What do you think?
Rate this book
The Notecard
Meg is trying to navigate a broken heart, her parents' separation, and her Bridezilla sister's upcoming wedding. She just wants to get away and go travelling. Nick's a junior doctor coming to terms with his father's death, and his mother's attempts to move on with the mysterious man who lives upstairs. If only he had time for love himself.
Nick and Meg live in the same building, and when Nick comes to her rescue, and she sends him a notecard of thanks, they realise that love may not be as far away as they think.
Perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary and Mhairi McFarlane , The Notecard is an honest and uncompromising comedy about two people trying to navigate life, love, and heartbreak in London that asks the question: Is true love really written in the stars or can it be derailed by broken hearts, dead parents, Bridezilla sisters, Eighties pop stars, and just some really awful timing?
Nick and Meg live in the same building, and when Nick comes to her rescue, and she sends him a notecard of thanks, they realise that love may not be as far away as they think.
Perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary and Mhairi McFarlane , The Notecard is an honest and uncompromising comedy about two people trying to navigate life, love, and heartbreak in London that asks the question: Is true love really written in the stars or can it be derailed by broken hearts, dead parents, Bridezilla sisters, Eighties pop stars, and just some really awful timing?
323 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2020
165 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Jon Rance
26 books95 followersJon Rance is the author of seven novels: the Kindle top ten bestseller, This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings (both published by Hodder and Stoughton), This Family Life, Sunday Dinners, Dan And Nat Got Married, About Us, and The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. He's also the author of the Christmas novella, A Notting Hill Christmas.
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 29, 2023
Nice plot with fun characters but not a re-readable.
Cons for me:
1. Humor was there, but the romance was not.
2. Takes time to get the characters together in a scene, they didn't spend that much time together.
But, seriously, it was certainly better than I anticipated.
Cons for me:
1. Humor was there, but the romance was not.
2. Takes time to get the characters together in a scene, they didn't spend that much time together.
But, seriously, it was certainly better than I anticipated.
December 4, 2020
Enjoyed the premise and overall story but it was awfully long and difficult to get into.
December 29, 2020
3 stars
This is an OK book to read if you’re looking for something easy and not wanting to be hooked by a great story. Typical and predictable, but good for a lighthearted bedtime read.
This is an OK book to read if you’re looking for something easy and not wanting to be hooked by a great story. Typical and predictable, but good for a lighthearted bedtime read.
December 25, 2024
Meg and Nick live across the hall from each other. Meg‘s seven-year relationship recently ended after she walked in on her ex cheating on her, while Nick hasn’t been serious about anything or anyone except his job for quite some time.
Honestly, Dotty was the best thing in this entire book. Meg and Nick are devoid of any personality whatsoever, with Meg being characterised solely by her idolisation of an influencer, and Nick‘s only character trait being dimples and his dead father. There is nothing building up any sort of relationship, except some witty banter over cigarettes that sums up to maybe ten minutes in total, then one date night, and suddenly they’re saying they love each other. It’s all so incredibly confusing.
Also, side note, Meg seems to have a thing about men she sleeps with being „nearly hairless“. It‘s weird.
Honestly, Dotty was the best thing in this entire book. Meg and Nick are devoid of any personality whatsoever, with Meg being characterised solely by her idolisation of an influencer, and Nick‘s only character trait being dimples and his dead father. There is nothing building up any sort of relationship, except some witty banter over cigarettes that sums up to maybe ten minutes in total, then one date night, and suddenly they’re saying they love each other. It’s all so incredibly confusing.
Also, side note, Meg seems to have a thing about men she sleeps with being „nearly hairless“. It‘s weird.
February 7, 2021
Best read I’ve had in ages, actually made me laugh out loud and also cry in parts.
Didn’t realise until I read the acknowledgements at the end that it was written by a male
Enjoyed it immensely, a must have read.
Didn’t realise until I read the acknowledgements at the end that it was written by a male
Enjoyed it immensely, a must have read.
October 6, 2023
I'm not going to lie - this one felt heart-warmingly-awkward from start to finish.
Was The Notecard's pacing slightly off ? You bet, and I assume it is so by design because the main theme of the book is timing and how love is something worth waiting for.
The characters feel real and full and relatable in their ability to describe and to interact with their world around them. They are not ready starting off. Meg is dealing with her parents' divorce and her self-centered sister getting married, but I got the feeling of her being slightly judgmental too. Which makes complete sense given her environment growing up.
Nick is still grieving the death of his father and is stuck in his life before his mom is actually the one who makes the first step in moving on.
They are brought together not by their own will, but by circumstance and meddling of neighbors.
Despite their mutual attraction, they both put their needs for personal growth first which is just... incredible. Love is not something worth dropping everything for if you're not ready for it. Any house will crumble if the foundation is not sound enough. Love brings a lot of weight and if both pillars are not sturdy enough to hold it up... one, or even both, pillars will shatter sometime over time.
There was one thing in The Notecard that irked me slightly. The POV between the main characters were so similar - which serves to reassure the reader on their compatibility given that we're the ones who learn about their thoughts separately for so many chapters before they actually interact.
But their streams of consciousness and the way they express themselves feel very alike.
It bugged me slightly, but not enough to give this book any less than a 5-star review.
Was The Notecard's pacing slightly off ? You bet, and I assume it is so by design because the main theme of the book is timing and how love is something worth waiting for.
The characters feel real and full and relatable in their ability to describe and to interact with their world around them. They are not ready starting off. Meg is dealing with her parents' divorce and her self-centered sister getting married, but I got the feeling of her being slightly judgmental too. Which makes complete sense given her environment growing up.
Nick is still grieving the death of his father and is stuck in his life before his mom is actually the one who makes the first step in moving on.
They are brought together not by their own will, but by circumstance and meddling of neighbors.
Despite their mutual attraction, they both put their needs for personal growth first which is just... incredible. Love is not something worth dropping everything for if you're not ready for it. Any house will crumble if the foundation is not sound enough. Love brings a lot of weight and if both pillars are not sturdy enough to hold it up... one, or even both, pillars will shatter sometime over time.
There was one thing in The Notecard that irked me slightly. The POV between the main characters were so similar - which serves to reassure the reader on their compatibility given that we're the ones who learn about their thoughts separately for so many chapters before they actually interact.
But their streams of consciousness and the way they express themselves feel very alike.
It bugged me slightly, but not enough to give this book any less than a 5-star review.
August 5, 2024
Okay, but not my favorite.
*Maybe Spoilers?*
1. Don't love all the smoking. I get it, it provided opportunities for the characters to get together, but smoking is so abhorrent to me and makes me feel so incredibly ill in real life that it ruined it.
2. The sister was a MEGA B***H and there were never any consequences for it. I get having some kind of a protagonist, but I loathed her and her crappy selfish attitude. Everyone excused her behavior and they shouldn't have. It's not sweet or redeeming to be nasty 99% of the time and then tell your sis that, "I know I am difficult, but I still love you." Big whoop. If you know and admit you are a difficult witch, CHANGE IT!
3. I am glad she got the vacation she wanted, but running from your unhappiness and problems usually is not effective. Not realistic either. She had enough cash to spend 6 months vacationing around the world? She is young, I don't think she came from a well-off family as her father is a cab driver (a fine profession, but is it really THAT lucrative? Maybe?) and I don't remember it saying that her mother had any specific profession, and she didn't seem high up in her job. Maybe she is thrifty? Good for her? Just doesn't seem believable.
*Maybe Spoilers?*
1. Don't love all the smoking. I get it, it provided opportunities for the characters to get together, but smoking is so abhorrent to me and makes me feel so incredibly ill in real life that it ruined it.
2. The sister was a MEGA B***H and there were never any consequences for it. I get having some kind of a protagonist, but I loathed her and her crappy selfish attitude. Everyone excused her behavior and they shouldn't have. It's not sweet or redeeming to be nasty 99% of the time and then tell your sis that, "I know I am difficult, but I still love you." Big whoop. If you know and admit you are a difficult witch, CHANGE IT!
3. I am glad she got the vacation she wanted, but running from your unhappiness and problems usually is not effective. Not realistic either. She had enough cash to spend 6 months vacationing around the world? She is young, I don't think she came from a well-off family as her father is a cab driver (a fine profession, but is it really THAT lucrative? Maybe?) and I don't remember it saying that her mother had any specific profession, and she didn't seem high up in her job. Maybe she is thrifty? Good for her? Just doesn't seem believable.
September 20, 2023
I really enjoyed the main characters: Nick and Meg, but also the stories surrounding their parents.
Her sister was the least likeable and the way she treated Meg was awful. Meg was too good of a sister for her. Being a relative doesn't excuse poor behaviour so I was sorry to see that Laura remained ever-present.
I loved that Nick and Meg's story wasn't so smooth sailing. It felt a little for real to read about their confusion and awkwardness. Also their back stories helped understand them better. Nick's grief was written about tastefully and very believable (grief doesn't just simply go away and it is surprising how it can have such a hold on your subconscious)
I'm sad that Meg felt she had to copy the Instagrammer's trip but I'm glad that it helped her find happiness and clear her head.
A pleasant read ❤️
Her sister was the least likeable and the way she treated Meg was awful. Meg was too good of a sister for her. Being a relative doesn't excuse poor behaviour so I was sorry to see that Laura remained ever-present.
I loved that Nick and Meg's story wasn't so smooth sailing. It felt a little for real to read about their confusion and awkwardness. Also their back stories helped understand them better. Nick's grief was written about tastefully and very believable (grief doesn't just simply go away and it is surprising how it can have such a hold on your subconscious)
I'm sad that Meg felt she had to copy the Instagrammer's trip but I'm glad that it helped her find happiness and clear her head.
A pleasant read ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2024
A very lighthearted friends to lovers rom com. A very slow burn book which isn’t my usual reading pace.
There were a few things about this book that just didn’t work well for me as the reader. Firstly Meg’s sister Laura might just be one of the most irritatingly selfish characters I have ever read through, I understand the point of her being like but, it did lose my interest for her purpose in the book. I also think that the book focused so much on other characters that we lost value with Nick and Meg’s characters who the book is about, we lose what their goals are and if they are even working towards them together due to having something going on with every other character at the same time.
The romance in this book is also pretty lacking and there was room for a lot more potential to make the characters bloom together more and keep us readers interested and questioning them a lot more. The ending of the book was very sweet and made up for some of the downfalls within the book but, I am still a little disappointed with this read. However, if you like slow burn friends to lovers thrope with a lot of context and different situations between all characters then you would probably enjoy this book a lot!
There were a few things about this book that just didn’t work well for me as the reader. Firstly Meg’s sister Laura might just be one of the most irritatingly selfish characters I have ever read through, I understand the point of her being like but, it did lose my interest for her purpose in the book. I also think that the book focused so much on other characters that we lost value with Nick and Meg’s characters who the book is about, we lose what their goals are and if they are even working towards them together due to having something going on with every other character at the same time.
The romance in this book is also pretty lacking and there was room for a lot more potential to make the characters bloom together more and keep us readers interested and questioning them a lot more. The ending of the book was very sweet and made up for some of the downfalls within the book but, I am still a little disappointed with this read. However, if you like slow burn friends to lovers thrope with a lot of context and different situations between all characters then you would probably enjoy this book a lot!
July 2, 2024
Despite most of the reviews did not like the lengthy beginning, it was the part that I liked the most. The shyness of the characters, and their realistic considerations. But.. everyone knows how the story ends, and even though I am not that against predictability (else I would not choose to read a rom-com) the ending was just too rushed and did not get the proper satisfaction of the expected ending. Nevertheless, I was so pleased by the main character, Nick, by his personality that is all troubled but charming at the same time. And Laura, the sister? What an annoying character, do people like this really exist?
June 3, 2022
Two and a half stars
So, I was just looking for an easy romance book to read on Kindle Unlimited when I came across this and thought it would be right up my street. I have to be honest though, I'm slightly disappointed. There wasn't enough interaction between the main characters for me. And something didn't gel well with Nick and Meg for me. I don't know why but both of them irked me. I found Nick too over the top about falling in love and with Meg... I'm not sure, I feel like there was a whole lot more for her to work on.
So, I was just looking for an easy romance book to read on Kindle Unlimited when I came across this and thought it would be right up my street. I have to be honest though, I'm slightly disappointed. There wasn't enough interaction between the main characters for me. And something didn't gel well with Nick and Meg for me. I don't know why but both of them irked me. I found Nick too over the top about falling in love and with Meg... I'm not sure, I feel like there was a whole lot more for her to work on.
July 24, 2024
It was okay at first, but then it started to drag on
I would not like to know many people in this book. I'm not a smoker, so the constant either need for a cigarette or smoking got old and seem to increase as the book went on. I don't like self-centered controlling drama queens, and this book has an over the top drama queen. Both of the main characters over think everything, which gets old after a while. I managed to finish the book for the happy ending. Was it with it? Not really as the book was long and the ending was quick. Oh well . . .
I would not like to know many people in this book. I'm not a smoker, so the constant either need for a cigarette or smoking got old and seem to increase as the book went on. I don't like self-centered controlling drama queens, and this book has an over the top drama queen. Both of the main characters over think everything, which gets old after a while. I managed to finish the book for the happy ending. Was it with it? Not really as the book was long and the ending was quick. Oh well . . .
July 14, 2025
Two people share a few cigarettes outside, barely speak, and suddenly he’s pouring his heart out saying he loves her? She doesn't say it back, vanishes for seven months, and then realises she loves him too. Sure. Because that’s how love works, apparently.
It also tried really hard to be emotionally profound but it just came across as forced and overly sentimental.
And dont get me started on Beth, the travel influencer Meg is obsessed with for reasons even Meg probably couldn’t explain. I was sick of hearing about her. Totally pointless and added nothing to the story.
It also tried really hard to be emotionally profound but it just came across as forced and overly sentimental.
And dont get me started on Beth, the travel influencer Meg is obsessed with for reasons even Meg probably couldn’t explain. I was sick of hearing about her. Totally pointless and added nothing to the story.
July 20, 2021
It felt like watching a rom-com on a lazy day. The story could have been written well. I couldnt find the part showing the development of passion between Nick and Meg. It was suddenly that they developed true love. The end was well-written but the development of storyline and plot was poor. It was an OK read.
November 1, 2023
Wonderful, humorous story about wrong place, wrong time.
Really enjoyed the two main characters and seeing the same things from 2 separate perspectives. This story was a really good light hearted read,which left my smiling with a warm fuzzy feel good feeling by the end. A great escape and would definitely recommend if you like romantic comedies.
Really enjoyed the two main characters and seeing the same things from 2 separate perspectives. This story was a really good light hearted read,which left my smiling with a warm fuzzy feel good feeling by the end. A great escape and would definitely recommend if you like romantic comedies.
October 29, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Jon Rance is an amazing storyteller. This is a funny story but very relatable and very romantic, too! As usual I was hooked from the first chapter and read it in no time. Definitely recommended!
June 2, 2021
Feel poorly written and I didn’t gel with it
Not my thing had to persevere with it to finish it. Overall story was ok yet predictable wouldn’t rush to read any other books by author
Not my thing had to persevere with it to finish it. Overall story was ok yet predictable wouldn’t rush to read any other books by author
August 26, 2021
Started well. I enjoyed it up to the point where the 'romance' kicked in. The love between the 2 main characters seemed to come out of nowhere. It slowed up towards the end and was in parts repetitive. OK for a quick read on the beach.
September 26, 2021
It’s all about love, the good the bad and the ugly
Great story and terrific characterization. Felt like I knew each character and felt every emotion. I will definitely read more by this author.
Great story and terrific characterization. Felt like I knew each character and felt every emotion. I will definitely read more by this author.
could-not-finish
September 30, 2021My God, this book is boring and annoying. Meg's mum is horrid, her sister is horrid. Meg is horrid to her dad. The only character I can relate to is actually said fabulous-cardigan-sporting dad.
Might not be finishing this one.
Might not be finishing this one.
August 12, 2022
An easy read which was perfect for when I was in hospital after having Robyn and whilst expressing my milk at home. The chapters were short and easy to pick up and carry on. As ever I love a happy ending and I liked that Meg and Nick got what they wanted in the end.
December 26, 2023
I found this book quite boring and a struggle to read. There were many spelling and grammatical mistakes as well as time jump confusions that didn’t make sense. The characters weren’t that enjoyable to read. Would not recommend.
January 1, 2024
I really really enjoyed this book. I despised Laura the sister, and I didn’t think Meg and Nick knew enough about each other to proclaim their love for one another, but I just really liked the style of writing and couldn’t put the book down
November 26, 2020
Loving Jon Rance style of writing.. if you want a giggle during these strange old times,get one of his books .
January 4, 2021
Brilliant
Heartfelt,t and truly romantic comedy, has some good humour and was a really enjoyable book to read. I 100% recommend.
Heartfelt,t and truly romantic comedy, has some good humour and was a really enjoyable book to read. I 100% recommend.
January 17, 2021
An emotional roller coaster.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved his story telling. I am looking forward to reading more of his books in the future.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved his story telling. I am looking forward to reading more of his books in the future.
January 21, 2021
Just a well written nice story. Love the way he wrote from the women’s perspective.
February 1, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and really enjoyed it. Though I have to say that I kept picturing the character Nick as being Dr Alex from Love Island!!
February 21, 2021
Easy read
March 4, 2021
Another great read!
Made me laugh out loud. Such a great escape from the outside crazy world! I highly recommend it to read and enjoy!
Made me laugh out loud. Such a great escape from the outside crazy world! I highly recommend it to read and enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews