A great book that touches on mental health, bullying and the injustice of the benefits system and the backwards way in which it works. I loved the characters in the book, especially Finn who was just brilliant. Kept me guessing right to the end of the circumstances of how the two main characters had met. It certainly got you thinking about how life in the UK is at the moment for those who face this on a daily basis.

When ten year old Finn meets fifty nine year old Kaz, their lives change from that moment on. Finn is different from the other boys in his class at school. He doesn't like sport. He ,likes gardening. He loves Alan Titchmarsh. Kaz works in the local cafe. Shes very outspoken and cares for her brother, Terry.

The story is told from Finn and Kaz's point of view in alternating chapters. My heart broke a few times whilst reading this book. The characters are endearing. The story covers bullying, mental health issues, poverty, schizophrenia and the break down of a marriage. I just wanted to give Finn a hug throughout the book. We find out what the event was at the end of the story. This is a thought provoking story. I was pulled into this story from the beginning. It well written and relatable. I loved this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Linda Green for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An unusual story told by a young boy alternating with a middle aged lady and how they met. I read till 1am last night and then instead of going to sleep lay there wondering what had actually happened. Now I know.

A lovely book that will have you laughing one moment and crying the next !!

The story is written with alternating chapters between Finn, a ten year old boy, and Kaz, a fifty nine year old lady. The two meet and suddenly both their life’s will change from that one moment.

Finn is such a little character that you won’t be able to stop yourself falling in love with him. He is very different from the other boys at school as he doesn’t like sport and loves gardening, especially Alan Titchmarsh. Kaz on the other hand is very outspoken and cares for her brother, Terry, whilst not working at the local cafe. Their two worlds collide when Finn and his Mum visit the cafe where Kaz works but it is an event that happens a little while later that will change their life’s forever. We don’t know what that event is but we know it happened.

This is a lovely book with a brilliant friendship at its core but it also covers so much more - bullying, marital breakdown, mental health, to name a few. Such a thought provoking book and one not to be missed.

Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book. It made me feel very emotional, especially at the end. As a mum and grandmum, who has survived on benefits at times, I could really relate to it. Bullying of any description is horrible and my heart ached for little Finn. I really liked Kaz and would love to see how her life goes looking after Terry. I highly recommend this book, it's amazing!

Sometimes fate draws people together for a reason...

10 year old Finn knows he is far from normal, with his many fears and anxieties and his intense love of gardening. School is awful for him, and home isn’t much better, now that his parents want to get a divorce... Things aren’t much better for 59 year old Kaz, who is scraping by working in a greasy spoon, singlehandedly supporting herself and her schizophrenic younger brother. One day, fate brings the two of them together, setting into motion a chain of events that will change both their lives forever.

So this book is narrated by both characters, whilst also having chapters written from before and after. You have no idea initially what the event is that separates things into a before and after, but for now let’s focus on the narrators themselves. I loved them both, and it sounds weird to say, but I was impressed with how different they were. I find one thing a lot of authors struggle with is creating characters who are truly distinct, and it is clear that this is not an issue Green struggles with. Kaz and Finn are so well written and have a real depth and truth to their characters - rather than having to check the name at the start of the chapter, you only have to read a few words to know who’s perspective the chapter is from, which I think showed a real strength of writing.

The only thing I did find a bit muddled at first was not having the perspectives of both characters, but having both characters also have chapters from before and after. This took me a while to adjust to, as the timelines are quite muddled - essentially, the before timeline follows what happens after the first time Finn and Kaz meet, and the after storyline follows what happens after the second time they meet. It does work eventually, I just found it took me quite a while to adjust to, so if you’re struggling, definitely give it a bit more time!

Now I’m going to end this review here, as although there is so much I want to say, the rest of it all involves potential spoilers, so I won’t take the chance! All in all though, this was one hell of a book. To create two such vivid and unique characters, who both had such strong and distinct voices, was incredibly impressive; especially considering the numerous differences between the two narrators! I loved everyone in this book, and while it was incredibly emotional, it was also quite cathartic and uplifting, and for that reason, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

A gorgeous book, with a vibrant cast of characters. It's so easy to connect and sympathise with those in the story, which only becomes stronger as it goes on. In fact by the end I had several moments of reading through tears. A beautiful and tragic tale of human lives, and the amazing things that ordinary people can do in extraordinary situations. Loved this read, thank you so much for my copy.

Wow, this book is so good. A very emotional story about how society treats those who are perceived as different.
A woman with very liberal views on how her child should be brought up. With a husband who feels his son needs to ' conform' a bit more.
A middle aged lady, unmarried, no children, caring for her equally middle aged brother who has schizophrenia.
Their lives become interwoven, intrinsically through a chance meeting, one moment in time that changes them all forever.
It is sad and funny in equal measure and I thoroughly recommend you read it.

WOW. I absolutely adored this book. Touching, funny, heartbreaking but so wonderful. I loved the child's perspective, was so angry on his behalf when people were so unkind to him, and I totally empathise with Kaz with her brother's problems.
Highly recommended. I had read 'the last thing she told me' a while ago which I also enjoyed but this will stay with me for a while.

Ten year old Finn and 59 year old Kaz first meet in a cafe. Finn is very quirky, sensitive and is having a hard time both at home and school. Kaz has a funny sense of humour and a heart of gold.

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

The story is written in before and after parts from both Finn and Kaz, it is really easy to follow though and you will soon find yourself absorbed in this book. It is a brilliant read, both heartwarming and sad. The characters were all amazing and had a massive role within the story. I especially loved Finn and his love of gardening which helped him get through hard times.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Books for an ARC Of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My favorite book this year toatally not what I expected and the massive twist was amazeing I thought I had it all worked out then it happens and I would never have seen it comeing I cried all the way through I loved everything about it

What a beautiful, poignant and emotional book.

This has to be my favourite book of the year. My favourite was Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and One Moment is now top of my list. The book made me feel a mixture of emotions, sad, angry, happy, hopeful all from very strong characters what were extremely easy to connect with. The story unfolds so well and at a good pace, going from past to present in an easy flowing way.

Where do I start! The story being told through the eyes of a 10 year old portrays so much emotion and pure honesty its almost tangible. The other half of the story is told by a middle aged woman living a tough life 'in the system' of our society. At the end of the book there is a passage by Linda Green saying that she wanted to tell a story through the eyes of a child having a tough time and to show how true friendship can flourish. She also says that she wanted to tell the story of a middle aged woman marginalised in our society and for her voice to be heard. She certainly accomplished this in a powerful way. Thank you Linda Green for allowing theses voices to be heard.

A highly recommended book for everyone!

Thank you Quercus and NetGalley.

The story is told alternately between 10 year old Finn and Kaz, who is 59 and works in a cafe. Finn struggles to make friends and at school he suffers at the hands of his classmates. Alongside this adding to his everyday anxiety, tension between Finns parents mounting he finds himself torn between them.

He meets Kaz first at the cafe she works in and then the second time they meet changes both their lives. Kaz is a carer for her brother Terry who has schizophrenia and does this in a touching and admirable way.

This was my first Linda Green book and my goodness it will certainly not be my last. Green made me feel so many emotions that I was both crying and laughing almost within the same chapter.

This is the most emotional and uplifting book that I have read in awhile so it should come as no surprise that I have not only put it on my Christmas wish list but it is my best book of 2019.

Issues of bullying, poverty, marital breakdown, a mental health crisis and more are dealt with realistically and unflinchingly but there is also humour and kindness that the book isn't too dark.
This is definitely one book everyone should read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

#OneMoment #NetGalley @LindaGreenisms @QuercusBooks

I started this book as I fancied a change from my usual thrillers but little did I realise how much it would touch me!! As a special needs assistant in a mainstream school I witness daily how children benefit from support and the need to realise that not fitting the ‘norm’ is perfectly acceptable.

The story is told alternately between 10 year old Finn and Kaz who is 59 and works in a cafe. Finn struggles to make friends and with his only friend Lottie at school he suffers at the hands of his other classmates. Hannah is Finns mother and greatest supporter and source of comfort. With tensions between Finns parents mounting he finds himself torn between them adding to his everyday anxiety.

Kaz cares for her brother Terry who has schizophrenia in a touching and admirable way. Her role as a carer is brilliantly portrayed exploring how sometimes she feels inadequate even though she is doing an amazing job. Her heart of gold shines from the pages.

When a tragedy throws Finn and Kaz together they both find their lives are changed forever. Their unique friendship is heartwarming and such a joy to read.

This wonderful book manages to combine heartbreak and happiness. I related so much to the wonderful characters and commend Linda Green on her understanding of the issues they faced. This is definitely one book everyone should read and I thank netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this enlightening emotional book.

Another exceptionally well written offering from this very talented author. A cast of eclectic, well developed, interesting characters and a plot that tugs at the heart strings throughout. A very satisfying, immersive read.

This was a very different read from Linda Green and it did take me a while to get into the story line. Overall it was a well developed story with interesting characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

The tears are running down my face having just finished this book in less than 24 hrs; I have become very emotionally attached to Finn, Hannah and Kaz. What a tale of sadness, and bravery, and something else that you don't quite know what until the very end; it just keeps you turning the pages for the answers. Tackling bullying, divorce, feelings of parental inadequacy, mental health, social stigma and many other issues besides, this book really shows a little of how awful life can be, and how love can let a little sunshine in.

I've loved every Linda Green book I've read, her characters are so engaging and emotive, her style of writing leaves you needing more - in a good way!

This story is told alternately by Finn a ten year old boy who feels different from other children his age and is very sensitive and Kaz an older woman who works in a cafe.
Kaz is a great character who has great empathy and understanding of people's needs. She looks after her brother who has mental health problems and is his sole carer. She is the person that Finn comes to rely on when his world is torn apart.
I was hooked on this story from the beginning and read it in one day as I couldn't put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

One Moment is the story of Finn and Kaz.

Finn is a 10 year old boy who is weird in a good way according to his friend Lottie, but being weird also means being bullied at school. Caught between divorcing parents who both want what's best for him, he is torn between making both parents happy. Kaz is 59 and the carer to her brother Terry who suffers from schizophrenia. Hard working and worn down with life, Kaz just wants something to go right for once.

When a horrific event throws Finn and Kaz together that moment in time will change their lives forever.

Told by Finn and Kaz in before and after segments, this is a wonderfully written book which is heartbreakingly sad but uplifting at the same time. A great book and I would highly recommend it.

When ten year old Finn meets 50 something Kaz who would have thought they would strike up a friendship that would save them both? Finn is weird, in a good way, according to his only friend Lottie but he is torn between making his parents happy.

This book was beautiful written from a before and after for Finn and Kaz and it’s done so well. It will pull on your heart strings for sure. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.