Beau and April are two lonely hearts that bury themselves in their work to avoid emotional connection in their personal lives. After years of side glances across work buildings and subway cars, one day they start to hear each other's voice in their head. The problem is, they don't know who's voice it is.

Just like that April and Beau are talking at work, cooking dinner together, and forming an emotional connection without seeing each other's face. As the connection gets stronger, Beau and April start to realize that their current realities don't bode well for a relationship. Can they unplug enough to make their connection last? Either way you will fall in love with boht April and Beau along the way.

A cute novella about people falling in love with who the other person actually is, not who they portray themselves to be.

Beau Aaron Forrester has always had to follow the path his father set out for him as the sole heir to a large empire. April Swan has always been told that she needs to settle down and have kids instead of focusing on her job. One night they end up speaking telepathically. Although they don't know how it's happening, those conversations quickly become extremely important to them both. But is meeting up in real life a good idea?

I honestly sometimes struggle with novellas because I don't think there's enough time for the characters to really get to know one another. This one really worked though. I think the chance that April and Beau got to get to know each other without all the baggage of who they are to the rest of the world let them really connect quickly. They were funny and they had a good connection right away. Do I wish we got more time to watch their relationship grow? Of course, but I think it was still believable and felt organic. I also liked the tidbits of Chance, the fictional city this series is set in, we got to see throughout the story.

A cute story about two strangers who can suddenly telepathically hear one another.

Some steamy scenes - would likely read again.

Thank you Net Galley for the advance copy.

I am always blown away by the originality of Dani McLean's stories. Her movie magic novellas are the perfect type of romantic escapism that I look for when I read, and the newest book in the series, A Missing Connection, is no different. Beau and April have crossed paths but have never spoken, until one day Beau begins hearing a voice in his head- April's voice. Deciding to not question this magical telepathic connection, the pair use it to bond in an intimate and vulnerable way, quickly falling for each other's words and personalities. While Midnight, Repeated is likely still my favorite of the series (I'm a sucker for a time loop romance), this one is a close second. Beau was absolutely everything- he was sweet, thoughtful, and oh so swoon-worthy. If you want a quick and spicy romance novella that is impossible to put down, then this book is for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "You know what I miss? When you're not necessarily doing anything special, but you look up or look over, and they're there, and it's almost painful how much you want them because it barely fits inside you. Words don't seem like enough to even express it, so you keep looking, hoping you can find some way of showing them. Is it possible to miss a feeling you've never had?" This was nothing short of absolutely gorgeous, I utterly adored it.

Beau and April have the ability to talk with each other in their heads. Beau is just about to become the CEO of his fathers company, and simply just does not enjoy his job and feels rather in a rut with life at the moment. April really does enjoy her relationships, but is no Lady Luck when it comes to love. When the two become communicating with each other in their heads they form a strong bond. As the two become increasingly closer they gel over the issues with their parents, and this unlikely relationship between the two.

I adored this novella, and it was nothing short of wonderful. yes you have to go into it with an open mind (as mentioned in the authors note), and honestly this did not take long to get over at all, it added so much fun and light to the book. This was fast paced and there was great chemistry between the two characters. One other fact I loved is that the two had no idea what the other looked like or who they were, yet you could tell how much they meant to one another.

I cannot recommend this novella enough. It was short, but not too short that you couldn't really feel the relationship between the two. It was just an extremely wholesome novella and I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you netgalley for the arc!

I loved this book! When two strangers find themselves in each others heads, they realize they are both lonely and perfect for each other while trying to navigate their lives. I read it in one sitting. This series is so sweet and cozy. Thank you for the opportunity to review it!

Thank you NetGalley and Dani for sending me an e-arc!!

Wow, I loved this SO much. Definitely the best novella I have ever read, they’re so hard to get right and Dani absolutely nailed it. I wish this was a full length novel!

It’s set in the fictional city of Chance - a place where anything can and does happen. It’s like the setting of a movie that’s equally as real and compelling as it is magical. It’s vibrant and full of life, I adored it.

The magic in this book is that Beau and April start to be able to talk to eachother in their heads. They don’t know how long it will last, and they don’t know why it’s happening. Their connection is instant and I absolutely loved it. Dani makes something magical and impossible seem real.

Beau is a millionaire, struggling with the pressures and expectations from his father, whose company he’s taking over. April is struggling with the pressures from her family of settling down. Both characters are lost, until they find eachother. It was such a lovely way for two soulmates to find eachother - like a gift from the universe!

I saw some reviews saying that the relationship is sexual from the off, which makes me wonder if we were reading the same book. The emotional connection in this novella is established way before the sexual, and it was so wholesome. When there was spice it was great, I loved it.

Such a good novella, would highly highly recommend.

I received an ARC copy for my honest review and all the opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone.

I will admit going into this book I was expecting something slightly different. However with that being said I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is told from the main characters points of view, which allows you to see the whole picture. I was a little confused at times, but all and all this was a fun and interesting story.

I didn't enjoy this. The writing felt flat and like we were being told what to feel, not shown. I'm not a big fan of the 'insta-love' trope and I felt like this very much fit into this. Their connection was immediate and didn't feel like it had a good grounding.
Not one I would read again.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
Beau is a billionaire’s son and with his father’s health failing, he’s expected to tow the line and take over as CEO. When he’s sitting in his friend’s old office away from his own, he spies a gorgeous woman in the offices across the way, who gives him a friendly wave. April sees him again later and then the two start hearing each other’s voices. They get to know each other in the most strange way, but it becomes all consuming for both of them.

𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
The characters in the city of Chance are prepared for the extraordinary, and this beautiful way of communicating is almost like an exchange of text messages, a way to get to know each other without a physical meeting. Although Beau and April have vastly different lives, there are elements within them that resonate closely. A sweet, easy to read novella ❤️

April and Beau suddenly find themselves connected through their minds. The story is a cute love story where they are able to communicate through their minds.

This was an incredible concept and I really enjoyed the book, I felt as it was such a short book it was all quite rushed but otherwise I really annoyed it. April is a sweet and kind FMC, who works so hard and is so intelligent yet so awful with dating. Beau is a charismatic millionaire who doesn’t want her to know who he is really at first. As the story develops their story and their relationship blossoms. If this was a longer book I honestly feel like this would have been a 4/5 star read. Just purely for how short it was is why I couldn’t justify giving it a 4 stars.

I love the Dani’s writing style and the comedy sprinkled in the book throughout is done so well.

All in all I would recommend this if you’re looking for a short and sweet romance with a hint of spice! While there wasn’t a lot of spice, there was some which i was not expecting.

I was lucky enough to be able to read this via NetGalley, so thank you so much for the opportunity NetGalley!

This was a fast, fun, romantic, and magical novella! My two favorite things about this book were the uniqueness of the story and the fictional urban setting. I have read a lot of romances, and the way these characters enter each other's lives, get to know each other, and fall in love was so creative and something I've never read before. Kudos to Dani McLean! The fictional city appealed to me because it had echoes of real, well-known cities, but it keeps the reader from making blanket assumptions based on their own experience of a city. I enjoyed spending time with April and Beau. Having their communication be telepathic and their relationship based on getting to know each other through mental conversations that didn't include visuals or identifying details reminded me of epistolary relationships, which have always seemed incredibly romantic to me. I would have liked a little more time with April and Beau face-to-face, but this was a very enjoyable read. Bonus: the cover it absolutely gorgeous!

This is another installment of the Movie Magic Novella series. In this book, Aaron and April realize they can speak telepathically. Their late-night conversations soon become more and they wonder..can this connection possibly be real?

This is a unique twist on a rom-com. Short, sweet with just the right amount of heat. If you like Hallmark movies, unique plots and want a novella that you can read in one sitting you should check out this book.

I want to thank NetGalley, Dani McLean and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

Take You’ve Got Mail, give the story a magical twist and a dash of telepathy, and the result is the impossibly charming novella A Missing Connection.

Stated for the record: I’m a sucker for an epistolary novel or film. Letters, emails, text messages…two people getting to know each other at an emotional level first, when done right, hits the notes often lacking in the instant I-wanna-tear-your-clothes-off stories. A Missing Connection gets that feeling right and more than once I got a little misty (though I will deny that in a court of law.)

All the Movie Magic Novella stories are set in the world of Chance, where we accept that two people somehow can talk to each other via their minds.

However, this is not a What Woman Want (film, 2000) mind-reader situation. The communication works as another form of conversation, just between two people who don’t have to pick up a phone to talk. That’s a smart choice by McLean as it removes the awkward elements which could easily turn this toward farcical territory.

Both Beau and April are kind people and the dual point of view shows how perfectly suited at a soul level they are, if they don’t let fear of rejection win out. The way they reach their happily ever after is sweet, full of big feelings, and tugged hard at the ol’ heart strings.

Given the short length, 128 pages, I’d recommend A Missing Connection for anyone looking for a quick hit emotional read where angst is replaced with yearning. Unlike You’ve Got Mail, there is no animosity between Beau and April. These are two folks dealing with some messy and emotionally difficult things, but who learn the importance of partnership for the tough spots.

Plus, there’s telepathic spicy times and who doesn’t want to see how that works. (Spoiler: It’s hot.)

This is a true stand-alone, although I would suggest Midnight Repeated (#1) from Dani MacLean as well.
_________
Tropes | Fairy Tale, Epistolary Novels, Secret Billionaire, STEM Heroine, Magic,
Heat Level | 🌶, open door, on-page
_________
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication Mar 7, 2023.

This story was so cute! I loved the little disclaimer about the fact it’s movie magic series, and I loved that they just kind of accepted it as this strange thing that was happening. It may have been a novella, but I felt like I still really got to know the characters. It didn’t feel like I missed out on anything, and it was just adorable.

I am a sucker for an Ink and Laurel book cover, so I was drawn in immediately on that alone. Then I read the synopsis and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

Two strangers developing a telepathic connection and falling in love? Sign me up.

I will say I was hoping for a little more explanation on that though. The author’s note in the beginning mentioned that these kind of things just happened in Chance, but there was really nothing about it in the story. Why did they just immediately accept that they could hear a strangers voice in their head? How did it work exactly? There was really no rhyme or reason to when they could speak to each other.

The story felt a little disjointed and inconsistent at times, but I still really enjoyed it and can see the author’s potential. It was a quick and easy read full of funny and really sweet moments. Sometimes a little cheesy, but not overly so. Beau and April were SO easy to love. My only complaint is that we didn’t get more time with them.

If you want something simple and sweet and are willing to suspend your disbelief for an hour or two, I definitely recommend!

This was my first time reading anything by Dani McLean, but I’m excited to see what she comes up with next and how she grows as a writer.

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

Beau Forrester is walking the fine line drawn out for him by his father: work hard and continue the family legacy. To Beau, there is no other choice, the only option is to work his life away. Everything has been planned out meticulously in order for him to inherit it all as the sole heir. When Beau begins to question his future and if he handles this next big step, life gets a little wonky.

April Swan has proven herself time and time again yet nobody seems to see it. As a very successful data analyst, the last thing she wants to do is slow down and settle in one place. She has too much potential to stop, but life can get a bit lonely when you work all day. April tried to fit in and find the perfect man but in the end, she was hurt and disappointed… It would be so much easier if there was an algorithm for all the problems that popped up in life.

Late nights spent alone can start to get to a person, but does it cause voices in your head? For April and Beau, these lonely work days and long nights start to get a bit more fun with a built-in buddy. This idea defies classic connections, a voice in your head is the only connection to a stranger anywhere in the world. Two unknown people in a city where anything seems possible, even finding the voice you can’t seem to shake.

Another great book by author Dani McLean! These novellas are easy to read but you don’t feel like you are flying through them. There is the perfect amount of information which makes nothing feel rushed. The banter between Beau and April is incredible and hilarious, I was cracking up along with them. When things got a little spicy at times it was written well and reimagined in new and innovative ways which were cool to read. I personally really enjoy Dani McLean’s writing style and find many of her novels to be great!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and make sure to check out The Missing Connection when it comes out on March 07, 2023!

Oh how I love a new twist on an old storyline. This is like nothing I've read before, such a brilliant story. Had me thinking so much and even after a few days of reading it, I find myself still thinking bout it, which says just how wonder the book really is.

How many strangers have you locked eyes with on your commute? Now, imagine suddenly having a powerful connection with them. They can hear what you say and you can hear what they say—no matter where you are. A Missing Connection in an unique and adorable novella about Beau Forrister, future CEO of a huge corporation and April Swan, a data analyst who is more focused on her career than falling in love—much to her mother’s chagrin. One night they suddenly start hearing each others’ words like being on the phone with a stranger.
Through their connection, they discover a deeper meaning of their own life, heal old wounds, and fall in love.

I loved this novella! It was beautifully crafted. The dialogue was witty and brilliant. The characters—easy to love.

I saw A Missing Connection awhile back through the cover artist (Ink and Laurel) and have been interested in it since, so I was super excited to get an ARC for it!

A Missing Connection is a fun little love story in which our main characters, Beau and April, form a telepathic connection after two missed meeting opportunities. Over the course of their telepathic conversations they’re able to fall in love without external factors that make traditional dating difficult - mainly, Beau’s famous name, claim to a massive company, and huge inheritance. How does this telepathic connection happen? Don’t worry about it! Beau and April sure don’t. As McLean explains in the Author’s Note - anything can happen in Chance City. The characters don’t see it as strange, neither should we.

At face value, this novella is a fun, quick little read about an unconventional couple that you can probably get through in one sitting. They’ve got a cute, whimsical story that requires you shutting off your brain and just reading it. Beau and April seem like they’d be very fun and lovable characters if we got more time to really get to know them together (I’ll go more in on this later). But the concept is definitely fun (think the Will Ferrel movie Stranger Than Fiction but a romance instead) and it has some cute scenes of one intervening as the other is trying to get through day-to-day life.

Mind you, I typically go a bit easy on novellas. The plot isn’t always going to be life changing and the characters may not be the most flushed out because we have so little time to do it. So yeah, alright, it was fine, it was fun, it was a creative premise. I’ll give it that.

Ultimately I think this book’s biggest struggle was that it was a bit too ambitious for its length. We need to fix Beau’s relationship with his father, dive into his lack of a relationship with his mother, get him to figure out what he wants from life, get him to then accomplish what it is he wants, find someone to replace him, get her mother to understand her, meet her sister and see the insecurities April has from not being like her, save the market, and have them fall in love in 128 pages? That’s A LOT to do…and it doesn’t do much of it well…

Despite the book taking place over several months, it feels VERY instalove because we miss so much of their time together. So many of their conversations are summarized with “they spent all night talking” and getting the occasional glimpse of what they talked about. I wish we could’ve sacrificed some of the plot points for more time with the couple the book is based on. I want to see them understand each other and fall in love, not just hear that it happened. It was a bit too much “tell not show” for me to really feel invested in these characters.

I hate to review a novella with “maybe it needed to be a full length book” cause it feels disrespectful to the medium, but I think with the amount McLean wanted to do with this book, it needed more time to do it. I really wish I could’ve gotten more times with these characters cause it really is such a fun idea, just didn’t seem as well executed as I hoped.

TLDR: It was fine, the concept was really creative, I just wish we got more time with the characters. I’d still recommend giving it a shot cause it’s a fun read. Maybe like the magic of Chance City we’d do best to not think too hard and just have a fun time.