Virtual Strangers

Described as "You've Got Mail" meets "The Flatshare", this is a rom-com set in Scotland featuring two leads that I fell in love with fairly quickly.

Ada set up her own PR firm in Edinburgh after leaving her London job due to heartbreak. She runs her business from an open office space in a coffee shop. Fraser works there too - he's a journalist, and they don't exactly get off to the best start when he takes Ada's usual spot. They come to an agreement, and build up a friendship.

After work, Ada enjoys nothing more than checking in with the online Agatha Christie fanfic forum that she has recently rediscovered after writing some of her own Marple inspired stories when she was younger. She gets chatting to a guy, Myster-E, and begins to grow closer to him. But can you fall for someone you've never met?

I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the characters, I loved the storyline, and I loved the (I almost typed 'side quests') additional storylines involving Ada's friend Amal and how she was struggling with parenthood. The author captured those early days of parenting so well - you're tired, you're cranky, you're annoyed, you're simultaneously trying to hide your feelings while getting annoyed that nobody can see how you're feeling - I really identified with Amal's storyline and I appreciated the way it was handled.

I loved the banter, the wit, the humour, the setting - all of it. It was exactly what I was looking for from a rom-com and I really hope it takes off because it's better than 99% of the rom-coms I read last year.

Apologies, Charlie Lastra, but Fraser Evans has just booted you off the #1 Book Boyfriend spot. The man wore a KILT for heaven's sake.

LOVED IT.

Thank you so much to Zaffre books for the ARC via Netgalley. I loved it so much that I've pre-ordered a physical copy.

This was a perfect rom com ❤️ I mean, I knew where it was going from the start but I loved it all the same! I also thought the depiction of Amal’s PND was very touching. So lovely to read a romance set in Edinburgh as well, with lots of Scots language and patter 🫶

This book is a perfect beach read! It isn’t one of those books you can’t put down, but it does hold your interest and you do care enough about the characters to keep reading. In parts it felt a bit long, but overall it’s a good romcom, and I enjoyed the ending, which didn’t feel rushed.

Ada is down on her luck, moving back to Edinburgh from london and working out of a coffee shop as she try’s to get her publicist business off the ground with a less than stable client. But what she really wants is a bit of romance in her life - which she finds in the strangest of places.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved watching Ada’s journey on coming back to herself and opening herself up to love again. There were some fantastic side characters (her mom in particular was a highlight) and a romance you couldn’t help but cheer for.

A nice, relaxing and enjoyable read that will leave you with a smile on your face. And potentially the desire to read some Agatha Christie.

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier Books for the ARC.