The Ghostwriter

One might think while reading this story that the author had something to reveal about herself. After all, the book is about a writer … a very gifted and accomplished writer. The entire time I was absorbing this story, I secretly wondered if the author was revealing something very personal about herself. Characters are not necessarily created. I’m of the idea that they are extracted. Each character that the writer/author creates is an extraction of what is within that is brought to the light and given life and the opportunity of the fullest expression. Some people have personality disorders (if it’s fair to even label it that way), where there are multiple personalities within and in any given moment, they can surface and play their part or act out what they are dying to express. They demand a presence and they will surface when they are needed for the individual to process a space in their life. Perhaps characters in a story are demanding the same opportunity to express and share what they have never been given permission to do before. I deeply admire the writer who is fearless enough to bring their characters to the surface and give them life, expression and to tell their story. I know this is a little philosophical, and yet as a writer myself, writing is the purest form of expression I know. Some paint, some play music and sing and some … write. I absolutely adored this book. I saw myself clearly in the lead character Helena, the part of myself that I wish to hide from my world; the one who has a set of rules to keep herself safe and the one who is too afraid of acknowledging her own fears and expressing them because she just may break apart if they are acknowledged and brought out of hiding. Helena did that for me. Helena made signs with a list of rules for onlookers to follow. I make internal folders. Nobody can see them but me and if the truth be known, I’m not always aware the rules are there. They silently get checked off every time I feel uncomfortable but they never blatantly shout, “Rule #1 – Don’t expect anything from me!” Helena showed me that they are there and now I find myself recognizing them. They are coming to the light. Perhaps this book was a touch of therapy for me … maybe all books are in a way. This book was brilliantly written. The characters were pure and believable. I sat in the room with them, rode in the car with them, spent time outdoors with them and sat in with their conversations taking in every detail and giving it permission to nourish me. Every time I put the book down to resume my life, I felt a lift and a charge. I felt creative and nourished and looked forward to my next moment where I could pick the book back up and carry on. I’m not sure I wanted this story to end and yet, it was the ending that gave me peace, closure, satisfaction and a deep sense of awe at the author’s ability to draw me in and suspend time. I’ve read the reviews that the book got off to a slow start. Perhaps that was a negative or a strike against the story and yet, I found the slow pace comfortable and soothing. Pieces of the puzzle were being laid down with every page and I enjoyed piecing them together. A satisfying book doesn’t always have to clip at a fast pace in order to be gratifying. Things don’t have to happen quickly to keep the reader entertained. Sometimes, the gentle current of a lazy stream, is enough to bring the reader to a place of solace, peace and entertainment. Don’t worry, the author will keep you moving along. There is no dead space in this story. Every page offers up bits and pieces to keep you moving along … kind of like bread crumbs. They nourish the reader a little piece at a time and keep the seeker moving in the direction of the story. How delicious! As the story begins to wrap up, I invite the reader to grab their seat belt, strap themselves in and grab a box of tissues. The ending is so, darn epic, delicious and satisfying! I promise, you won’t see it coming and when it finally arrives, if you’re like me, you may want to clear your calendar for the day so you can finish it up because if you put the book down, it will call to you in your sleep, in the hours of the day when you find yourself wanting something juicy to chew on. Read this book and then go tell all your friends about it. It’s that good!

When I first heard about THE GHOSTWRITER by Alessandra Torre, I was ecstatic to get to read this book. Why? For one simple reason. The book is not a romance nor does to have an erotic element to it. I wanted to see what one of my favorite authors could do without the "sexy times". Even though I love her fun romantic comedies and the dark romances she has given her readers in the past, there is something so great about seeing an author push themselves to create a different type of story. I will say this. For a mystery or suspense novel, I think that the ending was great. It gave a reveal that I was craving for the entire book. The mystery of who her husband was comes out and the reader finally gets the whole story that dangled just out of reach for most of the book. However, while I was reading the bulk of the book I wanted more. I would have loved to get more of the dark and twisty that I was hoping for when I first started this book. Maybe this is because I have been reading more gritty suspense novels lately and I am more tuned into this, but I did feel like there were some missed opportunities to tease and possible misdirect the reader. Now, with all that said, I still really enjoyed book. Torre's characters are amazingly well-developed and I craved more time with them. The relationships forged and expanded on, pulled me in just as much as the real, gritty, and intense emotions that filled the page. The story on its own is solid and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the level of craft that the author brings to this story. Torre proved that she can push the boundaries of her writing. This is another must read from the author. PS. The paperback book is classified as supernatural/ghosts, so if you are buying the book for that, don't. There is definitely a mystery and psychological element to the book, but this book is real and grounded in honest emotion.

If I could give this book ten stars, I would. It is truly a MATERPIECE and the best book I have read all year. This suspenseful tale is gripping, compelling, heartfelt, and so very painful. The character development, per usual for this author, is absolute perfection. The writing is poetic and seamless, and you quickly find yourself engulfed in the story, unable to stop yourself from turning page after page no matter what the time of day. The underlying bond of friendship between an extremely sick woman, desperate to tell her secret through an unlikely adversary was warming to the soul. The emotional roller coaster that this story's twists and turns force upon the reader, while difficult at times, was just awesome. Even if you have never been a parent before, the visceral pain that you felt for Helena and the loss of her child was palpable and raw. The way in which she is lost will sicken you but you'll also feel an enormous amount of empathy. I don't want to say any more and risk spoiling this amazing novel. Just trust that you will not be wasting time getting this book. $4 is a steal, well worth the experience. Because this read is an experience. It is time well spent, and phenomenally written. You can't possibly be disappointed. You will be thrown around, ripped from your comfort zone, and your jaw is sure to drop. You may even shed a few tears. But then, you will be healed. Redemption will be had and you will walk away feeling improved and whole again. I already want to re-read it. Bravo, Alessandra Torre. You are truly a gifted, talented writer and I can't wait for every single future work of art that you give us.

Um livro que você ri, chora, odeia e ama! Foi uma leitura diferente, ao mesmo tempo que você está lendo os dias atuais você está lendo memórias que fazem parte do livro que ela está escrevendo em parceria com o sua maior inimiga! Simplesmente perfeito!

This book wrecked me. It's devastating, heart-wrenching. Simple, I just finished, sobbing over a book like a crazy woman. The Ghost Writer is not your typical mystery/thriller book. It is so much more than that. It will take you on a journey of loss, guilt, and acceptance. Amd beyond that, friendship. Love. I wouldn't wish upon my greatest enemy the life of Helena, the heroine. Anyhow, as strange as it may sound, I contacted with Helena.in a way I rarely did in my reader life. I felt I was there with her, and Mark, and was holding her hand (she would have hated that, by the way). The emotions and feelings I got out of this story are vivid and visceral. I think each woman will be as deeply moved as I am right now. It's not easy, bit it's worth it. And right now I just want to hug my kids and tell them how proud I am of them and how strongly and I love them. The end.

It gave me a completely different perspective as a reader, it’s a tough book to read but in it’s way therapeutic

From the very first two words of this novel, we know our main character is dying. Helena’s terminal diagnosis of cancer gives her three months to write a book unlike her usually best-selling romance fare. It is not enough time considering her normal writing pace, yet it must go to print. She needs to tell the truth, to tell her story. So, she employs a ghost writer, choosing an unlikely candidate—her nemesis. After exchanging barbs for seven years while vying for the top spot on every best-selling list, Helena decides Marka Vantley is the only author who could mirror her own style. But when they meet, Marka is not the woman Helena imagined and a most unexpected friendship blossoms. As the pair work together to document Helena’s memoir, a mystery unravels, revealing the truth of what happened to her absent husband and daughter. This book left me gutted in the best possible way. I love it when an author can reach deep inside my soul and tug on every heart string. While this story was not my typical pick—without a romance plot to be found anywhere amongst the pages—it still captured my sense of mystery while evoking a range of emotions. The banter between the characters is entertaining and the friendship that forms is truly inspiring. I highly recommend this book for one and all! Just keep the tissues handy.

I was not expecting this book to hit me in the feels like it did. Wow. I was captivated early on and could not stop turning the pages but I didn’t realize how much I had connected with the two main characters, Helena and Mark until I turned into a blubbering mess of tears at the end of the book. The Ghostwriter is a fast paced fictional suspense story about a world renowned young romance author, Helena Ross, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and is given only three months to live. This sudden shortened timeline in her life has her scrambling to write her last story, this time a true story that unveils a dark secret she has been living with for the past 4 years. She is determined to get her story out before she dies but is too weak from her illness to do it on her own. Introverted and OCD, it is a difficult decision but she comes to the realization she needs help and brings a rival author on board to help her tell her story. Helena is hard to break but a relationship unfolds between the two authors bonded together as her life unfolds through the writing of her past. It’s a story of motherhood and the fine act of balancing your family with the your passion and work. It’s about trust. Lies. Guilt. Love. Forgiveness. The book is written with page turning style, with short chapters, an intriguing storyline and a small but interesting line up of characters which makes for a quick and easy read.