Without a shadow of doubt, The Man I Never Met is my book of the year.
I fell in love with Hannah and Davey on the first page, the second, the third and every page until the end! I could not stop reading this book, staying up into the early hours of the morning to keep reading.
Funny, relatable, & heartfelt!

Thank you to the author and publisher for my advanced copy of the book.

@currentlyreading__
Book 38 of 2022

Later in the year 'The Man I Never Met' by @lornacookauthor will be published. Thank you to @NetGalley, the author and the publisher @penguinukbooks for the advance e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Think every feel-good rom-com you've ever watched and multiply it by ten and then you've got the heart of this book. Our two lead characters are Hannah and Davey, Hannah happily living the single life in London and Davey, in America about to move to London. When Davey misdials Hannah's number their friendship begins with a follow up text here and there, calls and subsequently video calls where the pair become so comfortable in each other's presence, watching films and even sleeping next to each other whilst on transatlantic video call.

After counting down the days until Davey's arrival, when the day of his move arrives, Hannah makes her way to the airport with her emotions brimming to the surface and a banner welcoming Davey to his new home. She waits... and waits. Davey never appears. Feeling humiliated, Hannah returns home and after a few days receives the news of why Davey never arrived.

@lornacookauthor has created beautiful leading characters in Hannah and Davey and the supporting cast of George, Miranda, Joan and Grant. Joan's wisdom, her penchant for grading their weekend coffee and her supportive advice make her officially the nicest landlady in history! Even though this is essentially a feel-good room-com, there is that depth because of the nature of the subject-matter which I won't spoil. I enjoyed all of the time I spent with the characters and was pleased that I finished the book with a smile on my face as the happy ending for Hannah, however difficult the journey was, was just what was needed.

#bookstagram #bibliophile #bookworm #book #booknerd #bookstagrammer #kindle #instabook #reader #bookobsessed #instareads #currentlyreading #bookchat #bookish #books #netgalley #ellecook #themaninevermet

We never really think about the moments that happen which can lead to bigger things in our lives. Little did Hannah know that answering a random call as she made the way out of the gym would have her starting a conversation with a man from Austin, Texas. A wring number dialled twice for an interview, Hannah attempts to help home get the right number and mentions that he hopes he gets the job. Kickstarting a WhatsApp thread from him getting the job and chatting about his move to the UK.

Progressing from messages and a couple of photos to show the other what they look like, they move to phone calls followed by video calls. Hearing from Davey every few days really puts a spring in her step and they make plans for his arrival in the New Year. Each agrees that this is more than just friendship. However, waiting at the airport on the day of his arrival Davey never shows and it is a few days later when Hannah learns the truth behind why he never made his flight.

Pushing Hannah away is what Davey feels is for the best but they are each left heartbroken. Whilst he is in the US doing his thing, Hannah attempts to move on with her life by dating George from the gym. Despite being physically compatible he changes her food and gym regime, all whilst not letting her into his life – very odd! However, Hannah is never really able to forget about Davey, the man she never met.

Tissues at the ready for this one, lots of tissues! Be prepared to clear your schedule as you’ll want to know what happens next.

A wonderful story of serendipity, one that will make you laugh, cry and smile as you read about the ups and downs. Elle Cook manages to navigate the modern day struggles that a long distance romance entails while also dealing with difficult situations. A wonderfully read overall; this is a book I will definitely be buying once it’s officially released.

I rate it 4.5. This is the 1st of Elle (or Lorna) Cook’s books I’ve read so far. I really liked it. It encompasses many different elements: mystery, lightheartedness, hope, grief, friendships. The characters are mostly likeable, When I was reading the book, I thought something was quite predictable however I was delighted to find that I didn’t quite get it right. The only bit that perhaps let me down was I found the chapter just before the ending a little long winded, perhaps needs must so that when ending comes it harvests more emotions out of the reader.

Many thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone and Elle Cook for this advance review copy via Netgalley.

One of my favourite reads of 2022 and quite possibly the best romance book I’ve read (ever). I loved the varied and complex cast of characters and their relationships felt so authentic and were truly heartwarming. I felt Elle handled a difficult topic with sensitivity and a deft hand. I often find that some relationships in the romance genre can feel forced and flat but the connection between Hannah and Davey was beautifully crafted and felt very real. I read this in two sittings - it was brilliantly paced and I didn’t want it to end. BUT what an ending it was! So perfect and I loved the parallels to Hannah’s favourite movie. I will definitely dip into Elle’s other books (as Lorna Cook) and very much hope she delves further into the romance genre! Have already preordered the paperback because I want a physical copy and will make sure to post my reviews in November!

I have no words! This is one of my new favourite books! I cannot tell you how much I loved it! The characters are so well developed and they feel so real. The storyline is so wonderfully written and every detail is just immaculate! The romance is so beautiful and has made me believe in fate. The whole way through this book I was talking to the characters, begging for things to happen! That’s how invested I became. I felt like the story was actually happening. This whole book is just perfect. That’s all I can say. Just perfect! One of the best books I’ve read in a very long time! I’m telling you now. When this book comes out you need to read it. It won’t disappoint!

Sometimes when I read books that do not suit my mood, it ruins it for me. This was not one of those times.

I'll admit it; I went into this thinking I was going to get a fun rom-com. Was I shocked? YES. Was I disappointed? Absolutely not.

I advise that you go in blind because this is one where you do not want any spoilers.

The Man I Never Met was utterly incredible, and I cannot wait to see more of Elle Cook.

A really enjoyable read with great characters. Read it & enjoy! Highly recommended by me. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

TW: this book discusses a lot about weight and body image

I do want to start by saying I really did enjoy this book apart from the constant talk of weight, I felt it was a little unnecessary and definitely could have had the same story without it. I understand it was showing part of Hannah’s insecurities and the impact peoples words can have on us but I felt there was no “resolution” or acknowledgement about the subject.

The story starts with Hannah who receives a phone call from a number in America and when she answers it happens to be a guy named Davey who has misdialled her. I loved watching their relationship grow and even though they haven’t met as he lives in America and she’s in London, it was so lovely to see their connection grow from just a phone call.

The POV switches a little later on in the book to both Hannah and Davey which was quite a nice touch as we got to see more into Davey’s life and what he got up too when him and Hannah weren’t on the phone.

It should also be said I think we all need friends like Miranda and Joan, I just adored them both and honestly would love to read a book from Joan’s POV.

If there was ever a second book purely just on Hannah and Davey’s growing relationship, I would jump back into the story in a heart beat! Definitely a feel good book that you don’t want to miss!

I would like to thank Elle Cook, NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and Penguin for an Arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I requested this book because of the amount of great reviews it has and I'm so glad I did. This book completely surpassed my expectations in so many ways and I wish I already had the physical copy of it to put on my shelf!

Hannah gets a phone call from Davey by accident he phoned the wrong number twice by mistake he wrote it down wrong he had to ring for a job interview in London Davey lives in Austin Texas he messaged Hannah back that evening to say he got the job and they start talking their texting turns into phone call’s and video calls and their friendship grows and when they finally arrange to meet at the airport but Davey doesn’t turn up and Hannah is left waiting at arrivals with no sign of Davey but when she finds out why it changes both their lives
I really enjoyed and totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Random House Uk Cornerstone
I just reviewed The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook. #TheManINeverMet #NetGalley

A beautiful, bittersweet love story - not the romcom I expected.

The author does a wonderful job of navigating a sensitive topic, building characters with heart and soul, you can feel how they're feeling, beautifully written.

The Man I Never Met was the heartbreaking yet lightly comedic book I didn’t know I was looking for!!
I went into this thinking it would be a ‘cutesy’ rom-com like so many others but I was pleasantly surprised when the story developed into a heartbreaking story where the two main characters longed for eachother secretly while one of them is going through a really tough time mentally and physically.
I absolutely loved following Hannah and Davey’s story, from the first conversation when he called the wrong number, to them having FaceTime dates and slowly developing their relationship from friends to the possibility of something more when he was due to move to London.
The twist really had me reflecting on my own life and how you should take any opportunity you can while you have the chance, because life can change in an instant.
It really broke my heart when Davey pushed Hannah away because he didn’t want burden her with what was happening in his life. Yet they both longingly ached and cared for eachother even when they weren’t in contact.
I was very satisfied with the ending, I just wish we could have had more scenes of them actually together.
100% will recommend this book to everyone I know and on my Booktok account, it really resonated with me in so many ways, I know it’ll be a favourite of mine for a very long time.
Thank you NetGalley and Cornerstone for the opportunity to read this book.

“I missed you. I missed you so much, and losing you hurt so much and I couldn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t even tell you.”

The Man I Never met lured me with its name and convinced me with its blurb. A good strangers-to-incidental friends-to-somewhat-lovers with a few time gaps here and there.

The characters were enjoyable but not too much. Overall it was good.

Most importantly it’s the Testicular Cancer awareness. I thank the author of bringing more light on the subject with this beautiful love story.

Even though I was expecting a completely different mood from this book, I could have never imagined I’d love it as much as I did! The main reason I picked it was because I knew it’d be relatable since I was in a not-quite-but-similar situation when my now-husband and I were forced to be in a long-distance relationship due to the pandemic restrictions. Unlike Hannah, I didn’t have as many supportive friends. In fact, pretty much everyone thought I was a lunatic for waiting for someone on the opposite side of the world.

I think this is why this book is so special too. Just because you are in a situation where you have to be apart from your loved one, it doesn’t mean your relationship is any less “real”. It’s easy to mistake the convenience of what (or who) is next to us with love or the potential of something that is right for us. However, sometimes, the best things and the most beautiful love stories don’t come easy.

Of course, this book is so much more than a virtual relationship between two people, and that’s not what the whole book is about. That’s as much as I can tell you to avoid spoilers.

Here are some things I LOVED about the book:

🧡 The depth of the relationship
Even when Hannah tries to dismiss her feelings or fears the judgment of others, it’s clear that she knows in her heart how she feels about someone who, technically, she “never met”. Perhaps if this happened to your best friend, you’d think they were nuts. But the fact that most of the book is told from Hannah’s perspective, really helps you understand why she feels the way she does. Every day in some long-distance relationship communities, you read about people frustrated at how their family and friends don’t value their relationship or can’t understand them. I wish I could recommend them this book!

🧡 The characters
I can’t actually remember the last time I liked most of the characters in a book (and disliked the ones we’re supposed to dislike). I like them so much that I get upset when others treat them unfairly — leave Joan alone! It just has that feel-good vibe that complements everything else, no matter how rough things get.


There’s one thing I didn’t love:

🌧️ Late POV shift
I mean, yes, it was interesting to find what was in the other person’s head, but it came way too late and kind of ruined some of the suspense for me. Some things are better left to wonder.

Overall The Man I Never Met was a beautiful romantic story that I couldn’t get enough of!

I absolutely loved this book and didn’t want it to end. From the first page to the last it was a journey of romance, heartbreak and a scatter of hope In between. I loved Hannah’ and I personally would have her as my best friend.. she is so naïve and see’s the best in everyone. George in the other hand I could not stand. ( I know it’s a book and not real but it’s written so well you start to feel you know these people) Davey and I don’t want to give anything away had me in tears with his journey. Thank you Elle for a wonderful love story..

As someone who fell in love with her boyfriend via skype calls, this really resonated with me. Hannah and Davey were the most beautiful characters, and the bond was just utterly gorgeous. This will be a reread for me, I experienced every single emotion reading this. Happiness, sadness, anger, an emotional rollercoaster. I loved this so so much.

Let me start by saying, if you’re looking for a sweet cute romance, this is not for you. Our main characters “meet” due to a misdialled number and then after much back and forth (and to be honest this party felt very long-winded) they plan to meet but this is foiled due to our male main character getting cancer. What follows is them trying to move on with their lives while secretly still being in love with each other. It felt like a very emotionally draining story to read, and sometimes that the story was dragging with mundane day to day things, but I did appreciate being able to see both sides of the story. I’d give this story a 3.5 due to how different it is from things I’ve read before, but it felt it dragged too much in lots of places

How many times have you misdialled a number and then mistakenly done it again or received such a call more than once??? But how many times have you fallen in love with the person that misdialled you???

Hannah and Davey, strangers who possibly would never have met, never have spoken and totally never have fallen in love!!

The characters come to life in this book and having had the pleasure of reading before publishing with Netgalley, I can honestly say that I read the book twice because I loved it so much

Elle Cook brings every word in this book to life, makes you want to continue reading, have the characters as your friends and get absorbed by the storyline within