REVIEW: In Case You Missed it by Lindsey Kelk

If you love a hearty British Romance that explores friendships, aging, and the nature of love, all punctuated with some dry, self-deprecating humor, then In Case You Missed it by Lindsey Kelk, is exactly what the doctor ordered. Returning home, somewhat with her tail between her legs after four years working in Washington, Rosalind is soon to discover that the world she left behind has moved on without her – so much so in fact, her parents have placed her belongings in the shed at the bottom of the garden, which she is forced to now stay in.

Despite having had her heart broken by Patrick, the man of her dreams when she left, Ros still pines for the relationship they had before she moved away. However, no one likes him, and certainly not her best friend Sumi who calls a spade a spade, and who aptly describes him as the pretentious and self-involved bloke he is. Unfortunately, Ros’s mind is still clinging to her past in true ‘grass is always greener’ style, and so rather than fully embrace the here and now, she finds herself desperately clinging on to the way things used to be, particularly when it appears John the Barman has taken up some space in her friendship circle in her absence.

After landing a job at a Podcast company, Ros’s life appears to be on the up, and when Patrick invites her for a catch up drink a week later to reconnect, she truly starts to believe that everything will be A-Okay because things are going back to ‘normal.’

Highlighting the interesting precipice between regret and longing for the comfort of the past, and the impatience and fear of the unknown ahead of us, In Case You Missed It reminds us that growing up has a variety of quirks. As Ros slowly discovers, our desires ultimately change along with our needs and wants because we start to become grounded in what really matters. Additionally, our concept of self-worth changes as we grow, and whilst it required Ros to indulge a teenage eGamer champion to fully comprehend her own value, she discovers that embracing change is often the quickest way to self-fulfilment and happiness.

Kelk succeeds in reminding us that we should always trust the judgements of those who love and care about us, especially in the romance department because in matters of the heart, we usually can’t see the forest for the trees. With some truly hilarious moments, In Case You Missed It is a delightful RomCom that will no doubt provoke some reminiscing about days gone by but ultimately leave you feeling that you are right where you are supposed to be. And if not, reach out to your nearest and dearest for some hard and honest conversations about the direction of the next adventure and who it is you should have by your side.

Book Info:

Publication: 8th September 2020 | Harper Collins |

When Ros steps off a plane after four years away she’s in need of a job, a flat and a phone that actually works. And, possibly, her old life back. Because everyone at home has moved on, her parents have reignited their sex life, she’s sleeping in a converted shed and she’s got a bad case of nostalgia for the way things were.

Then her new phone begins to ping with messages from people she thought were deleted for good. Including one number she knows off by heart: her ex’s.

Sometimes we’d all like the chance to see what we’ve been missing…