The book starts with Lucy having quit her job. That night she’s in the local pub and meets a handsome stranger, Caleb, and whilst talking to him spots her ex, the ‘one that got away’ a decade earlier, outside and runs out to see him. Then follows two scenarios – in a ‘sliding doors’ esque style – one where she goes to London to a fancy new job and the prospect of hooking back up with Max, and the other where she stays in her seaside hometown of Shorely to try her hand at writing a novel and getting to know Caleb better.

So far so romantic comedy style book. But it is so much more than that.

As with ‘The Sight of You’ Holly Miller’s writing is exquisite and, despite the modern setting, feels like ‘proper’ literature again.

The storylines run concurrently – shifting between ‘Stay’ and ‘Go’ each chapter. I really enjoyed both storylines – and couldn’t pick a favourite. Neither are plain sailing – but both have a fabulous story arc. There are some very clever crossovers where either the same event happens in both storylines – or very different things happen depending on character’s decisions. It was done flawlessly and shows how clever the author – and editor – have been it making it seamless. (I appreciate I am a geek for admiring such things – but it’s a badge I’m very prepared to wear!)

It also wasn’t predictable at all – and Max and Caleb made very different, but both lovely, leading men.

I also LOVED the final chapter – it left you wondering about soulmates and fate and destiny and what ifs – perfect!

This is not a ‘difficult second album’ book – it’s fabulous again. Holly Miller is definitely going to be a ‘go to’ author for me in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC – and the book’s out in March 2022, so not too long to wait.

Fate vs chance? How much control do we really have over our future lives? Is it pre-destined or do our choices take us careering on one of many possible outcomes? These questions lie at the heart of this wonderfully styled romance. Lucy finds herself at a crossroads in her life. She quits a thankless job and meets the talented Caleb, a local photographer. Does she dare take a risk on pursuing her love of writing and a budding romance? Or does she move to London to rekindle her career and confront the past she had tried to hide from- her ex Max.
In this powerful and emotional imagining, we get to see Lucy play out both possibilities simultaneously- the what of she stays in her local seaside town vs the projection of what London offers. What, if any, is the right path? An intriguing read with some big questions at its core. #whatmighthavebeen #hollymiller #netgalley

I loved Holly Miller’s first book, so was really excited to read this new release. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. I thought I would have loved the Sliding Doors -esque narrative but I actually found the constant switch up from the ‘stay’ chapters and the ‘go’ chapters really annoying, especially as I was much more invested in the ‘stay’ chapters. I decided to DNF this about half way through. Not for me and I’m not sure if I’d pick up another one from this author now.

I am not sure what I thought about this book. It's two stories in one book, almost as if the author couldn't decide which story she wanted to write so did both. Lucy wasn't a character that I warmed to and Max made me uneasy. Caleb was great! I guess I know which choice I would have made. The writing was good but I did find the story hard to follow in places. With thanks for an e-ARC to read and review.

I loved The Sight Of You by Holly already, one of my favourite books ever, and now she's done it again. The parallel timeline in What Might Have Been is beautiful, it's characters unique and lovable. Holly has the power to make me cry with words on paper, as if I'm in the room with the characters.
Don't we all ever try to imagine what might have been? In a parallel universe, where love and hurt are close together? That whatever you do, whatever choice you make, not everything can all ever be perfect? This book is such a beautiful reflexion on life, I can highly recommend it!

Two words best describe this book. PURE BLISS. I loved everything about What Might Have Been from the premise, to the execution of the plot and the characters whose lives I became so utterly engrossed in. This is the crème de la crème of romantic fiction, a page turning delight from start to finish and one that I could happily read again and again and again. Why does this novel stand out from all the other romantic titles out there? I’ll
tell you my thoughts and in doing so hopefully convince you that Holly Miller’s latest novel is a must read in the run up to Valentines Day.

Let me begin by giving you a brief synopsis. Living in the coastal setting of Shoreley with sister Tash and her family, single, wannabe novelist Lucy quits her advertising agency job, a decision that’s long overdue. Decamping to her local pub The Smugglers she meets Caleb, a photographer. It’s while she’s chatting to this handsome stranger that she spies ex boyfriend and love of her life Max Gardner passing by. Serendipitous or what? Ten years have elapsed since their abrupt parting which left Lucy devastated and heartbroken. She truly believed he was The One. Reading her daily horoscope which suggests today is the day she’ll meet her soulmate, Lucy cannot miss the opportunity to say hello, rudely abandoning her conversation with Caleb mid flow. This is Lucy’s fork in the road moment, a life changing decision hanging in the balance. Should she turn left or right? Take a chance on Caleb or pick up where she left off with Max? Should she GO or should she STAY? What would you do?

First things first. I’ll admit the premise is far from original. Sliding door moments, right guy/wrong time scenarios, the search for your soulmate, the concept of fate and destiny have all been explored a million times over. In that respect Lucy’s story is no different from that of any other fictional female character you’ve ever come across. We’ve all been at crossroads in our lives, left to wonder later on “what might have been” which is why the storyline will have immediate, widespread appeal. One of the biggest selling points of this novel is its simplistic but oh so engaging format with Holly Miller having chosen to write two versions of Lucy’s love story under the headings I’ve already referred to; GO and STAY. This style suits the themes of the novel superbly with the added benefit that the reader is treated to two stories for the price of one! It doesn’t matter what you believe in when it comes to life,love and romance. It could be you put your faith in love at first sight, the existence of soulmates or that you’re convinced your fate is written in the stars. Even if you take a more measured, pragmatic approach to love and life, Holly Miller has it all covered!

Both versions are equally compelling and wildly romantic. Details of Lucy’s backstory are slowly drip fed to the reader so that your curiosity to understand the moments that have shaped her into the woman she is today is aroused. Holly Miller’s writing gives you that butterflies in the stomach feeling every incurable romantic yearns for but you can’t dodge a reality check or two from time to time. I think it’s important Lucy’s life mirrors reality with all its share of downs as well as ups otherwise we wouldn’t be able to relate to her so well but let’s face it the narrative is what dreams (and movies) are made of. I loved the fact that neither version is right or wrong and that the hiccups she experiences along the way definitely test her firmly held theories about love, romance and happy ever afters. That’s a good thing! These scenarios are necessary in order for the author to capture all the messiness and unpredictability of life and love in general. I constantly asked myself what would I do in Lucy’s shoes but I failed to answer my own question! GO or STAY, STAY or GO? In a novel where it’s all about the choices we make, not just in relation to love but to the careers and dreams we pursue also, I was so indecisive!

There are so many appealing aspects to this novel but I particularly loved the clever way certain details from one version overlap with the other right through to the very end. In addition the author tweaks and twists these finer points so that many of the supporting cast also end up with lives that take alternative paths, not just our Lucy! Each version flows so well, segueing seamlessly from one to the other and back again so that I found myself completely lost in all the drama, oblivious to everything else around me. Time stood still. All I cared about was Lucy and Caleb and Lucy and Max. I couldn’t have picked a favourite version if I tried.

What is so refreshing about these two love stories is that there’s no good or bad guy, not really. Neither are in direct competition with each other since we can never know which direction Lucy ultimately takes and that’s the beauty of this novel. Caleb and Max are polar opposites but they are both fantastic romantic heroes. I’d be happy to settle for either of them quite frankly! Thinking about characterisation I reckon the reader verdict will be unanimous when it comes to our lovestruck heroine. Everyone will love Lucy!! In truth there isn’t really a bad character amongst the whole cast except for one. I liked them all. Their individual stories compliment Lucy’s perfectly, each person as flawed and human as the next one. They all have the ability to make you smile, laugh, swoon, hope and leave you pondering your own life choices. Do you need tissues at the ready? Maybe!

Clever, beautifully constructed, joyous, uplifting, and yes at times, heartbreaking this could be my romantic read of the year but we have a long way to go yet. Holly Miller has set the bar incredibly high. This is a novel I can and will happily recommend.

My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

After loving Hollys first book ‘The Sight of You’, I was absolutely delighted to be approved for this one.

Here we meet Lucy who is destined to meet her soulmate. The big question is who is her true soulmate abs ‘The One’.

We are told the story in dual timelines and see what would have happened if Lucy had chosen each of the men. I really enjoyed this take of the story and it was still very easy to follow.

A lovely, moving story and one I’d definitely recommend.

After eight years Lucy Lambert quits her job at Figaro, she works as a copywriter and has always wanted to be a planner. For years her boss Georgia has promised her a promotion, she employees an external planner and overlooks Lucy.

Lucy lives in her hometown and that night she goes to the local bar Smugglers, to enjoy a mocktail and think about what she’s going to do? Lucy meets recently separated photographer Caleb and then sees her ex-boyfriend Max outside. Should she stay and talk to Caleb, he seems like a really nice guy and he lives locally or speak to Max who broke her heart ten years ago and lives in London?

What Might Have Been has two story-lines and looks at two completely different scenarios for Lucy. She can stay in Shoreley, look for another job, finish the book she started writing years ago and ring Caleb. Or Lucy can leave, move to London, share a house with her best friend Jools, start working at Supernova and try to rekindle her romance with Max.

At first I struggled with the sliding doors concept of the book, it’s very different to what I usually read and I ended up enjoying and being emotionally invested in the two stories. We all question the choices we’ve made, were they the right ones, any mistakes we’ve made and of course life doesn’t always go as planned.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review, Holly Miller has written a story about the two alternative directions Lucy can take, at times it’s uplifting and hopeful, other’s it’s sad and tragic, but most of all it's memorable and unforgettable. I look forward to what Ms. Miller comes up with next and four stars from me.

This is a very clever way of writing a story and something we've all wondered about from time to time, i.e. 'how would things have turned out if I'd made different choices in my life's journey?' Lucy is such a woman. The two men in her life, Max and Caleb, are possible soul mates but which one is THE one? There are two versions running alongside each other in the book - one where she chooses Max, the other where Caleb is the one. Whilst I enjoyed reading this and the alternating chapters of Max and Caleb's stories I didn't really feel any closeness to any of the characters. Neither Lucy nor her family and friends were all that likeable and her sister especially, and what she did, was horrible. I absolutely loved Holly's earlier book, The Sight of You , but I am sorry to say I was rather disappointed in this book when compared to that earlier wonderful one. Holly writes beautifully and I look forward to her next book but this just didn't give me the same Wow factor that the last one did. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a pre-release copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored What Might Have Been. What really decides who we choose to be with. The story, told in alternating POV of should Lucy stay in her hometown or GO after up and quitting her day job.

Should she chase her past love or potentially seek out a new one?

Holly Miller did a wonderful job yet again with character development and a flawless plot line.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book had me instantly intrigued. I love “What if” type of stories, when you can see two paths unfold in two parallel timelines based on a decision made or a certain outcome at a crucial point in time.

The beginning of the story took me a bit to get into, but a few chapters in—as soon as the story reached that pivotal moment—I was fully invested and had a hard time putting the book down. I liked how it then diverged into “Stay” and “Go” and every chapter examined the same passage of time in both timelines. At first, both seemed to have their upsides for Lucy and (since you can never have it all) fulfill some of her dreams. Max and Caleb appeared to make her equally happy (well, except for some initial difficulties with Max) and I was beginning to wonder what the ultimate conclusion would be. But the further the story moved along the more it felt like one man/one version of events was supposed to be the preferred choice for Lucy. Everything just seemed to go a little smoother and feel a little more “right” there. It was almost like one timeline was how it was supposed to go and the other just a big (and emotionally much more taxing) detour to where Lucy would end up inevitably. But I liked how Lucy’s lives unfolded and how she grew in both with her experiences. And I have to admit, certain parts got me really emotional and I may have even almost cried at one point.

However, I wasn’t a big fan of the twists (or how they were handled) that were presented early on in both timelines to complicate things in Lucy’s relationships. The revelation about Max felt a bit out of character and I kinda saw it coming, but was hoping to be wrong. And I didn’t like how Lucy reacted to Caleb being honest with her, and how she treated him at times—it felt blown out of proportion. But I’m glad these things got resolved rather quickly and the story moved on from there.

I expected the “Go” ending to go a bit further than it did, but I guess the direction is clear and you know where it’s ultimately headed. What Might Have Been really took me on an emotional rollercoaster and even made me wanna rewatch Sliding Doors, haha. I’m very much looking forward to reading Holly Miller’s other works.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. This book was BRILLIANT! This was entirely my cup of tea. What Might Have Been gives the reader two stories in a sliding doors type of novel. Lucy finds herself in a café chatting to a handsome stranger named Caleb at a bar when she sees her ex Max through the window. Lucy read her horoscope and she knows she’s going to meet her soulmate that day. Is it Max or Caleb though?

After the brief encounter with both men there’s one timeline where she stays in Shoreley, finds a different job locally and sees Caleb again. In the other she goes to London and hopes to get the job she really wants at a big advertising agency. She also meets Max again, the guy she thought was her soul mate in the past already.

Both relationships were interesting to follow and there are some struggles to overcome in each of them. Caleb’s ex makes Lucy feel insecure and Max has never told her the entire truth why he broke things off with her and when he does it won’t make her feel very happy for a while.

Even though it maybe wasn’t the intention to create a personal preference for one man over the other, I did like Caleb most at the start. Maybe it was because he came with a clean slate and hadn’t broken her heart already, maybe because he was the most adventurous, or maybe because with him she didn’t go for the big money and professional acclaim but found her love for writing for herself again. In the end though I knew Max loved her very much too and I felt such turmoil that I wondered if it would be possible to have two happy endings and that you can meet two soul mates in your life. Which person would make her happiest? Or would they both be able to make her happy in different ways so that it didn’t really matter? I couldn’t stop turning those pages…

Lucy believes in signs and soulmates and she read that she was going to meet her soulmate that day when she was sitting at the bar alone. I don’t want to spoil anything but it’s true, she does meet her soul mate that day. My heart was sad and happy at the same time! I was very happy with the way both plotlines in this story ended and it’s certainly a novel I’d love to reread one day.

If you enjoyed Holly Miller’s previous novel, you’ll certainly enjoy What Might Have Been Too. I love stories with moral dilemma’s, forbidden love etc. and she was able to create this divine and almost impossible choice in this novel too that gives heartbreak and joy in equal measures.

Lucy is at a crossroads in her life – after walking out of her job in a small, local ad agency, she meets Caleb, a photographer in her seaside town. On the same night, she also bumps into her ex-Max, who was once the love of her life. Lucy must choose which path she is going to go down, does she pursue her dream of writing a novel and stay in her hometown, or does she move to London to work as a Copywriter for a large Advertising agency.

This book is a tale of two stories – the “Go” part of the book tell us what happens if Lucy goes to London, lives in a room in her best friend’s house, she lands her dream job and addresses the issues of Max and what happened to their relationship. The other part of the story “Stay” tells us what would have happened if Lucy had stayed in her seaside town and finally sat down to write the novel she’s always dreamt of writing.

Initially I wasn’t sure if I liked this story of not – and at times it felt like a real slog to get through it, but I am so glad that I preserved as towards the end I really enjoyed it.

It had a final twist that I wasn’t expecting, and about two thirds of the way through I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. At different points of the book, I really wanted her to choose one path and then at other times I wanted Lucy to go in a different direction!

I loved this book, I was hooked by the story straight away. I’m a fan of sliding doors type scenarios and I was delighted to receive an ARC via Netgalley.

We follow Lucy as she comes to a point in her life where she is unsure whether to follow Max and move to London or stay in her hometown of Shorley.

The 2 paths we follow lead to very different outcomes. I adored Lucy, she seemed like such a lovely person.

I’m not sure which scenario I preferred as I liked both Max and Caleb.

Now I am going to read the sight of you after hearing so many great things about it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Staughton for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Not my usual type of read but I did thoroughly enjoy it, well written and the characters were well developed. The story line kept me involved and I particularly enjoyed how there were two different outcomes to this, very original and I have never come across this before.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to read this book which I thoroughly recommend.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN is a lovely Sliding Doors-esque romance exploring the "what if?" tale of Lucy and the long-term butterfly effect of her decision whether to stay in her home town or move to London. It's a gentle and heartwarming tale with lots to enjoy.

As with most reviews I write, I will not describe the plot here as I believe that the blurb writers do a better job of it without giving anything away. Just to say that this book is written about one girl, Lucy, and a point at which her life is at a crossroads and she has to make a decision in a moment about what she does next. What follows is a story split into two parts depicting each choice. This is important for you to know before you start reading and you need to keep your wits about you as you read but it does become easy to know which part you are reading.
It's such a good idea and really well written. Overall it is a beautiful love story (or two really!) and the way Holly Miller brings it to an end, is dealt with so well which made me sigh in contentment of a wonderful conclusion.
Read it if you like love stories!

A sweet book that initially I found confusing. Couldn’t work out who was who… as the book progressed it started to make sense but I still wasn’t really bothered by the big mishap or the dual outcomes. Makes you think about “what if” but didn’t really have enough pizzazz for me.

This is a delightful book with two different outcomes very cleverly written.
Loved how it followed Lucy as she decides whether to choose Max who broke her heart when in university, or choose Caleb who she meets in a pub. The story flowed brilliantly between the two scenes with unexpected twists along the way.
Can't wait for the next book by Holly Miller a clever writer.

I liked this, but it didn't have the wow factor. Having alternate timelines, I can't help feeling the author couldn't decide what she wanted to happen, so left it for the readers to decide upon their favourite. Well, if that's the case then I definitely preferred the Caleb storyline. In fact, Caleb was my favourite character, over and above Lucy, the female protagonist. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.