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Books and movies have taught us that real life should be like a fairy tale. Every love story should be magical, every couple should be “meant to be.” And in Just Haven’t Met You Yet by author Sophie Cousens, one woman sets out to explore her parents’ fairy tale—and ends up chasing her own.
The story follows lifestyle reporter Laura to the Channel Islands—the place where her late parents fell in love—to write an article about their story. Her visit gets off to a terrible start, though, when she arrives at her hotel and realizes that she grabbed the wrong luggage at the airport. But as she goes through the suitcase and studies the contents, she becomes convinced that the owner is her perfect match. And as she tours the island with the help of scruffy cab driver Ted, she eagerly awaits Suitcase Man’s call, so they can begin their own love story.
This spur-of-the-moment trip to the island definitely ends up being full of surprises for Laura. As Ted drives her from one scenic seaside site to another, helping her recreate her favorite pictures from the summer when her parents met, she imagines their grand love story—and her own. But as she connects with members of her dad’s family, she begins to realize that nothing here is quite as she once thought it was.
Meanwhile, Laura’s brilliant plan for her article soon turns disastrous. Not only is she missing her suitcase full of clothes and other necessities, but so many of her plans go wrong. As her boss keeps coming up with new ways to capitalize on her trip, bringing in more and more sponsors, Laura’s attempts at live broadcasts and updates are a mess—and the awkwardness will keep readers laughing through it all.
As Laura keeps waiting for her Prince Charming to come and sweep her off her feet, the author puts other characters in her path. Cranky cab driver Ted turns out to be more than just a scruffy, bearded old guy—and the two eventually start opening up to each other about their lives and their struggles. Ted even introduces her to his friends and family—including his charming father, Gerry. And as readers wait for this grand love story to unfold, they’ll find themselves falling in love with this island and the charming characters who inhabit it.
Though it promises a magical fairy tale of a love story, Just Haven’t Met You Yet heads off in some unexpected directions. And together with its cast of lovable characters and its playful sense of humor, that makes it an enjoyable read.
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