How did a book about a man standing up 3 women on valentines day make me cry?! For sure my favorite Beth O'Leary novel. Obsessed. In love.

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary is her best book yet. Three women are all stood up for dates on Valentine's Day and unfortunately, they've all been stood up by the same guy. The three women couldn't be more different except for Joseph. We learn more about these women through each of their perspectives and find out how they all ended up tangled together in this situation.
I cannot remember the last time that a book made me feel so many feelings. This was such a beautiful story that absolutely wrecked me.

I'm a Beth O'Leary fan but The No Show isn't my fave by this author. I did figure out the plot twist by the end.

I wish I would've known this wasn't a rom-com book (though it was marketed as such) when I started I think I would've liked it a lot more had I known that.

When Joseph Carter stands three women up on Valentine's Day they're left to figure out just who Joseph really is. I think the three women: Siobhan, the morning date & on again off again hookup, Miranda his constant lunch appointment and the one who might be his girlfriend; and Jane, the one dinner date and friend whom Joseph promised he'd be her fake boyfriend for. Over the course of the year, each of his dates unpacks who Joseph Carter really is, as they try to make the decision if Joseph is the one for them.

I love Beth O'Leary - her books are always amazing and this one is no exception. The No Show is a bit of a tone shift for her though - it's a romance with a mystery baked into it. I don't want to spoil the twist, but this one is really worth the read! Three women get stood up on Valentines Day - all by the same man. All three of the women were strong and fascinating characters in their own right - you can't help but root for them to each get their own happy ending.

I requested this book without reading the blurb because I know what an amazing writer O'Leary is, but then I hesitated because I was afraid this was going to be a heart-wrenching tale of a man having to choose between multiple women and I just wasn't sure I was ready for that. But then I allowed someone to gently spoil it for me and I'm so glad that they did because I was able to go into this book trusting that O'Leary would deliver her usual fare of brilliance. And she did.

Just a beautifully, and creatively written story of a man making mistakes but finally finding his way. I think this would make an excellent movie one day!

This book was absolutely captivating! I cannot write too much without this review being super spoilery, but I was so invested in the different point of views of these three very different woman. This book was like putting together a puzzle and I loved it. It felt like a mystery and a romance and a memoir all wrapped up in one. It was just so clever. I read this book on a plane and felt like it was the perfect travel read. I can definitely see this flying off the airport bookshelves, pun totally intended. Can't wait to O'Leary's latest out in the world! She has truly written such a creative and captivating novel that brings many, many questions to the reader's mind and then answers them so slowly it is painful.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into The No-Show completely blind and spent the majority of the book wondering what the heck was going on because Joesph was a tool and I had no idea how this could possibly end with a semi-happy ending. When the big reveal happens at around 85-90% I just didn't care, I liked Miranda, Jane and Siobhan but despised Joseph.

That twist just didn't work for me but I will admit that the writing was superb throughout and I never would have guessed the twist on my own. If the reveal had come sooner and built up the relationship between the two characters more I would have found the ending more satisfying.

Siobhan Kelly, Miranda Rosso, and Jane Miller all become involved with a seemingly great guy, but it turns out that all three are involved with the same guy. Joseph Carter is a no-show for Valentine’s dates (at different times of the day) with all three of them, and it appears he’s not the kind of man they thought he was. His behavior is sometimes erratic and none of them feel like they really know him. But then again, he is just the kind of man they’ve each been searching for. How is it possible that all his lovable qualities can co-exist with such caddish behavior? The answer to that question is gradually and cleverly revealed by O’Leary, and I was delighted with the twists the story took.

“The No-Show” is one of the best rom-coms I’ve read in a long time. The believability of the plot is a big factor in whether I like a rom-com or not, and that is something O’Leary excels at. And what reader can resist a story when the characters reveal that books are their happy place! Highly recommended.

My review was posted on Goodreads on 5/31/22

This is a surprising book. It's tone is more similar to The Flatshare (still my favourite) and I was glad for it. Joseph is such an enigma ( Is he dating all three? Which one is really his girlfriend? Why is he always so out of it?) until you get to the part where the true connection between the three women becomes clear. Jane's secrets and fears are so visceral. Then there's additional connections between Siobhan and Jane. I loved Miranda and AJ. It was frustrating at times to not have the missing pieces of the puzzle. You really do need to stick with this one right until the end. This was a return of the blend of humour, tenderness and drama that I loved about The Flatshare. I can't wait for more.

Having loved O'Leary's first two books, The Flatshare and The Switch, I was so excited to read The No-Show. However, after reading 50% of the book, I cannot compel myself to continue. This book just isn't pulling me in and I am not finding the characters compelling enough to stay with. :( I do plan to try again in the future, but for now, this is just bringing me down.

This was not my favorite from Beth O'Leary. I have really enjoyed her books in the past, but I felt the pacing/payoff with this one just wasn't there.

Wow. This was not at all what I was expecting.

I was hesitant to read this one because I am just not a fan of cheating. The description of this story made me think I wouldn't like it.

However, Beth O'Leary has never disappointed me so I persevered.

I am oh so glad I did! This was a delight. The story was unique, and so thoughtfully planned. You can really tell that the author took her time weaving this word magic!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the egalley of this one! I consumed it!

Loved this book! After a ten hour flight to Ireland, I stayed up late to finish it. That's how good it is. The plot kept me guessing the whole time.

Ugh, this is such a hard book to review. Mainly because all I want to do is word vomit, but I caaaaaaaaaan’t because the whole point is to not spoil all of the things.

The story here is about three women (Jane, Miranda, and Siobhan) who each find themselves stood up (on Valentine’s Day, no less!) by Joseph. The remainder of the book is the story of each character’s respective goings on. What I thought was sure to be a rom com of epic proportions ended up being a story with a lot more heart than I ever anticipated.

Like many other readers, I found myself pretty disappointed with O’Leary’s last offering The Road Trip. It’s so great to see an immediate redemption arc. The No Show gets back to what makes this author’s stuff so great. Likeable characters, good pacing, humor, the aforementioned heart, a little chick lit, a little love, etc. This may not work for everyone and if you are a DNFer I hold absolutely zero judgment if you decide to throw in the towel, because in all honesty I wasn’t feeling it myself for a bit. But if you stick with this one you may end up like me when you realize there's more than meets the eye.

ARC provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet love story that went places I really wasn't expecting. I liked the three narrators and how their lives tangled up in that of Joseph Carter. Full of tender feelings, a few laughs, and what it means to love someone. This is my second Beth O'Leary book and I will likely be seeking out more.

QOTD: Do you post reviews for all of the books you read?
I try to! The more time that lapses between the time I read the book and when I post the review, though, makes it much harder to post a meaningful one 😆

BOOK REVIEW:
The No-Show, @betholearyauthor
@berkleypub
Pub date: April 12, 2022


I love Beth O’Leary, and this book didn’t change that, but it didn’t bring the magic for me that The Switch or The Flatshare did.

I do appreciate that O’Leary is always taking risks in her storytelling, and this wasn’t any different. How can a reader be satisfied with a romance story in which the same man stands up three different women? Somehow it works in the end, though. I do think the number of POVs made keeping the characters straight a little tough, though and prevented me from really rooting for any of them in their relationship.

My favorite thing about Beth’s writing is her humor, and that comes through so well in the dialogue especially. I have and will continue to read ALL of what @betholearyauthor puts into the world. It just makes me feel good, even when it sort of makes me feel bad? Iykyk 😆

Thanks @netgalley and @berkleypub for my gifted e-book.

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Oooooh y’all. This one was GOOD. I don’t want to give anything away and think it’s best to go into it blind. So I’ll just keep it brief. Three very different women are all stood up. On Valentine’s Day. By the same guy. At first I was perplexed at how this story could possibly have a happy ending, but wow did Beth O’Leary DELIVER. Through her crafty and creative writing I was constantly engaged in this story. Give this one a go if you like multiple POV, can’t put down, British romances!

@betholearyauthor is an auto-buy author for me. My absolute fave of hers is The Flatshare- check that one out too! But this is now a very close second if not tie. Thank you so much to @berkleyromance for my copy of this one!

**2.5-stars rounded up**

Siobhan, a no-nonsense life coach. Miranda, a tough as nails arborist. Jane, an insecure charity shop worker with a traumatic professional history. Three very different women with one very important thing in common: a man named Joseph Carter, who happens to stand them all up on Valentine's Day.

Alternating between the various perspectives, the Reader gets a front row seat to Joseph Carter's varied, dramatic and plentiful love life.

The No-Show is my first novel by Beth O'Leary. I was so excited to pick this one up, as there seems to be a lot of hype and love surrounding this author. Y'all, I'm sure all of that is more than valid, but it took me just under a month to finish this. I was so relieved when it was over. This was a solid 2-star book for me up until about the 70% point when it started to come around.

However, for the majority I was bored out of my skull.

Even though this may seem harsh, it's honestly how I felt. While I was reading it, it was okay. I was just waiting and waiting for something significant to happen. The problem would begin after I would set it down. I had zero desire to pick it back up again. In fact, it began to feel like a chore to do so.

I expected this to be funny, maybe a little swoony, possibly a little steamy. It was none of those things. I don't mind if a Romance has a more serious tone, but a boring tone is not something I am looking for. With this being said, it is clear from the reviews that many, many Readers have loved this one, so don't take my word for it! If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, please pick it up and give it a shot. You may find an all new favorite here. As for me, I am happy I read it, but even happier to be moving on.

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley Romance, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity to provide my feedback.

CWs: Self Harm, Miscarriage, Death

O’Leary does it again with this novel. What I thought would be a typical romance turned into a heartbreaking tale of Joseph Carter, and how three young women’s lives intertwine with his.

This novel follows the story of three different women: Siobhan, Jane, and Miranda, as they deal with being stood up on Valentine’s Day by Joseph Carter. Each of these women have incredibly different stories, and we see how their past affects them in their current relationships. Although focused on the three women, we also get to know Carter and his different personalities with each of the women. I went through most of this book believing Carter was a jerk who doesn’t know what he wants. As the story progresses, especially in the last 25% of the novel, Carter’s story is revealed to be heartbreaking and painful.

For any fans of O’Leary, this book is an incredible addition to her repertoire. It takes grief to a whole new level, and digs into the deepest part of your soul. Filled with twists and turns that nobody will see coming, this is one of my favorite 2022 reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5