The First Time We Met: An utterly heart-warming and unforgettable love story

Jo Lovett

Nov 2020 · Bookouture

About this ebook

‘Wow! I have been blown away… I am struggling to express in words how much I enjoyed this, which I devoured in less than a day. Perfect for fans of Mary Jayne Baker, Portia Macintosh and Holly Martin.’ Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

What if you met The One on his wedding day?

                                             

Izzy doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but when Sam walks into the cafe where she works one cold December morning, she knows without a doubt that he’s The One. Too bad Sam’s getting married. Today.  

 

Nearly a year later, Izzy still can’t stop thinking about Sam, the one that got away, but she knows it’s time to move on: he’s a married man and probably wouldn’t recognise her if he passed her on the street.

 

But Sam has never forgotten Izzy, the funny, gorgeous woman who asked him out on his wedding day. If the timing had only been better, he knows they could have had something wonderful.

 

When Izzy and Sam’s paths finally cross again, everything has changed. But with the Atlantic Ocean and decades of baggage between them, they are about to find out whether some obstacles are too big for even true love to overcome.

 

An unforgettable love story about what happens when the stars finally align. Fans of One Day in December, The Day We Met and Jojo Moyes will fall head over heels for The First Time We Met.

 

Readers are loving The First Time We Met:

 

‘WHAT. A. STORY… Ever had to take a book chapter by chapter because you couldn’t see through your tears? Funny, light-hearted, but absolutely gut-wrenching at times. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be completely engulfed in Sam and Izzy’s story! A perfect cozy up in a blanket and read on your front porch story.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘Oh this book!! I've laughed and cried! This really has given me all the feels. I loved this book… I devoured this gorgeous read in just one sitting. A love story which will completely stay with you.’ Little Miss Book Lover 87 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘There were points when I felt unable to breathe because of how much I loved this… I loved Izzy… At times it felt like I was reading my own thoughts. Sam was perfection… I laughed so much… it was the best combination of insta love and a slow burn romance I've ever read… It made my day. Just a perfect heart-warming romance.’ Hawthorn Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘Keep the tissues handy for this one as it will make you cry buckets… This will break your heart but is a beautiful read with a pair who I really invested in and will miss now I have finished the book.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my god!! No I am not crying, you are. This is a wonderfully romantic story… perfect characters.’ Goodreads Reviewer

 

‘This story was gorgeous. I found myself holding my breath… I loved how the reader knew how both characters felt about each other, and I was willing them to overcome the obstacle preventing them being together.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I. Freaking. Loved. It… Reading this was like watching Sleepless in Seattle or Serendipity… comfort food in book form…I gobbled this book up and didn't want to leave these characters behind.’ Goodreads Reviewer

‘A cosy, gorgeous, “One Day in December” vibe love story to lose yourself in… this one is sure to capture your heart… Snuggle down and lose yourself to the festive feeling with this tear jerking, heart-warming love story.’ Goodreads Reviewer

 

‘This novel’s pretty perfect… Really great characters, dialogue that hits perfectly, well written and very twisty, this was a fantastic read. I’ll definitely be looking out for more by this author.’ Netgalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘If you enjoy romantic comedies with heart between an American and a Brit, snap this one up… Bonus points for making me tear up.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it. This book was a great way to get away from the world for a little while. It's a story of missed connections, right place and wrong time. When we first meet Izzy, she's working in a greasy spoon diner trying to make ends meet while she's pursuing her dream of being a speech therapist. She's serving breakfast one morning, when she meets "The One", Sam. The chat, they flirt, and he goes on his way. She runs after him to ask him out, only to learn that it's the morning of his wedding. There are a few other connections between the 2 over the years, but it's never the right time for them to get together (for various reasons). Then, after years of not seeing him, Izzy gets an email asking for help with Sam's son's stutter. This reconnection is just what they both need at that point in their lives, and it's interesting to see how it all unfolds. Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy.

This book had me at “What if you met The One on his wedding day?” What a great hook this is and one that immediately captured my attention. It was nice to read this heartwarming tale and feel something other than dread with what has been going on in the world at the moment. The First Time We Met, follows Izzy and Sam and their journey which runs over the course of a fifteen year period. It is a story about love at first sight, how timing is everything and if people are really destined to be together, how the universe can intervene It is an uplifting and a light hearted read and is the perfect escape to get lost in. The characters of Izzy and Sam have been lovingly and beautifully created and you can’t help but become invested in them. With the story alternating the narration between the two, we get a great insight into each of lives after their first meeting. You just know that they are destined to be together and I was rooting for them throughout. Jo Lovett is a new author to me and I thoroughly enjoyed her style of storytelling. It is very engaging, fluid and as a debut novel, she has done a really great job. It is well plotted, executed and with a cast of characters that you can relate and resonate with, makes this a very enjoyable read. The First Time We Met is a gorgeous read that will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy. Jo Lovett has poured her heart and soul into it and she was able to capture this girl’s crime and psychological thriller obsessed heart! It was a pleasure to read and review The First Time We Met, which I recommend.

I loved this debut by Jo Lovett. Much more than the meet-cute I expected, The First Time We Met is filled with a slew of 'what-ifs' and the journey it takes for two soulmates to finally get their timing right. I enjoyed the jumps in time, giving us just enough of a glimpse as to how Izzy and Sam first meet and the struggles they endure as their few and far between meetings give each a pang of regret they can't seem to shake. Both Izzy and Sam are wonderful characters who put their children first and their hearts last. Izzy is a born nurturer who loves her life in London but always feels like 2nd best with those she loves. From her absent parents to her hard-working soon-to-be ex-husband, Izzy just wants to be someone's priority but is forever doubtful that could ever happen. Of course, she has the requisite bestie who prods her to forget Sam and the eternal crush she has had ever since they met that fated day 14 years before. But together with a few twists and decisions to see each other again even though Sam lives across the pond in NYC, there is no denying these two still harbor that feeling that they both let "the One" get away. Sam's own life has seen a slew of ups and downs and way too many regrets with his cautious nature oft-times leading his heart and mind astray. But he's a good man, trying his hardest to be a good father and somehow balance his demanding job with the tough task of parenting all the while loving a wonderful woman he may not be able to keep. The story flowed well for me even when I was frustrated and almost gave up the notion that these two would find the way to each other. But I will say that despite all the stops and starts, it made the conclusion that much sweeter appreciating a firm ending and not just the usual happy for now I find with these kinds of stories. I would not hesitate to read more from this author as her storytelling is full of the kind of emotion I crave in my books. With that being said, I happily give The First Time We Met a solid 4 stars!