I love a book set in Scotland, even better when it’s based in my favourite city Edinburgh! I loved all the characters in this feel good novel. Ada and Frasers friendship really made me laugh in parts as she helped him discover things to write articles for the paper about. If you like a good rom com that will leave you smiling then add this one to your tbr

I absolutely ADORED this book and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy so it's always safe on my shelf!

First of all I had to read this book because of the author - a fellow Northern Irish woman living in Edinburgh, exactly like myself. I absolutely loved Sam's writing style and her humour, and I can't wait to read more of her books!

I absolutely love the romance trope where the stranger you love talking to online is the person you secretly have the hots for in person (if you know the name of this trope, please enlighten me), so that was another reason I had to get my hands on this book. Furthermore, I loved that the people who end up together (I'm not giving away names) genuinely do build a connection through the book through friendship and exploring Edinburgh. It made sense that they should end up together.

Not only was this book a love story between a couple and a love story to Edinburgh, it was also a love story to Ada herself. By the end of the book Ada had grew as a person, becoming more aware of her friendships and relationship with her mother, growing her self-confidence and worth of herself. That's very literature essay-isk of me, but that other dimension, which was so prominent in the book, was so important. It was nearly like the actual romance of the book took a backseat to watch Ada grow.

I absolutely loved this and would urge you all to get this book ASAP, right in time for Valentines Day! 💕

Thank you again NetGalley, Sam Canning and Bonnier for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Also posted on Goodreads.

I loved how cute and funny this book was. Fraser and Ada had a rocky meet cute but quickly became friends. They were adorable together. Fraser's journalistic endeavours brought the two of them to many of the hidden weird and wonderful events that Edinburgh could offer which I found quite hilarious.
There were plenty of heartfelt moments between Ada and her mum and Ada and her friend who was struggling with parenthood. Real-life problems mixed in with the humour made it that much more relatable and enjoyable.
I felt a little bit conflicted about Neil. He was so nice and I felt bad for him that Ada didn't appreciate him as much as she should have. I was firmly on team Fraser but it would be nice to see Neil feature in another book.
This was a lovely, lighthearted and uplifting story that raised my spirits after a very stressful week at work.

Ada and Fraser meet in the coffee shop where she likes to work. They become friends - will it lead to more or is there someone else on their minds?

My Thoughts: I bloody loved this, it had everything you would want from a rom com!

Ada as a main character seems confident despite the devastating shock she gets at the beginning.. she’s just returned home to Edinburgh so she is around her best friend again and has her mum for support too!

She’s setting up her own PR company so hires a table at the local cafe to give her the space she needs to work without getting under her mums feet at home.. it’s here she meets Fraser, they hit it off immediately as friends the humour and the banter is on point.

Ada believes that Fraser has a girlfriend and she’s currently talking to a Myster-E online, so as far as she’s concerned it’s purely platonic and therefore easy and uncomplicated!

They find themselves in situations regularly that made me laugh out loud multiple times.. watching them discover the truth had me utterly hooked and I couldn’t put it down.

🐧❤️

I really enjoyed this book, Sam Canning writes in a lovely style, really inviting and so easy to fall into the book, it feels like having a conversation with friends. I’m really happy to say I will definitely be looking forward to her future books and they’ll definitely be on my to buy list.

I loved the story and characters, I thought that Ada was a fantastic character, I loved reading someone a bit more down to earth, not always perfect and makes mistakes like normal life (not mistakes made for plot if that makes sense) I really enjoyed the friendship with Amal, the focus on first time parenting struggles was lovely too, really well handled, showing the tiredness, trying to handle everything whilst running on fumes. I loved Fraser too, the humour, the banter there was so much I loved, the setting almost steals the show.

I love Scotland, I’ve been to Edinburgh so many times and so reading this it felt like I was back in one of my favourite cities, Sam’s descriptions are wonderful, I could picture myself walking down the streets, winding round corners it was lovely. This has been pushed as a cross between You’ve got Mail and When Harry met Sally, I can definitely see why and it’s lovely to watch Ada and Myster-E share online and slowly discover about each other and themselves. I thoroughly recommend this, it’s so much fun, it definitely reminds me of a 90s romcom and I love that so much.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to Zaffre and Netgalley for the review copy of this book. A light hearted warm, generous read with humour along the way. When Ada decides to take the risk and set up her own PR firm in Edinburgh she never imagines she would be setting up office in the local coffee shop, or that her only client, months later, would be this off the wall aging actor whose main purpose in life seems to be acting the wrong side of outrageous. The last straw seems to be when her usual spot with the remaining functioning plug in the ‘coffice’ is taken by Fraser, a journalist who is intent on making his own stride in the news world. Her only balm is the time she spend online at her Agatha Christie fan fiction site and the budding relationship with the mysterious guy who shares her passion for Christie’s novels. But as Fraser and Ada negotiate a way to share the work space and he begins to take her along on his assignments covering highlights of Edinburgh, Ada begins to wonder if she is placing too much hope in her online relationship. Until events turn her world upside down and her views on where she’s headed.

Fraser and Ada are both extremely likeable and relatable characters as are the other characters in the book. The novel flows along, engaging the reader effortlessly. It all makes for a charming debut novel that is an enjoyable quick read that will satisfy those who love a good dollop of humour and a HEA.

I read this book and then checked the flight to Edinburgh because I fell in love with the descriptions of the city and wished I was there.
This is a long love letter to Edinburgh and a novel, a rom-com with two human main characters and a very big non-human main character.
I had fun and enjoyed the story; I share the love of Agatha Christie with Ada and Myster E and I liked how Ada is a realistic character and I found some common traits with her.
As this is a rom-com you already know there will be some romance, fun, some interesting social remarks and a compelling plot.
It’s the first book I read by Sam Canning and won’t surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks Zaffre and Rachel’s Random Resources for this arc, all opinions are mine

The perfect cosy romance book that will warm your heart. I absolutely loved reading this, and I particularly loved the scenes whenever Ada and Fraser were nerding over Agatha Christie books (now I want to read her novels!) 🥺 Reading 'Virtual Strangers' felt like I was being wrapped in a fluffy blanket on a cold, snowy night.

Revelations had Ada leaving her job and homeward bound
Setting herself up as a publicist a place she's found
Where there's a space in which to work in a café,
With drinks and biscuits and company every day.

She's tried all the tables and found the best
Now she likes this one and hates the rest.
So when Fraser is sat at it before her one day
She's not best pleased and has much to say.

After this unhappy beginning she eventually finds
Fraser is actually caring, fun and kind.
They agree to share and get along well
Helping each other and secrets to tell.

Ada is has a virtual friend, too,
Texting each other and chatting is what they do.
He's Myster-E and things from their pasts they share,
Maybe in reality for each other they'd care?

With friendship and blind dates, and rogue clients, too,
Life isn't quiet, there's so much to get through.
But which friendships will last and which will end?
With whom should she endeavour more time to spend?

A fun read full of drama and dilemmas, too,
As Ada tries to decide just what she should do.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I received a copy of Virtual Strangers from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Ada's just moved back to her native Edinburgh after a messy break-up in London. She's gone out on her own as a publicist, and is navigating how to be self-employed, 30 and living back with her mother, plus friendships old and new.

Ada meets Fraser, a journalist, at a local co-working space, and they hit it off immediately as friends. Ada wonders if there's more to it, but then there's also mystery man Myster-E who she's been chatting to on an Agatha Christie enthusiast site.

I really enjoyed this book, and wish every rom-com was as charming, funny and thoughtful. I'd definitely read more from Sam Canning.

A wonderful debut!

Ada finds herself back in her home town of Edinburgh; having set up her own PR firm, she works from a local coffee shop where she meets Fraser, a journalist. As he chases ideas for stories that are that little bit different, Ada finds herself venturing into some weird and wacky places with him - but just as friends. Pursuing old hobbies, she makes contact online with Myster-E due to their love of Agatha Christie characters. Then there is her life long friend, Amal, who is determined to get Ada back into the world of dating. All of this as well as trying to look after her client gives Ada a full life - or does it?

I thought at the beginning that this would be a straight-forward boy meets girl type romance - but far from it. This is a packed novel bursting with lots of fabulous information about Edinburgh - and not the usual touristy stuff either! The characters are beautifully created, the story is very well written and my attention never wavered. As well as a bit of romance, this novel has a lot of realism and it is a fine read. Thoroughly enjoyed and I shall definitely be looking out for this author's next book. Five glowing stars and my recommendation!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy' this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

The premise follows the "You've got mail" classic and this read starting off promising but I found myself zoning out towards the end. It was incredibly slow-paced, losing momentum even before the half way mark and felt too predictable. I did not empathise with the characters at all. There was serious potential for a good girlfriend bond between Amal and Ada but it fizzled, Ada just felt unlikeable and insensitive, and the reunion fell flat in the climax. If the storyline with Ada and Fraser was developed more and less time spent on the worsening bond with Ada and Neil (Ada came across as stringing him along just because she wasn't getting attention from Myster-E) I think it could have piqued my interest more and made this a stronger plot. Unfortunately I lost interest towards the end which is a shame else it is a 2.5-3 stars for me! Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnie Books UK for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute romance. I love Ada. All the characters are original and well written. The story is very cute, with some suspens and action. I really liked it.

Virtual Strangers is the first novel by Sam Canning, an Irish-born author who moved to Scotland. It is a very modern romcom, that combines the nostalgic and characteristic setting of Edinburgh with the frenzy of everyday life and smart working, a reality that is now more or less everywhere.

Ada, after leaving London due to a disappointment, returns to Edinburgh where she decides to found her own public relations agency. Tired of working from the living room at home, she decides to rent a desk in a charming coffeece, a café that allows you to work in a quieter and more reserved room. It is here that she meets Fraser, with whom she decides to share the table and support each other in their work. But Ada is also a fan of Agatha Christie‘s mystery novels, and on a forum dedicated to the author, she maintains a close correspondence with Myster-E.

The character of Ada left me very surprised by her verisimilitude and adherence to reality. With a failing love life behind her, she abandons her job, returns to live with her mother and, aware of her abilities, decides to get back into the game by founding her own agency. But Ada is also that girl who doesn’t dress elegantly during the week, who can’t sleep if she drinks a coffee after five, or who prefers to laze on the sofa at the weekend rather than go on an excursion. Although I didn’t share some of her choices, I found myself a lot in her and in many things that happened to her. Furthermore, her life shows how moments of calm can be followed by moments of chaos, in which anything happens.

However, I wish I had read a bonus chapter from Fraser’s point of view in order to better understand his psychology, since I could only marginally appreciate it from Ada’s point of view. For the same reason, I wish I had read more messages from Myster-E.

The secondary characters are all quite realistic: the mother with a passion for Midsomer Murders; Neal with a predilection for hiking (widespread in Scotland) and the best friend Amal with her life not quite as perfect as it seems. In regard to this last character, I really liked how her situation was handled, but as I am closer to Ada’s position than hers, I was heartbroken by their argument. It’s been a long time since I cried while reading a book and this, and the following scene between Ada and her mother, destroyed me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, particularly the setting. I still live in Edinburgh, and it was fun to find familiar places and ways of doing things in the life of the protagonist. The author, despite having a smooth and easy to understand style, sometimes inserts Scottish words and idioms that made me smile.

Virtual strangers is a novel of love, not just romantic, and personal growth, which pushes you to become attached to the characters and to root for them and for the success of their projects.

My favourite thing about this book was the banter between Ada and Fraser. Canning adds so much humour and feeling into the book through their conversations, truly connecting these two characters in the way all great romances should and building their relationship authentically. It was interesting to see how the pair’s past romances had impacted their current lives, especially Ada’s. Watching her character learn to trust again and dust herself off added an extra depth to her relationship with Fraser.

I also enjoyed the side stories, from Ada’s friendship with Amal, her ongoing battles with the chaotic Steve, the difficulties of returning to live with her mum, and, of course, her online interactions with Myster-E. There were a lot of different components to this romance that drew me in and whilst I’m not too sure which tropes this fit, if any, it was a fantastic read!

It's funny, it's cute and sweet, it represents how so many of us feel, comparing ourselves to friends and family and never quite feeling good enough!
It felt very early 2000s rom com and I loved that, and the main characters natural banter and chemistry with the only characters was lovely to read and made the book even more enjoyable
And questions whether you can really fall in love with someone you haven't met? A relevant question for online dating today.
I also love that the book is set in Edinburgh and it adds to the vibes so much.
A really good romcom, and not totally predictable as so many are!

I had high hopes for Virtual Strangers because I had seen a few people I know raving about it online. Sadly, it was not what I had been hoping for. I found it to be predictable, and a little irritating at times to be honest. While I didn’t love it, I can absolutely see people thoroughly enjoying it. It is a sweet love story!

I didn’t enjoy this book much, unfortunately. I don’t know what age the author is, but the writing style is pretty juvenile. It’s written pretty much just as someone would speak, and the language used is so over the top it just irritated me. Ada irritated me too, there is so much introspection and naval- gazing, though there is very little character development going on there. Fraser was a much more rounded, fleshed-out character, as were a couple of other secondary players, so the author knows how to do it.
I got bogged down at about 48% in the book, I flicked through to 75%, and it was only two days further on, and nothing much had happened in the interim. I skim read to the very predictable ending, which went on- and on- then there was the epilogue.
The word ‘scundered’ was used on several occasions throughout the text. I had never heard such a word in my entire lifetime spent in Scotland. However, ‘scunnered ’ is a well- known Scots word, and on checking an online dictionary , I learn that ‘scundered’ is the Irish version of ‘scunnered’
Why would the author use that word, wrongly? A small point, but it annoyed me every time it appeared in the narrative.
I venture to suggest that this book could have done with some judicious editing, and some toning down of the over-the-top prose.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

Lovely rom com story of Ada and her mystery man and newcomer Fraser. I found that I got right in to the story straight away. A nice easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book