A review by thereadedit
Rules For Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I picked up this book not realizing how much this would touch me heart and soul. I took longer to read this book than I have others because it truly touched me in more ways than I can put into words. 

Ezra is a character like no other that I have read before. Not because he is trans, Jewish, or because he is a Doula. He is like no other because I resonated with so many feelings that he had throughout this book. Whether it be about his body and how he felt about it or how he felt as if he had to save everyone else before himself. 

He learns so much about himself through this book, and in turn I was able to reflect on myself and see where I could change as well. I felt so deeply for Ezra as he went through every bit of this book and I couldn't help but want the best for him. 

I haven't read any books about trans people or Jewish trans people for that matter so I depended heavily on Google to answer my questions when they arose. I wish there would have been a glossary of terms in the book for those of us who aren't familiar. 

I loved the community that Ezra had built for himself within his friends. They couldn't have been better for him in his time of need. I loved their energy and vibes they gave off. I especially loved his family even though at times it could be touch and go for them. It is always hard, when you don't believe in yourself. But it is always better when the people you surround yourself believes in you and holds you up. 

Ezra and Jonathan were such a great couple. I loved their love. It was complicated, but the best love can be. Even though we don't mean it to be. Jonathan was such a patient person when he didn't have show an ounce. 

I loved that Ezra has this extra super power to see ghosts even if they can't always communicate back with him. Even without them being able to speak he is able to see them for who they are now.


Writing this book really made me realize how reluctant we are not just to talk about grief, and the way we’re irrevocably changed by it, but that so many of us are reluctant to let ourselves feel it at all. But I quickly learned that grief has a way of creeping up on you, especially if you’re trying to push it away. If there’s anything I’d like my readers to take away, it’s that, whatever you’re running away from feeling—whether it’s grief, joy, or anything else—that’s probably the thing you need to let yourself feel the most.



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