What a book! From the first few chapters you already know your heart will be broken thousand times but you can't help but keep reading.

One Moment by Linda Green was a brilliant book and I loved it. Especially as this is the second book I have read by Linda - they are so good!

Big Thank you to to Quercus Books for the advance copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

Ten-year-old Finn, a quirky, sensitive boy who talks a lot and only eats at cafes with a 5-star hygiene rating, is having a tough time at school and home. Outspoken Kaz, 59, who has an acerbic sense of humour and a heart of gold, is working at the café when Finn and his mum come in. They don't know it yet, but the second time they meet will be a moment which changes both of their lives forever.

When I started this I was not really sure what to expect as the description does not give much away. It turns out this read can be perfectly summed up by simply saying; moving. This read is incredibly moving, and one of the most emotional reads I have read. Green captures Finn and his thoughts sublimely. Equally, Kaz and Terry are portrayed beautifully. Green writes about some very hard-hitting subjects; I will not be too specific as it will give away the plot but wow, Green shines a light on society and issues people face. This is hard-hitting, very enjoyable and a very evocative read.

Green writes this with alternating chapters "before" the event and "after". Of course, I was desperate for the before to catch up with the after, as Green tantalisingly offers clues to what has happened. I do think it is easy to work out what has happened but that does not matter at all as the power of this read lies in the emotions portrayed, the coping mechanisms used and every little thing the characters go through. This is extremely powerful.

A book like this, needs strong, likeable characters for the reader to really engage with and with Finn and Kaz, Green has provided this. All of the characters featured are so realistic, human, flawed and likeable, it was joyous to read this through their eyes and Green has captured their voice incredibly well.

I think it is clear that I adored 'One Moment'. This is an incredibly thought-provoking, moving and powerful read and one that I enjoyed immensely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy.

I read this book very quickly thanks to such an engaging talented author! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Great characters, setting and storyline. Would highly recommend.

Well going into One Moment I thought it was a crime fiction thriller. Purely based on the cover alone. I didn’t read the back of the book. So I was pleasantly surprised when I whisked off on a different but memorable adventure with Finn and Kaz.

Finn is a red-headed boy who is a gentle soul that likes things to be a certain way. His mum knows him inside out and takes every step to protect him from the world. His Dad wants him to fit into the world and stop all the different behaviour. It’s causing Finn’s mum and dad to fight a lot and now they are getting divorced.

Kaz is an older woman who has looked after her little brother for 55 years. He has schizophrenia and wouldn’t be able to live alone. So Kaz’s whole life has been devoted to ‘Our Terry’.

Finn and Kaz’s worlds collide one night and it has huge consequences for them both.

I loved this book so much, it took me by surprise that I really enjoyed hearing about life from both a little boy and older Kaz. Finn had me laughing out loud and my heart glowing with his love of Alan Titchmarsh.

Alan Titchmarsh (Floral Blazer) Cardboard Cutout - Celebrity ...
Kaz’s scenes at the DWP will relate to many. Having just helped my Dad fight his way to try and get some help after working for 58 years. The scenes were spot on and utterly disgusting. I love that Kaz stuck up for herself and my heart really went out to her and ‘Our Terry’.

The story will be so relatable to many and Linda Green has the tone of the book perfectly. I wondered at first why it had to have the before and after chapters but by the end of the book, I am happy it was that way. I honestly hope we hear more from Finn and Kaz there are many more adventures for them to go on.

The only thing I would change is the cover, it is too dark and it screams crime fiction. Flowers, bees and rats should definitely be on a brighter more inviting cover for Fin and Kaz’s adventures.

Open the first page and then cling on for dear life because Finns come to find a place in your heart.

This book is told by 2 different people . This book grabbed me from the first page. I was totally connected to the characters. It discusses bullying, mental health, poverty, divorce. Very thought provoking. It was very well written and you could relate to the characters. Its about a brilliant friendship between a young boy and an elderly woman.

Linda Green creates magic between two covers. This is a spelling story about the relationship developed between eccentric Finn and charismatic Kaz. Beautiful.

Oh my word what an utterly fabulous and emotional read this was. I loved the way the story was told from 2 points of view. I admit to sobbing at times reading this book .i recommend this book 100%.

Thank you to Netgalley, Linda Green and Quercus for this e-copy in return for my honest review. A roller coaster of emotions, I thoroughly enjoyed this moving story.

‘One Moment’ is the latest book by Linda Green and has been recently been picked as a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick.

Finn and Kaz are about to meet for the first time. Ten-year-old Finn, a quirky, sensitive boy who talks a lot and only eats at cafes with a 5-star hygiene rating, is having a tough time at school and home. Outspoken Kaz, 59, who has an acerbic sense of humour and a heart of gold, is working at the café when Finn and his mum come in. They don’t know it yet, but the second time they meet will be a moment which changes both of their lives forever.

If you’re a lover a warm hearted stories, I would thoroughly recommend this story, with a kind hearted lady and reclusive little boy, this story of friendship is the perfect feel good story.

In this story we meet Kaz and Finn, an unlikely friendship between an older woman and a little boy, who are both at turning points in their lives. Finn’s parents are divorcing and he’s having to go between both parents which is difficult as he doesn’t like change, the only thing is constant is his love for Alan Titchmarsh and gardening. Whilst straight talking Kaz is enjoying her new friendship with Finn as it provides a welcome distraction from her sick brother Terry,

I adored this story, the characters are warm and relatable and the storyline flows at a lovely pace as the pair bond over their troubled relationships. Kaz is a kind soul, known for her plaits and sheep apron, she’s there for people, always putting others first. She has a huge heart and I regularly found myself chuckling at her Yorkshire way of speaking and brutal honesty. Her protection for her brother is also an interesting side to the story as he struggles with schizophrenia and is regularly chatting with Matthew Kelly from the 90’s television show ‘Stars In Their Eyes’.

Finn is an interesting boy, he’s not the typical boy and because of this is the subject of bullying which is difficult to read as he’s having to deal with with twice the drama with divorcing parents and bullying school kids.

This story is a lovely story which focuses on many issues such as mental health and the impact a divorce has on a young child. The tender relationship between Kaz and Finn makes for poignant and interesting reading as the two of them are crutches for each other between particularly hard times. ‘One Moment’ is well worthy of its recent nomination of a BBC Radio 2 nomination, is an emotional story of a fascinating friendship that will have the reader gripped about how a simple moment can have an impact on a life.

You can buy ‘One Moment’ from Amazon.

One Moment is a fabulous book. It is one which is full of moments of real joy and also utterly moving when there are times of sadness.
Linda Green has really captured the essence of a ten year boy in the writing of Finn and the beautiful friendship between him and 59 year old Kaz is wonderful to read. The story is revealed mainly by either Kaz or Finn in a series of ‘before’ and ‘after’ chapters which are intermingled. This works extremely well and kept me wanting to read more to discover exactly what had happened and how the story for Kaz and Finn would be resolved.
Finn is wonderfully different, he loves gardening, Alan Titchmarch and cafes with a 5* hygiene rating. Kaz is so kind and loves her brother but hates injustice.
Could a friendship between Kaz and Finn be just what they both need to help each other through difficult periods in their respective lives? Will their common experience help to bond them?
Such a beautiful and touching book.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed this book. So well written... i cried numerous times throughout. My heart broke for finn and kaz equally as they worked through their struggles... but the unique friendship they developed was so heartwarming and pure..
Excellent read!!

Anyway, this one is a review of a book by another local to me author, Linda Green, who always seems to manage to combine a great story with something really interesting. The last one I read looked at painful memories and how we protect our children – this time the story has characters who are dealing with mental health problems, loss and the Universal Credit system and yet still manages to tell a moving, realistic and, at times, uplifting story. This woman is good…..

43241094._UY2460_SS2460_The two main characters in this story are Finn, who is ten, likes plants more than most people, idolises Alan Titchmarsh and will only eat in establishments with a five-star hygiene rating and Kaz, fifty-nine, who is outspoken, warm-hearted, and works in a cafe with, well, fewer than five stars… The two meet for the first time when Finn’s Mum takes him into that cafe and both their lives are drastically changed soon after. When they meet for the second time it is in terrible, terrible circumstances but this odd couple somehow form a bond which, you hope, will be the saving of both of them.

I really loved this book. Not just because it is set in Halifax (a town I walk or run to about once a week when it isn’t storm season….) but also because Linda has given us another set of fabulously real characters. Finn is what my Mum would call an old-fashioned boy, chatty and intelligent but also anxious and vulnerable and it is always heart-rending to see such a young child suffer. Kaz, though, is my favourite. We are fairly close in age and, on the surface, we don’t have much else in common – not family background, education or lifestyles – but I could really empathise with her situation. Even through her own struggles (with her brother, who has schizophrenia, and with the Department for Work and Pensions and the seeming impossibility of dealing with Universal Credit claims) she is able to offer support to Finn. I sort of look for her whenever I am on my way into Halifax – she is so realistically drawn, I’m sure I’ll recognise her when I see her. The situation she finds herself in makes me angry and upset – because I know it is drawn from life – but I think that when I meet her she’ll make me smile (and serve up a great cup of tea).

This is one of the most amazing books I have read for a long time. It really touched me and despite making me incredibly sad at many points, it is also heartwarming and uplifting.
Finn is 10 years old and is slightly different from a lot of boys his age. His mum understands what he’s like completely but unfortunately not all the other children in his school do.
Kaz is also struggling to look after her brother who has schizophrenia. When she meets Finn in the most tragic of circumstances, they manage to save each other without even realising it.
This book is told from both Finn and Kaz’s point of view and highlights the inadequacies in our education, health and welfare systems. It also shows how love and support can make a huge difference to our lives in the most amazing ways.

Finn and Kaz are about to meet for the first time. Ten-year-old Finn, a quirky, sensitive boy who talks a lot and only eats at cafes with a 5-star hygiene rating, is having a tough time at school and home.
Outspoken Kaz, 59, who has an acerbic sense of humour and a heart of gold, is working at the café when Finn and his mum come in.
They don't know it yet, but the second time they meet will be a moment which changes both of their lives forever.

The main characters in this book are Finn and Kaz. The story is told from both their points of view in alternating chapters. Both characters are so likeable.

The book deals with some serious issues including mental health, grief and marital problems.

The book is well written with some humour within it. I didn’t see the ending coming at all. This book is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

Welcome to this review on it's publication day for the new Novel by Linda Green, Huge congratulations to the author for this her 10th Novel!


For those interested the author has via her Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/lindagreenbooks/


posted some lovely videos one each for each of the books she has created taking us on a little tour of the areas the books are set!


As a West Yorkshire lass myself, I live just down the road from where the author is based and if any of you are near by she is taking part in a lovely publication tour of the area including the launch party tonight at Waterstones in Leeds - see dates below :-




This story is one of the most heart shattering and yet enthralling reads I have read in sometime.


In this tale we meet Finn only ten years old and a bit different in the way he behaves and what he likes, he prefers gardening to sports he likes reading an his friends see him as odd and are not really friends in my opinion they very cruel and he is struggling to get along with his parents at this time who are currently going through a divorce, his father is very grounded, stern and whats everything done right where is mother is a more relaxed person with a hippy vibe she just wants Finn to enjoy and love his life.


Then we have Kaz aged fifty-nine, a lovely lady loud and outspoken with a real heart of gold, she has spent her whole life caring at fighting for the correct treatment for her brother who is diagnosed with Schizophrenia.


When Finn and Kaz meet there lives change in that moment and a real special friendship blossoms ther journey is told in chapters taking us back and forward covering many sensitive subjects such as bullying, mental health, homelessness and divorce all in such a beautiful way.


As a spoiler free blog it is difficult not to say more about the events in this book but know that this is such a special read, I spent many pages with a lump in my throat fighting back tears and more than enough times did I just let the tears flow as the events and emotions in the read played out.


This wonderful, emotive and special story is one not to miss out on, As always I look forward to more from this author she just has this magical quality to her works that no matter the genre the book of the moment falls in to, Romance, Crime or Thriller, I have enjoyed every foray she has made.

This was most definitely a page turner for me and in my opinion deserved the 5* I have given it.
The chapters were set out as before and after, from the perspective of the two main characters, Kaz and Finn.
Kaz and Finn don’t ‘fit in’ in with society. The viewpoints of a bullied child and a grown lady with deep rooted confidence issues are interesting, along with the way that adults and society deal with it. I felt an admiration for Kaz as she demonstrated a strength, as a person being kicked whilst she is down.
We saw that as humans we can be reactive to a situation, we don’t always listen and that we can be judgemental. Bullying begins often in childhood and the effects will be felt for life. It is our responsibility as parents to teach our children that everybody is different and that we have no right to belittle somebody. Sadly, the story showed that this can still carry on as an adult and Kaz felt this by the treatment of her brother and herself.
The strength of a friendship being built was heart-warming between the two families. It showed about how different things can be if we just listen. It showed that if you just listen and care, that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to keep fighting.
Many thanks to Linda Green, her publishers and Netgalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Brilliant story, fabulous book, wonderful characters. This had me engrossed from the start, I found this a real page turner and couldn’t wait to see what happens throughout the book. This is the first book I have read by this author and would certainly read more.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

EXCERPT: My name is Finn, as in Huckleberry, and there is nothing wrong with me. I know this because my dad has tried very hard to find something wrong with me, but I did OK in all the tests. It turns out I am just weird, and they don't have a test for that yet, or, if they do, my dad hasn't heard about it.

My surname is Rook-Carter, which also sounds weird because it is double-barreled (which is the proper way to say it's two names stuck together). Mum said they did it so my name had a bit of her and a bit of Dad in it. Only now they're getting divorced and they're fighting over who I'm going to live with, so I don't know what's going to happen to my name. Maybe I'll be Finn Rook on Mondays to Wednesdays, Fin Carter on Thursdays and Fridays, and Finn Rook-Carter at the weekends when I switch between them.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Finn and Kaz are about to meet for the first time.

Ten-year-old Finn, a quirky, sensitive boy who talks a lot and only eats at cafes with a 5-star hygiene rating, is having a tough time at school and home.

Outspoken Kaz, 59, who has an acerbic sense of humour and a heart of gold, is working at the café when Finn and his mum come in.

They don't know it yet, but the second time they meet will be a moment which changes both of their lives forever . . .

MY THOUGHTS: This is one of those reads that just rips your heart to pieces ... Finn just wants everyone to be happy. He want's his parents to stop fighting and get their 'sparkle' back. He want's the bullying at school to stop. He wants to garden, and never to have to play Rugby again. He has a friend (only one), Lottie, who says that he's weird, but 'nice weird'. Why can't everyone see him like that?

Kaz works in a cafe. When she meets Finn for the first time, she sees her brother Terry in him. She may have let Terry down, but she is determined not to do the same to Finn, no matter what it costs her.

The story is told from the viewpoints of both Finn and Kaz over two timelines, before and after.

I loved this book. I laughed, I cried. I felt sad, and jubilant, and angry. Why do we feel threatened by anyone who is even slightly different to ourselves? Why can't we embrace and accept that difference? Why are humans so stubborn and dumb?

This is only my second book by Linda Green, but she is now on my 'read everything ever published by this author' list. Although the two books I have read have been very different, I have loved both and embraced the difference.

Author, Linda Green, is making donations from the royalties of this book to the mental health charity Mind, the Anti-Bullying Alliance,and the Trussell Trust who run many of the UK's foodbanks.

A very enthusiastic 4 stars

'People get less wise as they get older. I mean, children don't start wars or kill people or get divorced, do they?'

'The trouble with being an adult is you end up doing what is expected of you, not what you want to do.'

'No one at school teaches you what to say when your mum is upset, only how to multiply fractions and label a Viking boat.'

THE AUTHOR: I was born in North London in 1970 and brought up in Hertfordshire. I wrote my first novella, the Time Machine, aged eight, shortly after which I declared that my ambition was to have a novel published (I could have been easy on myself and just said ‘to write a novel’ but no, I had to consign myself to years of torture and rejections). I was frequently asked to copy out my stories for the classroom wall (probably because my handwriting was so awful no one could read my first draft), and received lots of encouragement from my teachers Mr Roberts, Mrs Chandler (who added yet more pressure by writing in my autograph book when I left primary school that she looked forward to reading my first published novel!) and Mr Bird.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of One Moment by Linda Green for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads,com profile page or the about page on sandysbooksaday.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage.

Quiet, sensitive Finn, and outspoken Kaz shouldn't really have anything in common and yet, the fickle finger of fate has a habit of pairing people together who under ordinary circumstances would never have met.



I think what's so beautiful about this story is the way the author gets right into the heart and mind of ten year old Finn, and describes his life in such precise detail that you feel like you are immersed right at the epicenter of all he is experiencing. I heard Finn's voice so clearly that there were times when I looked up from reading only to expect him to be in the room alongside me. Finn's a real character, brave and strong, and despite some pretty tough issues to deal with he was always true to himself.



Kaz's character is no less compelling, she's a bluff 59 year old Yorkshire woman with no airs or graces and despite the rotten hand that life has dealt her she keeps on going with that air of true grit which is so reminiscent of Northern women. So many times I found myself cheering her on, hoping that her circumstances would improve,



Told in alternate chapters the story is revealed so beautifully that my heart quite literally broke into pieces. I wanted to reach into the very fabric of the pages and wrap both Finn and Kaz in a warm comfort blanket so I could keep them safe and became so completely invested in both their characters that I actually miss them now that their story is completed, but oh, what a story it is.



Covering a whole range of tangible emotions, from grief and loss, to mental health and bullying there is never a moment when this story doesn't ring absolutely true. From the sheer unreasonableness of our benefits system, through the complicated minefield of mental health care, and into schools who sometimes don't listen when evidence of bullying is ignored for fear of offending the wrong people. It's a salutary warning that there are people like Finn and Kaz in all our modern villages, towns and cities, and we should begin to take more notice of what's going on around us.



I can't heap enough praise on One Moment, it captivated me by the strength of the writing, such a perceptive author, I'm in awe of her ability to weave a tale that has you crying big sobby tears one minute, ranting about bureaucracy the next, and then laughing out loud at the image of a life size, cardboard, Alan Titchmarsh.



If you only read one book in 2020, let it be this one as despise the tough nature of the story I know that both Finn and Kaz's story will stay with you for a very long time.