A collection of short stories focused on mostly middle-aged women. The title story is excellent and is precisely what I expect from Taddeo – decisive writing, an incredibly compelling, strong main character, and a brilliant twist. But the remaining eight stories didn’t match the pace set by Ghost Lover, and a couple were noticeably weak. There’s little redemption or hope in any of these stories – that’s not a requirement for me but a whole book of women making poor choices left me flat.

2.5/5

I received my copy of Ghost Lover from the publisher, Avid Reader Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a DNF for me. I absolutely loved Three Women by this author, and was hoping to fall just as in love with this one. But it just didn’t catch my attention the same way. I might pick this up again but for now, just wasn’t the book for me.

There is a reason why I love Taddeo's writing. GHOST LOVER is the third book I have read by the author and cannot get enough of her candid storytelling. These nine stories are brilliantly crafted are a downright addictive read.

LOVED! Such a beautiful collection of raw, honest womanhood. While not every story will relate to every reader, they all contain bits and pieces of the feminine experience that will have every woman nodding their head in understanding. Lisa Taddeo is really a genius.

Engaging and expertly crafted. A recommended purchase for collections where linked story collections are popular.

I DNFed Ghost Lover around halfway through. I don’t think the writing or the book itself was the problem. I found it to be quite readable but the style and stories just wasn’t for me. I would definitely give Lisa Taddeo a second chance in the future, though!

I love how bold this writing is. Unafraid, brutal, visceral, let’s it all gang out. Each story captures a woman, warts and all, with all her deepest, darkest thoughts. Love this author….. really, really great.

This book wasn’t for me, although there were some good one-liners. I couldn’t relate to the self-hating women in the book.

My second read from this Author and I really enjoyed this book. A compilation of nine short stories that were all interesting. I didn't quite know what to expect with a title like Ghost Lover, but all the stories were interesting in different ways.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avid Reader Press and the Author, Lisa Taddeo for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me and kept me turning pages until I was done. Finished it in two days! The character development was strong, and the premise was unique enough that it didn't feel like anything else I've read.

What can I say about this collection besides it takes all the things I love about Taddeo’s writing and shoves them into surprisingly satisfying vignettes of damaged women? It’s what she does best - flawed, dangerous, and often disturbing women in unexpected situations or contexts. Often grotesque, always beautifully written. Taddeo hasn’t disappointed me yet.

Loved this short story collection. Each story bound to the others so succinctly. I loved the concept and thought the writing was exemplary.

As a big fan of Lisa Taddeo's work, I was thrilled to receive a copy of Ghost Lover. This collection of short stories is incredibly thought provoking, though it won't be without its fair criticisms. It's raw, the women are not always likable, and there's a strain of fatphobia that laces throughout. Whatever the reader's feelings on these areas, it will make you feel.

Many thanks to the author, publish, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

As with short story collections, there are some hits and there are some misses. A couple misses in a row compelled me to DNF this book, though. I just don't find myself reaching to read another story from this collection at all.

This is a hot girl short story book about dating apps that had Taddeos amazing unique voice. Thanks to Avid Reader Press for the arc for my honest review.

Some stories were interesting but not enough intrigue for me to recommend unfortunately. I did enjoy her previous novel so will look out for what she does next.

I love Lisa Taddeo — Animal and Three Women do a great job of characterizing the honest and the unlikeable — but why is this so gleefully fatphobic? We get that your characters are vapid on purpose without every story having the same hateful elements. There's a pattern there. Ugh. Made me not want to read the next from the author.

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an Arc for Ghost Lover by Lisa Taddeo. These stories just weren't intriguing or page turning to me. I really wanted to not finish, but I wanted to make sure I respected the time, energy, and thought Ms. Taddeo painstakingly put into this work.. I'm certain there are many folks out there that this book will appeal to. Thank you again for this ARC.

Ghost Lover is a collection of unique and fascinating stories with an edge. I didn't always like the harsh style, but Taddeo's stories were very interesting. I especially liked the title story and had no idea where it would go. Her characters are flawed, unfiltered, and not necessarily likeable, but they are always interesting. Definitely recommend if you're looking for something to read in quick bursts with an edge.

Thank you Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Because I enjoy creating more work for myself, I've done a mini review for each short story. It helps me rate the collection as a whole, though, so off we go!

Ghost Lover ★★.5
ABUSE | ROMANCE | SOCIAL MEDIA | WEIGHT
This is a controversial, difficult story. Ari is choosing to tell her truth in a very dishonest way which has profound repercussions outside her own life. She is heartbroken, amplifying this side of her that seems capable of being cold and calculated in emotional situations. By choosing herself and her fame over another's reputation, she's clearly not a heroic character. Unfortunately realistic, but not inspirational. She's pretty unlikeable from the first few paragraphs, but it seems to become a competition to see how much worse she can get in a short story. This first story is not one I would have expected from the author of Three Women, but it was a captivating read. I can't complain about the writing skill or style, just the content. It makes me a little worried about what's to come, though…

Forty-Two ★★★
ROMANCE | WOMEN'S FICTION
The two women in this narrative could not be more different - Joan is a cyclone of toxic thoughts and manipulative, self-serving plans, while Molly is naive but selfless and conscientious of her life and its realities. Joan is in love with Jack for what he is on the surface, while Molly may be using him for what he represents - husband/father/future - and she protects that vision. Neither is very happy; they both seem to have an idea of what they want but are approaching it in (probably) the wrong way. I didn't like Joan, but I liked how it twisted around full circle in the end. Emotionally evocative writing, but another slightly toxic narrative.

"The day of a wedding is always about three people. The groom, the bride, and the person most unrequitedly in love with the groom or the bride."

Beautiful People ★★★
ROMANCE | SOCIAL MEDIA
Almost a modern fairy tale, though the motivations behind most characters' actions are far from pure. The emotions drive this story - Jane is very much in her head, and while this is probably the least toxic story so far, it's not a happy ending - or very feminist - even if it's very realistic.

Padua, 1966 ★★★.5
ADDICTION | GHOSTS | INFIDELITY
This is a sad one. I don't have a lot of sympathy for Miranda - chasing excitement and freedom and missing the stability and security. The grass is always greener and all that nonsense. I mostly felt bad for the narrator. We hear the worst parts of her story secondhand, making it even worse. Difficult choices and difficult situations.

"You can sense your own mortality more in the presence of someone who has found a new bead on life."

Grace Magorian ★★.5
ABUSE | FAMILY | SOCIAL MEDIA
Another sad older woman, bitter about love and the world, becomes delusional when someone shows the slightest interest. This feels like recycled material from several previous stories, and I didn't particularly enjoy it.

Air Supply ★★.5
FRIENDSHIP
Really focused on the male gaze - the only real details in the story are about the men checking out these women. A lot of stuff is glazed over, making the story feel pointless. It's hard to tell whether they're terrible or excellent friends. Still, I think it's clear Sara is a better friend than the narrator deserves considering how much time she spends competing with Sara, trying to figure out who is prettier or getting more attention. It might be an honest depiction of a specific type of friendship, but it's a very strange one.

Maid Marian ★★★
INFIDELITY | ROMANCE
Unrequited love and poor decisions. I don't have much to say about this one; it was a bit boring - a slightly nasty twist in the end, but nothing unexpected.

American Girl ★★.5
ROMANCE
The same story, a slightly different spin. Shallow people, ambition outweighing truth, fame more important than humanity. It reads as limited or reductive at the very least - these characters are boiled down to their base instincts and have no complexity, leaving them (and the story) quite dull.

A Suburban Weekend ★★★.5
FRIENDSHIP | MENTAL ILLNESS
Strong finish. A complicated female friendship - with competition, awkwardness, and misplaced emotions - but a strong relationship nonetheless. Liv has everything except love, while Fern has lost everything but doesn't care anymore. Disposable men, too many drinks, offhand comments, and imperfect characters.

Overall: ★★★ (rounded up)
This collection made me want to read Three Women again as a reminder that I do like Taddeo's writing. I think it would be a good comparison - fiction vs non-fiction, each comprised of short stories in their own way. I'll have to move it up my TBR before I've forgotten this pretty forgettable book.