What do you think?
Rate this book
Kirrinfief #3
Eindeloos dichtbij
Lissa, is a nurse in a gritty, hectic London neighborhood. Always terribly competent and good at keeping it all together, she’s been suffering quietly with PTSD after helping to save the victim of a shocking crime. Her supervisor quietly arranges for Lissa to spend a few months doing a much less demanding job in the little town of Kirrinfeif in the Scottish Highlands, hoping that the change of scenery will help her heal. Lissa will be swapping places with Cormac, an Army veteran who’s Kirrinfeif’s easygoing nurse/paramedic/all-purpose medical man. Lissa’s never experienced small-town life, and Cormac’s never spent more than a day in a big city, but it seems like a swap that would do them both some good.
In London, the gentle Cormac is a fish out of the water; in Kirrinfief, the dynamic Lissa finds it hard to adjust to the quiet. But these two strangers are now in constant contact, taking over each other’s patients, endlessly emailing about anything and everything. Lissa and Cormac discover a new depth of feeling…for their profession and for each other.
But what will happen when Lissa and Cormac finally meet…?
In London, the gentle Cormac is a fish out of the water; in Kirrinfief, the dynamic Lissa finds it hard to adjust to the quiet. But these two strangers are now in constant contact, taking over each other’s patients, endlessly emailing about anything and everything. Lissa and Cormac discover a new depth of feeling…for their profession and for each other.
But what will happen when Lissa and Cormac finally meet…?
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2020
1332 people are currently reading
21513 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Colgan
97 books11.8k followersJenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' and 'Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery', which are also published by Sphere.' Meet Me at the Cupcake Café' won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was 'Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams', which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,653 reviews
November 8, 2020
In case anyone is wondering what the formula for happiness is, it's as follows:
1) Move to Scotland.
1a) If you already live in Scotland, leave for a few months and come back and realize how wonderful it is.
2) Fall in love (either in Scotland or with a person who is from / lives in Scotland).
3) Join a ready-made group of friends.
4) Whatever you do for work is beside the point, but it should probably be something quirky that by no means sounds like it pays the bills / substantiates the hours required to qualify as a full time job.
Boom. You're happy.
Reading this book was not all that much fun for me (the romance felt half-hearted at best and I read way more about being a doctor who visits people at home in the UK than anything else), but at least I now have a life plan.
2.5 stars
----------------
18% into this and only JUST realized it's the third book in a series, and also i've read the first book in said series.
if anyone has any spare brain cells they don't need i could definitely use them.
1) Move to Scotland.
1a) If you already live in Scotland, leave for a few months and come back and realize how wonderful it is.
2) Fall in love (either in Scotland or with a person who is from / lives in Scotland).
3) Join a ready-made group of friends.
4) Whatever you do for work is beside the point, but it should probably be something quirky that by no means sounds like it pays the bills / substantiates the hours required to qualify as a full time job.
Boom. You're happy.
Reading this book was not all that much fun for me (the romance felt half-hearted at best and I read way more about being a doctor who visits people at home in the UK than anything else), but at least I now have a life plan.
2.5 stars
----------------
18% into this and only JUST realized it's the third book in a series, and also i've read the first book in said series.
if anyone has any spare brain cells they don't need i could definitely use them.
December 31, 2020
4.5 stars, rounded up.
According to Jenny Colgan's 500 Miles from You , sometimes a change of perspective can do you good—and sometimes it’s even better.
Lissa is a nurse in London, working in some of the city's grittier neighborhoods. She’s been having trouble keeping it together, though, since witnessing a horrible crime. Her PTSD is making it impossible for her to focus, so her supervisors think a change of scenery will help, and they arrange for her to swap jobs with another nurse.
Cormac is a nurse and former army medic in the small Scottish town of Kirrinfief. He’s easygoing and friendly, a gentle giant, but that calm hides some deeper issues he keeps silent about. He’s only spent a day or two in London but now he’ll be taking Lissa's place while she moves to Kirrinfief.
Although Cormac has an easier time getting acclimated than Lissa, both feel like a fish out of water. Lissa, in particular, is finding it hard to get comfortable in a place where everyone knows everyone’s business and everyone is so friendly and laid back. But little by little, she starts to warm to the town and its people, and they stop thinking she's totally standoffish.
After some initial awkwardness, Cormac and Lissa start emailing each other about their patients, daily occurrences, every little thing, which leads to texting each other. Why is it so easy to unburden yourself to someone you’ve never met?
What happens when they meet each other? And what happens when they have to return to their original homes and jobs?
Unless you’ve never read a rom-com before, you pretty much know what will happen. And even though I did, there is so much charm here to fall for. The characters—not only Lissa and Cormac, but the supporting characters in both London and Kirrinfief—are just so endearing. It took a little longer for Lissa to stop being impolite and disoriented than I would’ve liked, and the roadblocks she and Cormac encounter at one point made me roll my eyes, but I still enjoyed this so much.
I’ve been wanting to read a Jenny Colgan book for so long and now I see why she’s so loved!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
According to Jenny Colgan's 500 Miles from You , sometimes a change of perspective can do you good—and sometimes it’s even better.
Lissa is a nurse in London, working in some of the city's grittier neighborhoods. She’s been having trouble keeping it together, though, since witnessing a horrible crime. Her PTSD is making it impossible for her to focus, so her supervisors think a change of scenery will help, and they arrange for her to swap jobs with another nurse.
Cormac is a nurse and former army medic in the small Scottish town of Kirrinfief. He’s easygoing and friendly, a gentle giant, but that calm hides some deeper issues he keeps silent about. He’s only spent a day or two in London but now he’ll be taking Lissa's place while she moves to Kirrinfief.
Although Cormac has an easier time getting acclimated than Lissa, both feel like a fish out of water. Lissa, in particular, is finding it hard to get comfortable in a place where everyone knows everyone’s business and everyone is so friendly and laid back. But little by little, she starts to warm to the town and its people, and they stop thinking she's totally standoffish.
After some initial awkwardness, Cormac and Lissa start emailing each other about their patients, daily occurrences, every little thing, which leads to texting each other. Why is it so easy to unburden yourself to someone you’ve never met?
What happens when they meet each other? And what happens when they have to return to their original homes and jobs?
Unless you’ve never read a rom-com before, you pretty much know what will happen. And even though I did, there is so much charm here to fall for. The characters—not only Lissa and Cormac, but the supporting characters in both London and Kirrinfief—are just so endearing. It took a little longer for Lissa to stop being impolite and disoriented than I would’ve liked, and the roadblocks she and Cormac encounter at one point made me roll my eyes, but I still enjoyed this so much.
I’ve been wanting to read a Jenny Colgan book for so long and now I see why she’s so loved!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
May 6, 2020
I absolutely adored this book. It is beautifully written and tugs at your heartstrings all the way through. Especially apt at the moment when everyone who wasn't grateful for the NHS before has been come aware of the amazing amount of work that they do, and for all of us who had already been touched by the NHS in helping us in various aspects of our lives, hope that people remember the amazing sacrifices, hard work and commitment that they put in and have put in every single day. I for one am hoping that this crisis will make people second think some of the racist comments, bigoted opinions and negativeness after all this has blown over and realise that without people coming to work in our amazing NHS from overseas. We would have an even worse situation on our hands then we do now and that free movement and working together is the only way forward.
It is also a book that shines the light on the importance of organ donors and how the sadness of their death can save the lives of another person who without their donorship would probably be suffering for a really long time. This can bring happiness, a change in lifestyle and a second chance to those who desperately need it.
It is also a story that shows there should be no stigma around mental health and that everyone needs all the love and support that they should be able to receive. No matter what occupation that they work in. Also that our NHS need more support around these things as they get affected by these things on a daily basis too.
It is a story of hope, redemption, starting again, happiness, sadness, light, love, friendship and family. It shows that you should never judge a book by its cover, always get to know the person underneath, that love can stretch miles, and that we all have the strength inside us to defeat our darkest days.
A really beautiful book, fantastically written, wonderfully researched, with fantastic cast of characters, some of which we have met before and a feel good, hug of a storyline that will really brighten your spirits and yes make you cry a little bit too. But where there is happiness there is usually a little bit of sadness too. Great work Jenny. A book you should be really proud of.
It is also a book that shines the light on the importance of organ donors and how the sadness of their death can save the lives of another person who without their donorship would probably be suffering for a really long time. This can bring happiness, a change in lifestyle and a second chance to those who desperately need it.
It is also a story that shows there should be no stigma around mental health and that everyone needs all the love and support that they should be able to receive. No matter what occupation that they work in. Also that our NHS need more support around these things as they get affected by these things on a daily basis too.
It is a story of hope, redemption, starting again, happiness, sadness, light, love, friendship and family. It shows that you should never judge a book by its cover, always get to know the person underneath, that love can stretch miles, and that we all have the strength inside us to defeat our darkest days.
A really beautiful book, fantastically written, wonderfully researched, with fantastic cast of characters, some of which we have met before and a feel good, hug of a storyline that will really brighten your spirits and yes make you cry a little bit too. But where there is happiness there is usually a little bit of sadness too. Great work Jenny. A book you should be really proud of.
January 14, 2020
Lissa is a tough homecare nurse living and working in South London. Cormac is an ex-army homecare nurse in a small town in Scotland. When they switch lives for three months, a romance blossoms despite their pen-pal-like relationship.
Pros:
- As a fan of Outlander, the Outlander reference made me giggle. And the colloquialisms are fun.
- I like reading books with settings that are not in the United States, and there are /two/ here: London and Scotland.
- Yay for semi-positive depictions of therapy.
Cons:
- Why is there a character named Lissa AND Larissa? There are so many names out there... it totally isn't necessary to have two such similar ones in the same book.
- The narration is garbled and garbage. It starts off as very third-person limited, but as Lissa and Cormac switch locations, we start to get the thoughts and reasonings of minor characters. And even quite a bit of Lissa's London best friend/neighbor's romance. Like, yes, the trans romance is lovely, but not important to the overall story of Lissa and Cormac. If you want to do a trans romance, make this a series, and give Kim-Ange her own story-- do true justice to her and her love.
- The end bit of everything going wrong for Cormac is comedic in tone. And this book has had no previous tone of comedy. Why are you trying to turn what could be a nice and lovely romance into a disjointed rom-com?
- It felt like a second draft, not a complete story written by an author who has published scores of other stories.
On the chaste to steamy scale, it is a 0.5.
Pros:
- As a fan of Outlander, the Outlander reference made me giggle. And the colloquialisms are fun.
- I like reading books with settings that are not in the United States, and there are /two/ here: London and Scotland.
- Yay for semi-positive depictions of therapy.
Cons:
- Why is there a character named Lissa AND Larissa? There are so many names out there... it totally isn't necessary to have two such similar ones in the same book.
- The narration is garbled and garbage. It starts off as very third-person limited, but as Lissa and Cormac switch locations, we start to get the thoughts and reasonings of minor characters. And even quite a bit of Lissa's London best friend/neighbor's romance. Like, yes, the trans romance is lovely, but not important to the overall story of Lissa and Cormac. If you want to do a trans romance, make this a series, and give Kim-Ange her own story-- do true justice to her and her love.
- The end bit of everything going wrong for Cormac is comedic in tone. And this book has had no previous tone of comedy. Why are you trying to turn what could be a nice and lovely romance into a disjointed rom-com?
- It felt like a second draft, not a complete story written by an author who has published scores of other stories.
On the chaste to steamy scale, it is a 0.5.
May 18, 2020
Nothing. Happened. In 400+ pages. Our lead characters don't even meet until the last 5 pages and the previous correspondence between them held no chemistry. Both just complained back and forth.
Weird perspective shifts, Cormac to Lissa, to a randomly omniscient narrator all within in one paragraph.
Too many loose unexplained ends, too many random medical case details, overly detailed areas that have nothing to do with plot or character development.
Scotland was the only good character. And Ned. Who is a hedgehog.
You don't have to have read the other titles in the series, but maybe you would enjoy this one more. A bumbling book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Weird perspective shifts, Cormac to Lissa, to a randomly omniscient narrator all within in one paragraph.
Too many loose unexplained ends, too many random medical case details, overly detailed areas that have nothing to do with plot or character development.
Scotland was the only good character. And Ned. Who is a hedgehog.
You don't have to have read the other titles in the series, but maybe you would enjoy this one more. A bumbling book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.
June 6, 2020
This is the third book in the Bookshop on the Shore series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, you'll miss the wonderful character connections that make Colgan's books so superb.
I always like returning to a place in a book that I've visited before and getting caught up with everyone again--as well getting to know new characters. I really enjoyed both Lissa and Cormac and their adventures both apart and together. Their very real dealings with PTSD, but also the heartwarming connections that both of them learn to make when they are forced outside of their comfort zones.
If you're looking for a book with great characters, some romance, a bit of humor, and all over good story, then Colgan's books are definitely ones to pick up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I always like returning to a place in a book that I've visited before and getting caught up with everyone again--as well getting to know new characters. I really enjoyed both Lissa and Cormac and their adventures both apart and together. Their very real dealings with PTSD, but also the heartwarming connections that both of them learn to make when they are forced outside of their comfort zones.
If you're looking for a book with great characters, some romance, a bit of humor, and all over good story, then Colgan's books are definitely ones to pick up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 13, 2020
3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
500 Miles From You follows Lissa, a London based nurse, and her traumatic experience with a hit and run of a 15 year old kid she knew. After experiencing the crash, Lissa isn't the same; she is anxious and can't sleep and can't stop crying. It is suggested to her that she goes on an exchange programme in order to get her thoughts in order and to recover. And that is how Lissa ends up in Scotland, taking over Cormac's job and how he ends up in London, taking over Lissa's job.
The start of this novel was incredibly powerful and left me full of hope. However as the story progressed I found myself getting more and more detached from it. There were a lot of descriptions of what Lissa and Cormac were going through in their daily job life but not really any meaningful interaction or story progression.
I truly lived for the small and few moments we got of Lissa and Cormac interacting through their e-mails and later on through their texts but I felt like the experience of reading about them finally meeting up after everything they had gone through was a bit rushed and slightly disappointing.
Jenny Colgan created a very well detailed contrast between London and Kirrinfeif and I was very enveloped in the way the places and the people were described and built.
I didn't hate it, I actually really enjoyed it, I just didn't love it either. It was an enjoyable read with some really powerful moments and sections about real life, anxiety, ptsd and healthcare life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
500 Miles From You follows Lissa, a London based nurse, and her traumatic experience with a hit and run of a 15 year old kid she knew. After experiencing the crash, Lissa isn't the same; she is anxious and can't sleep and can't stop crying. It is suggested to her that she goes on an exchange programme in order to get her thoughts in order and to recover. And that is how Lissa ends up in Scotland, taking over Cormac's job and how he ends up in London, taking over Lissa's job.
The start of this novel was incredibly powerful and left me full of hope. However as the story progressed I found myself getting more and more detached from it. There were a lot of descriptions of what Lissa and Cormac were going through in their daily job life but not really any meaningful interaction or story progression.
I truly lived for the small and few moments we got of Lissa and Cormac interacting through their e-mails and later on through their texts but I felt like the experience of reading about them finally meeting up after everything they had gone through was a bit rushed and slightly disappointing.
Jenny Colgan created a very well detailed contrast between London and Kirrinfeif and I was very enveloped in the way the places and the people were described and built.
I didn't hate it, I actually really enjoyed it, I just didn't love it either. It was an enjoyable read with some really powerful moments and sections about real life, anxiety, ptsd and healthcare life.
June 7, 2020
Jenny Colgan is an absolute favorite of mine, so of course I was thrilled to receive an ARC of her new book, 500 Miles From You. This author’s books always make me smile, and her books set in the Scottish Highlands give me a major case of wanderlust each and every time.
In 500 Miles From You, we start by meeting Lissa, a nurse who specializes in follow-up care, spending her days driving around London from patient to patient to make sure they’re following doctor’s orders, taking their medications, and getting the treatment they need. As the story opens, Lissa witnesses a terrible hit and run that’s a deliberate attack, leaving a 15-year-old boy dying on the street.
Lissa is unable to shake off the horror, and finally, her hospital’s HR team strongly urges her to participate in a professional exchange program. She’ll be sent to a rural area to use her skills in a different environment, and a nurse from that area will come take her place in London to gain experience in urban medicine.
It doesn’t seem like an offer Lissa can refuse, and between her new assignment and her required ongoing therapy sessions, the exhange may be her only opportunity to heal and recover before her PTSD completely derails her career and her life.
Meanwhile, Cormac will leave his beloved town of Kirrinfief in the Scottish Highlands — where literally everyone knows your name — to live in Lissa’s nursing quarters in London and take over her set of patients. The two never meet, but they exchange patient notes, and over time, develop an email and text rapport beyond the professional requirements.
In my opinion. Lissa gets the much better end of the deal! As always, Jenny Colgan has me falling in love all over again with her depiction of life in the Highlands — the peace and quiet, the quaint small town, the local busybodies, the sense of connection. And frankly, while Cormac eventually finds reasons to like London, the descriptions of the noise, the dirt, the unfriendliness, the bustle all make it clear why Cormac yearns for home.
Lissa’s PTSD is portrayed sensitively. As a medical professional, she intellectually understands her reactions, but that doesn’t mean that she can instantly deal with it. Her progress is slow, and we see how her London habits keep her from fitting in or being accepted when she arrives in Kirrinfief. Eventually, of course, she opens up to her surroundings and to the way of life in a small village, and finds more than she could have thought possible.
Cormac, a former army medic, carries around with him the memories of Fallujah that eventually make him seek a civilian career. While he can relate to Lissa’s trauma, his own past still remains mostly undisclosed. I finished the book wishing we’d learned a little more about Cormac’s army experiences.
The back and forth between Cormac and Lissa is quite cute, and the book ends with all sorts of mishaps that turn their intended first in-person meetings into a series of catastrophic missed chances. But yes, there’s a happy ending — how could there not be?
The texts and emails between Lissa and Cormac are funny and sweet, and the story is a nice twist on the “two strangers fall in love without ever meeting” trope. Somehow, though, I was left wanting more. I felt that their connection needed more time to grow, and wasn’t given quite enough room to develop and breathe — and I was left wanting to see more of them together once they finally connected, rather than ending with their meeting.
This is the 3rd of Jenny Colgan’s loosely connected stories set in Kirrinfief. Characters from both The Bookshop on the Corner and The Bookshop on the Shore show up here (and become friends with Lissa). It’s lovely to see them all — I just wish they’d actually had bigger roles to play, since I enjoy those characters so much.
Overall, this is another winning romantic tale from a terrific author, balancing tough situations and emotions with lighter, more joyous moments and memorable characters.
500 Miles From You can work as a stand-alone, but I’d recommend starting with The Bookshop on the Corner, which is a wonderful introduction to Kirrinfief and its quirky characters. Either way, don’t miss these lovely stories!
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies.
In 500 Miles From You, we start by meeting Lissa, a nurse who specializes in follow-up care, spending her days driving around London from patient to patient to make sure they’re following doctor’s orders, taking their medications, and getting the treatment they need. As the story opens, Lissa witnesses a terrible hit and run that’s a deliberate attack, leaving a 15-year-old boy dying on the street.
Lissa is unable to shake off the horror, and finally, her hospital’s HR team strongly urges her to participate in a professional exchange program. She’ll be sent to a rural area to use her skills in a different environment, and a nurse from that area will come take her place in London to gain experience in urban medicine.
It doesn’t seem like an offer Lissa can refuse, and between her new assignment and her required ongoing therapy sessions, the exhange may be her only opportunity to heal and recover before her PTSD completely derails her career and her life.
Meanwhile, Cormac will leave his beloved town of Kirrinfief in the Scottish Highlands — where literally everyone knows your name — to live in Lissa’s nursing quarters in London and take over her set of patients. The two never meet, but they exchange patient notes, and over time, develop an email and text rapport beyond the professional requirements.
In my opinion. Lissa gets the much better end of the deal! As always, Jenny Colgan has me falling in love all over again with her depiction of life in the Highlands — the peace and quiet, the quaint small town, the local busybodies, the sense of connection. And frankly, while Cormac eventually finds reasons to like London, the descriptions of the noise, the dirt, the unfriendliness, the bustle all make it clear why Cormac yearns for home.
Lissa’s PTSD is portrayed sensitively. As a medical professional, she intellectually understands her reactions, but that doesn’t mean that she can instantly deal with it. Her progress is slow, and we see how her London habits keep her from fitting in or being accepted when she arrives in Kirrinfief. Eventually, of course, she opens up to her surroundings and to the way of life in a small village, and finds more than she could have thought possible.
Cormac, a former army medic, carries around with him the memories of Fallujah that eventually make him seek a civilian career. While he can relate to Lissa’s trauma, his own past still remains mostly undisclosed. I finished the book wishing we’d learned a little more about Cormac’s army experiences.
The back and forth between Cormac and Lissa is quite cute, and the book ends with all sorts of mishaps that turn their intended first in-person meetings into a series of catastrophic missed chances. But yes, there’s a happy ending — how could there not be?
The texts and emails between Lissa and Cormac are funny and sweet, and the story is a nice twist on the “two strangers fall in love without ever meeting” trope. Somehow, though, I was left wanting more. I felt that their connection needed more time to grow, and wasn’t given quite enough room to develop and breathe — and I was left wanting to see more of them together once they finally connected, rather than ending with their meeting.
This is the 3rd of Jenny Colgan’s loosely connected stories set in Kirrinfief. Characters from both The Bookshop on the Corner and The Bookshop on the Shore show up here (and become friends with Lissa). It’s lovely to see them all — I just wish they’d actually had bigger roles to play, since I enjoy those characters so much.
Overall, this is another winning romantic tale from a terrific author, balancing tough situations and emotions with lighter, more joyous moments and memorable characters.
500 Miles From You can work as a stand-alone, but I’d recommend starting with The Bookshop on the Corner, which is a wonderful introduction to Kirrinfief and its quirky characters. Either way, don’t miss these lovely stories!
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies.
July 29, 2020
Another winner from Jenny Colgan. This one was a fifth in the Scottish series with all the characters I’d grown to love as well as new ones. This was a sweet story to read and as usual with her books I read it very quickly.
It was funny and sad but as always it all turns out well in the end. If you haven’t read the others in the series you can read it as a stand alone but, I think you would probably want to read the others after reading this.
It was funny and sad but as always it all turns out well in the end. If you haven’t read the others in the series you can read it as a stand alone but, I think you would probably want to read the others after reading this.
December 30, 2020
I’m so effing far behind in reviews. My apologies for this half-assed content these final few days of this sucky year but here’s my lame attempt at bookpushing 500 Miles from You. Basically if you liked The Holiday this should be a winner. The trope is the “switching houses with a stranger” - the difference this time is it is two nurses who make the swap and then proceed to fall in love via a slow burning correspondence type of relationship. It was a delight and I have about seventy-two other Jenny Colgan books on my TBR now.
December 22, 2023
When I saw that this book was available in my local library, I wanted to read it because I have been a fan of Jenny Colgan. She was one of the first writers to introduce me to magical realism.
And…
Through her, I became a fan of the genre. I’ve included some links of other books I have read by her below.
So…
Was I ready for this one?
To be honest, it took me awhile to connect to the story and characters. It was not a light-read.
But…
One of the things I appreciate about Jenny Colgan is that her characters are perfectly imperfect. Yes, she usually makes her men gorgeous with lovely accents (especially for those of us without one).
And…
Her women typically have issues to address and overcome.
Which…
Made Lissa and Cormac a couple of characters to root for, as well as interesting.
Because…
They both were dealing with PTSD, and making mistakes throughout the story.
But…
These mistakes don’t make them unworthy of love or attention, from other characters or us – the reader.
And…
With this romantic connection, it was different. It wasn’t in person. It was through emails and texts. Which made the growing of their relationship compelling.
And…
A bit annoying when it took so long for them to finally meet in person. Some may consider it a good form by the author of tension-building.
But…
It didn’t work for me.
Still…
Sometimes meet-cute does that!
So…
Even if the story didn’t fully captivate me, it was enjoyable.
The Bookshop on the Corner Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Little Beach Street Bakery Review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery Review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 29, 2022
I absolutely love Jenny Colgan’s Scottish Bookshop series. 500 Miles from You moved me in many ways and was a powerful story. The main character, Lissa, witnesses a violent crime and is unable to save the victim (someone she knows). The event leaves this traveling nurse suffering from PTSD. To help her recover, she switches jobs with Cormac, who owns a charming cottage in a village overlooking Loch Ness.
I loved every aspect of this story. Yes. It is a love story, but it is a multilayered story. The main story was about overcoming PTSD and the trauma of youth violence. Traveling nurses are unsung heroes, and this book gives us a glimpse to the realities they face and the love/dedication they have to their patients. These relationships are powerful and meaningful for both nurse and patient.
What I loved most about the book is that it highlighted the benefits of living in the Scottish Highlands and the joy one finds in nature and simple living. It also shows why living in London is such an amazing experience. I love books that take me away and feel like I am walking the streets with the characters.
Obviously, the love interests can’t just meet and live happily ever after. The author does an amazing job with a slow build up and then going pedal to the metal as the story arcs approached their resolutions. I ripped through the last 50 pages. The final scene was one of the most touching I have read. I look forward to moving onto another series by this talented writer.
I loved every aspect of this story. Yes. It is a love story, but it is a multilayered story. The main story was about overcoming PTSD and the trauma of youth violence. Traveling nurses are unsung heroes, and this book gives us a glimpse to the realities they face and the love/dedication they have to their patients. These relationships are powerful and meaningful for both nurse and patient.
What I loved most about the book is that it highlighted the benefits of living in the Scottish Highlands and the joy one finds in nature and simple living. It also shows why living in London is such an amazing experience. I love books that take me away and feel like I am walking the streets with the characters.
Obviously, the love interests can’t just meet and live happily ever after. The author does an amazing job with a slow build up and then going pedal to the metal as the story arcs approached their resolutions. I ripped through the last 50 pages. The final scene was one of the most touching I have read. I look forward to moving onto another series by this talented writer.
August 11, 2021
What a lovely book. I cried at the end. This book really worked for me though the last book in the series bugged me. I think Colgan really brought to life Cormac and Lissa for me. And I loved the illustrations that we got as part of this book. Long time followers know I get a kick out of books that pull you in, and this one does. This book really hit a spot that I needed to tend to right now.
"500 Miles from You" is the 3rd book in the Scottish Bookshop series. You can see my prior reviews. I have to say that this one is a favorite for me right now. The character development of the two main characters works and we get some lovely look backs at the prior characters. Having a book tackling the medical field is definitely hitting a niche in the romance world right now I think.
Back to the book. "500 Miles from You" follows Lissa who is having a hard time as a nurse in London. We know that something happened, which has affected her and caused her to suffer from PTSD. Her supervisor recommends a swap between Lissa and another nurse (Cormac) that is living in Kirrinfief, Scotland. Cormac is quite happy with his life, but realizes that he needs to get out of his rut. The swap though does both characters some good and makes them think what if....about each other.
So I loved the two main characters and the side characters we get like Kim-Ange and of course Nina and Zoe (from prior books). This book just felt like a hug. I don't know what else to say. Reading how Lissa gets some peace and how much she falls in love with Scotland makes me want to rush there for a vacation. I need some peace.
The dialogue was great, I laughed a few times and sighed. I also cried at the end. What a lovely ending to the book by the way. I won't spoil for others, but I thought it quite beautiful and ended things in a lovely way.
"500 Miles from You" is the 3rd book in the Scottish Bookshop series. You can see my prior reviews. I have to say that this one is a favorite for me right now. The character development of the two main characters works and we get some lovely look backs at the prior characters. Having a book tackling the medical field is definitely hitting a niche in the romance world right now I think.
Back to the book. "500 Miles from You" follows Lissa who is having a hard time as a nurse in London. We know that something happened, which has affected her and caused her to suffer from PTSD. Her supervisor recommends a swap between Lissa and another nurse (Cormac) that is living in Kirrinfief, Scotland. Cormac is quite happy with his life, but realizes that he needs to get out of his rut. The swap though does both characters some good and makes them think what if....about each other.
So I loved the two main characters and the side characters we get like Kim-Ange and of course Nina and Zoe (from prior books). This book just felt like a hug. I don't know what else to say. Reading how Lissa gets some peace and how much she falls in love with Scotland makes me want to rush there for a vacation. I need some peace.
The dialogue was great, I laughed a few times and sighed. I also cried at the end. What a lovely ending to the book by the way. I won't spoil for others, but I thought it quite beautiful and ended things in a lovely way.
February 27, 2021
The blurb for this book really appealed to me. The nurse practitioner h witnesses something that is really traumatizing for her, and she has PTSD from the event. She is persuaded to do a 3 month job exchange with another nurse, the former military man H, in Scotland. He will get a chance to sharpen his nursing skills in a new environment and she will have a chance to slow down and heal, while still keeping her job. The two of them have never met in person but soon begin to exchange emails and texts about their patients and soon they are chatting about life.
The books is much more chick-lit and less romance. There is a lot of time spent on both the h and H and their experiences being the fish out of water. The h is shocked by how friendly everyone in the small town is, and the beautiful scenery of Scotland. The H is shocked by the crowds, the hustle and bustle of the big city, the smoke. Soon they both learn to enjoy their new environment and get to know people. I liked these parts of the book. But the romance is where I got annoyed. I would have rather just had no romance at all.
I love a book where the characters get to know each other over letters/texts/DMs. Falling in love with the person, without even knowing what they look like. This book was a disappointment on that front. The H/h do exchange texts, but nothing that would convince me that they even had a basic understanding of each other, let alone fall in love. There was no development of feelings, just curiosity. Then comes the same old double standard found in romance: The h goes on a few dates with the town playboy, but nothing comes of it. The H on the other hand, starts sleeping with one of the nurses. Ugh so annoying.
Anyway, the resolution of the h and her PTSD was nice, I felt like she did grow as a person and was able to come to terms with her emotions. The last few chapters when the H/h finally decide to meet were sweet and I did feel like the H was putting forth a huge effort to make her special to him. But the romance was already ruined for me by then. Lastly, the book was just too long. At over 400 pages, I skimmed here and there.
As a chick-lit story, I enjoyed it. As a romance, it annoyed me.
The books is much more chick-lit and less romance. There is a lot of time spent on both the h and H and their experiences being the fish out of water. The h is shocked by how friendly everyone in the small town is, and the beautiful scenery of Scotland. The H is shocked by the crowds, the hustle and bustle of the big city, the smoke. Soon they both learn to enjoy their new environment and get to know people. I liked these parts of the book. But the romance is where I got annoyed. I would have rather just had no romance at all.
I love a book where the characters get to know each other over letters/texts/DMs. Falling in love with the person, without even knowing what they look like. This book was a disappointment on that front. The H/h do exchange texts, but nothing that would convince me that they even had a basic understanding of each other, let alone fall in love. There was no development of feelings, just curiosity. Then comes the same old double standard found in romance: The h goes on a few dates with the town playboy, but nothing comes of it. The H on the other hand, starts sleeping with one of the nurses. Ugh so annoying.
Anyway, the resolution of the h and her PTSD was nice, I felt like she did grow as a person and was able to come to terms with her emotions. The last few chapters when the H/h finally decide to meet were sweet and I did feel like the H was putting forth a huge effort to make her special to him. But the romance was already ruined for me by then. Lastly, the book was just too long. At over 400 pages, I skimmed here and there.
As a chick-lit story, I enjoyed it. As a romance, it annoyed me.
June 26, 2020
Thank you to Goodreads and William Morrow for an ARC of this sweet book!
"500 Miles from You" by Jenny Colgan was a fun read that made me smile and cry!
How compassionate for an employer to consider a job exchange to a rural area for an employee who is suffering from PTSD with another employee who needs experience in an urban environment. Well done, even if it's just part of the story line!
It made my heart smile to see how Lissa and Cormac worked so hard to maneuver through their newly assigned locations. Lissa initially so sad and stressed, blossomed in the Scottish Highlands. Cormac tried so hard to love London, continued to give it his best shot.
As Lissa and Cormac, both nurses, communicated back and forth concerning their patient's, a delightful friendship began to develop between them. Isn't that how every relationship should begin? Then.....
There was no guessing with this novel, I knew how it was going to go with the boy gets girl, boy loses girl, etc sort of thing. But I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the quirky characters, how it made me smile, laugh out loud and cry!
"500 Miles from You" by Jenny Colgan was a fun read that made me smile and cry!
How compassionate for an employer to consider a job exchange to a rural area for an employee who is suffering from PTSD with another employee who needs experience in an urban environment. Well done, even if it's just part of the story line!
It made my heart smile to see how Lissa and Cormac worked so hard to maneuver through their newly assigned locations. Lissa initially so sad and stressed, blossomed in the Scottish Highlands. Cormac tried so hard to love London, continued to give it his best shot.
As Lissa and Cormac, both nurses, communicated back and forth concerning their patient's, a delightful friendship began to develop between them. Isn't that how every relationship should begin? Then.....
There was no guessing with this novel, I knew how it was going to go with the boy gets girl, boy loses girl, etc sort of thing. But I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the quirky characters, how it made me smile, laugh out loud and cry!
September 8, 2020
Sweet, tender, and heartwarming. Classic Jenny Colgan!
September 28, 2020
Three and a half stars.
Lissa Westcott is a nurse and loves her job as she really cares for others. But a traumatic incident she witnesses leaves her overwhelmed and not coping. After an episode at the hospital, the suggestion is made that she needs time away from the busy London scene. Reluctantly she agrees to a swap for three months with a nurse from the village of Kirrinfief in Scotland. The plan is to swap with Cormac MacPherson. He is not that keen on London but the swap means an upgrade in his job and after his time in the army, he is feeling restless and in need of a distraction. So the swap is made. But will this work out well for either of these nurses? And will patients accept the change? As well as showing the difference between two different lifestyles and attitudes, the book also highlights in a very real way the need for organs donors.
Despite the traumatic opening, I found this a rather joy filled read. The main characters are both well drawn and the contrast between the two places and attitudes of inhabitants are highlighted throughout. Perhaps a bit biased one way, but never mind. Lissa and Cormac come to understand a bit more about each other and their lives. Could it be more than just a relationship by email peppered with drawings? I loved the little drawing of Ned the hedgehog. It made me smile.
I found Anita the psychologist working from home with family around her a bit unbelievable as a professional. And there were a couple of other incidents and characters that didn’t really add anything to the story, but on the whole I enjoyed this book. Though there are some heavy themes, it manages to still come across as a light read enjoyable, dealing with choices, family decisions, friendship and romance that maintains interest and entertains, even if it is a little predictable.
Having read a couple of this author’s books before I knew what to expect and I certainly wasn’t disappointed in the way things turned out. Chick lit yes, but with a bit of substance as well. Great if you are looking for a heart-warming, feel good read.
Lissa Westcott is a nurse and loves her job as she really cares for others. But a traumatic incident she witnesses leaves her overwhelmed and not coping. After an episode at the hospital, the suggestion is made that she needs time away from the busy London scene. Reluctantly she agrees to a swap for three months with a nurse from the village of Kirrinfief in Scotland. The plan is to swap with Cormac MacPherson. He is not that keen on London but the swap means an upgrade in his job and after his time in the army, he is feeling restless and in need of a distraction. So the swap is made. But will this work out well for either of these nurses? And will patients accept the change? As well as showing the difference between two different lifestyles and attitudes, the book also highlights in a very real way the need for organs donors.
Despite the traumatic opening, I found this a rather joy filled read. The main characters are both well drawn and the contrast between the two places and attitudes of inhabitants are highlighted throughout. Perhaps a bit biased one way, but never mind. Lissa and Cormac come to understand a bit more about each other and their lives. Could it be more than just a relationship by email peppered with drawings? I loved the little drawing of Ned the hedgehog. It made me smile.
I found Anita the psychologist working from home with family around her a bit unbelievable as a professional. And there were a couple of other incidents and characters that didn’t really add anything to the story, but on the whole I enjoyed this book. Though there are some heavy themes, it manages to still come across as a light read enjoyable, dealing with choices, family decisions, friendship and romance that maintains interest and entertains, even if it is a little predictable.
Having read a couple of this author’s books before I knew what to expect and I certainly wasn’t disappointed in the way things turned out. Chick lit yes, but with a bit of substance as well. Great if you are looking for a heart-warming, feel good read.
January 16, 2021
DNF @68%
It felt like this book was written for women of an advanced age, attending the same bible study group in rural England, who think London is a den of iniquity full of pierced drug addicts and Scotland is full of simpletons who fill their days making conversation with their livestock.
There are extreme stereotypes everywhere that were so 1950's that it was impossible to take seriously. And the 'romance' was so non-existent and whitewashed that there was just. Nothing. At. All.
We have a city slicker that has never cooked for herself, doesn't know how to talk to strangers when they address her politely in her new village, doesn't know how one might mow grass and is rude and standoffish.
We have a country bumpkin who is shocked by the amount of concrete in the big city, the pollution, noise, and all those skinny people not making eye contact and being in such a rush. Plus the whole 'there are men and women and everything in between'... shock, horror! This is the 21st century people, come on.
In an attempt to make a clean and non-offensive-to-old-people story, it ended up being insulting to people living in the Now.
It felt like this book was written for women of an advanced age, attending the same bible study group in rural England, who think London is a den of iniquity full of pierced drug addicts and Scotland is full of simpletons who fill their days making conversation with their livestock.
There are extreme stereotypes everywhere that were so 1950's that it was impossible to take seriously. And the 'romance' was so non-existent and whitewashed that there was just. Nothing. At. All.
We have a city slicker that has never cooked for herself, doesn't know how to talk to strangers when they address her politely in her new village, doesn't know how one might mow grass and is rude and standoffish.
We have a country bumpkin who is shocked by the amount of concrete in the big city, the pollution, noise, and all those skinny people not making eye contact and being in such a rush. Plus the whole 'there are men and women and everything in between'... shock, horror! This is the 21st century people, come on.
In an attempt to make a clean and non-offensive-to-old-people story, it ended up being insulting to people living in the Now.
June 29, 2021
3.5 stars. Although this was an enjoyable read, I didn’t love it as much as the first book in this series (which I plan to revisit). PTSD plays a fairly decent role in this one. Really enjoyed the audio performance and I enjoy this authors writing style. Predictable? Yes, but sometimes that’s what you want. And I always enjoy her characters and settings. This one is set in the Scottish Highlands and in London, when two practical nurses switch places so that one can recover from a situation which brought on PTSD. It was a great book and I do recommend it.
May 14, 2022
So delightful on audio! I adored the accents and returning to Scotland and the familiar characters from previous books in the series ❤️ I can’t believe I missed this one when it first came out!
May 29, 2020
This book is a lesson in how books can be both wildly romantic but also impressively real life at the same time. It has been too long since I have been immersed in a Jenny Colgan novel and I am so happy to be back in her world once again, this truly was a triumph.
I absolutely loved the premise behind this novel, the idea of a job swap and living in one another's lives in the best kind of meet cute there could be and both of these characters were the kind of people who needed that change to push them out of their comfort zones and really make them sit up and take notice. I loved watching the journey that Lissa and Cormac both took during the course of this book. I loved all the intricate details they both knew about each other's lives and those we were let into as reader-it felt really special.
Lissa is a really cool character to get to know because we know she has gone through a trauma, we start the book with that and so seeing how she deals with that instantly lets us into the secret of her character. Then taking her out of her comfort zone and dropping her in the middle of nowhere to sink or swim was really fun. I loved Cormac from the start, I would really love to have met him in real life and he is the person I would really like to see more from in future Jenny Colgan novels. I loved how he handled himself and I really liked watching his journey of bringing some Scottish heart to London.
The book is a dual narrative of sorts which always make for a quicker read for me but there is occasionally a third voice, a kind of narrator who I can only assume is Jenny Colgan talking to us and this made the book read just a little like a fairytale, I felt it added another level and really appreciated it. I also feel like the setting added another level, I loved the juxtaposition between the Scottish setting and the urban hum of London. Having spent time living in both settings I could feel the difference coming off the pages and this writer’s description triggering lots of memories for me.
I listened to this book on audio and the narrator did a really great job. When the book had both an English and a Scottish character I was prepared to be let down by the narrator's accents but she did really well with both accents and dialects and so I highly recommend this book to you in whatever format you choose.
I absolutely loved the premise behind this novel, the idea of a job swap and living in one another's lives in the best kind of meet cute there could be and both of these characters were the kind of people who needed that change to push them out of their comfort zones and really make them sit up and take notice. I loved watching the journey that Lissa and Cormac both took during the course of this book. I loved all the intricate details they both knew about each other's lives and those we were let into as reader-it felt really special.
Lissa is a really cool character to get to know because we know she has gone through a trauma, we start the book with that and so seeing how she deals with that instantly lets us into the secret of her character. Then taking her out of her comfort zone and dropping her in the middle of nowhere to sink or swim was really fun. I loved Cormac from the start, I would really love to have met him in real life and he is the person I would really like to see more from in future Jenny Colgan novels. I loved how he handled himself and I really liked watching his journey of bringing some Scottish heart to London.
The book is a dual narrative of sorts which always make for a quicker read for me but there is occasionally a third voice, a kind of narrator who I can only assume is Jenny Colgan talking to us and this made the book read just a little like a fairytale, I felt it added another level and really appreciated it. I also feel like the setting added another level, I loved the juxtaposition between the Scottish setting and the urban hum of London. Having spent time living in both settings I could feel the difference coming off the pages and this writer’s description triggering lots of memories for me.
I listened to this book on audio and the narrator did a really great job. When the book had both an English and a Scottish character I was prepared to be let down by the narrator's accents but she did really well with both accents and dialects and so I highly recommend this book to you in whatever format you choose.
December 2, 2020
A Rom-Com set in Scottland about two nurse practitioners who exchange positions for 3 months in an exchange program. One goes to London where life is hell and the other goes to the Scottish highlands where life is grand.
Lissa is from London and has PTSD after witnessing an intentional vehicular homicide and needs a break. She exchanges places with Cormac, from Kirrinfief who needs more intense cases to increase his knowledge. While 500 miles apart, the two begin to exchange communications that bloom into pen-pal romance. When they are to meet, of course, all goes wrong so that the drama builds (arrest, dead batteries on phones, busy numbers).
Not a face to face romance, but finally they meet and love conquers all! Totally predictable, adoringly sweet... just what we read romance for.
3.5 stars
Happy Reading!
Lissa is from London and has PTSD after witnessing an intentional vehicular homicide and needs a break. She exchanges places with Cormac, from Kirrinfief who needs more intense cases to increase his knowledge. While 500 miles apart, the two begin to exchange communications that bloom into pen-pal romance. When they are to meet, of course, all goes wrong so that the drama builds (arrest, dead batteries on phones, busy numbers).
Not a face to face romance, but finally they meet and love conquers all! Totally predictable, adoringly sweet... just what we read romance for.
3.5 stars
Happy Reading!
November 30, 2020
Eh, this just didn't work for me.
August 3, 2025
Jenny Colgan’s 500 Miles From You is a tender, character-driven story about two people whose lives are upended by trauma and who unexpectedly find solace in each other’s very different worlds. the novel is part romance, part exploration of healing and part celebration of human connection, wrapped in Colgan’s signature blend of warmth and emotional nuance.
the two central characters, Lissa and Cormac, are written with depth and subtlety. Lissa, a London nurse, is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating incident, which has left her untethered and emotionally raw. her inner world is one of conflict, as she wants to continue helping others but is quietly falling apart herself. Cormac, by contrast, is a community nurse in the Scottish Highlands whose groundedness and understated compassion provide an emotional counterpoint to Lissa’s turmoil. their long-distance correspondence, born out of a professional exchange, allows them to gradually peel back their emotional layers. Colgan captures the hesitancy, the awkwardness and the unexpected comfort that comes from finding someone who listens without judgment.
the novel is deeply rooted in healing, community and the quiet power of human kindness. Colgan explores how trauma reshapes one’s relationship with the world and how meaningful connection, whether it’s with another person, a place or a purpose, can help piece together what feels irreparably broken. there is also a striking exploration of urban versus rural life: London is portrayed as chaotic and isolating, while the Scottish Highlands, with their slower rhythms and close-knit community, emerge as a place of restoration. this contrast is not romanticized to an unrealistic degree; instead, Colgan shows how each environment carries its own strengths and challenges.
the epistolary exchanges between Lissa and Cormac are some of the novel’s most compelling moments. through their emails and messages, we see two people tentatively reaching out, forming a connection that feels organic and deeply human. this device not only builds intimacy between the characters but also underscores the novel’s theme: that even across great distances, vulnerability can forge powerful bonds.
one of the most rewarding aspects of the book is its emotional honesty. Colgan doesn’t shy away from the complexities of grief and trauma, but she also doesn’t allow the story to sink into hopelessness. there’s a sense of quiet resilience throughout, an understanding that healing is rarely linear but can be found in the most unexpected places.
if there’s a reason it doesn’t reach a perfect score, it’s that some parts of the pacing lag and certain secondary characters (while interesting) don’t get as much development as they deserve. yet these are minor quibbles in an otherwise poignant and uplifting novel.
ultimately, I think 500 Miles From You is a story about rediscovery, a story of hope, of connection and of oneself. it leaves you reflecting on how even in the aftermath of life-altering pain, it’s possible to find beauty in small acts of care, whether they come from a stranger’s email or a quiet Scottish loch.
the two central characters, Lissa and Cormac, are written with depth and subtlety. Lissa, a London nurse, is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating incident, which has left her untethered and emotionally raw. her inner world is one of conflict, as she wants to continue helping others but is quietly falling apart herself. Cormac, by contrast, is a community nurse in the Scottish Highlands whose groundedness and understated compassion provide an emotional counterpoint to Lissa’s turmoil. their long-distance correspondence, born out of a professional exchange, allows them to gradually peel back their emotional layers. Colgan captures the hesitancy, the awkwardness and the unexpected comfort that comes from finding someone who listens without judgment.
the novel is deeply rooted in healing, community and the quiet power of human kindness. Colgan explores how trauma reshapes one’s relationship with the world and how meaningful connection, whether it’s with another person, a place or a purpose, can help piece together what feels irreparably broken. there is also a striking exploration of urban versus rural life: London is portrayed as chaotic and isolating, while the Scottish Highlands, with their slower rhythms and close-knit community, emerge as a place of restoration. this contrast is not romanticized to an unrealistic degree; instead, Colgan shows how each environment carries its own strengths and challenges.
the epistolary exchanges between Lissa and Cormac are some of the novel’s most compelling moments. through their emails and messages, we see two people tentatively reaching out, forming a connection that feels organic and deeply human. this device not only builds intimacy between the characters but also underscores the novel’s theme: that even across great distances, vulnerability can forge powerful bonds.
one of the most rewarding aspects of the book is its emotional honesty. Colgan doesn’t shy away from the complexities of grief and trauma, but she also doesn’t allow the story to sink into hopelessness. there’s a sense of quiet resilience throughout, an understanding that healing is rarely linear but can be found in the most unexpected places.
if there’s a reason it doesn’t reach a perfect score, it’s that some parts of the pacing lag and certain secondary characters (while interesting) don’t get as much development as they deserve. yet these are minor quibbles in an otherwise poignant and uplifting novel.
ultimately, I think 500 Miles From You is a story about rediscovery, a story of hope, of connection and of oneself. it leaves you reflecting on how even in the aftermath of life-altering pain, it’s possible to find beauty in small acts of care, whether they come from a stranger’s email or a quiet Scottish loch.
November 10, 2021
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
I like Colgan’s books and I have read several over the years. Picking this up, I knew I was in for an interesting story with interesting characters and a beautiful setting. This book delivered on all levels.
I like Colgan’s books and I have read several over the years. Picking this up, I knew I was in for an interesting story with interesting characters and a beautiful setting. This book delivered on all levels.
February 24, 2021
This. Book. Was. Awesome! Loved, LOVED, this story!!! The narrator was great too.
Jenny Colgan has written another funny, heartwarming, romantic, and totally satisfying story. After, what I thought was a slightly disappointing Book 2 in the series, Book 3 was absolutely wonderful! It has her signature snarky dialogue, characters you can really care about (both the MCs as well as their friends and relations). As an added bonus for Colgan fans, there are appearances from characters in Books 1 and 2 as well as a reference to "Huckle honey". Yay!
Some profanity but not as much as in the Mure series (No one swears as much as Colton! 🙄) and some sexual situations but no graphic descriptions.
Jenny Colgan has written another funny, heartwarming, romantic, and totally satisfying story. After, what I thought was a slightly disappointing Book 2 in the series, Book 3 was absolutely wonderful! It has her signature snarky dialogue, characters you can really care about (both the MCs as well as their friends and relations). As an added bonus for Colgan fans, there are appearances from characters in Books 1 and 2 as well as a reference to "Huckle honey". Yay!
Some profanity but not as much as in the Mure series (No one swears as much as Colton! 🙄) and some sexual situations but no graphic descriptions.
March 14, 2021
Auch wenn das Ende viel zu plötzlich kam, bin ich wieder sehr begeistert! Eine wunderbare Reihe, ein perfekter Wohlfühlroman vor traumhafter Kulisse 💚
May 20, 2023
A sweet feel-good story! I’ve always enjoyed this author’s books and this was a perfect way to end the week!
September 7, 2020
This book is a mess. Divided into four parts...that are not distinguishable from one another in any way. Sometimes written in third-person limited, sometimes third-person omniscient, and sometimes with asides from a sudden narrator popping in for no apparent reason ("but please, don't ever let it put you off visiting our beautiful country; we would be so happy to see you, I promise"), so just as you're settling into a particular perspective, you're yanked right out of it into something completely different (and usually, completely unnecessary).
Our protagonists spend more time getting to know their neighbors and new environments than each other—it's not until 250 pages into the book that they start sharing personal details, and even then, almost all of the truly serious conversations aren't shared with us: we're told they happen, but we don't get to read them. So when the inevitable eleventh hour snarl of ridiculous misunderstandings occurred, I was in absolutely no mood to put up with being prevented yet again from seeing these supposed soulmates actually interact.
And those neighbors? If you need a masterclass in how to be treated like crap by everyone around you whilst meekly putting up with it, these are the people to go to. Almost all of them are terrible, convinced that their opinion on everyone around them is the only relevant opinion. Which might be tolerable if our protagonists were also allowed to have opinions, but the basic message of this book is that to survive, especially in Scotland, you just have to let everyone say nasty things about you and smile and nod in agreement. ("But please, don't ever let it put you off visiting our beautiful country; we would be so happy to see you, I promise.")
I enjoyed meeting Kim-Ange (Lissa's best friend), Kai's group of young lads, and Zoe's charming brood, and Colgan has a knack for writing the Scottish scenery beautifully, but these things weren't remotely enough to make up for the book's shortcomings. Perhaps Colgan's other books are better...but I'm not really inclined to give them a try after struggling through this one and muttering, "What? Is this bad fanfic? I've read bad fanfic that's better than this," the entire time.
Our protagonists spend more time getting to know their neighbors and new environments than each other—it's not until 250 pages into the book that they start sharing personal details, and even then, almost all of the truly serious conversations aren't shared with us: we're told they happen, but we don't get to read them. So when the inevitable eleventh hour snarl of ridiculous misunderstandings occurred, I was in absolutely no mood to put up with being prevented yet again from seeing these supposed soulmates actually interact.
And those neighbors? If you need a masterclass in how to be treated like crap by everyone around you whilst meekly putting up with it, these are the people to go to. Almost all of them are terrible, convinced that their opinion on everyone around them is the only relevant opinion. Which might be tolerable if our protagonists were also allowed to have opinions, but the basic message of this book is that to survive, especially in Scotland, you just have to let everyone say nasty things about you and smile and nod in agreement. ("But please, don't ever let it put you off visiting our beautiful country; we would be so happy to see you, I promise.")
I enjoyed meeting Kim-Ange (Lissa's best friend), Kai's group of young lads, and Zoe's charming brood, and Colgan has a knack for writing the Scottish scenery beautifully, but these things weren't remotely enough to make up for the book's shortcomings. Perhaps Colgan's other books are better...but I'm not really inclined to give them a try after struggling through this one and muttering, "What? Is this bad fanfic? I've read bad fanfic that's better than this," the entire time.
March 10, 2020
Oh, my goodness tears! Sorry, this one is just full of the feelings... (I’m also offended for the author about the lower rating. Stingy as I am with 5s, kids books aside those are rated by my children). I was lucky enough to get a digital arc, and I have loved the Bookshop books and the town and characters created around them. This would technically be book three, and you could likely enjoy them independently, but I recommend reading in order.
There are hard, emotional bits in this one. Real life gets messy and has horrible things happening to good unsuspecting people. This book was beautifully divided into parts developed with the characters journey. (Side note, I should be sleeping but I couldn’t stop reading, so I hope this makes sense) I loved how the author delved into the the needs and emotions, honesty laugh out loud moments and the ending was amazing and perfect. I hope there is another book set around this town (please)! The friends! Ooh, READ IT! It will definitely destroy you in the best way.
People are touchy about spoilers, so I trying not to. I will 200% (typo yet actually true) be recommending this book once it hits shelves.
There are hard, emotional bits in this one. Real life gets messy and has horrible things happening to good unsuspecting people. This book was beautifully divided into parts developed with the characters journey. (Side note, I should be sleeping but I couldn’t stop reading, so I hope this makes sense) I loved how the author delved into the the needs and emotions, honesty laugh out loud moments and the ending was amazing and perfect. I hope there is another book set around this town (please)! The friends! Ooh, READ IT! It will definitely destroy you in the best way.
People are touchy about spoilers, so I trying not to. I will 200% (typo yet actually true) be recommending this book once it hits shelves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,653 reviews