Review: Miss You by Kate Eberlen
BY James Walton
1st Jan 2015 Book Reviews
Even before publication, Kate Eberlen’s first novel has already caused a stir in the books world, with tales of a frenzied bidding auction and comparisons to David Nicholls’s all-conquering One Day. But does it live up to the hype?
Miss You by Kate Eberlen
Sure enough, Miss You serves up a classic will-they-won’t-they plot: the twist here being that what the central couple might or might not do is meet properly.
The book opens in 1997 when Tess is in Florence interrailing after her A Levels, and occasionally bumps into an English boy. But while there’s an obvious attraction, she doesn’t even find out his name; Gus.
"What makes for such a satisfying read is that both narratives are thoroughly absorbing"
And from there, we move through the years with chapters that alternate between her story and his. These duly contain several tantalising near-meetings.
Yet, what makes for such a satisfying read is that both narratives are thoroughly absorbing in their own right, with plenty of great subplots, and Tess and Gus proving highly appealing characters who try to lead decent lives, even though they sense something is missing.
Now and again, Eberlen’s use of coincidence and the slightly soppy moments do perhaps make Miss You a bit of a guilty pleasure—but a pleasure it remains nevertheless.
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