“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.

This is the perfect pick me up rom-com for those looking for a lighter read. Nick and Wren are easily loveable characters.

The plot is slow paced, and you'll find yourself sometimes getting distracted by so many characters, but the author does a good job of bringing you back into the story. Wren and Nick keeping nearly missing each other and you'll want to scream at the book for them to finally meet! I would give it a 2.5

4,5 stars ⭐️

I just reviewed The Near Miss by Lily Joseph. #TheNearMiss #NetGalley

First of all I’d like to thank the publisher and net!galley for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved reading The Near Miss.
It was such an amazing and easy read and made my emotions go all over the place.
The cat and mouse game going on between Nick and Wren was amazing.
You could definitely feel the build up going. But every plottwist or puzzle piece going in its place made it a 100 times better.

The moment Nick went to the Kayak spot in Italy, I just knew he would be paired with Wren!
I loved how they didn’t know each other but still had a lot of unknown connections.

Edie really stole my heart, such a sweet, old lady. Taking care of everyone. But always putting her grandsons first.

“Some obscure but strong Belgian beer”
Belgium represented 🤩

“I actually do believe there’s a plan for us all. A big library of books with our names written on them and a story inside.” CH3
How cute is this? I truly believe in this as well. So it was nice to read this in the book.

“If you think I didn’t see the way you looked at that ‘writer’ twat, then you’re wrong. I’ll know if you’ve slept with him.” CH7
I can’t even start to describe the hate I have for Alex. Such a toxic man! 😱
The first time I read about him, i got shivers from him, but not in a good way.

What I really liked about this book were the different (announced) POV’s between Wren and Nick. That way i could follow both their stories.

0,5 a star down in rating because i had to look up a couple different sentences. Which were difficult to read because English is not my main language.

Nick and Wren are meant to be.

Fate steps in multiple times to force them meeting but the timing is just never right. Through all these mishaps and missed connections, the reader is left waiting for the one time when it’s just right.

I loved all the random connections they had- Nick (MMC) was the worker at the Wren’s (FMC) friend’s shop. Wren was writing a story on the owner of the soup kitchen who turns out to be Nick’s grandma. Nick meets Wren’s dad on the beach. But even through all these connections they don’t meet until halfway.

I liked that it wasn’t instant but also it did feel like it dragged. Since the book was written in third person it was difficult to connect to the characters. Overall it was an easy read with a cute concept but there are some difficult topics that are covered within the book.


Thanks Netgalley for providing the ARC!

Nick and wren are meant to be. But Nick and Wren have never met. And now, fate is about to change everything. Could true love be just a catastrophe away?

While restoring the old bookshop, nick drops a sheet glass from a window. And it ALMOST lands on wren… luckily enough it only shattered by her feet. Later on in the book they met by fate. But they never realized. Until… both of them head to italy at the same time. And they have no idea. So what if they met by fate there to?

Okay so… i wanted to read this because of the cover lol. But it did not disappoint. It’s in third person though, which made me kinda disconnect from the story sadly. I do think the fact that they met by fate is so cute! It’s a pretty short and easy read. The writing style is very easy to understand. And it kept me hooked. Don’t really know how i feel about the characters… since i didn’t really feel like i could connect with them since it’s in third person. There was one thing that annoyed me sm… istg they got called pet in almost every chapter… but other than that i don't have much else against it!

The book includes a bit of grief. Which is a good thing to know before reading. It’s not the main plot but it is a part of the story. Just to make people aware of that because I sure wasn’t. Especially because I read this while going through the same thing… so fitting lol. But I LOVE this specific thing. It shows that people can meet many times through life but never speak or know who the other is. That is pretty cool actually.

I would recommend this book for anyone that’s looking for an easy read romance with a bit of grief on the side. And if you like meeting my fate… you will love this!

Also thank you to net galley and bookouture publishing for a chance to read this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for Lily Joseph for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

I started the book feeling really optimistic and that it was going to be a great read however the excitement did dwindle off a few chapters in. I did love the rom-com vibes and adored the characters however the plot for me just fell and little short! I’m not one to give up on a book though so I did continue on with reading to give the book a full chance, and whilst it was a cute and easy read I just didn’t fall in love with it and the ending felt a little too rushed which made it harder to connect with the characters.

I do want to however add that I did read the first copy and not after any adjustments were made and sent out by NetGalley so I can’t comment on adjustments made.

But I will say that for a debut novel Lily should be so proud of herself for writing a truly cosy and heartwarming romcom and I will look out for any books she releases in the future!

My rating was 2.5 stars! And although it didn’t fully be a book I loved, I know so many others will and still recommend to those who love a near-miss, fate love story ☺️💗

This book explores the concept of an invisible string theory, suggesting a destined connection between individuals. Nick and Wren's lives are intricately intertwined through a series of near-misses, building anticipation for their eventual meeting. While the slow-burn romance and individual character arcs are engaging, some aspects, like the chemistry between the main characters and occasional cringy writing, detract from the overall experience. However, the intertwined storylines and likable characters make for a heartwarming read once the pace picks up in the second half. Despite initial challenges, it's a charming summer read that rewards perseverance. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A lovely little romance novel about 2 people who were always meant to cross paths. (Even if they are both extremely clumsy!)
I enjoyed the intertwined storylines, it really made me think and gave me a few “ah yes” moments when I realised how things were linked, which I thought was rather clever!
I thought the 2 main characters were really likeable and I instantly felt I could connect to them, maybe because they are “normal” people with “normal” lives?

I can’t lie, I did struggle through the first 50% of this book as I found it very slow.
But it did do a good job of building the backgrounds of the characters during this time, I just felt it could have been done much quicker.

This book is released on 10th July and I’d say it would be a lovely little summer read, in the sunshine ❤️
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC

i unfortunately could not connect to the near miss. the fmc was a bit frustrating and the use of twat by the mmc just kept throwing me. also the amount of coincidences? cmon. i don’t know. this also may be right book wrong time so do with that information what you will.

3/5 stars. I loved the concept of this and I thought it was cute. I didn’t feel super attached to the characters which is why I rated it a little lower but all in all an enjoyable read

🎶All along there was some invisible string tying me to you 🎶

Firstly thank you to netgalley for the arc
I love the idea of the invisible string theory and that you are always tied to the people you’re meant to meet so I was immediately interested when I saw this was the concept of this book.

Nick & Wrens lives are constantly intertwined through a series of very unfortunate events meaning they are so close to meeting on so many occasions before they actually do. It is definitely a book for slow burn lovers (which is me) and I love that we got to see so much of Nick and Wren as individuals and they both had their own character arcs separate the them as a couple. I also thought the side characters were all amazing, especially Lydia and I hope she gets her own book in the future.

I sadly didn’t feel the characters had much chemistry when they did get together which was a shame, I also found some of the writing to be quite cringy (did Edie really need to say pardon my French so many times?)

It was a nice read. The whole 'If it's meant to be, it will happen' thing is one of my favs! although, a lot of 'accident' were repetitive and after SO MANY of them i was slowly getting annoyed at this book. Incidents happen, but that many? BUT it was still a good book, so i would recommend it anyway.

I was rooting for Wren and Nick from the start. I am so glad it got sorted out at the end!



I would give this book 4 of 5 stars, because although it was doing too much sometimes, it was still fun to read it.

This book was one of two halves. I found the first halve pretty tough going. Although the characters introduced were likeable enough (special mention goes to Edie - definitely my favourite) all the “near misses” bordered on frustrating and seemed pretty unrealistic. I was desperately willing Wren and Nick to meet!

Although the first half was very slow burn, once Wren and Nick actually met (about halfway through) Lily Joseph turned it around. The pace quickened and although there were also near misses in the second half, I found it much more endearing. Wren and Nick are very sweet and the backdrop of the Community Kitchen throughout made for a warm story.

If you can persevere through the first half, you shouldn’t be disappointed.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The Near Miss is a light-hearted romance about the invisible string theory.

This book is definitely a slow burn, especially considering the main characters spend the better part of the book trying to “kill” each other. And while slow burns might not be for everyone; I think the author was able to make it very worthwhile through all their incidents and near-misses.

I really liked both Wren and Nick - I was rooting for them since the beginning. My favourite character though had to be Edie, she really made a lot of the book for me.

The only place where I feel this did lack was the actual romance aspect, simply because we did not get to read enough of it. There is just such a big build-up to them finally meeting, that it was almost disappointing that their romance was rushed.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s style of writing, humour and plot - will definitely be reading future books in a heartbeat.

Nick and Wren have chaotic lives that have intersected without them knowing. Will they keep living parallel lives or will they meet and test the hands of fate?

A cute romance with a dual POV! I liked this read a lot. Loved the idea of interviewing Edie and how small their little world was. Really enjoyed Nick and Wren. Couldn’t stand Alex lol. Overall a cute fluffy feel good read!

An entertaining and fun "star-crossed lovers" styled romance that blends loveable characters with quirky "sliding doors"mishaps and some heartfelt messages about family and belonging.
I really enjoyed reading Wren and Nick's perspectives, their personalities and challenges made an interesting angle. The whole premise made me think about people who we have connections with that we never often realise and how these micro interactions can shape our futures in significant ways.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (Honestly, I’m not just throwing stars around, but this one’s a keeper!)

📚 If “Book Lovers” had you swooning, prepare to fall head over heels for “The Near Miss.”

🏖️ This is the perfect beach read for anyone who loves a good romantic comedy. It has everything a charming summer read should have; serendipity, second chances, travel, vino, true love and a whole list of lovable characters.

👫 Captivating journey of near misses of love and death. When they FINALLY do meet the story goes further back than you ever expected.

💕 Lily Joseph strikes the perfect balance between laughter and tears (seriously I almost cried). This is a dual POV book and I loved the cross over between the characters and their side of the story.

📖 Why You Need This Book: For me any book that combines humour, destiny, love and Italy is a must read but the plot and setting isn’t the reason you should read this book. The characters in this book all come together to make it the incredible story it is. The characters really hit home for me, I loved the father daughter holiday & really made me think what it would be like to take my dad to Italy and Nick’s Grandma is a inspirational woman regardless of whether she’s fictional or not.