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The No-Show: an unexpected love story you'll never forget, from the author of The Flatshare
*PRE-ORDER BETH O'LEARY'S BRAND NEW UNMISSABLE ROMANCE, THE NAME GAME, NOW*
'Ingenious, heartwarming and romantic' SOPHIE KINSELLA
'Surprising and deeply satisfying' EMILY HENRY
Three women. Three dates. One missing man . . .
8.52 a.m. Siobhan's looking forward to her date with Joseph. Breakfast on Valentine's Day surely means something . . . so where is he?
2.43 p.m. Miranda's hoping that a Valentine's Day lunch with Carter will be the perfect way to celebrate her new job. But why hasn't he shown up?
6.30 p.m. Joseph Carter agreed to be Jane's fake boyfriend at a dreaded engagement party tonight. But he's not here . . .
Meet Joseph Carter. That is, if you can find him.
An unexpected love story, The No-Show is an utterly extraordinary tear-jearker of a book, a heart-breaking and joyful novel about dating, and waiting, and the ways love can find us.
'Such a clever, finely woven, sweet and heart-rending story' BOLU BABALOLA
'A brilliant, multilayered, romantic stunner' LAUREN HO
'It will break your heart in a million different ways' LOUISE O'NEILL
'Beth O'Leary at her very best' LINDSEY KELK
(P)2022 Quercus Editions Limited
'Ingenious, heartwarming and romantic' SOPHIE KINSELLA
'Surprising and deeply satisfying' EMILY HENRY
Three women. Three dates. One missing man . . .
8.52 a.m. Siobhan's looking forward to her date with Joseph. Breakfast on Valentine's Day surely means something . . . so where is he?
2.43 p.m. Miranda's hoping that a Valentine's Day lunch with Carter will be the perfect way to celebrate her new job. But why hasn't he shown up?
6.30 p.m. Joseph Carter agreed to be Jane's fake boyfriend at a dreaded engagement party tonight. But he's not here . . .
Meet Joseph Carter. That is, if you can find him.
An unexpected love story, The No-Show is an utterly extraordinary tear-jearker of a book, a heart-breaking and joyful novel about dating, and waiting, and the ways love can find us.
'Such a clever, finely woven, sweet and heart-rending story' BOLU BABALOLA
'A brilliant, multilayered, romantic stunner' LAUREN HO
'It will break your heart in a million different ways' LOUISE O'NEILL
'Beth O'Leary at her very best' LINDSEY KELK
(P)2022 Quercus Editions Limited
Audible Audio
First published April 12, 2022
3609 people are currently reading
146970 people want to read
About the author
Beth O'Leary
16 books16.5k followersBeth studied English at university before going into children’s publishing. She lives as close to the countryside as she can get while still being within reach of London, and wrote her first novel, The Flatshare, on her train journey to and from work.
You’ll usually find her curled up with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).
You’ll usually find her curled up with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 16,055 reviews
May 29, 2022
soooo conflicted about this one.
the reader is made to think something very specific for the majority of the novel, and its not exactly positive. but then about the 90% mark, the reader is told to then think something that is the complete opposite, and i just dont think it works.
i completely understand what the author was trying to do and can appreciate the “cleverness” of the concept, i just think it came too late to make a difference in influencing the readers opinions and causes the story to lose everything that should have made this wholesome. at least for me.
so a very interesting story, but not quite the best execution of it, imo. but i think more open-minded readers might enjoy this a lot more than me!
↠ 3 stars
the reader is made to think something very specific for the majority of the novel, and its not exactly positive. but then about the 90% mark, the reader is told to then think something that is the complete opposite, and i just dont think it works.
i completely understand what the author was trying to do and can appreciate the “cleverness” of the concept, i just think it came too late to make a difference in influencing the readers opinions and causes the story to lose everything that should have made this wholesome. at least for me.
so a very interesting story, but not quite the best execution of it, imo. but i think more open-minded readers might enjoy this a lot more than me!
↠ 3 stars
March 13, 2025
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
Update 06/23/2022
I don't plan to do this kind of thing often because there is only so much time in life but even though I read the book in the past, as soon as I finished I knew I wanted to listen to the book when possible because I wanted to see how I felt about things knowing what I knew when I finished the book. I can say I enjoyed the book even more the second time around. I like "knowing" things and this was a good way for me to enjoy the characters and the story. Of course, this is the opposite of what I said in my first sentence in my original review 😊
********
The best way to enjoy this story it to go into it blindly, which is what I did. I'm so glad I didn't know the big twist and this is one of the rare times that I didn't figure it out until it was served to me on a platter, towards the end of the story. The twist changed my perspective on everything that had happened earlier in the book.
Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane are stood up by their boyfriend on Valentine's Day. Men are cads, right? Oh wait, it seems that the boyfriend that stood these three women up are the same man!
We get to know Joseph Carter through these three very different women. He's almost too good to be true in a nerdy, good looking, flawed way. He really seems to care about each woman although he does have trouble being on time and sometimes will space out. He's very generous and loving but will clam up if pressed too hard about certain things.
I really cannot say more because I do not want to risk spoiling anything in the story. I don't think of this as a romcom but more as a romantic mystery, which suits me well. Once I started the book I was invested in figuring out how this story would progress and how the women and this one man would get through life. Surely Joseph can't get away with whatever he's doing, can he? How sustainable is this situation? The story pulled my emotions every which way. None of these women deserved to be hurt and it was so hard to understand the why of Joseph's actions. The story is so good and I'm thankful for an ending that left me very satisfied.
Pub: April 12 2022
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
Update 06/23/2022
I don't plan to do this kind of thing often because there is only so much time in life but even though I read the book in the past, as soon as I finished I knew I wanted to listen to the book when possible because I wanted to see how I felt about things knowing what I knew when I finished the book. I can say I enjoyed the book even more the second time around. I like "knowing" things and this was a good way for me to enjoy the characters and the story. Of course, this is the opposite of what I said in my first sentence in my original review 😊
********
The best way to enjoy this story it to go into it blindly, which is what I did. I'm so glad I didn't know the big twist and this is one of the rare times that I didn't figure it out until it was served to me on a platter, towards the end of the story. The twist changed my perspective on everything that had happened earlier in the book.
Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane are stood up by their boyfriend on Valentine's Day. Men are cads, right? Oh wait, it seems that the boyfriend that stood these three women up are the same man!
We get to know Joseph Carter through these three very different women. He's almost too good to be true in a nerdy, good looking, flawed way. He really seems to care about each woman although he does have trouble being on time and sometimes will space out. He's very generous and loving but will clam up if pressed too hard about certain things.
I really cannot say more because I do not want to risk spoiling anything in the story. I don't think of this as a romcom but more as a romantic mystery, which suits me well. Once I started the book I was invested in figuring out how this story would progress and how the women and this one man would get through life. Surely Joseph can't get away with whatever he's doing, can he? How sustainable is this situation? The story pulled my emotions every which way. None of these women deserved to be hurt and it was so hard to understand the why of Joseph's actions. The story is so good and I'm thankful for an ending that left me very satisfied.
Pub: April 12 2022
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
January 2, 2022
Stayed up until 3:30am finishing this and I HURT. I loved this book SO MUCH. I truly think that this is Beth O'Leary at her best. With that being said- I'm not sure that this is a book that will work for everyone. The book starts off pretty light hearted (similar to the tone of The Flatshare), but as the story goes on and we get to know all of our characters better, the tone of the novel switches to one that is much heavier (think The Road Trip). If you're looking for a light and breezy rom-com, this is not going to be the book for you. However, if you're looking for something a little deeper that will make you laugh and then cry and then break your heart and put it back together again? I absolutely recommend checking out The No-Show. Despite it featuring a handful of tropes that I don't normally enjoy, Beth O'Leary easily won me over and it is now tied with The Flatshare as my favorite of her books. Even though I finished reading it just yesterday I already want to do a re-read bc I'M EMOTIONAL OKAY PLS JUST READ THIS BOOK SO THAT I WILL HAVE SOMEONE TO CRY ABOUT IT WITH THANKS
CW: death of a loved one, cheating, dementia, self harm, pregnancy, miscarriage, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, sexual harassment
CW: death of a loved one, cheating, dementia, self harm, pregnancy, miscarriage, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, sexual harassment
February 23, 2025
Happy pub day to the best novel of the author! 💖🥳📚
When I read the blurb about the same man who stood up three vulnerable women on Valentine’s Day, I thought why I should read something like that! Are those women going to know each other’s existence and gather together to kick the nuts of that scumbag! Yes, I even thought to pass this book because reading both three different humiliated women’s perspectives already made me piss of! But… We’re talking about talented Beth Leary! And there must be something tricky that pull the rug out from under us! This fact kept me going to find out what kind of surprise is awaiting us!
The first chapters give us clues three women are somewhat related with Joseph Carter. First woman is Siobhan: ambitious, work oriented and in my opinion less likable of the trio, waiting to meet with Joseph on Valentine’s Date at breakfast. They causally ses each other, having amazing chemistry in bed and Siobhan is already hurt from her past relationship so she curses and leaves the breakfast spot.
On the other hand, Miranda, starting her thrilling job to work with tattooed and muscular men, climbing trees, so excited for her lunch meeting with Carter. They’re actually dating. But he doesn’t show up!
And finally we meet Jane: absolutely my favorite one- shy, awkward, secluded, bookworm, working at charity shop voluntarily, healing herself from past drama happened in London ( which is a big mystery for us) Her new friend Joseph Carter accepts to be her fake date at her colleague’s engagement to save her from spotlight and pitying looks of the townies. But he doesn’t show up! And interestingly she gives different reaction from the other two women. She accepts the situation.
Then we move on to see how Joseph tries to make it up for those women!
I have to say: I’m drawn in this story because I was truly expecting something is truly up!
Even the motivation to find out what’s really going on make me read faster to dot the i’s and cross the t’s: this book is quiet enigma!
I had so many complex feelings for Joseph:
Should I hate him! Should I punch him? Should I pity him? It seems like this man was on the verge of breakdown. But why? Because of guilt feeling to deal with three women at the same time!
But I’m shutting my big mouth now !
I can only say two things: the romance parts of the book didn’t get me excited but the smart twist I never see it coming ( I had lots of theories and guessing during my read but I failed! Silly me! ) earned all those brownie points so I couldn’t give less than five stars to this book.
Because it’s smart, it’s really emotional, it’s also promising! Interestingly this sad book emphasizes the importance of second chances in life!
Without giving away more, I’m admitting this is THE BEST BOOK OF THE AUTHOR and don’t you ever DARE TO MISS OR SKIP IT!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
When I read the blurb about the same man who stood up three vulnerable women on Valentine’s Day, I thought why I should read something like that! Are those women going to know each other’s existence and gather together to kick the nuts of that scumbag! Yes, I even thought to pass this book because reading both three different humiliated women’s perspectives already made me piss of! But… We’re talking about talented Beth Leary! And there must be something tricky that pull the rug out from under us! This fact kept me going to find out what kind of surprise is awaiting us!
The first chapters give us clues three women are somewhat related with Joseph Carter. First woman is Siobhan: ambitious, work oriented and in my opinion less likable of the trio, waiting to meet with Joseph on Valentine’s Date at breakfast. They causally ses each other, having amazing chemistry in bed and Siobhan is already hurt from her past relationship so she curses and leaves the breakfast spot.
On the other hand, Miranda, starting her thrilling job to work with tattooed and muscular men, climbing trees, so excited for her lunch meeting with Carter. They’re actually dating. But he doesn’t show up!
And finally we meet Jane: absolutely my favorite one- shy, awkward, secluded, bookworm, working at charity shop voluntarily, healing herself from past drama happened in London ( which is a big mystery for us) Her new friend Joseph Carter accepts to be her fake date at her colleague’s engagement to save her from spotlight and pitying looks of the townies. But he doesn’t show up! And interestingly she gives different reaction from the other two women. She accepts the situation.
Then we move on to see how Joseph tries to make it up for those women!
I have to say: I’m drawn in this story because I was truly expecting something is truly up!
Even the motivation to find out what’s really going on make me read faster to dot the i’s and cross the t’s: this book is quiet enigma!
I had so many complex feelings for Joseph:
Should I hate him! Should I punch him? Should I pity him? It seems like this man was on the verge of breakdown. But why? Because of guilt feeling to deal with three women at the same time!
But I’m shutting my big mouth now !
I can only say two things: the romance parts of the book didn’t get me excited but the smart twist I never see it coming ( I had lots of theories and guessing during my read but I failed! Silly me! ) earned all those brownie points so I couldn’t give less than five stars to this book.
Because it’s smart, it’s really emotional, it’s also promising! Interestingly this sad book emphasizes the importance of second chances in life!
Without giving away more, I’m admitting this is THE BEST BOOK OF THE AUTHOR and don’t you ever DARE TO MISS OR SKIP IT!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
August 9, 2022
3.5 stars ⭐️
The end was so clever and satisfying but the 3rd person POV & writing was a little slow for me to get into.
The end was so clever and satisfying but the 3rd person POV & writing was a little slow for me to get into.
December 15, 2022
I refuse to call this a romance.
It contains three of them, allegedly, but each one of them is a hard pass for me.
One of them is genuinely based off of workplace harassment, which, uh, doesn't do it for me, and extra doesn't do it for me because the other two protagonists (THERE ARE THREE PROTAGONISTS) have tragic backstories that REVOLVE AROUND workplace harassment.
And also, dare I say it - three entire separate romances crushed and compressed into 341 pages is too many romances! Three perspectives is too many! None of these characters are very interesting, also, and some of them are very boring indeed, so that each pass into the next POV is not anything relieving or much of a change beyond being confusing!
I read one Beth O'Leary romance, with, you know, ONE ROMANCE, and I really liked it. It's on my best contemporaries list, even!
Then I read another Beth O'Leary romance, which had two romances, and I was like damn. I wish this had one romance instead. Not enough time.
IMAGINE MY TERROR WHEN THIS REVEALED ITSELF TO HAVE THREE.
Each one worse than the last.
Beyond that, the story doesn't change until the two-thirds mark (and that's being generous). For 200+ pages, we go from one British woman in her late twenties to early thirties to the next, witnessing her un-progressing love drama, her 1-2 quirky side characters (or "friends"), and her either unsatisfying or made-up-sounding work life. Then the same from the other two, and so on.
By the time a major reveal plot twist comes around, it's both very obvious (we guessed it by now, we were bored and had nothing else to do) and out of nowhere (what! we've been doing the same thing all this time! couldn't we have had a plot instead of a twist?).
A tough combo to pull off.
But the most unforgivable sin of all: This is marketed like a romcom (BRILLIANTLY FUNNY IS ITS FIRST DESCRIPTOR IN ITS OWN SYNOPSIS) but it is actually the kind of I'm-going-to-try-to-make-you-cry rom-dram I associate with mid-2000s movies that have been mercifully lost to time.
Possibly my very least favorite genre.
Bottom line: This is an unpopular opinion but I don't care. Also I'm dropping this to 1.5.
(Also, for some reason a bunch of people read my non-review with the words review to come prominently placed and are already mad at me, so I'm expecting continued backlash. ❤️)
-----------------
tbr review
this book, which is about three women who find out they're all dating the same man, is my nightmare.
not discovering that the person i'm dating is three-timing me, but dating three people at once. sounds like too much work.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-ARC)
It contains three of them, allegedly, but each one of them is a hard pass for me.
One of them is genuinely based off of workplace harassment, which, uh, doesn't do it for me, and extra doesn't do it for me because the other two protagonists (THERE ARE THREE PROTAGONISTS) have tragic backstories that REVOLVE AROUND workplace harassment.
And also, dare I say it - three entire separate romances crushed and compressed into 341 pages is too many romances! Three perspectives is too many! None of these characters are very interesting, also, and some of them are very boring indeed, so that each pass into the next POV is not anything relieving or much of a change beyond being confusing!
I read one Beth O'Leary romance, with, you know, ONE ROMANCE, and I really liked it. It's on my best contemporaries list, even!
Then I read another Beth O'Leary romance, which had two romances, and I was like damn. I wish this had one romance instead. Not enough time.
IMAGINE MY TERROR WHEN THIS REVEALED ITSELF TO HAVE THREE.
Each one worse than the last.
Beyond that, the story doesn't change until the two-thirds mark (and that's being generous). For 200+ pages, we go from one British woman in her late twenties to early thirties to the next, witnessing her un-progressing love drama, her 1-2 quirky side characters (or "friends"), and her either unsatisfying or made-up-sounding work life. Then the same from the other two, and so on.
By the time a major reveal plot twist comes around, it's both very obvious (we guessed it by now, we were bored and had nothing else to do) and out of nowhere (what! we've been doing the same thing all this time! couldn't we have had a plot instead of a twist?).
A tough combo to pull off.
But the most unforgivable sin of all: This is marketed like a romcom (BRILLIANTLY FUNNY IS ITS FIRST DESCRIPTOR IN ITS OWN SYNOPSIS) but it is actually the kind of I'm-going-to-try-to-make-you-cry rom-dram I associate with mid-2000s movies that have been mercifully lost to time.
Possibly my very least favorite genre.
Bottom line: This is an unpopular opinion but I don't care. Also I'm dropping this to 1.5.
(Also, for some reason a bunch of people read my non-review with the words review to come prominently placed and are already mad at me, so I'm expecting continued backlash. ❤️)
-----------------
tbr review
this book, which is about three women who find out they're all dating the same man, is my nightmare.
not discovering that the person i'm dating is three-timing me, but dating three people at once. sounds like too much work.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-ARC)
December 30, 2021
Made Me Smile!
Three women are jilted by Joseph on Valentine’s Day. It seems like Joseph is a cad, but there is SO much more going on than it seems.
Told through the eyes of Jane, Miranda, and Siobhan, the reader experiences their heartbreak at being stood up by Joseph on Valentine’s day. As a result, the three go on very different journeys of love, loss, and self-acceptance. I loved all of their stories.
Then there is Joseph. He seems to be a lying, womanizing, cheating bastard, but there is more to him than meets the eye. He grew on me in the end.
The No-Show seems to be a predictable romance, but it has a twist. I was congratulating myself on being a savvy reader and rolling my eyes at how predictable this book seemed--I even had all of these scenarios in my head of how things would work out for each character…and then there is a twist that I didn't see coming. I realized I was a very dumb reader who missed so many clues and was reading this book the wrong way.
What we get is a heartbreaking, sweet, and tragic story about three women finding themselves and the man who is part of their journey.
Overall, I loved The No-Show. It was a fun, enjoyable, and sometimes sad read. In the end, I shed a few tears, but it left me with a big smile!
Thank you to Elisha Katz and Berkley for an ARC of this book!
Three women are jilted by Joseph on Valentine’s Day. It seems like Joseph is a cad, but there is SO much more going on than it seems.
Told through the eyes of Jane, Miranda, and Siobhan, the reader experiences their heartbreak at being stood up by Joseph on Valentine’s day. As a result, the three go on very different journeys of love, loss, and self-acceptance. I loved all of their stories.
Then there is Joseph. He seems to be a lying, womanizing, cheating bastard, but there is more to him than meets the eye. He grew on me in the end.
The No-Show seems to be a predictable romance, but it has a twist. I was congratulating myself on being a savvy reader and rolling my eyes at how predictable this book seemed--I even had all of these scenarios in my head of how things would work out for each character…and then there is a twist that I didn't see coming. I realized I was a very dumb reader who missed so many clues and was reading this book the wrong way.
What we get is a heartbreaking, sweet, and tragic story about three women finding themselves and the man who is part of their journey.
Overall, I loved The No-Show. It was a fun, enjoyable, and sometimes sad read. In the end, I shed a few tears, but it left me with a big smile!
Thank you to Elisha Katz and Berkley for an ARC of this book!
April 26, 2022
NOW AVAILABLE.
Beth O’Leary is back at the top of her game with this clever romance.
Where is Joseph Carter on Valentine’s Day?
He’s not with Siobhan, even though he’s supposed to be meeting her for a breakfast date. Siobhan is particularly excited because they usually only meet once a month...at night in her hotel room. Her excitement vanishes when he never shows up.
He’s not with Miranda, even though they’re supposed to be sharing a romantic V-Day lunch. Miranda is thrilled with the way their relationship is going, so why is he leaving her high and dry?
He’s not with Jane, even though he’s supposed to be her fake boyfriend at her colleague’s engagement party. Jane and Joseph have quickly become good friends, and he was doing this to help her out. How could he leave her hanging?
There’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye.
I am a HUGE fan of O’Leary, but I was left feeling disappointed by her last novel, The Road Trip. Not only does she redeem herself here, but she completely knocks it out of the park!
I knew right away that this was a step up, but didn’t realize how much I’d love it. The No-Show is one of the most clever romance books I’ve ever read, and I can’t believe how brilliant O’Leary was with her plotting. She puts some thriller writers to shame!!
More important than the rom-com angle is the amount of depth this novel has. The fully dimensional characters felt so real, and so did their situations.
Original, authentic, creative, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at once. This book gave me all the feels, and I think readers are going to be left very happily stunned by this one...just like I was.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for providing me with a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 4/26/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Beth O’Leary is back at the top of her game with this clever romance.
Where is Joseph Carter on Valentine’s Day?
He’s not with Siobhan, even though he’s supposed to be meeting her for a breakfast date. Siobhan is particularly excited because they usually only meet once a month...at night in her hotel room. Her excitement vanishes when he never shows up.
He’s not with Miranda, even though they’re supposed to be sharing a romantic V-Day lunch. Miranda is thrilled with the way their relationship is going, so why is he leaving her high and dry?
He’s not with Jane, even though he’s supposed to be her fake boyfriend at her colleague’s engagement party. Jane and Joseph have quickly become good friends, and he was doing this to help her out. How could he leave her hanging?
There’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye.
I am a HUGE fan of O’Leary, but I was left feeling disappointed by her last novel, The Road Trip. Not only does she redeem herself here, but she completely knocks it out of the park!
I knew right away that this was a step up, but didn’t realize how much I’d love it. The No-Show is one of the most clever romance books I’ve ever read, and I can’t believe how brilliant O’Leary was with her plotting. She puts some thriller writers to shame!!
More important than the rom-com angle is the amount of depth this novel has. The fully dimensional characters felt so real, and so did their situations.
Original, authentic, creative, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at once. This book gave me all the feels, and I think readers are going to be left very happily stunned by this one...just like I was.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for providing me with a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 4/26/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
June 28, 2022
~insert it's always sunny in philadelphia PatheticGirl43 meme here~
cause all these gals are p a t h e t i c. pitiful. sorry. sad. some of them justifiably so but good lord, talk about a fucking snooze fest.
not even the death of a main character could rouse me from my brain fog while listening to this. there's soooo many romances and contemporaries that handle these topics in more interesting ways. sorry not sorry. boo. 1/10
oh also joseph is a total fucking wiener.
cause all these gals are p a t h e t i c. pitiful. sorry. sad. some of them justifiably so but good lord, talk about a fucking snooze fest.
not even the death of a main character could rouse me from my brain fog while listening to this. there's soooo many romances and contemporaries that handle these topics in more interesting ways. sorry not sorry. boo. 1/10
oh also joseph is a total fucking wiener.
April 12, 2022
How can a book be heartbreaking, heartwarming and hopeful all at once?
Well, you will just have read the latest delightful Friendship/Romance novel by Beth O’Leary to find out…
After a detour from a 5 star rating with the unlikable characters of “The Road Trip”, I am happy to report that even our Cad (don’t you love that throwback word?) Joseph Carter has many redeemable qualities!!
First-take a look at this ADORABLE book cover-that is him running from date to date! 😳
But, don’t judge him quite so fast!! There is more to this story than what you may initially think.
It’s TRUE.
Being stood up by someone, especially on Valentine’s Day is NOT fun.
But, lucky for us, reading about it is! I flew through this charming book, as the chapters which alternate between our three leading ladies, Siobhan, Miranda and Jane move as quickly as Joseph Carter does!
And, yes, all three, of our very different, unique and lovely women in this story have ALL been stood up by the same man-On Valentine’s Day!
As Joseph spends time with each woman, I could not help but compare the relationships. Was I hoping that he would end up with one over another? Or was I hoping that they would each show him the door-permanently?
While I am not going to let you in on that little secret, I will share that one of these women receives a DREAM Valentine’s gift, at the end of the book. (In my opinion)
And, NO, it is NOT what you are thinking! 😉
Rated PG
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to Elisha at Berkley for gifting me a VERY early copy, provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Well, you will just have read the latest delightful Friendship/Romance novel by Beth O’Leary to find out…
After a detour from a 5 star rating with the unlikable characters of “The Road Trip”, I am happy to report that even our Cad (don’t you love that throwback word?) Joseph Carter has many redeemable qualities!!
First-take a look at this ADORABLE book cover-that is him running from date to date! 😳
But, don’t judge him quite so fast!! There is more to this story than what you may initially think.
It’s TRUE.
Being stood up by someone, especially on Valentine’s Day is NOT fun.
But, lucky for us, reading about it is! I flew through this charming book, as the chapters which alternate between our three leading ladies, Siobhan, Miranda and Jane move as quickly as Joseph Carter does!
And, yes, all three, of our very different, unique and lovely women in this story have ALL been stood up by the same man-On Valentine’s Day!
As Joseph spends time with each woman, I could not help but compare the relationships. Was I hoping that he would end up with one over another? Or was I hoping that they would each show him the door-permanently?
While I am not going to let you in on that little secret, I will share that one of these women receives a DREAM Valentine’s gift, at the end of the book. (In my opinion)
And, NO, it is NOT what you are thinking! 😉
Rated PG
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to Elisha at Berkley for gifting me a VERY early copy, provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
August 14, 2022
For some reason, no one on GR gives real spoilers after the spoiler tag, but I will. For those who get bored reading it and want to know what the bleep is going on (like i did):
The twist is that the book jumps around in time, and Joseph is not dating all three at once.
In chronological order:
Joseph meets Siobhan, and they fall in love (eventually). Siobhan is a life coach, and one of her clients is Richard, a sleazy lawyer who has a thing for her. He stalks her as she is heading for a Valentine's date with Joseph. As she's running from Richard, she gets hits by a motorbike and dies in front of Joseph. He's traumatized.
Richard has a secretary named Jane who he's been fracking/manipulating. He eventually gets her fired because he wants to sleep with other people (I guess). Jane is traumatized, and moves away. She also gets money from Richard for some reason.
Years later, Joseph meets Miranda and they start dating. He's still mourning Siobhan, but Miranda thinks he's cheating on her, because our dud Joseph won't just tell her Siobhan died. They break up.
Joseph meets Jane, but he's promised himself he won't date anyone for a year. They try to just be friends, but fall in love.
Jane finds her self-worth.
Miranda gets with AJ.
Richard gets his come-uppance.
Joseph gets new glasses (I hope).
Scott is still a douche-goblin.
The book ends on a zoom call.
Now go read something else.
The twist is that the book jumps around in time, and Joseph is not dating all three at once.
In chronological order:
Joseph meets Siobhan, and they fall in love (eventually). Siobhan is a life coach, and one of her clients is Richard, a sleazy lawyer who has a thing for her. He stalks her as she is heading for a Valentine's date with Joseph. As she's running from Richard, she gets hits by a motorbike and dies in front of Joseph. He's traumatized.
Richard has a secretary named Jane who he's been fracking/manipulating. He eventually gets her fired because he wants to sleep with other people (I guess). Jane is traumatized, and moves away. She also gets money from Richard for some reason.
Years later, Joseph meets Miranda and they start dating. He's still mourning Siobhan, but Miranda thinks he's cheating on her, because our dud Joseph won't just tell her Siobhan died. They break up.
Joseph meets Jane, but he's promised himself he won't date anyone for a year. They try to just be friends, but fall in love.
Jane finds her self-worth.
Miranda gets with AJ.
Richard gets his come-uppance.
Joseph gets new glasses (I hope).
Scott is still a douche-goblin.
The book ends on a zoom call.
Now go read something else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2025
**2.5-stars rounded up**
Siobhan, a no-nonsense life coach. Miranda, a tough as nails arborist. Jane, an insecure charity shop worker with a traumatic professional history.
Three very different women with one very important thing in common: a man named Joseph Carter, who happens to stand them all up on Valentine's Day.
Alternating between the various perspectives, the Reader gets a front row seat to Joseph Carter's varied, dramatic and plentiful love life.
The No-Show is my first novel by Beth O'Leary. I was so excited to pick this one up, as there seems to be a lot of hype and love surrounding this author.
Y'all, I'm sure all of that is more than valid, but it took me just under a month to finish this. I was so relieved when it was over. This was a solid 2-star book for me up until about the 70% point when it started to come around.
However, for the majority I was bored out of my skull.
Even though this may seem harsh, it's honestly how I felt. While I was reading it, it was okay. I was just waiting and waiting for something significant to happen.
The problem would begin after I would set it down. I had zero desire to pick it back up again. In fact, it began to feel like a chore to do so.
I expected this to be funny, maybe a little swoony, possibly a little steamy. It was none of those things. I don't mind if a Romance has a more serious tone, but a boring tone is not something I am looking for.
With this being said, it is clear from the reviews that many, many Readers have loved this one, so don't take my word for it! If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, please pick it up and give it a shot. You may find an all new favorite here.
As for me, I am happy I read it, but even happier to be moving on.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley Romance, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity to provide my opinion.
On to the next!!
Siobhan, a no-nonsense life coach. Miranda, a tough as nails arborist. Jane, an insecure charity shop worker with a traumatic professional history.
Three very different women with one very important thing in common: a man named Joseph Carter, who happens to stand them all up on Valentine's Day.
Alternating between the various perspectives, the Reader gets a front row seat to Joseph Carter's varied, dramatic and plentiful love life.
The No-Show is my first novel by Beth O'Leary. I was so excited to pick this one up, as there seems to be a lot of hype and love surrounding this author.
Y'all, I'm sure all of that is more than valid, but it took me just under a month to finish this. I was so relieved when it was over. This was a solid 2-star book for me up until about the 70% point when it started to come around.
However, for the majority I was bored out of my skull.
Even though this may seem harsh, it's honestly how I felt. While I was reading it, it was okay. I was just waiting and waiting for something significant to happen.
The problem would begin after I would set it down. I had zero desire to pick it back up again. In fact, it began to feel like a chore to do so.
I expected this to be funny, maybe a little swoony, possibly a little steamy. It was none of those things. I don't mind if a Romance has a more serious tone, but a boring tone is not something I am looking for.
With this being said, it is clear from the reviews that many, many Readers have loved this one, so don't take my word for it! If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, please pick it up and give it a shot. You may find an all new favorite here.
As for me, I am happy I read it, but even happier to be moving on.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley Romance, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity to provide my opinion.
On to the next!!
March 12, 2022
3.5*
This definitely wasn’t what I was expecting!
Three women…one man. Nope, you’re right. That does not add up to happiness.
I won’t reveal many details regarding the storyline. It would be like walking a minefield of spoilers.
So… I’ll focus on my feelings towards this latest work by Beth O’Leary.
The build-up was a bit too long. I was desperate for something more to happen. Waiting for the inevitable collision. I found myself enjoying the story but with a constant, nagging feeling something was missing.
And once the pieces came together it was too little too late, leaving me a bit disappointed. Again, it’s also possible I was expecting something different?💁🏻♀️
I’ll leave it at that and just hope it works better for you!
A buddy read with Susanne.
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing
This definitely wasn’t what I was expecting!
Three women…one man. Nope, you’re right. That does not add up to happiness.
I won’t reveal many details regarding the storyline. It would be like walking a minefield of spoilers.
So… I’ll focus on my feelings towards this latest work by Beth O’Leary.
The build-up was a bit too long. I was desperate for something more to happen. Waiting for the inevitable collision. I found myself enjoying the story but with a constant, nagging feeling something was missing.
And once the pieces came together it was too little too late, leaving me a bit disappointed. Again, it’s also possible I was expecting something different?💁🏻♀️
I’ll leave it at that and just hope it works better for you!
A buddy read with Susanne.
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing
April 25, 2022
Pretend you're having lunch with three friends who've all been on recent dates with the same guy who showed up late each time. The first enthusiastically tells you, "My date was WONDERFUL! I had to wait quite awhile for him to show up, but when he finally did, BOY was he worth the wait!" The second one says a bit more conservatively, "I wasn't sure I'd like him after he was so late arriving, but he ended up being a pretty cool guy after all." Your third friend isn't feeling so generous, and she says, "I waited all that time for THIS? Ugh."
That's NOT the story of the three dates in this book, but rather the story of all the reviews I've read for it, ranging from glowing to unimpressed. As for me, I'm the second friend. I waited for what started to feel like too long for my "date" to show up - in this case, the big reveal that made me see the book in a different light - but once it did, I truly enjoyed the book's company and was so glad I didn't give up and walk out on it!
Joseph Carter, the titular "No-Show" of this story is - to use a famous Winston Churchill quote - "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma". I thought I had him all figured out as a mild-mannered lothario who's just stringing along the three very different, but equally fascinating women of the story: Siobhan, a life coach, Miranda, a tree surgeon, and Jane, a charity shop volunteer. I questioned what on earth O'Leary could possibly do to turn my opinion of him around. Well, I shouldn't have doubted her for a moment! She masterfully puts all the pieces together in the final third, and in a way that genuinely surprised me and touched my heart.
My advice? You may have to wait awhile for this date to start, but stick around! You may not think it's the best one you've ever been on, but you'll probably have some lovely memories of it to share with your friends and, if you're like me, possibly even a resolution to not judge by appearances next time around!
★★★★
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, Netgalley, and author Beth O'Leary for this ARC. I've given my opinions honestly and freely. This is now available.
That's NOT the story of the three dates in this book, but rather the story of all the reviews I've read for it, ranging from glowing to unimpressed. As for me, I'm the second friend. I waited for what started to feel like too long for my "date" to show up - in this case, the big reveal that made me see the book in a different light - but once it did, I truly enjoyed the book's company and was so glad I didn't give up and walk out on it!
Joseph Carter, the titular "No-Show" of this story is - to use a famous Winston Churchill quote - "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma". I thought I had him all figured out as a mild-mannered lothario who's just stringing along the three very different, but equally fascinating women of the story: Siobhan, a life coach, Miranda, a tree surgeon, and Jane, a charity shop volunteer. I questioned what on earth O'Leary could possibly do to turn my opinion of him around. Well, I shouldn't have doubted her for a moment! She masterfully puts all the pieces together in the final third, and in a way that genuinely surprised me and touched my heart.
My advice? You may have to wait awhile for this date to start, but stick around! You may not think it's the best one you've ever been on, but you'll probably have some lovely memories of it to share with your friends and, if you're like me, possibly even a resolution to not judge by appearances next time around!
★★★★
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, Netgalley, and author Beth O'Leary for this ARC. I've given my opinions honestly and freely. This is now available.
March 15, 2023
that was certainly a book.. not a good one.. but a book nonetheless.
i’d like the last 6 hours of my life back please. i was bored for 95% of it and then the last 5% tried to make up for it and that simply can’t work.
how are u gonna try to make me hate a character the whole book and then try to make me love them at the very end? u got me fucked up 😃
by the time i got to the “plot twist” that i quite literally guessed from the very beginning.. i was already so done that it made me feel absolutely ✨nothing✨
whoever put this in the romance section straight up lied to my face. bamboozled.
i’d like the last 6 hours of my life back please. i was bored for 95% of it and then the last 5% tried to make up for it and that simply can’t work.
how are u gonna try to make me hate a character the whole book and then try to make me love them at the very end? u got me fucked up 😃
by the time i got to the “plot twist” that i quite literally guessed from the very beginning.. i was already so done that it made me feel absolutely ✨nothing✨
whoever put this in the romance section straight up lied to my face. bamboozled.
March 2, 2022
4.25 stars
The No-Show by Beth O’Leary was so intriguing and took me on a journey to a place I didn’t see coming. First off, in the synopsis this says it’s a rom-com, but let me tell you… it is not. I would not consider it a rom-com at all. I would consider it more of a contemporary fiction with some romance in there.
Joseph Carter was a hero I spent so much of the book conflicted about. I didn’t think I liked him, until I really did. Ugh. There is so much I want to say about his situation with Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane, but I don’t want to spoil this book. I’m so glad I didn’t know what was going on. After I finished this one I ended up telling my husband all about it and saying how good of a movie I think it would have made.
This is Beth’s best work since ‘The Flat Share’ in my opinion. Her writing is so developed, the characters were great, and the story its self had so much emotion, angst, and a touch of humor. It’s one of those books that was equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming and kept me on the edge of my seat. I definitely recommend checking this one out. It was not what I expected in the best way possible.
The No-Show by Beth O’Leary was so intriguing and took me on a journey to a place I didn’t see coming. First off, in the synopsis this says it’s a rom-com, but let me tell you… it is not. I would not consider it a rom-com at all. I would consider it more of a contemporary fiction with some romance in there.
Joseph Carter was a hero I spent so much of the book conflicted about. I didn’t think I liked him, until I really did. Ugh. There is so much I want to say about his situation with Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane, but I don’t want to spoil this book. I’m so glad I didn’t know what was going on. After I finished this one I ended up telling my husband all about it and saying how good of a movie I think it would have made.
This is Beth’s best work since ‘The Flat Share’ in my opinion. Her writing is so developed, the characters were great, and the story its self had so much emotion, angst, and a touch of humor. It’s one of those books that was equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming and kept me on the edge of my seat. I definitely recommend checking this one out. It was not what I expected in the best way possible.
April 11, 2022
Beth O'Leary latest romance novel turns out to be more of a romantic mystery with a twist that turns the premise of three different women awaiting a Valentine Day date with a man who is a no-show, on its head. Dublin based Siobhan Kelly shares a home with Fiona, she is in a high pressured professional occupation as a life coach, leaving her with no time for a personal life, a deliberate decision, so whenever she is in London she pursues a casual, but satisfying non-exclusive sexual arrangement at a hotel, and has a breakfast date with him, Joseph Carter. Miranda Rosso lives with her 2 younger sisters, Adele and Frannie, she is a tree surgeon, working with an all male team, with a lunch date with Joseph. The fragile Jane Miller has run away from London, settling on Winchester with its connections with her mother, refusing to talk about her traumatic past to her colleagues at a charity shop where she is a volunteer, Joseph had promised to be her fake boyfriend for the evening.
None of these women are aware of each other's existence, but all their Valentine's dates are with the same man, Joseph, who doesn't turn up at any of them, nor does he contact them to let them know. We get to know Joseph through the eyes of the women, is he the despicable man he appears to be? Each of the women, as we are to learn, despite being let down so badly by Joseph, finding themselves forgiving him, their feelings for him are so deep that they are reluctant to see him disappear from their lives. As we learn about the women, we become caught up in their lives, the problems, the lies, and the trust, gaslighting, heartbreak, trauma and mental health issues, some so serious that they are already broken inside, or become broken due to not addressing issues from their past. Joseph is at their heart of their lives, have they put their trust in the wrong man?
Beth O'Leary plays a blinder in this novel which I am sure many readers will love, although this is not really a rom-com in the traditional sense. It takes quite a long time for us to finally come to understand the real Joseph Carter, who he is, become aware of his vulnerabilities and his own heartbreak. If you are seeking something different in the romance genre, look no further than this book! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
None of these women are aware of each other's existence, but all their Valentine's dates are with the same man, Joseph, who doesn't turn up at any of them, nor does he contact them to let them know. We get to know Joseph through the eyes of the women, is he the despicable man he appears to be? Each of the women, as we are to learn, despite being let down so badly by Joseph, finding themselves forgiving him, their feelings for him are so deep that they are reluctant to see him disappear from their lives. As we learn about the women, we become caught up in their lives, the problems, the lies, and the trust, gaslighting, heartbreak, trauma and mental health issues, some so serious that they are already broken inside, or become broken due to not addressing issues from their past. Joseph is at their heart of their lives, have they put their trust in the wrong man?
Beth O'Leary plays a blinder in this novel which I am sure many readers will love, although this is not really a rom-com in the traditional sense. It takes quite a long time for us to finally come to understand the real Joseph Carter, who he is, become aware of his vulnerabilities and his own heartbreak. If you are seeking something different in the romance genre, look no further than this book! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
July 24, 2022
i’m a mess. i don’t wanna talk about it.
July 18, 2022
Readers of O’Leary know this. They know that her writing is not about flawlessly phrased lines, neatly-packed and ready for liberal quoting. No. What it is about – where it almost impossibly hits the mark – is through its simple, what?!-provoking STORYTELLING. Of course, it is not that her storytelling is actually simple or smooth-sailing: the layered, cleverly constructed structure of The No-Show – as all of O’Leary’s other books – suggest otherwise. But it is, rather, that it comes across, time and time again, as simple and effortless, just the way it should be – in the hands of a brilliant writer, as O’Leary undeniably is. Indeed, were there such a thing as ‘literary romance’ – and this is a solid endorsement if there ever was one – O’Leary would, hands down, make the list. (And, if you ask me, only few other writers would be keeping her company, on that list.) Astonishingly, I also find that she is doing even more – in The No-Show – than she did in all her previous books. And it is astonishing because it was that sense of persistent hesitance in this regard which kept me from reading this sooner. I kept asking myself, What could O’Leary possibly do that is more, after The Road Trip? Imagine then, the happiness! A happiness only readers can imagine. To find that she has.YES.done.more. Once more.
Don’t get me wrong. The general storyline of The No-Show is very unassuming: there is this key idea – the unhappy tangibility of a variously recurring Valentine’s day – around which the entire narrative revolves. (Valentine’s days tending to go wrong, naturally. But not for the reasons you will suspect, at first. PATIENCE.) Also not uncharacteristically, there are a fair few characters to be keeping up with. Broken characters, obviously, who know not how to contain the world’s shakenness. (Make sure to take mental notes: it is ALL very important.) Somewhat like in The Road Trip, the more psychologically problematic character – who also ties together all the separate storylines of The No-Show – is not directly known to the reader. Seemingly notorious for his unmistakable and questionable messiness, Joseph Carter finds his way in the narrative of all three female protagonists, having stood up all three on a Valentine’s day: Siobhan the life coach slash the vulnerable-kind-of-tough woman, Miranda the tree-climber and the all-time doer, and simple, sensible, subdued Jane, who carries around – much like Joseph and Siobhan, though in different ways – the weight of a traumatic past that will not be silenced.
The narrative and its unfolding alternates between the stories of these three unrelated women, jaw-droppingly converging only in its latter part. The ending is one of acquired contentedness. Sombrely so, though all the more striking for it. There is the sense that all characters embark on an ‘it’s been a long time coming’ trajectory, and we are there, all the way, assisting to their innumerable missteps. It gets dark – as it must, with O’Leary. One particularly detestable, narcissistic, domineering women-seducer – Richard Wilson – is about to/destroy(s) the life of more than one of these protagonists. One of them flees, for a while. But what will happen to the other one, whose flight turns even more perilous, or perhaps...fatal?
O’Leary does it right. She does not downplay manipulation, abuse, or violence, but is still intent on capturing the complex (un)predictability of human slips and inescapable tragedy of life. She also takes care of her characters as much as allowing them to find their own way. There is this highly characteristic sense of domesticity and tender friendship in O’Leary’s writing. Where indeed would Siobhan be without her housemate Fiona and her Marlena? Or Miranda without her feisty sisters Frannie and Adele – who are staying over at her place for a while – as well as the tough guys at work? Or Jane without her newfound, kind friend, Aggie? The spaces for authenticity, opened up by unconditional, loving friendship, are a fundamental feature in all the central protagonists’ individual journeying. This, as it seems to me, is O’Leary’s suggestion. Her choice, in turn, not to infiltrate Joseph’s psyche directly was absolutely phenomenal: it is through this wilful withholding that the horror of certain truths and many other upended assumptions strike to the core of the reader’s own humanness…And you will not know what hit you. That is, until much later…Time; time in this book plays an essential role…Clever, O’Leary…
What can I say, in fact? Other than that she definitely ‘fooled’ me (no doubt about that)…I was also wistfully reminded of some storyline developments in Lessons in Chemistry (those who have read both books might know what I am referring to) and this added to my burgeoning affection for this book. And for the writer. Because she knows what romance needs to be engaging. Because she takes small but solid risks, wanting to pursue a writing path that is her own...Simply because she is an exceptionally talented storyteller.
4.75 stars. Unbeatable, in the genre...And unerringly exciting!
Wonderful kick-off to the summer reading! 👌
Don’t get me wrong. The general storyline of The No-Show is very unassuming: there is this key idea – the unhappy tangibility of a variously recurring Valentine’s day – around which the entire narrative revolves. (Valentine’s days tending to go wrong, naturally. But not for the reasons you will suspect, at first. PATIENCE.) Also not uncharacteristically, there are a fair few characters to be keeping up with. Broken characters, obviously, who know not how to contain the world’s shakenness. (Make sure to take mental notes: it is ALL very important.) Somewhat like in The Road Trip, the more psychologically problematic character – who also ties together all the separate storylines of The No-Show – is not directly known to the reader. Seemingly notorious for his unmistakable and questionable messiness, Joseph Carter finds his way in the narrative of all three female protagonists, having stood up all three on a Valentine’s day: Siobhan the life coach slash the vulnerable-kind-of-tough woman, Miranda the tree-climber and the all-time doer, and simple, sensible, subdued Jane, who carries around – much like Joseph and Siobhan, though in different ways – the weight of a traumatic past that will not be silenced.
The narrative and its unfolding alternates between the stories of these three unrelated women, jaw-droppingly converging only in its latter part. The ending is one of acquired contentedness. Sombrely so, though all the more striking for it. There is the sense that all characters embark on an ‘it’s been a long time coming’ trajectory, and we are there, all the way, assisting to their innumerable missteps. It gets dark – as it must, with O’Leary. One particularly detestable, narcissistic, domineering women-seducer – Richard Wilson – is about to/destroy(s) the life of more than one of these protagonists. One of them flees, for a while. But what will happen to the other one, whose flight turns even more perilous, or perhaps...fatal?
O’Leary does it right. She does not downplay manipulation, abuse, or violence, but is still intent on capturing the complex (un)predictability of human slips and inescapable tragedy of life. She also takes care of her characters as much as allowing them to find their own way. There is this highly characteristic sense of domesticity and tender friendship in O’Leary’s writing. Where indeed would Siobhan be without her housemate Fiona and her Marlena? Or Miranda without her feisty sisters Frannie and Adele – who are staying over at her place for a while – as well as the tough guys at work? Or Jane without her newfound, kind friend, Aggie? The spaces for authenticity, opened up by unconditional, loving friendship, are a fundamental feature in all the central protagonists’ individual journeying. This, as it seems to me, is O’Leary’s suggestion. Her choice, in turn, not to infiltrate Joseph’s psyche directly was absolutely phenomenal: it is through this wilful withholding that the horror of certain truths and many other upended assumptions strike to the core of the reader’s own humanness…And you will not know what hit you. That is, until much later…Time; time in this book plays an essential role…Clever, O’Leary…
What can I say, in fact? Other than that she definitely ‘fooled’ me (no doubt about that)…I was also wistfully reminded of some storyline developments in Lessons in Chemistry (those who have read both books might know what I am referring to) and this added to my burgeoning affection for this book. And for the writer. Because she knows what romance needs to be engaging. Because she takes small but solid risks, wanting to pursue a writing path that is her own...Simply because she is an exceptionally talented storyteller.
4.75 stars. Unbeatable, in the genre...And unerringly exciting!
Wonderful kick-off to the summer reading! 👌
May 11, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Is this a perfect book? No. But it's better than The Road Trip, and it's also surprising in a good way.
This is the story of three women, Siobhan, Jane, and Miranda, all of whom get stood up by the same man on Valentine's Day, and what happens after that.
I kind of suspected where this was going, but honestly it takes forever to get there. I kept putting off listening as it just felt like it was going in circles and I liked all of the women and felt sorry for how they were being treated. It wasn't until 70% into the book that the pieces started clicking into place. Once they do, I liked this book so much more than I did up until that point, I graded the book down a half star due to the poor pacing.
I listened to this as an audiobook and it is phenomenal experienced in that way. In fact, I don't think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much had I just read it on the page. There are narrators for each of the women, and then a male narrator at the end to wrap things up.
I do enjoy Beth O'Leary's books and will continue to read them. They are heartwarming and real, with just the right amount of humor to balance out the deeper, sadder parts.
Is this a perfect book? No. But it's better than The Road Trip, and it's also surprising in a good way.
This is the story of three women, Siobhan, Jane, and Miranda, all of whom get stood up by the same man on Valentine's Day, and what happens after that.
I kind of suspected where this was going, but honestly it takes forever to get there. I kept putting off listening as it just felt like it was going in circles and I liked all of the women and felt sorry for how they were being treated. It wasn't until 70% into the book that the pieces started clicking into place. Once they do, I liked this book so much more than I did up until that point, I graded the book down a half star due to the poor pacing.
I listened to this as an audiobook and it is phenomenal experienced in that way. In fact, I don't think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much had I just read it on the page. There are narrators for each of the women, and then a male narrator at the end to wrap things up.
I do enjoy Beth O'Leary's books and will continue to read them. They are heartwarming and real, with just the right amount of humor to balance out the deeper, sadder parts.
April 25, 2022
was probably the laugh of the person who wrote;
"smart new rom-com"
and I say WHERE?! SOMEONE GAVE ME THE WRONG FUCKING BOOK THEN!!!
LISTEN! I don't want to see this book nominated as best romance at the end of the year ... this was trying to be women's fiction with a "cute" cover...
and I think that the author might be a one-hit-wonder...for me..because I didn't like any of her books after The Flatshare...
so the premise of this book is that the hero is dating three women and he stood them up all on valentines day.. and then the story unwind and we meet all of them and learn what's up....
I will share what happens in the spoiler tag so if someone is curious you should know...
it takes skills to make this story work, no disrespect to the author but someone at that publishing house lied to this woman
the buildup was too long
you can't make me side-eye the hero and then in the last couple of chapters root for him
and to come back to that person describing this as rom-com
You are fired!!!!
1.5🌟
May 7, 2022
Three women who seemingly have nothing in common find that they're involved with the same man in this smart new rom-com"
This is the blurb and the bookcover also agree with it. So from the start I was not a fan of the male lead but once the story starts to progress, I realized there is much more to the story and it's not the cheating. Author slowly starts untangling all the knots and what after is a beautiful and heartwarming story. The only qualm is that there were too many coincidences for my liking otherwise it was a perfect slowburn romance to read over a weekend.
This is the blurb and the bookcover also agree with it. So from the start I was not a fan of the male lead but once the story starts to progress, I realized there is much more to the story and it's not the cheating. Author slowly starts untangling all the knots and what after is a beautiful and heartwarming story. The only qualm is that there were too many coincidences for my liking otherwise it was a perfect slowburn romance to read over a weekend.
April 11, 2022
Three women’s Valentine’s Day dates are about to end in disaster, thanks to one man – The No-Show.
3.5.
Siobhan has been sleeping with Joseph Carter whenever she’s in London on business. So, she’s thrilled when he asks her out on their first public date outside a hotel room – a breakfast on Valentine’s Day no less. But now Siobhan has been sitting alone in a café for the past half hour waiting for Joseph. Has he stood her up?
Miranda has been dating Carter for five months, and he’s planned a special Valentine’s lunch for them in a pricey restaurant. But, Joseph fails to show up, and he isn’t answering any of her texts. Has she been dumped by her boyfriend?
Jane’s friend Joseph Carter had promised to pretend to be her boyfriend for a Valentine’s engagement party dinner. But, there’s no sign of him, and her work colleagues think he’s imaginary. Where is he?
The No-Show started strong, and my compliments to the author for such an inventive premise – I was swept up in the first few chapters, and I found Miranda’s career choice particularly fascinating. And, even though I had my suspicions, I did enjoy the original and overlapping way it all came together in the end. I even shed a few tears. So, it started on high note, and finished on one.
But, given Joseph’s above behaviour and continued secretiveness it was hard for me to root for any of the couples. I was more invested in a secondary romance. Also, most of the book was boring. Jane’s story arc was my favourite, but even that started to drag after a while. Furthermore, any scene involving Miranda’s twin sister’s and Siobhan’s friend, Marlena was just too immature for my tastes.
I will say that when it comes to romances I am very hard to please, and there are few I love. Other reviewers have categorised The No-Show as a romantic mystery rather than contemporary romance, rom-com, or romantic drama, and I 100% agree. Problem is, I wanted the latter from Beth O’Leary – absolutely adored her first two novels The Flatshare and The Switch, and I don’t think romantic mysteries are really my thing.
3.5.
Siobhan has been sleeping with Joseph Carter whenever she’s in London on business. So, she’s thrilled when he asks her out on their first public date outside a hotel room – a breakfast on Valentine’s Day no less. But now Siobhan has been sitting alone in a café for the past half hour waiting for Joseph. Has he stood her up?
Miranda has been dating Carter for five months, and he’s planned a special Valentine’s lunch for them in a pricey restaurant. But, Joseph fails to show up, and he isn’t answering any of her texts. Has she been dumped by her boyfriend?
Jane’s friend Joseph Carter had promised to pretend to be her boyfriend for a Valentine’s engagement party dinner. But, there’s no sign of him, and her work colleagues think he’s imaginary. Where is he?
The No-Show started strong, and my compliments to the author for such an inventive premise – I was swept up in the first few chapters, and I found Miranda’s career choice particularly fascinating. And, even though I had my suspicions, I did enjoy the original and overlapping way it all came together in the end. I even shed a few tears. So, it started on high note, and finished on one.
But, given Joseph’s above behaviour and continued secretiveness it was hard for me to root for any of the couples. I was more invested in a secondary romance. Also, most of the book was boring. Jane’s story arc was my favourite, but even that started to drag after a while. Furthermore, any scene involving Miranda’s twin sister’s and Siobhan’s friend, Marlena was just too immature for my tastes.
I will say that when it comes to romances I am very hard to please, and there are few I love. Other reviewers have categorised The No-Show as a romantic mystery rather than contemporary romance, rom-com, or romantic drama, and I 100% agree. Problem is, I wanted the latter from Beth O’Leary – absolutely adored her first two novels The Flatshare and The Switch, and I don’t think romantic mysteries are really my thing.
d-n-f
August 16, 2022This is me officially giving up on beth o'leary's books. the flatshare was and still is one of my favourite books. her other books just arent for me. now after giving her work three chances i will be cutting my losses 😓💔
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preread thoughts
I'm so nervous to read this now after i dnf-ed the road trip earlier this month 🤠
all i want is to love this as much as i love the flatshare 😩
thank you to quercus and jonathan ball for sending me a copy for review
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preread thoughts
I'm so nervous to read this now after i dnf-ed the road trip earlier this month 🤠
all i want is to love this as much as i love the flatshare 😩
thank you to quercus and jonathan ball for sending me a copy for review
October 30, 2022
Joseph jilted three women on Valentine’s Day the cad, but a lot more is going on not everything is as it seems.
Told by Miranda , Jane & Siobhan they all go down different paths, some sad , some good .
Will they get their revenge!!!!!
My Thoughts
YAY all the characters are loveable & likeable even Joseph I found his character interesting & loved the banter between him & Jane she was my favourite could relate to her easily.
I loved this book so much out of Beth O’leary’s works it was fun, entertaining could not put this down it was a page turner can’t wait for the next book 📚 to be released.
Told by Miranda , Jane & Siobhan they all go down different paths, some sad , some good .
Will they get their revenge!!!!!
My Thoughts
YAY all the characters are loveable & likeable even Joseph I found his character interesting & loved the banter between him & Jane she was my favourite could relate to her easily.
I loved this book so much out of Beth O’leary’s works it was fun, entertaining could not put this down it was a page turner can’t wait for the next book 📚 to be released.
August 21, 2022
3 stars
Three women, Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane, are all stood up on Valentine’s Day and all by the same man. They all forgive him for standing them up, but are in danger of falling in love with a man who seems to have many women in his life.
I went in to this knowing nothing was as it seemed and I ended up liking the book a lot for the most part, until the reveal. It’s not the reveal itself but what happened to one of the characters that bothers me the most and I can’t say it here because it’s spoiler, but that character deserved more. I’m really glad I read this, it was really well written, and I am definitely willing to read more by this author. But I guess after all the hype this one didn’t quite live up to my expectations and actually let me down a little bit.
A digital arc was provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Three women, Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane, are all stood up on Valentine’s Day and all by the same man. They all forgive him for standing them up, but are in danger of falling in love with a man who seems to have many women in his life.
I went in to this knowing nothing was as it seemed and I ended up liking the book a lot for the most part, until the reveal. It’s not the reveal itself but what happened to one of the characters that bothers me the most and I can’t say it here because it’s spoiler, but that character deserved more. I’m really glad I read this, it was really well written, and I am definitely willing to read more by this author. But I guess after all the hype this one didn’t quite live up to my expectations and actually let me down a little bit.
A digital arc was provided by the publisher via Netgalley
June 13, 2022
Three women dating the same guy. A nightmare, right? Not so much.
Was I upset at Joseph Carter? ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY MAD AT HIM.
Yes, I'm screaming and so will you ( I think). What a bastard, right. Or is it?
Anyway, let's talk about the 3 ladies.
Siobhan: she is a life coach. She has two very supportive girlfriends. She has some issues in moving forward from a past relationship and admitting that she is in love.
Miranda: A tree surgeon who loves her job. Her twin sisters have moved in with her and she is dating Carter although AJ (from work) can't stop flirting with her.
Jane: A quiet wounded soul. She is working at a store as a volunteer. She is not saying where she got the money to rent a place or what happened when she was living in London.
Now Joseph Carter: A handsome guy in a nerdy way. He is everything these 3 women want. He can be sweet and supportive, and overall, he appears to be a good guy. A big example is Carter moved in with his mother to take care of her because she has dementia. Yet, he is not perfect. He is never on time, and the reason why he stood them up on Valentine's day is still a mystery.
Quite a few feelings with The No-Show. I got angry, I cried, and I felt sad but in the end, I felt hopeful which was truly a good thing.
So did I like Joseph Carter? The truth is a resounding yes!!
I loved The Flatshare and the Switch but I wasn't sure about the Road Trip, so I was a little leery about reading this one. Thankfully, I had nothing to fear. Beath O'Leary is back in top form once again.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Was I upset at Joseph Carter? ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY MAD AT HIM.
Yes, I'm screaming and so will you ( I think). What a bastard, right. Or is it?
Anyway, let's talk about the 3 ladies.
Siobhan: she is a life coach. She has two very supportive girlfriends. She has some issues in moving forward from a past relationship and admitting that she is in love.
Miranda: A tree surgeon who loves her job. Her twin sisters have moved in with her and she is dating Carter although AJ (from work) can't stop flirting with her.
Jane: A quiet wounded soul. She is working at a store as a volunteer. She is not saying where she got the money to rent a place or what happened when she was living in London.
Now Joseph Carter: A handsome guy in a nerdy way. He is everything these 3 women want. He can be sweet and supportive, and overall, he appears to be a good guy. A big example is Carter moved in with his mother to take care of her because she has dementia. Yet, he is not perfect. He is never on time, and the reason why he stood them up on Valentine's day is still a mystery.
Quite a few feelings with The No-Show. I got angry, I cried, and I felt sad but in the end, I felt hopeful which was truly a good thing.
So did I like Joseph Carter? The truth is a resounding yes!!
I loved The Flatshare and the Switch but I wasn't sure about the Road Trip, so I was a little leery about reading this one. Thankfully, I had nothing to fear. Beath O'Leary is back in top form once again.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
January 23, 2023
A VER.....
Si es que ya lo vengo diciendo desde hace tiempo, como una va en modo despiste total, ya me entiendes, en plan cabra loca saltarina, pues enganche tremendo que se lleva sin verlo a venir!🤭 Así, en plan gratis: "Tome su enganche de hoy. Esperamos que lo disfrute mucho🤪". Y si solo fuera eso, pues vale, pero es que esto no se hace, en serio, que una ya está como está para que encima se le junte la erupción volcánica literaria...🥴
ERUPCIÓN VOLCÁNICA LITERARIA...
(Dícese de cuando una lectora termina una historia y no puede hablar de esta con nadie. Ya sea porque aún nadie a leído dicha novela o porque si abre la boca hace un spoiler tamaño catedral de Sevilla. Así que se ha de contener con humear)
Pues nada, a humear un rato🤭!
¡VIVE LA EXPERIENCIA "TRES CITAS CON CARTER🤩"
Una comedia romántica que te enganchará, te enamorará y te romperá el corazón💔!
Y no porque lo diga yo, sino porque lo dicen las lectoras que ya han sucumbido a esta maravillosa historia❤️
Una historia, por cierto, en la que descubrirás de qué es capaz el amor y lo que es más importante, su mensaje final, esas nueve palabras que...!🤫
Si es que ya lo vengo diciendo desde hace tiempo, como una va en modo despiste total, ya me entiendes, en plan cabra loca saltarina, pues enganche tremendo que se lleva sin verlo a venir!🤭 Así, en plan gratis: "Tome su enganche de hoy. Esperamos que lo disfrute mucho🤪". Y si solo fuera eso, pues vale, pero es que esto no se hace, en serio, que una ya está como está para que encima se le junte la erupción volcánica literaria...🥴
ERUPCIÓN VOLCÁNICA LITERARIA...
(Dícese de cuando una lectora termina una historia y no puede hablar de esta con nadie. Ya sea porque aún nadie a leído dicha novela o porque si abre la boca hace un spoiler tamaño catedral de Sevilla. Así que se ha de contener con humear)
Pues nada, a humear un rato🤭!
¡VIVE LA EXPERIENCIA "TRES CITAS CON CARTER🤩"
Una comedia romántica que te enganchará, te enamorará y te romperá el corazón💔!
Y no porque lo diga yo, sino porque lo dicen las lectoras que ya han sucumbido a esta maravillosa historia❤️
Una historia, por cierto, en la que descubrirás de qué es capaz el amor y lo que es más importante, su mensaje final, esas nueve palabras que...!🤫
December 4, 2022
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 4,5 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
Esta história começa por ser bastante confusa, apesar de, aproximadamente a meio do livro, começar a fazer sentido.
Joseph...
Confesso que me irritou durante quase toda a história, pessoalmente não considero que ele fosse grande personagem, mas foi real.
Afinal, estamos longe de ser perfeitos.
Então este livro, deixa-me um pouco confusa.
Não sei bem o que pensar.
Foi uma história boa, bem escrita, tal como é hábito de Beth, mas também um pouco pesada.
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This story begins to be quite confusing, although, approximately halfway through the book, it starts to make sense.
Joseph...
I confess that irritated me for almost the entire story, personally I don't think he was a great character, but it was real.
After all, we are far from perfect.
So this book leaves me a little confused.
I don't really know what to think.
It was a good story, well written, like Beth accustomed us, but also a little heavy.
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