This is a really good book but... it's not a romcom! I requested this from Netgalley thinking it was going to be a lighthearted romantic comedy, which is 100% user error on my part. After considering the title and the description before I read it, I started to get worried that this was not going to be the cheerful story I was looking for. I read it anyway and my second interpretation was correct--I was completely choked up from the 20% mark to about 40%. Finally I got a grip on myself and settled in for the long haul, desperately hoping for a happy ending.

The start of Hannah and Davey's relationship, in my opinion, reflects one of those beautiful relationships in real life where you click instantly with someone. Hard to do and so precious when it happens. I loved reading how their connection unfolded naturally and was devastated when they weren't able to meet. The majority of the rest of the story is more about how Hannah and Davey develop as individuals, rather than focusing on their romantic relationship, which I wasn't expecting, but I enjoyed nonetheless.

This book is for fans of heartwrenching romance who are okay with possibly sobbing in the middle of the story. Anyone looking for a lighthearted romp is going to be surprised, but you might like it anyway.

Trigger warning: THIS IS A SPOILER (which you'll find out about at about the 20% mark) <spoiler> testicular cancer </spoiler>

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the alternating perspectives and how chapters moved so quickly. I loved Hannah's friendships with Joan and Miranda and the hometown nostalgia.


Potential spoiler: I absolutely hated George and wish there was more mention of how textbook abusive he was. Her being lukewarm on the relationship is not an excuse.

I loved the slow burn of Hannah and Davey's relationship. Davey's struggle with cancer -- both physical and mental -- were so real and heartbreaking. That said I wish we got just a little bit more of them at the end. It felt so rushed and I wish the conclusion was a little more drawn out.

Possible trigger - cancer

This was such a cute read about Hannah who mistakenly receives a call from native Texan Davey who mis-dials, not once, but twice for an interview to move overseas.

A relationship builds from there as Davey prepares to move to London. They develop a relationship via phone and video chat. I loved how the relationship was built on a solid foundation versus virtual.

The day Davey is supposed to arrive things happen, but is the connection too strong to keep them apart?

I truly enjoyed this book.

If you like the Sophie Kinsella one shots, you will probably love this book. Not for romance readers who like a substantial or creative plot.

I went into this one expecting a pretty light rom-com type of book. While it definitely had its moments it also dealt with a few heavier things and it dealt with them well. I won’t get into too many details so as not to spoil anything but this book was not what I expected in a good way. Hannah and Davey meet by accident on a miss dialed call and their relationship grows from there. There are the usual twists and turns and also some unexpected. I really liked the character of Hannah and felt she was very easy to relate and to like. This book was between 3 and 4 stars for me rounded up to 4. I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Man I Never Met is about a British woman (Hannah) and an American man (Davey) who connect via a misdialed number and have an instant connection. I really liked their phone calls and connection and love the idea of a couple falling in love while they're apart from each other. It reminds me of the olden days of the internet or when people connected via phone call. I enjoyed the characters but they were a little flat to me and the story dragged. Overall, it was enjoyable but not my favorite.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

Do NOT read the official plot summary, as it contains a big spoiler I wish I hadn’t known! Instead, suffice to say that Texan Davey is trying to call into an interview for a job as an architect in London, but he misdials and reaches Hannah, a 20something Londoner. After the call, he texts her to tell her he got the job and will be moving to London – and the two start calling / texting frequently. I absolutely adored this novel, especially how it showed that what people are thinking / feeling may not be what they’re expressing to others. This was really engaging and hard to put down, and my only complaint is that the ending was a little bit rushed… but I still loved it :)

Content warnings: cancer, ghosting, breakups

Davey calls Hannah thinking he's beginning a job interview at a London architectural firm. Hannah tells Davey he misdialed, but asks him to tell her how the interview went. They text, then call, then FaceTime and begin to develop feelings for each other. They can't wait to meet when Davey moves to London for his new job.

Although the story has an ideal beginning, the rug is pulled out from under our characters and they must navigate illness, other relationships, and career changes separately. But a connection as strong as theirs doesn't just go away...

Recommended for readers of contemporary romance and women's fiction.

Representation: living with cancer, long-distance romance

Hannah receives a random phone call from a stranger living in the United States. Davey is that caller and the two begin talking and texting daily, with plans to meet each other after the new year. But life gets in the way in one of the worst possible ways and they end up not meeting. It's a very emotional book with only a handful of loving moments. Overall though it was a great book and j liked the ending. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

A random wrong number call turns into a beautiful friendship between Hannah and Davey. Hannah never expected to hear from him again, but when he calls to tell her he got the job and will be moving close by, they start to chat almost daily. Both are feeling a bit more than friendship as they count down the days to Davey’s arrival. When he doesn’t show, Hannah isn’t sure what to think.

Ok so I definitely messaged @meganbythebook like 30% into this one and asked why she was doing this to me. Hannah and Davey had just the best connection, even though they hadn’t met I found myself rooting for them from the very start. I think I went through the exact same emotions as Hannah when he didn’t show to the airport. I hate loved following the two as the followed their different paths, but still held out hope that one day they might meet. Also, George kind of a lot sucked. From right when they got back from vacation I was already over him. This is a wonderful story about how life and fate play a role in our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. This sweet book written by #ElleCook who also writes under #LornaCook for her historical fiction. Hannah received a call from an unknown number. When she answers, Davey admits he has dialed the wrong number. After a second misdial, they start a conversation that continues for a few months. Davey, who is moving to England, makes plans to meet Hannah in person. When the day comes, Hannah is there to greet him at the airport when Davey does not show. After several stressful hours, the reality of why Davey isn't there sets in. This book was a really good, sweet read!!!! #TheManINeverMet #ElleCook #RandomHouse #Nov2022

3.5/5⭐️

I enjoyed this one but with a couple of caveats.

Hannah, a single Londoner, has a good life…friends, a good job, nice flat, loving parents. One day she receives a wrong number call from an American, Davie, which changes her life. They begin calling regularly as Davie is getting ready to move to London for work, and she provides info about London and apartments for him. They become friends with the possibility of more, and she agrees to meet him at the airport…he never shows. After finally discovering the truth behind his absence, she moves forward and begins a relationship with George, a personal trainer at her gym. Davie moves on as well. After one phone call (at the urging of Davie’s best friend) and a chance sighting of Davie in London triggers Hannah’s feelings, she and her boyfriend decide to break up. Will they or won’t they finally connect?

There are lots of things to recommend this one. I enjoyed the characters for the most part, there’s some fun humor. But Hannah’s relationship with George felt too contrived to me, and Hannah deviated from what I had come to expect from her to a 180 when she was with him. Davie also had his moments of disbelief judging from what I would expect from him.

So, it was a good story but not without some glitches.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Dell for providing me the free early arc of The Man I Never Met for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This had been on my TBR for so long and I am so mad at myself for waiting? I cried. Multiple times. I also said “aww!” out loud against my will and snorted occasionally as well. I thought it was just gonna be cute but it was so much more, y’all.

When Hannah answers the phone and talks to a confused (and American) Davey, she expects he’ll find the correct number for his job interview once he hangs up, and that will be the end of it.

But when he texts her to let her know that he got the job - nearby her in London - her congratulations in response is the first in a long line of conversations that grow rapidly into friendship and then into something more.

But on the day he’s set to arrive, Davey doesn’t show up. And he doesn’t answer Hannah’s texts or calls. And when he does, both of their worlds come toppling down.

Faced with the reality that they may never actually meet, the two stagger forward - alone. But no matter how much time passes, neither of them can seem to keep the other off their mind; it seems it’s entirely possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never met.

Oh my goodness! The emotional story caught me off guard.

I started this book, but got distracted by life and forgot it was on my Kindle. I stumbled on it yesterday and was quickly reminded that first chapter book grabbed me and I meant to find my way back to it. Whew, so happy I stumbled my way back to it! — Almost like fate? Ha.

This story was so much more than I expected it to be. It’s a well written story of love and self discovery. It’s not romance as much are heartfelt storytelling about the almosts in life. I loved it so much. I actually read the author’s notes and am really excited that she not only has other books she’s written under a different name (I had a feeling there was no way this was her first book— it’s great) but also that she’s writing another. Can’t wait!

2.5

The Man I Never Met follows Hannah ( who is from London) who picks up a call from a number she doesn't know. The person on the other line is American, and he dialed the wrong number for a job interview. Then they text Hannah back telling her they got the job. Soon Hannah and the American Davey start talking and calling each other everyday. And might want to start a relationship. Davey is set to move to London and right when he does something happens. And their chance of love might be ruined forever. 

***TRIGGER WARNING*** has themes of cancer 

This book was a major let down. It was going so well until Davey delayed coming to London. Most of this book wasn't even focused on the relationship between Davey and Hannah. It focused on them with other people. So when they finally got together it was like why. The ending of this book felt super rushed. And I just wish the author would have focused more on Hannah and Davey and really built there relationship out. This book would have been much better without the plot twist. Overall, I dont think I would suggest this romance book. 

Thank you NetGalley, Elle Cook, and Random House for the ARC of this book.

All opinions are my own.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Hannah picked up a call with a number she didn't recognize, little did she know that call would change the trajectory of her life. Davey was on the other end of the line trying to call into an interview. The two made small banter, she wished him good luck and she thought that was the end. Instead they formed a connection and their relationship went from texting, to calls to video calls and eventually plans to meet in person when he moved there. Unfortunately, Davey then is faced with a life changing experience and ends things with Hannah. We then follow the perspective of each of them and how they always still thought of each other. Fate steps in and we watch the love unfold.....

Man this book was so special! I was waiting for the shoe to drop after the “meet cute” and man did it drop! This was a roller coaster of emotions, I was so happy reading the first 25% of book, everything was going so well till it didn’t. Even then, the story continued to be engaging specially when the author started switching to double POV, that was really smart! If that didn’t happen the storyline would drag and I’m pretty sure I would’ve lost interest.

My only complaint is the end, it felt rushed. I needed more dialogue and description of the final moment when Davey and Hannah finally met in person. Instead of just a narration of what she told him about what she wanted to happen after they met and what he wanted as well I was craving more passionate dialogue. I also missed more description of the kiss scene, how they felt touching each other, how they approached to kiss, what they felt while kissing. Just more of all of it! There was definitely space for that in the book specially because it was the moment I was waiting for the entire time! I was happy with the outcome but my expectations on what was going to happen were not met. Other than that I was really happy with the book.

Trigger warning: cancer diagnosis

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I absolutely loved this book. Hannah and Davey… what a story. It got a little predictable and hokey at parts. And you yell at them. You yell at George. But overall, great read.

I rate this book 4 stars.

This story was absolutely adorable. The ultimate “meet cute” without actually meeting. The author does an excellent job engaging the reader to fall in love with the characters. I was rooting for them throughout the entire story! My one and only issue is the ending - I wanted SO much more than what was given. I would’ve loved to see how their story grew and evolved after FINALLY getting their happy ending.

Our protagonist, Hannah, is coasting through life. She has an average job in London, a great relationship with her parents, and is enjoying where her life is at. While out and about, Hannah receives a misdialed phone call from an American, who is trying to connect with someone for an interview. The quirky banter between the two encourages further conversations via text. The American, Davey, and Hannah find an unexpected friendship after she learns he will be moving to the UK for his job. However, Davey’s life is put on hold when he’s diagnosed with Stage 3 testicular cancer and forgoes the move across the pond to fight this disease. Because things have taken a romantic turn with Hannah, Davey decides to cut things off before anything more continues. Hannah, absolutely devastated, moves on with her gym friend, George, after a sensual holiday in Thailand. No matter how hard she tries, Hannah cannot let Davey go. The same goes for him. Will the two ever actually meet? Will Davey beat his cancer battle? How will fate play into their story?

Davey dials Hannah’s number by mistake, trying to set up a job interview from Texas to England. After he gets the job he texts Hannah to let her know he will be moving there and they embark on a friendship that leads to phone calls then video calls and eventually turns into more.

My gosh, the chemistry between these two jumped off the page, and the romance of it all made me swoon. But then when Davey’s flight lands in England he is not on the plane and Hannah is crushed. And reader, you will be too…What happens next broke me.

Don’t let the cover fool you, this is not a fluffy romance, it is a very emotional book and utterly unique. The sexy time is steamy without being vulgar. I loved the dual points of view and how each chapter covered a month in the year the book takes place. Elle Cook wrote the illness in a very realistic way and there is a good reason for that, he husband suffered the same thing.

I had no idea that this author writes other books under the name Lorna Cook and I went to look up some of her other offerings and I already have a copy of The Dressmaker’s Secret on my to be read pile. If you enjoy realistic romances with some surprising twists along the way, this is the book for you.