Member Reviews

The First Time We Met tugs at your heart strings with this romantic story.
Jo Lovett has provided us with sweet, likeable characters, that still have their flaws and sometimes made crappy choices.
Overall I enjoyed this book, it can be cheesy and predictable, but it is such a fun, cute read!!

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Does 'the one' really exist? Are people made to spend their whole lives with one partner? It differs for everyone. Some do and some don't. Then another question arises. Do you stay with someone who might be second best because you have never laid eyes on the one? 

For some people, the one is their first partner. For some, the one comes along with their timing is so terribly off. So what do you do? Do you stay with your current partner because you made a promise, but cannot stop thinking about what could have been? Do you settle with someone you love dearly, but that deep connection is not there?

Life happens though. Good things and bad things happen, but maybe you can still live the life you felt you missed out on?

This is the story of Izzy and Sam. It started with Izzy and Sam standing opposite each other. If you want to find out whether they found the way to stand next to each other, you really should grab a copy of this lovely book and find out the ups and downs they went through. Will they end up at the top of the mountain?

This book is about love between parents and children and between partners. A laugh, a cry, dark clouds and pink ones... Very enjoyable. 4 stars

Thank you

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I honestly don't know why this title moved down my TBR pile. It really had been on my Kindle for ages but I'm so glad that I finally read it.

When Izzy met Sam at the café she works, it's love at first sight. She feels an instant connection and her gut feeling tells her he's The One. Yet, when she, very boldly, asks him out she he finds out that Sam is getting married that very same day!

Life goes on and Izzy tries to get Sam out of her mind. She finds someone else, get's married and becomes a mother but is still remenicing of the one that got away...

When Lizzy and Sam's paths cross again years later the chemistry is still there.
Their lives are completely different though. Sam is the US and Izzy's back in London for a start. Besides that they each have their own challenges and their children to think of. Will their love be strong enough to get them their happy ending?

Loved this story!
Lizzy and Sam were lovely characters and I was rooting for them all the way.
Thank you @netgalley and @bookouture for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

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The First Time We Met by Jo Lovett is a heartwarming and emotionally charged romance that explores the power of second chances and the magic of unexpected connections. With its engaging characters, poignant storytelling, and a touch of serendipity, this book is a captivating read for fans of contemporary romance.

The story follows Izzy, a woman who is determined to start fresh and leave her troubled past behind. When she meets Finn, a kind and charming stranger, their connection is immediate and undeniable. As their relationship develops, they both must confront their own fears and insecurities, navigating the complexities of trust and vulnerability.

Jo Lovett's writing style is immersive and evocative, capturing the essence of raw emotions and tender moments. The chemistry between Izzy and Finn is palpable, and readers will be swept away by their blossoming romance. Lovett skillfully delves into their inner struggles, allowing the readers to connect deeply with the characters and their personal journeys.

The characters in The First Time We Met are well-developed and relatable, with Izzy and Finn stealing the spotlight. Izzy's resilience and determination to overcome her past make her a compelling and sympathetic protagonist, while Finn's compassionate and supportive nature endears him to the readers. Their individual growth and the development of their relationship are portrayed with depth and authenticity.

The book explores themes of healing, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. Izzy's journey of self-discovery and her pursuit of a brighter future is beautifully intertwined with the tender and often bittersweet moments shared with Finn. Lovett skillfully navigates the complexities of emotional baggage and the process of letting go, creating a layered and emotionally resonant narrative.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, blending moments of heartache, joy, and self-discovery. While some aspects may follow familiar romance tropes, the author infuses the story with genuine emotions, unexpected twists, and a heartfelt exploration of personal growth. The tender moments shared between Izzy and Finn will tug at your heartstrings, leaving you rooting for their happiness.

The First Time We Met is a captivating and emotionally charged romance that will leave you with a warm and hopeful feeling. Jo Lovett's poignant storytelling, compelling characters, and exploration of second chances make this book a recommended choice for fans of contemporary romance. If you're in the mood for a heartfelt tale of love, redemption, and the transformative power of human connection, don't miss The First Time We Met.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of The First Time We Met from the author for an honest review.

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Unfortunately I found myself getting a little bored with this and I found that it was quite similar to a lot of other books in this genre. I did finish it but there wasn’t really much engaging about it I am afraid

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I wanted to love this one but it felt a little stale. I kept feeling like I'd heard the story before and I wasn't being pulled in by the characters. I did enjoy the lightheartedness though - it was easy to read.

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This one started great and I was really enjoying it, but then around 40% I started to get bored. I don’t think that the book is bad at all, but the pacing seemed to be quite off. I ended up DNFing it because I wasn’t enjoying it enough to push through.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity and I’m sorry to have not finished the book.

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This started well but started to drop close to halfway in and I found myself getting more and more bored with the storyline. It felt a little too cliche and corny

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I’m normally weary of stories where one or both of the MCs are in relationships when they first meet, but I’m glad I continued because this book ended up being wonderful. It’s sweet, heartwarming, and really makes you question if love at first sight really could exist.

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What can I say. I liked this book. Must read. Do it. If you do anything else. Read this book today. Great read and enjoyable. Total Jo Lovett fan

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I really wanted to love this book but about 40% in, I was so bored that I thought about dnfing it. The first 40% of the book had me hooked. I loved seeing how Izzy and Sam met and seeing them meet up again every couple of years by accident. But when the book went to present day for the characters, I slowly lost interest. I really wanted to root for them when Izzy and Sam finally found themselves back in each others lives, but they had such little connection/scenes together that I could not see any chemistry between them and only wanted them to be together so that the book would finally be over.

I really enjoyed the writing. At the beginning when I was enjoying the book I flew through it as the writing was really easy to read to fall into the story. However, as I carried on reading I found myself having no urge to pick up the book as I did not care enough to want to read it. I did finish it though but part of me wishes I had simply dnfed it when I originally started disliking it but I hate dnfing books.

Maybe this author/book is simply not for me. I have looked up the synopsis for some of her more recent releases and none of them intrigue me so maybe this author is simply one that I won't be picking up another novel from. I am sure someone else out there will enjoy this a hell of a lot more than I did.

Thank you to Bookouture for providing me with a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I'll be honest, the "love at first sight" trope almost never gets me, but this one did! Lovett made characters that were likeable and bold in overcoming their obstacles. While, at times, it was a bit cheesy, it was comforting in the Hallmark movie type of way! All in all, a fantastic read that I would totally recommend!

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There was an insta love trope in this book that I really didn't enjoy. I felt it was strangely paced – the majority of the book was really slow and drawn out, but the ending felt rushed. I think the issue was the time jump, it wasn't done as well as it could have been.

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DNF - did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style/plot and decided to put this one down. Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for the early copy.

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This was a very good book, serious, romantic, but also funny. It's good to discover new authors that you enjoy especially very talented ones.

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I loved this romantic comedy! Izzy meets “the one” , named Sam. Unfortunately, they meet on his wedding day. Neither of them forget meeting the other, and when fate brings them together again they don’t want to lose each other again. 4 stars, very entertaining.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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I liked it enough to finish it but I wanted it to get to the last bit faster and have more of the last bit.

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I've never read a Jo Lovett book before but I fell in love with this from the very first page! The writing was so beautiful and I'm really excited to read more from her!

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This book is from Bookouture who I work for. I’ve downloaded it for checking purposes which is why there isn’t a full review here.

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Lighthearted read, which I enjoyed. A little predictable but aren’t most romance novels!

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

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