Review: Missed Connections by Aimie K. Runyan — A Heartfelt Story of Ambition, Regret, and Reinvention

Missed Connections follows a chef given the chance to revisit pivotal life choices and reconsider ambition, love, and what truly matters.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Harper Focus (Harper Muse) and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

After losing her prestigious restaurant manager job in Paris, thirty-seven-year-old Sabrina Sorensen returns to California for her sister’s engagement party, only to face family criticism about her seemingly directionless life. Unknown to them, Sabrina has secretly spent fifteen years working toward her true goal of becoming a Michelin Guide inspector, a dream now threatened by her sudden unemployment. Overwhelmed and uncertain about her future, she retreats to Burbank Airport, questioning whether her sacrifices have been worth it. There, an unexpected encounter offers her the extraordinary chance to revisit pivotal moments from her past—both romantic and professional—forcing Sabrina to confront the choices that shaped her life and decide whether to continue pursuing ambition or embrace the possibility of love and a different future.

My Thoughts:

Most of us reach moments in life when we look back and wonder how different things might have been if we’d chosen another path. Missed Connections explores that universal question through Sabrina Sorensen, a driven and talented chef whose lifelong ambition is to become a Michelin Guide inspector—a prestigious role she must keep secret even from the people closest to her. After losing her coveted restaurant manager position in Paris, Sabrina returns home to California for her sister’s engagement celebrations, only to face criticism from a mother who sees her as incapable of commitment. The contrast between how others perceive Sabrina and the quiet determination behind her career choices forms the emotional heart of this story.

Sabrina’s passion for food and hospitality is deeply rooted in memories of her late father, who taught her to savour meals and appreciate the artistry behind dining. Those early experiences propel her through years of hard work, international moves, and career sacrifices as she carefully builds a résumé worthy of Michelin recognition. When self-doubt finally overwhelms her at Burbank Airport, a mysterious ticket agent offers Sabrina the extraordinary opportunity to revisit pivotal moments from her past, allowing her to reconsider both her professional ambitions and her personal priorities.

I especially enjoyed learning about Sabrina’s earlier life as she revisited defining experiences that shaped who she became. These glimpses into her past added emotional depth and helped me better understand the motivations driving her relentless pursuit of success. That said, I did find the middle portion of the novel slowed somewhat, and I often found myself eager to return to the present-day storyline to see how everything would ultimately unfold. What consistently stood out, however, were the vivid descriptions of food and dining culture. The novel beautifully captures the idea of living to eat rather than simply eating to live, celebrating the connection between food, memory, and identity.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook edition, narrated by Caroline Hewitt, who delivers a strong performance. She brings warmth and personality to Sabrina while skillfully handling accents and giving each character a distinct voice, which enhanced the immersive quality of the story.

Final Thoughts:

Missed Connections is a thoughtful and reflective novel about ambition, regret, and the courage it takes to redefine success on your own terms. It invites readers to consider whether our lives are shaped more by the choices we make—or by the ones we never quite take—and reminds us that sometimes the path forward begins by looking back.