Rebecca isn't looking for love. She's perfectly happy with her high-flying city job, gorgeous flat overlooking Hampstead Heath and fortnightly fling with the hot CEO. She's certainly not interested in the hot actor neighbour who's just moved in opposite...
Jack is still looking for his big break. It turns out being the star talent at drama school doesn't give you a golden ticket to Hollywood, after all. The last thing he needs is any distractions right now - especially not the uptight, power-suit wearing girl next door.
They might live only a few metres away from each other but their worlds couldn't be further apart, plus opposites don't really attract, do they...?
Lorraine Brown previously trained as an actress and is about to complete her final year of a postgraduate diploma in psychodynamic counselling. She lives in London with her partner and their 8-year-old son. Uncoupling is her first novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing book for the digital arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I always hate giving negative reviews, especially when the book had so much potential. Sadly 'Sorry I Missed You' was extremely lacklustre with very little romance.
Considering it was a romance book, the main characters don't have a 'deep' conversation (basically not a random "hello" in the corridor, or "how was work?") until about 55% into the book. It's not until 78% that they have their first kiss. Now I'm all for a slow burn, but this was extreme! As I mentioned the only 'romance' for the first half of the book was extremely awkward, random passings. The humour was extremely forced and even by the end of the book I felt the couple had zero chemistry. This is definitely a result of them barely interacting for half the book.
Considering we have little interaction between the love interests, you would hope the rest of the book is filled with something gripping. Sadly, it is extremely lacklustre. Rebecca and Jack are both really interesting individuals, trying to navigate their way in their careers and dealing with lonliness. I loved the fact we have both of their POVs so we got some in depth workplace relationships about acting and marketing. However, when you start reaching the 50% mark with still no romance and only job worries it becomes a bit boring.
The thing that bugged me from the beginning was the assumptions both Rebecca and Jack made. They were quick to assume some quite negative stereotypes about each other and their lifestyles, when they had only had one conversation. Even once they started to get to know each other, and Jack opened up about his family issues, Rebecca continues to think he is a spoilt, rich boy. Now, while they are thinking these negative things about each other in their heads, they act completely different. That contrast of their actions and the stereotyping was quite jolting.
The assumptions continue into their 'relationship' . Everytime they are seen with another person, they assume that's their new partner. Both Jack and Rebecca have the whole 'I'm not good enough' mentality and it becomes quite frustrating when they haven't even been on a date yet but already think they're not good enough. And don't get me started on Jack thinking it's not weird to bring the girl he's interested in to see his ex-girlfriend perform.
When romantic comedies seem to be growing in popularity, this just misses the mark. Not once did I feel like this was a romance book, there was that little of it that it felt more like a sub-plot to Jack's acting career.
Headlines: Stuck in a rut Frienship to more Finding purpose
Sorry I Missed You was a gentle romantic read that got you involved in the lives of two very normal people in their thirties. In that sense, it felt relatable and real. Rebecca was living a bit of a non-life, still reeling from a year-old break-up and a huge bereavement in her childhood. Jack was drifting in his desire to be an actor, trying to find direction and guidance. A missed parcel brought them in each other's path.
Much of this story tracked Rebecca and Jack's lives seperately, their work, their friendships and relationships. Over time a tangible friendship grew and it was pleasant and satisfying reading. I got pretty invested in their seperate work lives and the struggles they were both facing there. The road to more with these two was a slow burn and not rushed; I appreciated that.
This story was a quick read, I read it in 24 hours and enjoyed giving it my sole attention. I'd definitely read this author again.
This book is a complete breath of fresh air! I loved it so much, I loved Jack & Rebecca, I loved Clive! It was very hard to put this down once I started reading it. This is the first book I've read by this author but I will definitely be checking out her other works! A beautiful story that warmed the cockles of my heart❤️
Thanks to NetGalley UK and Orion Publishing Group for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
This book tells the story of Rebecca and Jack, characters with entirely different lives that become neighbours. Throughout the book, the POV changes between them, and the reader can follow their lives, struggles, relationships with people surrounding them, careers, and reflections. It was refreshing to read this book because it felt like following two stories, two lines that slowly touch themselves here and then. At some point, these two lines intertwine to become one love story. The book is a slow-burn, close doors romance; as a reader, you can see them going to strangers, friendly neighbours to friends, and lovers. Despite not focusing much on the romance and more on the development of these two characters, their bonding, and friendship, I never felt that the narrative was slow. I think the change in POV kept the pace good, and the reader hooked up to the story. My only critique was that I got confused about who was narrating at a determined time, as I thought Rebecca and Jack sounded very similar.
A sweet romance story told in alternative pov, with characters that make me want to be their friend in real life and sometimes to even give them a real talk or a hug.
Both Jack and Rebecca have a lot on their plate and while trying to wave through their busy life, there’s a spark of what ifs between them from the moment they met. Even if the start is not exactly what you will think, the story takes us into a learning to know each other and ending into that fine line between friendship and feelings stronger than that. Now, Clive? That’s someone that I want just for myself.
A heartwarming romance that all fans of the genre will enjoy.
🆓📖Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
Sorry I Missed You was such a gorgeous read. The perfect romantic comedy: two unlikely matches, brilliant writing and a fabulous ending. I would highly recommend this book for your summer 2022 reading lists.
Jack is a wannabe actor and is struggling to make ends meet while working at a bar in between auditions. Rebecca is a hot shot suit wearing workaholic who is all about rising through the ranks. These two characters couldn’t be more opposite (quite literally too as Jack moves opposite Rebecca), and they don’t like each other at all! Jack thinks Rebecca is up herself and Rebecca thinks that Jack is a jerk… Clive (maybe my fave ever character) is an elderly gentleman who also lives in their building and befriends them both. Can Clive show them that they may have more in common than they think?
✨
I really enjoyed this. The dual POV was lovely and it was great to hear from both protagonists. This (in my opinion) is a very slow burn but the story is great. I was very intrigued by Jack’s character and his desperation for a good acting job. I felt for him every time something didn’t go his way. His character drew me in and I connected with him more than I did with Rebecca. If you loved The Flatshare, you’d love this! My only sadness is that we didn’t get to see more of what happened next!
Sorry I Missed you is a lovely heartwarming and feel good romance story which immediately draws you in from the start. Rebecca is a focused career woman and Jack is a struggling actor, who lives in the flat opposite. Both are focusing on their careers and are determined they do not want a meaningful relationship at the moment. It was lovely to see their slow burn romance develop, from those initial frosty exchanges to a lovely supportive friendship and latterly their interactions leading up to the romance. I liked that it is told from both of their point of view and therefore we get to understand more about them, their back history, their thoughts and what makes them tick. Their adorable neighbour, an elderly gentleman called Clive, also brought a nice element to the book and unwittingly drew the two characters together.
I enjoyed this author’s previous book The Paris Connection and this one is no exception. Sorry I missed you is a wonderful uplifting romance which is a delight to read and the perfect escapism for a cosy winter’s afternoon.
Thank you to the publisher for inviting me on the book tour and for the advanced copy of the book.
A cute will they won’t they book that many will enjoy. Rebecca and Jack are neighbours who don’t quite get off on the right foot.
Rebecca is a focused career woman. Working in marketing she seems to be able to do it all. Everyone around her tells her she has the upcoming promotion in the bag, but she’s not sure if she wants it. She’s still heartbroken after her relationship of sixteen years ended. Jack is a struggling actor who is waiting for his big break. His agent doesn’t do anything for him, his family are disappointed with his career choice, and he seems to be working 24/7 as a barman. I liked watching Rebecca and Jack’s relationship turn from frosty civility to a friendship.
Both were in difficult places in their lives and found that they could be completely honest with one another about situations they had never told anyone else. Their friendship felt very natural, which is very hard to pull off in a book. Told from both their points of view, it’s hard not to be cheering them on.
I adored Clive! Although I liked Jack and Rebecca, Clive just stole the show for me. Their helpful neighbour Clive is such a wonderful background character that brought a different element to the book. Now in his eighties, living on his own, Clive’s social interaction revolves around chatting to his neighbours. His bubbly and friendly nature hides his loneliness.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
This is a slow burn character driven romance following Rebecca and Jack and their comings and goings at Marlowe Court. Rebecca has been single for a couple of years and to the outside looks pretty stable in her job, whereas Jack is meandering trying to secure that acting roles he so desperately wants/needs, whilst working hours in a pub. The two characters meet when Rebecca takes a parcel in for Jack and things do not run smoothly! Told in alternating chapters we gain understanding of the characters, how they interact with each other and secondary characters- Clive (heart eyes) gosh I do love an older character and he was the best. The book also covers difficult childhoods / fractured family as well as grief and trauma, which I thought was very well written. If you prefer your romance less steamy and more about the characters then this one would definitely be worth picking up.
I really enjoyed this lovely book, following Jack and Rebecca’s friendship into a will they, won’t they story…….. Jack is a struggling actor who is living in a friends flat for six months, Rebecca lives in the flat opposite and is absolutely determined not to get into a meaningful relationship after her sixteen year relationship with Dan came to a sticky end….. I also love the supporting cast, particularly the loveable but lonely, Clive who lives in one of the flats downstairs. Enjoyable escapism.
This a totally, utterly, completely gorgeous and compelling read. Great characters, and the way in which they live their lives is interesting. Some more serious moments, some funny this has a great blend of events but overall is a feel good read, and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
Lentíssim les 200 primeres pàgines. Previsible i força cliché, però m'ha encantat! M'he enamorat dels dos personatges, i m'ha agradat que en realitat estiguin vivint la mateixa vida en paralel: mateixos dubtes, incerteses, sentiments. Tot i ser un llibre de romance, no ha sigut la trama principal i això m'ha agradat i desesperat a parts iguals. Hagués agraït una mica més de trama amorosa entre ells, etc. A la portada posa "the ultimate feel-good read" i no podria estar més d'acord! ❤️
I really enjoyed this book. It was super fast paced, with a focus on great character development and a later transition into a romance🫶🏻. I enjoyed the dual pov element and the realistic, believable plot-line!🧡
Read most of it a few months ago on a train journey but didn't finish it - finished it a few days ago. Probably would have enjoyed it more if I had finished it at the time
Sorry I Missed You is a lovely slow burn romance between Jack and Rebecca who live in neighbouring flats. Jack is a struggling actor, 10 years out of drama school whereas Rebecca is flying high in her marketing job and looking forward to promotion. When they first meet, they make negative assumptions about each other and it takes a while before the chemistry between them begins to take effect. This is quite a slow paced book told by Jack and Rebecca in alternate chapters and there is a lot about their working lives which I really enjoyed especially Jack’s struggles to find a decent acting role. The secondary characters are fun, especially Rebecca’s work colleagues and the elderly neighbour Clive who is lonely and worried that Jack will end up alone like him. I loved the way that the two characters fell into friendship and gradually began to realise that this could be something more. I think that the lack of confidence both of them felt about relationships is something that a lot of people will be able to relate to. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend. Thank to Net Galley and Orbit for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This wasn’t even really a romance? It was more about their respective careers? Also, it felt like there was no tension or chemistry built up between them, as well as being closed door, which is fine, but girl, if this is a romance then there needs to be some actual romance
The ending was highly unsatisfying & felt like it had just finished mid way through one of the chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Got about 1/4 of the way in and was bored. I feel it focused more on the individual lives of the characters. Going by the title I thought it would be a book of near missed romantic chances but it so far is minimal conversation with one another in the hallway lol.
Might try and read again at some stage but for now I am putting this down
I loved Lorraine’s debut last year so was really excited to get stuck into ‘Sorry I Missed You’ and it did not disappoint.
I really enjoyed the slow build between Jack and Rebecca, whilst they started off on the wrong foot, it was lovely to see their relationship blossom over time. The best thing was this all happened whilst they took the time to really grow and develop on their own.
My favourite part was their friends begging them to just talk to each other rather than just assume anything - something i regularly find myself shouting at books.
A very heartwarming and charming read!
Thank you NetGalley and Orion Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A story about neighbours Rebecca and Jack; Sorry I Missed you really missed the mark for me. The story was told through dual perspectives. Their individual stories were okay but their chemistry with each other fell flat. Their was no oomph, there was hardly any interaction and nothing really happened until the last quarter of the book. Both characters presumed a lot about each other without getting to know each other. Had the author focused more upon Rebecca and Jack's relationship rather than their individual lives, the book would have been much, much better. NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group provided ne with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sorry I Missed You is one of those wonderful feel good reads that you just can’t put down. I loved the dual narrative as we get to know more about Jack and Rebecca’s lives. Both such engaging characters, I was willing for their growing friendship to develop into something more. Clive their neighbour was a great additional character- feisty and independent I loved how he ‘interfered ‘ with their lives for ‘their own good’ A true romance, this is one story I’ll read again to get lost in the world with Jack and Rebecca.
I enjoyed it enough but the characters were a little flat and boring to me so I didn’t feel overly invested in the romance build up.the chemistry between the two also seemed non-existent. I liked the story as a whole and enjoyed the characters individually and maybe if some further character development and depth were added it’d have been more enjoyable but this just didn’t hit the mark for me.
I really enjoyed this book and read it quickly in one sitting. It was well written with an engaging storyline and well developed characters. It was a quick, easy and uplifting read that I couldn't put down.