The opening of the book broke me into pieces. It is completely heart-wrenching and emotional from the beginning. By the end of the first chapter, I already had a sense of the powerful nature of Liv and Daniel’s love, and was intrigued to learn about their journey and story.

I was completely pulled into the story. I absolutely loved the character of Olivia. Fierce, independent, but honest and forthcoming with her dreams and failures – I really felt like she became an old friend by the end of the story.

Daniel was a wonderfully devoted man and husband, whose love and commitment to Olivia and their family shone throughout the book.

This book deals with quite difficult topics, and this is done in a raw and forthright way. It is completely juxtaposed with the soft comfort of the beautiful family bond we witness.

This book has been heartbreaking and heartwarming: a book about true love, commitment and sacrifice. This is a powerful story and I have not read a love story with quite so much depth and beauty in quite some time. Undoubtedly worth 5 stars, and I hope this review does it justice.

P.S. Thank you to Aria Fiction for sending me a lovely proof copy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one gut punch of a book. Daniel and Olivia are both travelling the world – and yet they keep seeing each other in different places. It always seems to be a case of they’re meant to meet each other but wrong place, wrong time. Just when you think they’re finally going to get together – fate steps in to lend a hand and yet again they spend time apart.

But eventually they do end up together and their story is beautiful, even though it is tinged with a little sadness. From Olivia’s struggle to deal with the death of her father before the book begins and right up to the very last page, you are left hanging on, wanting to see how their story pans out. You know what could happen, what is most likely to happen, but you keep wishing that you’ve got it wrong and fate will step in once more and lend its helping hand.

Daniel promises Olivia he will write down their love story and believe me, it is a joy to read. This book kept me gripped until the last page.

5 stars from me.

The story begins with Daniel and Olivia at Olivia’s bedside in hospital it is obvious from the outset that Olivia is very sick, also at her bedside is her mother Nancy and Dan is trying to find anyway that he can to get Olivia more time with them and their daughters. Olivia is more pragmatic and she tells Daniel she wants him to write their story. So that their girls will know how they met and fell in love.

Daniel understandably cannot cope with the thought that Olivia may not be around to see their daughters grow up or to be with him. He also he doesn’t think he can do justice to write a story about meeting the love of his life. Olivia does not agree and she tries to comfort him but

This is an emotional read, Daniel is bereft at the thought of losing is wonderful wife and becoming a single parent to the girls Flora and Sofia and he doesn’t think he can do justice to their story. Heartrendingly Daniel goes on a journey on revisiting the life they have had together. You will need a tissue or three as you journey with Daniel, as he remembers how they met and how this beautiful Italian girl keeps popping into his life when he is on his travels.

The book covers many years from when they met in Australia in 1996 as Olivia is due to start college in England as a fashion designer. Olivia is brought up by two mothers, this story is also revealed in the book and she is ambitious and a free spirit. The story takes the reader from the past to Ibiza where they receive Olivia’s diagnosis and to the present. This is a really wonderful love story of a couple who appear to be destined to be together after chance meetings, it is also really, really sad, as they go through so much as a couple before this devastating diagnosis.

If you like a really tender love story and a good cry then this the book for you.

When I say this book was an emotional hell of a ride, I mean it. The Night We Met grabbed me by the hand and led me through the life of the two main characters Daniel and Olivia.

I must say that I found myself unable to read big chunks of The Night We Met at once. This story screams for reading it at a slow pace and enjoying it to the fullest.


"'Listen, I want you to write it up.' 'Write what up?' 'Our story.'" With this sentence, the story really started in my opinion. From this point on, we get to see how Olivia and Daniel's paths cross over a period of about 20 years. Daniel is writing the story of him and Olivia down for their children to read, as Olivia is unable to.

The Night We Met tells the story of how Daniel and Olivia met, and how their lives apart and together go from that moment on. I think it is interesting that we get to read the stories of different times in their lives through different perspectives. Sometimes from the perspective of Daniel and something from the point of view of Olivia.

The story takes us from Australia to New Zealand to Milan, London, Switzerland, and so on. Reading this book feels like traveling through time and around the world.

A lot of the characters in this book are very loveable. I really loved the characters of Daniel and Olivia, of course, our two main characters. They both have their own personality and together they fit together quite well. The side characters, such as Vaani and Mimi are very funny and have their own unique personality. In contrary, there was the character Annabel who I strongly disliked. Such a bitch, but she had a fitting role in the story. The hurt both Sofia and Flora, the daughters of Daniel and Olivia, felt, was very heartbreaking to read and it really touched me to the core of my heart.

There were quite some references to one of my favorite tv-shows Friends, which I loved reading!

The Night We Met is a well written, heartbreaking but oh so beautiful book.

The Night We Met is an adult fiction novel of a young man and woman that keep finding each other all over the world. Over 20 years later (after a marriage and children) she asks him to write down their love story.

The year is 1996 and two twenty-year olds (Daniel and Olivia) are traveling across Australia and New Zealand trying to make the most of their summer before real world responsibilities start. Daniel has his first reporter job waiting for him in England and Olivia is starting design school in London. Their accidental meeting is the beginning of a love story that will span decades and continents.

The Night We Met is a love story but not a romance novel. It has all the highs, lows and devastating losses of a long and successful relationship. Zoë Folbigg creates a beautiful and rich story that has both incredible characters but detailed experiences of life around the world. Vistas and pubs from Australia and New Zealand come alive as do Milan, English suburbs and London. She creates a collection of characters that are a mix of the personalities (both generous and petty) that make up a couple surrounded by both family and friends. There is a scene where Olivia has had enough of a sour and selfish guest in her home that will have the reader screaming “YES, you tell her!!”

I highly recommend this beautiful and emotional novel for readers who want to fall in love with two amazing characters and their life together.

5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A copy of The Night We Met by Zoë Folbigg was provided by NetGalley and the publisher for review purposes

If you think for a moment I'm sure you can remember making a connection with a stranger and wondering what would happen if you'd taken it further? Daniel and Olivia's love story grows from a series of encounters at different times and time zones. These culminate in one night where they realise they should be together. The story could end there, happily, but it doesn't. Olivia begs Daniel to write their story for their daughters.

This is an emotional journey full of serendipitous moments. The locational settings across the world, are rich with vivid imagery that immerses the reader in the time and place. The characters and the familial dynamic is relatable, and at times heartbreaking.

This is an undeniably, sad story, but there are lots of happy moments and powerful relationships,
that resonate. The poignant ending contains elements of positivity about the family's survival and future happiness.

I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trigger warning: drug abuse, death, miscarriage

The Night We Met is a beautiful and terrible love story, taking us to all corners of the Earth and reminding us all to treasure every moment with our loved ones.

Somewhere in the cancer ward of a hospital, Daniel is holding his wife Olivia’s fragile hand. Her last wish? That Daniel writes for their two young daughters the story of how they met, in Australia, and in New Zealand, and in London, and in Milan...

As both characters travel all over the world, their paths cross, sometimes for a few seconds, until one day they start a conversation.

The book is not at all what I expected: very deep and intense, the story goes over very serious topics including how to deal with the loss of a loved one, and the impact of bad mental health and substance abuse.

I recognise the writing I loved so much in The Note: very grounded and realistic (realism and naturalism have always been my favourite genres in literature and painting)

I only rated it 4 stars because I cried so much, which is in itself a great compliment! My partner must have thought I was insane, in my fluffy pijama in bed, sobbing all over the bedding!

Highs, lows and everything in between; this will give your emotions a real workout!

Daniel, newly graduated and having secured his first job, heads off for a summer of backpacking before settling down to the daily grind; while travelling in Australia he spots a girl who sparkles - and he keeps seeing her in different places but they never actually meet. Until one night when Olivia joins Daniel for a drink and reveals she's heading to begin her career in London. She's the girl Daniel can't forget, so he sets out to track her down - then their story can begin . . .

I defy anyone not to be affected by this story. It took me from high pinnacles of warmth and delight to the pits of despair. Along with the elation comes some really painful moments and tissues are a requisite! I'm trying really hard here not to give anything away, so I'll settle for saying this is a beautifully written tale with skilfully created characters who all contributed to my enjoyment. I feel it only fair to mention that there are trigger points not mentioned in the synopsis and I can think of friends who would find this one really upsetting. Not a novel easily forgotten, I'm happy to recommend this one and give it 4*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Vicky Joss for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

This story is a testament to love. We meet Olivia Messina as she lies in hospital in Cambridgeshire. She asks

her beloved husband to write their love story together for their two young daughters. She hasn't enough strength

to do this herself.. Daniel is a reporter and writes of their meeting in Australia, her two mothers, and wild romance..

This story is written with compassion and hope,

This book is a celebration of life.

A wonderful, well-written story that really made me think! I enjoyed the story - heart-wrenching at times though - but it only added to the reading experience.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

Olivia, Daniel's wife, whose is sick, she has cancer, during his visit to see her, she asks him to tell their children their story.

The story of how they met and fell in love. Knowing she wants to write the story but too weak to do so, she wants Daniel to do it.

I enjoyed the backstories toast them both. Also, how the timelines have different perspectives to the flow of the story.

I loved how there were different cities mentioned during their story.

This was my first Zoe Folbigg book despite having two on my shelf for a while and I will definitely be picking them up having read this!

I loved the characters and found the book heart breaking - seeing how two people met whilst one is ill in hospital - having read the blur I expected the main characters to be old but the fact they're young makes it all the more heart breaking. I did find the beginning a little slow but other than that I can't fault it.

This was a beautiful love story. But a little bit a roller couster. This made me feel but not really my cup of the.
I thought this would be little bit different.
Only 3 stars.

The Night We Met by Zoë Folbigg
Publication Date: February 11, 2021
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Description from NetGalley...
“Daniel and Olivia are destined to be together. At least, Daniel thinks this the night he sees Olivia across a sea of people. As he backpacks through Australia, Daniel and Liv continue to cross paths, yet never speak. Until one night, Liv joins Daniel for a drink. And that night everything changes.

Back in London, stuck in a monotonous routine, Daniel finds himself daydreaming of the woman with green eyes and fiery hair. Armed with only a name he begins a hunt to find her. With every passing moment, Daniel's hopes begin to disappear. What if it wasn't meant to be?

But then fate steps in, and Daniel and Olivia's story can truly begin...”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @ariafiction for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
This reminded me of the movies “Serendipity” and “Sliding Doors” combined, in terms of chance encounter. There were two timelines, the current adult version of Daniel and Olivia and the past version of their younger selves when they initially met. The transition from one timeline to another was neither smooth nor did it flow well, in turn, it became a bit confusing. However, I thought the narrative was good and the “opposite attracts” theme worked well. I liked the stop-overs in different countries and the added backstories of Daniel and Olivia. The story had some poignancy and reminded us that we only have one life to live.

Daniel and Olivia- a love story that starts with a glance and ends with, well, Daniel writing it out. Olivia is dying and she's asked Daniel to document their lives together so that their daughters Flora and Sofia can know how they came together and equally importantly, how they lived. How lucky were they that they were able to find each other while traveling around the world? It's a sweet poignant tale that will make you think about what you would want your children to know about your relationship. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read.

This is an inventive story about the meeting and life together of Daniel and Olivia. Olivia's unusual background adds interest to the tale and both she and Daniel end up with glamorous jobs. This book takes us to Australia and New Zealand in the early stages but most of the action takes place in Britain and Milan, Italy. Above all though this story is about love and friendships, including parents and children, work and school colleagues.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Books like this are too sweet for me. It's just.....cloying and overwhelming with trying to create a connection and stir emotions.

I'm sure people will like it, but not for me.

Thanks to netGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

They cross paths on their travels around the world throughout the years. Olivia, the girl with a fiery hair is always out of reach and Daniel, the shy and lonely young man starts to lose hope
All until that one night that changed everything, that night when their lives just begun
THE NIGHT WE MET is a heartbreaking story that will make you shed tears in your coffee cup but also laugh out loud when you least expect it
Daniel and Olivia are meant to be together and although their love story is just gorgeous, the ending is painful
As it is spread along the years and the story jumps from present to past I got a little confused and I had to go back to certain chapters but this didn't stop me from enjoying my read
As certain subjects might be triggers, I have to mention that the book treats aspects of cancer, death and stillborn

An emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. The story of Olivia and Daniel in several time streams. The format of having several time streams was not confusing at all and added to the enjoyment of the book. I cried and laughed all the way through this book. The characters are loveable and the scenery beautiful. A very good read.

Thank you Netgalley.

Olivia is dying from a brain tumour and asks her husband to write the love story of how they met, for their children to read.
I found it very difficult to read with it jumping around frequently from present to past, but found the present bits more interesting.
Why Olivia wanted her children to read about how much she was drunk and out of it on drugs that she couldn`t remember how or when she met her husband is beyond me.
All the jumping around confused me and couldn`t keep my attention on the story and took me a week to read.
All I can say is the last 10% was good.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.