Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for a gifted ARC of THE MAN I NEVER MET. I was immediately drawn to this title due to the cover and description. I thought it was a very cute premise and had very relatable and lovable characters. There was great dialogue throughout the book. I definitely recommended for a quick and fun romantic comedy!

This one wasn’t for me. The pacing was weird and the characters frustrated me but this all feels like more of a ME problem than a problem with the book

This is a bittersweet novel that explores the power of missed connections and the unpredictable nature of fate. Through the story of Hannah and Davey, the book delves into themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The narrative begins with Hannah's casual interaction with Davey, an American who mistakenly calls her during a job interview. Their subsequent conversations evolve into a friendship that blossoms into a long-distance relationship. However, when Davey fails to show up at the airport upon his arrival in London, their lives take an unexpected turn. The ensuing uncertainties and challenges force both Hannah and Davey to try and move on from each other.

Elle Cook adeptly portrays the emotional impact of missed connections and the lingering presence of lost opportunities. The characters' thoughts and reflections serve as a reminder of the enduring connection they share, even in the face of separation. The author's exploration of their individual journeys toward acceptance and growth adds depth to the story, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.

The writing style in "The Man I Never Met" is heartfelt and introspective, capturing the emotional nuances of love, loss, and longing. Cook delves into the characters' thoughts and emotions, evoking empathy from readers who have experienced similar situations. The story progresses at a steady pace, balancing the inner turmoil of the characters with the anticipation of potential reunions.

However, while the book effectively delves into the emotional complexities of the characters, it occasionally lacks a certain depth that could have heightened the impact of the story. The plot development feels predictable at times, and certain conflicts and resolutions could have been further explored to add layers of complexity and surprise. Additionally, the supporting characters could have been more fully developed, as they play important roles in the lives of Hannah and Davey.

Though a bit slow, The Man I Never Met was a cute read overall. I found it challenging for me to connect with the characters and basic premise of the plot, but the story was entertaining enough. This book is a great light summer read!

I didn't *not* enjoy reading this book, and I think the premise is great, but it took me over two months to read it which is really long for me. Something wasn't working but I can't pinpoint what it was.

Thanks for the review copy. This was a lovely romantic story. I found it was more than just a romantic comedy which made it even more enticing. I’m sure others will love it.

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
How do relationships usually unfold? What expectations develop from the first connection to meeting and doing life together? This is a delightful and provocative look at hits and missions, what we imagine about friendship and love - and ways we may be sidetracked or sidelined by events beyond our control.

I found this novel full of surprises. I kept turning the page until the last paragraph. I think you will, too.

A good beach read or story to take on an airplane, as long as you have long layovers and your flights aren't too short.

The concept for this book was incredibly interesting to me. Two people accidentally (or not so accidentally) coming into each other’s life and finding that they have a place there? I’m listening.

I really liked that later in the story the book switches from single POV to dual POV. It helped me, as a reader, understand a larger picture than what was initially present from Hannah’s perspective only.

I loved that the characters tried other routes in life, because this seemed like a realistic approach. The coincidences toward the end of the book were a bit much but I was too invested to be bothered.

The only thing I wish had been different was that I wanted more of the book with Hannah and Davey together. I didn’t mind that there was separation because it was such a significant part of the plot, but after rooting for them the entirety of the story it just would’ve been great to get more glimpses into their life together.

I really enjoyed this book! When a phone call goes to someone other than intended, two people begin a friendship that turns into so much more. I loved the story, the ebbs and flows, and the characters as well. The romance, long distance, and friendships within this novel are so well portrayed and brought me right into the world of Davey & Hannah!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. I loved this book so much. It elicited all the emotions and I was so engrossed in the story. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time!

4 stars!

Not only was this a romcom, but I enjoyed how it delved into deeper topics. It honestly reminded me of a Beth O'Leary book which was great because I love Beth O'Leary. Hannah and Davey were both so wonderful. It is important to note that because of the deeper topics this book did get a little sad and heavy at times, which should be noted.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was BEYOND good. I had low expectations simply due to my personal bias of not loving romances, but I couldn't believe how much I loved this. The characters were well-developed, albeit frustrating, and the story was heartbreaking in the best way. I've never rooted for a fictional couple as much as I rooted for Hannah and Davey.

Being from Texas and currently planning a trip to London, I felt endeared to both characters for different reasons. The struggles they experienced were unimaginable but I loved that true love persevered in the end. What I would give for a sequel to discover how their relationship fully blossoms and how they integrate into each other's lives. You can tell that the author loved these characters and that they have so much life left to live and story to tell!

Hannah receives a call from an unknown number and answers after the third time the caller realizes that he has the number down wrong. However, Hannah and Davey end up chatting. Hannah is in London and Davey in Austin, TX. Davey is planning on taking a job in London and Hannah is going to meet him at the airport. On the day he’s set to arrive Davey doesn’t show.

I enjoyed the storytelling of the book and all that happened. Some of it was predictable, but it was a nice little getaway.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copu

Absolutely adored this. We’ll developed characters and a legitimate sense of suspense despite knowing there would be a happy ending.

I absolutely LOVED this book! A beautifully written story of love, loss, hope & survival. Was the wrong number fate… or simply a wrong number? Are Hannah & Davey destined to be together or will their lives go different directions?
A strong relatable cast of characters with a unique storyline made this one hard to put down. I highly recommend this one for anyone that enjoys a love story with all the feels!
Thank you to #NetGalley, #TheManINeverMet, Elle Cook & 2023 Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Good lords am I glad I waited to read this one! If you're a mood reader like I am, you need to be in a certain place before you tackle this. It hits you with all the feels.

This is a beautiful, romantic, heartbreaking story. I laughed, I cried, I audibly *gasped*, I shouted all manner of expletives during the last 10%. It's a rollercoaster.

It's one of those stories that you immediately fall into and are along for the ride. I loved seeing Hannah's journey, even if I wanted to shake some sense into her at times. I had a moment of panic when we first saw Davey's PoV -- is this taking a <i>Gone Girl</i> turn? -- but what I originally thought was unnecessary ended up being really helpful and sweet.

I want a neighbor like Joan. She's a riot!

If you're looking for a book that will tear you apart AND put you back together, I highly recommend this one.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

This was sweet. The story was laid out really well though George was terrible and I really disliked him. Hannah and Davey had chemistry. A lot of the missed chances were honestly too much/too many. I liked the symmetry in the book though.

The beginning was a little cheesy in an over the top cute way, but it was making me smile the whole time. Once the story took a twist, I was thinking to myself there was no way this would ever happen in real life. I won't give any spoilers, but just know that the author's notes will hit you hard and might even make you emotional.

I ended up staying up until midnight binge reading this book🫢 I could not stop reading and I just had to know what was going to happen next! After I finished reading, and read the author's notes at the end... it made me love the story even more!

This is definitely an underrated romance book that I haven't really seen anyone talk about. I highly recommend picking it up, because this book needs to be read and shared! I also need a movie adaption soon, because this would be AMAZING on screen!

This book was an absolute delight. The combo of fun, charm, and steam paired with characters I'd want to hang out with made this the perfect summer read.

4.5 stars.

This was a good book. That sounds basic, but truly it was just good. And I mean that in the best way. I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the slow burn and the sweet way these two characters got to know each other. I loved their silliness and sweetness. The conflict is real and frustrating. I loved the supporting cast (except George 🙄) and would love to know more about Grant! Davey’s attitude drove me crazy at times, but given the circumstances, who am I to judge. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review.