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Main Characters: A Novel

Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26
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Clara and Seb are about to fall in love.
They don't know it yet.
But everybody else does.

When Clara and Seb meet in a quiet corner of London, it's the start of something. She wants to be a director. He's an actor, unsure what he wants from life.

Their connection is magnetic. Everyone can see that falling in love looks something like this. But when Clara casts Seb in the film that will make her name, what should be the happiest time of their lives ends with a gut-wrenching betrayal.

Some love stories are bigger than just two people. This one is told through the eyes of friends, flatmates, exes and strangers who see all the sides of Seb and Clara, from their first date to the moment they fell apart.

Everyone has their version of events. But only Clara and Seb can decide how their story ends...

This is a love story, told by everyone but the main characters.

--

PRAISE FOR BOBBY PALMER

'Unique, tender and funny' Pandora Sykes
'Like nothing I've ever read before' Stylist
'Sublime' Bryony Gordon
'An utter sparkler of a novel' Sunday Independent
'Heart-wrenching yet oddly soothing, this is utterly beautiful' Prima

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 30, 2026

5085 people want to read

About the author

Bobby Palmer

3 books241 followers
BOBBY PALMER is an author and journalist whose writing has appeared in GQ, Esquire, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan and more. He is co-host of the literary podcast BOOK CHAT with Pandora Sykes.

His debut novel, ISAAC AND THE EGG, was an instant Saturday Times bestseller, selling 50,000 copies in its first year of publication. A Prima and Woman & Home 'Best Book of 2022', the novel appeared on BBC Radio 4's Open Book, featured as Guardian 'Audiobook of the Week', and was chosen by Dawn O'Porter as part of her 'Dawn Loves' book club with WHSmith.

Bobby's second novel, SMALL HOURS, published in March 2024. His third, MAIN CHARACTERS, will publish simultaneously in the UK and US in July 2026.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
Profile Image for Charles.
13 reviews
November 13, 2025
I got this one on Netgalley, excited by the premise.

It's a smart idea - tell the story of a relationship only through the eyes of those that observe them. Unfortunately for me, the execution wasn't great. To be fair, this is an ambitious format, and I admire the author for thinking of it, and trying their best. But it just doesn't work.

We kick off the story as an artist draws one of the protagonists in the park, then we read from the POV of her boss, then maybe a passer-by on the street, then a flatmate etc etc. The chapters are short, too short perhaps, as we get multiple narrators, swapping every few pages - but we never really get in the heads of the two "main characters", Clara and Seb.

What is the point of reading from the point of view of all these different characters if they all seem to be exactly the same? Whether they're an ex boyfriend or a colleague or a passer-by, they all spoke the same, with no distinct personality of their own. And they ended up just telling us what Seb and Clara were saying / doing, just like an omniscient narrator would do anyway, so the whole concept of the book seemed a bit pointless.

It's well written but with the same cold, distant style of Issac and the Egg. Which worked for that book but this is supposed to be a romance, right? So where's the spark, the fire, the charisma? It was a bit of a slog by the end.

Ultimately, for me, Main Characters didn't deliver on its ambitious premise. A shame.
Profile Image for Alannah.
162 reviews
December 27, 2025
This novel offers an original and deeply moving perspective: a love story revealed through the eyes of those who observe it. From best friends to bus passengers to colleagues, each viewpoint adds to the story of the relationship as it happens.
Each character was so well built out, I truly felt like I was in the story. Despite the story being told through secondary perspectives, I felt incredibly connected to the central characters and came to understand them and their motives.
Overall, this is a moving and emotional book that has stayed with me and I loved the concept so much. I’d highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC
Profile Image for Kyra.
169 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2026
3/31. (4.5) genuinely haven’t enjoyed a writing style as much as this in a very long time. This was beautiful, compelling and shocking in all the perfect moments. These characters are flawed no doubt but often times those are the best to read and relate to, which this book took the cake on.


My only nip with it would be how due to each perspective being told as an outside voice, I almost wish it stayed that way always to preserve the voice of the witness and give them more individuality. When being written as an outside perspective but still having internal thoughts of the main characters it blurred them together and diminished the character whose head we were meant to be observing through. I wish for those moments, we just had very sparse chapters (even like a paragraph or two long) of the MCs to add that perspective in.
Profile Image for Alieke .
381 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 18, 2026
*4,5/5*

We follow Seb and Clara through the eyes of everyone around them; friends, family, colleagues, exes, passers-by, strangers, you name it. You never quite know what the MCs are actually thinking or feeling, because the book describes what others see or overhear them say.

And I loved it.

I hated it when they fought, I loved it when their friends noticed them secretly looking at one another and I loved that as the reader, we both know more and less than the characters themselves.

(spoiler) It has an open ending - but I like to believe that they got their HEA. I'm rooting for them in any case.
Profile Image for Poppy Sookunah.
18 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2026
3.75. I am in two minds about whether the concept was needed, but I enjoyed this love story told from everyone but the main characters’ point of view just the same.
Profile Image for Lucy Skeet.
619 reviews41 followers
January 16, 2026
I am SPEECHLESS..!!! Bobby Palmer this is phenomenal. Everyone preorder this now.

Thanks so much to Headline for my proof, my full review will be up on my instagram soon
Profile Image for Steph Brocato.
49 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2026
Similar to Talking at Night. I’d hate these characters if I met them in real life.
Profile Image for Kimberley.
43 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2026
a big thank you to netgalley and the author for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

main characters is a love story told through the eyes of everyone (friends, housemates, random people they pass on the street, colleagues etc.) and not the couple themselves. i feel as though i have read so many romances lately that follow the same formula but the concept for this book is unlike anything i’ve read before so i was immediately intrigued.

honestly it took me a little while to get into the story. because of the way this story is structured, in the beginning i was getting confused about who was being referred to sometimes. once i got to about the halfway mark and understood the writing style more, that was no longer an issue.

i found that both characters were well developed, complex and not always likeable. while i really enjoyed the story and thought that writing was stunning, i found myself really just wanting to get into the heads of the main characters. i wasn’t fully invested in their relationship because i didn’t get the main characters’ perspectives or thoughts on things. i still really liked them and their love but just found myself wanting a little bit more.

overall i found their love story to be touching and the concept to be fresh and intriguing. would definitely recommend this one.
Profile Image for andshe.reads.
714 reviews18 followers
December 6, 2025
A book like no other, a love story told by everyone else just not the main characters. I loved this concept. It was surprising how relatable the characters were and how connected to them I still felt despite their stories being told through the voices of other people.

Clara & Seb are far from perfect and their relationship is in turmoil a lot but this made them so much more relatable. Easy to find common ground with characters that experience similar experiences and struggles that we do in real life. That being said I really really wanted them to work out. Seb broke my heart, I felt like he was such an old soul lost in a big world where he just couldn't find his footing.

Can I just take a minute.. erm Jasper.. where the Heck was Clara when you know [ I can't say I have to keep this spoiler free ] roll on July 2026 when I can find people to talk to about this!!

I have loved Bobby Palmers previous novels and honestly I think this one trumps those. I'll be raving about this from the rooftops. Definitely will be needing a physical copy for my shelves!

Overall a stunning book, full of heartache, growth, friendships, healing, love and so much more. An absolute must read!!
Profile Image for Abbie Hawkins.
190 reviews
December 4, 2025
ARC read - thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and of course the author for this advanced copy.

This book is everything the synopsis promises to be and more.

I knew from the premiss that I would love it, but it still blew me away. I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with the gorgeous array of wonderful characters. The way of telling the story through the eyes of everyone around them was so clever, I couldn’t help but think about couples I’ve observed and what strangers may have seen of my life.

My husband is from Leicester, so I loved the little nods to a place I’ve come to know well.

For fans of the last five years, heartburn, David Nichols, Sally Rooney… I could go on.

It was beautiful, I want to read it again and again and again. I can’t wait until July so I can recommend it to all of my friends!
Profile Image for Takealookinsideabook .
536 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 22, 2026
Bobby's books are always written in such a unique and tender way and they always tug at every single one of my heartstrings.

Main Characters was no exception and oh my, what a story! Such a rollercoaster ride about life, the ups, the downs, the bad decisions, the regrets, the love, the loss.

I had to put this book down a few times while reading because I was so overcome with emotion that I couldnt read the words!

I absolutely loved the aspect of this story ever since it was announced! Telling a story about a couple from everyone else's perspective but them is so fascinating and the author has done such a fantastic job too! I was captivated the whole time.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Elodie Rondot-Wilson.
28 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2026
“The world ripples out from her, washes over him. And it’s as if the air between them is thrumming now, as if the table itself and the drinks upon it are vibrating with the frequency of what is happening here.”

I haven’t been this hooked to a romance book in a while! This was beautiful.

A love story told entirely by outside observers. Clara and Seb are drawn to each other from their first encounter. Over time, we observe their relationship, and all its intricacies through the eyes of friends, colleagues and strangers.

I thought this concept was so interesting! I have read many romance books, but never one like this. Even though I never read into the minds of Clare or Seb, the emotions and intimacy still felt very real and front and centre. There was present a strong feeling of being immersed and involved in the story. I loved how because the story is told from so many different, outside perspectives, every character brought small parts of themselves in the story too, including their own biases, judgements and feelings. The story felt enriched. A truly great read!

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Australia and New Zealand for this ARC.
Profile Image for Kati Stauffer.
43 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 10, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy 🥰

I have never read a book in this style before: the story centered around Seb and Clara, but told from the alternating POVs of those around them. (Friends, family, strangers etc). I enjoyed the concept, but struggled to stay engaged with the frequent switches.

Overall a really pleasant read! Would recommend.
Profile Image for Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson.
34 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2026
This is such an innovative novel — never hearing directly from the characters, only what those around them see and eavesdrop. At first, it felt like I was spying on them as I jumped from bystander to barista. Mercifully, the main characters are compelling and their friends and family members quickly become familiar. The unique take gives insights the characters don’t have themselves, from the way they glance at one another when they think no one is looking to what happens after they fight. It’s an emotional ride and one that makes you feel you know the pair well, even though you’ve never formally met. (Copy gifted by NetGalley.)
Profile Image for Jenny.
348 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 9, 2026
4.25 ⭐ - Have you ever cried in public over a book? Specifically on a crowded bus that's taking your family from the airport to your vacation? And not just a few tears down your cheek but big, loud sobs that make your husband concerned for your welfare? Well, if you want to keep it that way, do not make this your next beach read. 

What I loved: I didn't know if I would love or hate a story told from a different POV every chapter, but turns out it's an incredible plot device if done right. I think it speaks to the author's talent that I can feel so deeply for these characters without ever being inside their heads to know what they are feeling. And speaking of characters - I think he does a great job of building the two main ones as well as their surrounding cast -- even if they make frustratingly poor decisions that make you want to wring their necks. 

What could have been better: He did this a little bit, but I think it could have been amped up a little more. I felt like each POV could have been more distinct - with varied ways of talking and thinking, differences in tone and texture. 

Also, I am not sure the actual love story in this story is worth idolizing and maybe that's the point? It seemed that some of the supporting cast had better, more enviable love stories. 

Finally, I actually think that an epilogue with the main characters' POV would have been the perfect conclusion but maybe not. 

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
Profile Image for Marcia Porter.
80 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2026
The premise of Main Characters by Bobby Palmer immediately drew me in—a love story told by everyone except the two people at its center. At first, I worried it might become a DNF; the characters were introduced at a frenetic pace, and I felt as though I needed a cheat sheet to keep track of the relationships. As the pace settled, however, I found myself increasingly invested.

The protagonists are both broken in different ways. She is determined to rebuild herself and pursue her dreams; he is uncertain, searching, and unsure he will ever feel whole again. Their chemistry is electric. They fall hard and begin building a life together.

As the years pass, friends, passersby, and casual eavesdroppers narrate the vignettes that make up their story, adding texture and context—albeit from an outsider’s perspective. As Clara and Seb come together and drift apart, I couldn’t help but think they might have benefited from that same vantage point. But real life rarely offers such clarity.

The novel ends without truly ending, which feels fitting. Some stories continue long after the reader turns the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
850 reviews14 followers
December 12, 2025
I’m a teary mess this book is truly brilliant
I absolutely adored this author’s previous novels Isaac and the egg and Small Hours both of which were highlights of my years reading therefore when this book came up on NetGalley UK I immediately requested it. it was no surprise to me therefore too realise that this book too has a rather unique point of view I’m not much for a reader of romance novel and the book blurb suggested that that’s what this was however as a fan of the author decided to give it to go and I’m very glad that I did

I loved the way that the main two characters’ story is told from the point of view of other people seeing them and watching their behaviour it is often for the first time that the narrator of that section has ever come across the two main characters Clara and Seb, and so they can only tell their story from what is happening in the immediate moment. The joy of the book is of course that you as the reader often know what’s happened before or what happens afterwards and can slot the whole story together.
There are some beautiful incidental cameo roles throughout the novel the reader learns a little bit about these tiny flashes of peoples lives and it’s rather lovely. Likewise, the characters of Clara and Seb are real three-dimensional very well described characters. Their love story is immediately compelling unbelievable.
Early on in the novel the film Notting Hill is mentioned and I couldn’t help but keep thinking about it. Pretty soon seeing similarities between the Story in that film and what’s happening in the novel
I think that this is a very cinegraphic novel it often seems flow with scenes reading as if they’re written for a film. Of course, this means that it would make a fantastic film and I hope that the film rights are taken up very quickly for this no There’s a sliding doors element to the romance as they find each other as if by chance. At different stages in their life.
The author has a beautiful flowing accessible writing style. This is an easy relaxing enjoyable read I loved it.
I think this book is going to do extremely well I personally would be recommending it to my reading friends
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. In return for an honest review The book is published in the UK on the 2nd of July 2026 by Headline books.
This review will appear on NetGalley or Goodreads, StoryGraph, and my book Blog BionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com after publication it will be also published in Amazon and Waterstones online
Profile Image for Lucy Sweeney.
462 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 29, 2026
Main Characters by Bobby Palmer
☀️☀️☀️⛅

Thank you to Hachette and Netgalley for this ARC copy!

This ambitious romance book takes a love story spanning decades and tells it through the eyes of everyone else BUT the two love interests.

I think it's an admirable task to set yourself as a writer, and the concept itself had so much potential, but I ultimately think there were a few things that let it down:

1) Palmer's writing style never varied between POVs, of which there were dozens. If the plan was to explore characters through observation, there needed to be discrepancies, unreliable narrators, and unique voices amongst the throng of characters. The fact that everyone seemed to reflect similarly, and viewed their relationship similarly, defeated the purpose of the concept in my mind.

2) Certain narrative beats leaned too heavily into melodrama that felt out of place for me when I'm already degrees removed from the heart of the story. If one or two of those had been left out, or written subtly to avoid the big reveal, I believe that the repetition of the back-and-forth relationship wouldn't have come across as so formulaic.

3) The pacing was difficult for me. These quick chapters actually had the opposite effect, slowing down the pacing and making it a struggle to keep connected with Clara and Seb. Already viewing them from afar made them feel a bit cliche and unattainable, but that factor exacerbated the issue.

This isn't a bad book. I liked many of the characters and thought there was great exploration of identity, communication, career vs family, and more. But if the big selling points - the structure, and the romance itself - fall short, these can only boost the book so much.


'You want to be famous?'
'I want to make people happy,' she says. 'Or sad. Angry. Elated. The emotion doesn't matter, really. If you make people anything, you've made something that matters.' A pause. 'Isn't that what it's all about?' she says. 'Making something great?'
Seb considers this carefully. 'I think life is about more than making great things.'
Profile Image for Georgina Power.
532 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 14, 2026
*ARC Gifted by Netgalley*

"Some love stories are bigger than just two people.”

That line really sums up what this book is trying to do, and honestly, it’s such a great idea. I loved the concept of telling a love story through the people around the couple rather than from the couple themselves, and I really respect the author for trying something a bit different.

For me though, it didn’t quite hit the way I hoped it would. There are so many characters, and while that’s kind of the point, it meant most of them felt quite surface-level. I struggled to keep track of everyone, and I never really felt deeply connected to any of them.

Because the story is told entirely from the outside, Seb and Clara didn’t really feel like main characters to me, even though it’s their relationship at the centre of everything. As a result, the romance felt a bit distant. I wanted more emotional depth and more time actually with them, rather than just hearing about them through other people.

That said, I didn’t dislike this book. I appreciate what the author was trying to do, and I can absolutely see why it’s been such a hit with so many readers. The writing style and structure just weren’t really for me, which made this one feel more okay than unforgettable.

Overall, it’s a book I’m glad I read. A brilliant concept, clearly written with a lot of thought behind it — just not a favourite romance for me, even though I didn’t completely dislike it either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sandrine.
184 reviews
November 13, 2025
This has become one of my favourite book of the year. I love the uniqueness of the narrative voice. The story is told from the POVs of random people or the entourage of Clara and Seb. It brings something different that I loved. You’d think that because of that, you’d feel distant from the characters, but no. I still felt so connected to their story. At its core, it’s the exploration of growth of two people. But it’s also about love and forgiveness. Clara and Seb are not perfect, which is what makes this story interesting, especially as it’s seen throughout other people’s view. Since it takes place over 20 years, a lot of events happen which kept the book very compelling. There’s love, heartbreak, fear, regret but also joy. All of these emotions were well captured by the author. I might have shed a tear at the end. Clara’s and Seb’s story really touched me.
I think this book will resonate with a lot of people. Readers interested by the concept of sonder will definitely enjoy this. I can’t wait for everyone to read this and I’ll keep recommending this book to everyone I know !


Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Hannah.
122 reviews
January 2, 2026
Main Characters by Bobby Palmer immediately caught my attention because of its unique premise: a love story told through the perspectives of the people surrounding the couple, rather than the couple themselves. It’s such an intriguing idea, and one I hadn’t really encountered before.

I’ll admit, at first I wasn’t completely sold. Early on, I found myself thinking it was just fine—a lighthearted love story with a clever twist. But I’m so glad I stuck with it, because as the story unfolded, it truly came into its own.

What I initially underestimated was the depth. This book is so much more than it first appears. The characters are incredibly lifelike and layered, and the way their stories intersect around the central relationship feels both intimate and real. By the end, I was completely invested—this book gave me genuine joy and broke my heart in equal measure.

A beautifully written, emotionally rich story that surprised me in the best way. I really, really enjoyed this one.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC
Profile Image for Maddi Schmidt.
29 reviews
December 31, 2025
Main Characters by Bobby Palmer is such an interesting way to tell a love story. I’ve genuinely never read a romance that’s told through the eyes of everyone except the two people at the centre of it, and that choice alone makes this book feel really fresh and clever.

Watching the relationship unfold through friends, family, and strangers adds so much texture, you piece the love story together in fragments, moments, and observations, which somehow makes it feel even more intimate. It’s quietly funny, self-aware, and thoughtful in the way it explores connection, timing, and the roles we play in each other’s lives.

The format does most of the work here, and while there were moments where I wanted a little more depth or momentum, the originality and emotional restraint really won me over. It’s a soft, modern love story that proves you don’t always need the main characters’ voices to understand how much they matter.

A really cool, standout read.
Profile Image for Andie Wilson.
74 reviews
January 3, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley - I loved the idea, but I do think the observations are taken too far in an attempt to bring in Seb and Clara’s internal monologues. Mainly though I couldn’t get past the lead actress references in the rom coms near the start being wrong - it wasn’t Minnie Driver!

Edit (and I’ve now listed this as a spoiler so don’t continue unless you want to): I very much disliked the perception forced in the book that the infertility issues experienced were Clara’s (when clearly, it wasn’t). There was no reference to whether Seb’s fertility was the issue - 48% of fertility problems are related to men. Why was that glossed over? It then created this perception that Seb was blaming her for everything, when actually, it was likely him? Would this have changed the outcome and the characters perspectives? Surely yes. This bothered me more than the Minnie Driver thing (which is quite an effort, actually).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
112 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2026
In Main Characters, the reader sees Seb and Clara's relationship evolve over many years. The catch is that the story is told through multiple POVs and none of them are Seb or Clara. I was intrigued by this concept and hoped that it would work and I think it did work. Some of the POVs were Seb and Clara's friends and family and it was fun to get the more intimate viewpoint of a loved one (and bonus get to know their friends and family too). However, some of my favorite chapters were strangers who only saw a snippet of this relationship - we've all been in a restaurant, cafe, bus, etc and saw an interaction between strangers that made us wonder what the rest of the story is. It just felt so real life. The only chapters that gave me pause were the Nora chapters, since she is a child and the thoughts felt a little too grown up, but I'm willing to overlook that because this book as a whole was a winner for me. I was engaged from the beginning to the end.
Profile Image for Mitsy_Reads.
644 reviews
January 20, 2026
A love story told not from the main characters’ POVs but from other people’s is an original idea. It felt so fresh at first, and I loved it, but it became a little frustrating towards the end. Now I feel like that this is not the most efficient or effective way to tell a story about someone’s life.

I know David Nicholls has used strangers’ POVs in his books before, but only partially and sparingly, which made those chapters shine and feel meaningful. In this book, however, the main characters’ POVs are completely absent. So when their lives became very complicated later on, I felt too distant from them to sufficiently feel what they were going through to give this book a top rating.

It is certainly a unique book, and it gave me an interesting reading experience. I loved the author’s writing style, which reminded me a little of Sally Rooney. I’m very glad I read it, and I’d give it 4 🌟.
Profile Image for vibe  narrator .
5 reviews
January 22, 2026
Wow!! This one is going to be big. Thanks so much to Hachette for the early access.

Where to start. This is a beautiful love story, first and foremost - the love story of Seb and Clara, told through the eyes of strangers, acquaintances, and people who love them. It is also completely human, realistic, devastating, uplifting, complex and sweeping in its scope in a way that calls to mind One Day or Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

I thought the characters were beautifully developed, and I loved the raw honesty of the author’s portrayal of deeper themes like betrayal, motherhood, ambition, and grief. I liked the device of telling the story through short chapter POVs of everyone but the ‘main characters’, although I did occasionally find myself pulled out of the story wondering how the chapter’s narrator had such insight into Seb and Clara’s thoughts and feelings.

Overall, highly recommended.
Profile Image for Kimberley Leader.
26 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2026
Some love stories are bigger than just two people. This one is told through the eyes of friends, flatmates, exes and strangers. This is such an interesting and unique concept for a love story. I absolutely loved the writing style of this book and the changes of POV throughout which made sense. I really enjoyed how past chapter characters made multiple appearances throughout the book. I really love the friendships in this book - Nimesh, if you know you know.

I found this to be a very realistic and emotional love story. The fact we had no chapters from the POV of the main characters is so different to any love story I’ve read before. I didn’t think that it prevented the reader from being able to feel Clara and Sebs feelings for each other. This story will be staying with me for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Books for providing me an ARC to give this review.
Profile Image for Kirsty Fowler.
243 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2025
After reading Issac and the Egg (which is a brilliant book!!) I was really intrigued by the concept of this new book by this author. Following the story of two people through the eyes of everyone else but their own. It was something very different, and cleverly written. For me I just didn’t like the amount of swapping of people’s views, I’m someone who isn’t a fan of multi-view books or timelines which jump quite quickly, so it didn’t land particularly well for me, however I could see the intent of the author, and as I’ve said I still think it was very clever.

Thanks to NetGalley for gifting me an early copy of this book.
Profile Image for Rachel A .
165 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 23, 2025
This is a love story told not by the main characters, Clara and Seb, but by those who observe them throughout their 20s and beyond. All of these observers have their perception of what is happening and the book uses these to piece together the story. It's an unusual way of telling a love story and it took me 20 pages or so to settle into it but once I did I was hooked. From the passenger on the bus, the best friend, the barista, everyone sees a piece of the experience but the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Highly recommend. (Copy received via Netgalley in return for an honest review)
Profile Image for Olivia Evanow.
73 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2026
Main Characters follows Clara and Seb through the eyes of all of the people around them including friends, family members, and perfect strangers. Over a period of years Seb and Clara’s lives intertwine and part as they go through stages as strangers,
friends, coworkers, and lovers. Despite not hearing much of their inner thoughts, it was still easy to become attached to the characters and want the best for them. Their story is heartbreaking, messy, and hopeful all at once.

If you’re wanting to step outside of the box, the fresh and unique style of Main Characters may be exactly what you’re looking!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews