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A review by what_heather_loves
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
"Joseph laughs and dives in to kiss her, and she doesn't even stop him, though her face is a mess and still wet with tears. She let's him pull her close and hold her, and let's the emotions rook, the joy and the sadness. As it all begins to settle to a low hum, she presses her cheek to his chest and feels something else blooming: the peace that comes with letting someone else take a little of the burdon."
It's Valentines Day. Nervous Jane, who escaped London for her home town, Winchester, where she volunteers at a charity shop, is waiting for her new friends, Joseph, to pose as her fake boyfriend at a friend's engagement party. Confident life coach, Siobhan is waiting for her breakfast date, Joseph, which is a change from their usual late night rendezvous. Outgoing tree surgeon, Miranda has been dating her boyfriend, Carter for five months and itvs getting serious. All three women are stood up on Valentines Day. Just what is Joseph Carter up to?!
Told from the perspectives of the three, very different women, the reader gains insight into their lives - their jobs, friends, boyfriends, hopes and fears. Jane is vulnerable and needs a friend first and foremost, Siobhan doesn't want to commit to a man and is also struggling with a client. Miranda can't believe how lucky she is, with her boyfriend, but a fellow tree surgeon, AJ, has the hots for her. The reader will, at best, hope Joseph Carter has a reason for his behaviour! As the novel progresses, it becomes apparent that the three women's lives are connected and it becomes much more than a romance novel. Complex and involving, The No Show tackles tragedy, grief and coercion as well as joy, love and hope with pockets of humour. I found myself rooting for Jane, Siobhan and Miranda, despite suspecting they couldn't all get their happy ending. There are a number of twists and one particular shock that demonstrate clever plotting and make for a slow-burner that is well worth reading.
It's Valentines Day. Nervous Jane, who escaped London for her home town, Winchester, where she volunteers at a charity shop, is waiting for her new friends, Joseph, to pose as her fake boyfriend at a friend's engagement party. Confident life coach, Siobhan is waiting for her breakfast date, Joseph, which is a change from their usual late night rendezvous. Outgoing tree surgeon, Miranda has been dating her boyfriend, Carter for five months and itvs getting serious. All three women are stood up on Valentines Day. Just what is Joseph Carter up to?!
Told from the perspectives of the three, very different women, the reader gains insight into their lives - their jobs, friends, boyfriends, hopes and fears. Jane is vulnerable and needs a friend first and foremost, Siobhan doesn't want to commit to a man and is also struggling with a client. Miranda can't believe how lucky she is, with her boyfriend, but a fellow tree surgeon, AJ, has the hots for her. The reader will, at best, hope Joseph Carter has a reason for his behaviour! As the novel progresses, it becomes apparent that the three women's lives are connected and it becomes much more than a romance novel. Complex and involving, The No Show tackles tragedy, grief and coercion as well as joy, love and hope with pockets of humour. I found myself rooting for Jane, Siobhan and Miranda, despite suspecting they couldn't all get their happy ending. There are a number of twists and one particular shock that demonstrate clever plotting and make for a slow-burner that is well worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Car accident
Minor: Stalking and Miscarriage