I struggled on to the end, which did pull all the strands together to create a happy ending, but it was SO contrived.
Sorry, but did not live up to expectations for me.

A beautiful love story! I would have never guess this plot, it threw me for a loop and I had many emotions at the end of book. The twist was unexpected. Beautiful prose, descriptions, lovely and believable characters. Is it a love story, A mystery, MAYBE?

This was a very interesting story and told in a very unique way. I enjoyed the time leaps, the build-up, and the characters were very well developed. I found myself wanting to know more sooner than later and could not put this book down.

The Love We Left Behind - one of my favorite novels to read this year. A beautifully written, heart-wrenching story of love among friends and between those who become more than friends.

The story moves back in forth in time, from the 90's to the 2000's and back again, gradually meeting up with itself in the lives of best friends Naimh and Erika. Their friendship is deep and powerful, yet is challenged by the presence of another true love who enters Naimh's life.

Some readers were put off by the constant change of time, but if read carefully, it all comes together in an explosive surprise which is nothing short of perfect.

Plenty of tears in this book, and a deep look at insecurity and loss, but an immensely satisfying and ultimately lovely ending.

sadly i had no time to read as I was working double shifts as an Rn during Covid and had no spare time to read

This book holds a lot of potential, but just didn’t get there for me. I skimmed through a lot of Erika’s chapters because they didn’t seem to have much to do with the story most of the time. And it was strange and a little confusing how they went back in time. The relationship with Leo and Niamh didn’t really feel like it had much substance and I wasn’t very invested in them for the first half of the book. I think with some work this could be a great read, but it was just okay for now.

I felt like a little more care and detail was needed for some of the side characters. We go back and forth to the nineties so maybe that was part of it--juggling two storylines--but I felt like everyone but the two mains were flat feeling. There was a lot of tension for a very low-key reveal.

Unfortunately, I failed to download this title before the archive date. My apologies for the oversight.

Thank you @netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC! This book is a story about love, friendship and loss with twists I did not see coming.

‘The Love We Left Behind’ follows the friendship between Erika and Niamh who are best friends at college in Oxford University in 1995. However, we are transported to Erika in London in 2012 with an appearing perfect life but she still feels incomplete. We find out there has been a huge rift in their friendship that results in over a decade of silence. Erika’s story takes us back into the past and Niamh’s brings us forward toward the present day as we find out what went wrong and all the choices that tore them apart.

I normally love when books balance the past and the present but the constant flip between in this book was at times difficult to keep up with. There is a HUGE plot twist that completely shook me [still very confused] and once everything is revealed I felt the ending was a bit rushed and cliche especially because of the long build-up.

However, I am a sucker for a story with a great message that pulls on the heartstrings. Bonus points because it’s a quick read and I love books that aren’t based in America.

Absolutely loved this book. Very excellent storyline which was written well. I'd love to read more from this author

A story about love, grief, loss and friendship.
I loved the writing in this book, the prose is truly beautiful.
I understand the pain and fear that defines Niamh's life, and how she is unable to let go.
I would have liked to get to know Hector better, I think the back and forth of the narrative makes it difficult for us to really get to know the characters

I really liked the ending ( though a bit fantastical) and couldn't help the tears,.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

What a powerful and moving novel about those friendships we make that evolve into the family we choose to have for ourselves. Niamah, Erika and Duncan found each other at Oxford and each truly leaned on each other. Niamah never felt wanted or loved but in these friendships, she felt heard and accepted. She knew she deserved the relationship with Leo that was a plot turn in and of itself. When she reinvented herself at LSE, she was running away from.her problems which again reiterated her feelings of being unlovable despite Hector and Layla. However, when.she became herself again, that person was both loved and worthy of it. Luke was certainly a person to be celebrated. Amazing read.

This story follows the lives of two best friends, highlighting Niahm’s perspective of their time together as Oxford University students, to Erika’s experience as a London Girl working in the city. Katherine Slee has carefully crafted the story to jump between these timelines, teasing us throughout on an unknown event that weighs heavily on Erika in post-Oxford life.

As a university graduate who’s been on the road of working adult life for 7 years, there was a real element of nostalgia to some parts of the book. The friendship between Niamh, Erika, and Duncan reminded me of my own university friends and how deeply I miss those days. And whilst the cliché almost-perfect university love story between Niamh and Leo is not something I experienced, it brought up the aching feeling that I had as a 19-year-old wishing it would happen to me.

It may be a romantic and dramatised version of university life, but a welcome fictional escape nonetheless.

Erika’s chapters involved more filling in of gaps, and there was a point partway through when I feared the character development felt a little thin. But, let me assure you, there’s a juicy, satisfying twist that pulls everything together in the end.

THE ROUND UP

Read If: You want to escape into a character-driven book that keeps you hooked by the promise of a great twist.

Similar books: ‘The Flatshare’ by Beth O’Leary

Last Impressions: It’s easy to get lost in this book – both from the sense that it’s hard to leave, but also hard to remember where exactly you are in the timeline. Don’t let the latter put you off. I finished it in two sittings and was sad when it was over.

Written by Pippa Moyle

Disclaimer: We were given this book for review by Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The review can also be read here: https://citygirlnetwork.com/magazine/book-review-love-we-left-behind

The Love We Left Behind is a story of love, friendships and conquering whatever life throws in your path. I've never read a book by this author and I just loved her character development! Unexpected twists that had me saying - wow I didn't see that coming! Really enjoyed this book!

This is a lovely novel that moves between past and present to tell the story of two friends and..no spoilers from me. These characters resonate and Slee has crafted a plot that will make you root for them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

A beautiful love story. A stunning tale of friendship. A heart wrenching tale of loss and the things we do for love.

Niamh and Erika are best friends. Meeting at university with their best friend Duncan, they meet all of life's challenges together. Only Niamh always has a small voice in her head saying if she didn't happen to look like Erika' s deceased best friend they wouldn't be friends at all. Add to that the fact Niamh is adopted and by no means from money, and Duncan and Erika have blue blood pedigrees and the finances to back it up.

A chance meeting with Leo ignites in Niamh the feelings of love for the very first time. While Erika tells us their past, Niamh narrates the story of their lives now. With an earth shattering conclusion that made me gasp so loud I woke my baby, this book is one to savor. Five out of five perfect stars.

🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Katherine Slee, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I do not read fiction often, but I could not put this book down. Niamh's journey is heartbreaking, but there is a bitter sweet glimpse of hope at the end. The plot is developed in an original way and the characters are well rounded. It is definitely a book I will not forget and I would totally recommend!

Heartbreaking! Bravo Katherine Slee, you broke my heart. I loved it and it's one that will stay with me. I loved it so much I’m recommending it to all my friends ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Love We Left Behind by Katherine Slee

Niamh, Erika and Duncan are best friends at Oxford in 1995, until Niamh meets Leo and things unravel. In 2012 Erika is living in London and although she is successful, has great friends and a lovely fiance, something is missing and the past still hurts. The story gradually fills in the period inbetween.

Wow what an AMAZING book - I absolutely loved it! So cleverly constructed and with a gobsmacking twist and finale. The characters were brilliant and they were at university at the same time as me so I loved the music and cultural references too. I was so invested in their story that I cried almost continuously for the last part of the book and feel bereft now I've finished it - always the sign of a brilliant book! Very highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I was hooked from the first page when introduced to the characters Erica and Niamh. Such a great storyline. This author is new to me, but it will not be my last book by her! I felt like I knew the characters personally. Highly recommend!
I was grateful to receive an ARC through Netgalley.