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Laura Tait
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The Best Thing That Never Happened To Me Kindle Edition

by Laura Tait (Author), Jimmy Rice (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 870 ratings

Everyone remembers their first love.
Holly certainly remembers Alex. But she decided ten years ago that love wasn’t about mix tapes and seizing the moment – though she’s not exactly sure it’s about secret dates with your boss, either.
But what if the feelings never really went away?
Alex wants to make every moment of his new job count. It’s a fresh start in a big city, and he’s almost certain that moving to London has nothing to do with Holly. Almost.
How do you know if it was meant to be… or never meant to happen at all?
A brilliantly funny, feel-good story of first love, second chances and everything inbetween, perfect for fans of romantic comedies like Love Actually, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones.

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  1. Print length
    370 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Transworld Digital
  4. Publication date
    10 April 2014
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

Review

What a gorgeously funny book! I loved Alex and Holly, and you will too ― Lucy Diamond

A Richard Curtis rom-com of a novel ― Glamour

Sharp, honest and very, very funny. I absolutely loved it ― Kirsty Greenwood

Brilliantly written and laugh-out-loud funny! ― Paige Toon

The Best Rom-Com That's Happened To Me This Year! ― Ali McNamara

About the Author

Jimmy Rice was born in Grimsby in 1980 and now lives in London. He worked as a football reporter for seven years before writing The Best Thing That Never Happened To Me with Laura Tait.

Follow them on Twitter at @LauraAndJimmy. Jimmy also tweets @JimmyRiceWriter.



Laura Tait is a 32-year-old writer for Shortlist and Stylist magazines. Laura writes as part of a duo with her friend Jimmy Rice, and The Best Thing That Never Happened to Me is their first book together. Jimmy and Laura met studying journalism at Sheffield University, so sitting in pubs talking about life and love is something they've been doing for the last ten years. Not much has changed since they started their first book, except they take their laptops to the pub and write it all down.

Follow Laura on Twitter @LauraAndJimmy.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00H8PHKLW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Transworld Digital; 1st edition (10 April 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0552170712
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 870 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Laura Tait

    Laura Tait

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
870 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a brilliantly written gem that's incredibly witty and makes them laugh out loud at the music. The characters are adored, and the story is very true to life, with one customer noting how the London setting is beautifully described. While customers enjoy the cute love story, some find the ending rushed. The book is an escapist read that keeps readers engaged until the very last page, though some find it very predictable.

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75 customers mention ‘Readability’72 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a brilliant gem of a book. One customer mentions it makes a great holiday read while lounging on the beach.

"...I adored how the book was written, two authors, two characters, one heart-stirring novel!..." Read more

"...However, generally the story is well-paced, and I liked how they became friends again first; getting a feel for each other a little more tentatively..." Read more

"This is a very lovely book; the 2 viewpoints of Holly and Alex work really well, blending and giving us two sides to the same story and I enjoyed..." Read more

"It was generally a good read and well written but ending was quite limited and short. Would recommend it though:-)." Read more

42 customers mention ‘Humour’42 positive0 negative

Customers find the book incredibly witty and brilliantly funny, describing it as a holiday easy read.

"...I found Alex particularly endearing; he' s sensitive, caring, over-analytical and just slightly OCD, and a refreshing change from the more alpha..." Read more

"...It’s quite funny, in a smiling to yourself rather than laugh out loud, but enough to warrant a warm fuzzy feeling from the outset...." Read more

"It was generally a good read and well written but ending was quite limited and short. Would recommend it though:-)." Read more

"...I found this story really easy to relate to; it reminded me of events in my own life...." Read more

33 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’30 positive3 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as an escapist read that made them laugh out loud at the music, with one customer noting it kept them entertained until the very last page.

"...from the start, that doesn't deter from this being an enjoyable, escapist read that you don't have to think too hard over and can easily dip in and..." Read more

"This is a good read for anybody who enjoys chick lit. I found this story really easy to relate to; it reminded me of events in my own life...." Read more

"Loved this debut novel. Brilliantly written, and had me laughing out loud throughout...." Read more

"...I certainly recommend this book. Has a few funny parts as well ." Read more

24 customers mention ‘Character depth’24 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one specifically praising Holly and Alex as brilliant.

"...I adored how the book was written, two authors, two characters, one heart-stirring novel!..." Read more

"...you really get a feel for their individual voice and the naunces to both their characters...." Read more

"...The writing is such that I got a real sense of all the characters, from Holly’s mum right down to the teenage tearaway Kenny. Great!" Read more

"...I really warmed to the characters and felt like they were very true to life. A perfect combination of love, laughter and friendship...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Authenticity’7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, finding it very true to life, with one customer noting how beautifully London is described.

"...I really warmed to the characters and felt like they were very true to life. A perfect combination of love, laughter and friendship...." Read more

"...All of the characters are wonderfully rounded, London is described beautifully...." Read more

"...this book, I instantly identified with Holly and Alex and it was kept real...." Read more

"...Read it from start to finish in one go, it was true to life and so cleverly woven, and when you thought you could predict the next thing to happen,..." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Heartwarming’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one mentioning it had them smiling throughout, while another notes how the characters harbored secret feelings for each other.

"...I found Alex particularly endearing; he' s sensitive, caring, over-analytical and just slightly OCD, and a refreshing change from the more alpha..." Read more

"...Holly who were best friends as teenagers and both secretly harboured feelings for one another...." Read more

"...A romp through 90s nostalgia, it had me smiling throughout. All of the characters are wonderfully rounded, London is described beautifully...." Read more

"Warmhearted, witty and wonderful! A perfect book for lying on the beach, in the garden, or on the bus. Some laugh-out-loud moments too!" Read more

26 customers mention ‘Romance’17 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed feelings about the romance in the book, with some finding it a cute love story while others note that the ending feels rushed.

"...There was a nice twist at the end but I did feel the ending was a little rushed & I would have liked a little more build up or a few more details..." Read more

"...A perfect combination of love, laughter and friendship...." Read more

"...What I will say is that the ending wasn't enough for me, it was one of those "NOOOOOOO THAT CAN'T BE THE END" moments I just wanted more..." Read more

"...I will definately recommend this book to anyone who loves a great love story with a little bit of heartache on the side." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Predictable content’0 positive7 negative

Customers find the book very predictable.

"...Well, I did not see that coming. *spoiler alert* it's utterly unputdownable from start to finish - you have been warned." Read more

"...It was dull, predictable and as Magnus Magnusson would have said, "I've started, so I'll finish." It was tough going though...." Read more

"Quite a bland story and very predictable... it just got annoying after a while that the two main characters kept going around in circles." Read more

"An easy read but a bit slow and predictable. Nothing to really grab you and keep you hooked...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Talor
    5.0 out of 5 stars the Best Thing That I've Ever Read?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I spent most of my time holding my breath during this book, even to the very end I was on tender hooks to find out what would happen next to leading lady Holly, and leading man Alex! I adored how the book was written, two authors, two characters, one heart-stirring novel! Laura Tait & Jimmy Rice brought us a realistic love story that was simply fabulous

    Holly and Alex were best friends, they shared the ups and downs of high school till one day, when it came to the day Holly was leaving for university she decided it was time to admit her true feelings, but it all didn't go as planned. Bad advice, and fear got the best of them and the two friends were torn apart by their pride, flash forward eleven years and the story really gets going!

    The trials and tribulations of the love game are rife throughout the book, you have got ex's, weddings, secret office relations and much more, I loved the the way the whole story unfolded things built up, tears overflowed! I just wanted to take Holly and shake her, slap her around the face, and tell her to wake up and see what was right in front of her and Alex well he needed the same and a bloody swift kick up the backside (I do realise that these are fictional characters and I can't actually do theses things, but I get quite involved when reading a book)

    What I will say is that the ending wasn't enough for me, it was one of those "NOOOOOOO THAT CAN'T BE THE END" moments I just wanted more and I really can't decide if thats a good thing or a bad thing, i'm going to say its a good thing it leaves you wanting more! It leaves you asking questions like, is there going to be another book? I really do hope so because if not I may have to just invent what happens to Holly and Alex!
    One person found this helpful
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  • little bookworm
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great debut
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Alex and Holly are best friends who both secretly feel more for each other, but somehow never manage to communicate that effectively. As such they end up parting ways at the age of eighteen both still none the wiser about how the other feels; yet when their paths cross again over ten years later it seems fate is giving them another chance. However, are those old feelings still there, and will they be able to work things out this time, or just end up repeating the same mistakes again?

    Though the storyline is far from original and the ending more or less predictable right from the start, that doesn't deter from this being an enjoyable, escapist read that you don't have to think too hard over and can easily dip in and out of. Furthermore, given that there are 2 authors, I was very impressed at how seamlessly the chapters fitted together, such that had I not known I should never have guessed.

    The story is told through chapters alternating between Alex and Holly's perspectives, and as such you really get a feel for their individual voice and the naunces to both their characters. I found Alex particularly endearing; he' s sensitive, caring, over-analytical and just slightly OCD, and a refreshing change from the more alpha male heroes. Most of the book is told from the present day perspective, though there are a few chapters flashing back to when the characters were still at school. The time frames are clear to follow and the backstory is relevant; the authors teasing a certain element of mystery, though I personally thought it was all quite easy to put together. Being of a similar age to the characters, I did find the 90s references and throwbacks wonderfully nostalgic.

    In the present day there are alternative love interests for both Alex and Holly, though these characters were rather formulaic; I also thought the whole Holly/Richard thing was rather too dragged out, and couldn't understand how she put up with him for so long. I did like some of the more peripheral characters e.g. Kev and Jemma, who were both hilarious. I also liked reading about their work lives, especially Alex's.

    At times the constant misunderstandings between Alex and Holly can be annoying and you do feel like just banging their heads together on occasion. However, generally the story is well-paced, and I liked how they became friends again first; getting a feel for each other a little more tentatively at first but then soon going back to right where they left off. Given how long it took for them to get there, I might have liked just a little more from the very last chapter; but overall found this a very engaging read and a great debut.
    One person found this helpful
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  • womanreadsbooks
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very lovely book; the 2 viewpoints of Holly and Alex work really well, blending and giving us two sides to the same story and I enjoyed reading both equally.

    It’s quite funny, in a smiling to yourself rather than laugh out loud, but enough to warrant a warm fuzzy feeling from the outset.

    I do admit to internally shouting at Holly for the vast majority of the book, as well as wanting to kick Alex to get him to open his eyes and stop being such a man! But everything makes perfect, if irritating sense unfortunately.

    The friendship between the two of them is lovely, but just as much is that of Alex and Kev. Kev being a cringingly annoying knob, but at heart also a great bloke who, and I hope this isn’t too much of a spoiler, I’m glad got the happiness he deserved. The writing is such that I got a real sense of all the characters, from Holly’s mum right down to the teenage tearaway Kenny.

    Great!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Zahra sunabara
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nice read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    It was generally a good read and well written but ending was quite limited and short. Would recommend it though:-).
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  • MISS MELANIE J HAMPSON
    4.0 out of 5 stars What happens if the 'one that got away' comes back?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a good read for anybody who enjoys chick lit. I found this story really easy to relate to; it reminded me of events in my own life. For anybody who was a teenager in the 90s, there are some excellent nods to nostalgia & the characters find themselves in situations that I'm sure many would relate to.
    The supporting characters, Kev & Jemma, are equally as engaging as the main protagonists, Alex & Holly. There are some real laugh out loud moments; I found myself highlighting passages just to share with family & friends. (A joke concerning Hannibal Lecter was particularly entertaining!)
    There was a nice twist at the end but I did feel the ending was a little rushed & I would have liked a little more build up or a few more details about what was going to happen next but other than that I would definitely recommend it.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Anon
    3.0 out of 5 stars So so
    Reviewed in Germany on 24 February 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Not as fun to read as other 'Chic Lit' books, or as good as Jojo Moyes, but good enough to pass the time with.
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  • giulia
    3.0 out of 5 stars Romantico e divente
    Reviewed in Italy on 4 September 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Ben realizzato il doppio punto di vista con cui viene raccontata la storia
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  • Cakes by Line Shetty
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love her books
    Reviewed in India on 12 October 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Good chick flick. Intelligent and easy to read.
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars I liked it but disappointed.
    Reviewed in the United States on 25 August 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The book was well written but it was a catalogue of missed opportunities between two friends who were meant to be soul mates. I would have given it a higher rating but the ending sucked. I almost gave it a 2. I read nearly 300 pages only for the ‘ big reveal ‘ at the end to consists of 2. I will avoid these authors in the future even though they are talented writers.
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  • Zan
    2.0 out of 5 stars Boring
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Started off fine but got really boring quickly. I struggled to finish this book. It was really wordy and the story was unnecessarily long.
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