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No Chance
A ROMANTIC COMEDY OF MISSED CHANCES, AWKWARD ENCOUNTERS, AND ONE UNFORGETTABLE TRIP ACROSS EUROPE.
In the summer of 1985, Will Evans sets off interrailing with one win the heart of Ruby, the girl he’s been hopelessly in love with since university.
But with bad timing, bad jokes, and a rival named Tom Bellows, Will’s chances are slim. As they journey through cities, cultures, and chaos, Will must navigate more than train timetables—like growing up, letting go, and learning what love really means.
Funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, No Chance is a nostalgic coming-of-age story for anyone who has ever loved too hard, too soon.
In the summer of 1985, Will Evans sets off interrailing with one win the heart of Ruby, the girl he’s been hopelessly in love with since university.
But with bad timing, bad jokes, and a rival named Tom Bellows, Will’s chances are slim. As they journey through cities, cultures, and chaos, Will must navigate more than train timetables—like growing up, letting go, and learning what love really means.
Funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, No Chance is a nostalgic coming-of-age story for anyone who has ever loved too hard, too soon.
285 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 10, 2025
This is my first book experience reading Gareth Thomas. No Chance is a funny, enchanting, and adorably awkward coming-of-age tale set amongst iconic landmarks and cultures. The novel is set in 1985 in Wales (at least at the beginning). Our MMC is Will Evans. He sets out on an interrailing trip with some friends, one of whom is Ruby, a girl he's had a massive crush on for a long time. Ruby's boyfriend recently dumped her, so Will has decided that now is the time to make his move and win Ruby's heart. He has high hopes for the trip, but then awkwardness, chaos, and hilarity ensue.
I really enjoyed this book. The author's writing style feels friendly and familiar, as if he's writing you a letter, which makes it very easy to be drawn into the story. Will's character is written as somewhat socially inept around women. It was sometimes painful to read, but I had to laugh. We've all been that age and experienced some cringy things. Will's friend was constantly ribbing him, as a male friend of that age would. The thing I liked most about the book was its authenticity. It’s a grand adventure, and I give it four stars! Thanks to @zooloosbooktours and @blossom.spring.publishing for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. The author's writing style feels friendly and familiar, as if he's writing you a letter, which makes it very easy to be drawn into the story. Will's character is written as somewhat socially inept around women. It was sometimes painful to read, but I had to laugh. We've all been that age and experienced some cringy things. Will's friend was constantly ribbing him, as a male friend of that age would. The thing I liked most about the book was its authenticity. It’s a grand adventure, and I give it four stars! Thanks to @zooloosbooktours and @blossom.spring.publishing for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
December 10, 2025
A wonderfully nostalgic, heartfelt read
No Chance is an absolute delight — warm, funny, and written with a charm that instantly pulled me back into the summer of 1985. Gareth Alun Thomas captures the feeling of youth, hope, and messy first love with such authenticity that it feels less like fiction and more like being handed someone’s treasured memories.
What I loved most was how effortlessly the story stirred up moments from my own past. The songs, the cultural nods, the sense of possibility that comes with being young and on the move — all of it sparked vivid flashes of times gone by. It wasn’t that Will’s experiences matched my own, but rather that the writing opened a door to memories I hadn’t visited in years.
The prose has a wonderfully intimate, almost letter-like quality, as if the author is speaking directly to the reader. It’s engaging, heartfelt, and beautifully paced, with humour and emotional depth woven through every chapter.
A great fun read, brilliantly written, and rich with nostalgia — a coming-of-age story that lingers long after you put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
No Chance is an absolute delight — warm, funny, and written with a charm that instantly pulled me back into the summer of 1985. Gareth Alun Thomas captures the feeling of youth, hope, and messy first love with such authenticity that it feels less like fiction and more like being handed someone’s treasured memories.
What I loved most was how effortlessly the story stirred up moments from my own past. The songs, the cultural nods, the sense of possibility that comes with being young and on the move — all of it sparked vivid flashes of times gone by. It wasn’t that Will’s experiences matched my own, but rather that the writing opened a door to memories I hadn’t visited in years.
The prose has a wonderfully intimate, almost letter-like quality, as if the author is speaking directly to the reader. It’s engaging, heartfelt, and beautifully paced, with humour and emotional depth woven through every chapter.
A great fun read, brilliantly written, and rich with nostalgia — a coming-of-age story that lingers long after you put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 13, 2025
Thank you zooloosBT For letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. No chance is a romantic comedy genre. I love the front cover of the two snails which is adorable, and I like the title too, It all works really well together. The story is set in 1985 and the two main characters are Will who really wants to win the heart of a girl called Ruby, but Ruby is interested in somebody else. I found the story to be straightforward to get into, and I was engaged with the writing from the start. While reading this book, I felt plenty of different emotions, which made me more invested in the characters and the plot. I really like the characters Will and Ruby, they seem lovely people and I enjoyed following their story, I did feel like I connected with them from the start. No Chance is written exceedingly well And pulled at my heart at times too. It is a lovely story that will entertain you and make you laugh until the end. 5 stars.
December 14, 2025
This was my first read by this author and I am already looking forward to my next one!
I had no clue what to expect from this read, but knowing it was a romantic comedy drew me in and I absolutely loved the snails on the cover image.
I loved Will and Ruby, but obviously was rooting for Will to get his girl.
Unrequited love is the worst and yet this still had me chuckling along with Will and his attempts to win her over.
I absolutely loved the setting of the inter-railing back in the mid 80's.
This is an era that I have such fond memories of and this really took me back to reminisce about my own experiences back then.
Although, I was a little too young to be off travelling by myself, but all the references really took me back.
The writing style was so easy to get into and I was instantly immersed and was having so much fun that I just didn't want to put this down.
A great read and I can't wait to see more from this new author to my shelves.
I had no clue what to expect from this read, but knowing it was a romantic comedy drew me in and I absolutely loved the snails on the cover image.
I loved Will and Ruby, but obviously was rooting for Will to get his girl.
Unrequited love is the worst and yet this still had me chuckling along with Will and his attempts to win her over.
I absolutely loved the setting of the inter-railing back in the mid 80's.
This is an era that I have such fond memories of and this really took me back to reminisce about my own experiences back then.
Although, I was a little too young to be off travelling by myself, but all the references really took me back.
The writing style was so easy to get into and I was instantly immersed and was having so much fun that I just didn't want to put this down.
A great read and I can't wait to see more from this new author to my shelves.
December 14, 2025
Although set a little before my time, I can see the nostalgia it would bring.
I thought the cover was so simple and the snails intrigued me.
I have loved all of the travelling described. I remember folk talking about travelling after school, but I don't think interrailing was really a thing by the time I was old enough to do it. It sounds like an amazing, though absolutely exhausting, way to see some interesting places on a budget.
Will, the main character, actually didn’t particularly endear himself to me. He was quite whiny and annoying. Some of the secondary characters had some annoying moments also. They all had interesting relationship dynamics though. And I think it was a testament to their relationships that they were able to survive travelling in such close confinement through what they did.
It is a good story that reminds you of first love and youthful naivety and I would definitely read more by the author in the future.
I thought the cover was so simple and the snails intrigued me.
I have loved all of the travelling described. I remember folk talking about travelling after school, but I don't think interrailing was really a thing by the time I was old enough to do it. It sounds like an amazing, though absolutely exhausting, way to see some interesting places on a budget.
Will, the main character, actually didn’t particularly endear himself to me. He was quite whiny and annoying. Some of the secondary characters had some annoying moments also. They all had interesting relationship dynamics though. And I think it was a testament to their relationships that they were able to survive travelling in such close confinement through what they did.
It is a good story that reminds you of first love and youthful naivety and I would definitely read more by the author in the future.
December 26, 2025
No Chance by Gareth Alun Thomas
🌟🌟🌟💫
Having never been interrailing, I really enjoyed reading about the travels Will and his friends went on. Not sure I could cope with living out if a backpack, but it was fun to read
I didnt like Will. Far too needy, searching for something that wasn't there and became sad as a character.
Ruby was torn between two relationships. Friendship and love
Pete wasn't a friend, he was a bully!!
Im pleased Will stood up to his dad! One life - live it and go on the adventure 🚉
The story was full of laughs and friendship
🌟🌟🌟💫
Having never been interrailing, I really enjoyed reading about the travels Will and his friends went on. Not sure I could cope with living out if a backpack, but it was fun to read
I didnt like Will. Far too needy, searching for something that wasn't there and became sad as a character.
Ruby was torn between two relationships. Friendship and love
Pete wasn't a friend, he was a bully!!
Im pleased Will stood up to his dad! One life - live it and go on the adventure 🚉
The story was full of laughs and friendship
December 11, 2025
I had some fun reading this, with the laughs you could also feel the awkwardness of finding your own way after uni and falling in love but struggling to express yourself.
The characters in this book were so well written and I loved reading in the different perspectives through the book.
It really took me back to the 80s with the references to that time.
A highly recommended read
The characters in this book were so well written and I loved reading in the different perspectives through the book.
It really took me back to the 80s with the references to that time.
A highly recommended read
June 22, 2026
This is a charming romance-and-a-little-more story that really hit me in the feels. It's the European train trip I dreamed about in my twenties, complete with the almost-missed romance. I laughed, cringed and cried at this well-paced growing up story that really nails what it feels like to be completely at a loss when everyone thinks you've got it all figured out.
June 27, 2026
The Summer of 1985 is the backdrop of this coming of age story that follows Will Evans as he finishes university and then goes interrailing across Europe with friends. His goal is to win the heart of Ruby but life has other ideas! There is laughter, missed opportunities, upset stomachs and so much more that makes his goal seem impossible. Throughout this there is a good mix of backstories for the main characters, some cringeworthy moments for Will but also some beautiful moments. I liked how the dynamics between the characters were described and how events played out. There were many points in this that brought back memories for me as 1985 is a year I remember very well!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews