean - a successful food writer with loving friends and family, plus a new home and neighbourhood. Following the end of her long-term relationship with close friend Joe, she finds herself on the ‘Linx Online’ dating app where she eventually meets Max, a beguiling romantic hero who tells her on date one that he's going to marry her!

A new relationship couldn't have come at a better time for Nina as so far, her thirties have not been the liberating, uncomplicated experience she was sold. Everywhere she turns, she is reminded of time passing and opportunities dwindling. Her friendships are fading, ex-boyfriends are moving on and, worse, everyone's moving to the suburbs. There's no solace to be found in her family, with a mum who's caught in a baffling midlife makeover and a beloved dad who is vanishing in slow-motion into dementia. The story follows Nina’s journey throughout her early thirties and how she comes to terms with the changes and difficulties that life always has for us.

I found this book addictive. Ever since reading Dolly’s first books Everything I Know About Love, I have fallen in love with Dolly’s writing style, the way she keeps you hooked on every page, and quite frankly, I’ve fallen in love with how much Dolly loves talking about love and relationships. I really enjoy that Dolly is a big soppy romantic at heart. I love her honesty about dating whilst in your thirties and I love how open she is about the not-so-great parts too.

I saw a lot of Dolly in the protagonist Nina, and I guess that is what made me love her more. Yet, I absolutely adored the other characters too. I loved how crazy Lola was and how heartbreakingly desperate she was to find someone who would love her just as much as she would love them. I loved Nina’s mother, Nancy, who was quite clearly not coping with the effects of the menopause and the fact that her husband’s dementia was getting worse. I loved how Nina’s father was exceptionally funny even though his dementia was worsening and therefore spent the majority of the story confused. I also especially loved the references to one of my favourite British bands, Wham!. I honestly feel like Nina and I would have a lot in common.

I’ve read a number of reviews about this book and the majority of them mention the link between the title (Ghosts) and the story. Dolly beautifully and quite subtly explores how there are a number of different ‘ghosts’ in this book; from the ghost of Nina’s 20-year-old self, the ghost of who Nina’s dad once was, the ghost of Nina and her childhood best friend’s relationship which is now distancing due to different lifestyle choices/situations and the ghost of Nina’s love life which incorporated both the relationship she had with her ex Joe and the actual art of ‘ghosting’ which those on dating websites will definitely be aware of (whether you’re the ‘ghoster’ of the ‘ghostee’).

Overall, Ghosts is a fantastic book that explores the very real struggles of growing up, becoming an adult and the changes that it brings not just to you but for the people around you. I’m thankful that in today’s age, your twenties are no longer seen as the years where you’re supposed to know what you’re doing. I feel the general thinking has shifted a little in the fact that your twenties are now for experiences and living and it’s in actual fact, your thirties where you're supposed to settle down, start having children, getting married, moving to the suburbs and spending your weekends at children’s parties and christenings. Yet, what Dolly does brilliantly in Ghosts is prove how damaging this way of thinking can be and the pressure that those who have now entered their thirties feel. I for one have the ‘fear’ about turning 30 because that’s when I feel I have to get my act together and start behaving like a real adult even though I am a real adult now - am I not?

As my concluding point, I also really enjoyed how Dolly made me understand that love looks different to everyone but as long as it serves you and makes you happy, then you've found the right love - whether that be from your partner, friend or family member. Love is love and sometimes, in not making sense, it can end up making complete sense! (Someone put that on a t-shirt!!)

So apologies for the identity/life crisis but I promise you this book is worth a read no matter what age you are! It’s a really fun, easy read and although it does explore some quite deep topics, Dolly’s encapsulating writing style, comedic elements and heart-warming characters will leave you not wanting to put the book down!

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