From my review for NPR.org:
O’Leary may not fit neatly into any of the usual categories, but she excels at what she does, which is to blend love and the darker realities of living – experiences like domestic violence and harassment— with humor and narrative experimentation. The No-Show is the culmination of these adventures in storytelling. As powerful and engaging as it is romantic, O’leary’s new novel has the emotional resonance of her debut hit The Flatshare with greater complexity.

At its best, the tender and fragmented narrative feels like a metaphor for experience – how we only ever know part of the story of our lives and control even less. Since grief and trauma hold space alongside the laughter, it's best for readers who like to be put through their emotional paces before the happy ending. Fans of the emotional ups and downs and surprises of authors like Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry and Mhairi McFarlane (Just Last Night and If I Never Met You) will adore it.

Overall, I do enjoy the writing style of O'Leary and I very much appreciate that.
However, this storyline was very hard for me to get into fully. I genuinely felt for each woman being stood up and played by Joseph. But it was difficult as the reader to not get overly frustrated!
I was waiting for the other shoe to drop the whole time, and was glad it did, but think it was too late to keep me interested overall.
I always look forward to more from this author but the overall storyline just wasn't for me.

Thanks to Berkley Romance, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone loves Beth O’Leary romance books, but the first one I read I didn’t LOVE as much as everyone else, however, the No Show made me realize the hype.

The No Show is not your typical romance book, I won’t give any spoilers but there was a little twist at the end that makes you go OHHHHHHHHH.

I love how there was a mysterious undertone weaved into the most romantic plot. I will definitely continue to pick Beth’s books up.

I recommend this book for anyone who isn’t in the mood for a full-on romance but needs some LIGHT mystery. I also think you should check out the Goodreads review on this because my review was on the lower end at 4.25….

This book is smart, romantic, funny, and absolutely one that will get your emotions all in a twist. And I enjoyed every moment of it!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one when I went into it. The description alluded to three women all involved with the same man? All stood up by him on the same day? And I'm supposed to like this guy? I was skeptical and the first few chapters left me a bit confused. What was happening?

But I kept reading. And goodness, did I love Joseph Carter. As Siobhan. And Miranda. And of course, Jane.

This book isn't what you probably expect it to be. And I can say if I've read any book recently that I think would translate well to film, it's this book.

The story in this one has a slow burn. And I'm not just talking about the romance. The whole time you're trying to figure out where the hell Joseph Carter was on Valentine's Day and why in the world he stood his dates up. I started to suspect one of the twists around the halfway point, but there is one later twist that took me by complete surprise. Please don't let the whole "three women seeing the same man" aspect of the description deter you. Trust me, you'll see.

I've always felt Beth O'Leary's books do a great job of blending romantic themes with contemporary issues—making them more of an in between as far as genre goes, and that's absolutely the case with this book, perhaps moreso than O'Leary's others. Its one of those books that makes you go: "OMG yes, I KNEW IT." as you're reading and then completely shocking you a few pages later. You won't be able to put this one down once the pieces fall together.

This bboookkkkkk! Ugh halfway through I was so irritated, and three-quarters through I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Didn't see that coming, and I LOVED the ending.

It took me a while to get through the first quarter of this new one by Beth O'Leary. I think part of it was that I was getting utterly frustrated by all three women characters (Siobhan, Miranda, Jane), and how the leading man, Joseph Carter was both intriguing and upsetting me! Yet, I continued because there was something sweet about each storyline that made me want to pick it up in short bursts. And, oh man, I was surprised at the twist and everything fully clicked into place—in a good way. Beth O'Leary always gets me with her dealings of trauma in her stories (to be quite frank, they've been difficult and heavy-handed before) so to say that she has really grown significantly in a more nuanced approach recently has been so great to witness and read. (CW: grief, dementia, death, coercive control abuse) I really loved the book, and enjoyed the novel approach to perspective switches.

Beth O'Leary has worked her magic once again and The No Show is my new favorite book of hers!

The No-Show follows three women - Miranda, Jane, and Siobhan - after they're all stood up by the same guy, Joseph Carter, on Valentine's Day. The story is told in alternating viewpoints - which I loved - and over the course of the novel, we are pulled into these women's lives as they work to forgive him and maybe even fall in love with him, and as we work to figure out if he's as horrible as we're first led to believe.

O'Leary's execution of this story was flawless, bringing the 3 women's stories together at the exact right point, allowing the reader to finally see the truth of why Joseph Carter was a no-show. I absolutely loved all 3 of the women and how O'Leary laid out their stories and made this a romance that dealt with more serious issues, and allowed the reader to feel so much for each of the characters. There is so much more to this book than meets the eye and without giving anything away, I can say this is a must read!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and to Berkley for the early copy of this one!

Telling the story the way that she did was a CHOICE.

This was my first of Beth O’Leary’s and I just jumped right into it, not even having looked at the synopsis, just taken by the gorgeous cover and all of my friends’ raving reviews. How did I come out after this? In tears and with a favorite of the year.

I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to piece everything together, and while I did catch on to quite a few things, it was still such a trip when everything is finally realized.

TRULY one of those books you just go into without any background knowledge, because if I had to experience an emotional rollercoaster, SO DO YOU!

Okay...I feel like I had to wait a bit to review this to let it sink in. In every thing I've heard about this book before reading it was "not what it seems". Joseph Carter isn't what he seems. The no show dates isn't what it seems. And it is all true. I was a bit weary through out the book because I am not a fan (at all) of cheating with main characters. Not my thing, won't ever be. But this book was AMAZING. It was so well written, and the story Beth O'Leary weaves is phenomenal. I had no idea what to even expect, but this went beyond anything I had even hoped for. I want to go re read it now to get the full experience. Also, would have loved to see more of AJ, but understand why we didn't.

Warning: There is some strong language. F word mostly. There is sexual innuendo, but nothing explicit. Closed door.

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars

I wasn't sold on the No-Show at first, which I think is kind of the point. Beth O'Leary's books are never the most fluffy, feel good rom coms so it's to be expected that this book follows suit.

The No-Show follows the POV of three different women, all centered around their lives and particularly their relationship with the same man. However, nothing is what it seems and just when I was about to write this one off, I became hooked.

The pacing is a little tough - I think the middle part drags a bit - but it's worth it to get to the final quarter of the book.
I don't think this book is for everyone and it takes a good while to turn into something interesting, but it's worth it if you enjoy multiple POVs and a little mystery. Take note: there are emotional topics such as grief, loss, trauma, abuse, stalking, etc.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The No Show by Beth O'Leary is an entertaining romcom following three women who are all involved with the same man.

Siobhan, a life coach. Miranda, a tree surgeon. Jane, a volunteer at a local charity shop. They're all strangers but get stood up on Valentine's Day by Joseph Carter.

At first, this book might come across like your predictable romance. But there's twists and turns and so much depth to this story. Beth O'Leary's writing is so clever and brilliant in this, and I highly recommend it.

CW: death of a loved one, cheating, dementia, self harm, pregnancy, miscarriage, sexual harassment.

The No-Show by Beth O’Leary was a good wonderful read. Probably one of my favorites I’ve read so far this year.

This book is a story of three women who all get stood up on Valentine’s Day… by the same man, Joseph Carter. Siobhan is a life coach who doesn’t let anyone get too close, so she’s surprised she actually cares when Joseph doesn’t show for their breakfast date because they’ve been keeping things casual. Miranda is starting a new job and her boyfriend, Carter is supposed to take her out for lunch to celebrate and keep her mind off her new co-worker, AJ. And Jane was just hoping that her friend, Joseph, who promised to be her date/fake boyfriend for an engagement party would just show up so she could feel less pathetic after leaving behind her old job in London after she was a part of a scandal.

Overall, this book was not what I expected. It was a beautiful story of each woman and their life and how Joseph Carter player a role in it. There were characters that I didn’t think I’d like that I ended up actually liking. I was rather surprised by the end, but it was truly a wonderful ending. This is a book I would highly recommend.

Arc provided by Netgalley and the publishers for an honest review.

I love Beth O'Leary as a writer and I remember when I first read the summary of this book I was super conflicted because I really don't enjoy the cheating trope and the redemption arc that goes with it. I should have had more faith in Beth O'Leary because this book is not at all what it seems. We follow three different and amazing women, Jane, Miranda and Siobhan, who are falling for Joseph Carter. As the story unfolds we get to know each of them more and more until you aren't even sure who to root for but with a twist, that I definitely didn't see coming, Beth O'Leary turns the characters worlds upside down. This is officially my favourite book by Beth O'Leary even if it hit me like a gut punch, I can't wait to read what she does next!

So glad I went in blindly!!! I followed the advice of some fellow bookstagrammers and just went in without reading anything about it. It was so good!!! The first third of the book or so is a little on the slow side, but once you get past that you become so engrossed in everyone's storyline. Check this one out!!!

*Thank you @berkleypub and @letstalkbookspromo for the buddy read and #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.*

When I saw this one advertised as a RomCom with a side of mystery, I knew it was going to be a good one and it definitely was!

This was such a refreshing and incredibly clever story that had so much depth. It’s heartbreaking yet uplifting, complicated but creative, just all around such a unique plot that will totally have all readers fully immersed!

It’s hard to say too much without giving it away so I’ll just say that I definitely recommend checking it out and going in blind if possible!

Beth O'Leary does not write books based on a formula. Each one is cheerful and quirky, but is uniquely its own. The No-Show is unlike any of her other books, while maintaining the same warmth and charm we have come to expect. The plot will have you wondering and guessing the whole way through and in the end you will have fallen in love.

It's 9 am, and Siobhan's date is late. No show. On Valentine's Day. Even with her sex makeup, she still feels something is off, and all she knows is that he's going to pay for standing her up.

It's 1 pm Miranda's boyfriend, Carter, of five months, is late too. No show. On Valentine's Day. Everyone at the restaurant gives her a sad look because she's sitting alone.

It's 4 pm and Jane's date, Joseph, is late. No show. On Valentine's Day. There's no way out for her, especially when she's at an engagement party. But, the next day, he visits her place of work and apologizes.

A man dating three women , that's what I thought too but that's not the case. This book is filled twists and turns and you keep guessing but you guess wrong. If I keep going I'll spill everything so all I'm going to say - this is worth every page. READ IT!!!

Beth O'Leary is very hit or miss for me and I think this one might be in the miss category. The twist was great but it took a bit too long to get there. The story was a bit weak for me.

Such a good read but I would say this is a womens fiction more than a romance. All of the women in this book are going through seasons in their life where they are having to grow and change. For me that’s womens fiction. It was good but for sure not romance.

On Valentine’s Day, three women wait for their dates….

Vivacious Siohban, a life-coach who could use coaching of her own to relax and stop over scheduling has a no-love, just-sex policy, but can’t help breaking the rules for hers.

Tree surgeon Miranda, more comfortable in overalls than formal dress is shocked she’s fallen for a guy who wears suits to his 9-to-5 job.

And bookish and self-effacing Jane, a volunteer at a charity shop, has fled London in shame but feels like she might be able to open her heart.

But all three women are stood up, and they are stood up by the same man, Joseph! How can he—and why would he—juggle three women? Two-timing is bad enough, but three-timing? Joseph must be some kind of cad! All I will say to that is trust the book!

This is my favorite of the Beth O’Leary books I’ve read. I always enjoy books set in London. I also liked the growth of the characters, particularly Jane. The secondary characters—Siobhan’s friend group, Miranda’s younger twin sisters, and Jane’s co-workers—were also well-developed.

In addition to the love stor(ies), several subplots involve workplace issues—stress, overwork, sexual harassment, and safety. Because of my Management degree, these topics are of particular interest!

Saying anything else might be spoilery, and this is a book where going in without knowing too much is important. I do highly recommend it to those who like romance books that deal with heavier themes such as WEATHER GIRL.