"The Near Miss" by Lily Joseph is a delightful and heartwarming tale that plays with the whimsical idea of fate and the magnetic pull of true love. The novel intertwines the lives of two characters, Nick and Wren, who are destined for each other despite never having met. Joseph's storytelling is charming, filled with humor, emotion, and the kind of serendipity that makes readers believe in the magic of life’s little accidents.

Wren, a local reporter, craves a life without surprises. Her relationship with Alex, while stable, lacks the spark it once had, leaving her to question if comfort is truly what she wants. On the other hand, Nick, a handyman nursing the wounds of a devastating breakup, is focused on his business and his daughter, trying to move past the pain. Both characters are on parallel paths, seeking a semblance of normalcy and healing.

The narrative kicks off with a literal near miss—Nick drops a sheet of glass from a window that narrowly misses Wren, setting off a series of comical and near-fatal encounters that bring them tantalizingly close yet frustratingly far from each other. Joseph masterfully uses these near misses to build suspense and anticipation, making readers eager for the moment when Nick and Wren will finally meet.

The story takes an enchanting turn when Wren, on a solo trip to Italy meant for her and Alex, unknowingly finds herself in the same locale as Nick. Their eventual meeting in the Blue Grotto in Capri is nothing short of magical, and Joseph captures the romantic tension and inevitable connection between them beautifully.

As Nick and Wren discover the deep entanglements of their lives, the story explores themes of fate, destiny, and the serendipitous nature of love. Their journey is filled with moments that are both tender and humorous, making their eventual union all the more satisfying.

Lily Joseph’s writing is engaging, with vivid descriptions of the Italian landscape that transport the reader right into the story. The characters are relatable, each dealing with their own struggles and growth, which adds depth to the romance. The secondary characters, especially Nick’s daughter, add charm and layers to the plot.

"The Near Miss" is a feel-good romantic comedy that will make readers laugh, cry, and root for Nick and Wren from start to finish. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, love is just a catastrophe away, waiting to be discovered in the most unexpected ways. Joseph has crafted a perfect summer read that leaves you believing in the power of fate and the inevitability of true love.

The Near Miss • Review

★★★★

Thank you Net Galley & Lily Joseph for the E-ARC of this debut novel!
This was such a breath of fresh air for a romance novel! Wren & Nick’s story was the sweetest, most anxiety inducing yet addicting read with meet cute(s) galore. Who said you can’t have more than one meet cute for the same love story 😭😭
I thought I was accident prone until reading this 😂 I have not read about a couple that could have so many near death experiences in such a short span of time. Loved that their trauma brought them together each time!!

This book was WILD to read. Lots of almost deaths, but super cute story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I downloaded the newer version released by the author.

This book took quite some time to get to the main plot points. It wasn’t until 46% that the FMC and MMC met after TOO MANY near misses. I realize the story is loosely based off the author’s own near miss, but it is extremely overdone. A lot of the characters stories relate back to these almost fatal accidents, so there are a lot of plot points that likely may not be as easily woven in without the near misses - BUT it really took me out of the story.
I LOVED from Italy onwards. Their trip in the kayaks was really fun even though that results in -you guessed it - another near miss. I loved their meet-cute and how they kept just missing each other in their lives. I love the story of Wren’s mother and Edie. I loved how devoted of a father Nick was, and his excitement at Ruby’s room. And literally his ability to knock down a door to save her.
It was a well-written book and very exciting to read. The author’s descriptions were so vivid and beautifully written. I loved the dialogue! I just feel they could have had all these coincidences not be quite as deadly. Like still have these instances where they’ve essentially just missed each other, or maybe he just *finds* the coin instead of literally choking on it.
Also can I just say how endearing her father was? And that she chose to bring him on vacation. And he then downloaded Facebook and had a bunch of new friends to talk about lighthouses with?? Stinkin cute. Love that.
4⭐️1🌶️

3.5/5

"The Near Miss" is a contemporary romance novel that weaves the lives of two seemingly unrelated individuals, Nick and Wren, into a tapestry of near misses and fateful encounters. The book presents an intriguing premise where the protagonists' lives intersect in unexpected ways, eventually leading to an inevitable and dramatic meeting. It all starts when Nick accidentally drops a sheet of glass from a window, nearly injuring Wren. This incident sets off a chain of events filled with near misses, mishaps, and coincidences that keep drawing them closer together.

The strength of the book lies in how it constructs the intertwined lives of Nick and Wren. The author skillfully creates a series of incidents where their actions unknowingly affect each other's lives, building anticipation for their eventual meeting. While the build-up to Nick and Wren's meeting is well-crafted and engaging, the climax and resolution feel rushed. After investing in the slow burn of their near encounters, the hurried ending leaves much to be desired. The conclusion seems to gloss over crucial emotional developments, and the rapid pace undermines the depth of the connection that the narrative has been meticulously setting up.

Overall, *The Near Miss* is a good read for fans of romance and serendipitous love stories. It offers an interesting exploration of fate and how seemingly insignificant actions can have significant impacts on our lives. Despite its rushed ending, the book is enjoyable and heartwarming, making it a pleasant escape into a world where love is just a series of coincidences away.

If you enjoy stories about destiny, chance encounters, and the magic of unexpected romance, then this book might just be the perfect addition to your reading list!

First of all I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The plot of this book was screaming my name, I had to!

One day as Wren is walking out of her best friend’s bookstore she almost gets hit with a window glass that falls from above where Nick is restoring the little building. Little does she know that fate is moving strings.

This is such a lovely and refreshing story, I fell deeply in love with the concept. You may think it’s only about the destiny between the main characters but I personally believe there’s so much more in it.

I did wanted to read a bit more of Wren and Nick together, I think at least with an Epilogue but I probably understand the writing process of their story.

💖 As all of my ARC’s (I just love discovering writers) I didn’t knew this author, and once again I’m so happy that I got the chance to read her work for the first time, and in advance. I was hooked since the first chapter, it’s a great debut novel. I’ll be happy to read more from her.

I really thought the premise for this book was unique and was super enthusiastic at the start. Very thankful to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. However, I felt like the book did much more exploration of Nick and Wren as individuals than it did of them as a couple.<spoilers from this point>
I was hoping that once they were finally able to meet, there would be more content of the two of them together, learning about all their “near misses” and growing closer. Instead they are yet again pulled apart rather quickly and all of their conversation about the near misses are glossed over. I’d say this didn’t really read much like a romance to me. Even though I liked the book, I’d be hesitant to recommend to my romance loving reader friends. I’m not sure I bought Wren and Nick as a couple because frankly, they spend almost no time together during the course of the book. Again, this is understood in the first half, but I’m so confused as to why they didn’t stick together (at least more!) from the trip to Italy.

This was too much for me. The near misses were too many and too often. I grew aggravated as a reader and wanted more of the love story than the non love story if that makes sense? This isn't a reflection on the writing which I found great just a point in the plot I would have preferred. Not a home-run for me but could totally be someone else's cup of tea

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I ended up DNFing this one because I just wasn't liking it. I felt like the characters were unlikeable and the story just wasn't working for me.

I hope others love this one!

This was unfortunately a miss for me. DNF at 30%.

The writing in the third person felt really disconnected for this kind of romance novel and I really felt it kept me at arm's distance with the characters. By 30% I hadn't warmed to either of the main characters.

The pacing was incredibly slow. So many side characters and sub plots. Wren is still in a relationship with another guy and we see SO much of that (painful, toxic) relationship playing out while the two main characters haven't met yet.

The premise is great, I love the idea, but at 30% in and the characters haven't even met yet (apparently they don't meet until 50% in!), there's nothing keeping me engaged here,

I NEED SPARKS! I NEED LOOKS ACROSS A CROWDED ROOM! I NEED BUTTERFLIES! I NEED SWOONING!

And this book didn't have any of that in the first 30%.

Also, as a non-British reader (who lived in the UK for ten years as well!), I found the northern slang and phrases used quite jarring. Most people wouldn't know what these words or phrases mean. I knew a few of them, but even the ones I knew really felt unnecessary. Anyone outside of the UK would struggle with this. I get that this is a UK publication, but why not make it accessible for a world-wide audience?

As an author I really HATE giving bad reviews. Because I know how much time and heart go into writing a novel, and I know how much it sucks when people don't love your book as much as you do.

But THIS BOOK COULD HAVE BEEN GREAT!

The premise is SO CUTE and the writing is GOOD (apart from the things mentioned above which are easy fixes!) But I honestly think this book could have been incredible with a few small changes.

Switch the book to first person for a start. They meet at the very start of the book and there are SPARKS and a VIBE, numbers are exchanged and then phones and numbers are lost! They go on with their lives but keep thinking about that night they met, HOPING that one day they will find each other again, and so ensue the near misses! But the reader is rooting for them! Wanting them desperately to find each other until eventually they do, but then maybe they are in other relationships, it's been a few years, they have to work out how to navigate all that so we still get the conflict and high stakes there, but we really WANT them to make it work!

But as it stands, it's regrettably two stars from me.

the near miss? more like this is a full on miss. dnf @ 29%. shouldve known when this already has a 3.2 rating and it hasn't even been published yet.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review in which all opinions are my own.

I have to stop attempting to reading romance books by authors that are not my small select few insta-buy authors that I know I can trust. yet occasionally I try. why?

this concept was cute, execution [to where I got up to] not so much. the characters were annoying, poorly written, some of them insufferable, and lacklustre. it felt too much "telling" rather than showing. some of the dialogue was just bad. I couldn't keep putting myself through it when I had zero interest left. this felt slow, nothing was really happening besides annoying characters being annoying and putting up with ridiculous scenarios. I know writing a book is no easy feat, so I can commend Lily Joseph for trying. the premise was genuinely cute and I wish it was better executed!

there were also some weird grammatical errors? also, don't write a dual POV book but write the characters in third person, that doesn't make a lot of sense...

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book to review 📚

The first thing I will acknowledge is that I read an earlier release version of this book. Following feedback from reviewers, the book was re-released as an ARC with adjustments to pacing. I think this was a good choice, however having not read the edited version I’m not sure how much this changed the story. Pacing was definitely an issue in the earlier version of the story, so hopefully it helped resolve some of the issues.

I thought Wren as a main character was likeable and I enjoyed her story, where as I found Nick a little two dimensional. Given Wren was still in a relationship until at least 50% the way through, I found it hard to root for the relationship with Nick, because there weren’t enough scenes of them together.

In terms of the overall plot, I loved Edie’s character and the whole Community Kitchen storyline, but I think there were a few too many sub plots that made it hard to get emotionally involved with any of them. But the prose was well written and I liked the authors writing style.

As a debut novel, I think this shows real promise, and I hope the changes to the book will make the readers properly fall in love with Wren and Nick!

The Near Miss by Lily Joseph is a delightful romantic comedy that captures the magic of chance encounters and second chances. The story revolves around Wren, a local reporter yearning for a tranquil life, and Nick, a handyman recovering from a painful breakup. Their paths cross in a series of near-miss accidents that fatefully bring them together.

Joseph's writing shines with humor and heart, making Wren and Nick's journey both entertaining and endearing. The premise of their almost-meetings creates a charming tension that keeps readers engaged, eagerly anticipating their inevitable encounter. The backdrop of the old bookshop and the enchanting Blue Grotto in Capri adds a whimsical touch to the narrative.

The characters are well-developed, with Wren's journey of self-acceptance and Nick's struggle to reconnect with his daughter adding depth to their romantic arc. The supporting characters, especially those in Wren's life, enrich the story with warmth and relatability.

The Near Miss is a perfect read for fans of feel-good romance, reminiscent of Beth O’Leary and Abby Jimenez. Joseph masterfully balances lighthearted comedy with moments of genuine emotion, creating a story that is both funny and heartfelt. This book is a testament to the power of fate and the beautiful messiness of finding true love.

Overall, The Near Miss is a thoroughly enjoyable read that leaves a lasting impression. It's a book that celebrates the unpredictability of life and love, and I highly recommend it. Four stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Lily Joseph for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with the eARC of The Near Miss in exchange for an honest review of the book!

Unfortunately, this was not it for me. I love the premise of this book and it sounded like a really fun read but unfortunately the writing was so stressful for me to read that this didn't feel like a fun experience lol. The writing definitely needs some work. It felt like things were all over the place and it felt pretty chaotic. I do believe if the writing was executed better, I would enjoy this much more.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ebook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The Near Miss is a sweet romantic comedy that hit every beat. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the layers to the story, and all of the coincidences that lined up like fate. However, the numerous “near misses” towards the end became a bit frustrating Fewer of those moments would have allowed more time for the relationship to blossom. Despite this, I look forward to reading more from Lily Joseph!

I’ll be recommending this book to fans of Josie Silver, Katherine Center, and 2000s RomComs.

This is billed as a lighthearted comedy but it does also have a serious side e.g. the situation of an estranged dad who wants to see more of his young daughter.
The story starts with a window falling from the first floor of a bookshop and narrowly missing causing serious injuries to our heroine. It continues with more and more accidents happening whenever the two main characters are near to each other. Just like the title, there are so many near misses that it can’t be coincidence and it is clear that the catalyst is these two getting together. Despite everything will they or won’t they. I won’t spoil the ending!

Thank you to Net Galley nd the publisher for providing a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it very quickly.

This story is about the overlap in lives and the role that fate plays in brining people together. What a great story that shows we are all interconnected and our relationships are what we make of them. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a story about fate and time, about finding your person when you least expect it, about invisible strings that tie people together. I love the concept of invisible stings, but more than that i love when characters, even being so connected through an invisible bond, take their time to meet each other. It's pretty impressive how many near-misses happened before Wren and Nick were able to finally meet, how fate kept dragging them together, but at the same time also keeping them apart, because they were not ready for each other at that moment.

I really loved the concept, and even though the amount of near-misses felt like too much at some point, the longing for the meeting was worth it! When Wren and Nick finally met I literally was screaming because from there everything made sense, every small detail played out from that moment and I really loved how Lily Joseph was able to craft this whole scenario in this book. I loved the dynamic between main characters, but also I loved how interconnected their lives were, how even their upbringings were structured in favour of finally drawing them together. The background characters were also fascinating, sometimes I was thinking that I want to read more about Edie than about main characters because of how interesting her life seemed, how she captured my attention from the very first appearance.

Wren was an interesting heroine and it was amazing to follow her through her path of self-acceptance and self-discovery. I loved that by the end of this book she was able to find her own voice, to step up for herself. The side story with her father was incredibly touching, And their bond felt very precious to me. sometimes we all are feeling like Wren and we need a little push from fate to keep moving, keep discovering ourselves and the world around us.

As for Nick, I really wanted to like him as strongly as I liked Wren, but something just wasn't working for me. I still enjoyed the romantic aspect and his journey, but I felt like he's not my person.

Still, the chemistry between Wren and Nick was undeniable, it radiated through pages so brightly and, moreover, I feel like that chemistry was noticeable even before their first personal encounter. I absolutely enjoyed their journey together, how they felt that connection and built that bond, how such a concept as people help people describes them perfectly.

So, why am i rating this book three stars in this case? I had several problems with this book and the first one and the main one, sadly, was that I got a bit bored in the first half of this book. I don't think that having both POVs for different near-misses was needed, the plot felt dragged out because of that and I really was contemplating if I should just skip some chapters or not. Don't get me wrong, in the end the wait made sense, but still.

I also think that some plot-related events should've happened on pages rather than being just briefly mentioned. Like the situation with Wren's ex-boyfriend, for example. I understand that it would've made this book longer, but important stuff that affects the whole plot drastically should not be left off-screen.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's a fluffy summery romcom that explores the concept of invisible strings, of finding your person when the right time comes. It made me laugh, it made me cry a bit, it brought all the feels a good romcom should bring, so I absolutely enjoyed this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

“Sometimes fate just steps in and doesn’t give you a choice. It’s not about being strong and capable; it’s about accepting that there are things you can’t change”

Two people, Nick and Wren, are destined to meet or there are accidents upon accidents. Their intertwined stories and paths keep you on your toes. From a window almost hitting Wren’s head to Nick having an allergic reaction caused indirectly by Wren, these two are definitely fated or doomed to meet. However, in between these catastrophic events, a beautiful love story is set to start.

“They were like magnets, not just now, but ever since the moment they’d met on the beach. Finding and losing each other but being drawn together back somehow”

This is a light and quick read, filled with funny and good feeling moments. The main characters are likable and charming and their love story is quite interesting and dynamic. Both have to overcome past relationships, Wren more recently than Nick, and, therefore, learn to love again. If you want a fast-paced, romantic read, this is for you.

Overall, I would give this story a 4,5/5. It was such a fun read and I was enjoying it immensely. Truth be told, I would have loved more romantic moments between the characters or an epilogue of them in the future.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sharing an arc with me in exchange for an honest review.

I know the title is “Near Miss” but I wish it only happened once — after a while, the almost meetings, accidents and trouble were tiring and unnecessary. I liked the chemistry between Wren and Nick but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested during the book.

I DNF at 30%. I just couldn't get into it and all the near misses/missed connections drove me nuts.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, but this one wasn't for me.