THE NO-SHOW – Beth O’Leary
Jove
ISBN: 978-0593438442
April 12, 2022
Contemporary Fiction

England – Present Day

Three women who don’t know each other are connected in a way none of them would ever imagine. They are all stood up on a date by the same man on Valentine's Day.

Siobhan is a stressed-out life coach who is trying to calmly work with her most pestering client, Richard. Her relationship with her boyfriend, Carter, is casual, yet after a pregnancy scare, she tries to stop seeing him. But Siobhan can’t stay away from Carter, and they are soon back together. But will he be her future?

Miranda is a tree surgeon (she cuts down trees) and “one of the guys” in her unit. AJ, one of her fellow workers, has her feeling aware of him but would it violate some unspoken rule where you don’t get involved with co-workers? Carter enters Miranda’s life, and while things are going great with him, she senses that he is keeping secrets from her.

Jane is what some would call a “mouse.” She works at a charity store and lives an austere life. When she runs into Carter, he doesn’t recognize her, though she knows him from her past. They continue to have a friendly off-and-on relationship. But like Miranda, she wonders why he is so secretive.

In THE NO-SHOW, the path for the three women to collide is finally explained about two-thirds way through. I won’t spoil what happens, but even I wasn’t expecting it and it all makes sense. Is Carter a two-timing (or is that three-timing?) louse who doesn’t deserve any of the ladies? The women are different from each other, yet they all have Carter in common. Is he such a charmer that he can fool each of them and keep a secret life going on? Yes, this tale is complicated at times, but once you realize what is really going on, it makes sense. The author, Beth O’Leary, pens a lovely story with its intriguing characters and plots. No matter which female you gravitate toward, you will sympathize with each one.

In THE NO-SHOW, it seems that Jane makes the biggest growth. She went through something painful at her old job and is now hiding in plain sight. Having Carter in her life, even if it isn’t constant, is helpful for her growth. When her past is confronted, she then realizes what she must do. Siobhan has to learn to let her life slow down. She thought she could live without Carter, but it is she who initiates his return. Does he feel the same way? Miranda is unsure about her feelings for Carter, though they have a good time together. But AJ is always there as if he’s waiting…

It didn’t take long for me to get engrossed in THE NO-SHOW, not wanting to put it down. Each story arc of the three women is intriguing and makes you want to root for them. Readers will need to decide if Carter is the villain…or a victim. If you love a well-written story that makes you want to learn what happens to the characters, then be sure to put THE NO-SHOW on your book shopping list.

Patti Fischer