I typically love a slow burn, but I felt that there were one too many near misses in this book and it began to frustrate me. I can definitely see others loving it though.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I’m sure others enjoyed it, and I can see why. But unfortunately for me I struggled to relate to this book.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked the idea of this and the plot was okay but there seemed to be some missteps.

I DNF at 22%. 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.

A strange series of uncanny events, with straightforward writing but an unclear direction.

The characters continuously circle around each other, both have grown comfortable with less than ideal lifestyles.

Many of the secondary characters are quite unlikable, but we still experience these relationships as the characters continue to cross paths without interacting. However, each action in one place eventually threatens the life of the other.

This is not your typical romance, but it is enjoyable if you know what to expect.

This is such a cute book! I love stories about missed connections and crazy meet cutes. I thought the author was so creative in the circumstances that brought Nick and Wren together. This is her debut romance novel and I thought that the writing was great, I enjoyed the pace of the story, and getting to know all of the characters and relationships. Lily Joseph does a fantastic job at describing the settings and making you feel like you’re there. After several almost moments in their hometown of Northumberland, Nick and Wren both travel to Italy on different vacations, and that is where they finally end up meeting, which I loved. If you’re looking for a light, easy and fun read, then I definitely recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this eARC with me!

The book took a while to get into. But both characters were likable. The story was also predictable, but fun with its various twists and turns.

British MCs
Duel POV (in 3rd person)
Romcom
Vacation/holiday romance
Single dad
Slow burn
Fade to black
HEA

Lily Joseph's writing was fantastic & the story was enchanting! I couldn't put this book down. I cannot wait to read more stories by Lily in the future.

The amount of odd coincidences this pair encounter before (& afterwards too!) actually meeting face to face on their separate holidays in Italy is laugh out loud funny. This read will convince you that fate is real! I really enjoyed the British slang & references (more brownie points given for embracing them being Northerners!). The main characters, Wren & Nick, were very relatable. The story pacing was well thought out. Usually a slow burn, fade to black doesn't tickle my fancy, but I seriously enjoyed this read & will be recommending to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lily Joseph for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Near Miss is a fun romantic comedy by Lily Thomas. The story follows Nick and Wren as they each suffer from several near misses and mishaps - but what if these mix-ups aren't random, what if they are in fact fate conspiring for these two to meet?

Wren is a local reporter who is not quite sure her boyfriend is the one for her after all. Nick is a handyman who is just coming out of a breakup and is focused on spending time with his daughter.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the two finally meet in Italy and instantly feel a connection. You'll giggle as they discover all the chance encounters they have had, and feel yourself rooting for their newfound love. The relationships with their friends and family add so much to the story, bringing their pasts into the present in a very real way. Relatable characters, funny almost meet cutes, plus a swoonworthy way of falling in love make this a fun book for a holiday read.

Wren y Nick están destinados a estar juntos o matarse. En su primer encuentro él casi la mata cuando se le resbaló un vidrio, luego casi la mata con un taladro, le cayo palo en la cabeza por que él no acomodo bien sus herramientas, le provocó un accidente en una telesilla. Ella casi lo atropella, luego hizo que le cayera un estante, indirectamente fue responsable que se ahogara con una moneda, contaminó comida e hizo que le diera una reacción alérgica.

Wren es periodista, estaba entrevistando a la abuela de Nick y la señora quería presentarlos, pero ella todavía estaba en una relación con Alex, sin embargo, su relación está en crisis. Rompe con el loco antes de irse de viaje a Italia.

Nick es vidriero, tiene una hija, vive con su hermano Travis porque tiene problemas económicos. Estuvo casado, su matrimonio terminó mal, la ex no quiere ni verlo. Fue a Italia para conocer a su padre.

Se conocieron en un viaje en kayak y como imaginaran tuvieron un accidente.

¿El destino está intentado juntarlos o evitando que se conozcan?



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Near Miss ARC has been in my TBR pile for a little while - and I'm glad actually, because not too long ago, I got an email inviting me to download an updated version with some storyline amendments. I can only review the latest version, the premise was great, the characters were all excellent (aside from Wren's awful boyfriend!) and despite the many (many, very many) obstacles, the story did rattle at quite a pace. These numerous obstacles/death defying dramas do require you to suspend disbelief occasionally. It's hard to believe so much could keep Wren and Nick from meeting in person for such a long time, but once they finally do, they make a great partnership. I really enjoyed Wren's relationship with her dad, and Nick's with his brother. This was a charming and sweet novel. 3.5 rounded up to 4 for me. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC 😊

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a little muddled in some places and had some concerns with pacing, but a really sweet story. I would like to read more from this author.

1 ⭐️

I REALLY wanted to like this book, but at 30% in I lost total interest. I skimmed the rest as i received the ARC. This just wasn’t for me at all. I didn’t feel any draw or connection to the characters.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

“The Near Miss” by Lily Joseph is a story about fate. Nick and Wren keep having accident/near misses caused by the other person (a window nearly falls on Wren, Nick nearly is backed into, etc.) but they don’t meet for a long time in the book. When they do meet, on an island where they’re both separately holidaying, they don’t exchange numbers and later realize they’re in the same town. Usually I’m okay with stories like this - there’s a slow build-up and “fate” eventually gets them together … but this was really slow … and the incidents just seemed to keep happening (some seemed really silly) … and I had to push myself to finish the book. I didn’t like Wren’s controlling horrible boyfriend (huzzah that he’s gone) but I did like Nick’s daughter and the fact that Nick was a single Dad. There were a lot of subplots and many side characters, so that along with the slowness of the book made it difficult for me to get into it and, honestly, really enjoy it. Cute cover and cute idea, but it didn’t work for me. Rounded up to 3 stars due to this being a debut novel (more like a 2.25 read).

This book was so much fun yet heartbreakingly beautiful at the same time. I absolutely fell in love with this story, the characters and all the "mishaps" along the way!

Thank you to NetGalley for the early reader's copy. It sounds as though I may be in the minority for this one, but I adored this story. A true Rom Com perfect for Summer, I was enamored with our main characters, Nick and Wren. The side characters were also a delight, particularly Edie, Libby, and Wren's dad. I found all of the "near misses" quite fun to plot through and this reminded be of an early 2000S Rom Com a la How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days or 27 Dresses. There were moments where the pacing was a bit off, but the publisher already connected with early readers that this has been addressed in the most recent round of edits. I look forward to grabbing a finished copy once released and sharing with my friends looking for a fun beach read with a beating heart.

“And just so you know, I feel like you’re my lighthouse too.”
”It’s strange. We keep trying to kill each other. But I’ve never felt so safe.”

-Fated lovers
-Disastrous events
-Single dad
-Slow burn
-Fade to black
-RomCom

This was such a cute story about 2 people who were absolutely meant to cross paths! Throughout the whole book they seemed to be just a few paces behind the other, and I was giddy with anticipation wondering when they would finally smack into one another! Although their constant unaware dance around each other was nearly…. deadly 💀 I really like how the author kept tying them together and they were both completely unaware of the other’s existence. Poor people were nearly dying and I couldn’t help laughing out loud at times 🤣 What seemed to be a string of bad luck ultimately pushed Wren and Nick together! ❤️

This was a megaaaaa slow burn! They finally get together very briefly in Italy, but disaster strikes and Nick leaves early. Without getting Wren’s number! Even in Italy they still don’t realize the full extent of their history, but they do learn they live in the same county and just think it’s a small world. Once they both get back home the unaware dancing around each other happens even MORE until a photo of Wren’s mom Nick finds in his Nanna’s house helps the pieces start to fall in place!

I wanted to laugh with this book but it just felt a little too forced. I almost shocked neither of them were truly injured inadvertently by the other. Cute premise though and I did like the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this eARC.

This book was really fun, unexpected, and unlike anything else I’ve read. I enjoyed the characters and all their fated near misses, and finally connection and love.

A lovely book about two people who are fated to be together; but a series of very unfortunate events keeps interrupting their happiness.
I really enjoyed Wren and Nick - and the collection of characters we meet throughout the novel. It was easy to picture them in their little village, and also their adventure to Italy.
A funny, cute rom com which delivers what you’d expect.