The Man I Never Met was a very pleasant surprise. We have Hannah, who has her life in London and who one day receives a call from an unknown number. What starts as a clear mistake ends up becoming a friendship between Hannah and Davey, the American guy who called her. But just when they are about to meet, and when they have realized what they feel is something more than just a friendship, Davey does not appear. And there it begins a whole journey between them.
I honestly this book would be more light and fund. And it was at certain moments. Then everything change and it began to feel deeper and more heartbreaking. However, that doesn’t mean it was bad. On the contrary, it is a lovely story about fate, love and about taking chances and risks.
I really liked Hannah and his friends (I loved Joan), and I liked Davey most of the times (there were moments who I wasn’t OK with what he was doing, but I get it is part of the story). I never liked George, though.
Overall, it is a very nice story not only about love but also about friendship, life and dreams and I quite enjoyed reading it. However, for me, there was something missing, I cannot pinpoint what but I was just expecting something more. I do recommend it anyway and I am now curious about the author’s previous work.

This book was a cute little fun read. I devoured it in 2 days. Loved the writing and especially loved the ending.

A cute but heartwrenching story of two strangers who become acquainted due to a misdialled phone call.
Hannah is a twenty-something woman living in London, drifting through her life.
Until she answers a call from an unknown international number.
Davey. A twenty-something Texan who is making some change in his life.
The title should have given away that it was going to break my heart, but I got lulled into a false sense of security, loving reading the story, watching a relationship develop. Then BAM.
However my heart was rebuilt again and I scrolled faster and faster as I got to the end.

This book was heartbreaking at times, but also gave me the warm fuzzies of a good romance. I really enjoyed reading it and did not want to put it down at times.

Very much enjoyed this novel, although I could tell it was the author's first foray into contemporary romance. Some things needed to be fleshed out a bit more (George's "one" ask of Hannah was only mentioned one time early on, but was the source of his frustration in their relationship). The ending seemed a bit rushed, and I would have loved to have had Davey's POV earlier on so we could see how his thoughts and feelings progressed before he got his diagnosis. I will happily read the next romance Cook writes.

Wow! I really loved this one! Even more so after I read the Author’s Note. Thank you for putting this book out there…not only to entertain, but to raise awareness!

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘦𝘵 is a heartfelt and poignant story about an accidental phone call across oceans following two very different lives which nonetheless seem to merge.

- ~ -

Honestly I went into this absolutely dreading the ending, British books don't exactly uphold a reputation for giving happy endings.

I, however, thoroughly enjoyed myself.

It started off on a great note with the main characters getting to know each and other classic English humor was at play and it was fun while it lasted.

The story took a turn at the thirty-ish percent mark and well, while it morphed into a tragic and life changing experience, it was dealt with in a very genuine manner.
The characters - Hannah and Davey tried to move on with other people and at no point did they mourn each other even though they were always on the other's mind.
So yeah, genuine. The author gave them space to move on and live freely but at the end they chose to go back to each other (I've somehow simplified it to grade 1 level because in reality it was a lot more dramatic and messier) and I respect that.

Lastly, I'm just glad the author didn't pull the usual move most British stories tend to have: girl meet boy, they connect but it doesn't work out for some reason, they disconnect. One of them realises they made a mistake and goes back to grovel only to find that other has moved on. The other in question later goes back to grovel only to find that the now they've moved on. This keeps repeating endlessly but somehow they manage to win each other back. Exhausting. Yeah, I'm so glad this was not the case here.

- ~ -

3.87 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

***This review has spoilers!!!!!***

I’m kind of writing my review/thoughts while I’m reading, so it’s still fresh in my mind vs. the “I forgot everything, but I loved it” review.

Hannah, 27 and lives in London, England. When she receives a call from an unknown international number. This is where it starts. She meets Davey, 29 from Austin, Texas on the other end.

Throughout the winter months they keep texting, talking and then video chatting with each other. They like each other and can’t wait for Davey to move to London on January 10th. Hannah promises she will pick him up from the airport…

I think my heart started breaking around the 28% mark.
No, I take that back. At 33% my heart broke.
Hannah is in a daze and seems depressed at what is happening with Davey. And when he ends things, she completely shuts down inside.
When her booked vacation to Thailand with George (a friend who works as a personal trainer at her gym) is close, she doesn’t want to go. But leave it to George to take her with him, kicking and screaming.
Things change during these next 10 days.

We follow Hannah (and Davey too in some months) throughout the year by reading monthly updates.

Hannah was just going with the flow. She and George were dating, but it seemed lackluster, she was trying to make it work, but Davey always stayed in the back of her mind.

The breakup could be seen a mile ahead. To be honest George didn’t try to make an effort and blaming her was wrong.

Reading about Davey struggling with his chemo, also going with the flow, made me realize that that spark both he and Hannah had with each other was missing.

I am glad that Hannah and Davey, even after the surprise “seeing” went on their own path for a while. Trying to figure out their own personalities and having a blast while single seemed to fit both of them.

Gah!! The last 10% I was sitting on the edge of my seat!! To quote Hannah “I love it when love finds love.”

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sometimes it’s nice to read a feel good book that also has a great message in it. Elle Cook did just that. In this wonderful story Hannah is perfectly content with her life. She has a job she’s good at, best friends she can rely on, and a flat that she adores. One night she receives two phone calls from an American who dials her number mistakenly and it starts a relationship that neither one of them anticipated. When it finally comes time for Davey to come to London so they can finally meet in person he’s not on the plane. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’ll just say that what happens next is both heartbreaking for the characters, being kept apart due to circumstances out of their control and the fear of being a burden.

Cook did a wonderful job with showing what someone goes through with a serious illness and I can would hope the readers uses the information to help raise aware to hopefully save someone’s life. This is Cooks first time writing in this genre and I look forward to reading many more by her.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook is an emotional and lovely romance between two people who meet because of a wrong number. It’s not a light romance, but a deeply emotional story about the power of love.

Story Recap:
Hannah is happy, living in London when she takes a phone call from a stranger, who accidentally dialed her phone. Davey, an American who lives in Austin, Texas was calling for a job interview in London, and accidentally calls Hannah. This chance encounter turns into a few texts between Hannah and Davey, and in the next few weeks, the texts eventually turn into phone calls and video calls.

When Davey finally flies to London for his new job, Hannah is very excited to finally meet him in person. They have fallen for each other over texts, and phone calls and they have plans for Hannah to show him around London. When Davey’s plane lands, and he doesn’t get off the plane, Hannah is confused and devastated. What caused Davey to stay in Austin? Will he ever move to England? Will Hannah and Davey ever get a chance to meet in person?

My Thoughts:
The first part of this book is swoony and fun. I loved watching Hannah and Davey fall in love over texts, emails, and phone calls. They were so different, and yet they found so many things in common, and they share a delightful sense of humor too. They seem to be meant for each other.

Then came the middle of the book and it was so emotional and downright sad. I was still rooting for Davey and Hannah but it seems impossible that they can ever get together. The author wrote such a heartbreaking story, and yet I never gave up hope. It’s a true emotional roller coaster of a book. I was happy, smiling, laughing, sad, crying, and surprised. I loved these characters and their story.


Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Man I Never Met to anyone who enjoys fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis: When Hannah takes a call from an unknown number, it turns out to be Texas resident Davey who misdialed her when trying to get in touch with a UK company. The two form a long distance friendship and after a month of texts and FaceTimes, finally have plans to meet in person. However, as Hannah waits for Davey at the airport, she notices he never got off the plane he was expected to be on.

Thoughts: Like all British romances, this book does not only make you feel but also makes you think about how a random moment can change the course of your entire life. Hannah was a lovable and relatable main character while Davey brought a lot of hope to the story. I would have loved a bit more of the two at the end and a little less time with one unlikeable character but it’s still a beautiful read. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration.

Read if you like:
-Love at first text
-Long distance relationships
-Stories about fate and timing
-Emotional romances
-Amazing best friends

Thank you Random House for the ARC!

4 stars! Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is such a good story! I really enjoyed the characters. It was really nice to see the friendship and relationship form between Hannah and Davey. Nothing felt forced or contrived and it was very refreshing.

Hannah has such great character growth and it’s nice to see her actually doing something for herself instead of doing things for others. You can tell how much she truly cares for her neighbor and her friends!

I even enjoyed the parts that’s ere related to her vacation. I just wish we didn’t see as much of George and saw more of Hannah and Davey together. I understand Hannah and George getting together was a part of the plot and showing that Hannah can move on but I feel like those chapters could have been shortened.

Every scene with Hannah and Davey was so sweet! My heart hurt reading about Davey’s news but I liked how supportive and encouraging Hannah was❤️ she was really strong showing how she could be happy without Davey.

The storyline did feel a little repetitive at times but still this was a cute story!

4.25 heart-filled stars

In this delightful tale of a misdialed phone number, we meet two young people in different parts of the world. Hannah works in marketing in London and Davey is an American interviewing for an architecture job in London. However, he dialed Hannah by mistake for the interview.

As Hannah and Davey start a text conversation, it leads to more as Hannah fills him in on the London scene and they get to know each other as well as you can over the phone. At this point in the story, I thought I was just in for a sweet romance and then I remembered the title. You can maybe guess what happens next in the story. Hannah arrives at the airport to greet Davey and he’s a no-show.

I won’t divulge why he’s not there, but the book goes in a different direction and my heart was broken that the two might never meet.

I really enjoyed the characters in this one, they seemed genuine, and I rooted for Hannah and Davey in different ways. I loved the friendships that Hannah and Davey both had – I think that’s an element often missing from books. There’s a scene in a poppy field that was my favorite, and it was worth the wait.

I gave a contented sigh and smile as I closed this one, my heart full!

I went into this one without reading anything about it, in this case, that worked out marvelously! The author’s notes at the end were terrific, don’t miss them.

Loved this one!

It was a quick read. I was captivated by Davey and Hannah. Un unlikely love story, an original idea for a book. Misdial turned cross continental love story.

💗 THIS STORY GAVE ME ALL THE FEELS!! 💗

Is it possible to love someone you have never met?

When Hannah answers a call from an unknown number, she has no idea that the call will forever change her life.
You can say it was fate, or call it serendipity….

Davey has misdialed and reached her, instead of the person he was trying to reach for a phone interview. She never imagines after wishing him luck, that she would ever hear from him again. But, he decides to text her, to let her know that he got the job, and would be moving to London, which is where she happens to reside.

In the days leading up to the move, they develop a friendship that starts with texts, moves on the phone calls, and finally video chats. They can’t wait to meet in person and Hannah is anxiously waiting at the airport, to pick him up!

The plane arrives-but Davey isn’t on it-and there has been no communication to explain why.

I was immediately drawn into this story, which checked all the boxes for me!

The story unfolds primarily through the first person POV of Hannah, with an occasional chapter from the first person POV of Davey-so he can explain his side of things!

Both were likable, and their engaging conversations with each other felt authentic. Also a bonus, was a great supporting cast of friends and family.

But, then the book took a SERIOUS turn.

I cried at 68%.

And, at 71% there were the kind of red flags 🚩 which make you feel anxious.

The BEST romances make you want to scream at the characters to let their feelings be known before it’s too late!
(I may have yelled at my Kindle a few times!)

But, remember-when I said you can say it was fate-or you can call it serendipity?!
(Tearing up again by the end of the book-but happy tears this time!)

💗 Yep-all the feels!! 💗

This may be the debut ROMANCE novel for Elle Cook but you may have read her Historical Fiction written under her real name, Veronica Cook.

She says a second romance is on the way-and I can’t wait to read it!

PLEASE read the very personal acknowledgement pages at the end of the book-especially if there are men in your life that you love-grandfather, father, husband, or son! TRIGGER WARNING: Cancer

This title will be available on November 22, 2023.

Thank You to the publisher for the invitation to read an early gifted copy-provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

The Man I’ve Never Met by Elle Cook

A British romance to add to the bookshelves. This book is adorably sweet and the longing is perfection.

The thing I love most about British romance is the character growth. The Man I Never Met does it so well!

Hannah is your typical 20 year in a job that gets her by. She excels at it but her heart is just not in it. She hasn’t had great luck in the love department but she has got some great friends, a lovely neighbor, and supportive parents. I loved watching her grow and take control of her life.

The romance is sweet and has a second chance trope about it. I thought it was very unique in how it was portrayed.

My only problem is the ending. It felt rushed and I just needed a little bit more.

Content: explicit language, heavy topics, minimal open door romance, body shaming

Is it possible for one misdailed phone call to change your entire life? Hannah, in London, answers a call from Davey, in the US and his mistaken call sets her life on a different course. Davey was trying to call a potential employer in London. After getting the job, he and Hannah begin connecting over the phone. Can you fall in love over the phone when you have never actually met the person? Hannah and Davey spend the month before he relocates to London, getting to know each other. Hannah finds herself waiting for his calls and counting down the days till she can meet him in person. When Hannah goes to meet Davey at the airport, he never gets off the plane. After days of no communication from him, she learns that he isn't coming. What does this mean for their "relationship"? This book is told from the point of view of Hannah and Davey. I liked gettng insight into what is happening in both their lives. Will Hannah and Davey ever meet or have they both moved on?
This is a cute romance. A little bit of a Sleepless in Seattle feel to it. Easy to read with likable characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Publishing for the ARC of this book.

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this e arc of The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook.

This is a romcom & contemporary fiction - drama novel. 4.5*.

Synopsis: " Is it possible to love someone you've never met? A young woman finds out in this sweeping will-they-or-won't-they love story that begins with a chance wrong number dial. . . ."

As I read this one I had those feeling you get when you want to date and are looking for a companion or spouse... those early what if feelings. I always think the writing is good if I can feel it and I did.

I loved this up and down story. It is not just a cute romcom it is half contemporary romance and had heartfelt adult fiction and heavy at times. "But when Hannah goes to meet him at the airport, Davey isn't there--and the reason why changes both of their lives in an instant. "

"Though their chance at love seems lost forever, neither is never far from the other's thoughts. Will fate intervene once more to bring the two together, or will Davey always be the man that Hannah never met?"

I was glad to read this one. I recommend.

When Hannah gets a call from an unknown number, an American man trying to call an employer for a job interview, she never expected that he’d reach out again and they’d become long distance friends. Texting, phone calls, video calls all leading up to the day he starts his new job in London when they’ll meet at the airport. When Davey doesn’t show at the airport, Hannah is crushed and confused when days go by and nothing. When she finally does hear from Davey, their relationship changes.

I’m a big sucker for a cheesey romance book, and this delivered. I enjoyed every aspect and the story kept me turning the pages. It’s your typical rom com with some deeper discussions trickled in. There’s a trigger warning, but it totally gives away the book if I tell you so if you’re easily triggered, maybe google a bit.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell publishing for this eArc. The Man I Never Met comes out 11/22!

This book started out fun and flirty, and then turned into something a bit dark and triggering. I thought it would be a fun and lighthearted read, but it wasnt. I did not finish this title. I think some people would like it, but it was not for me.