This book may span over fourteen years but is a true testament that love prevails as told through the story of Izzy and Sam. It was beautiful to see how each one was vulnerable and honest through their emails but also.focused on what he/she wanted and deserved. As a result and as Izzy articulated, her heart expanded. They really became a family with Ruby, Liv and Barney. What a heartfelt and wonderful read.

Such a beautiful love story that spans along over 15 years from the time they met until they finally started talking. When Izzy first met Sam, it was love at first sight...and also his wedding day to another woman. Their paths cross throughout the years but when they are finally both single (and living in different countries), their worlds will collide. I gave this four stars because it was at times it dragged a bit for me, but I truly loved this book and I highly suggest you read it!

What a heartwarming read! I very rarely read romance books but I was craving for something light and refreshing and boy did I find it in this book.

I really enjoyed this story of Izzy who was working in a diner when Sam came in and she felt an instant attraction to him. By the time she had served him his breakfast and he was ready to leave, she was convinced they were destined for each other and he was the one. She gathered the courage to ask him to go out with her that evening but Sam confessed to her that he was getting married that day. Fast forward 14 years, Sam married and is widowed with twins, Liv and Barney. Izzy has married but is separated, has a young daughter and is a speech therapist. What happens when their paths cross again??? I will let you find out when you read this very interesting book..

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this refreshing book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was beautifully written. I loved the characters and the second chance romance. This book just felt so real and extremely relatable. This one hit you right where it hurts and is a tear jerker!! This was a very beautiful story and I recommend it to anyone who loves romance and also a good book cry.

A glorious fifteen year romance that begins on Sam’s wedding day to another bride. Beautifully written, this swept me off my feet and left me teary-eyed more than once. Big sigh. Ahhh romance!

The First Time We Met, Jo Lovett

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction

Not Again!! Its 2020, not 1820. Men write romance, men read romance, and I'm tired of seeing this outdated genre.

Anyway, the book. I've mixed feelings, mainly because so much of the story took place via emails.
The premise was fun, the kids on both sides were great. Having had a granddaughter with severe speech issues ( she used only vowels! Spent a year at a language school, where the teachers for a group of nine primary age kids were two speech therapists) Speaking properly made a huge difference to her, and the struggles and successes Barney went through with his speech problems were very real. Liv, Barney''s sister was a typical young girl, liked Izzy until she thought she may take away even more of their very short time with their dad, and she brought out the dead mum guns. I cold see that playing out so well. Ruby, Izzy's daughter, was just adorable.
I loved Sam and Izzy, loved their practical everyday life, the one we all lead, with problems and stress, and as single parents that made some things even more of a juggle. Sam was torn between home life and career. His kids wanted more of him, so did the job. He's worked hard to get where he is, and the juggling he's currently doing isn't going to work. We can see that but it takes a while before he realises what he's losing, rather than what he is gaining. Kids need time more than material things, they grow so quick that its easy to miss it and that's whats going to happen to Sam. He was such a wonderful man, so honest, so caring. The way he talked about his wife and their relationship was very real.
I loved Izzy too, such a great character, enjoys her job, her friends, her daughter and has never really let go of the idea of Sam.
I enjoyed the ending but...it felt rushed. I like that the drama, the sad part was drawn out, that's perfect for me, but the ending just seemed a little underwhelming after that fabulous sad part, and was done so quickly.

So, some great characters but somehow the book was good, but not great. Its not a re-reader for me, though I enjoyed it. I think its the combination of the time hops, and the fact so much of their fledgling relationship is done via emails. It lacked the feeling of Real for me.

Stars: Three, a fun read, quite deep at times with the issues all parents face.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

The synopsis of this book reminded me a little of One Day in December. The idea that you meet someone by chance and the road to happiness together is spread over a decade or so...

This book started excellently. Izzy was serving in a greasy spoon cafe when she encountered Sam for the first time. It was live at first sight, except that it was Sams wedding day! We then fast forward to 6 years later and Sam and Izzy meet again, this time Sam is bereaved and Izzy heavily pregnant. Then it’s another 6-7 years later, this is where the story remains for approximately 75% of the book! I struggled to engage with the book several times, this was because the earlier parts of the ‘relationship’ were skimmed over, but the current storyline went on and on and on!!

The characters were well written, especially Sam. His character was great. Unfortunately Izzys character really grated on me. Completely annoying, whiney and quite unlikeable. My dislike of Izzy meant I was less invested in her and sam’s relationship, which was a shame as a few tweaks would’ve made her far more endearing.

Small query...Izzy is a speech therapist, but there’s reference later in the book to her working in social care? Not sure if this is an error or not?

I liked Barney’s storyline and Liv’s teenage reaction to Izzy. Also, the children’s reaction to their dads working hours etc.

Overall, this was a nice story. It didn’t grip me, I never rooted for the main character and I struggled to engage with parts of the book. However, it was a pleasant read.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

I was interested in reading The First Time We Met, Jo Lovett’s debut novel as the premise of falling in love with someone at first sight but at oh so very much the wrong time, appealed to me. I’ve read several other novels with similar plots however this book was, by far, my favourite. In short the story follows Izzy and Sam who meet in a greasy spoon cafe when they are both young, Izzy falls for Sam and asks him out...... he is also taken with her but unfortunately it’s his wedding day - not great timing! We then meet both Izzy and Sam briefly a couple of times over the next few years but despite getting on well, they are living their own lives. The majority of the book is set 14 years after their first meeting - Sam is now living in New York and Izzy in London- and follows their friendship over the next few months...... I won’t give anything else away!
I loved how the characters developed over the story and liked both of them. I thought we were given time to get to know them, understand where both of them were with their lives and really care about their story. Their love story felt real, believable and messy - just like the rest of us and I absolutely loved it! By the end I was cheering both of them on and couldn’t read it quick enough. An absolutely delightful debut novel and I am looking forward to reader her next one. A perfect and real love story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved the beginning and the end of this book. However, the middle wasn't great for me --- it went on way too long and didn't really provide any additional insight to the characters. However, the beginning and the end were so charming and sweet, I'm still giving this book 4 stars.

What would happen if you met someone you instantly knew was your soulmate on your wedding day? I loved the premise of this novel, so I was really excited to receive the ARC from NetGalley. Instantly, the reader is drawn into the rejection Izzy receives from Sam, who she knows is The One. Izzy rebounds to someone knew, but is left wondering if she missed her chance while Sam can't get Izzy out her mind. Several clandestine meetings years later, Sam reaches out to Izzy and slowly their relationship grows again but life obstacles keep the reader wondering if the two could fall in love.

I loved Sam's twins and their character development but I wish that Sam and Izzy had been more developed during the first part of the novel. It was hard to root for Izzy or Sam because Izzy was grappling with significant self-confidence issues that were slowly explained throughout the novel while Sam completely failed work-life balance. I was so frustrated that they couldn't see how they kept causing their own problems which turned into relationship barriers. This book could have been shorter if they had admitted their shortcomings sooner. It was a cute read overall and I recommend it as a weekend read for anyone who is a fan of instalove stories like One Day in December or love over time like Love, Rosie.

Isn't the cover of this book gorgeous?

This was a sweet romance. I adored the way the book began: Izzy and Sam's meeting at the start was perfection. I was thrilled with their chance meeting six years later, as well. The timeline jumps another seven years after that, though, and I started to lose interest in the plot.

The ending brought it all back together! The final chapter and epilogue were wonderful. So, overall, something in the timeline of the romance was lacking, but I would still recommend this to anyone looking for a easy, heartwarming read.

Soulmates find each other and fight against all the obstacles and most complex curveballs life throws at them kind of storyline always works for a truly naive romantic like me!

It’s so obvious for me to click the request button at light speed because I was craving some true romance, some sweet-swoon moments, some endurable angst and an epic, powerful ending with HEA! That’s why we yearn for reading something motivational, feel-good, right?

Well, the book’s beginning was so promising . Both MCs are also lovable. As Izzy saw Sam’s walking into the cafe she works, she knew her life would never be the same. And Sam saw the rising love sparks in the air, too. They clicked. They connected. They felt the love at first sight but they had a one particular problem. The day they met is also hero’s wedging day. Damn it! The author broke my heart from the beginning.

But the fate should play its ugly mind games to bring them back together. Don’t you agree with me?

And here comes the problematic part: there is very long time jumping! More than a decade later, ( 14 freaking years!!!!)these two guys finally meet again. ( isn’t it buzz killing? Yes, absolutely it is!)

Even though I loved the beginning of the story, characterization, smart dialogues, the big time gap and MCs’ connection via emails ( they were more than face to face interactions which also killed the romantic sparkles for me. Call me old school but I always prefer more intimate dialogues and gestures between characters. How can you know someone without spending time together and experiencing new things?)

And of course Rohan and Emma’s unnecessary subplot story made me scream: “ I want more Izzy and Sam time! We haven’t seen them together! I want more of them!”

Overall: this book has intriguing start! I don’t have problems about characters. Their flaws, up-downs, weaknesses are portrayed realistically. Nothing is disturbing or unendurable about them. But the time gap and limited interaction killed my romantic mood. So I’m giving three neutral Switzerland- neither I hate it nor I liked it stars!

I was expecting something more epic, heartwarming and soul brushing. Let’s keep our hopes up for our next romance reading.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this reviewing copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Ever had to take a book chapter by chapter because you couldn’t see through your tears?

WHAT. A. STORY. Aside from this story being absolutely the most beautiful love story I’ve ever read, it really hit home. I truly felt like I was reading my husband and I’s love story. We met 12 years ago when we were just kids. He was my first kiss, my first love. Life got in the way - he ended up being engaged to another woman and I was dating someone for 6 years. All those years apart, we loved each other and thought about “what if” and “if only’s.” Literally like the book, RIGHT person, WRONG timing. Somehow, after all those years apart, we found our way back to eachother and have been married for almost 2 months!! I won’t ruin the story for you, but when two people are meant to be, _________.
A gorgeous story. Funny, light-hearted, but absolutely gut wrenching at times. Read this story. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be completely engulfed in Sam and Izzy’s story! A perfect fall, cozy up in a blanket and read on your front porch story :)

I really liked this story and the characters but the idiocy and poor choices sometimes really dragged me down. Letting a teenager guide adult decisions when their emotions (clearly evidenced) switch on and off so much?! Ugh!

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, such a cute story.

I love that their lives and problems felt very real and relatable. From the moment they met, to 15 years later it felt like a real will they, won't they situation. It was nice having both perspectives and getting insight into both their family lives.

Many thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
This book could really use some editing. There's a nice story in there just dying to get out. It's clogged up with a tonnes of unnecessary detail and waffle. The characters are rather lovely and well written, but it's the morass of other clutter that made this book a no-go for me. It'd score it a 2.5.

Oh my god!!
No I am not crying, you are.
This is a wonderfully romantic story. It has perfect characters. I am happy that I came across this book.

The First Time We Met by Jo Lovett is a heartwarming read that will have you believing in destiny and, more specifically, love at first sight.

When Izzy first lays eyes on handsome Sam, she feels an instant spark. In a moment of impulsivity she asks Sam on a date, only to find out that the timing is not ideal; he is enroute to his own wedding. A year later, Izzy sees Sam again but he appears to look right through her. Alas, he has obviously moved on with his life, and it is time for Izzy to do the same. Fast forward the years, and fate will place Izzy and Sam in each other's paths yet again, but is either still feeling the spark after all of the twists and turns delivered during the intervening years?

This is a story that will have you emotionally invested in the life of each protagonist. Told in a he said/she said format, you will be rooting for destiny to run its true, though meandering, course.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

I am really mixed on this one. It's a very cute concept and some good, likable characters. I really wanted to like it even more than I did. But I feel like the book could use some more editing. First, Sam, an American, was written with a lot of Britishism (for example, not American goes to a physio... they go for PT) that became very distracting. Then, it went on a little long and could be tightened up before we got to some good action towards the end. That said, I could see this being an excellent movie - just the right amount of side characters, a good will they or won't they, and a cross-the-pond story set in NYC and London that would make for a very scenic and picturesque film.

The First Time We Met is a fun, engaging book. I only give it four of five stars because it seems a bit unoriginal in its concept - formulaic, almost. That being said, I liked the characters and was interested in the story.

The story centers on Izzy and Sam who meet by chance on his wedding day. It's love at first sight for Izzy. Through the next few pages or so, we jump nearly twenty years. Both Izzy and Sam have married others. life happens, and of course they are thrown back together because...that's the point.

Izzy was cute and charming; I liked her; Sam is almost too perfect. As I was reading I had flashes of One Day in December and the film, You've Got Mail; there were some similar plot points. This should have been good, because I loved both of those, but it just came off as predictable to me.

That being said, I really enjoyed the book and I do recommend it. Just don't expect anything new.

I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.