When I started blogging nearly 2 years ago, ‘The Best Thing That Never Happened To Me’ was one of the first books I reviewed on my site, and it was one of my favourite books of that year, so I was absolutely thrilled to be sent a copy of this. The cover is beautiful with its purples and a turquoise-blue.

The prologue is instantly captivating, you’re introduced to Arch 13, the coolest sounding bar in London that has just opened. Rebecca and Ben meet, and you instantly feel their chemistry. Just like Laura and Jimmy’s previous book, this one is addictive and a fun read. I love the two perspectives, and having two authors is definitely an advantage in getting two different voices and opinions across, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel like two books, which would be so easy to happen if their writing styles were different.  

While Ben and Rebecca got together, I adored them. At one point, when asked how does she know  Ben is ‘The One’, she replies “They find your faults endearing’, and I agree wholeheartedly. These characters portray this, as they are both flawed, not majorly, they’re not horrible or anything, but everyone is flawed, and this book shows that. Yet they do seem the perfect couple, before it all goes wrong.  

Rebecca is a very closed book I found, and often tries to appear emotionally strong she says things that ultimately make things go the opposite to how she would like things. At one point she is called over-reacty, and I completely agree with this regarding ‘the night that changed everything’. That isn’t to say I don’t sympathise with her and wouldn’t have been upset, but I just felt the punishment didn’t fit the crime. At one point she basically won’t do something she thinks will make her happy (and I think it would have too) purely on principal. Now I’m all for principals but I don’t think this situation called for them.  

There is one crucial thing that she could have done to make everything different, when reading as Rebecca, she seems to ignore this, and actually when I think about it, she is too upset and see’s it as an inconsequential detail, and is too focused on the negative situation she is in, and actually there are times when I do completely the same, so maybe I shouldn’t be too hard on her for ignoring it. Obviously what happened was in no way her fault, but it seemed out of character, her reasoning behind not doing it was her acting conservative, and in other aspects of life, like her work and with her friends, she’s quite a confident person, so when we know the whole story, it’s just like face palming yourself knowing it could all have been different. Of course then there would be no book, but let’s gloss over that!  

While I seem to have written a tiny essay just about Rebecca, it isn’t to say I didn’t like Rebecca, she is obviously upset at what happens, and we all react differently. Before that night she was completely fun and lovely, and even afterwards when her mind is taken off of the hurt, I really connected with her.  

Ben was utterly charming to read, he truly cared for Rebecca, and seemed to be the perfect bloke in regards to being forward with his feelings while they were together, Rebecca knew she was his world and he knew he was hers. Unfortunately his sensitivity isn’t his best feature after ‘the night’, it means that he’s beyond miserable and for a long time it’s hard to see he’s ever going to resolve this, other than finding a time machine and going back in time to change things. However. after an argument with best friend Jamie, there seems to be a turning point.  

Speaking of Jamie, he was just lovely. Funny, handsome and smart. He was possibly the best friend anyone could ask for, and as hard as it was to be in the middle of his two best friends, he handled it very well and was a great friend to both.  

Avril on the other hand, while not really a friend of either Rebecca or Ben, was a grade A Bitch, but reading about her was absolutely hilarious. Even thinking back to her scenes makes me smile with memories of her ways.  

This book isn’t scared to pack a punch either, just after the 300 page mark, I was completely blindsided by an event, and was the catalyst to an ending I was surprised about, and a little unsure as I finished it, but the more I thought about it, and after the surprise past, it completely made sense and on reflection was the perfect one.  

This book is funny and yet full of emotion. It’s clear that Laura and Jimmy’s books are just going to get better and better, and I thoroughly look forward to them!  

Published by: Transworld
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review  

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Order on: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository