“So I Met This Guy…” by Alexandra Potter: Romance Has Never Been Scarier (BOOK REVIEW)

Romance Has Never Been Scarier (…and More Expensive)

Hey, Alex! What have you been reading lately?

It’s interesting that I picked this one up around the same time as Louvre heist news – talk about people running off with precious jewels that don’t belong to them. The novel literally opens with a man being chased down by security.

The title alone is what grabbed me: So I Met This Guy... (crossed out gorgeous man, total fraudster, absolute dickhead.) I thought I’m in for a heartbreak story and not your typical romance. What I didn’t expect was a cross-Europe odyssey about womanhood and finding yourself after losing everything in the name of love.

Tell me more. What is the book about?

The novel opens with a note from Alexandra Potter herself, explaining the real-life inspiration behind writing it: the rising number of victims – mostly elderly women – who experience romance fraud. How they meet with professional con artists in real live or through dating apps, who would pose as loving partners. Men who would build trust over months only to then vanish with all their life savings, valuables, and sense of self.

Maggie, our protagonist, is one of these victims. Once a successful art gallery owner, she is now broke, homeless, and completely lost. When Flick, a young journalist desperate to prove herself, turns up wanting to write Maggie’s story and track down the man who broke her heart, the two women embark on a wild chase across Europe.

From the French Riviera to Portuguese coasts, what begins as a mission to get answers turns into something far deeper – a story of self-rediscovery, and finding friendship that can change your life forever in the most unexpected places.

What are some strong and weak points of the book?

The dynamic between the two protagonists definitely stands out. Maggie hasn’t just lost faith in others; she’s lost faith in herself. Flick, on the other hand, has all the energy and ambition in the world but feels trapped in her small-town routine. Together, they fill each other’s gaps and grow to become better versions of themselves. Finding the con artist isn’t the true reward of their mutual journey; it is finding themselves through introspection, which is only possible by distancing themselves from mundanity and their daily ghosts and anxieties.

What I really enjoyed was how funny and lighthearted the book reads despite its dark premise. The generational dynamic between Maggie and Flick is priceless – full of dry humour and entire scenes that will have you laugh out loud. The story carries a beautiful message about resilience, agency, and reclaiming your narrative when life goes off-script.

That being said, I do think the book is a hundred pages too long. There are a few too many detours that don’t move the story forward. Entire chapters could have been edited out, in my opinion. I’m not saying that the book got boring at places, because that won’t be true. There is always something going on, it’s just that some moments offered little character development and messed up the reading pace for me.

As a result, the ending feels rushed to me. The chapters get shorter and the time gaps bigger, which is in big contrast with the overdetailed sections in the middle. Although we find closure in the traditional sense, some aspects of the final were left deliberately ambiguous and I would’ve preferred if Potter stayed consistent and took her time before rushing to close that story.

Any final thoughts? Should I read it too?

I have always believed there is nothing scarier than falling in love. Think about it – you hand someone your heart on a golden plate and trust they won’t drop it. You are so vulnerable and exposed in that moment. Potter captures that exact fear, along with the quiet devastation that comes when you get betrayed.

For that reason alone, I recommend you read So I Met This Guy... The story is equal parts heartbreak, humour, and healing. It’s a road-trip about what happens after your world falls apart and you’re forced to rebuild, redefine, and reflect.

So I Met This Guy... is an important book, especially for all the romance readers out there. It is not a light rom-com, but it is a lighthearted story about something heavy, which makes it a perfect read for when you want meaning with your escapism. So I Met This Guy... is the perfect holiday read, especially if that holiday takes place in Europe and there is a cruise ship involved. Just remember to be careful, keep your handbags safe, and avoid any men with Rolex and Hollywood smiles that come your way (it’s for your own good!)

Thank you so much!! Are there any similar books that you can recommend?

Here are two stories to pick up next if you enjoyed this one:

🎭 Good Material by Dolly Alderton — an honest, funny, and painfully relatable look at heartbreak and comedy (male POV!)

🔥 Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman — another story about loneliness, new beginnings, and rediscovering your place in the world.

📲 limaistyping…

rating: ☀️☀️☀️☀️
tropes: 💔 romance fraud | 🏆 get him back | 🏖️ european summer | 🚘 road trip | 🤝 unexpected friendship
read if you like: journalism, playing cards, cruise ships, pizza, art galleries
look out for: 🐈 George the cat |🍸 hot dates | 💍 big yes/no question | ⌚️ her father’s watch | 🕊️ Birdy with a y
"This will take you on holiday around Europe – fun, fortune, and lots of drama. And I'm European, so take my word for it."