A Love Like This

by Maria Duffy

William and Donna were born on the same day, in the same Dublin maternity hospital. But there the similarities end.

Will grows up in an affluent suburb and struggles to balance what he wants with what will keep his overbearing mother happy. Across the city, Donna, raised by her older sister, often wonders what life would be like without her troubled mother around.

Over the years, Donna and Will almost meet many times, but something - fate? - keeps them apart.

Then tragedy strikes for each of them.

As Will tries to come to terms with a life-shattering event, he decides to travel the world in the hope of finding happiness. Donna, now alone in the world, makes plans to leave Dublin to fulfil a life-long dream.

More than 10,000 miles from home, they finally meet. And they know nothing will ever be the same.

When a terrible disaster separates them, Will and Donna find they can't stop thinking about each other, about what might have been.

Perhaps fate has plans for them still, and all hope is not lost ...

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2015

About the author

I grew up in the heart of Dublin with my parents and older brother. Being a professional eavesdropper from an early age, I always loved to write about the things I heard and would exaggerate them into proper stories! I spent my childhood devouring books and vowing some day I'd write one myself. But life had other things in mind and after spending 15 years working in a bank, I subsequently left to be at home with my four children. Having lost a lot of confidence in my own ability, it seemed my dream of writing a book was moving further and further away from me. When my youngest started school four years ago and I finally had some 'me' time, I decided to pursue that dream. After having a few short stories published, I eventually got myself an agent and very quickly had a two book deal. My first book, Any Dream Will Do, was published in November 2011 and my latest one, The Terrace, is out now, August 2012. I adore writing and feel like the luckiest person in the world to wake up every morning and live my dream.

Find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/maria.duffy.14

Reviews

[Lucie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malgré la plume addictive, les personnages avec un fort potentiel, je crois pouvoir dire que ce roman est la romance la frustrante que j'ai jamais lue. Bon moment en perspective, mais va permettre vos nerfs à rude épreuve.

Ma chronique : http://wp.me/p4u7Dl-1V2

[Margaret Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dublin, 1985. Two babies are born on the same day and their lives could not be more different. One is the son of well-to-do couple, both with high flying careers and a comfortable existence. The other is the daughter of an alcoholic, raising her family alone and who lives from hand to mouth. When placed side by side in a hospital crib, the two infants comfort each other, despite their parents differences.
Over two decades, Will and Donna travel in different circles, occasionally passing each other by. They each grow up feeling like something is missing and with a sense of obligation to their mothers. When Donna's best friend, Lexie, emigrates to Australia, she never dreams that she will see her again. Travelling is not her thing and finances don't stretch to holidays. Will, on the other hand, has a feeling he should escape the drudge of Dublin, and plans the trip of a lifetime. They may share a birthday, but can their paths cross over when they are on opposite sides on the world? Tragedy strikes back in Dublin, and Donna suddenly finds herself Australia bound, with a list of places to visit and someone else's dreams in her backpack.
A chance encounter in New Zealand and a spark of intense attraction is where the lines of destiny seem to intertwine, but fate intervenes with a dramatic twist. Are these two really meant to be together or is it all too good to be true?

This is Irish author, Maria Duffy's fifth novel and she has drawn on her own travel experiences in producing this fine novel. The story opens with a wonderful description of the maternity hospital ward where Donna and Will first cross paths. While Will's mother had expected a private room, and therefore no interaction with other new-mums, she is horrified to discover she has to share the ward with 'common' folk along with their unsightly breastfeeding and cigarette breaks. Donna and Will seem to have other plans, as both babies settle better when in close proximity. The tale then shifts forward in time, with the reader getting a glimpse into the worlds of the growing children. Each has their own cross to bear, albeit in completely different ways. When Will loses a friend, he knows he needs to make changes. Likewise, Donna suffers a great loss and follows the dreams of her sister.
The narrative shifts to Australia and New Zealand, with the author lovingly describing locations that are a world away from Dublin. Stunning beaches, lazy outdoor evenings, simmering heat and the odd bit of dolphin spotting. Donna and Will are joined by strong supporting characters and a few twists along the way. Great pacing, with each change in timeline clearly highlighted (books can often be an uncomfortable read when this is not done). Also, Donna's role as a baker is not over-played, as there is a lot of baking in women's fiction at the moment and I was glad the author didn't choose to go down this route. There was just a hint of her appreciation for cakes, and how it came to be. Similarly, there was only the briefest mention of Will's role as a solicitor. The distinction between their careers and backgrounds was there, but cleverly underplayed. This is a story of fate, and the role it plays in our lives. Ireland is a fantastic example of this concept, with its small population affording many a chance encounter. Maria Duffy has used her skill at storytelling to bring us a warm, yet believable tale of two babies starting their journeys in life. Polar opposite circumstances, vastly different upbringings, but both with their hearts in the right places. A delightful read which shows how you often don't have to travel far to find your soul mate. An ideal read for fans of Cecelia Ahern or Jane Greene.

[littleprettybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

15/20

Une histoire d’amour comme on ne s’y attend pas : ces âmes soeurs vont passer toute leur vie à se croiser sans vraiment se trouver. C’est un roman profondément romantique rempli de subtilité qui nous raconte la vie telle qu’on la connaît. J’ai été conquise même si le livre est un peu long et finit par tourner en rond.

Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...

[Laurence R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really well-written book. I enjoyed both sides of the story and I felt attached to the characters. The story can be a little improbable, but it’s still really enjoyable.

[Lisa Aiello · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars - This is the story of Madonna (Donna) and William (Will), who met on the day they were born and shared a connection that took them through life, unbeknownst to them. It is a story of fate, soulmates, and missed connections. Lots and lots of missed connections. They almost met many times throughout their lives, but circumstances were always keeping them from each other. When they did finally meet, it was like two souls finding home, but once again, life intervened and kept them from each other.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review also posted on Go Book Yourself


From the moment they were born William and Donna were destined to polar opposites. Well their families were anyway!

William's parents are wealthy, well to do and ultimately over bearing! For them it’s simply unacceptable for William to play soccer when it's being a tennis pro that will earn the respect of their high society friends. You can tell that William felt utterly suffocated by his parents.

Donna's mother on the other hand spends the majority of her time intoxicated. In a huge contrast to William's parents she doesn't even know where Donna is half of the time. Nor does she care. If it wasn't for her big sister Tina Donna's path in life would have been much much darker.

Very early on in A love like this ( I mean very early so this is not a spoiler!) tragedy strikes both parties. Both events rattle them to the core and forces both Donna and William to re evaluate everything they think they want out of life. So the journey of A Love Like this Begins.

What really surprised me was how "into" this book I had gotten. By the end of part one I was almost screeching at the pages, I mean I was into it! ha!

I completely fell in love with all of the characters in A Love Like This. They were so endearing and the book was so well written that it was hard to believe that they weren't real.

A Love Like this was an en captivating read. It grabbed me and refused to let me go until the very last page. It totally took over my life. The whole world could have fallen down around me and I probably wouldn't have noticed!

I even loved the acknowledgments at the end. It was so heartfelt and I could tell this book mean't a lot to Maria. Her very heart and soul are captured in the pages.

If you only read one book this summer make sure it's A Love Like This.

[Mathieu Mazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ma chronique 3.75/5 : http://enjoybooksaddict.blogspot.fr/2...

[Eva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good story but author has write and write and write and then suddenly she has finished. Ending was nonsense. Btw in this story I was like Jack. Secretly depressed for so many years

[Kelly Spillane · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Maria Duffy, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I really didn't know how see could write a better book than her previous four, but this book is an absolute masterpiece and it is hands down her best book so far.

Donna was born in Dublin in August 1985. She didn't have a great start in life. Her father was in prison and her mother was an alcoholic. As her mother's drinking problem became worst down through the years, Donna was raised by her older sister, Tina. On the same day, in the same hospital, William was born to very well off parents. Their lives and upbringings couldn't be more different, and the two nearly meet many times. But fate has another idea for the two, and they never get to meet, until two tragic events in each of their lives sends them on their travels and they finally meet up. But just when you think they're going to have a happy ending, fate rears it's ugly head and they lose each other all over again.

This book is beautifully written and filled with so much emotion. I laughed and I cried with the characters in equal measure. A book has never moved me as much as this one did. These characters were more like people to me and I just got lost in their stories. In equal measures I wanted to know what happens to these characters at the end of the book, and I didn't want it to end. The characters were well rounded and I loved how we got to watch them grow up throughout the book. There are more twists and turns than a rollercoaster and you are kept guessing the whole way through the book. I never knew what was coming next and the more I read, the more eager I was to find out what happens to the characters at the end of the book. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time, and I can honestly say that I am going to miss reading about these characters. It deserves no more than 5 stars, although in my opinion 5 stars is not enough for this brilliant, heartwarming book.

[kitaplarinincisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[ஐ฿υκєτஐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Resmen hayatları boyunca birbirlerini teğet geçip durdular. En sonunda mutlu sona ulaştılar da bir rahatladım

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got very into this book, which reminded me of one of my favourite films, Serendipity, although this story played out over many years. I really liked it notwithstanding the enormous howler where a baby born in August 1985 is named Madonna after the mother heard a nurse singing Papa Don't Preach even though the song, and the album it came from, wouldn't be released until the summer of 1986. These proof reading howlers really grind my gears and look very amateurish, but I put it to one side to read the story.

A bond is formed between babies Donna and Will (so glad he wasn't named Sean or Guy) when they are placed in the same cot at the hospital as newborns. They're unaware of this, of course, and the next 30-odd years are spent narrowly missing each other with the subtext that they are just meant to be together. On paper, they aren't, though. They come from wildly differing backgrounds, but something else they have in common are issues with their respective mothers and each of them has to make their way in life in spite of this. But there is always something not quite right with each of them throughout their lives - the missing piece of the jigsaw.

I would really recommend this. It kept me wanting to read more, and though some of the coincidences are too perfect and the twist at the end wasn't surprising, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The story was believable. There were some really poignant moments and some shocks too which keep it on the right side of sentimentality. I liked both Donna and Will as characters and having been to Perth, enjoyed the scenes set there, too. It's well written and absorbing.

I still thought about the story a few days after finishing it, and it is not often I can say that with what is generally termed chick lit!

[Dilara Kol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna ve Will iki ana karakterimiz
Aynı hastanede,ayni zamanda doğarlar. Aslında kaderleri doğmadan önce birleşmiştir.
Donna, fakir bir ailenin kızı, Will ise zengin bir ailenin tek oğludur. Aslında kitabın ismini de zaten buradan başlıyor. #hepseniaradım 😊😊😊😊
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Kitabi sürükleyen aslında Will ile Donna ne zaman tanışacaklar?? Evet şimdi tanıştılar, aaaa yok olmadı herhalde sonraki bölümde tanışacaklar,haydaa gene olmadi derken bir bakıyorsunuz ki kitabın ortalarına gelmişsiniz.
Tabii ki bu ana karakterlerin yanında bir de yan karakterlerimiz var. Bunlardan biri Silvia. Will'in sevgilisi.
Gerçkten bu kadını elime verseler saçını basını yolarım. Ya bu kadar mi gıcık bir insan olur pis kadin🤬😡🤬😡🤬🤬
Diğer yan karakterimiz ise Bob. O da Donna'nin sevgilisidir aslında tam anlamıyla sevgilisi de olmasa cok yakın iki arkadaştır. Bob'u cok sevdim. Bu hayatta Bob gibi bir arkadaşınız varsa inanın sırtınız hayatta yere gelmez. Sanirim nasil bir karakter olduğunu üç aşağı beş yukarı anladiniz 😍😍😍
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Kitap,her ne kadar buluşamayan iki sevgiliden bahsetse de aslında kaçan fırsatları da ele alıyor. Aslında biraz etrafımıza baksak neler neler göreceğiz🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Belki de hayatimizda neleri kaçırdık farkında değiliz.
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Hanı cok sevdiğiniz bir şeker ya da bir çikolata olur ya yedikçe yemek isterseniz işte bu kitapta o şekildeydi. Ağzınızda kalan o tat gibi 🎂🎂🎂🎂
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Bu kitabı vakit kaybı olarak görmeyin sakın. Hatta kitabı okurken, zamanın nasıl geçtiğini farkına bile varamayacaksiniz🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️
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Keyifli Okumalar📚📚📚📚 Bu arada sevgili @arkadya_kitap lutfen bu yazarın diğer kitaplarını çıkarır misiniz?????

[Jordan Theune · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me a free copy of "A Love Like This" in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a cute-ish story, but ultimately it felt a bit too cheesy and unrealistic for me. Watching the main characters grow up near each other was cool to see, but once they reached the near-adult stage, things started to go downhill. The author didn't seem to know how to unveil a sad scene, so she tended to leave us hanging with lines where a character would receive a phone call and say, "Noooo!" and then we would learn the details later. I didn't like that this technique of revealing important deaths/accidents was used more than once.

I didn't feel like the event that happened in Christchurch was well-described at all. It was later referenced as such a dramatic and life-changing event, but it was basically brushed over when it actually happened. Duffy should have delved more into the situation or left it out entirely--the half-hearted approach took away from the respectability of the book.

Sylvia was a sweet girl, and I didn't think it was a good idea for the author to turn her into a "bad" character toward the end. She did this so it would be easier to get the *soul mates* together, but I wish that Sylvia and Will could have gone their separate ways without having to turn Cynthia into a villain.

Despite my critiques, I did think that the book was mostly fun to read. I enjoyed seeing Donna and Will's just-missed encounters, and I was waiting anxiously for the two to find one another. Though I can't say I loved how the book unfolded, it was fun getting there.

[Carleene Hibbs Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been given the great opportunity to read this via Netgalley.

I absolutely Loved this book. It took me a while to settle into it because it was slow paced and at times frustrating read. It is a story of love at first sight, a love that grows in a soul before even having to meet. I loved and hated both at the same time how the lives of two individuals kept weaving in and out but just kept missing each other.
This book is so much more than that though. It is about family and the hardships that come along with that. It is about the families we are born into and have no choice in the way we are raised and how that changes us. I loved the friendships that often take the place of family for many.
It is written in dual perspective. From birth we see a boy and a girl both being raised in the same town but in very different environments and how they never actually meet but have many near misses. As we see these two grow into adults you wonder will their paths ever cross and when they do is it too late? I would have liked to have seen them get together sooner and then to have seen their life as a couple but it still was a very sweet story.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was almost like a romeo and Juliette book. The two main characters Donna and William, grew up side by side without ever knowing it. Born in the same hospital their lives were consistently intertwined even though the two were as different as can be. Donna's family was a struggling to get by and Donna was in with the wrong crowd while William had everything he could ever want wealthy and healthy. I liked this book because it wasn't to complex and it was an easy going read. The only thing that I didn't like was that it was a little predictable. I kind of knew what was going to happen as soon as I picked it up. However that didn't change how the story was written. It was a cute feel good kind of novel the only downside is that there wasn't much in this one that hasn't been done before in others. I did like how it was almost fate that they were together because of the amount of times that
their lives intertwined. Cute read and I'm glad I got the chance to read it. I think that the ending was the cutest thing I've ever read. Great job.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the very first page, I thought I would love this book. It initially seemed an easy, very enjoyable romcom. But as the book went on, It just started to feel a little bit silly. The story line just all seemed to be a bit jagged and farfetched. Each time the characters met someone new, they immediately thought they were their soulmates yet two pages later they would break up or walk away. One minute a newly married couple are madly in love, then the next he has decided she is not for him and starts having numerous affairs. Then on one page the boyfriend is shunning his girlfriend’s advances and on the next page they are moving in together. The book was also fully of cheesy phrases such as ‘he tasted of coffee and heaven’ and ‘when she looked at him she felt complete’. I mean, someone pass me the sick bucket. I love, love, love the cover, but the writing just didn’t live up to its potential.
Thanks to Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this last night. I thought I'd read a chapter or two and then add it to my currently reading status and put it down for a day or so and get back to it. Hours later I'm halfway through the story and still hadn't updated the currently reading status and I couldn't put it down until I was forced to by blurry tired eyes. I had finished a good series a while ago and after I couldn't get into reading anything else. I was browsing through Goodreads and saw this book, found it digitally, downloaded it and I was hooked. The story follows Donna and William and it takes awhile for them to actually meet each other though there numerous events where the two were close by to each other without even realizing it. For a while I was worried that those two were never going to get together and I gave a little squeal of glee and clapped my hands when they finally found each other. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the story and it left me feeling great by the time everything was over.

[Romantic Intentions Quarterly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though born in the same Dublin hospital on the very same day, Will and Donna come from very different worlds. Through a lifelong series of misadventures and missed connections, not to mention a decent helping of tragedy and more than one ill-advised love affair, the two slowly – very, very slowly – discover all the ways in which they have long been so perfect for each other, if destiny had not been such a cruel mistress. And destiny is very cruel indeed. An engaging, unique and well-told, if often maddening, tale of love at first sight, which is actually fifteenth sight, and of the mistakes we make when we settle for less because we don’t think we deserve more. -- Rachel Hyland

3 1/2 stars.

This review appeared in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #1.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been on my TBR for a while. The blurb had me intrigued, and it sounded different than many books that I've read.

William and Donna were born on the same day at the same hospital, but there lives were very different from each other. Will grew up wealthy, while Donna's childhood was a struggle. They almost meet on many occasions throughout their life, but something keeps them from each other.

I found that the plot-while it had potential- really dragged on. The two characters didn't meet until about halfway through the book. I also didn't feel as connected to the characters as I wanted to be.

So while I liked the premise, this book fell a bit short for me. There are many who will love it, and I will certainly consider other books by Maria Duffy.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read and is full of charm. I like its premise, the characters, and the overall plot. It's funny how their lives have been intertwined since they were babies, and yet, they seem to always lose to actually connect in those moments.
While this book is well-written, I'm afraid that I find some "twists" here to be bit predictable. I'm not exactly sure how to explain, but there's something about the narrative style that gives away the supposed twist way before they are presented in the succeeding chapters.
Anyway, it's enjoyable and cute enough.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Veronica · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star - **SPOILERS**
Advanced reading copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book about real life, which means pain and suffering and so on. Wlliam and Donna was born the same day, but their lives are totally different. William's family is wealthy and healthy. Donna's family not; but they both face too much tragedy...
I was eager to read the book since it's avalaible to request, but after a few chapter I just wanted it to blow over. Everytime Will and Donna are about to found each others, they strayed from the path that destiny has laid for them. I would have wished they'd ever met.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning and end of this story but it seems fate was really against William and Donna for most of the book. Born on the same day in 1985 and running to current day, they seems to meet and retreat throughout the entire story. William born rich and privileged explores the world while Donna has a single alcoholic mother and ends up in Australia due to tragedy. I almost think Silvia was given more attention as a character than Donna who should have been the more developed one. This is the first book by Ms. Duffy that I've read, she has a nice backlist. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Roshni · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is a feel good book. it was my perfect valentine read. the story revolves around donna and William. from being born on the same day in the same hospital to chance encounters from now and then. how fate keep them apart and yet close always.
the way the author has described Australia , New Zealand, Ireland is beautiful. I am in love and just want to go backpacking right now.
this book makes my belief in destiny more firmer..what is yours, you will eventually get it.

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born at the same hospital on the same day, the lives of William and Donna are very different. Their paths cross, and almost cross, at various points in their lives, and they find they are drawn to each other even before they actually meet. The circumstances of life and tragedies manage to keep them apart for many years, until they finally connect much later far from home. A wonderful story to help you realize there is hope to find a happy ending.

[Angeline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had good expectations for this book. The blurb sounded interesting but I found the entire book to be
predictable, cliched, poorly written, far too fluffy, there was absolutely no character development and the way everything was all nicely wrapped up at the end was sickly sweet. Unrealistic and incredibly dull. I'm scoring it a 2 rather than a 1 simply because the storyline had potential and were it to be re-written, it could be a good book.

[Kim Sewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was dubious about this story before I began reading it but I actually enjoyed it. It’s a very easy read and a sweet story. I love how the characters keep just missing each other, although it kind of got to a point where you think ‘just meet already’. Although I enjoyed it, I felt it lacked ‘more’. Everything about it was simple, it needed more substance and romance. Overall a good book but not one I’ll miss now I’ve finished it.

[Marybeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author. I wanted to really like this story and feel it was well written but it was a little too unrealistic for me. Now I know most of us read for the enjoyment and the HEA but sometimes it can be a bit much. And for me, that is what this was sadly because I felt it had so much promise.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

[Charli Scambiatterra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very captivating read, every time you think they will get their happy ending it seems like they get pulled apart. The ending felt slightly rushed with it skipping to 18 months ahead but loved that they revealed that Tina was still alive at the end and the parallel with Donna and Lexie’s babies being in the same cot.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author but most certainly won't be the last. A truly engaging story about love and destiny. This is a very sweet read with a bunch of moments that will make you smile guaranteed. A fantastic book.