Ghoster isn’t a book I’d normally gravitate toward, but I’m glad I picked it up.
This novel by Jason Arnopp was put on my radar by a fellow Bookstagrammer who rarely steers me wrong when it comes to thriller recommendations. Right away, Arnopp’s clever writing sucked me into Ghoster. The premise is intriguing — a woman is suddenly “ghosted” (translation: abandoned) by her boyfriend Scott right before they’re supposed to move in together — and you quickly learn that there are many layers to that momentous step, their relationship, and to main character Kate.
I really liked Kate. Her personality is pretty straight-forward, which makes for some amusing dialogue and inner monologue. I also found it a fun twist that Arnopp wrote Kate as (ugh, I hope no one comes at me for this) the more “guyish” character – bold, in your face, swearing, secretive. Just a little hard around the edges. Vulnerable and upset, but not as emotionally fragile as many jilted women are made out to be.
Conversely, when we finally learn loverboy Scott’s side of the story, he strikes me as the “girlier” of the two: waxing poetic about love and romance, and pouring his heart out in a way that’s usually reserved for broken-hearted heroines. It was nice to see what I thought was a reversal of gender roles, even if that’s not what the author intended to do.
Although I figured out what the end result of Ghoster would be pretty early on, it was fun watching the story unfold with its many twists and turns. There’s a lot of tension and a lot of “omg what’s gonna happen next?!?!” moments. Ghoster kept me entertained and wanting to jump back into Kate’s chaotic world.
This thriller reminds me of Behind Her Eyes, in the way that it blends suspense, drama, and just a tinge of the otherworldly. Ghoster definitely has creepy elements and supernatural goings-ons, but I wouldn’t call it a horror novel. I would call it… a cautionary tale. Apart from keeping you on the edge of your seat, it’s a brilliant social commentary about society’s dependence on technology and social media.
The ending of Ghoster is fantastic. It’s probably my favorite part of the entire novel. It’s so deliciously Twilight Zone-esque, and I love that Arnopp went there. If you’re looking for a fun thriller read with a unique twist, pick up Ghoster.
Be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Easy Mushroom Risotto.
This sounds like a fun read, despite the creepiness! I love a story that can have you smiling as you anticipate what will happen next, but still give you the chills 😃
Yes! This one had a fun, creepy premise, and it kept me flipping the pages. Hope you get a chance to read it!