Listen to a sample
Because You'll Never Meet Me
- Author
- Leah Thomas
- Narrator
- Gil Sidaway, Gregg Lowe
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 16 June 2026
- Run Time
- 9 hours 10 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
In an acclaimed literary debut, two boys on opposite ends of the world begin an unlikely friendship that will change their lives forever.
Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet. Ollie has a life-threatening allergy to electricity, and Moritz's weak heart requires a pacemaker. If they ever did meet, they could both die. Living as recluses from society, the boys develop a fierce bond through letters that become a lifeline during dark times--as Ollie loses his only friend, Liz, to the normalcy of high school and Moritz deals with a bully set on destroying him. But when Moritz reveals the key to their shared, sinister past that began years ago in a mysterious German laboratory, their friendship faces a test neither one of them expected.
Narrated in letter form by Ollie and Moritz--two extraordinary new voices--this story of impossible friendship and hope under strange circumstances blends elements of science fiction with coming of age themes, in a humorous, dark, and ultimately inspiring tale that is completely unforgettable.
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award finalist
A Carnegie Award nominee
Critics Review
-
The pacing is impeccable, as letters move from sunniness (Oliver) and bemused distance (Moritz) to both writers exploring their darkest fears, experiences, and worries for their futures.
BCCB
-
A witty, unusual take on friendship and parlaying weakness into power.
Kirkus Reviews
-
Ollie and Moritz are memorable characters with engaging and often humorous voices. . . A quirky, almost whimsical feel even as Thomas grounds it in heartfelt and often painful emotion.
School Library Journal
-
The two may be eccentric outcasts, but their conflicts, heartbreak, and eventual bond form a relatable and engaging narrative.
Publishers Weekly
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
This semi-sci-fi Bildungsroman has some surprising twists and turns--well worth the suspension of disbelief it requires.
VOYA
-
It’s the distinct, deeply memorable voices of Ollie and Moritz that make this novel an affecting page-turner.
Horn Book Magazine
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Leah Thomas
- Narrator
- Gil Sidaway, Gregg Lowe
- Duration
- 9 hours 10 minutes
- Release Date
- 16 June 2026
- ISBN
- 9781547620647
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Dating, relationships, romance and love
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas, read by Gil Sidaway and Gregg LoweIn an acclaimed literary debut, two boys on opposite ends of the world begin an unlikely friendship that will change their lives forever.Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet. Ollie has a life-threatening allergy to electricity, and Moritz's weak heart requires a pacemaker. If they ever did meet, they could both die. Living as recluses from society, the boys develop a fierce bond through letters that become a lifeline during dark times--as Ollie loses his only friend, Liz, to the normalcy of high school and Moritz deals with a bully set on destroying him. But when Moritz reveals the key to their shared, sinister past that began years ago in a mysterious German laboratory, their friendship faces a test neither one of them expected. Narrated in letter form by Ollie and Moritz--two extraordinary new voices--this story of impossible friendship and hope under strange circumstances blends elements of science fiction with coming of age themes, in a humorous, dark, and ultimately inspiring tale that is completely unforgettable.A William C. Morris YA Debut Award finalistA Carnegie Award nominee
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.