cover image Ghosted

Ghosted

Rosie Walsh. Pamela Dorman, $26 (352p) ISBN 978-0-525-52277-5

Walsh’s bittersweet debut tackles the perils of modern dating. When Sarah meets Eddie in London, she’s sure she’s met the love of her life. After a whirlwind week of romance, Eddie leaves for a trip and tells Sarah how excited he is to see her when he returns. Then he stops returning her texts and calls. Sarah’s friends tell her she’s fallen victim to that terribly modern method of break-up, ghosting. But when she discovers Eddie’s friends haven’t heard from him lately, either, she worries something horrible may have happened. Little does she know that reason for Eddie’s radio silence might be worse than a cowardly breakup, and, indeed, the truth is gut-wrenching, truly surprising, and heartbreaking. Flashbacks to Sarah’s magical week with Eddie provide ample justification for her refusal to just let it go, but she’s also self-aware enough to know how desperate she looks as she keeps searching for Eddie. Though the ending comes abruptly, this tale of heartbreak will please readers who enjoy a good twist. (July)