I loved the characters in this, the writing style, and the worldbuilding. I was able to engage easily in the story and I appreciated the sensitive way that grief is handled, and how the ghosts are relatable rather than scary. I would definitely recommend this read to friends! Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

This was absolutely adorable and sweet!!
When reading the back of this book I was expecting a cute spooky rom-com but it was so much more!
I loved the found family Ezra was able to find and also his blood family he is able to reconnect with. The romance was sweet and I loved the chemistry between the two of them. This is great for the oldest sibling to read, they will relate to Ezra and his struggles.
I enjoyed learning more about Jewish rituals as well, the author did a splendid job of being respectful even while explaining why the main character may have been uncomfortable in certain parts.
I can't believe this is a debut novel as well! Great writing and kept me engaged! I can't wait to read more by this author!

“Rules for Ghosting” is a fantasy LGBTQA+ romance book by Shelly Jay Shore. Let me start with the positives - learning more about Jewish burial and Jewish culture is always a positive in my book. From what I could gather from online sources, the author did a fantastic job in that regard. Hats off to you! I also liked the premise of this book - seeing ghosts, some family drama, and a love interest - sounds pretty much up my alley. Also, kudos to the cover - I think it’s adorable! Oh - and Erza’s job(s) - doula for the win! I did like the texting/messaging communication bits - easy to tell who was expressing what … and a photo of an actual dog in the message app - lovely to see that. What was “meh” was that the family drama, the job drama, and the side plots really took up a lot of this book - it wasn’t a side-bar of family drama; it was thrown into your face quite often - for me taking away from the heart of the story - the seeing ghosts, dealing with life, and a budding romance. I’m not saying that the family drama was bad - but I wish that either it had taken a bit more of a backseat OR that that was the focus of a sequel (yes, for once, I’m suggesting a sequel). I also found the plot took a while to really get rolling - a lot of time was spent on set-up and even once the plot got rolling, it felt at times that (again) it took a back seat to other things the author wanted to tie up. Were there “not so enjoyable” bits - yeah, but they’re minor things and possibly my expectations not being met (I thought a bit more paranormal) and some repeated bits and overall wordiness. I’m glad I read this book, but I think there’s enough information to be two books, thus my wish that the focus had been more on the main plot point … however, for a debut novel, I found this to be a different idea and for the most part I enjoyed reading it.

Right from the start it was captivating. It was a great read i flew through the book. I loved how the author did their research when it comes to funeral business and traditions. I worked at a funeral home and can picture myself being in that setting all over again. The story of Ezra and Jonathan has a nice flow to it and I loved how this book has a good balance and nothing took from each other. (i.e not too much sex, not too much senseless writing) While reading this it reminded me alot of the show Six Feet Under (IYKYK). The only thing that did throw me off was that while reading I found myself rereading some paragraphs the writing felt a little choppy like i missed an introduction of a new character or Ezra went from reminiscing to actually in the moment with Jonathan. It was a little off. Over all great read super fun and powerful human emotions that we all could relate to at some level. Lastly, this LBGT inclusion was done very nicely that those of us not part of the community can appreciate and enjoy this amazing story without feeling lost and confused . Communication and acceptance is the main ingredients of this story. Cant wait to read what Shelly Shore has in stored for us next.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for giving me a free copy of this book to review.

Looking for a queer, funny Doctor Sleep meets Haunting of Hill House mashup? Try this book!

Seriously, such a fun read! I was lucky to receive an ARC for this title and can’t wait to add a physical copy to my collection. I appreciate the way the author handles several complex topics in a way that makes everything feel ‘normal’ yet highlights the characters life experiences with them. As a queer person, at times novels can ‘take me out’ of scenes by highlighting certain things too much. Almost like ‘oh and they’re THIS different’ whereas here it just felt like ‘oh, and this happens’ (If that makes sense?)

I enjoyed the characters, and as someone in their late twenties I found myself feeling like I was ‘reading a show’ where it all felt very entertaining and grasping. I think the concept is quite novel in itself. Great read and a great addition to your library!

I requested and received an eARC of Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore via NetGalley. What a fabulously fun book! Ezra Friedman can see ghosts which is quite the conundrum for someone growing up in a funeral home. After a setback with his job and his mother’s declaration that she is leaving his father for a Rabbi’s wife, Ezra finds himself working in the funeral home, a place that has always made him slightly uncomfortable (it doesn’t help that his grandfather’s ghost hangs around the place, silently judging him.) To top it all off, his new neighbor, Jonathan (a hot widower) develops an interest in him, a fact complicated by the presence of his dead husband’s ghost.

I can honestly say I enjoyed every page of this book! Shore displays a thoughtfulness that really enriches their characters and the entire reading experience. Ezra is trans, which we love to see, and his identity and journey are handled very well in the author’s hands. His identity informs (and affirms) his thoughts and actions in the story, and this sort of representation is invaluable. He’s a protagonist who you root for, even as you’re shaking your head because of him. As a reader, I totally found Jonathan to be absolutely swoonworthy. We love to see men who are sensitive, vulnerable, and self-aware. The patience and understanding he demonstrates with Ezra is everything.

I really loved the way that the novel handles grief. Grief is such a messy, horrible, complicated monster and I think that Shore perfectly captures that sentiment with the ghosts of Jonathan and Ezra’s grandfather without being overly maudlin. I also enjoyed the relationship between the Friedman children and the ways they relate to one another, particularly as they navigate the aftermath of their mother’s shocking revelation. For me, this was a really special read. Shores mashes up familial drama with the paranormal to create a top-tier romance that is both memorable and moving (seriously, new book crush of 2024 is absolutely Jonathan.)

Entertaining. Makes me excited for fall and all things ghostly. My first Shelly Jay Shore novel. Fun. Light reading

I love a little gay book with a big found family! And that’s what I got from this novel. So excited to get a physical copy when it’s out so I can reread it and display it on my bookshelf.

I made it 15% into the book before I decided to put it down and not finish it. The description and cover really made me want to read this one, but unfortunately it didn't grab me the way I hoped it would. I couldn't connect to any of the characters, and by the time I stopped reading, the plot had yet to pick up. Sometimes having a lot of exposition works, but other times, like this one, it feels like dragging my feet and hoping something will happen soon.

The premise of this book is so interesting, and I really hope it works for other readers! It unfortunately was just not for me.

I am very happy that I was approved for an arc of this book (thank you netgalley and the publisher). It’s both a moving family drama and sweet, slow-building romance. I appreciated how the author wove both aspects of the story together. I also thoroughly appreciated reading a book about Jewish funeral traditions. It’s been a long time since I learned about them but it was nice to see it in a book. It felt like coming home in a way. This is also a great book about queer representation. I

4.5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! It reminded me a lot of The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (which I LOVE), but it was completely its own story. I fell in love with Ezra’s character so quickly. He wants to fix and help everyone else and continues to put himself on the back burner, until Jonathan comes into his life and flips all of that upside down.

I love books with messy family relationships and strong sibling bonds, and that’s exactly what Ezra’s family gave me. Ezra’s found family with his friends/roommates was amazing as well. They were all so funny and I loved the group chats!

This is a love story, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about processing grief, familial grievances and drama, new and old friendships, new relationships, queer identity, religious beliefs, and more. Shore woke up one day and decided to write an incredible book full of love, found family, and ghosts.

I loved the ending of this book. It had me in tears when Ezra mentions the date on his calendar 😭

This book comes out 8/20/24. Don’t miss it.

CW: death, grief, fire/fire injury, dysphoria, panic attacks/disorders, sexual content, transphobia, medical content

It’s been a long time since I have read a book that so quickly hooked all my attention and didn’t let go. Shelly Jay Shore has a way of writing that feels like a best friend recounting a story to you with themes that pull you in and one liners that make you cackle.

Ezra is at a weird place in his life, moving into the apartment next to his ex, being furloughed from his job while the building is under repair, and still mostly in denial that he can see ghosts. He’s at Seder with his family, at their home right next to the Funeral Home they have owned and operated since before Ezra was born, when his mother makes an announcement that throws their entire world on a tilt. Having been raised as the eldest daughter, Ezra feels this burden is his to fix.

So much of this book resonated with me, especially the parts about what it means to be an eldest daughter. The pride of it, the weight of it, and the individualist perfectionism that comes with it. Shore also did a beautiful job detailing the Jewish funerary practices in a way that is informational but not instructional. And, while I love Ezra and the many roles he plays in his life, it’s the side characters in their unabashed wholeness that make this story feel so all-encompassing. Here’s hoping some of them make a return in the future!

Ezra Friedman has always been the problem-solver of his family. So when his mom decides to spring a life-changing surprise on everyone during Passover seder and then ghost them all, Ezra finds himself covering her office job at the family funeral home. The problem? Ezra sees ghosts, and one in particular - his zayde's - has haunted the funeral home and silently judged Ezra since his transition. And making matters worse, Ezra's cute new, widowed - and therefore completely off-limits - neighbor also spends a lot of time volunteering there. But as Ezra and his family slowly adjust to their new normal, he begins to see things a little differently. At turns hilarious and heart-wrenching, Rules for Ghosting hooked me from the beginning and remained un-put-downable for the entirety of the book. I would recommend this title to anyone who enjoys queer romances, messy yet lovable characters, family drama, and - of course - ghosts.

This book not only dealt with the traditional sense of grief, that found with death and dying, but also grief found in the loss of purpose, the loss of familiarity, the loss of a marriage, the loss of one’s self. A heartwarming and tearjerking book crafted to mend the hearts of any of us in the LGBTQ+ family that ever felt a little on the outside.

4.5⭐️
I can’t believe this was a debut novel.
A bisexual trans Jewish man who could see ghosts!
A ghost who keeps popping up and making him deal with feelings!
A mother who runs off with the rabbi’s wife!
A widower neighbor who is dealing with the death of his husband!
Every single character in this book was great, even the side characters.
I always love reading about different cultures and heritage and this book was full of it!
Also learning about all the different Jewish customs and traditions was really cool.
Thank you to Netgalley and random house publishing group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much Random House and Netgalley, I really felt this book.
I went into this think there would be more of a paranormal but got a beautiful story of grief and loss and the power of love. And also letting go.

This was immediately captivating and charming. I will say anyone who is looking to this for a full on paranormal story will probably be disappointed. This is mostly a tale of loss, family, and love that just also happens to have some ghosts in it.

I really enjoyed our MC, Ezra, along with his almost too perfect love interest, Jonathan. Ezra's family and friend dynamics were also adorable and real. You could feel the affection and warmth through the pages. There's also plenty of drama and humor through out.

Shout out to our ghostly dead husband Ben as well. He was lovely and just wanted his former husband to be happy.

My last favorite thing about this book, as a non Jewish person, was learning more about Jewish customs and holidays.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine and NetGalley, for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to this story as it was compared to The Dead Romantics, and while there are similarities this one didn’t grab me in the same way. While the writing is excellent, vibrant and witty with each character feeling and sounding distinct to themselves, and the plot has all the elements to it that come together for a great set up, it felt like it took too much time for the main story to really get going and by the time it did I had already lost interest. The characters are fine, but there wasn’t anyone I really felt a connection to or really wanted to know more about. Again, I think the writing is done very well, it was just the story itself that I ended up not liking and any time I put the book down there wasn’t much to it to make me want to pick it back up again.

Beautifully written, but honestly just too dark and sad for me. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy queer contemporary romance with a touch of the paranormal that deals heavily with grief and death.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

When I first started this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but as I moved forward in it, I felt myself completely and absolutely attached to my own book found family (is that a thing? I’m saying yes since there are book boyfriends, there can be book found family!) This book was really a lot of fun and I enjoyed the supernatural vibes and would definitely recommend this book to others!