The Best Thing That Never Happened To Me

First-time novelists and long-time friends, Laura Tait and Jimmy Rice narrate a character each as they take on the long-asked question: Can men and women ever just be friends? Alex and Holly are teenage besties who lose touch and don’t rekindle their friendship until they’re almost 30.

I instantly warmed to the characters: Alex Tyler, a teacher plans to save the world one messed up teenager at a time, with his dry wit and secret love for Holly the-one-that-got-away Gordon.

While Holly is headstrong and ambitious, but hiding behind her job as a PA as well as hiding a “relationship” with her boss, oblivious as to what’s right under her nose (Alex, that is).

The book jumps from present day back to their school days, effortlessly weaving their love story — but not in a cringey way. The familiarity of the supporting characters made me warm with the turn of every page, everyone has an office witch (Melissa), dishy boss (Richard) and quick-witted friend (Jemma).

Overall, it’s a great read and the storyline had me on tenterhooks right until the end, and it even made me believe in second chances.