If you’ve ever found comfort in a slow-burn romance set around chance encounters and unexpected pacts, this story might catch your interest. But is sweetness alone enough to carry a romance?
Meet Me Under the Clock by Jo Lovett
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Womens Fiction

Sometimes love happens when you least expect it…

When Nadia and Tom are both unceremoniously stood up by their dates under the clock at Waterloo Station, fate throws them together in the most unusual of circumstances.

What starts as a brilliant story for future dinner parties soon turns into a wonderful friendship, and both Tom and Nadia realise they’ve found the perfect partner in crime.

Tired of dating but always needing a plus one for weddings, parties, and the like, they agree to fake date each other. But as their pretend relationship starts to feel more real, Nadia and Tom begin to wonder if there’s more to their connection than convenience.

Could the relationship they’ve been faking be the one they’ve been waiting for all along?

A heartwarming fake dating rom com, perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Sophie Kinsella.

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I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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This starts with a lovely premise—two strangers, both stood up on the same night, meet beneath the clock at a train station and agree to “fake date” in an effort to dodge further heartbreak. It’s an idea full of promise and charm, and at first, it really felt like the kind of feel-good story you curl up with on a quiet afternoon.

The book leans heavily into a slow-burn dynamic, as Nadia and Tom spend a lot of time getting to know each other. And by a lot, I mean page after page of dialogue—questions, polite responses, and small talk that often felt more awkward than endearing. Their constant politeness made them feel almost too careful with each other, and unfortunately, it kept me from feeling any real spark between them.

As the story went on, it became harder to connect with either character. Both POVs had such a similar tone and rhythm, it was sometimes difficult to distinguish one from the other. While the writing had a sweet, understated style, the dialogue-heavy approach and lack of emotional depth made the story feel repetitive at times. I found myself wishing for more color—more emotion, more personality, and more natural tension to pull me in.

Still, there’s a lot to appreciate here. The core concept is heartfelt, the idea of kindness in romance is refreshing, and the pacing may work perfectly for readers who enjoy quiet, introspective character-driven novels. While this one didn’t fully click with me, I can absolutely see others enjoying its subtle charm and soft-spoken narrative. A sweet story with a lot of potential—just not quite the spark I was hoping for.

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