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

3.5 STARS

The No-Show was a quick, enjoyable read with a refreshingly unique plot. The characters were likeable and easy to root for, making it easy to stay engaged. It’s the kind of book that keeps you turning pages!

I unfortunately did not connect with this story so after about 25% i decided to put it down. There was a slight disconnect between the writing, the characters and the plot and for that it just did not work for me.

I found this to be a great novel with a superb twist. I will continue to read O'Leary's work, as I've read all of her other novels and enjoyed them immensely.

A Perfect February Read!

Beth O’Leary has a way of taking a premise that sounds like a rom-com and turning it into something so much deeper, and The No-Show is no exception. At first, I thought I was in for a lighthearted love story—a guy stands up three different women on Valentine’s Day? Messy, but intriguing! But as the story unfolded, it became so much more than I expected.

The three leading ladies—Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane—are all well-developed, and I genuinely cared about each of their stories. O’Leary balances humor, heartache, and surprises beautifully, and by the time the twists started revealing themselves, I was completely hooked. I don’t want to spoil anything, but let’s just say things aren’t as simple as they seem!

What to say about The No-Show? It’s a surprising, emotional romance that follows three women - Jane, Siobhan, and Miranda - as they are each stood up by one man: Joseph Carter.

Without giving spoilers, my emotions while reading this ranged between confusion, frustration, shock, sadness and bittersweet joy.

This book was not what I expected, and I loved it all the more for that. However, it may not be for everyone. Highly recommend but please check spoiler-y trigger warnings and remember to care for yourself, dear readers!

Content Warnings: death, alcohol, cursing, mental illness, self harm, mental illness, dementia, grief, car accident, gaslighting, miscarriage, sexual content, pregnancy, pandemic/epidemic

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The author has crafted a really fun and unique love story with this book I thought, and it was refreshing to read. My favorite aspect of the book was how it was deeply rooted in female friendship. It was all written just so flawlessly and I was moved by it. The reveal at the end made the whole journey worthwhile to me.

Three Women, One No-Show

The No-Show stands out for its intricate plot and well-crafted characters. O'Leary's writing shines in its ability to balance humour and heartbreak, providing a fresh take on the romantic mystery genre. The book's strengths lie in its character development and the unexpected twists that keep readers engaged. However, the complexity of the narrative may be challenging for some. Overall, The No-Show is a highly recommended read for those who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth and a touch of mystery.

Three different women are all stood up by the same man on Valentine’s Day & they all eventually forgive him. Kind, sensitive, handsome Joseph Carter seems too good to be true and is he? This O’Leary book follows the POV of all three women as the reader nail bites wondering when the women will find out about each other.

Last night at dinner, I told my husband all about the plot of this book because it intrigued me so much & he said, “so this is your favorite O’Leary, right?” And I responded, “Oh no, it’s so sad!” And he said, “Well this is the most you’ve ever told me about any of her books.” It made me think - which books are actually our favorites, the ones who give us the most joy or the ones who provoke our thoughts the most? Now that’s a saucy thought to chew on!

This book kept me hooked and really threw me for some loops! And I did love it! It’ll probably be the book I’ll keep thinking about the most she’s written.

I was sooo surprised where this one was going. Did not expect the plot twist but enjoyed it all the same. It took me a little long to finish but it was a fun and interesting read!

I loved the premise of this book: three women are stood up by the same man on Valentine's Day. I found myself drawn into the story by O'Leary's skilled storytelling and the complexity of the characters. Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane each bring a unique perspective, adding depth to their experiences with Joseph Carter. What sets this book apart are the unexpected twists that keep readers guessing, especially in Joseph's journey from perceived scoundrel to a character grappling with guilt and redemption. While the romance didn't captivate me, the novel's smart plot twists and emotional resonance make it such a fun read!!

Another great book from Beth O'Leary. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of 'The No-Show.' Can't wait for her next one.

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary is a delightful and emotional read that is perfect for fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction who enjoy stories about self-discovery, second chances, and the complexities of love, making it a great fit for anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting tale of love, loss, and redemption.

I really liked this book! I’ve read books from this author before and this one didn’t disappoint! I liked how it seemed like a predictable romance until—the twist!

I read the first 20% of the book. I didn’t find myself invested in any of the three main female leads. There wasn’t really anything that set them apart. If it continues the way it has, solid three to four stars for the average reader.

An intricate and engaging romantic comedy. I definitely didn’t see the twist coming and in a good way. Keeps you interested from the first page.

I wanted to love this as I have loved the work of this author in the past however this read was too slow for me at this time.

I also do categorize this more in the women’s fiction camp than romance which impacts my view as I was expecting something a bit different.

I think this was a good premise but the pacing was off.

I would check this author out in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this read. All opinions are my own.
This was a charming, romantic mystery. Not my usual type of read, but perfectly lighthearted with some depth. The reveal at the end made the whole journey worthwhile to me.

Had twists I didn’t expect from a romcom, which made it fun and had me guessing throughout. A quick and quick read.

Having previously read the author, I was very excited to read a new book by her and I was not disappointed!

The author has crafted a really fun and unique love story with this book I thought and it was refreshing to read. My favorite aspect of the book was how it was deeply rooted in female friendship. It was all written just so flawlessly and I was moved by it, I definitely cried several times.

I have recommended this book to several of my close friends already!

I am such a huge fan of Beth O'Leary in particular the Flatshare and this one certainly did not disappoint at all. This book really got me right in the feels and I found it to be the perfect balance of fiction and romance - really great for anyone testing out the romance genre.