A book out of my usual genre,but thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it because of the author. Definitely worth a read

Such a lovely and sweet paranormal romance! I never knew what to expect when I started to read this book but I really enjoyed it once I gotten into it!

I fell in love with both Ryder and Maggie, and the interaction between the two of them was beautiful

I went into this one knowing that it would be some form of sweet romance with a paranormal, ghosty twist. There were some things I liked, Jade is a pretty awesome character and I liked to see her put Ryder in his place when he went a little too far.

I enjoyed Maggie's relationship with her nan, and the way the author showed the struggles of caring for someone with a long term illness felt very realistic.

Sadly, I really struggled to connect with Ryder as a character, and I felt that a lot of his actions seemed unnecessarily weird, and stalkerish. It also made me feel very uncomfortable at the way Charlie was being used as this kind of puppet for Ryder to just use when he wanted to communicate with Maggie.

Maggie is very much so ‘not like other girls’, a trope that I find to be more harmful than endearing. In a lot of ways this book depicted many stereotypes we associate with teenagers, and I don’t feel like it was needed.

I did really appreciate the writing style of this book, and I'm positive there's an audience that will love this book, it just happened to not be me.

(Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review).

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I definitely wasn’t expecting it to move me in the way that it did. It’s published by Firefly Press, a small UK publisher, so you might not see it widely publicised but it’s a story that I think would be perfect for fans of John Green and Jandy Nelson.

Since her parents died, Maggie doesn’t have much in her life. Losing herself in her books and visits to her nan in the nursing home, Maggie is shocked when the cute popular boy at school saves her life one day. Little does she know that the gorgeous Charlie was momentarily possessed by Ryder, a boy who tragically died five years before. Ryder has been watching Maggie for a while and he’s falling for her fast. But how can he possibly let her know when he’s dead and she’s very much alive?

I love ghost stories and the fact that there’s something so heartaching about them. I’ve also always been fascinated with the reasons that spirits linger in some kind of in-between state of life and death. Ryder experiences the same frustrations and sadness that many ghosts do and I love that he tries to make his situation his own. His friend Jade is the only other wanderer that we really get to know but I knew that every single soul that Ryder can interact with will have their own tragic story.

Ryder loves Maggie, imperfections and all. He reveals this quite early on in the book and he admits that he has been following her for a while. While this would be predatory if he were alive and able to hurt her, there is something about his actions that didn’t come across like that at all. I think it may be because he is such a gentle, harmless soul and he spoke about her with such genuine tenderness. Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic but I was fully on board with this impossible relationship from the start!

Charlie is the boy that Ryder possesses in order to save Maggie from being run over and subsequently the boy that he keeps possessing in order to talk to her. The real Charlie isn’t a good person and Ryder feels a lot of guilt for manifesting the crush that Maggie develops on who she thinks is a sensitive, kind boy. I was so angry on Ryder’s behalf that he had to go through this ridiculous medium to let Maggie know how amazing she is.

Ryder’s friendship with fellow wanderer Jade has a sibling-like quality and it’s great fun to watch them verbally spar. It’s clear that they care a lot about each other and I was so grateful for the epilogue in Jade’s voice because I wanted to know that she’d be ok. I would have loved to know more of Jade’s story but perhaps that’s material for a spin-off novel.

Maggie is a very realistic, shy, lonely, 15-year-old. She is insecure and naive and it was easy to see how Ryder fell in love with her. She has had an incredibly tough time in her short life but she seems determined to just do well and make something of herself. I wanted to let her know what was really going on and that it wasn’t Charlie she was crushing on but a much kinder, lovelier boy called Ryder. I was scared of what would happen when she inevitably discovered what Ryder was doing and by the end of the book, I was in floods of tears.

The Wanderer is a beautifully written, devastatingly heartbreaking book. I did see the ending coming but I was painfully wishing that I was wrong. The romance is very easy to root for if you can suspend your disbelief. Williams has created teenagers that feel very authentic and the fact that they’re so believable makes the book even sadder. Give this a read if you need to let out some pent-up emotion because it will certainly give you that!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
I found the general idea of the story intriguing but sadly this book wasn’t for me. I thought it was entertaining and I read through it pretty quickly, but it didn’t have the emotional impact I was expecting.

Stuck between life and death, Ryder spends his days wandering around unseen by the living. Alone in the world, Maggie only has her visits to her nan to look forward to. When Maggie walks into danger, Ryder breaks the number one Wanderer’s rule: he saves her life. But how can a Wanderer and a living girl ever reach their happily ever after?

The main thing which I didn’t like was that the „she‘s not like other girls“ trope is used to describe Maggie and so I was annoyed pretty early on. Maggie is portrayed as a shy, awkward, clumsy, introverted, nerdy girl who’s not conventionally pretty and doesn’t have any friends. However, Ryder ends up falling for her despite her awkwardness and clumsiness, which is seen as something special - as if „normal“ girls are never awkward and always look perfect. I wish authors would stop using the „not like other girls“ trope because it just puts girls against each other in terms of what is seen as normal behaviour. Especially since the popular girl is the stereotypical, beautiful, mean girl who laughs at Maggie because of her awkwardness and unpopularity.

Since that trope annoyed me, I didn’t really connect with the characters. I thought Ryder was rather annoying and the fact that he stalks Maggie before they officially meet made me uncomfortable. My favourite character is Jade, who is Ryder’s best friend because she’s fierce and doesn’t shy away from telling Ryder uncomfortable truths. I liked when Jade calls Ryder „some stalker-ghost using someone else‘s body to cop a feel“.

Overall, I would say that the book has an interesting concept and I get why other people like it, but it just wasn’t for me.

4 stars
Have you ever wondered what happens when you die, well The Wanderer definitely gives an interesting theory as to what might.
This book was so imaginative and full of wonder, such a page turner.
I love reading something a bit different and it always amazes me how people think these things up.
This story was very engaging and the characters very likeable. I'd high recommend it.

I saw this book on Netgalley quite some time ago already. I'm not entirely sure why it took me this long to get started, but at least I'm in time for the release of this book next week. Luckily, because I think there are really a lot of people who're gonna love this book, especially the people who grew up with the more old fashioned YA stories. Not that the story is old fashioned, far from it, but it has kind of the same vibe.

The plot of the book is actually quite simple and also quite predictable. I know that not everyone sees that as a compliment or a positive thing, but in this case it fits and works. This is not a mystery, this is not an action packed story. This is the story of two people falling in love and not being able to be together. It's about the characters, about their struggles, about their lives and about the impossible future they can never share.

And because these characters are interesting and realistic the story is gripping. Of course, we mostly get to know the main two characters and their stories. We're spending quite some time in their heads and therefore we get to know them quite well. Not every detail is spelled out, there are no long info-dumps telling their entire history, but by the end of the book both of these characters feel like friends and have found their way into our hearts.

On top of that Williams lets her characters ask the right questions considering the body stealing thing. Of course, since we started caring about these characters and want them to be together, it's easy to cross a few lines here and there. After all, it's "just" a book. But Williams refuses to let us and I love that. Especially because it's one of the many details she thought about. Even though the concept seems simple, the mythology works and is very well thought out.

If there is every gonna be another story set in this "world", I'd love to read it!

Oh what a wonderfully sweet paranormal romance following Ryder Edmonds, who for want of a word is a ghost, quite possibly stuck in between heaven and earth. Having missed his slot to ‘follow the light’ he’s stuck wandering the world unable to interact with humans, interacting only with a handful of other wanderers. Whilst going about his business he comes across lone book worm Maggie, herein starts his obsession. He’ll never be able to be with her, he won’t even be able to communicate with her. Or just maybe?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. A little high school drama, a little emotional drama, and a whole lot of afterlife drama as Ryder navigates the ‘real world’. I loved him. Maggie though, had so many teenage problems, I really felt for her. She was very much lost. A sweet and addictive young adult paranormal romance. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I read the blurb for 'The Wanderer' and knew straight away I had to read it. I wasn't disappointed. It's a bittersweet love story between a ghost and the living school girl he loves. Unfortunately, she has no idea he even exists.

Ryder died five years ago in an accident and has been a 'wanderer' ever since, after staying with his family and not going on to the afterlife as he should. He finds his existence beyond the grave to be lonely and depressing, despite having a friendship with fellow ghost, Jade. His only moments of fleeting happiness occur when those on the brink of death 'see' him, providing him with a moment of vindication. It's during one of his visits to the hospital seeking the dying, that Ryder discovers Maggie. He finds himself drawn to her and becomes increasingly desperate to spend time with her. His actions become more dangerous and he finds himself in a situation where he knows he has to let Maggie go in order to save them both from broken hearts.

I adored the characters of Ryder and Maggie and watching their love for each other develop was heart breaking at times. I wanted to shake him when you could see how his actions would affect Maggie. You really feel for poor Ryder who is so torn by his feelings for Maggie and his desire to do the right thing. I liked how the book dealt with the aftermath of grief and how it affects both individuals and families.

This was such a hauntingly sweet love story and a wonderful debut. Thank you to Netgalley and firefly press for giving me the opportunity to read an arc in return for an honest review.

I honestly had no idea what to expect from this book. I didn’t know whether it was going to be more paranormal or more romance, what I got was a delicate balance of both. I love movies and books with a paranormal side, so that’s what made me put this on my TBR straight away. The paranormal aspects were there, but didn’t dominate the story which was good. I thought it was adorable to read about Ryders love for Maggie. Unfortunately, I know all about being in love with someone you can never have and I feel like the book captured that feeling perfectly. Some might say it was bordering on obsessive and I can sort of see that, but I can also kinda relate.

Another thing I really loved about this book was that it is set in the exact town where I live! This is the first book I’ve ever read which is set in Norwich, and it was great reading about places and being able to envision what they were. I can easily imagine something like this happening where I live (minus the ghosts obviously!) Also, I kept getting excited when I saw a place I visit regularly mentioned. Actually, I think this is the only book I know of that is set here, that needs to change!

Most of the characters were relatable and 3D, but some did have the ‘not like other girls’ mentality. Charlie seemed like a real jerk who thought he was ‘it’ when he really wasn’t, Also, I have no idea what Ryder saw in Maggie. I don’t find ‘squeaking’ and keep turning red being attractive. Honestly, I have no idea why he literally possessed someone to save her, although I would do the same for the one that I love.

I did love the way this was written. The first person narrative was so believable and it did feel like you were in a teenagers head. The dual person narrative was a good idea, and allowed you to see what both characters were thinking without taking over the plot element.

Overall, I did really enjoy this. It did take me a few days to get into but it was a quick read after then. I devoured over half of it last night, which was good!

Thank you to NetGalley and FireFly press for providing me with a digital e-arc for exchange of an honest review.

The wanderer is a bitter-sweet romance with wonderful characters and a fresh story that kept me turning the pages.

Ryder is a wanderer, a ghost, who has admired Maggie from afar for a long time. He is only able to interact directly with her, when he jumps into a body to stop her being run over. Having been through extraordinary experiences himself, he brings a level of care and gentleness to Maggie, that she doesn’t find anywhere else in her traumatic life.

The wanderer explores the confusion of adolescance, and explores a common issue in a new way. The guy Maggie believes herself to be in love with appears to act one way in private, and be completely different in front of his friends. But this real-life theme is taken to a new level since the boy is really two different people: Ryder, and the body he inhabits.

We see Maggie deal with being misunderstood by everyone, and then being truly seen for the first time by someone she can never truly reach. This is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching as we continually root for the two of them to be together.

I loved this story. I really fell for both Ryder and Maggie and loved their sweet interactions, as well as their yearning for something that was continually beyond reach.

The Wanderer, by Josie Williams, was an interesting debut novel, following Ryder, a ghost (wanderer), roaming the earth after he died. He becomes quickly infatuated with Maggie, a young girl who has suffered through a tough life, from her hospitalised Gran to bouncing between foster homes.

I personally didn't connect to the characters, and found it awkward and slow at times, with Maggie and Ryder's relationship feeling a bit weird as he was much older, which normally wouldn't have been a problem however Maggie was only in her teens. In addition, Ryder was a bit obsessive and self absorbed, and Maggie had a 'not like other girls' feel to her.

The concept was a fascinating idea, and the writing style was great, however I feel the book was (dissapointingly) not for me.

A massive thank you to the author, Firefly Press and Netgalley for this review copy!

Well, when I requested this book I was intrigued about the premise. Let’s just say, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but what a read.

The story takes place around Ryder, a ghost wandering the earth after never moving on, and Maggie, a loner girl who has had a really hard and difficult life.

When Ryder falls in love with Maggie, he does the unthinkable, much to the distress of his best friend, Jade.

(By the way, Jade needs a book of her own. I would love to hear more about her life and her wandering days before Ryder.)

This is a book of first loves and finding yourself. I didn’t expect to get so immersed into this story. It got to the point where I actually cried (that doesn’t happen often!).

This was a quick read, but one that I enjoyed. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I try not to be too critical in my reviews because I understand that authors have poured their heart out into their books but honestly, this book did not do it for me at all. I do think other people will like it but it just wasnt my cup of tea.

The pros-
- Williams is a good writer; for a debut novel she shows off skill however I think the problem lay with the plot itself
- the premise was really interesting
- I liked the relationship between Maggie and her gran

And the cons -
- I didn't connect to any of the characters. I thought ryder was so selfish from beginning to end and I didn't like how he justified his actions and I wasn't a fan of "I'm not like other girls" mentality that both Maggie and ryder had
- the writing itself felt similar to that of early percy jackson books in that it was aimed at slightly younger audiences but there was a fair amount of swearing?? I don't know but It just felt off.
- the idea of being a Wanderer is so interesting and could ha e been explored more deeply but it felt pushed to the side for the romance
- the love story aspect also just felt weird.... ryder bordered on obsessed and possessive and also I get that he stays the same age when he dies but he's still 5 years older than her? It just felt a bit dodgy
- there was a really strange dynamic between Maggie and her Foster parents and I understood where it was coming from but it was just frustrating and unsatisfying without a conclusion
- the ending felt really rushed and unsatisfying
- and there were parts of the book that just genuinely felt painful to read.

I do think there is an audience for this book but I am not one of them.

I have had to take a long moment in order to cry all the tears before writing this review. The Wanderer is a beautiful and thought-provoking story. One that I know will stay with me forever.

I’m struggling to find the right words to express my feelings without giving any of the storyline away. I never read a synopsis, as I prefer to read books without any inkling as to what the story will be about. I only knew that this was a Young Adult paranormal novel and I absolutely loved discovering everything for myself. I found myself lost in the story almost immediately, and I cherished feeling the many different emotions that this narrative brought out in me.

My heart hurt for Maggie. At the age of 15 she has already experienced so much in her short life and I could understand why she found herself struggling socially with others - especially forming relationships with those who are there to support and be there for her. I couldn't stop myself from worrying about her because I feared how much learning the truth about Ryder would affect her, and the last thing I wanted was for her to experience more heartache.

I love Ryder. His selfless actions at the beginning of the story finds him in a position that he truly regrets being in, and oh how my heart broke for him too. I completely understood the reasons behind his actions throughout the story, even though at times, as I’ve already mentioned, I was anxious about how some of his decisions would affect Maggie and also, I found myself concerned about how they were affecting Charlie too.

The Wanderer is so much more than just a paranormal romance narrative. It is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, emotional and unique story that touched me in many ways. I loved that my mind considered all the possibilities of how this storyline may possibly unfold, however I never imagined the wonderful conclusion that the author gave us. I would love to read Jade's story one day, but if it never happens then I am happy with my own thoughts regarding what happens next for her.

This is Josie Williams’ debut novel and I award The Wanderer 5 must-read stars. I’m already looking forward to her next novel being published and, in the meantime, I will certainly be reading this superb story again.

(ARC copy kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley)
I found this debut novel by Josie Williams perplexing and enjoyable. What originally drew me to this release was the premise of the story - I mean who doesn’t love a good star-crossed ghost/mortal love story?
However, 'The Wanderer' was so much more nuanced than that. It invited me to consider mortality and the value of life, combining more realist fiction with that of the supernatural in order to create a surprising Teen/YA read.

I initially found the book hard to get into as I felt Maggie leaned a little too heavily into the “Not like other girls” stereotype that is so prevalent in the Teen/YA genres. However, as I continued and got to read a little more of Maggie’s POV, I found myself relating to her more and more.

As for Ryder, he was both lovable and antagonizing - seriously, sometimes I would find myself audibly whisper ‘AGHHH!’ under my breath while reading his POV. And yet this is exactly the kind of audible response to characters that make those specific characters feel so real!

Overall, I really did like this book; full of romance and the paranormal - well, what’s not to like?

ARC kindly provided by Netgalley.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. I knew it was a paranormal romance but other than that I went into it blindly. Let me tell you it blew me away. I picked the book up to read a chapter or two before tea time and didn’t put it down until I was finished.

My heart broke for Ryder. He made a selfless decision when he passed away out of his love for his family and lost his chance to move into the light. Now he’s wandering around in the world and no living person can see him.

Maggie is alive but she’s also wondering through life alone. Her only family being her Nan that is now having to live in a care home.

When Maggie is in danger Ryder makes a last minute split decision and saves her life. Only Maggie doesn’t know it’s actually Ryder and she doesn’t even know who Ryder is.

The Wanderer is such a touching, heartfelt romance that you won’t want to put down. Josie Williams has penned this novel with so much emotion it just jumps off the pages and pulls you in. I felt how the story ended was utter perfection. I spent a lot of time thinking of possible outcomes but I would not have guessed how it actually panned out.

This book is aimed at young adults but I really feel adults of all ages would love it too as it’s so unique. Cannot recommend this book enough I so hope we see more like this from Josie Williams. Five stars!

When I read the blurb I was instantly intrigued, as it gave me vibes similar to that of Colleen Hoovers ‘Layla’ and having read it, if you enjoyed Layla I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book too! I am rating this book five stars out of five.

I thought this was an interesting take on a paranormal romance and I thought that the romance would happen in a different way, through a different medium however I really enjoyed the direction it went in! Ryder was likeable from the start and I felt his sadness at the start, however I was glad to know he wasn’t totally alone. Reading about other wanderers was really interesting and I would’ve loved more on the wanderer from what seemed to be the Shakespearean era, I think the interaction between them and Ryder would’ve been interesting though based on their description I don’t blame them for staying away!

I really wished this book was longer and it had more mini plots or twists but I think it is pretty much perfect the way it is! It was really interesting to see how Charlie dealt with what was happening, though I was angry with Ryder for not really realising what he was doing was wrong. As you can tell this book brought out many emotions but this just makes it that much more of an awesome read!

The ending left me wanting to know what happened after, both with Ryder and with Jade!l, as their ‘lives’ went in completely different directions and can we please have a Jade spin off novella please?

I also liked the fact that this book mentioned other books, one which I have read and done that has been on my ‘To be read’ pile for years so I think it’s time to actually read it, it has to be a sign!

I would definitely read more from Josie Williams, and I am looking forward to their next novel!