ARC Review: The Ghost of Us by James L. Sutter

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★★★☆☆

Thank you Anderson Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Cara, a determined ghost hunter, is on a mission to uncover proof of the supernatural. When her path crosses with the ghost of Aiden Reyes, a boy who recently died in a tragic death, she sees this not only as a chance to prove the existence of spirits, but also as her ticket out of her hometown.

Meredith, Aiden’s grieving younger sister, has been struggling since the loss of her brother. Aiden determines that he is stuck because of unresolved business - he needs to make sure that his sister will be okay. And thus a pact is struck between Cara and Aiden - if Cara assists in coaxing Meredith out of her shell and accompanies her to prom, Aiden will help Cara prove that ghosts are real.

Cara’s actions often left me frustrated as I progressed throughout the book; her occasional selfishness grated on me. However, I recognise that this portrayal reflects the complexities of teenage life, and I appreciate the growth she undergoes throughout the narrative.

Meredith provided a welcome balance to Cara’s character. While I enjoyed her presence, I wished for a deeper exploration of her struggles with grief and inner thoughts like what we saw from Cara. Incorporating her point of view could’ve been a nice addition to the overall story.

Among the characters, Aiden stood out as my favourite. I enjoyed his dynamics with Cara, and how they shared both lighthearted banter and profound, deeper moments.

While the plot maintained a good pace, I yearned for more moments set within the high school environment, and specifically where we witness <spoiler>Sophia facing consequences for her mistreatment of Cara. </spoiler> This aspect felt somewhat unresolved, leaving me wishing for further exploration and closure.

I would suggest this book for older teens and young adults, typically ages 16 and up. While it delves into themes like friendship and personal development, it also includes some sexual content that might not be suitable for younger or more sensitive readers.

Overall, I found this book quite enjoyable, and I'd happily recommend it to fans of 'Cemetery Boys' or those interested in paranormal, sapphic, or young adult literature.