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Until We Meet

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One train, a chance encounter, three lives changed forever.

The past, we are told, can help us navigate the present and provide guidance for the future. But what if you don’t know where you came from? Would it affect how you live and love? Love is, after all, a fickle thing. The harder we search for it, the more it eludes us. Then again, when we are not looking for it, then sometimes, just sometimes, it finds us.

A serendipitous encounter on a crowded train brings two strangers together.

Ellie is struggling to escape a semi-toxic relationship, whilst caring for her ailing father.

Rich has a secret he cannot share. Not yet at least.

As they traverse the emotional rollercoasters of loss and searching for her birth family, the friends follow a path of discovery, the end of which neither of them could foresee and which results in three lives being changed forever.

289 pages, Paperback

Published July 27, 2024

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5 people want to read

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie Brown.
647 reviews37 followers
January 18, 2025
Great story with real-life situations.

This was such a good story depicting the many struggles that people can go through in their day to day lives.

Ellie was such a good character and was so relatable. I definitely feel like I saw some of my own traits in her.

This book delved into so many different aspects of life from love and family and meeting new people. I really enjoyed reading Ellies journey into discovering her birth family whilst also dealing with the loss of a very important person in her life.

Ellie's and Rich's relationship felt so natural, but I would have loved to have seen more of him throughout the book.

This was a great story, and the first I've read from this author, and I can't wait for more.
1,159 reviews27 followers
December 31, 2024
This is a love story at its heart, but there are multiple other threads that have to be tied off before we can seek a resolution to the romance.
There's some really tough themes throughout, including parental death, dementia, cheating, and adoption. I really liked how the author didn't shy away from addressing them all thoroughly.
The blurb is pretty vague, and the title doesn't give much clue, but I like that you can have an open mind going into it.
It's got some sad moments, some happy moments, some funny moments and some lovely moments.
I'm positive this will do well.
Profile Image for Marles Henry.
950 reviews58 followers
January 14, 2025
There was something about the mystery behind a random meeting of Emma and Rich one evening, waiting for a train that suggested this was not just an ordinary love story. There was a hint of something else, more to be explored before we saw these two characters unfold. This was a moving and emotional and moving story of how two people who put their faith in providence.
Ellie was living with Ben; along-side him was probably a better description. She worked hard in a stressful sales job, and was still connected to her adopted father who was living with dementia, and her brother and sister in law. Rich, whom she met on that late evening was a shopping centre manager, and seemed to have something he was yet to admit to. Something triggered Emma to seek out her birth parents, and she ended up turning to Rich for support, where they both navigated the bureaucratic and emotional journey. Yet along this journey more things are discovered. There was a good balance in the relationships with compassion and understanding. Emma had to work through her relationship with boyfriend Ben who wasn’t coming to the table, because he had someone else on the side at the same time her father was slowly dying after a fall. In the aftermath of their breakup, she had to be assertive to acknowledge he moved on, and that her friendship with common friends should be strong enough to survive the break-up. Working through family history to track down her origins was just as stressful, yet Emma held it all in her stride.
“Doing what you have to do and by the time you really need those hugs of support, the world has got to the end of their grief graph, whilst you are just getting underway on the rollercoaster.”
The little thought interludes from all of the characters were a great wat to get into the thinking of each character, and the “back to the present” notes acted like a guide to move the reader back to the story after dipping into detail of the past. There was a good foundation for both Emma and Rich to open to each other and become open to the unknown. The idea of belonging and personal identify was strong within this story, with a lot of questioning about what each of the characters mean to each other and as part of the relationships they were in.
This is my kind of love story. It highlighted the rawness of human emotion, as well as the unpredictable reality of life. Love and connection is always there, and sometimes you need to get through the heartache and the turmoil before it embraces you into its welcome arms.
Thanks #lovebooktours for the #gifted copy and a spot on the #booktour.
Profile Image for L Powers (Bookish_Mum).
851 reviews30 followers
January 13, 2025
You know how life has this way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them? This book totally gets that. It starts with two people crossing paths on a London train - pretty ordinary stuff, right? But man, does it spiral into something bigger.

Meet Rich, who's got the whole shopping centre manager thing down pat, but he's carrying around this secret that's clearly eating at him. Then there's Ellie, who's killing it in her toy sales career but dealing with the kind of stuff that hits hard - a relationship that's lost its spark, a dad struggling with dementia (and if you've been there with aging parents, you know how rough that gets), plus all these questions about where she really came from.

What I loved about this book is how real it feels when you're at that stage in life where you thought you'd have everything sorted, but suddenly you're questioning the big stuff. After something pretty intense throws Rich and Ellie together, they start unpacking all these life-changing questions about family, identity, and what really matters.

Fair warning though - it tackles some heavy themes like losing parents, dementia, cheating, and adoption. The author doesn't shy away from any of it, which actually makes it more authentic. While it takes its time getting going (kind of like how big life changes often do), once it picks up steam, you're properly invested.

Just a heads-up if you've recently lost a parent or you're dealing with aging parent stuff - this book hits close to home. I mean, really close. Had to put it down a few times because it felt a bit too real and it did have me considering whether I wanted to carry on reading or not.

It's definitely worth picking up though if you're in the mood for a story that reflects the kind of complex, messy situations we find ourselves often in. The kind that remind us how life can still surprise us, even when we think we've got it all figured out.
Profile Image for Shona.
526 reviews19 followers
January 3, 2025
3.75⭐️

A serendipitous encounter on a crowded train out of London, brings two strangers together. Rich, is an archetypal modern-day hero, working as a shopping centre manager, has a secret he cannot share. Ellie, is a successful toy sales manager, living with Ben, her boyfriend of five years. She is a strong & independent woman, trying to juggle the demands of a stressful job, caring for her dad who has dementia, & trying to escape a semi-toxic relationship. Both their lives are heading in different directions, and with different people. The two form a friendship, growing close as they join forces to help Ellie discover more about her past, the journey taking them on a path of discovery, the end of which neither of them could foresee, resulting in three lives being changed forever.

This is a beautifully written book, the emotion of the characters clearly communicated to the reader through the warm writing style. The first half of the book is a slow build up and you get to know Ellie more & experience the devastating events in her life along the way, as well as the hope and happiness returning.

I lost my dad at a young age so must admit I found the elements about her Dad’s decline and death quite hard at times but this was no reflection to the book content, the relationship was so beautifully described which is definitely a credit to the author.

A very reflective and poignant title, the latter half of the book providing a heartwarming element with a positive message of discovery, optimism and contentment. I was a little disappointed with Rich’s character development, I felt at the end there was a little more to know about him with his story left a little unfinished, but nevertheless it is a thoroughly enjoyable,emotional read.
68 reviews
January 17, 2025
🧡💛 Until We Meet 💛🧡
By E. V. Radwinter

I have to start with the book cover because it is just absolutely beautiful. I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but as soon as I saw it, I wanted sign up instantly.

I didn’t mind the slow start, as the character development for Ellie drew me in and got me invested in her journey. I took an instant dislike to Ben because of the way he treated her, but in Chapter 6, I found myself a little confused. I thought I had missed something, as it revealed a different side to his character.

I particularly enjoyed reading about Ellie and Rich’s meeting on the train and how their relationship evolved. Their story felt natural and engaging.

One of the most emotional parts of the book for me was reading about Ellie’s dad as his health deteriorated. It was deeply upsetting and difficult to read at times, but the writing was so well done that it elicited a strong emotional response.

Overall, it was an interesting read that touched on real-life topics such as family relationships, personal growth, romantic connections, identity and belonging, as well as grief and loss.
Profile Image for Moona.
986 reviews77 followers
November 11, 2024
Until We Meet by E.V. Radwinter is a heartfelt, character-driven novel that explores the impact of a chance meeting between two strangers, Ellie and Rich, on a train journey out of London. Ellie is a successful but overburdened toy sales manager juggling her career, her father's dementia, and a tense relationship with her boyfriend. Rich, a shopping center manager with a mysterious past, carries secrets of his own. Their lives cross paths under dramatic circumstances, leading to an unexpected friendship that opens doors to hidden chapters in Ellie’s life.

The novel delves deeply into themes of identity, family, and healing, as Ellie searches for her birth parents and confronts lingering questions about her past. Radwinter skillfully balances moments of emotional intensity with warmth, portraying the vulnerabilities of two people whose friendship becomes transformative. Until We Meet beautifully illustrates how random encounters can lead to profound change, making this a poignant story for those who believe in the serendipity of human connection.
Profile Image for Helen Haythornthwaite.
222 reviews7 followers
December 21, 2024

*Contains a spoiler but I feel this is needed.*

This is at heart a love story but not without its obstacles!

Ellie and Ben have been together for five years but they both know it’s not working. Ben is quite critical and really subdues Ellie’s character as she’s a bit of a worrier.

*Ellie is also struggling to look after her father who has dementia. The book does cover the passing of Ellie’s dad in great detail while he is in hospital which I did find quite difficult to read as it almost mirrored my dad’s passing ten years ago now (he didn’t have dementia though).

I almost stopped reading but decided to carry on as I really wanted Ellie to have a happy ending.

Ellie has also been adopted so the story then goes on to her search for her birth mother with the help of Rich, a friend she has recently made.

It’s a really well-written book and I’m glad I managed to finish it and find out if Ellie finds her happy ending and what’s she’s looking for regarding her family. I did wonder why the book had this title but it all becomes clear at the end in a rather poignant moment.



Profile Image for Charlotte.
566 reviews21 followers
January 13, 2025
I thought this book was a little slow to start, but actually, all that meant was that we really got to know Ellie. The first half of the book was almost a guide as to how to spot a toxic relationship, but also an insight into how easily we can fall into those situations.

The characters were realistic, multi dimensional, and just so totally believable. I initially wanted to hate Ben, but actually neither he nor Ellie were perfect. And whilst his treatment of her was awful, I couldn't help but think that he wasn't entirely to blame.

I should probably point out that I have no experience of adoption, but I think the author really captured how it must feel as an adopted child battling with wanting to know your birth family, whilst not rejecting your adoptive one. Wanting to connect with the biological relatives, whilst also being scared of rejection. I thought the eventual outcome was realistic, although I took an instant dislike to Beth.

I hope there'll be another book about Ellie, I'd love to know if she has any more family out there.
276 reviews5 followers
January 16, 2025
Ellie has always known she was adopted as a baby and having grown up in a loving and happy family, she has never really felt the need to meet her birth family. But having already lost her Mum, with her Dad now in the late stages of dementia and her relationship with Ben having reached the end, she is questioning where she comes from and whether maybe this is the right time to look at her biological roots. One night, on a crowded train a kind stranger helps Ellie escape a panic attack and Ellie just can’t get him out of her mind. This serendipitous encounter sets Ellie off a road to self discovery and will change her life as well as the lives of others too.

There are many parts of this book, which are just so relatable to everyday life: whether that is surviving grief, struggling on in an ailing relationship, caring for elderly parents, having work to escape to and the love we find in friends and family. We might have all experienced one or another of these things and as such can understand what the characters may be going through.
Profile Image for Kez Marie.
1,236 reviews76 followers
January 17, 2025
This is a love story with multiple layers that get explored in detail threaded together with elements of mystery.
Ellie is trapped in a loveless relationship and longing for change, passion, and to be seen. When she has a chance meeting with a kind stranger on a train it shifts her perspective.
Meanwhile Rich can't help but feel drawn to the damsel in distress he helped on the train, but they may never cross paths again.
Ellie is also battling conflicted feelings about her identity, she's always known she was adopted, but is now the right time to find out about her birth family, weighing up the guilt, fears, and excitement to learn more.
It's a journey of self discovery and resilience as Ellie tackles physical and emotional changes in her life. It explores relationships, loss, themes of belonging, and embracing new connections.
There is a good amount of will they won't they tension, mutual pining, and the unpredictability of love.
This is a very emotional read with relatable themes, navigating vulnerabilities in life, and a journey of healing.
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,745 reviews138 followers
March 16, 2025
This is my first read by this author and I just know that it won't be my last!

 

This was such a beautiful story which was really well written and I found that it focussed on quite a few different emotive topics.

 

I really loved our main characters who were well protrayed and developed over the course of the book.

Obviously I wasn't keen on Ben and his treatment of Ellie, but this is just one of the things that she has to deal with throughout.

I really felt for her and found it hard to not become attached to her and her plight.

 

In contrast Rich was just what Ellie needed. Even without the romantic element, I think that this would definitely have had my heart with Rich persuing a beautiful friendship with Ellie, but the romance added an extra something to the book overall.

 

The writing was so easy to read and I was hooked after the first few pages and then completely immersed in this world, struggling to pull myself back to the real world at times!

 

A really enjoyable but emotional read - I'd love to see some more work by this author too in the future.

 

 
Profile Image for Tyler Marshall.
929 reviews52 followers
August 29, 2024
So much more than I was expecting.

The blurb on this novel is vague enough to get you intrigued but not give too much away. Having never read a book by this author I was interested to see what she was going to do. Set in England this felt like such and immersive and realistic read. We get to to truly know our fmc Ellie in this novel, as we traverse her life past and present. I enjoyed this fmc and how authentic tic she felt, she had a ton of struggles that she was working through during this read but I found them inspiring and realistic.

This is a romance that is slow but building. Ellie and Rich are such an interesting couple and I loved reading their journey from start to end. If youre a reader who's looking for something that feels realistic and deals with real life problems and challenges then I 100% reccomend this read.
Profile Image for Helen Arrand.
118 reviews
January 14, 2025
Until We Meet by E. V. Radwinter
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This story is about Ellie and Rich. We follow Ellie and see that sometimes life just gets in the way for a while. We meet Rich early on but then he doesn’t appear for quite a while during which Ellie goes through some serious life changes. I was anxious for Rich to reappear, especially after reading how Ben treated Ellie.
Ellie is adopted and is making some big decisions about whether to try and find out who her birth family are, we follow her every step of the way.
I enjoyed reading the story and I was satisfied with the ending but I didn’t really like Beth. I would have also liked to read more about Rich’s story.

I received a gifted copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa reads alot  Hamer.
933 reviews26 followers
January 15, 2025
Right from the start I was invested in Eliie and Rich, so much more than a romance story, I could feel the emotions throughout the book.

Ellie has so much going on in her life, caring for her sick dad and living with a toxic boyfriend called Ben, a book that made me smile and cry but I found it so heartwarming.

A book I couldn’t put down waiting for that next interaction with Rich and finding out what happens next.
Beautifully written I shall certainly be looking out for more books from this author.

Thank you @lovebookstours and @e.v.radwinter for having me on the tour and for a copy of this beautiful ebook.
Profile Image for kirsty.
1,286 reviews86 followers
January 20, 2025
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did I really enjoyed it. It was well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters, some of which I liked more than others but all of which I became surprisingly invested in, but my heart lies with Ellie and Rich.

There are some very real topics in here such as cheating, death and the loss of a parent, grief and so much more, however I think that the author did an amazing job and committed to talking about and dealing with them, which in my opinion made the story more real.

I would def recommend checking it out
Profile Image for Daisy Hollands.
Author 2 books28 followers
January 21, 2025
This is a beautiful, heartfelt romance story. It is wonderfully descriptive. The opening scene describes the main female character, Ellie having a panic/anxiety attack and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you I could feel it.

There are elements of the story that are difficult to read. I want to avoid spoilers so I’ll not go into detail but the relationship Ellie is in when the story starts made me feel icky and uneasy. A measure of how well written it is.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it. It’s an emotional, intelligent read.
Profile Image for Tash Howe.
129 reviews15 followers
October 31, 2025
There is so many layers to this story which I really enjoyed, it’s not just a typical romance.
There is some tough moments throughout, parental death, cheating, adoption and dementia. They were written about beautifully, the author highlighted the rawness of human emotion and the unpredictability of life.
The meeting between Rich & Ellie felt like a fairy tale, fate had really brought them together when they least expected it. There was more to be explored and for them to open up to one another, I only wish we got more of their story.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
223 reviews22 followers
January 13, 2025
Until We Meet is an emotional story following Ellie as she embarks on a journey to discover where she came from. Ellie has always known she was adopted and has decided that now is the time to open her adoption file and find out about her birth parents.

In the meantime she’s dealing with a dead end relationship, an ailing father and thoughts of a kind stranger after a chance encounter on a train.

For me the book really picked up after around the halfway mark and I became fully invested in Ellie’s journey to track down her birth family. There were parts that were a little slow for me in the first half, however this also allowed time for me to become attached to Ellie and to really want her to find a happy ending.

Whilst this was a love story, it was also a lot deeper and explored a lot of difficult topics. All in all it was an incredibly heartfelt story and enjoyable enough for me to easily finish it in two days.
42 reviews
September 7, 2024
Until We Meet covers themes that will resonate for some readers and as the story progresses it becomes clear that this book has been written from the heart. This is an extremely moving and emotive read. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Helen.
84 reviews6 followers
September 29, 2024
A new author for me. I really enjoyed Ellie and Rich’s story! Highly recommended.
January 24, 2025
What a lovely book! It was heart felt, moving and heartbreaking 💔 all in one.

This story started off fast pace which I loved as I got hooked straight into the story. The book was that easy to follow and read I finished it in 2 days! The ending was nice and satisfying. However, only negative for me is I wish it was longer!!

Ellie is the main gal in this novel and I loved her as you can really relate to her with her issues such as, aniexty and family issues. I won’t go into too much detail as it will spoil the book! She is shown as a caring and strong 💪 woman which I really loved too. She stood up and didn’t take no shit 💩

This novel takes on a lot of emotional issues such as parent loss, adoption and heartbreak 💔 It is hard not to get emotional or attached. But the author really does make you part of the story/journey.

Big thank for my copy and for having me on this tour
Profile Image for Emma Ashley.
1,360 reviews49 followers
September 4, 2024
Until We Meet is a romance novel by E V Radwinter.
❤️ Blurb -The past, we are told, can help us navigate the present and provide guidance for the future. But what if you don’t know where you came from? Would it affect how you live and love? Love is, after all, a fickle thing. The harder we search for it, the more it eludes us. Then again, when we are not looking for it, then sometimes, just sometimes, it finds us.
A serendipitous encounter on a crowded train brings two strangers together.
Ellie is struggling to escape a semi-toxic relationship, whilst caring for her ailing father.
.Rich has a secret he cannot share. Not yet at least.
As they traverse the emotional rollercoasters of loss and searching for her birth family, the friends follow a path of discovery, the end of which neither of them could foresee and which results in three lives being changed forever.
💖 Review -
I couldn't put this book down and finished it in less than a day. I loved following Ellie and Rich's journey throughout the book. The author's writing is beautiful, easy to follow and flowed along at a good pace. I also loved the characters. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other romance readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💜 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the publisher and author, E V Radwinter for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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