The No-Show

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In some ways, it felt a little different to the other books I’ve read from Beth and I can’t put my finger on why, perhaps because of the three-character perspective format and at times not feeling overly drawn to all its protagonists, but regardless it still stands as my favourite book of the year so far! It’s not explicit or gory, but it was shocking, and I want to warn readers who would find this part upsetting. Miranda, Siobhan and Jane’s family and colleagues were comical and opinionated, but with four main characters to keep up with, the others faded into the background. And the more I learned about Joseph, the more he wormed his way into my heart just like the heroines. She is living a very proscribed life (she wears the same clothes every week, and eats the same breakfast every day) in the belief that she will somehow be “safe.

The No-Show by Beth O’Leary - Dear Author REVIEW: The No-Show by Beth O’Leary - Dear Author

Content warnings: self-harm, alcoholism, obsession, stalking, sexual harassment, miscarriage, dementia. Meticulously plotted, fresh and surprising but thrumming with that signature Beth O’Leary warmth we all adore, The No-Show is a dream of a novel from start to finish, even if it is a total enigma until the very end. But lingering questions remain for each of them, and the missed Valentine’s Day plants the seeds for a shift in Joseph’s relationships.She had a bad breakup with her last boyfriend, which makes her wary of getting into another relationship, but she has a lot of close friends, the closest of whom is her longtime roommate and bestie, Fiona. Beth O’Leary is that rare, one-in-a-million talent who can make you laugh, swoon, cry and ache all in the same book .

The No-Show: The utterly heart-warming new novel from the The No-Show: The utterly heart-warming new novel from the

O'Leary's wit, charm and heart are on full, fantastic display in this cosy, surprising and deeply satisfying novel. Three women who seemingly have nothing in common find that they’re involved with the same man in this smart new rom-com by Beth O’Leary, bestselling author of The Flatshare. I actually like plenty of books that aren’t romances (particularly in YA and fantasy, but also other genres sometimes) although but usually I prefer books with romantic elements at least.

For that reason, I felt like it was a bit of a slow burner to begin with, but I put that down to my erratic reading schedule more than the story itself. Which isn’t to say that heavy material is something I never want to read; I’m just wondering if that’s part of the reason The Flatshare stands out above the others. Siobhan is an ambitious career coach in Dublin, who looks forward to monthly sex dates with Joseph and his magic tongue.

The No-Show by Beth O’Leary - Zoella BRB Sobbing! Reviewing The No-Show by Beth O’Leary - Zoella

The Flatshare had the perfect balance of light and dark for her voice, I agree that the characters were lovable, and also the premise of sharing a one-bedroom apartment in shifts and leaving each other notes was fresh and charming. The best way to go into reading The No-Showis without expectation- although it’s tempting to rush through its chapters and see how each character’s story falls into place, to me its charm was the slow unfolding of each relationship which left me curious and gripped by every small detail. I liked all the female protagonists (even though I kind of wanted Jane to get over being a drip and deal with her trauma, whatever it was).

I have a feeling I would read it and think I’d rather have read the same basic concept from the guy’s singular point of view. She starts a book club with Joseph, and slowly develops a crush, but she’s not sure if he sees her as more than a friend. But as the story unfolds, the lives of the main players draw the reader in until the tale builds to its unexpected, but ultimately satisfying, ending.