I figured I wouldn’t get the arc but was so surprised when I saw the approval that I immediately downloaded it. The first couple of pages sorta left me a bit unsure of what to expect. But once I kept reading the story drew me in and you understand that what appears to be a group of random misfits is far more deliberate if you dig deeper. This story was touching and beautiful. Sometimes there are parts of the story that seem disconnected but it really is highlighting the collective of memories being drawn up. I wasn’t expecting it to highlight these ideas but appreciated it and found it very creative. This book was a beautiful read about life and fate and everything in between.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

I tried, I really did. I thought the synopsis sounded like the type of books I usually love. However, I just could not get into this one .

This story will haunt you!

In her surreal fiction debut, Amerie, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, delivers a novel that floats between genres — part satire, part mystery, part mediation on identity, grief, and what it means to be seen. This Is Not a Ghost Story revolves around a literal ghost.

We meet John in the afterlife where he previously existed peacefully in his House without time, food or much thought. Suddenly, a Grey Man enters his peace and he is summarily ejected in the world -modern-day Los Angeles, After a few false starts, John becomes an instant sensation: a Black man who returns from the dead.

The satire is sharp. The Hollywood machine that exploits John’s ghost-status for profit is eerily familiar. He is paired with fake romances, scripted spirituality, and identity politics negotiated like ad campaigns for companies. John however continues to seek - a quest to reclaim — agency, connection, identity.

Amerie’s writing is...haunting. She navigates themes of race, fame, memory, and love with short bursts of description — often letting silence and surrealism do the heavy lifting. This is a novel that you will be thinking about many months from now.

#ThisIsNotAGhostStory #Amerie #LiteraryFiction #WilliamMorrow #BooksThatHaunt

3.75 stars...first off thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC. I enjoyed it. The chapters were short, the characters were lovable, the plot was intriguing. There were a few parts that had me wanting it to speed up. This was a different take on the afterlife and finding friends along the way and redemption. Yes I would recommend this to readers. I think people would enjoy this book.

THe reviews were good on this book but i could not get into the story. Maybe it's just me but i could barely finish.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a departure from what we usually read about when someone is a ghost. John is very confused about where he is to start with, and when he is summarily "kicked out" of the Grey House, he starts interacting with the physical world in an attempt to find his way back. He has no memory of why he was there - only that it was peaceful. HIs journey to recover his memories is mindbending, and the truths we are reminded of throughout his journey hit home. Far from a conventional ghost story, this book connects a spirit to so many in the conventional world, with a huge plot twist at the end that will truly hit you in the heart and make you examine your beliefs of how we are interconnected. Make sure you read this book!!!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. This Is Not a Ghost Story by Amerie is a captivating and atmospheric novel that combines elements of suspense, mystery, and the supernatural. The story follows a character who grapples with strange and unsettling occurrences, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural. Amerie’s writing is engaging and full of tension, drawing readers into an eerie and thought-provoking narrative. With its intriguing plot and rich atmosphere, This Is Not a Ghost Story keeps readers hooked until the very end. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy suspenseful stories with a supernatural twist.