Miles and Zoey meet at a coffee shop vying for the same perfect table to work. They don’t know it but they each work as a dating profile ghost writer/coach. They also are “chatting” with each other trying to help their respective clients. Will these two ever give up their “table” and get together?

This was a fun, cute, contemporary romance book. It’s predictable but that’s expected and makes the book fun. How will they get together? Will they stay together?

This is such a fun book! Part "You've Got Mail" and part Cyrano de Bergerac for the 21st century, it's a very entertaining story of love, loss, belonging and trust. I laughed out loud multiple times as I read this (in one day because I couldn't put it down) and will happily read it again.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the advance digital copy.

While I liked the whole premise of the story, unfortunately I couldn't get close to any characters in this story.
It's interesting to see how some people like to connect and what's more important for them.
A story that many will enjoy for sure.

This was a cute love story overall. I liked the idea behind the romance and the premise sounded really promising. In the beginning of the book I just couldn’t get into Zoey’s character but she grew on me... and in the beginning I liked Miles but by the end not so much. I liked the way their romance progressed and I found their banter to be cute and funny. I adored Zoey’s relationship with Mary and felt so bad for the horrible restaurant event with her parents. Zoey’s character really grew on me. She’s funny, quirky and strong. The reason my rating of this book isn’t higher is the one big misunderstanding near the end of the book. Miles... oh Miles.... no. Just no. Anyways.... it’s an overall cute romance book and I really enjoyed the first third of it!

I had high hopes for this one. I'm beginning to love the Cyrano trope and dating apps trope in romance that I requested this book from Netgalley when I saw it. But sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations and maybe that's my fault. Because this book isn't really that bad, it's just lacking the romance that I want.

The characters, Zoey and Miles, individually are not that memorable as well. There are no unique characterization that might separate them from other characters in rom-coms that I already read. I even find Miles as whiny.

It gets better in the second half of the book though, where Miles and Zoey got more physical interactions rather than thru gadgets. So overall, it's an OK read.

After laughing out loud a mere page into Ghosting, I'm sorry to report that I just couldn't get into it. DNF 20% in.

Miles has lived in the city for fifteen years, while Zoey is a recent transplant from California. I get what the authors were going for with Zoey - she's a fish out of water - but the portrayal of her navigating NYC was a bit much for me. She's been in NYC a month, yet she's still having trouble walking down the street? Like, can't go half a block without ogling, glaring, and getting stepped on? Uhhhh unless you're dragging a suitcase in Midtown at rush hour, that's just so completely unrealistic. (She's a young woman in the East Village - shouldn't be such a hassle to walk from her apartment to a cafe!) Further, she's living in an apartment owned by her former employer but all she's got is a mini fridge and a hot plate (not even an oven)? The motivation for her to stay in Manhattan despite that was missing for me. (She's trying at her job, but not putting in the sort of hustle you'd expect were those your living conditions. And bottom line: She doesn't even like it!)

I suspect Miles is going to help Zoey become more comfortable on the mean streets of Manhattan but after a fifth of the book, they've still just had two short interactions. I want Miles to work through his bad breakup. I want Zoey to either figure out the city or leave. But I just don't really care if they get together or if they date other people or if they enjoy being single.

So, obviously, this one's more of a slow burn. Give it a try if that's what you're into! It also seems to be enemies to lovers (they've got a bit of an antagonistic thing going).

Ghosting seemed to be a good fit for me at the outset, and I did generally like the writing. I'll be interested in whatever Tash Skilton write next, but unfortunately, I'm just not engaged enough with this one to keep going.

I liked this book but I really wish I enjoyed it more. Overall, I really like the characters, especially Mary. She's like the fun aunt who doesn't have kids if that make sense. Zoey moved from LA to NY so it was cool when places in LA that I was familiar with were mentioned. Miles I feel like is just a cinnamon roll. Also, there's Filipino representation because Zoey is part Filipino and she loves bibingka which is basically life.

Ok so what didn't work for me? The whole enemies to lovers thing is cute. The execution of their love story just wasn't working for me. It didn't feel like they were communicating with each other. Sure, they indirectly were but it took forever, in my opinion, before it picked up. I also wish there were more cute scenes between the main characters.

A very smart and entertaining enemies to lovers romance about employees at competing dating services. This book was very charming and a quick and very lighthearted read.

Ghosting: A Love Story, is about Miles, a ghostwriter for a dating website—he essentially helps those who can’t help themselves talk to prospective dates. Miles also has just had his heartbroken and can’t seem to get his life nor his job back on track. Then there is Zoey, a struggling screenwriter who has just moved to New York and takes a job at a competing dating website.

The two meet at a café, fighting over free day old biscotti and soon become competitors to see who can get the best table at said café each day.

They soon take up clients who have matched and find themselves corresponding without knowledge of who they’re actually talking to.

I found this book an easy and fast read. Also very cute, I honestly didn’t want to put it down! It has a lot of the things I love: witty banter, multiple POV, well developed characters with great backstories, slow burn romance and a little steam.

I’m a big fan of Zoey’s sass and I loved Miles’ sweet heart. I was rooting for them the whole time! I would definitely recommend this to fans of Abby Jimenez, (author of The Friend Zone and HEAP) if you like witty banter and to those who like slow burn romances or enemies to lovers tropes.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley, for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ghosting was an interesting romance. I loved how it sort of reminded me of “You’ve Got Mail” but with a modern day twist with today’s dating apps.

Zoey and Miles were definitely likable most of the time. I liked their quirky personalities and thought they play off each other well.

The pace was a little slow in the beginning for my liking and it took me a long to get into. And the coincidences were kinda like...okaaaay. But I guess if worked for the lighthearted rom-com that this book happens to be. In the end, I found it quite enjoyable.

In their debut collaboration, Sarvenaz Tash and Sarah Skilton have joined forces to write a romance that will make you want to explore New York City in an instant! Ghosting: A Love Story follows two ghostwriters who know how to help others find love, but don’t quite know how to help themselves in the same department.
Dumped by his fiancée, not only is Miles couch-surfing across New York City, but downsizing has forced him to set up shop at a café. Also, he no longer believes in love. Not a good look in his line of work. Meanwhile, Zoey's eccentric L.A. boss sent her packing to New York to "grow." But beneath her chill Cali demeanor, Zoey's terrified to venture beyond the café across the street. The only thing Miles and Zoey share is their daily battle for Café Crudité's last day-old biscotti. They don't know they're both ghostwriting "authentic" client profiles for rival online dating services. Nope, they have absolutely nothing in common, until they meet anonymously online, texting on the clock. Soon, with their clients headed for dating disaster, both Miles and Zoey's jobs are at stake. And once they find out their lines have crossed, will their love connection be the real thing--or vanish into the ether?
I loved the concept of this novel! The world of ghostwriting is one I was unfamiliar with so the idea of two people trying to help others find love, yet be oblivious to their own feelings, was fun and flirty! The emails before each chapter helped shape the world of ghost-writing and both Miles and Zoey were fun to read about, but I almost wish there would’ve been more details about some of the minor characters, like Aisha, Leanne, and Clifford.
I also really enjoyed the setting of New York and the realm of possibility that exists there. The way that Miles tries to make Zoey fall in love with the city and to see his appreciation for the Big Apple was really cool to read about and made me want to hop on a train to Manhattan immediately!
However, if I’m being honest, it took me such a long time to get into this book and I think it’s because of all of the set up that needed to take place to make the world of ghostwriting comprehensible. I also found the build up to Miles and Zoey’s relationship to be a bit too slow for me. If you like a slow burn romance, then you might appreciate it more than I did; however, when the main characters don’t actually have a full conversation until the book is halfway done, it’s a bit too slow in my opinion.
While it took me a bit to get into it, I did end up enjoying this story! It was a little cheesy at times, but overall, is a fairly entertaining read. If you're looking for a summer rom-com that has a lengthy build-up, but fun conclusion, then I would definitely check this book out.

Honestly, this is a unique, entertaining, and overall smartly-written novel, but it is a little bit slow-moving for me. I rounded up to 4 stars because it's better than 3, but not quite 4, on my scale.

MIles and Zoe are both fascinating characters. Their inner thoughts are fascinating. And the novel's representation of dating apps, catfishing, ghost writing and virtual relationships that cannot translate to the real world is an viewed through an interesting lens.

I love that Miles and Zoe are "frenemies" at the cafe without realizing it. I just wish they had started truly interacting and developing their real relationship a bit earlier in the story.

This story featured quirky characters, the lovely setting of New York City and some crazy situations. The main characters fall into a "Cyrano" situation by ghost writing dating profiles and DMs for clients but end up falling for each other. It felt unique and fun and I had a great time in this romantic comedy of a love story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars! As a huge fan of The Holy Trinity of Romcoms - You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle, Ghosting was the perfect book for me. A modern You’ve Got Mail filled with romcom references, Ghosting was a funny, sweet story featuring many lovable characters. I read it in a day and it was the perfect book to read by the pool!

Fans of The Honey Don’t List by Christina Lauren and Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey, NEED this book.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting take on modern romance and the business of dating apps. Told from the point of view of two ghost writers who help would be daters communicate with potential matches through social media. Zoey works for a company that provides ghost writers for future daters. Miles works for the man who basically stole the idea from the head of Zoey's company ( his ex-wife). Both Miles and Zoey find themselves competing for a specific table at an internet cafe and sort of fighting over the free food-stale though it may be. Neither one is aware of what the other does. To add to the complexity of the situation, they are both ghosting for two people who are trying to make a match.
I loved the irony of Zoey and Miles being soul mates on their social media while disliking each other in real life.
This story had a lot of themes woven through the main plot and I had a bit of a issue getting into the story initially but I'm glad I kept reading because it was actually a fun read. The scenes where the two actual daters- both somewhat quirky- get together and struggle because they really haven't communicated prior to the first date is both funny and cringey. When Zoey and Miles finally connect as themselves it's a relief. This is a great summer read-funny, interesting and a good HEA at the end.

Heat Factor: Almost but not quite fade to black
Character Chemistry: They actually had pretty good sparring partners chemistry
Plot: You’ve Got Mail meets Cyrano de Bergerac plus other stuff going on
Overall: Fun-with-a-lot-of-caveats

Shortly after I received a copy of Ghosting: A Love Story, I was updating my Goodreads list with it, and I noticed that author Sarvanez Tash left a review saying that her and co-author Sarah Skilton’s goal was to make each other laugh with a rom-com homage to Nora Ephron, etc. I think this is helpful to understand because this book is a little bit next-level in the twee department. Especially the emails that begin most chapters.

Oh, and I was reading an advance copy, so this may have been changed in the final version (I can only hope), but the way the text conversations were written made me absolutely bananas. It was so difficult to read. They were all inline, but without quotation marks, so half the time I was like, “WTF is happening?” And the authors didn’t have anything against quotation marks when the characters were actually speaking! I don’t understand!

The absurdity is everywhere! First, the idea that a dating copywriting consulting job even exists (but if it does, of course it’s in New York) is pretty wild. Second, the protagonists are working for competing copywriting providers because the husband and wife duo who created the original got divorced, and that’s a whole mess. Third, these protagonists are supposed to be really great at their jobs (especially Miles), but they are honestly terrible at either listening to or meeting their clients’ needs. Fourth, they frequent the same coffee shop and play a “who got the big table first” sniping game with each other. Fifth, they end up living next door to each other (surprise!). I mean, the list goes on.

Sometimes, especially after a run of reads that are high-angst or that make me think really hard, all I want is a really fun read. Low angst, low drama, playful, fun. Ghosting is not without its serious moments--Miles just got dumped by his fiancé, who is pregnant with another man’s babies(!), and Zoey was pretty much neglected and then abandoned by her selfish, globe-trotting parents--but I would categorize this as a true rom-com. One that leans more playful than outright funny. I never laughed out loud, but I did snort at the absurdity more than once. That said, in some ways it leans into its humor by relying on stereotypes that some readers may not enjoy. Miles is a “Jewslim”--his dad is an Egyptian Muslim and his mom is an American Jew--so we get jokes about Jewish mom stereotypes, for example. Loads of New York, LA, and Florida stereotypes are played on. (I mean, the Brooklyn artisanal scene kind of did this to itself, right?) So if you’re not interested in a type of humor that “pokes fun”, you might want to give this a pass.

The idea of being involuntarily jobless and homeless isn’t particularly funny, but that’s what both Miles and Zoey are facing--for slightly different reasons--when they end up on opposite ends of a dating match. Their emotional investment in the match is only the first problem they have professionally. As I mentioned, they become so interested in each other--thinking they’re talking to the date, not another ghostwriter--that they begin to actively sabotage the relationship while also trying to keep the couple together. There were moments when I honestly thought they should be fired, because yikes.

Then, too, because Zoey is terrified of leaving a 5 block radius around her apartment, I spent at least 60% of the book worried that she had pretty serious depression or anxiety. Which, of course, she couldn’t afford to seek help for because she’s a freelancer who can’t even afford breakfast when the book begins.

The man who runs the competing ghostwriting company where Zoey works--Clifford, ex-husband of Miles’s boss--is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and he doesn’t even care. Racist, sexist, narcissistic → that’s Clifford, and I had mixed feelings about finding humor in what was honestly an extremely toxic work environment (even if it was freelance). It’s clear he was included to be just the mess he was, but women--especially women of color like Zoey (half-Filipino) and her colleague Aisha (Miles’s cousin)--just brushing off this kind of behavior as “Whatever, that Clifford! He’s a mess! Hahaha!” might skate a little too close to condoning and normalizing that behavior for me. It’s no fun to take everything seriously all the time, but...

Now I’m going to talk about a problem that occurs at the end of the book, because I think it’s really important, but if you don’t want to get into what might feel spoilery, read no further.

***

When Miles and Zoey finally come together, it’s really lovely. Neither of them gets wildly distressed or angry about the situation they’ve found themselves in, which was nice. The real issue ties back to Miles and that ex-fiancé and her babies. And I’m not sure the conclusion of this book really addressed the situation Miles and Zoey found themselves in. It gets, maybe, 80% there.

Miles and Zoey are both about 30. Miles thought his life was all squared away, envisioning his marriage and future children with the fiancé until it all crashed down around him. He’s on the farther side of 30. Zoey, on the very near side of 30, perpetually (intentionally) single, and trying to figure out her career, has not been envisioning family and children. They end up having a conversation about wanting children, which almost never happens in romance novels, even though I have seen it be a dealbreaker in more than one of my friends’ romantic relationships. So I was like, “YES! We’re gonna have a meaty conversation!”

We don’t. :( Miles, having envisioned a certain life, has to consider what’s most important to him: having the family he wanted or having a partner who’s perfect for him but who might not come with the kids he’d hoped for. And the biological clock is ticking!!! Of course, there are no guarantees in life, so it is important to be with a partner for their own sake, not for the possibilities of something that may or may not happen. But one partner wanting children and another partner not wanting children is a serious flag for that relationship. It’s one of those times when love just isn’t enough. Children are for life. No takebacks.

I’m not sure I would have been satisfied with Miles changing his mind about children being important to him or with Zoey changing her mind because Miles wanted children. That the authors portrayed this as Miles taking the conversation seriously and Zoey not realizing quite how important it was to Miles was probably the only thing that saved it in the end. But the two of them moving forward and not taking the time to consider the importance of this question seriously--when it had been such a problem for Miles in particular only pages earlier!--felt a little bit too easy. I did not have a ton of confidence in the long-term success of their relationship because the one thing that might keep them apart was never truly addressed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Ghosting: A Love Story by Tash Skilton | review. ⁣
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⁣Genre: Contemporary romance. ⁣
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⁣Rating: Four stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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⁣Happy Pub Day to this cute book! Miles and Zoey are in a fierce competition every day to get the best table at their favorite coffee shop! What they don’t realize is that they work for rival “ghostwriting” dating apps and they have secretly been talking to each other! Of course, they are soon falling for each other online and throwing sarcastic quips at each other in real life. ⁣
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⁣🤳🏻 I enjoyed the creativity in this story. Miles and Zoey’s online communication was quirky and fun. Plus, they both worked for hilarious bosses who were constantly sending out ridiculous emails. It worked! ⁣
⁣🤳🏻 I loved that this story was set in New York City! And Miles made a sweet tour of his favorite neighborhood that had me swooning. ⁣
⁣🤳🏻 My main complaint- this book was too much of a slow burn. They didn’t realize they liked each other until 80% through the book! Too slow... I need more action! ⁣
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⁣Are you a fan of slow burns? ⁣
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⁣𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 @𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 #𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 #𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘈𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Ghosting: A Love Story is a contemporary romance written by the writing team of Sarvenaz Tash and Sarah Skilton under the pen name Tash Skilton. Miles Ibrahim doesn’t believe in love anymore, his fiancé dumped him six weeks ago, he’s couch surfing as she took the apartment and now she’s posting on Facebook about her baby bump and he’s pretty sure he’s not the father. These things are making it difficult for him to do his job which is helping people present their best selves on on-line dating apps. Zoey Abot is supposed to be writing a screen play but living in New York terrifies her and she’s making ends meet by also working for a company that helps people with their on-line personas, it just happens to be run by the ex-husband of the the CEO of the firm that Miles works for. The coffee shop where these two meet becomes a battleground as they struggle to get the good table and the last day old biscotti never realising that they have also met online just not as each other. I found this story to be charming and an entertaining read. Medium Steam. Publishing Date May 26, 2020. #NetGalley #GhostingALoveStory #TashSkilton #KensingtonBooks #ContemporaryRomance #bookstagram

Despite finding both characters selfish and annoying for most of the book (like 70% of it, I thought they were horrible people), they won me over in the end or maybe I finally realized they belong together? It reminded me a lot of You've Got Mail - messaging each other but not knowing that the other person was behind the screen name, one person finds out and doesn't tell the other person - but set in today's time. A lot of the story felt contrived but sometimes you just need a mindless chick-lit book.

3.5/5

Who doesn't love a romance that blossoms over exchanged texts? Not moi! I was very eager to pick up Ghsosting because of the premise. I'm also a pretty big sucker for books set in NYC. Along with the fact that Sarvenaz Tash, who has written some of my favorite YA books, is attached to this, I knew this was a book I would devour. And devour I did! I had a great time reading this book and will definitely not shy away from recommending it to romance nerds.

Zoey has just moved to NYC from LA per her boss' insistence that she needs some growing up to do. She's a little grumpy about the whole thing and hasn't really ventured outside the coffee shop she hangs out at all day. This cafe is where she also happens to meet Miles and so begins a daily battle for a nice table and that last day's biscotti. Unbeknownst to either of them, they are also connecting online as their clients, who they ghostwrite for as part of a dating service, are falling for each other. As you can imagine, between the daily back-and-forth between the two, and them trying to halt their clients from heading towards what could be a dating disaster, there were plenty of humorous moments peppered throughout Ghosting. It was a truly fun read for me. If you're a fan of banter that has you grinning from ear-to-ear, this is definitely the book for you. And of course, watching them fall in love through their online personas was a whole other charming experience. It was freaking cute seeing them bond emotionally and slowly fall in love. I thought the final reveal about their true identities was satisfying. I liked that it wasn't dragged out and that the two had a good conversation about it.

Zoey and Miles were pretty great protagonists for this book. While the love story between them is a strong component of Ghosting, I liked how the authors took the time to really build up these characters and their individualities. It was nice that the book was written in dual POV because you got to see what was going on in each others' heads. They are both dealing with their own set of issues. Zoey is a little bit lost in NYC and in terms of her career, and Miles is nursing a broken heart after his fiancee broke up with him. The secondary cast also easily stole the show. In terms of elements that did not work for me, I'd have to say that I found the book to be a bit dense and wordy at times, particularly in the middle. Thankfully, I was able to push through, so it wasn't a deal-breaker for me.

Ultimately, Ghosting kept me entertained and that's all I ask of a good book. It delivered on a cute romance, had some tropes I enjoy, and had a likable cast. I'll look forward to reading more from this author duo.