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The Hours of You
Can twenty-four hours on an island paradise lead them to an unexpected reunion?
When Maggie accepts one last commission before retiring from journalism, she’s given twenty-four hours on a private island to interview former Hollywood heart-throb Ed Cavanagh. There are just two firstly, Ed doesn’t want anything to do with Maggie’s exclusive, and secondly, he’s the only man who ever broke her heart…
It’s a scenario she never expected—to be in paradise with a man she first met as a teenager but has been trying to forget for the past fifteen years. As each precious hour brings back memories of their tangled love story, Maggie is forced to confront the painful twists of fate that kept them apart. Was a different future for them ever possible? Is it still possible now?
They’ve both been burned by love in the past, but as the clock ticks down on their time on the island; will this fleeting reunion extinguish the spark between them for good? Or is it one last chance for Maggie and Ed to rekindle that flame to live the love story they always thought possible?
This heartwarming and poignant story of forgiveness, hope and love is perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Sally Page and Lucy Diamond.
When Maggie accepts one last commission before retiring from journalism, she’s given twenty-four hours on a private island to interview former Hollywood heart-throb Ed Cavanagh. There are just two firstly, Ed doesn’t want anything to do with Maggie’s exclusive, and secondly, he’s the only man who ever broke her heart…
It’s a scenario she never expected—to be in paradise with a man she first met as a teenager but has been trying to forget for the past fifteen years. As each precious hour brings back memories of their tangled love story, Maggie is forced to confront the painful twists of fate that kept them apart. Was a different future for them ever possible? Is it still possible now?
They’ve both been burned by love in the past, but as the clock ticks down on their time on the island; will this fleeting reunion extinguish the spark between them for good? Or is it one last chance for Maggie and Ed to rekindle that flame to live the love story they always thought possible?
This heartwarming and poignant story of forgiveness, hope and love is perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Sally Page and Lucy Diamond.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
607 people are currently reading
4201 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Collins
8 books111 followersFiona Collins grew up in an Essex village & after stints in Hong Kong and London returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband & three children. She has a degree in Film & Literature & has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic & weather presenter for BBC local radio & film/TV extra. Fiona writes contemporary women's fiction.
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 4, 2024
I feel very conflicted about this one.
Last year, when I read Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us I was completely blown away. The characters, the story, the ROMANCE, I cried, I giggled I felt a million things reading that book. It instantly became one of my new favorites, in fact, it was one of the only 5-star reads of last year. It was like finding a hidden gem.
Now when I found out about this new book I was excited but I do have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with the trope. I’m not a fan of storylines that go back and forth or the ones that take place over a very short period of time, you know those kinds of stories where the characters spend a whole day together and they fall in love? Yeah it’s not really my thing. Now that’s not exactly what happened in this book, considering their many encounters in the past. They had history together, so the combination of old flames reconnecting plus revisiting the past and then going back to the present didn’t really grab my attention. In fact, I definitely wouldn’t have read this book had it been written by some other author. But I was willing to give it a try because Fiona Collins had been a very pleasant surprise with her last book.
It’s fair to say my expectations were very high for this one. And maybe that was my mistake. But I couldn’t help it. Anyways, on to the book.
Let me just begin by saying, the main thing that really irked me about this story was how much miscommunication was going on between the main characters. Oh my god, it was sooooo frustrating how they just couldn’t talk things trough. On the island specially, they are very on and off, hot and cold, they are bickering and distant with each other and the next minute they’re laughing and making jokes as if nothing happened. What? I’m sorry that’s not how conversations work. They held so many grudges from the past, couldn’t they just act like adults and face their problems? That pissed me off so much. Unresolved arguments are a huge turn off for me. I can’t root for them if they keep avoiding their problems. Now, my problem with their past encounters was how in all of those instances they could’ve been together but the stupid lack of communication… ugh. I swear, it was always him going to where she was or her going to where he was and him telling her “hey I know I’m a big Hollywood star and I’ve been going out with women left and right and marrying them like it’s a walk in the park but I’ve never loved any of them like I love you, I never really got over you” and then she believes him and they try to make it work and then he leaves because of his work and then they stop talking to each other. Or they pretend like they might be ok with just spending a couple of hours together for old time’s sake but then it always ends in disaster. Yeah. Very swoon-worthy, right? It’s like the moment they’re apart they forget how much they wanted to make it work. They just completely give up.
There were other things that bothered me. Like how Michael treated his dad. I get that maybe he wasn’t present all the time and perhaps he let the fame get to his head and wasn’t always there as a father. But the way Michael treated his dad was a bit too harsh, in my opinion. I get that you resent him for that stuff but I don’t think it’s reason enough to treat your father like absolute trash. To not invite him to your wedding and then when he shows up you kick him out? That was a bit over the top, you’re acting like your father was a criminal or something. It completely broke Ed’s heart and that made me empathize with him. And then suddenly by the end of the book Michael goes back to his senses and wants to give him another chance? It’s the same issue here, a lot of unresolved plots without proper explanation.
One last point I wanted to make was that I have a feeling Ms. Collins was trying to replicate what she did in her previous book. Both books pretty much portray this whole soulmates kind of thing, where they meet when they are young and fall in love but because of the ways of life they can’t be together and then they both make a family of their own but meet over the next few years and every time their love grows more and more but they never stay together until finally they’re old and they decide they want to be with each other no matter what and it goes on to show that they were always destined for each other and that true love always finds its way. And then they live happily ever after. It somehow seemed to work for Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us but not with this one. In this one it feels like they wasted so much time and that really frustrated me.
Now I believe that it’s a pretty common habit among authors whose books become a success, they try to make it similar to what they did thinking that that’s what the readers want but most of the time readers find the lack of originality disappointing. Now generally I don’t have an issue with building similar plots but what did disappoint me was how this novel was all over the place compared to her previous book. And maybe I shouldn’t be comparing these two novels but I can’t help it. I feel like in Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us every time Rachel and Gabe decided to stay away from each other they had pretty understandable reasons. Whereas Ed and Maggie didn’t, they had plenty of chances to commit to their relationship, to settle down, to finally be together but like I said, every time they just gave up so easily. In fact, now that I think about it this book kind of reminds me of Normal People, there is a lot more messiness and indecisiveness going on with both couples.
Anyways, this is probably one of the longest book reviews I’ve ever done but I really needed to put this out there because I almost pulled an all nighter reading this one. I don’t regret it, I do appreciate the writing which was very well done. There is a lot of character development and that’s good. And perhaps that’s the reason why I’m giving this book 3 stars and not 2 (though I’m not completely sure which one actually should be, I would feel like a monster giving this a 2 star because I know this author is talented so I don’t think she deserves such a low rating, but idk I don’t even have a rating system I just go with what my heart says). But honestly it all goes down to the storyline and sadly it was not what I was expecting.
I’m looking forward to reading Fiona Collins’ next releases in hopes that she might write a story that takes place in a in-the-present timeline where the characters meet, fall in love and then stay together without having to drift apart on multiple occasions. I haven’t given up on her, because it’s hard to find authors that can actually write well within the romance genre.
Last year, when I read Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us I was completely blown away. The characters, the story, the ROMANCE, I cried, I giggled I felt a million things reading that book. It instantly became one of my new favorites, in fact, it was one of the only 5-star reads of last year. It was like finding a hidden gem.
Now when I found out about this new book I was excited but I do have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with the trope. I’m not a fan of storylines that go back and forth or the ones that take place over a very short period of time, you know those kinds of stories where the characters spend a whole day together and they fall in love? Yeah it’s not really my thing. Now that’s not exactly what happened in this book, considering their many encounters in the past. They had history together, so the combination of old flames reconnecting plus revisiting the past and then going back to the present didn’t really grab my attention. In fact, I definitely wouldn’t have read this book had it been written by some other author. But I was willing to give it a try because Fiona Collins had been a very pleasant surprise with her last book.
It’s fair to say my expectations were very high for this one. And maybe that was my mistake. But I couldn’t help it. Anyways, on to the book.
Let me just begin by saying, the main thing that really irked me about this story was how much miscommunication was going on between the main characters. Oh my god, it was sooooo frustrating how they just couldn’t talk things trough. On the island specially, they are very on and off, hot and cold, they are bickering and distant with each other and the next minute they’re laughing and making jokes as if nothing happened. What? I’m sorry that’s not how conversations work. They held so many grudges from the past, couldn’t they just act like adults and face their problems? That pissed me off so much. Unresolved arguments are a huge turn off for me. I can’t root for them if they keep avoiding their problems. Now, my problem with their past encounters was how in all of those instances they could’ve been together but the stupid lack of communication… ugh. I swear, it was always him going to where she was or her going to where he was and him telling her “hey I know I’m a big Hollywood star and I’ve been going out with women left and right and marrying them like it’s a walk in the park but I’ve never loved any of them like I love you, I never really got over you” and then she believes him and they try to make it work and then he leaves because of his work and then they stop talking to each other. Or they pretend like they might be ok with just spending a couple of hours together for old time’s sake but then it always ends in disaster. Yeah. Very swoon-worthy, right? It’s like the moment they’re apart they forget how much they wanted to make it work. They just completely give up.
There were other things that bothered me. Like how Michael treated his dad. I get that maybe he wasn’t present all the time and perhaps he let the fame get to his head and wasn’t always there as a father. But the way Michael treated his dad was a bit too harsh, in my opinion. I get that you resent him for that stuff but I don’t think it’s reason enough to treat your father like absolute trash. To not invite him to your wedding and then when he shows up you kick him out? That was a bit over the top, you’re acting like your father was a criminal or something. It completely broke Ed’s heart and that made me empathize with him. And then suddenly by the end of the book Michael goes back to his senses and wants to give him another chance? It’s the same issue here, a lot of unresolved plots without proper explanation.
One last point I wanted to make was that I have a feeling Ms. Collins was trying to replicate what she did in her previous book. Both books pretty much portray this whole soulmates kind of thing, where they meet when they are young and fall in love but because of the ways of life they can’t be together and then they both make a family of their own but meet over the next few years and every time their love grows more and more but they never stay together until finally they’re old and they decide they want to be with each other no matter what and it goes on to show that they were always destined for each other and that true love always finds its way. And then they live happily ever after. It somehow seemed to work for Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us but not with this one. In this one it feels like they wasted so much time and that really frustrated me.
Now I believe that it’s a pretty common habit among authors whose books become a success, they try to make it similar to what they did thinking that that’s what the readers want but most of the time readers find the lack of originality disappointing. Now generally I don’t have an issue with building similar plots but what did disappoint me was how this novel was all over the place compared to her previous book. And maybe I shouldn’t be comparing these two novels but I can’t help it. I feel like in Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us every time Rachel and Gabe decided to stay away from each other they had pretty understandable reasons. Whereas Ed and Maggie didn’t, they had plenty of chances to commit to their relationship, to settle down, to finally be together but like I said, every time they just gave up so easily. In fact, now that I think about it this book kind of reminds me of Normal People, there is a lot more messiness and indecisiveness going on with both couples.
Anyways, this is probably one of the longest book reviews I’ve ever done but I really needed to put this out there because I almost pulled an all nighter reading this one. I don’t regret it, I do appreciate the writing which was very well done. There is a lot of character development and that’s good. And perhaps that’s the reason why I’m giving this book 3 stars and not 2 (though I’m not completely sure which one actually should be, I would feel like a monster giving this a 2 star because I know this author is talented so I don’t think she deserves such a low rating, but idk I don’t even have a rating system I just go with what my heart says). But honestly it all goes down to the storyline and sadly it was not what I was expecting.
I’m looking forward to reading Fiona Collins’ next releases in hopes that she might write a story that takes place in a in-the-present timeline where the characters meet, fall in love and then stay together without having to drift apart on multiple occasions. I haven’t given up on her, because it’s hard to find authors that can actually write well within the romance genre.
January 26, 2025
Cutes Buch, aber unendlich langweilig. Würde ich nicht empfehlen
July 4, 2024
This book warmed my heart, what a sweet story. “If you have love, hold onto it very tight, like a baby bird in your pocket”🥹❤️I love love!
January 22, 2024
This is the kind of book you read at the end of the holidays when you are avoiding doing work and need escapism with a happy ending!!!
January 8, 2024
[1.5 star rating]
I feel bad rating this so low, because ultimately it was well-written and there's definitely people out there that will enjoy this, but it really wasn't my thing. I wasn't the greatest fan of the main couple, I definitely didn't feel the chemistry there (again, this is just a personal opinion), and I wasn't routing for them the way I wanted to. I also didn't like them as individual people either. I liked Ed a little more than Maggie, but even then it wasn't by much...
Also this book wasn't what I quite expected going into it, which is definitely my bad. But I had expected a fun, light-hearted second chance romance and this was certainly not that. It just wasn't something I'd probably have read had it not been for Kindle First Reads. But alas, here we are.
I feel bad rating this so low, because ultimately it was well-written and there's definitely people out there that will enjoy this, but it really wasn't my thing. I wasn't the greatest fan of the main couple, I definitely didn't feel the chemistry there (again, this is just a personal opinion), and I wasn't routing for them the way I wanted to. I also didn't like them as individual people either. I liked Ed a little more than Maggie, but even then it wasn't by much...
Also this book wasn't what I quite expected going into it, which is definitely my bad. But I had expected a fun, light-hearted second chance romance and this was certainly not that. It just wasn't something I'd probably have read had it not been for Kindle First Reads. But alas, here we are.
February 22, 2024
" The past is not an island, she thought, separate and remote and only reached by two planes and three boats, but a road that wound its way through people's lives and was difficult to navigate, as it hurt too much. And the man in front of her was not an island, either, she realised, but a series of them, still to be discovered."
Maggie May and Ed Craddock.
Well where can I even start?
This book was a nostalgia trip, Since the moment they met, all their hellos and goodbyes in-between until the moment they finally met again, so many years after what they thought would be their final goodbye.
This book made me ugly cry in more occasions that I would like to admit. Reading about both their lives and everything they went through, after so many years their love was still a constant in their lives, seasons changed, they moved out of Southend and into their respective more permanent houses but the memories always followed them wherever they went, even oceans apart. They both made mistakes, both married people they didn't love, both suffered with loneliness, they were from two different worlds, Maggie was a journalist and Ed an actor living in USA. The timing was never right and so as the years went by they just accepted that maybe it wasn't meant to happen. But their love for each other was strong and persisted through the years and they finally got to have their happily every after with a heartfelt love confession in a beautiful island called Memoire.
I've cried happy tears at the end as I just wanted them to finally be happy together and to have the love that they thought was lost and would never be found again.
I've really enjoyed this book. Sometimes the pacing seemed to slow down and I was counting down the hours until Ed or Maggie would budge and admit love for each other. Overall I was just impatient to see the happy ending that they deserved. This was a very enjoyable experience where at times it felt like I was travelling through Maggie's memories along with her.
It's a beautiful book that I definitely recommend people to read.
But be warned because you will most likely cry and then smile with this tender love story.
Maggie May and Ed Craddock.
Well where can I even start?
This book was a nostalgia trip, Since the moment they met, all their hellos and goodbyes in-between until the moment they finally met again, so many years after what they thought would be their final goodbye.
This book made me ugly cry in more occasions that I would like to admit. Reading about both their lives and everything they went through, after so many years their love was still a constant in their lives, seasons changed, they moved out of Southend and into their respective more permanent houses but the memories always followed them wherever they went, even oceans apart. They both made mistakes, both married people they didn't love, both suffered with loneliness, they were from two different worlds, Maggie was a journalist and Ed an actor living in USA. The timing was never right and so as the years went by they just accepted that maybe it wasn't meant to happen. But their love for each other was strong and persisted through the years and they finally got to have their happily every after with a heartfelt love confession in a beautiful island called Memoire.
I've cried happy tears at the end as I just wanted them to finally be happy together and to have the love that they thought was lost and would never be found again.
I've really enjoyed this book. Sometimes the pacing seemed to slow down and I was counting down the hours until Ed or Maggie would budge and admit love for each other. Overall I was just impatient to see the happy ending that they deserved. This was a very enjoyable experience where at times it felt like I was travelling through Maggie's memories along with her.
It's a beautiful book that I definitely recommend people to read.
But be warned because you will most likely cry and then smile with this tender love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2024
The Hours of You is a heartbreaking second chance romance. Old love but never forgotten. This is a story of Ed and Maggie, meeting again after fifteen years when Maggie accepting her last task as a journalist to interview the former biggest Hollywood star, Ed Cavanagh. Maggie has been given 24 hours on a private island with Ed, to ask for his disappearance from the celebrity world. Could she survive from the feelings that has been there for half of her lifetime?
Maggie and Ed, our lovebird story told in present and flashback to their relationship in the past including their very first meet. Maggie and Ed, Ed and Maggie, is like a pair that are always meant to be together, being young, so in love and thinking that they will be together forever. I love that we got their flashback in order to feel the same way as the characters. I would really like this if its not because of the miscommunication.
Too much miss opportunities, unnecessary drama, unresolved arguments which cause them have deep regret and rage toward each other. Some of the things could have been solved better and earlier. They could have avoid that breakup and 'being stranger'. Not to mention, despite having history together, I can't seem to feel the chemistry between them. Like how their love story started was cute and sweet but after that was so childish. It's sad how much time has been wasted and now they're together again after being 60 years old and above is like hm.
Overall, I love the writing style and the settings. It's cute and atmospheric. I wish I could love this book more but still highly recommended if you love second chance romance + miscommunication troupe. Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Maggie and Ed, our lovebird story told in present and flashback to their relationship in the past including their very first meet. Maggie and Ed, Ed and Maggie, is like a pair that are always meant to be together, being young, so in love and thinking that they will be together forever. I love that we got their flashback in order to feel the same way as the characters. I would really like this if its not because of the miscommunication.
Too much miss opportunities, unnecessary drama, unresolved arguments which cause them have deep regret and rage toward each other. Some of the things could have been solved better and earlier. They could have avoid that breakup and 'being stranger'. Not to mention, despite having history together, I can't seem to feel the chemistry between them. Like how their love story started was cute and sweet but after that was so childish. It's sad how much time has been wasted and now they're together again after being 60 years old and above is like hm.
Overall, I love the writing style and the settings. It's cute and atmospheric. I wish I could love this book more but still highly recommended if you love second chance romance + miscommunication troupe. Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2024
I don't know why books about Hollywood sweethearts and heartthrobs aren't doing it for me. I expected a second chance romance with a past filled with hurdles and juicy secrets.
Instead, I was extremely underwhelmed by the whole thing.
For instance, the island chapters were extremely boring and flat. It was basically both of them acting coolly towards each other and thinking how their past and secrets separated them.
With every part of their pasts revealed, I discovered the problem.
Ed and Maggie aren't compatible with each other. Short and simple. They may have loved each other at one point, but one thing people don't want to acknowledge is that love, most of the time, isn't enough to build a strong relationship.
After Ed hit it big and became famous, he was in love with the idea of Maggie rather then the woman herself. He loved the idea of Maggie, not a celebrity and stable, the person who believed in him and gave her heart to. She was more of a plan b. Go to Maggie when lost or bored.
In Maggie's case, it was more of an obsession. She said it multiple times how she didn't love any of her partners, and only loved Ed. Which is weird considering their time together was way shorter than their time together.
Both weren't open to change their life to fit the other, their meetings through the years were more of a novelty rather than yearning.
Also, they kept going on about the secrets and obstacles, especially about Ed's dad. When the "secrets" were revealed, they were pretty deflated. Calling them obstacles are overdramatic, to be honest.
The writing was great, but without a good story, it wasn't enough.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Instead, I was extremely underwhelmed by the whole thing.
For instance, the island chapters were extremely boring and flat. It was basically both of them acting coolly towards each other and thinking how their past and secrets separated them.
With every part of their pasts revealed, I discovered the problem.
Ed and Maggie aren't compatible with each other. Short and simple. They may have loved each other at one point, but one thing people don't want to acknowledge is that love, most of the time, isn't enough to build a strong relationship.
After Ed hit it big and became famous, he was in love with the idea of Maggie rather then the woman herself. He loved the idea of Maggie, not a celebrity and stable, the person who believed in him and gave her heart to. She was more of a plan b. Go to Maggie when lost or bored.
In Maggie's case, it was more of an obsession. She said it multiple times how she didn't love any of her partners, and only loved Ed. Which is weird considering their time together was way shorter than their time together.
Both weren't open to change their life to fit the other, their meetings through the years were more of a novelty rather than yearning.
Also, they kept going on about the secrets and obstacles, especially about Ed's dad. When the "secrets" were revealed, they were pretty deflated. Calling them obstacles are overdramatic, to be honest.
The writing was great, but without a good story, it wasn't enough.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
March 24, 2024
4* It was a really lovely reading.
I was a little puzzled in the beginning, I misunderstod the plot, I figured the two main characters would be around fourty years old, while their in their sixties, and it got a little while to adjust to this scenario, but once I came around the first third of the book I was so taken I couldn't stop reading.
Maggie and Ed have know each other since they were teens, they've been in love when they were young, but life happened and their roads parted; now they're sixty: Maggie has to write her last article before retiring while Ed is on a remote island, away from the spotlight of his Hollywood life.
Having posted a clue to her before disappearing, she's the only one knowing where Ed Cavanagh's hiding and she has to write her last article about him.
What will happen when they'll see each other again? Is love still there, or what's past is past?
The story develops in a twenty four hour windows alternating current timeline event with past one, hour after hour we slowly discover what's been Maggie and Ed story, in the past and the current one.
You'll fall in love with them in their youth and will struggle with their problems as they get old. You'll wonder about what ifs and how it's going to affect what's happening now.
Angsty and deeply emotional, you'll be swept away by this story.
Totally recommending it.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this book as an arc in exchange of an honest review.
I was a little puzzled in the beginning, I misunderstod the plot, I figured the two main characters would be around fourty years old, while their in their sixties, and it got a little while to adjust to this scenario, but once I came around the first third of the book I was so taken I couldn't stop reading.
Maggie and Ed have know each other since they were teens, they've been in love when they were young, but life happened and their roads parted; now they're sixty: Maggie has to write her last article before retiring while Ed is on a remote island, away from the spotlight of his Hollywood life.
Having posted a clue to her before disappearing, she's the only one knowing where Ed Cavanagh's hiding and she has to write her last article about him.
What will happen when they'll see each other again? Is love still there, or what's past is past?
The story develops in a twenty four hour windows alternating current timeline event with past one, hour after hour we slowly discover what's been Maggie and Ed story, in the past and the current one.
You'll fall in love with them in their youth and will struggle with their problems as they get old. You'll wonder about what ifs and how it's going to affect what's happening now.
Angsty and deeply emotional, you'll be swept away by this story.
Totally recommending it.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this book as an arc in exchange of an honest review.
December 18, 2024
Firstly, I can see how some aspects of this book can put readers off. The timeline can get a bit confusing if you’re not paying close attention, but I don’t think it’s a HUGE issue considering how well-written the prose is. I feel like a lot of writers nowadays try really hard to sound melodramatic or poetic, but Fiona Collins does such a wonderful job of balancing these out. There’s A LOT of miscommunication and a lot of things left unsaid or said way too late, but I truly think that’s what adds a touch of realism to this story. It shows how normal and flawed both of these characters are.
Aside from that, this story was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Such a wonderful read about the gentle and most forgiving parts of love. And the yearning?! THE YEARNING. It tore my heart up.
I will say for anyone who does decide to give this story a try (which I REALLY REALLY hope you do), please overlook how slow it is in the beginning because in the grand scheme of things, it adds to the whole theme of this novel and also, go into it WITH NO EXPECTATIONS. This isn’t your typical booktok second chance romance trope— this takes place over the span of a whole lifetime essentially (young, middle aged, twilight-ish years). I really loved it! Going to spend a lot of 2025 reading more Fiona Collins. I have a strong feeling she’s going to be one of my new favorite authors 🫶
(Will add more to my review later, just had to get this all out before it leaves my mind)
Aside from that, this story was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Such a wonderful read about the gentle and most forgiving parts of love. And the yearning?! THE YEARNING. It tore my heart up.
I will say for anyone who does decide to give this story a try (which I REALLY REALLY hope you do), please overlook how slow it is in the beginning because in the grand scheme of things, it adds to the whole theme of this novel and also, go into it WITH NO EXPECTATIONS. This isn’t your typical booktok second chance romance trope— this takes place over the span of a whole lifetime essentially (young, middle aged, twilight-ish years). I really loved it! Going to spend a lot of 2025 reading more Fiona Collins. I have a strong feeling she’s going to be one of my new favorite authors 🫶
(Will add more to my review later, just had to get this all out before it leaves my mind)
February 14, 2024
This was the first book I have read by Fiona Collins, and it was a truly wonderful piece of writing. The story was beautifully romantic and heartbreakingly tragic at the same time, and I would highly recommend it.
The book follows the two main characters Maggie and Ed and is written in non-chronological order with one chapter per time period: the present – a remote tropical island over a 24 hour period and the next chapter: The Past.
It’s the perfect second chance romance highlighting how two people can love each so completely and still get it wrong and how 24 little hours can change the whole course of a person’s life.
The plot is incredibly well thought out and trickles mystery, intrigue and twists into the story that leaves you guessing the whole way through and wanting to read on more to find out the answers.
The story is not at all predictable but is easily relatable and rooted into real life making it easy to connect with the story and its characters. It brings up topics of loss, grief, abuse, living for someone else and always trying to make the right decisions even if they are wrong. The book encapsulates what it is truly like to be in love and that it is messy and at times hard work but worth it.
The conclusion to the book was heart-warming and satisfying.
‘For love was all they knew again, and love was all they hoped for’
The book follows the two main characters Maggie and Ed and is written in non-chronological order with one chapter per time period: the present – a remote tropical island over a 24 hour period and the next chapter: The Past.
It’s the perfect second chance romance highlighting how two people can love each so completely and still get it wrong and how 24 little hours can change the whole course of a person’s life.
The plot is incredibly well thought out and trickles mystery, intrigue and twists into the story that leaves you guessing the whole way through and wanting to read on more to find out the answers.
The story is not at all predictable but is easily relatable and rooted into real life making it easy to connect with the story and its characters. It brings up topics of loss, grief, abuse, living for someone else and always trying to make the right decisions even if they are wrong. The book encapsulates what it is truly like to be in love and that it is messy and at times hard work but worth it.
The conclusion to the book was heart-warming and satisfying.
‘For love was all they knew again, and love was all they hoped for’
August 20, 2025
In 1971, Maggie is 14 years old when she meets Ed Cavanaugh, 17, who lives down the street while sitting on the wall in her neighborhood. They end up going down to the shore together where she hears the story of his father leaving home one evening and never returning.
A few years later they meet up again at an event where he is playing with a band and she is putting removable tattoos on people at the fair. They end up dating and living together for 5 years. Ed falls into acting and moves to LA wanting Maggie to join him there, but she doesn't want to leave England.
The story continues alternating between 2018 and times in the past where their paths cross. She has a career in journalism and moves to London. His acting takes him back to England for filming a movie. He always seems ready and willing to have her come to LA, but she never feels that is a life for her.
In 2018, Ed has abandoned Hollywood and is living on a desert island when he sends Maggie a postcard. She goes to interview him for her last project before retiring. In some ways this story is a Same Time Next Year plotline, but they don't meet up that often and it never seems to be planned. They have relationships with other people, and each has a child with someone they aren't married to, but their attraction to each other is irrefutable.
A few years later they meet up again at an event where he is playing with a band and she is putting removable tattoos on people at the fair. They end up dating and living together for 5 years. Ed falls into acting and moves to LA wanting Maggie to join him there, but she doesn't want to leave England.
The story continues alternating between 2018 and times in the past where their paths cross. She has a career in journalism and moves to London. His acting takes him back to England for filming a movie. He always seems ready and willing to have her come to LA, but she never feels that is a life for her.
In 2018, Ed has abandoned Hollywood and is living on a desert island when he sends Maggie a postcard. She goes to interview him for her last project before retiring. In some ways this story is a Same Time Next Year plotline, but they don't meet up that often and it never seems to be planned. They have relationships with other people, and each has a child with someone they aren't married to, but their attraction to each other is irrefutable.
February 11, 2024
(DNF 31%) The Hours of You features our MC's Ed and Maggie. Following to separate timelines explaining how their love blossomed and shattered in the past to the present. Past and present blur as Maggie finds Ed and old feelings and memories arise.
It was very difficult for me to follow the story. Yes, each chapter went back and forth between timelines, but also in the present-day chapters there would be memories surfacing and making me confused about what was happening. One moment they would be speaking and the next it slipped into a memory then back again. I couldn't tell what was a flashback and what wasn't.
I didn't feel any connection between the two MC's. I didn't believe they were in love. They didn't seem to have anything in common other than living in the same town/street. In the present timelines they didn't read like people who are in their 60's. They read more like someone in their 20's.
Overall, this book didn't grip me/keep me interested or feel anything for the characters. The past and present timelines, plus with the flashbacks mixed in made what was happening very confusing.
It was very difficult for me to follow the story. Yes, each chapter went back and forth between timelines, but also in the present-day chapters there would be memories surfacing and making me confused about what was happening. One moment they would be speaking and the next it slipped into a memory then back again. I couldn't tell what was a flashback and what wasn't.
I didn't feel any connection between the two MC's. I didn't believe they were in love. They didn't seem to have anything in common other than living in the same town/street. In the present timelines they didn't read like people who are in their 60's. They read more like someone in their 20's.
Overall, this book didn't grip me/keep me interested or feel anything for the characters. The past and present timelines, plus with the flashbacks mixed in made what was happening very confusing.
February 13, 2024
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“The Hours of You” is a romance (second chance?) book by Fiona Collins.
What I liked about this book is that it takes place (present timeline) in a short period of time - one day. I also liked that it was pretty easy to keep the timelines (past/present) apart. The descriptions of the island were wonderful to read on a damp cold day - so thanks for the mini-holiday Ms. Collins! There were a few things I didn’t love about this book - ranging from the arguments/miscommunication they had - and I still think they’ll continue to have. I also felt the plot was a bit too odd at times - it’s made clear that Maggie’s daughter is the light of her life, yet except for a few scenes, the daughter is a character who happens off-screen; Ed’s relationship with his son is turbulent - but then the son wants a relationship (still a bit wondering about the change of heart - maturity or the new person in his life?). But, I did find the book engaging and a fast read. Overall, I would give this a 3.5 rating, but I’ll bump it up to 4 stars.
“The Hours of You” is a romance (second chance?) book by Fiona Collins.
What I liked about this book is that it takes place (present timeline) in a short period of time - one day. I also liked that it was pretty easy to keep the timelines (past/present) apart. The descriptions of the island were wonderful to read on a damp cold day - so thanks for the mini-holiday Ms. Collins! There were a few things I didn’t love about this book - ranging from the arguments/miscommunication they had - and I still think they’ll continue to have. I also felt the plot was a bit too odd at times - it’s made clear that Maggie’s daughter is the light of her life, yet except for a few scenes, the daughter is a character who happens off-screen; Ed’s relationship with his son is turbulent - but then the son wants a relationship (still a bit wondering about the change of heart - maturity or the new person in his life?). But, I did find the book engaging and a fast read. Overall, I would give this a 3.5 rating, but I’ll bump it up to 4 stars.
February 8, 2024
Wow I absolutely loved this book. This is written between the present and the past and Collins slowly reveals the story of Maggie and Ed. At the beginning we know they are not in a good place with each other and as the book progresses, the chapters set in the past slowly reveal what happened between Maggie and Ed and why they behave the way they do around each other. The plot is beautiful and Collins gets the perfect balance of emotions and revealing the truth behind their relationship.
The real strength of this book lies in the characters of Maggie and Ed, they are wonderful, realistic and likeable characters and I adored getting to know them and following their love story. I really felt for their story and I could feel their love and the frustration they have with each other and why things have turned out the way they have.
I loved my time reading this book and learning the story of Maggie and Ed. Will they end up together? Well you will have to read this to find out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy.
The real strength of this book lies in the characters of Maggie and Ed, they are wonderful, realistic and likeable characters and I adored getting to know them and following their love story. I really felt for their story and I could feel their love and the frustration they have with each other and why things have turned out the way they have.
I loved my time reading this book and learning the story of Maggie and Ed. Will they end up together? Well you will have to read this to find out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy.
March 19, 2024
I loved this book. The plot is excellent and there is a perfect balance of emotions and revealing the truth behind their relationship. It is is written between the present and the past and Collins slowly reveals the story of Maggie and Ed. As the start of the story we know they are in love Ed is confused about his father leaving and never returning, this loss stays with him for most of his life and shadows his actions and reactions. The author reminisces between the past and the present and slowly reveals what happened between Maggie and Ed who has become famous and lives in Hollywood and Maggie in England and why they behave the way they do around each other. It is a story of young love between two very different personality's about how circumstances can alter how and where we end up. A happy ending.
February 27, 2024
A second (or third, or forth) chance romance. This is the story of Ed and Maggie. Ed is a Hollywood star and Maggie is a journalist. This is dual timeline so in bounces between when Ed and Maggie meet and beyond and the present time on a little island. I love that they are mature characters. We don't often get a female, lead character who is 60. I really liked that. There was a little intrigue as to why Ed was on this island and what Maggie had to tell him. There was too much missed opportunity and drama for me. And it seemed they were mad at each other quite a bit but that's fine. They resolved most of it. If you like second chance romance novels then this is for you. I really enjoyed her writing style and would recommend this book if you want a light read.
March 23, 2024
This book takes a very in depth look at the lives of the main characters, Maggie and Ed, both as adults in their 60’s and throughout their lives leading up to this point. You get to see their journey and how their paths have crossed for 50 years. It is a very character driven story.
If you like this type of thing, if this is your genre, then I feel you will really enjoy this. Unfortunately for me, I was a little bored as it isn’t my usually genre and I didn’t like the romance enough to be invested.
Got to give the author credit where credit is due and say it is well written. The pacing and format felt like they suited the story perfectly.
I hope other readers enjoy it a bit more than I did, cause it’s definitely not a bad book.
If you like this type of thing, if this is your genre, then I feel you will really enjoy this. Unfortunately for me, I was a little bored as it isn’t my usually genre and I didn’t like the romance enough to be invested.
Got to give the author credit where credit is due and say it is well written. The pacing and format felt like they suited the story perfectly.
I hope other readers enjoy it a bit more than I did, cause it’s definitely not a bad book.
March 1, 2024
3.5☆
Well written and good for a casual read, but there was nothing really gripping or exciting going on.
Ed and Maggie are both lovely in their own ways, but the initial break up confused. Glitz and glamour messing with heads, I suppose, but still...
The book goes backwards and forwards in time, so if you're not a fan of that, definitely avoid it. I don't mind time jumping, but I did get confused about where I was meant to be sometimes, probably more on me than the writing.
Over all its a frustrating love story of crossing paths and wrong time, place, and circumstances. The ending felt rushed and forgiven so easily. It was all just a bit meh. Unfortunately.
Well written and good for a casual read, but there was nothing really gripping or exciting going on.
Ed and Maggie are both lovely in their own ways, but the initial break up confused. Glitz and glamour messing with heads, I suppose, but still...
The book goes backwards and forwards in time, so if you're not a fan of that, definitely avoid it. I don't mind time jumping, but I did get confused about where I was meant to be sometimes, probably more on me than the writing.
Over all its a frustrating love story of crossing paths and wrong time, place, and circumstances. The ending felt rushed and forgiven so easily. It was all just a bit meh. Unfortunately.
April 7, 2024
I LOVED this book from the getgo and could barely out it down. I particularly loved the back and forth between the past and present and that you didn't really know what had happened to lead up to present, which left me a little suspicious of certain things, and yet it wasn't predictable! What I had suspected didn't end up happening and that's a refreshing feeling and not at all disappointing. It was very realistic in the sense of being wildly in love and life getting in the way, more than once, throughout the book, but still delivered a happy ending after all, and the characters' disappointment were felt throughout, but at no point was I disappointed with the story or plot!
August 30, 2024
It’s an okay book. But it is kind of a typical story about friends (Maggie and Ed) who are clearly in love with each other and need decades to finally sort themselves out. They’re a couple, they break up, they hook up again, they part - until finally they get their happy ending.
I found the descriptions rather repetitive. Ed is always the handsome actor, who is apparently amazing in every single role he portrays, with a lopsided grin. Oh, and his hair is mentioned numerous times (yes, we get, he has nice curls).
Okay read, but for me definitely not 4* and 5*. In one way or another the essence of the story has been done too many times before, so nothing unique about it.
2.5*
I found the descriptions rather repetitive. Ed is always the handsome actor, who is apparently amazing in every single role he portrays, with a lopsided grin. Oh, and his hair is mentioned numerous times (yes, we get, he has nice curls).
Okay read, but for me definitely not 4* and 5*. In one way or another the essence of the story has been done too many times before, so nothing unique about it.
2.5*
September 23, 2024
A second... third... fourth chance romance that cuts between 2018 and scenes from the 70s to the 2000s showing how Ed & Maggie fell apart. There are a few parts in the "present day" where they say they hate each other, so I kept expecting to see hatred in the past sections, but it's really not there. Bitterness, bad timing, disappointment, anger, miscommunication, life getting in the way but nothing like hatred. Each past section is evocative but it almost felt like there were a few too many signifiers thrown in for the sort of people who post on those "who remembers proper binmen?" facebook posts.
October 4, 2025
The hours of you was a very interesting read, though it took me multiple tries to be engaged enough to read beyond the first chapter. The story repeatedly follows the trope of right person, wrong time. I enjoyed the way Collins has written the dual timelines, especially with the last timeline varying over many, many decades. Not a book I would reread, though. The characters were moderately interesting, though their reasons for many decisions in life didn't make much sense to me. I'm not very fond of Ed and many of his characteristics. Didn't think his actions were really justifiable and that made his character unlikable for me.
May 20, 2024
3.5 for the mood the book put me in, but rated 4 on the scale because it was good writing and a good book. i just wanted a different story. this was a little too dark and took too long for the characters to get together. Although the book was not too long or the story slow or drawn out, there were many in between years of lost time together and it put me in a sad mood. life was ok for both of them but it perhaps could have been great. i am caught up more in this loss rather than them finally figuring it out.
April 9, 2024
*Via Audiobook
Not my usual style of book but it was a free download so I thought I'd give it a go.
The book follows the story of Ed and Maggie, flipping back and fourth through the years. From them falling in love, growing apart, growing up and falling in love again.
It's a little confusing at times going back and fourth - think it would be easier to follow in a physical copy.
Overall a nice soft, easy romance read.
Not my usual style of book but it was a free download so I thought I'd give it a go.
The book follows the story of Ed and Maggie, flipping back and fourth through the years. From them falling in love, growing apart, growing up and falling in love again.
It's a little confusing at times going back and fourth - think it would be easier to follow in a physical copy.
Overall a nice soft, easy romance read.
April 12, 2024
Usually I am all about the back and forth timelines, and the love in the past and then rekindle that love in the present, but I didn't really feel that these two MC's were ever really in love, or that there was a connection.
The story line is alright, but I just didn't really buy in that they were something, or have something. The dynamic seemed off. Not sure why, or what, but just my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story line is alright, but I just didn't really buy in that they were something, or have something. The dynamic seemed off. Not sure why, or what, but just my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this book right from the start, mainly because it was set in my childhood home town. As it went along this was a lifelong troubled love story, and I found myself willing them on to finally make it.
The descriptions of the remote island transported me there, feeling the hot sun on my back and the feeling of sand between my toes. The little straw shacks and the turquoise seas. Thoroughly recommend for some escapism, I loved it.
The descriptions of the remote island transported me there, feeling the hot sun on my back and the feeling of sand between my toes. The little straw shacks and the turquoise seas. Thoroughly recommend for some escapism, I loved it.
April 30, 2024
Only gave this three stars as the constant chopping and changing of the year where the story was unfolding was becoming tiresome and I couldn’t wait to finish this book. I have read many books where there are flashbacks but I can’t recall one with only a few pages per era each time, especially as the different eras were revisited several times!
I enjoyed the premise of the story but it was hard work, however, I am glad I persevered!
I enjoyed the premise of the story but it was hard work, however, I am glad I persevered!
May 14, 2024
I really wanted to like this book and found the premise of it alluring. The entire book is written in an “every other year” format and jumps constantly between the past and the present. Some of the chapters were wonderful and made me want to keep reading, but overall it felt somewhat disjointed from the constant time hop. I kept waiting for some big revelation or something to happen but it never really came. This book just didn’t do it for me. 🤔
January 25, 2025
what a story!
I must say, in the first ten chapters of the book, I truly wondered how their story could end happily but I’m glad I stayed till the end. I teared up a bit at the fact that they only ever loved each other and they knew it was them or nobody. I enjoy the revelation of this being on a beach where the world moves so much more slowly and there really is time to think about what matters most. A very good book indeed!
I must say, in the first ten chapters of the book, I truly wondered how their story could end happily but I’m glad I stayed till the end. I teared up a bit at the fact that they only ever loved each other and they knew it was them or nobody. I enjoy the revelation of this being on a beach where the world moves so much more slowly and there really is time to think about what matters most. A very good book indeed!
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