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Zara Khoury věří na lásku. A to tolik, že vyrazí – se všemi svými věcmi (včetně nepostradatelného mopu) – na cestu z Dubaje do Liverpoolu, aby byla s mužem, kterého sotva zná. Je to riskantní, ale ona si je jistá, že spojit svůj život s Nickem ve městě, kde nikoho jiného nezná, je přesně to, co potřebuje. Stěhování je pro ni snadné – celý život se přesouvala z místa na místo, takže vlastně ani neví jakou zemi opravdu nazývá domovem. Ví jen, že vila v Dubaji, kde žije se svým otcem, nevlastní matkou a bratrem to opravdu není.
Jim Glover je zaseklý na místě. Od doby, co mu zemřel otec, odložil stranou své sny a zůstává v rodném Liverpoolu, aby se staral o matku. Pracuje na místě bez perspektivy jako výběrčí mýta a vypadá to, jako by pro něj veškeré dobrodružství skončilo. Dokud mu nezazvoní telefon a on se nedozví, že se mu možná právě změnil život – v soutěži v rádiu vyhrál zbrusu nové BMW. Jim má náhle pocit, že získal nový směr. Může prodat auto a vzít matku na Floridu za svou sestrou a jejími dětmi. Může konečně seknout s prací a najít si takovou, která by ho opravdu bavila.
Zara a Jim by se, z hlediska pravděpodobnosti, nikdy neměli setkat, ale štěstěna tomu chce jinak, a když se jejich osudy střetnou, začíná cesta, která jim změní život.
Krásný příběh o odvaze riskovat a žít život naplno.
Jim Glover je zaseklý na místě. Od doby, co mu zemřel otec, odložil stranou své sny a zůstává v rodném Liverpoolu, aby se staral o matku. Pracuje na místě bez perspektivy jako výběrčí mýta a vypadá to, jako by pro něj veškeré dobrodružství skončilo. Dokud mu nezazvoní telefon a on se nedozví, že se mu možná právě změnil život – v soutěži v rádiu vyhrál zbrusu nové BMW. Jim má náhle pocit, že získal nový směr. Může prodat auto a vzít matku na Floridu za svou sestrou a jejími dětmi. Může konečně seknout s prací a najít si takovou, která by ho opravdu bavila.
Zara a Jim by se, z hlediska pravděpodobnosti, nikdy neměli setkat, ale štěstěna tomu chce jinak, a když se jejich osudy střetnou, začíná cesta, která jim změní život.
Krásný příběh o odvaze riskovat a žít život naplno.
386 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2020
213 people are currently reading
828 people want to read
About the author
Hayley Doyle
6 books30 followersHayley Doyle was born in Liverpool, and graduated with a BA (hon) in Acting from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
She pursued a career in acting, making her West End debut playing Ali in Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. During this time, Hayley wrote her first novel 'Lazy Days and Lullabies'.
After graduating from Brunel University with a Masters in Creative Writing, 'The Day She Met Shirley Temple' was chosen as the winner of the Curtis Brown Award 2010 for a Brunel MA Student.
Hayley currently lives in Dubai where she runs her own children's theatre and creative writing company, Hayley's Comet, and can be heard as a presenter on Dubai Eye radio.
She pursued a career in acting, making her West End debut playing Ali in Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. During this time, Hayley wrote her first novel 'Lazy Days and Lullabies'.
After graduating from Brunel University with a Masters in Creative Writing, 'The Day She Met Shirley Temple' was chosen as the winner of the Curtis Brown Award 2010 for a Brunel MA Student.
Hayley currently lives in Dubai where she runs her own children's theatre and creative writing company, Hayley's Comet, and can be heard as a presenter on Dubai Eye radio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
February 19, 2020
Another book makes you smile ear to ear for the fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jill Mansell, Mhari McFarlane! ( I love them, too and I’m so happy we got a new debut author on the board!)
Polar opposites’ attraction, discovering the meaning of life, joy and happiness and of course a delicious love story! Do you like how it sounds! This is your last announce to get on swoony, sweet, soft, entertaining, so many “awwww”s worthy romcom train! Don’t worry I’m so sure you’re gonna love this journey. We have likeable, sweet characters on board, too easy to love and care for them.
There are also interesting supporting characters deserve their own sequels.
The blurb: Zara Khoury is such a romantic character who is not afraid of taking risks for love and flying to Dubai from Liverpool for her HEA! But her dreams floats away and she needs Jim’s help, very same Jim who is introverted, pessimist man, living with his mom after, losing his dreams and hopes with his dad’s passing away! The destiny has a cruel sense of humor that brings them with car collusion! They are not supposed to meet with each other and become friends and most importantly they shouldn’t fall for each other! But here we go: Life happens when you’re making other plans!
Do you want to take a break from heavy dramas, disturbing thrillers! Here’s your feel-good romance ticket! Take it and send me thank you notes (If you’re New Yorker, you may send me Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies! I miss them so much!)
Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for sharing this lovely ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review. I enjoyed it so much and I want to read more Hayley Doyle books! This is a great start!
Polar opposites’ attraction, discovering the meaning of life, joy and happiness and of course a delicious love story! Do you like how it sounds! This is your last announce to get on swoony, sweet, soft, entertaining, so many “awwww”s worthy romcom train! Don’t worry I’m so sure you’re gonna love this journey. We have likeable, sweet characters on board, too easy to love and care for them.
There are also interesting supporting characters deserve their own sequels.
The blurb: Zara Khoury is such a romantic character who is not afraid of taking risks for love and flying to Dubai from Liverpool for her HEA! But her dreams floats away and she needs Jim’s help, very same Jim who is introverted, pessimist man, living with his mom after, losing his dreams and hopes with his dad’s passing away! The destiny has a cruel sense of humor that brings them with car collusion! They are not supposed to meet with each other and become friends and most importantly they shouldn’t fall for each other! But here we go: Life happens when you’re making other plans!
Do you want to take a break from heavy dramas, disturbing thrillers! Here’s your feel-good romance ticket! Take it and send me thank you notes (If you’re New Yorker, you may send me Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies! I miss them so much!)
Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for sharing this lovely ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review. I enjoyed it so much and I want to read more Hayley Doyle books! This is a great start!
October 31, 2020
Debut novel by a new promising author... It's been long time since I enjoyed so much a debut novel... seemingly easy read, touched so many family issues, relationship issues, very compelling plot... Full of surprises and not completely predictable... I couldn't put it down (me usually reading several books at the time) ... This is not the first debut novel I've read in manuscript before publication... Many of them later became bestsellers... I have the same feeling reading this one... I'd like to be Serbian editor of this book, of I go to find it publisher :) #mustread
Debitantski roman pun obrta, topline, životnih tema o porodici, odnosima, ljubavi, životu, sudbini ispisan naoko laganim zabavnim stilom... Od početka do kraja drži pažnju... uvek čitam nekoliko knjiga paralelno, i retko mi se dešava da me neka toliko zaokupi da samo nju čitam... Ovo je upravo takva knjiga... Čitala sam je u rukopisu, još nije izašla iz štampe u svetu... I zasigurno mogu reći da će biti bestseler (i svakako bi mogao biti dobar film od nje)... E sad ostaje da ubedim nekog izdavača... :)
Debitantski roman pun obrta, topline, životnih tema o porodici, odnosima, ljubavi, životu, sudbini ispisan naoko laganim zabavnim stilom... Od početka do kraja drži pažnju... uvek čitam nekoliko knjiga paralelno, i retko mi se dešava da me neka toliko zaokupi da samo nju čitam... Ovo je upravo takva knjiga... Čitala sam je u rukopisu, još nije izašla iz štampe u svetu... I zasigurno mogu reći da će biti bestseler (i svakako bi mogao biti dobar film od nje)... E sad ostaje da ubedim nekog izdavača... :)
April 10, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
After an eventful night in Dubai that sees Zara Khoury getting injured, she runs into a night in shining armour, Nick, who helps her. The two form a long distant relationship, as Nick lives in Liverpool. One day Zara decides to surprise Nick and move to Liverpool to be with him. However, things don’t quite go according to plan when she turns up at his door and a woman answers stating no one called Nick lives there.
After spending the night in a hostel and getting no answer to her texts she has sent Nick, Zara heads out in the second-hand car she has just bought. Distressed and crying she doesn’t see the white BMW in front of her at a roundabout.
Jim Glover is a toll booth worker and feels his life is going no-where, that is until he wins a BMW on a breakfast radio show and finds out it is worth £50,000. He negotiates a deal with a friend’s dad and after a heavy night celebrating in a hotel he sets off to meet him. However, his chance of getting the money quickly evaporated when a young woman smashes into the back of his car.
Never Saw You Coming is a fun, enjoyable and at times humorous read about two people who meet by a chance accident. Zara is impulsive and believes in love at first sight. Jim is more cautious and steady. Jim being the nice man that he is offers to help Zara out after the crash as her car is a write-off. He gives her a lift to Nicks again, though this time Nick is there, it’s not long before his wife returns. He also has daughters.
The book was a quick read and I flew through the pages. It is told in first person dual povs in opposite chapters. Not something I enjoy normally but this book worked for me. I also don’t usually buy into the ‘met by accident’ or ‘finding out your lover is married’ stories but this felt different, I think it is because it is told in a slightly tongue-in-cheek, amusing way.
Overall, this is a book that put a smile on my face whilst reading and gave me some light relief in these hard times.
After an eventful night in Dubai that sees Zara Khoury getting injured, she runs into a night in shining armour, Nick, who helps her. The two form a long distant relationship, as Nick lives in Liverpool. One day Zara decides to surprise Nick and move to Liverpool to be with him. However, things don’t quite go according to plan when she turns up at his door and a woman answers stating no one called Nick lives there.
After spending the night in a hostel and getting no answer to her texts she has sent Nick, Zara heads out in the second-hand car she has just bought. Distressed and crying she doesn’t see the white BMW in front of her at a roundabout.
Jim Glover is a toll booth worker and feels his life is going no-where, that is until he wins a BMW on a breakfast radio show and finds out it is worth £50,000. He negotiates a deal with a friend’s dad and after a heavy night celebrating in a hotel he sets off to meet him. However, his chance of getting the money quickly evaporated when a young woman smashes into the back of his car.
Never Saw You Coming is a fun, enjoyable and at times humorous read about two people who meet by a chance accident. Zara is impulsive and believes in love at first sight. Jim is more cautious and steady. Jim being the nice man that he is offers to help Zara out after the crash as her car is a write-off. He gives her a lift to Nicks again, though this time Nick is there, it’s not long before his wife returns. He also has daughters.
The book was a quick read and I flew through the pages. It is told in first person dual povs in opposite chapters. Not something I enjoy normally but this book worked for me. I also don’t usually buy into the ‘met by accident’ or ‘finding out your lover is married’ stories but this felt different, I think it is because it is told in a slightly tongue-in-cheek, amusing way.
Overall, this is a book that put a smile on my face whilst reading and gave me some light relief in these hard times.
June 30, 2020
Hayley Doyle, you have created characters that I think I will remember for a long long time. I wish there was more pages to turn, to see what happens next.
I also loved all the descriptions of beloved Liverpool. Fantastic book, you should be proud.
I also loved all the descriptions of beloved Liverpool. Fantastic book, you should be proud.
March 5, 2020
3.5/5
Zara Khoury is unsure about most things in her life. But one thing she is sure of, is how strong her relationship with Nick is. Sure, their relationship developed online, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't know everything there is to know about him! So Zara decides to make his dreams of 'wishing she was with him' reality, and she hops on a plane, taking everything she owns with her, including their iconic mop, all the way from Dubai to London.
Moving is easy for Zara. She has moved enough in her life that she is unsure which country she can call "home", and the villa in Dubai where she lives with her father, his wife and her half-brother certainly isn't home.
The plan is easy, buy a car from London and drive to Liverpool. That way she can be free to move around when she gets to Liverpool.
Jim, on the other side of the world has been in Liverpool all his life. Upon his father's death, years ago, he decided to set his plans aside to take care of his mum. Now, years later, he is stuck in a dead-end job, working in a toll booth.
Unexpectedly, he is surprised by a call from a Radio Station notifying him that he won a brand new BMW, worth 50 thousand pound. Suddenly, Jim feels like the world may have meaning after all! He could sell the car, and take his mum to see his sisters and her grandchildren in Florida. He could finally quit his job and finally find something to do that he actually enjoys.
But the world has something in store for Jim. On the way to sell the car, a devastated Zara crashes into him, destroying half of the car, and with it, Jim's dreams.
In Never Saw You Coming, Zara is the perfect embodiment of the hopeless romantic (Yes, I guarantee that we all have at least one Zara in our lives) who is waiting for the right Mr. Perfect to sweep her off her feet. I personally know many young women who, like Zara, refuse to see what is right in front of them because they so desperately want it to be their turn to get married, with hundreds of likes on their picture-perfect proposal picture on Instagram. And of course, finding Mr. Right = finding eternal happiness right? Zara definitely thinks so.
Never Saw you Coming is the journey of finding one's self. Perfect for Sophie Kensella readers.
*I received this ARC from the publisher in return for an honest review*
Zara Khoury is unsure about most things in her life. But one thing she is sure of, is how strong her relationship with Nick is. Sure, their relationship developed online, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't know everything there is to know about him! So Zara decides to make his dreams of 'wishing she was with him' reality, and she hops on a plane, taking everything she owns with her, including their iconic mop, all the way from Dubai to London.
Moving is easy for Zara. She has moved enough in her life that she is unsure which country she can call "home", and the villa in Dubai where she lives with her father, his wife and her half-brother certainly isn't home.
The plan is easy, buy a car from London and drive to Liverpool. That way she can be free to move around when she gets to Liverpool.
Jim, on the other side of the world has been in Liverpool all his life. Upon his father's death, years ago, he decided to set his plans aside to take care of his mum. Now, years later, he is stuck in a dead-end job, working in a toll booth.
Unexpectedly, he is surprised by a call from a Radio Station notifying him that he won a brand new BMW, worth 50 thousand pound. Suddenly, Jim feels like the world may have meaning after all! He could sell the car, and take his mum to see his sisters and her grandchildren in Florida. He could finally quit his job and finally find something to do that he actually enjoys.
But the world has something in store for Jim. On the way to sell the car, a devastated Zara crashes into him, destroying half of the car, and with it, Jim's dreams.
In Never Saw You Coming, Zara is the perfect embodiment of the hopeless romantic (Yes, I guarantee that we all have at least one Zara in our lives) who is waiting for the right Mr. Perfect to sweep her off her feet. I personally know many young women who, like Zara, refuse to see what is right in front of them because they so desperately want it to be their turn to get married, with hundreds of likes on their picture-perfect proposal picture on Instagram. And of course, finding Mr. Right = finding eternal happiness right? Zara definitely thinks so.
Never Saw you Coming is the journey of finding one's self. Perfect for Sophie Kensella readers.
*I received this ARC from the publisher in return for an honest review*
February 4, 2020
Love this book from the first chapter and the way you get to know the characters in greater depth compared to other books is a breath of fresh air. Really didn't want the book to end
April 12, 2020
This is possibly a 2.5 stars. It was a bit dull and I didn’t warm to the female main character at all. I didn’t particularly care about the male much either. I feel bad being negative when the author has clearly put a lot of time and effort into a book but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s very forgetful.
I received and ARC of this book from Netgalley. I appreciate it but these opinions are completely my own.
I received and ARC of this book from Netgalley. I appreciate it but these opinions are completely my own.
May 28, 2022
Crazy and fun
Events become out of control when the unexpected occurs.
Incurable romantic Zara Khoury decides to leave Dubai and join her 'boyfriend' Nick in Liverpool. Without letting him know her plans, her intention is to to surprise him on his birthday. Although they met for only a few minutes in Dubai, by using the internet Zara and Nick's friendship has blossomed into a true romance/committed relationship. However when Zara arrives in Liverpool it's not the surprise she hoped for when she finally encounters him.
Jim Glover isn't an adventurous type, he's settled into a dull job and lives a quiet life mostly caring for his invalid mother. One day he receives an amazing phone-call that dramatically alters his life. The morning after his wild night of celebration, Jim encounters Zara and from then onwards everything changes for them both. They meet, they part, they meet again, first appearances are not always as they seem. Jim needs a shake up to become more daring and Zara could be the person to help him?
A delight to read and thoroughly recommended.
ARC supplied by NetGalley, this review is my own honest opinion and completely unbiased.
Events become out of control when the unexpected occurs.
Incurable romantic Zara Khoury decides to leave Dubai and join her 'boyfriend' Nick in Liverpool. Without letting him know her plans, her intention is to to surprise him on his birthday. Although they met for only a few minutes in Dubai, by using the internet Zara and Nick's friendship has blossomed into a true romance/committed relationship. However when Zara arrives in Liverpool it's not the surprise she hoped for when she finally encounters him.
Jim Glover isn't an adventurous type, he's settled into a dull job and lives a quiet life mostly caring for his invalid mother. One day he receives an amazing phone-call that dramatically alters his life. The morning after his wild night of celebration, Jim encounters Zara and from then onwards everything changes for them both. They meet, they part, they meet again, first appearances are not always as they seem. Jim needs a shake up to become more daring and Zara could be the person to help him?
A delight to read and thoroughly recommended.
ARC supplied by NetGalley, this review is my own honest opinion and completely unbiased.
August 18, 2022
***Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Hayley Doyle. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.***
Never Saw You Coming is about Zara and Jim. Each on the heels of a life-changing situation, they meet after a fender bender. They embark on a road trip—each for vastly different reasons—and get to know one another.
Simply put, this book was not for me. It was listed in the Romance genre on NetGalley, but it didn’t feel like a romance to me. Zara and Jim didn’t have chemistry, at least in my books, and the feelings that arose were so out of left field and sudden that I actually went back to scan a few chapters to see if I missed something.
For most of the book, I didn’t particularly like Jim and I actively disliked Zara. He was an aimless shell who was stuck in a life rut and she was flighty and selfish and irresponsible. I couldn’t find a rhythm in the story and felt as though I had no idea where the author was trying to lead me. By the end, I had my answer as the story didn’t really go anywhere.
Never Saw You Coming is about Zara and Jim. Each on the heels of a life-changing situation, they meet after a fender bender. They embark on a road trip—each for vastly different reasons—and get to know one another.
Simply put, this book was not for me. It was listed in the Romance genre on NetGalley, but it didn’t feel like a romance to me. Zara and Jim didn’t have chemistry, at least in my books, and the feelings that arose were so out of left field and sudden that I actually went back to scan a few chapters to see if I missed something.
For most of the book, I didn’t particularly like Jim and I actively disliked Zara. He was an aimless shell who was stuck in a life rut and she was flighty and selfish and irresponsible. I couldn’t find a rhythm in the story and felt as though I had no idea where the author was trying to lead me. By the end, I had my answer as the story didn’t really go anywhere.
January 29, 2020
This book was so easy to get into and as a scouser I LOVED the Liverpool setting... I walk past the bombed out church everyday, I see the graduations from work on Hope Street. The author did a great job of bringing Liverpool to life hopefully for non scousers too.
Zara and Jim are likeable unconventional stars of this book who meet randomly, Zara, a visitor to Liverpool needs Jim's help when her plans go astray. Jim goes against type and ends up in Zara's unpredictable world but it gives him an opportunity to see that life is worth more than sitting in a tunnel booth everyday not living your best life!
A whole range of characters support this charming tale, especially liked Snowy, Jim's best mate and Jim's mum which added layers to the tale.
A really comforting January read... Oh and yes, 'The Asda'.
Thanks to net galley for the opportunity to review this book. This is my honest opinion.
Zara and Jim are likeable unconventional stars of this book who meet randomly, Zara, a visitor to Liverpool needs Jim's help when her plans go astray. Jim goes against type and ends up in Zara's unpredictable world but it gives him an opportunity to see that life is worth more than sitting in a tunnel booth everyday not living your best life!
A whole range of characters support this charming tale, especially liked Snowy, Jim's best mate and Jim's mum which added layers to the tale.
A really comforting January read... Oh and yes, 'The Asda'.
Thanks to net galley for the opportunity to review this book. This is my honest opinion.
March 28, 2020
Never Saw you Coming is a novel that took me by surprise. It is by no means your average everyday love story but rather a mix of romance and a comedy of errors that I absolutely adored.
The couple featured in this delightful read are Zara Khoury and Jim Glover. Zara is currently living in Dubai, a pampered princess with no real aim in life except to party and have fun with all her other expat friends. But you sense she’s desperate to be loved, a hopeless romantic amidst a family who would rather throw money at her than spend quality time with her. A rash decision to fly to the UK and meet the guy she’s been chatting online with is when the fun really begins. For me though it is Jim’s character that had me totally engrossed in this wonderful ‘Will they won’t they’ storyline. Our first introduction to Jim’s life as a toll booth attendant in Liverpool is simply brilliant and so well written that I could immediately visualise the scene in my head and how it would translate onto the big screen. He’s intelligent, loves books and looks after his frail mother making him an instantly lovable character in my eyes. He too has no direction in life and is pretty much penniless but with an interesting bunch of mates who we’re gradually introduced to, I was swept up in Jim’s life and I lost my heart to him. I absolutely loved the scene featuring the live radio phone in quiz that sees Jim winning a brand new car which is the catalyst for bringing Jim and Zara’s lives together. His lucky day or hers??
There are so many laugh out loud moments when Zara’s world literally collides with Jim’s, with improbable (and frustrating!) events that bring out the personalities of these two so that I wished I was there with them for the ride. Zara, whilst irritating and exasperating clearly has a heart of gold which shines brighter the more this storyline unfolds.Jim is revealed as a surprising hero to Zara’s damsel in distress persona, a good guy amongst all the scoundrels and being handsome doesn’t pass her by!! He’s loyal to his friends, even if the only real love of his life is now playing happy families with his best mate.
The setting really brings these characters to life, especially descriptions of Jim’s bachelor life in Liverpool, living above a chippy and seeing the same faces pass by his toll booth daily. Dubai, by comparison, only serves to highlight their two very different worlds.
This was an addictive read for me and speaks volumes about missed opportunities and taking chances in life. It’s about letting go of the past and embracing the future, wherever that may take you. Strong family loyalties and taking responsibility for his mother have kept Jim grounded and stuck in a rut but his chance encounter with Zara proves it’s never too late to realise your dreams. To that extent Zara is the braver of the two as well as being more foolhardy but they seem to compliment each other well.
Funny, uplifting and heartwarming to read the style is easy, with the narrative switching between the two characters, giving their differing perspectives on the same situations. I really enjoyed the comedy of errors element, which cannot fail to make you smile. With a sliding doors type touch to the ending, you may be surprised by the final pages but ultimately glad to have discovered such a joyous read. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Josie Silver.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.
The couple featured in this delightful read are Zara Khoury and Jim Glover. Zara is currently living in Dubai, a pampered princess with no real aim in life except to party and have fun with all her other expat friends. But you sense she’s desperate to be loved, a hopeless romantic amidst a family who would rather throw money at her than spend quality time with her. A rash decision to fly to the UK and meet the guy she’s been chatting online with is when the fun really begins. For me though it is Jim’s character that had me totally engrossed in this wonderful ‘Will they won’t they’ storyline. Our first introduction to Jim’s life as a toll booth attendant in Liverpool is simply brilliant and so well written that I could immediately visualise the scene in my head and how it would translate onto the big screen. He’s intelligent, loves books and looks after his frail mother making him an instantly lovable character in my eyes. He too has no direction in life and is pretty much penniless but with an interesting bunch of mates who we’re gradually introduced to, I was swept up in Jim’s life and I lost my heart to him. I absolutely loved the scene featuring the live radio phone in quiz that sees Jim winning a brand new car which is the catalyst for bringing Jim and Zara’s lives together. His lucky day or hers??
There are so many laugh out loud moments when Zara’s world literally collides with Jim’s, with improbable (and frustrating!) events that bring out the personalities of these two so that I wished I was there with them for the ride. Zara, whilst irritating and exasperating clearly has a heart of gold which shines brighter the more this storyline unfolds.Jim is revealed as a surprising hero to Zara’s damsel in distress persona, a good guy amongst all the scoundrels and being handsome doesn’t pass her by!! He’s loyal to his friends, even if the only real love of his life is now playing happy families with his best mate.
The setting really brings these characters to life, especially descriptions of Jim’s bachelor life in Liverpool, living above a chippy and seeing the same faces pass by his toll booth daily. Dubai, by comparison, only serves to highlight their two very different worlds.
This was an addictive read for me and speaks volumes about missed opportunities and taking chances in life. It’s about letting go of the past and embracing the future, wherever that may take you. Strong family loyalties and taking responsibility for his mother have kept Jim grounded and stuck in a rut but his chance encounter with Zara proves it’s never too late to realise your dreams. To that extent Zara is the braver of the two as well as being more foolhardy but they seem to compliment each other well.
Funny, uplifting and heartwarming to read the style is easy, with the narrative switching between the two characters, giving their differing perspectives on the same situations. I really enjoyed the comedy of errors element, which cannot fail to make you smile. With a sliding doors type touch to the ending, you may be surprised by the final pages but ultimately glad to have discovered such a joyous read. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Josie Silver.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2020
A story told from two perspectives with two entirely different people. Zara is a butterfly – flitting from one place to another and currently moving from Dubai to Liverpool to surprise her ‘long-term internet boyfriend’ for his birthday. Jim is born and bred in Liverpool, never left and even with his degree is stagnant and working at the toll booths and living above a chip shop. The only one of his parents three children to stay nearby, he watches out for his mother, spends time with his friends, works and reads. Always with a book to hand. Both are searching for something: Jim to make life easier for his mother, hoping to get her to America to meet her grandchildren and spend time with her daughters. Zara is looking for love. A series of bad choices, a tendency to overthink, and being shuffled from place to place since childhood left her rootless and feeling invisible. Dubai and the Ex-Pat community is great for a party, but she’s got no real, solid friendships or ties. Believing that Nick in Liverpool was her “one” she packs everything, arranges to buy a little car on landing at Heathrow, and heads off.
This was an interesting tale as we get to know both Jim and Zara through their own retelling of their concerns, histories, and the point where their lives collide, literally and they are thrown together for a journey of a few days, many miles and plenty of time to talk, think and perhaps even form a connection. Both are desperately seeking something: with world-views and perspectives that are miles apart, they couldn’t be more different: but there’s something in Jim that settles Zara: she feels cared about, if not always comfortably. And Jim’s natural go-to is pessimism: not expecting much and therefore not seeking it. Together the two find revelations about themselves that were always there, but unseen, and until circumstances tear them apart, a connection that both will think on for a while.
Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone and pushing beyond the fears and insecurities is the upshot of the story: with Zara returning to Liverpool to find Jim whilst Jim has (with much pressure from friends) headed to Dubai to find her brings the story to an unexpected twist, not the ‘happily ever after’ that Zara sought from day one, and not quite the ‘stagnant and same old” life that Jim knew – providing opportunity for more and left to the reader’s imagination. One moment, a chance circumstance and a few hours of together managed to change two lives in ways unexpected – and made for an intriguing read that had you empathizing with the characters, cheering them on and wanting them to find “it all”. A very promising start for a new author – sure to bring many loyal readers to her corner.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
This was an interesting tale as we get to know both Jim and Zara through their own retelling of their concerns, histories, and the point where their lives collide, literally and they are thrown together for a journey of a few days, many miles and plenty of time to talk, think and perhaps even form a connection. Both are desperately seeking something: with world-views and perspectives that are miles apart, they couldn’t be more different: but there’s something in Jim that settles Zara: she feels cared about, if not always comfortably. And Jim’s natural go-to is pessimism: not expecting much and therefore not seeking it. Together the two find revelations about themselves that were always there, but unseen, and until circumstances tear them apart, a connection that both will think on for a while.
Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone and pushing beyond the fears and insecurities is the upshot of the story: with Zara returning to Liverpool to find Jim whilst Jim has (with much pressure from friends) headed to Dubai to find her brings the story to an unexpected twist, not the ‘happily ever after’ that Zara sought from day one, and not quite the ‘stagnant and same old” life that Jim knew – providing opportunity for more and left to the reader’s imagination. One moment, a chance circumstance and a few hours of together managed to change two lives in ways unexpected – and made for an intriguing read that had you empathizing with the characters, cheering them on and wanting them to find “it all”. A very promising start for a new author – sure to bring many loyal readers to her corner.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 16, 2020
Hayley Doyle’s Never Saw You Coming is a witty, engaging and immensely enjoyable debut that pulls you into the story from page one and keeps you entertained and engrossed until the very last word.
Zara Khoury is ready to give up her life in Dubai for love. She has met the most wonderful guy who makes her feel like she is on top of the world. A guy who promises her the moon and the stars and whom she is sure would make her world complete. There is only one problem though: Nick, the guy she is head over heels in love with, is somebody she has never met in the flesh. Sure, they communicate all the time online and he seems kind, caring, funny and gorgeous, but she has never actually seen him – until now. Fed up of living a life without the man she loves by her side, Zara decides to leave her life in Dubai behind by surprising her man in Liverpool, where they can then start to live a life full of love and happiness. Having crossed continents, Zara is finally in Liverpool only when she knocks on the door to Nick’s house she is greeted by a woman with two small kids…
Jim Glover is living a life that seems to be going nowhere. When he had gone to University to read English, he had been full of hopes and dreams for the future, but the reality turned out to be far different. Stuck working in a dead-end job with no girlfriend and a not exactly exhilarating social life, Jim’s life has not panned out as he thought it would. He hates his job and has started to grow resentful of the inertia that has consumed him. Maybe the time has come for him to stop waiting for something to happen and to take the bull by the horns and start living. Yet, little does Jim know that his life is about to be turned upside down by the arrival of Zara Khoury in his life.
Jim and Zara should never have met, let alone strike up any kind of relationship, but when theirs fates – and their cars – collide, it is going to be the start of a strange, bizarre and exhilarating journey that is going to change them…forever!
Never Say You Coming is a brilliant romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud. A fantastic, captivating and hilarious tale about taking risks, grabbing life by the horns and finding the courage to fight for your heart’s desire, Never Saw You Coming is a stylish, uplifting and feel-good romantic comedy that is the literary equivalent of a Richard Curtis film.
I absolutely loved Zara and Jim’s story. Funny, heart-warming and so brilliantly told, Zara and Jim are two fantastic characters you will fall in love with and root for.
An absolutely fabulous read that delivers on all counts, Hayley Doyle’s Never Saw You Coming is a wonderful romantic comedy Sophie Kinsella fans are going to lap up.
Zara Khoury is ready to give up her life in Dubai for love. She has met the most wonderful guy who makes her feel like she is on top of the world. A guy who promises her the moon and the stars and whom she is sure would make her world complete. There is only one problem though: Nick, the guy she is head over heels in love with, is somebody she has never met in the flesh. Sure, they communicate all the time online and he seems kind, caring, funny and gorgeous, but she has never actually seen him – until now. Fed up of living a life without the man she loves by her side, Zara decides to leave her life in Dubai behind by surprising her man in Liverpool, where they can then start to live a life full of love and happiness. Having crossed continents, Zara is finally in Liverpool only when she knocks on the door to Nick’s house she is greeted by a woman with two small kids…
Jim Glover is living a life that seems to be going nowhere. When he had gone to University to read English, he had been full of hopes and dreams for the future, but the reality turned out to be far different. Stuck working in a dead-end job with no girlfriend and a not exactly exhilarating social life, Jim’s life has not panned out as he thought it would. He hates his job and has started to grow resentful of the inertia that has consumed him. Maybe the time has come for him to stop waiting for something to happen and to take the bull by the horns and start living. Yet, little does Jim know that his life is about to be turned upside down by the arrival of Zara Khoury in his life.
Jim and Zara should never have met, let alone strike up any kind of relationship, but when theirs fates – and their cars – collide, it is going to be the start of a strange, bizarre and exhilarating journey that is going to change them…forever!
Never Say You Coming is a brilliant romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud. A fantastic, captivating and hilarious tale about taking risks, grabbing life by the horns and finding the courage to fight for your heart’s desire, Never Saw You Coming is a stylish, uplifting and feel-good romantic comedy that is the literary equivalent of a Richard Curtis film.
I absolutely loved Zara and Jim’s story. Funny, heart-warming and so brilliantly told, Zara and Jim are two fantastic characters you will fall in love with and root for.
An absolutely fabulous read that delivers on all counts, Hayley Doyle’s Never Saw You Coming is a wonderful romantic comedy Sophie Kinsella fans are going to lap up.
May 29, 2020
In Hayley Doyle's Never Saw You Coming, this feel-good romantic comedy/woman's fiction novel would have you in stitches. Zara Khoury lived in Dubai most of her life and planned to track down a man she met named Nick Gregory in London and had a long-distance online relationship with him. She boarded a plane to go there to speak to him and crashed her car into Jim Glover's new car. For Jim Glover, he worked a dead-end job as a toll booth collector and won a brand new car from a radio call-in contest. He was a former lead singer of a band that got nowhere and took care of his mother since his father died. From there, it was a collision course of calamities between them when it wasn't love at first sight. When Zara tells Jim about her woes and heartbreaks during the car ride, she gets to know him a bit longer. At first, Jim just wanted to deal with the car repair and move on with his life. But when he took her and a "mop" to Nick's place, he waits for her to confront him. Then he spots her on the ground and comes to her rescue when he later learns who Nick really is. From there, he begins to care for her and plan to take her to the airport--but they did hit a couple of snags along the way. Later, they went their separate ways to start their new lives at the opposite ends of the world and discovers they care for each other before they reunite in the end and decide to give it a chance.
February 17, 2020
Loved this novel! From the first chapter, I was completely invested in the two main characters and the compelling mess they're both in. The story intertwines beautiful ideas of family, home, a searching for something real and true love in every sense of the word. Not just a romance but a story of belonging and finding roots and purpose. We travel across the world with the characters, experience two very different lives and upbringings, and see how fate can bring people together. It's beautiful and nuanced, nothing cheesy or boring, the story never dips and is at parts laugh out loud funny. I genuinely found it hard to put down. The sometimes short (and hilarious) chapters kept me eager and always trying to second guess every bump on the road! The change in perspective was very enlightening and I think she has captured the male Scouse charmer so well! A gorgeous tribute to a historical city, Liverpool and a journey into a relationship that is more real and engaging than most I have ever read about.
May 27, 2020
I am a sucker for a love story, even more so when the cover is as gorgeous as this one. This has been a delight to read and I haven't wanted to put it down.
This is a fantastic debut novel from a new author, I am excited to see what the future holds.
This is a book which has been filled with surprises. The plot is extremely compelling and has kept me gripped throughout.
This book has made me laugh out loud and feel as though I have been going to cry. The story has kept my interest and has been an utter delight to read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
February 20, 2020
***Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Hayley Doyle. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.***
What a hopeful story, made me smile, laugh, panic and tear up. Zara was a fresh character, I don't think I've ever related to a girl character more! The same goes for Jim, the two protagonists had lots of truthful quirks and foibles. This is a very real story, without devastation or misery, we need more of this is our world! Such an enjoyable read.
What a hopeful story, made me smile, laugh, panic and tear up. Zara was a fresh character, I don't think I've ever related to a girl character more! The same goes for Jim, the two protagonists had lots of truthful quirks and foibles. This is a very real story, without devastation or misery, we need more of this is our world! Such an enjoyable read.
April 22, 2020
I absolutely fell in love with this book instantly. Such a wonderful story that I didn't want to end. The characters were written perfectly especially Jim who I just fell in love with. I wanted him to have everything in life and felt like I actually knew him. I really really hope there is a sequel but I have a feeling there won't so I shall let my imagination write the next chapter. Fantastic book that I'm already recommending to all my friends and family
February 1, 2020
Zara Khoury has the fantastic idea to surprise her long-distance boyfriend Nick by showing up on his front step. Nothing in her journey goes as planned and unfortunately for her, his life is not at all what he made it out to be when they met in Dubai months ago. Now she's stranded in Liverpool with a stranger whom she rear-ended, and all she can do is rely on his kindness even though he's been nothing but cranky and rude. Jim Glover set aside his life plans the day his father died, sticking around to care for his mom, barely making ends meet. When he wins a luxury car, he feels like his luck and life are both about to change dramatically. Then Zara bumps into him, literally.
Never Saw You Coming was a bit of a roller coaster. The majority of the first half of the book takes place over just a few hours, for some reason I struggle with books that move at a slightly slower pace like that. A lot of different events take place, in what's technically a short period of time, but it takes a bit to read through and I begin to get maybe a little impatient, waiting for the story to move on. There were a few chapters in the middle where small truths about the characters begin to come out (when they're trying to get to know each other) and I loved it, you begin to really see why they are the way they are and what shaped them, things make a bit more sense. It's funny and tragic all at the same time, there's some great banter between Zara and Jim. I have to confess that I didn't care for the ending, we spend so much with them rooting for them, then there's a year or more gap where things skip ahead and we see where they are, it's an hea of sorts but not one that makes you feel happy for the characters. Overall this is a pretty good read.
Never Saw You Coming was a bit of a roller coaster. The majority of the first half of the book takes place over just a few hours, for some reason I struggle with books that move at a slightly slower pace like that. A lot of different events take place, in what's technically a short period of time, but it takes a bit to read through and I begin to get maybe a little impatient, waiting for the story to move on. There were a few chapters in the middle where small truths about the characters begin to come out (when they're trying to get to know each other) and I loved it, you begin to really see why they are the way they are and what shaped them, things make a bit more sense. It's funny and tragic all at the same time, there's some great banter between Zara and Jim. I have to confess that I didn't care for the ending, we spend so much with them rooting for them, then there's a year or more gap where things skip ahead and we see where they are, it's an hea of sorts but not one that makes you feel happy for the characters. Overall this is a pretty good read.
February 9, 2020
Never Saw You Coming by Hayley Doyle a fulfilling five-star read. This was a great novel and the writing is just amazing, but what I loved most were the descriptions of Liverpool, a place I have visited many times as it was once my husbands home before I made him run away from it to be with me. So reading the descriptions and picturing the street we have walked down, just reminded me what an amazing city it is and what he gave up for me. This is one of those stories that you need to finish once you start it, so don’t be starting this if you only have a short time to read. The characters in this story will make you smile, not just Nick and Zara but the secondary characters as well. It is a fun read, but it also takes its time to get to get to the point, so be prepared you don’t get the immediate meet and fall in love, but you do get great story and a compelling one at that. Do not miss this story, as it will take you away.
April 6, 2020
This book was so much fun to read! In times like we are all experiencing right now, it was truly a breath of fresh air to get away from that and read a fun book that kept me hooked right until the last page!
What I loved about this book was the main character, Zara, and the character progression throughout the story. For me, it was a story of hope and romance that just swept me away!
If you are a fan of stories from Sophia Kinsell and Cecelia Ahern, I would highly recommend this one! I really can't wait to read more from this author!
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
What I loved about this book was the main character, Zara, and the character progression throughout the story. For me, it was a story of hope and romance that just swept me away!
If you are a fan of stories from Sophia Kinsell and Cecelia Ahern, I would highly recommend this one! I really can't wait to read more from this author!
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
April 27, 2020
DNF at 52%
Have you ever heard a little kid tell a story? It meanders all over the place, adding in details seemingly at random, zipping here and there with no discernible endpoint in mind. That's what this book reminds me of. The writing is fine, but I didn't really get invested in the characters and so I couldn't really care where the mishmash of a story was going. That may very well be a "me" issue and not one with the book itself. Plenty of other reviewers seem to be enjoying it. But for me, this one was a little too slow with not enough direction.
**Thank you to NetGalley and AvonBooksUK for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.**
Have you ever heard a little kid tell a story? It meanders all over the place, adding in details seemingly at random, zipping here and there with no discernible endpoint in mind. That's what this book reminds me of. The writing is fine, but I didn't really get invested in the characters and so I couldn't really care where the mishmash of a story was going. That may very well be a "me" issue and not one with the book itself. Plenty of other reviewers seem to be enjoying it. But for me, this one was a little too slow with not enough direction.
**Thank you to NetGalley and AvonBooksUK for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.**
February 4, 2020
Really loved this book with its well rounded and interesting characters. The settings of Liverpool and Dubai were immersive and well written and the story didn’t take the usual route that books in this genre usually do.
A refreshing read that I would recommend to anyone.
A refreshing read that I would recommend to anyone.
July 28, 2020
Od téhle knížky jsem neměla žádná vysoká očekávání, a tak mě překvapilo, jak mě ze začátku knížka chytla. Začetla jsem se téměř okamžitě a do strany cca 150 mě to hodně bavilo. Jenže čím dál jsem v knížce postupovala, tak mi to přicházelo víc přes čáru. Od příběhu jsem čekala klišé love story, ale že to bude až takové klišé, kde budou vlastně samé shody náhod? Místy mi to připadalo už nereálné. Styl psaní autorky mi ale vyhovoval. Byl čtivý, zábavný a občas i vtipný. Hlavní postavy byly sympatické a dobře vykreslené. Nejvíc jsem si oblíbila Jima (hlavní mužskou postavu).
Tahle kniha byla taková průměrná letní oddychová romanťárna, občas až přitažená za vlasy. Na to, že to byl autorčin debut, ale musím říct, že to nebylo vůbec špatné. Čtení jsem si ale přes to všechno užila.
Tahle kniha byla taková průměrná letní oddychová romanťárna, občas až přitažená za vlasy. Na to, že to byl autorčin debut, ale musím říct, že to nebylo vůbec špatné. Čtení jsem si ale přes to všechno užila.
April 13, 2020
What a delight this was. I was involved in the cover reveal and from that minute i knew this beautiful looking book would be on my TBR. So when i got invited to review it i was looking forward to it, and it also came with some bonus goodies that are relevant to the narrative. Lets just say i have a tiny mop and some sunglasses now!
Zara believes in love, real love and is willing to change her whole life for it - so she decides after meeting Nick that she should fly all the way to Liverpool to be with him and finish her degree. After all - he wished she was there so what better surprise for him.
Jim is stuck in a job that can be classed as predictable, since his dad died his life has pretty much stood still between looking after his mum and devouring books its like nothing much is going to change. That is until he takes a phone call from an unknown number. Jim doesn't have many rules in life but answering unknown calls is one.
Zara and Jim were never meant to meet but when an accident occurs and throws the pair together on an adventure neither of them wants to be on, it could change both of their lives. So - firstly i loved both characters. They were complete polar opposites Zara with her wealthy upbringing and globe travelling whilst Jim has never ventured very far. Their personalities are a clash waiting to happen but also something more is there.
I adored the chemistry between the two because it was natural - they pair fought, got irritated and really were not a match but they were also a big support to each other as they handled what life was throwing at them. They backed each other and it was really a tale of living your best life and taking those chances.
What i enjoyed the most of all though was that it wasn't actually predictable at all. It was about much more than finding love which i thought it would be when i started it. It had a real depth to it that i really enjoyed because it was so character focused and the writing just made it a pleasure to read. In parts it was funny but most of all it was endearing.
I give this 4* and i was gifted this for the blog tour although my review is willingly done. I look forward to more from the author.
Zara believes in love, real love and is willing to change her whole life for it - so she decides after meeting Nick that she should fly all the way to Liverpool to be with him and finish her degree. After all - he wished she was there so what better surprise for him.
Jim is stuck in a job that can be classed as predictable, since his dad died his life has pretty much stood still between looking after his mum and devouring books its like nothing much is going to change. That is until he takes a phone call from an unknown number. Jim doesn't have many rules in life but answering unknown calls is one.
Zara and Jim were never meant to meet but when an accident occurs and throws the pair together on an adventure neither of them wants to be on, it could change both of their lives. So - firstly i loved both characters. They were complete polar opposites Zara with her wealthy upbringing and globe travelling whilst Jim has never ventured very far. Their personalities are a clash waiting to happen but also something more is there.
I adored the chemistry between the two because it was natural - they pair fought, got irritated and really were not a match but they were also a big support to each other as they handled what life was throwing at them. They backed each other and it was really a tale of living your best life and taking those chances.
What i enjoyed the most of all though was that it wasn't actually predictable at all. It was about much more than finding love which i thought it would be when i started it. It had a real depth to it that i really enjoyed because it was so character focused and the writing just made it a pleasure to read. In parts it was funny but most of all it was endearing.
I give this 4* and i was gifted this for the blog tour although my review is willingly done. I look forward to more from the author.
June 16, 2020
‘The most recent crowd I fell in with were better described as drinking buddies.’ ‘Last year, a bunch of the guys dressed as human-sized fast food items and lay stacked on each other, swapping the order of the burger layers each time one of them needed to use the bathroom.’ ‘Katie’s dating the lettuce now. I think it’s serious.’
This book is by Hayley Doyle who is an aspiring new author. It is completely funny, wholesome and not your average ‘boy meets girl’ story. It isn’t the genre I’d normally go for but I enjoyed it a lot more than I anticipated! My Fitbit was having a field day for parts of the book as my heartbeat was racing at some of the more shocking chapters. At some points, I had my hand over my mouth, knowing in the last second what was coming. Sometimes stomach-flipping-head-in-hands disappointment for the characters, against elated-excited-cheesy-grin-on-face at other times!
I don’t know if it was done intentionally but Zara’s chapters are a lot longer than Jim’s (usually), and this really reflects their personalities. She’s full of life and always thinking about every scenario, whereas he just gets on with it, mainly listening to what Zara has to say.
For the most part, I could really relate to this book, which made it even more hilarious for me! I also can’t sleep on planes, I use mugs in hostel rooms for wine, I always carry a book with me and I sometimes feel 10p short. The descriptions for the hostel were perfect, the character manning the desk can be seen in every hostel in Europe! – and having to make your own bed after a long day travelling is the absolute worst!
This book is hilarious, heartwarming and emotion provoking. It gets tense and frustrating but the characters are so lovely and relatable, it’s an all round great easy read!
Oh and P.S you will be SO angry with George, he should have got in so much trouble! I’m still annoyed about this!
This book is by Hayley Doyle who is an aspiring new author. It is completely funny, wholesome and not your average ‘boy meets girl’ story. It isn’t the genre I’d normally go for but I enjoyed it a lot more than I anticipated! My Fitbit was having a field day for parts of the book as my heartbeat was racing at some of the more shocking chapters. At some points, I had my hand over my mouth, knowing in the last second what was coming. Sometimes stomach-flipping-head-in-hands disappointment for the characters, against elated-excited-cheesy-grin-on-face at other times!
I don’t know if it was done intentionally but Zara’s chapters are a lot longer than Jim’s (usually), and this really reflects their personalities. She’s full of life and always thinking about every scenario, whereas he just gets on with it, mainly listening to what Zara has to say.
For the most part, I could really relate to this book, which made it even more hilarious for me! I also can’t sleep on planes, I use mugs in hostel rooms for wine, I always carry a book with me and I sometimes feel 10p short. The descriptions for the hostel were perfect, the character manning the desk can be seen in every hostel in Europe! – and having to make your own bed after a long day travelling is the absolute worst!
This book is hilarious, heartwarming and emotion provoking. It gets tense and frustrating but the characters are so lovely and relatable, it’s an all round great easy read!
Oh and P.S you will be SO angry with George, he should have got in so much trouble! I’m still annoyed about this!
March 15, 2020
An engaging nearly-romance.
I'm not quite sure how to categorise this book. I wouldn't call it an out and out romance, and the character Jim is a big enough presence that it's not women's fic/chick-lit. Commercial fiction generally - hmm, not sure it has the weight. Okay, that aside, what's it about?
Dubai-resident Zara travels to Liverpool to see the man she loves (and has been in a virtual relationship with for months), only to find that the life she envisaged doesn't even exist.
Scouser Jim is living in a rut, working in a toll booth and generally down on his luck. Briefly, that changes when he wins a flashy car on the radio - until someone called Zara smashes into him.
They change the course of each other's life. At first they're immensely wound up by one another, but Zara needs help getting to the airport and Jim, busy life aside, is a good sort who wants to help. Or at least feels obliged to assist.
Hijinks ensue.
This is a tale of getting to know each other and working out what you really want in life. There's no falling in love in chapter two and then figuring out their internal conflicts. Instead they battle their conflict as they're getting to know each other, figuring out if they mean anything to each other, and what, if anything, they should do with that. Depending on your expectations, it could be a little frustrating.
But the characters are well-drawn which helps you enjoy their journey. I'm from Merseyside and so familiar with Liverpool and I enjoyed Jim traipsing around the city. Made me feel at home!
I'm not quite sure how to categorise this book. I wouldn't call it an out and out romance, and the character Jim is a big enough presence that it's not women's fic/chick-lit. Commercial fiction generally - hmm, not sure it has the weight. Okay, that aside, what's it about?
Dubai-resident Zara travels to Liverpool to see the man she loves (and has been in a virtual relationship with for months), only to find that the life she envisaged doesn't even exist.
Scouser Jim is living in a rut, working in a toll booth and generally down on his luck. Briefly, that changes when he wins a flashy car on the radio - until someone called Zara smashes into him.
They change the course of each other's life. At first they're immensely wound up by one another, but Zara needs help getting to the airport and Jim, busy life aside, is a good sort who wants to help. Or at least feels obliged to assist.
Hijinks ensue.
This is a tale of getting to know each other and working out what you really want in life. There's no falling in love in chapter two and then figuring out their internal conflicts. Instead they battle their conflict as they're getting to know each other, figuring out if they mean anything to each other, and what, if anything, they should do with that. Depending on your expectations, it could be a little frustrating.
But the characters are well-drawn which helps you enjoy their journey. I'm from Merseyside and so familiar with Liverpool and I enjoyed Jim traipsing around the city. Made me feel at home!
April 3, 2020
This debut novel is one to read and the author Hayley Doyle is definitely one to watch. This book is incredibly funny and an uplifting, life affirming read guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. The dialogue between Zara and Jim, the two main characters, is absolutely hilarious. Jim is very down to earth but has never been able to fulfil his potential. Stuck in a toll booth on a motorway taking drivers' cash, this Liverpudlian lad is a kind hearted if world weary book lover, trying to get over his lack of love life, lack of money and lack of opportunity.
Zara is a flighty, talkative, privileged girl, living in Dubai but unable to settle and pinning all her hopes on an online relationship with Nick. She leaves Dubai to see him in England and in doing so a catastrophic series of events is unleashed which sees Zara and Jim thrown together with unexpected consequences.
The will they/won't they thread adds a poignant romantic angle to the question of chance encounters and whether relationships need to be permanent in order to give us the confidence and the independence to stand on our own two feet. Are Jim and Zara destined to be together or is it just for an 'almost' moment?
Maybe we don't need to think too much about the past or the future but be fully present in the here and now.
I highly recommend this book and I myself eagerly await Hayley's next offering.
Zara is a flighty, talkative, privileged girl, living in Dubai but unable to settle and pinning all her hopes on an online relationship with Nick. She leaves Dubai to see him in England and in doing so a catastrophic series of events is unleashed which sees Zara and Jim thrown together with unexpected consequences.
The will they/won't they thread adds a poignant romantic angle to the question of chance encounters and whether relationships need to be permanent in order to give us the confidence and the independence to stand on our own two feet. Are Jim and Zara destined to be together or is it just for an 'almost' moment?
Maybe we don't need to think too much about the past or the future but be fully present in the here and now.
I highly recommend this book and I myself eagerly await Hayley's next offering.
May 6, 2020
I really wanted to enjoy this book. It was recommended by a social media page I follow (as a paid partnership) and the book was on offer so I bought it.
It was very hard to find any kind of rhythm in this book. The title and dare I say it, the front cover, would lead you to believe that you're going to be getting stuck into a nice cheesy romance novel. This is not that. Neither the main female or male characters are likeable at all. They lack substance and personality and it made it really hard for me to become attached to them and in turn the novel. It took me a couple of weeks to read a book which otherwise would take a couple of days, because it felt like hard work to get through it.
The novel is set in a few locations, however the main one being Liverpool. The writer describes each setting of Liverpool down to the most minute detail, which being from Liverpool myself, I found actually quite annoying. Maybe that will sit better with readers who are not from here!
The title would suggest a romance which appears out of the blue, but apart from a hear kiss between two people who for the most part are annoyed by the other's mere presence, does not happen. There is the very slightest implication of a whiff of potential romance at the very end, but that was it.
Overall, not for me at all!
It was very hard to find any kind of rhythm in this book. The title and dare I say it, the front cover, would lead you to believe that you're going to be getting stuck into a nice cheesy romance novel. This is not that. Neither the main female or male characters are likeable at all. They lack substance and personality and it made it really hard for me to become attached to them and in turn the novel. It took me a couple of weeks to read a book which otherwise would take a couple of days, because it felt like hard work to get through it.
The novel is set in a few locations, however the main one being Liverpool. The writer describes each setting of Liverpool down to the most minute detail, which being from Liverpool myself, I found actually quite annoying. Maybe that will sit better with readers who are not from here!
The title would suggest a romance which appears out of the blue, but apart from a hear kiss between two people who for the most part are annoyed by the other's mere presence, does not happen. There is the very slightest implication of a whiff of potential romance at the very end, but that was it.
Overall, not for me at all!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2020
I’m a sucker for cheesy hallmark movies, sweet romcoms and charming meet cutes. One of my favourite ever films is “Jersey Girl” no not the hideous Ben Affleck movie but the one with Dylan McDermott and Jami Gertz. If you haven’t seen it , it all starts with a car crash. So imagine my sheer delight on finding this book starts with one too.
Zara has been having an online relationship with Nick and with him wishing she was with him she decides to make that dream come true. So after packing her bags she leaves Dubai for London where she has arranged to buy a car and drive to Liverpool.
Jim stuck in a dead end job in a toll booth and caring for his mum after his dad’s death has just won a 50k BMW on a radio show. Suddenly Jim is making plans to quit his job and sell the car and take his mum to Florida to see family.
On the way to sell the car, Zara crashes in to it. Destroying both the car and Jim’s plans. You see where this is going right. Well enjoy the ride. With a wonderful cast of characters and short chapters that you can race through and a hero that has intelligence alongside his good looks. He likes books too what an added bonus!
This is funny, heartwarming, sweet and just the read you need to cheer your soul.
Zara has been having an online relationship with Nick and with him wishing she was with him she decides to make that dream come true. So after packing her bags she leaves Dubai for London where she has arranged to buy a car and drive to Liverpool.
Jim stuck in a dead end job in a toll booth and caring for his mum after his dad’s death has just won a 50k BMW on a radio show. Suddenly Jim is making plans to quit his job and sell the car and take his mum to Florida to see family.
On the way to sell the car, Zara crashes in to it. Destroying both the car and Jim’s plans. You see where this is going right. Well enjoy the ride. With a wonderful cast of characters and short chapters that you can race through and a hero that has intelligence alongside his good looks. He likes books too what an added bonus!
This is funny, heartwarming, sweet and just the read you need to cheer your soul.
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