The Man I Never Met: A Novel
“I love a good will-they-or-won’t-they romance, and this one turned out to be unexpectedly deep, tackling really important issues that impact so many.”—New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin on the TODAY show
Is it possible to love someone you've never met? A young woman finds out in this sweeping love story that begins with a chance wrong number dial. . . .
When Hannah picks up a call from an unknown number, she thinks nothing of it—it’s just an easygoing American named Davey who misdialed her while calling into a job interview. And when Hannah wishes him luck after clearing up the confusion, she never actually expects to hear from him again.
Then she gets a text saying he got the job and he’ll be moving to London, and she can’t help but smile. Soon their texts become phone calls that turn into video calls, and their friendship becomes a relationship they can’t wait to start in earnest once Davey lands in London in a month’s time.
But when Hannah goes to meet him at the airport, Davey isn’t there—and the reason why changes both of their lives in an instant. With their future together suddenly so uncertain, they don’t know what to do but try to move on from each other.
Though their chance at love seems lost forever, neither is never far from the other’s thoughts. Will fate intervene once more to bring the two together, or will Davey always be the man that Hannah never met?
Is it possible to love someone you've never met? A young woman finds out in this sweeping love story that begins with a chance wrong number dial. . . .
When Hannah picks up a call from an unknown number, she thinks nothing of it—it’s just an easygoing American named Davey who misdialed her while calling into a job interview. And when Hannah wishes him luck after clearing up the confusion, she never actually expects to hear from him again.
Then she gets a text saying he got the job and he’ll be moving to London, and she can’t help but smile. Soon their texts become phone calls that turn into video calls, and their friendship becomes a relationship they can’t wait to start in earnest once Davey lands in London in a month’s time.
But when Hannah goes to meet him at the airport, Davey isn’t there—and the reason why changes both of their lives in an instant. With their future together suddenly so uncertain, they don’t know what to do but try to move on from each other.
Though their chance at love seems lost forever, neither is never far from the other’s thoughts. Will fate intervene once more to bring the two together, or will Davey always be the man that Hannah never met?
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Community Reviews
I was fully prepared for The Man I Never Met to be emotional, but it was also sweet and light-hearted, despite some heavier topics. But if you go into this one expecting a rom-com, you’ll probably be disappointed. While the first few chapters do read like a romance, including an adorable meet-cute, the book does take a more serious turn, but still manages to hold on to its joyful tone. I found myself not wanting to set this one aside, almost reading it within twenty-four hours.
Reminiscent of classic rom-com films like Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally, I loved Hannah, I loved Davey, and I loved their friendship. An accidental call that turns into more, it may sound predictable, but their story is consuming. While they both go through a difficult journey, there is happiness ahead.
Hannah’s story opens at Christmastime and covers several years. I enjoyed spending the changing seasons with Hannah, traveling with her, and experiencing several different locales with her, including London. The author surprised me, introducing Davey’s point of view almost halfway into the story at a pivotal moment, and it worked! The second point of view increased the emotion and the anticipation.
Cook has also filled the book with wonderful side characters. I wanted to be friends with Hannah’s friends—and Davey’s best friend Grant may need his own book. Everyone should have a friend like him.
The Man I Never Met reminded me of Emily Stone’s books (Always, In December and One Last Gift), as well as The Certainty of Chance by Jacquelyn Middleton, which is set in London at Christmas. All books I’ve enjoyed. If you’re a fan of any of these authors, you’ll probably enjoy this one, as well!
TW and spoiler: Cancer, chemotherapy
Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
Reminiscent of classic rom-com films like Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally, I loved Hannah, I loved Davey, and I loved their friendship. An accidental call that turns into more, it may sound predictable, but their story is consuming. While they both go through a difficult journey, there is happiness ahead.
Hannah’s story opens at Christmastime and covers several years. I enjoyed spending the changing seasons with Hannah, traveling with her, and experiencing several different locales with her, including London. The author surprised me, introducing Davey’s point of view almost halfway into the story at a pivotal moment, and it worked! The second point of view increased the emotion and the anticipation.
Cook has also filled the book with wonderful side characters. I wanted to be friends with Hannah’s friends—and Davey’s best friend Grant may need his own book. Everyone should have a friend like him.
The Man I Never Met reminded me of Emily Stone’s books (Always, In December and One Last Gift), as well as The Certainty of Chance by Jacquelyn Middleton, which is set in London at Christmas. All books I’ve enjoyed. If you’re a fan of any of these authors, you’ll probably enjoy this one, as well!
TW and spoiler: Cancer, chemotherapy
Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4 stars
This was a book that I was seeing consistently great reviews for so I immediately saved, added to my tbr, and put it on the order list at work.
I loved the simple writing style, the fated lovers, and the personal connection I had to the "never met" dating scenario. It's cute and funny, and it's also got some heaviness to it, but in the end we get a HEA.
This is the writer's first attempt at romance (she writes historical fiction under her real name Lorna Cook) and it should most definitely NOT be her last.
This was a book that I was seeing consistently great reviews for so I immediately saved, added to my tbr, and put it on the order list at work.
I loved the simple writing style, the fated lovers, and the personal connection I had to the "never met" dating scenario. It's cute and funny, and it's also got some heaviness to it, but in the end we get a HEA.
This is the writer's first attempt at romance (she writes historical fiction under her real name Lorna Cook) and it should most definitely NOT be her last.
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