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samstillreading's review against another edition
3.0
An insta-love story with an almost immediate forced separation? Count me in on that. Miranda Dickinson’s novel tells a story of two strangers who meet during a prolonged train delay and fall in love. (Don’t you wish that could happen to you during transport delays?) The problem is, both Phoebe and Sam are about to start big, important year long journeys. Neither of them had planned on allowing for a relationship to complicate their trips. But in the space of several hours, they decide that if they feel the same way about each other in exactly one year, they will meet again at St Pancras station. If they don’t…well, they don’t turn up. No hard feelings, right?
It’s the start of a love story that just begs to be made into a movie. And in true movie style, Phoebe and Sam have made rules. They can send postcards to each other and texts with the occasional phone call. So it’s not quite the pining lack of contact that brings them back together at the end of the year. Rather, it’s the endless analysis of what he or she said or didn’t say that threaten to drive the couple apart before they’ve even properly started. Sam is off to find the father who left his life as a child and get over an awkward breakup. Phoebe is trying to spread her wings, gain confidence and live on a whim. Because they don’t really know each other that well, Sam doesn’t know that Phoebe tends to anxiously overanalyse everything and Phoebe isn’t aware that Sam can barely talk about feelings and his past. That’s where the fairy tale instant attraction love tends to wither rather quickly. With only limited contact, the pair hang on to every word of the other, examining it until they find a potential fault. Phoebe’s impetuous ‘I love you’ has Sam freaking out, followed by Phoebe convinced that she’s driving him away. Sam’s lack of in-depth discussion of finding his father has Phoebe convinced that he doesn’t want to tell her everything when Sam just doesn’t know how to say it.
Told in alternating chapters by the main characters in first person, this analysis of the other’s words got a bit wearing for me. Knowing exactly what was going on, I found the rehash of Sam’s/Phoebe’s take on whatever the other had/hadn’t said repetitive. Perhaps this part of the story would have been better told in larger chunks by one character so the reader didn’t have the omnipotent view. Phoebe’s jitters, which didn’t have a clear reason, were also irritating sometimes. It would have been good to have some backstory as to why she was so cautious to be on her own, especially given Sam had a rather detailed background. To me, Phoebe came across as immature which didn’t match her age or her educational background (I have no idea how she managed to write her PhD thesis when she is so indecisive)!
There are a lot of near misses in this book, especially towards the end. It’s a sweet idea, but bogged down by the continuous introspection and a lack of growth in Phoebe. Probably a good pool or plane read, but some nights I just couldn’t face the continuous revising of the characters’ actions towards each other.
Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC of this book. My review is honest.
It’s the start of a love story that just begs to be made into a movie. And in true movie style, Phoebe and Sam have made rules. They can send postcards to each other and texts with the occasional phone call. So it’s not quite the pining lack of contact that brings them back together at the end of the year. Rather, it’s the endless analysis of what he or she said or didn’t say that threaten to drive the couple apart before they’ve even properly started. Sam is off to find the father who left his life as a child and get over an awkward breakup. Phoebe is trying to spread her wings, gain confidence and live on a whim. Because they don’t really know each other that well, Sam doesn’t know that Phoebe tends to anxiously overanalyse everything and Phoebe isn’t aware that Sam can barely talk about feelings and his past. That’s where the fairy tale instant attraction love tends to wither rather quickly. With only limited contact, the pair hang on to every word of the other, examining it until they find a potential fault. Phoebe’s impetuous ‘I love you’ has Sam freaking out, followed by Phoebe convinced that she’s driving him away. Sam’s lack of in-depth discussion of finding his father has Phoebe convinced that he doesn’t want to tell her everything when Sam just doesn’t know how to say it.
Told in alternating chapters by the main characters in first person, this analysis of the other’s words got a bit wearing for me. Knowing exactly what was going on, I found the rehash of Sam’s/Phoebe’s take on whatever the other had/hadn’t said repetitive. Perhaps this part of the story would have been better told in larger chunks by one character so the reader didn’t have the omnipotent view. Phoebe’s jitters, which didn’t have a clear reason, were also irritating sometimes. It would have been good to have some backstory as to why she was so cautious to be on her own, especially given Sam had a rather detailed background. To me, Phoebe came across as immature which didn’t match her age or her educational background (I have no idea how she managed to write her PhD thesis when she is so indecisive)!
There are a lot of near misses in this book, especially towards the end. It’s a sweet idea, but bogged down by the continuous introspection and a lack of growth in Phoebe. Probably a good pool or plane read, but some nights I just couldn’t face the continuous revising of the characters’ actions towards each other.
Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC of this book. My review is honest.
katrenia's review against another edition
4.0
3.75. A perfect book when you are looking for a light easy romance. The only thing missing is an epilogue.
hmchester's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
primahattie2's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book during one of Amazon's Daily Deals a few months back. I wanted to love this book, I really did. I loved the premise and I loved Sam! However, I found myself skipping through a lot of it and I really did not care for Phoebe.
Sam and Phoebe meet at a train station on June 14th. They instantly form a connection while waiting during a six hour train delay. Phoebe is getting ready to embark on a journey through Europe. She has been planning this for a while. Sam is traveling to his home country, Scotland. They decide to meet back in a year at the exact same spot that they met. At first, they decide to keep in touch vaguely at first thought emails and postcards. However, they text each other and sometimes call. I figured that during the year that there would be temptations for both characters and that one would cave. Luckily that didn't happen even though Sam was tempted. What I didn't like about this book is that the majority of it happened during the year they weren't together. So I didn't get to see Sam and Phoebe together a lot. When it did come time to meet back up, Phoebe got cold feet and had a friend leave Sam a message saying she wasn't going to meet him. That pissed me off. Even though they got together at the end, I am still only giving this one 3 stars.
Sam and Phoebe meet at a train station on June 14th. They instantly form a connection while waiting during a six hour train delay. Phoebe is getting ready to embark on a journey through Europe. She has been planning this for a while. Sam is traveling to his home country, Scotland. They decide to meet back in a year at the exact same spot that they met. At first, they decide to keep in touch vaguely at first thought emails and postcards. However, they text each other and sometimes call. I figured that during the year that there would be temptations for both characters and that one would cave. Luckily that didn't happen even though Sam was tempted. What I didn't like about this book is that the majority of it happened during the year they weren't together. So I didn't get to see Sam and Phoebe together a lot. When it did come time to meet back up, Phoebe got cold feet and had a friend leave Sam a message saying she wasn't going to meet him. That pissed me off. Even though they got together at the end, I am still only giving this one 3 stars.
totallybookeduk's review against another edition
5.0
Phoebe is setting off on a year long journey around Europe. Visiting all the places that have inspired writers. A delay at St Pancras Station leaves Phoebe in a crowd if stranded passengers when she suddenly bumps into someone. Apologising she realise it's a statue she bumped into. However, suddenly she hears a beautiful voice attached to a gorgeous man who jokes with her about apologising to a statue.
Sam is setting off on a long awaited year away, heading back to the Mull, the island he was born on. Something he has delayed for some time, its finally time to head back. That is until he is delayed at the station, usually he'd be frustrated but suddenly he sees the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.
Can you really fall in love at first sight? After spending just six hours with each other Sam and Phoebe say goodbye and head off in different directions. A year apart but with a promise that if they still feel the same way they will meet again by the statue in exactly one year.
The year ahead offers them both the chance to complete the journeys they needed to take. But will they meet again? Will they both be waiting by the statue?
Tissues at the ready as the story follows their individual personal discoveries across the year they are apart. As well as discovering whether this they are truly destined to be together.
Sam is setting off on a long awaited year away, heading back to the Mull, the island he was born on. Something he has delayed for some time, its finally time to head back. That is until he is delayed at the station, usually he'd be frustrated but suddenly he sees the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.
Can you really fall in love at first sight? After spending just six hours with each other Sam and Phoebe say goodbye and head off in different directions. A year apart but with a promise that if they still feel the same way they will meet again by the statue in exactly one year.
The year ahead offers them both the chance to complete the journeys they needed to take. But will they meet again? Will they both be waiting by the statue?
Tissues at the ready as the story follows their individual personal discoveries across the year they are apart. As well as discovering whether this they are truly destined to be together.
littlebookontheprairie's review against another edition
3.0
These kinds of books/covers always catch my eye. The impossible love story where they are just destined to be together in the end. The fluff, the feel good.
This story caught my attention with the tag line on the cover 'their love sorry started with goodbye'
I loved how Phoebe and Sam met. I think saying goodbye to someone like that for a year would be incredibly difficult so I really wanted to respect and absorb the individual journeys they took that year apart. I think that was my favorite part of the book, when they were apart physically but together in their hearts.
What I didn't love was the back and forth and constant interrupts of their love taking flight after their year apart. I understand that it's fiction and that there has to be a struggle to find their way back to each other but I found there to be too many. Too many misunderstanding, too many interruptions.
In the end, I thought Miranda ended it beautifully and I am glad the novel ended where it did.
My favorite line in the book which, is true of all relationships in life, was "You can only walk through a door: if the person on the other side chooses not to open it, what can you do? In the end, I think it's better to seek the open doors and accept those that stay closed. Life, I'm learning, is holding everything lightly; being prepared to let it go. You can't control how anyone else lives. You can love them, but that's the only power you have. You can't make somebody love you."
This story caught my attention with the tag line on the cover 'their love sorry started with goodbye'
I loved how Phoebe and Sam met. I think saying goodbye to someone like that for a year would be incredibly difficult so I really wanted to respect and absorb the individual journeys they took that year apart. I think that was my favorite part of the book, when they were apart physically but together in their hearts.
What I didn't love was the back and forth and constant interrupts of their love taking flight after their year apart. I understand that it's fiction and that there has to be a struggle to find their way back to each other but I found there to be too many. Too many misunderstanding, too many interruptions.
In the end, I thought Miranda ended it beautifully and I am glad the novel ended where it did.
My favorite line in the book which, is true of all relationships in life, was "You can only walk through a door: if the person on the other side chooses not to open it, what can you do? In the end, I think it's better to seek the open doors and accept those that stay closed. Life, I'm learning, is holding everything lightly; being prepared to let it go. You can't control how anyone else lives. You can love them, but that's the only power you have. You can't make somebody love you."
zooloo1983's review against another edition
5.0
It’s the witching hour right now, it’s half-past twelve and I’ve just finished this book. This book has caused the most ugliest of crying so much so I have tissue up my nose because of the snot tears….not attractive. This is how much I loved this book, how much it moved me and how much I needed this book.
This book has taught me so many things, one being when it’s right it’s right. And god is this book right!! I have taken a battering with this book not going to lie, I seriously thought my heart might break! To be honest, I think I have gone through the wringer way more than Phoebe and Sam! #justsaying not that I am drama queen or anything.
It is such a powerful novel, it’s going to be hard to discuss any of the plot without spoiling it so I won’t. The basics if you don’t know, Sam and Phoebe meet are St Pancras, trains are delayed and for 4 hours they sit and talk and fall in love. They make a pact with each other in a year to meet back on a set day and time if they want to be together. That’s all I am going to say.
I loved the journey these two went on. From being two people running away from things, to having each other when they didn’t know each other, leaning and building the version of themselves they want to be, well it’s magical. When you know, well you know. We know they know so we should all just go on our merry way. Wait….what…Miranda wants to batter and bruise us first, well I suppose if she must. Boy did she! It’s like she tore my heart out, jumped on it a couple of times and then gave it back to me and asked me to carry on. Well, I would.
Not only do you see the focus of our duo, in their own discoveries, but it’s also made me take stock and think, am I best version I want to be? It gives you food for thought while we sightsee in Edinburgh, Mull, Tuscany, France and Florence. We are amazed by the sights, one of my favourites is the love wall in Paris, it’s definitely a place I want to visit although I will probably cry.
And yes I’m back to the crying. Still crying. I blinking loved this book, it was good for my soul. I really do sound so dramatic, even though at times this book was frustrating and you just wanted to scream and shout, it didn’t let me go. I read this in a day, I fell in love with the flawed characters of Phoebe and Sam. Their madcap scheme was such a clever idea, crazy, mental but clever. It gave them a chance to discover at their own pace if they were ready for true love. Are they? Well sorry, read the damn book!
It is most definitely going up there for one of my top books this year. It came into my life when I needed it. It’s made me smile, cry and it made me believe. I have always believed in fate and serendipity and this book just reinforces it for me. It stays true to this message throughout, fate always has its own ideas. It’s not always hearts and flowers, it’s hard work too. It’s the real deal and only you can make it work. Just loved it.
This book has taught me so many things, one being when it’s right it’s right. And god is this book right!! I have taken a battering with this book not going to lie, I seriously thought my heart might break! To be honest, I think I have gone through the wringer way more than Phoebe and Sam! #justsaying not that I am drama queen or anything.
It is such a powerful novel, it’s going to be hard to discuss any of the plot without spoiling it so I won’t. The basics if you don’t know, Sam and Phoebe meet are St Pancras, trains are delayed and for 4 hours they sit and talk and fall in love. They make a pact with each other in a year to meet back on a set day and time if they want to be together. That’s all I am going to say.
I loved the journey these two went on. From being two people running away from things, to having each other when they didn’t know each other, leaning and building the version of themselves they want to be, well it’s magical. When you know, well you know. We know they know so we should all just go on our merry way. Wait….what…Miranda wants to batter and bruise us first, well I suppose if she must. Boy did she! It’s like she tore my heart out, jumped on it a couple of times and then gave it back to me and asked me to carry on. Well, I would.
Not only do you see the focus of our duo, in their own discoveries, but it’s also made me take stock and think, am I best version I want to be? It gives you food for thought while we sightsee in Edinburgh, Mull, Tuscany, France and Florence. We are amazed by the sights, one of my favourites is the love wall in Paris, it’s definitely a place I want to visit although I will probably cry.
And yes I’m back to the crying. Still crying. I blinking loved this book, it was good for my soul. I really do sound so dramatic, even though at times this book was frustrating and you just wanted to scream and shout, it didn’t let me go. I read this in a day, I fell in love with the flawed characters of Phoebe and Sam. Their madcap scheme was such a clever idea, crazy, mental but clever. It gave them a chance to discover at their own pace if they were ready for true love. Are they? Well sorry, read the damn book!
It is most definitely going up there for one of my top books this year. It came into my life when I needed it. It’s made me smile, cry and it made me believe. I have always believed in fate and serendipity and this book just reinforces it for me. It stays true to this message throughout, fate always has its own ideas. It’s not always hearts and flowers, it’s hard work too. It’s the real deal and only you can make it work. Just loved it.
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
Phoebe and Sam meet by the Betjeman statue in a very crowded St Pancras station in London when all the trains have been delayed for hours. They feel an immediate spark between them, slipping easily into conversation as though they have known each other for years. The snag is that both are about to head off on grand adventures which will see them apart for a year. Despite only knowing each other a few hours, they sense that they are just right for each other and agree to meet in the same place exactly a year on.
‘We’ll meet again at St Pancras station, a year from today. If we’re meant to be together, we’ll both be there. If we’re not, it was never meant to be . . .’
Oh how I loved the part of the book where Sam and Phoebe meet. It was just so romantic, the idea of them falling in love at first sight and feeling that strong connection so immediately just had me melting. I also loved their agreement - if it was meant to be, it would all work out for them. While they were apart, they agreed only to contact each other once a month. Well, that didn't last long and I did so enjoy their text messages as they began to get to know each other more.
Sam was off to Mull for a year, the island where he was born, and part of what he wanted to achieve on his year out was to try to find out what had happened to his family way back when he was little. This is a place like many island communities where everyone knows everyone and Sam is sure that he will be able to uncover the mystery. I don't want to say too much about that so as not to spoil the plot, but will say it was quite an emotional journey that ends up bringing him right here to Edinburgh. It has been a long time since I have been to Mull but after reading Miranda Dickinson's descriptions of the island, it's very tempting to hop on a train myself and find a wee pub with a cosy fire and some folk musicians playing. And maybe get snowed as happens at one point although admittedly that's not likely this fine Autumn day!
Phoebe's journey was rather more adventurous as she was spending a whole year travelling and working in Europe. This was a real challenge for her, and one many of her friends thought she wouldn't have the courage to do but she proved them wrong. It sounded like a great way to spend a year but also a bit scary. Her job restocking a library in Italy sounded idyllic. I liked the way that Phoebe seemed to grow more confident with each challenge she faced until one which just proved too much - I'll say no more!
The author managed to keep up the whole 'will they, won't they' idea throughout the book, throwing in a few surprises along the way. I do feel that this would make a fantastic film, the kind that would have starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan when they were younger. It's a gorgeously romantic story to warm your heart and make you believe in the possibility of love at first sight.
‘We’ll meet again at St Pancras station, a year from today. If we’re meant to be together, we’ll both be there. If we’re not, it was never meant to be . . .’
Oh how I loved the part of the book where Sam and Phoebe meet. It was just so romantic, the idea of them falling in love at first sight and feeling that strong connection so immediately just had me melting. I also loved their agreement - if it was meant to be, it would all work out for them. While they were apart, they agreed only to contact each other once a month. Well, that didn't last long and I did so enjoy their text messages as they began to get to know each other more.
Sam was off to Mull for a year, the island where he was born, and part of what he wanted to achieve on his year out was to try to find out what had happened to his family way back when he was little. This is a place like many island communities where everyone knows everyone and Sam is sure that he will be able to uncover the mystery. I don't want to say too much about that so as not to spoil the plot, but will say it was quite an emotional journey that ends up bringing him right here to Edinburgh. It has been a long time since I have been to Mull but after reading Miranda Dickinson's descriptions of the island, it's very tempting to hop on a train myself and find a wee pub with a cosy fire and some folk musicians playing. And maybe get snowed as happens at one point although admittedly that's not likely this fine Autumn day!
Phoebe's journey was rather more adventurous as she was spending a whole year travelling and working in Europe. This was a real challenge for her, and one many of her friends thought she wouldn't have the courage to do but she proved them wrong. It sounded like a great way to spend a year but also a bit scary. Her job restocking a library in Italy sounded idyllic. I liked the way that Phoebe seemed to grow more confident with each challenge she faced until one which just proved too much - I'll say no more!
The author managed to keep up the whole 'will they, won't they' idea throughout the book, throwing in a few surprises along the way. I do feel that this would make a fantastic film, the kind that would have starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan when they were younger. It's a gorgeously romantic story to warm your heart and make you believe in the possibility of love at first sight.
lindafoster89's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Disappointed with the ending
jennstrub's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really liked this book, from reading the title and seeing the cover I was like “oh my gosh they are going to get separated for some reason and come and meet each other again and it’s going to be so romantic!!” But then I also realized this book is in fiction, and even in fiction books, life isn’t that kind. I loved being able to experience both characters lives, going back in fourth to Sam in Scotland and Phoebe in Europe, both on different missions. You could also see clearly and in lots of detail what each of them was thinking or feeling about the other what foreshadowing might be in play towards the end of the story. I gave it a 3.5 because although I enjoyed the book and the writing, for over 3/4 of the book I was experiencing the two apart and by the end, when I expected them to meet again, they just didn’t and it was prolonged even further. I was unsatisfied and it made me not want to read any further