Reviews with content warning for Self harm - The No-Show

Beth O’Leary ruthlessly tore me to shreds in a story that truly does require more than one read through.

She plays with perspective and withholds small pieces of information in order to shape a new narrative in order to have the reader build up a strong (false) image and understanding of characters and events before smashing it to pieces and leaving us to sit with the fact that we have been wrong from the jump.

The No-Show is just one of those stories you can’t really give your full thoughts on because they would be spoilers.

Just know that I am devastated.

CW: references and mentions to past miscarriage, recurring discussions and references to past toxic/abusive relationship, stalking, death/death of loved one, grief, brief self harm

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kinahgrace's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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saeruh's review against another edition

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emotional reflective

4.0

It was intriguing how all of the three seemingly unconnected plot lines eventually all connected into one massive story. The way O’Leary writes about life makes you understand so much about these characters and their motives. I guessed the twist by the midway point so it wasn’t that shocking to me but i could see how it could have been. Audiobook was performed great, I just think that this is a one and done type of read for me to never think about ever again.

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meredith_williams_'s review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I picked up “The No-Show” expecting a light, John-Tucker-Must-Die type of romantic comedy, but was pleasantly surprised by a much more heartfelt story about the importance of intimacy and connection. I liked that the story was told from the three separate points of view of the main women. It gives the reader an interesting insight into the different facets of the characters and makes the twist at the end that much more unexpected. The beginning of the book started a bit slow and it took me awhile to straighten out all of the side characters in each story line, but towards the midway point the pace picks up and the plot becomes more engaging. This is certainly more of a romantic drama than it is a comedy, so if you’re looking for a light read, this isn’t the book for you. Overall, I think it’s worth the read and will definitely pick up more of O’Leary’s work!

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jennyrm's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mystery romance that keeps you guessing

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danah_kayla's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

For the majority of this book, I was a little bit bored (for lack of a better word). There were specific points that gauged my attention, but overall I was just reading to finish it. I heard that there would be a plot twist and that it was completely unexpected. I in fact did not expect it. I spent the whole book strongly disliking Joseph Carter, but by the end, I really felt for him. Before it was revealed that he didn’t cheat on any of the women I always thought that Jane and Carter were the best fit. He was too close off with Miranda (Mir and AJ are perfect for each other), and things with Siobhan (at the beginning) weren’t working out. The ending was very nice, and I appreciated the side character relationships. Also, Mortimer and Aggie were such amazing friends. Really all of the friends were amazing (Fiona, Adele, Frannie, Trey, Spikes, Jaime, Lou, and Colin). I thoroughly enjoyed the end of the book, but because it took me so long to get to that point I don’t see myself rereading it.

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emmalwalker's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was so absolutely shocked at this book. It kept me on my toes and I HAD to know how it ended- and it ended so so beautifully. Begin again by Taylor swift!!

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krisrow's review against another edition

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emotional funny

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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