Portobello Book Blog

Virtual Strangers is a book which caught my attention when I saw lots of fellow bloggers saying how much they loved it and what a fun read it was. When I found out it was set in Edinburgh, well I knew I had to read it. I borrowed my copy from the local library.

About the book

The Flatshare meets a modern You’ve Got Mail

Do you believe in love at first type?

When Ada set up her own PR firm from a coffee shop, she didn’t expect to meet journalist Fraser. Also working there daily, he soon becomes a friend. Reporting on interesting things to do around Edinburgh, Fraser ropes Ada into accompanying him on his assignments.

As they work side-by-side Ada can’t help but notice how attractive Fraser is, and how well they get along. But, Ada has been chatting to a guy she met on an Agatha Christie fan fiction site, and she can’t stop wondering about him. His interests are the same as hers, and the anonymity helps them both be more honest and open. As Ada’s messages with the mystery man become deeper, she thinks she’s falling for him.

Ada is torn between Fraser and Myster-E – but can you have real feelings for someone when you’re virtual strangers?

My Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed Virtual Strangers and following publicist Ada as she re-established her life in Edinburgh following the end of a rather disastrous relationship in London. I had to feel for her with her one and only client being actor Simon who she had a hard job keeping in line. As a Leither, I thought it the title of the TV show he was in was inspired. Please could someone make Leith, Laugh, Love?

I loved reading about all the familiar places I know in Edinburgh and the city really did feel like such an important part of the story. Although, note to the publishers, Princes Street does not have an apostrophe either before or after the S. Set my Edinburgh teeth on edge! Anyway, back to the book. I was very pleased to read about Ada being cross at tourists touching Greyfriars Bobby’s nose. (It really isn’t an Edinburgh tradition and damages the statute.) And I was totally jealous that Ada got to go to a ball at the Signet Library. I’ve been there for afternoon tea and it’s very swish!

Ada’s relationships throughout the book were all so varied and interesting to read about. From outdoorsy Neil who she kind of falls into a relationship with, to journalist Fraser who works out the same café as she does and soon becomes a friend, to the enigmatic Myster-E on the Agatha Christie fan fiction site who she seems to have so much in common with. As a reader, we have an advantage over Ada of course and have a pretty good idea of who Myster-E is. Friendship is also important in the book too and we see how even the closest of friendships have to adapt as life moves on but that they can still survive. It’s a cliché perhaps to talk about a character growing throughout a book but Ada really did.

This was such a funny book too and had me laughing out loud at times. Ada just seemed to stumble from one awkward situation to another. Her mum meeting her overnight guest is one such situation as was when Ada and Fraser went to a pottery class together that turned out to be very different from what they expected!

I really liked Sam Canning’s cheerful and warm style of writing and will definitely read more from her in future. Virtual Strangers is a funny and uplifting book with characters who are not without their flaws but who feel very real because of that. If you like When Harry Met Sally or You’ve Got Mail, those kind of funny, upbeat romcom films, you will love Virtual Strangers.

Virtual Strangers is published by Zaffre Books and available now in all formats.
At the time of writing it is on offer at just 99p for Kindle
but please check before buying as prices can change quickly.

About the Author

Sam Canning is a Northern Irish born writer based in Edinburgh. Virtual Strangers is her debut novel. In her spare time, she can be found roaming the city to find the weirdest things she can and desperately trying to keep her one and only plant Stanley alive.