What an amazing debut novel from Holly Brunnbauer. What Did I Miss? follows Makayla, a recently divorced teacher, and Beau, the new teacher at Makayla's school. Fresh off her divorce Makayla and her best friend Cece create a list of things she wants to do before turning 30, due to missing them in her 20's after marrying her high school sweetheart straight out of high school. When she first meets Beau, she is attempting to tick an item off her list. After a glorious night together, the last thing she expects is to find out is that he is the new teacher at the school where she works. This book is honestly so heartwarming and funny, the perfect mix for a rom-com. The friendships in this in this book are absolutely beautiful. I enjoyed how Makayla started to face her fears rather than bottle them until she exploded. I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel from Holly Brunnbauer and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

When it comes to literature I am no patriot. Total opposite, to be honest. Australian author? Non per me. The same holds true for sport, actually. Anyway. I clearly need to reassess my stance, because @hollybrunnbaer has just joined Emma Mugglestone and Emme Goode on my list of ‘Aussie Authors I’m Obsessed With’.

I was snort-laughing and hooked on “What Did I Miss?” from the first page. Putting it down in order to be productive was problematic. And you guys: we’re talking about an essentially closed door romance here. I don’t believe the word 🐓 or 🐱 was used a single time? AND I LAPPED THIS SHIT UP V. ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

Holly manages to romanticize the mundanity of everyday life (indeed, that of a teacher 🙋🏼‍♀️)
with astute yet sympathetic insight and impeccable humour.

I would literally DIE for Beau Shepherd. I am as down bad for him as he is for Makayla. No notes on that man. Not one.

The writing is vibrant, fun, fresh and sharp, the story is swoony and hilarious, full of heart. The characters are feisty and lovable AF. Important, poignant topics are incorporated and handled with finesse.

Allegedly… this is a debut.

For anyone who’s ever had regrets, who needs a laugh or to add another book boyfriend to your stable - you’re gonna wanna read this.

Thanks @netgalley and @harpercollins for this ARC - I bloody LOVED it and have already pre-ordered my shelf trophy (also: have a go at that cover!!).

More, Harper Collins, give us more Holly!!

This one had me hooked quicker than I thought!
The story was funny, hopeful and so much like what grief can feel like, it surprised me in the best way!!
Going through something alone can make you feel like you're on an island and that no one could ever understand. The story showed this so well and was done beautifully.
It felt real how Makayla went from wanting no one around her to telling people and then seeking help, it was like I was watching a friend go through it.
While this story had me in tears, it also had me laughing and smiling 🥹💖

If you’re looking for a nice wholesome love story, then I’d recommend this one!

Makayla has recently gone through a divorce and is trying to do the things she didn’t get to do as she married her high school sweetheart. And then Beau comes and throws a spanner in the works.

As a former teacher who went through a divorce while teaching, this felt like a story that hit close to home. The sadness and trying to push through to care for students (minus the colleague love story, that didn’t happen to me).

Watching Makayla grow is beautiful and I loved every second of it!

Makayla is 29, newly divorced from her high school sweetheart, and staring down the big 3-0 with a “No Regrets” list in hand. Determined to reclaim the wild twenties she never had, she kicks things off at the bar… only to discover the next morning that Beau, the charming stranger she met, is the new teacher at her school. Cue awkward staff meetings, car-club drama, revenge plans gone sideways, and an undeniable pull she can’t quite ignore.

This debut rom-com is equal parts funny and heartfelt. Brunnbauer’s sharp, self-aware humour had me cackling, and the school setting, with its staffroom politics, eccentric colleagues, and standout side characters like Agnes and Cece, added so much personality. Beau is refreshingly likeable, the kind of MMC you root for from the start, and even Gertie the vintage car manages to steal a few scenes.

Makayla is messy, frustrating, and often her own worst enemy, but there’s something deeply relatable in watching her stumble toward self-awareness. Her emotional push-pull with Beau doesn’t always land, and at times I wanted more depth to their connection and to his backstory. Still, her growth over the course of the story won me over.

A quick note: there’s a subplot involving miscarriage, written with care but unflagged in the blurb, so be mindful going in.

If you love rom-coms with a strong sense of place, a cast of side characters you wish you could grab a drink with, and just enough emotional heft to keep things grounded, What Did I Miss? is a lively, charming debut. I can absolutely picture it as a feel-good Aussie rom-com on the big screen.

What Did I Miss? By Holly Brunnbauer.

Makayla is newly divorced and is absolutely determined to be her own self especially when the big 3-0 is coming. But when a one nights stand turns up the next day at a staff meeting things become even more interesting for her.

Makayla has made a list of things to do before her thirtieth birthday and I loved going on the journey with her while she ticked them off her list.

I loved all the main characters and even the side characters in this book. Beau, what a heart-throb. I found myself laughing out loud a lot during this book and also feeling the emotions on some serious topics that the story faces. I could definitely see this rom-com being made in to a movie. This was a well written debut novel.

Trigger warning: miscarriage.

Thank you Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for the gifted copy for my honest book review.

A laugh out loud rom com about a newly divorced 29-year-old who creates a list of all the things she missed out on as a young bride, including a one-night stand. But when he turns up in her life again she has to make some difficult choices. This is Brunnbauer's debut novel and what a hoot - I am still laughing out loud about the blob (blob blob blob). This book had all the feels making me sad, angry, happy and giggly! Look forward to seeing my version of Beau (Liam Hemsworth) onscreen soon.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a funny and sweet read in parts, but overall, it didn’t land for me the way I’d hoped. The story had potential, but I struggled with the FMC’s character—she came across as messy and selfish, often treating the people around her, especially Beau, poorly.

Beau felt like the more mature, grounded one in the relationship, and I couldn’t understand why he kept getting strung along. The FMC’s hot-and-cold behavior—pushing him away for reasons that didn’t feel emotionally convincing (like her ex’ and a car??)—just made the romance frustrating instead of swoony. The constant back-and-forth got confusing and, honestly, exhausting to read.

That said, the supporting cast really shined. They brought most of the humor and heart to the story and were the main reason I stuck with it. I just wish the main relationship had the same charm and emotional payoff.

What Did I Miss?
by Holly Brunnbauer
⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 3/5

I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to Holly Brunnbauer, HarperCollins Australia, and NetGalley.

What Did I Miss? is a heartwarming story about love and grief.
Makayla and Beau are high school teachers who hook up before realising they’ll be working together.
I loved the build of their relationship. The background characters were well written too.
Oftentimes when a breakup is inspired by poor communication that’s a negative for me. However I empathise with Makayla and what she had been through, and how not dealing with it kind of messed her up.

I kind of wish I’d read content warnings about this book before diving into it, though. SPOILER: The miscarriage content snuck up on me – though I suspected it early on – and it was well-written but definitely tugged at my heartstrings.

I went into this book really hoping to connect with the story, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me and by the end, I was left wondering why I didn’t just DNF it when I had the chance. But of course, I powered through… because apparently I like to torture myself.

One of my biggest struggles was with the FMC. Her decisions and the way she treated the people around her felt incredibly selfish, especially in her relationships. I found it hard to relate to her or even root for her at times. Yes, she did eventually acknowledge her flaws and start to work on them — and I can absolutely respect that — but for most of the book, I felt disconnected from her growth and emotional journey.

The writing style itself didn’t help either. There were moments that felt off or strangely handled, and I just couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story. It often felt like the tone didn’t match the emotional weight of what was happening.

And I have to be honest, I was completely caught off guard by the inclusion of a miscarriage as a central emotional plotline, especially since there were no trigger warnings at all. That’s a deeply sensitive and personal topic, and the way it was introduced with no heads-up felt careless and jarring. I understand the importance of portraying difficult experiences in fiction, but it deserves to be done with care — and with a warning, so readers can choose how and when they engage with it.

Overall, I really wish I could say I liked this more. I could see what the story wanted to be, and I think some readers may still connect with it but for me, it just missed the mark on too many levels.

Loved this book so much! Any book that uses a reference like 'in a tizz' correctly has my attention!
There wasn't a character in the book that I didn't want to get to know better, even the side characters were described so perfectly that I could envision them as I was reading and I felt like I knew them.

I can't wait to see more from Holly Brunnbauer I love her writing and will be pre ordering her next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the early access.

This was such a delight and very impressive for a debut novel.
It ticks all the boxes, emotional, heartwarming, funny, family, and a little bit sexy.
One of my favourites in recent months, it was so enjoyable.
I look forward to reading more from Holly Brunnbauer and will be recommending this one to everyone.

"She's the poster child for resting bitch face" 😂

This book had so many laugh out loud moments for me!! It was witty, funny, heartwarming, sexy & relatable.

I was hooked from page 1 when Makaylas story starts with a bang! (pun intended 😉) & I loved how we were introduced to Beau. What a FUN premise which set the book up so well.

The secondary characters were such awesome additions, shoutout to Agnes, I feel like we all know an Agnes 🙈 & don't even get me started on Waz! ✋🏼

The book also tackles some deeper themes & I love how Holly navigated them. Sometimes the hardest person to be truthful with is yourself! I loved seeing Makaylas character growth throughout the story.

A new book boyfriend has been added to the list, Beau...the man that you are. The romance, the chemistry, the tension, the emotions. So good!!

This book has me wanting to write a no regrets list & join a car club. What a gorgeously funny rom-com. This is going on my list equally to the likes of Funny Story & First Time Caller!

4.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Holly Brunnbauer’s What Did I Miss is a debut novel that’s both hilarious yet emotionally weighty. A rom-com that’s not just romantic, but genuinely comedic. ✨

From the first few pages, I was sold on Makayla’s voice. She’s 29, freshly divorced from the only boyfriend she’s ever had, and hurtling into rediscovery mode by listing everything she “missed” while in a long-term relationship. The story is told with such crisp, self-deprecating wit that I laughed out loud (like, actual cackles) multiple times. Makayla is sassy, a little chaotic, sometimes hard (but soft underneath), funny on purpose, and occasionally on accident, and I enjoyed being in her head. ☺️

Then, there’s Beau, our MMC. Refreshingly, a good guy. Not a tortured soul or an aloof billionaire or any of the usual cardboard cutouts we’re taught to swoon over. He’s warm, reliable, a little bit of a simp (in the best way), but also sets boundaries. He’s clear about what he wants and doesn’t let Makayla bulldoze him emotionally (even when she tries). 💕

The writing is fast-paced, clever, and full of texture. I can’t believe this is a debut; it reads with the confidence of someone who’s been doing this for years. By the end, I could see the final scene like a rom-com on the big screen. Funny, heartfelt, satisfying. The kind of story you want to watch with popcorn and a glass of wine. 🍷

I feel lucky to have read an e-ARC via NetGalley (thank you HarperCollins Australia!) but I loved it so much, I bought the physical copy too! This book is smart, funny, and full of heart. For rom-com lovers out there, this is one you surely shouldn’t miss. 😘

Awesome job, Holly! Congratulations! 🙌🏼

Not gonna lie, romances don’t really scratch my reading itch. BUT Something about It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake by Claire Christian struck a chord with me a few years ago and I haven’t felt it with similar books since… until now! Enter What Did I Miss? by Holly Brunnbauer. A debut no less, it’s fun, a little bit spicy and ultimately a big embrace of a story about facing your fears, your past and living your best life. While still a fab book in its own right, it also filled the Noni Blake void for me, big time.

Newly divorced high school teacher Makayla is facing turning 30 and makes a ‘No Regrets List’ to catch up on all the things she missed out on because she married young. A one night stand turns up again in the unlikeliest of places and interferes with her revenge on her ex - let a rollicking romp of a story ensue!

Loveable characters, will they won’t they moments and snappy dialogue had me hooked and sniggering til the very end. Look no further if your brain needs a break from the world

An easy to get into, fun read from a debut Aussie author.

Makayla is coming up to 30 and finds herself divorced from her teenage sweetheart, in a job she believes strongly in but is jaded with.  As is the case when many great decisions are made, we begin with Makayla and her best friend making a list from which Makayla sets off to tick a few life boxes.

There is something about Aussie humour. Normally when I read a romcom I wonder if my sense of humour is broken but, HURRAH, Holly's style of dry observational humour and  one liners was spot on.

Makalya is definitely her own biggest hurdle. Yet her character shows growth and depth over the course of the book. Her aunt is a character I'm happy to love to dislike. That particular extrinsic motivator had me scratching my head.
Beau is a sweetie. I would have loved more of him but his stoic gentleness was the ideal counter to Makayla's prickliness. Warren deserves a little slack, his emotional capacity was in the range of a teaspoon but again, we saw him growing up too. 

As a "reformed" teacher I recognised so much of the school politics, teacher-teacher and teacher-student dynamics. Sadly I could picture Agnes (who is a low-key showstopper) and the  Whiny Bunch from many a staffroom.

Be warned, it's not all cracking jokes, spicy bits and falling in love. There is sensitive story of infant loss and grief and of growing up, or growing into your maturity in a way life often forces upon you. I appreciated the open ended nature of the story. There must have been a temptation to offer an epilogue but, I'm so glad that we, the reader, get to imagine a future for our couple. Whatever that might look like.

With enormous thanks to the author, Holly Brunnbauer, Harper Collins Publishers Australia and Netgalley for the opportunity to to read What Did I Miss? ahead of publication. Highly recommend.

What Did I Miss? is the debut rom-com from Holly Brunnbauer, out July 2nd.

Newly divorced and staring down the barrel of thirty, Makayla’s determined to reclaim the wild twenties she never had. Armed with a no-regrets to-do list and a few questionable decisions, she’s ready to make up for lost time—until a one-night stand reappears and revenge on her ex gets a little out of hand.

The premise drew me in, and from chapter one, this rom-com delivers a distinctive voice. With Makayla working as a teacher, the school setting and staffroom antics added charm to the story. It’s a setting ripe for comedy, and Brunnbauer leans in with energy.

The novel also touches on deeper emotional themes—divorce, grief and growth. At times, the emotional logic didn’t quite land for me. I would have loved more space to sit with Makayla and Beau early on, to better understand what pulled them together and feel their connection build. Beau’s backstory, too, felt a little under-explored.

Still, there’s a fun supporting cast here, including little Piper the French bulldog and the vintage car Gertie, who practically becomes a character in her own right.

Readers looking for a light-hearted, list-ticking journey of personal rediscovery may enjoy the blend of chaos, comedy, and heartfelt moments.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Makayla is newly divorced, nearly 30, and ready to reclaim the years she lost to a marriage that began when she was just 18. Armed with a bucket list of all the things that she missed out on, she kicks things off with a daring one-night stand. To her horror, she discovers that the man is, in fact, Beau, the new graduate teacher at her school. Determined to embrace her newfound independence, Makayla tries to keep her distance. But Beau keeps reappearing, challenging her carefully laid plans and reminding her of everything she didn’t know she was missing.
Makayla is a wonderfully flawed, endearing character whose inner voice is as loud as her missteps are frequent. I laughed out loud at her chaotic adventures and admired her willingness to put herself out there, even when things went spectacularly wrong. This is an entertaining, warm, and refreshingly honest story about second chances, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways love finds us.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fabulously fun debut that starts with a bang. Makayla is a 29-year-old divorcee who starts a bucket list to catch up on all the things she missed out after marrying at 18. The first item? A one night stand with the rules 'no names, no repeats'. To her horror, she discovers that his name is Beau and he's the new graduate teacher at her school.

Holly Brunnbauer writes such an engaging and fun journey as Makayla battles to keep the steady and lovely Beau at arm's length so not only can she inherit her nan's classic car from her aunt , but also to protect her heart. Makayla was frustrating at times with her inability to stand up to her aunt and ex-mother in law, but you could understand why she was allover the place. I loved all the high school hijinx, from the staff room factions to the students - they all felt real and I like I was part of the school community. If I had any quibbles I think it just needed a bit more of Beau's backstory. We're just told about it, but don't really see any impact on his own psyche.

A delightful gem that was full of heart. I devoured this book in one sitting. I can't wait to read more from Holly Brunnbauer.

Thanks to Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for the ARC.

I read What Did I Miss? in a couple of days. It was an engaging and entertaining story.
The main character is Makayla, who is fast approaching her 30th birthday and aims to tick off a list of things she never got to experience in her younger years due to marrying her high school sweetheart and being with him for a long time.
Now, divorced and hoping to experience some new things, she starts off by having a one night stand. However, when he shows up for the new teaching position at the school she works at, she is shocked as she was hoping to never have to see him again.
But she can only go so long avoiding Beau, and they form a friendship, which soon leads to more.
I enjoyed Beau’s character and also Cece, Makayla’s best friend.
Makayla was a determined woman, and although I didn’t quite like her character initially, she definitely won me over by the end of the story.
The secondary characters were all mostly great, including Makayla’s aunt, Māori coworker and her ex.
Just a trigger warning: the book covered the topic of pregnancy loss (in a sensitive way).
I’d rate this debut novel a sold 3 1/2 stars and look forward to reading more from Holly Brunnbauer in the future.