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The First Time I Saw You
From the author of The Songs of Us. Fans of Jojo Moyes and Lucy Dillon will love The First Time I Saw You by Emma Cooper.
Six-foot-two Irish man who answers to the name Samuel McLaughlin.
Has weak shins and enjoys show tunes.
If found, please return to Sophie Williams.
Before Sophie met Samuel she saw the world in grey.
Before Samuel met Sophie, he never believed in love at first sight.
When they first meet, something tells them they are meant to be.
But fate has other ideas.
Now they have lost each other and can't see a way back.
But they've already changed each other's lives in more ways
than they could have predicted...
448 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2019
155 people are currently reading
4559 people want to read
About the author
Emma Cooper
8 books225 followersEmma Cooper is a former teaching assistant, who lives in Shropshire, with her partner and four children. Her spare time consists of writing novels, drinking wine and watching box-sets with her partner of twenty-four years, who still makes her smile every day.
Emma has always wanted to be a writer – ever since her childhood, she’s been inventing characters (her favourite being her imaginary friend ‘Boot’) and is thrilled that she now gets to use this imagination to bring to life all of her creations.
The Songs of Us was inspired by Emma’s love of music and her ability to almost always embarrass herself, and her children, in the most mundane of situations. She was so fascinated by the idea of combining the two, that she began to write Melody’s story. Working full-time with a large family meant that Emma had to steal snippets of ‘spare’ time from her already chaotic and disorganised life; the majority of her novel was written during her lunchtime in a tiny school office. She never expected to fall so deeply in love with the King family and is overwhelmed that others feel the same.
She has three loves in life: reading, writing and her family…oh, and music, cheese, pizza, films – Maths is not one of her talents.
Emma keeps in touch with her readers and loves to hear from them on twitter @ItsEmmacooper and on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EmmacooperAuthor/
Emma has always wanted to be a writer – ever since her childhood, she’s been inventing characters (her favourite being her imaginary friend ‘Boot’) and is thrilled that she now gets to use this imagination to bring to life all of her creations.
The Songs of Us was inspired by Emma’s love of music and her ability to almost always embarrass herself, and her children, in the most mundane of situations. She was so fascinated by the idea of combining the two, that she began to write Melody’s story. Working full-time with a large family meant that Emma had to steal snippets of ‘spare’ time from her already chaotic and disorganised life; the majority of her novel was written during her lunchtime in a tiny school office. She never expected to fall so deeply in love with the King family and is overwhelmed that others feel the same.
She has three loves in life: reading, writing and her family…oh, and music, cheese, pizza, films – Maths is not one of her talents.
Emma keeps in touch with her readers and loves to hear from them on twitter @ItsEmmacooper and on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EmmacooperAuthor/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
July 6, 2019
Oh my word. I am bereft. I am heart broken. I am in love with all the characters in this book. Such a beautiful, funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming story of first love (the kind of love that you only read about), lost love, mishaps and misunderstandings and some of the most funniest, envy invoking supporting characters you’ll ever read (I wish they were my sister and parents!) Emma Cooper has such a way with words; I love how she anthropomorphises inanimate objects (particularly Michael) and how sibling (and family) relationships are at the heart of this love story. Yes, it’s about the romantic love between Sophie and Samuel, it’s partly their story about whether (or not) they get back together. The rest of the story is the sibling love of Sophie with her step-sister Helen and Samuel with his sister Sarah, and the parental love with Sophie and her mum (don’t get me started about the tea party) and with Samuel and his parents (can we just spend a moment to pay tribute to the awesomeness of Mr & Mrs M). There’s also the love of friendship with Sophie and her childhood friend/neighbour Charlie. And I love the message of hope at the end. Life isn’t easy, but with people looking out for each other, being kind and loving each other, we can all help to fix other’s broken parts. I loved it!!!
January 10, 2020
It’s not often that a book grabs me by the heart, and gives it a good squeeze within pages of the beginning, but only six pages into the book and I knew this book had me hooked completely. Emma Cooper writes with an elegance and turn of phrase that was breathtaking in its’ purity, and made me want to keep turning the page.
I loved the characters of Sophie and Samuel so much, and their journey was a roller-coaster ride of high and lows, and near-misses that had me laughing and crying throughout the book. Samuel was so open, and charming, and Sophie was more reserved, and closed off, but as the book progressed she became more open, and it was clear to see how her past had shaped her present, and how as she began to heal from what had happened in her childhood, she became more open and honest with her feelings.
The additional cast of characters were perfect, but a special mention must be given to Samuel’s dad, Mr McLaughlin who made me giggle pretty much every time he appeared. I loved the relationship between Samuel’s parents, which I found both endearing and entertaining. I also loved how supportive Michael was.
I found myself thrown into an emotional turmoil by the highs and lows of this book, and one moment in particular made me cry out in anguish at the misunderstanding that would take Sophie and Samuel in a different direction again. This is a book that will stay with me a long time, but although we are only in the second week of January, I truly believe this will be one of the best books this year!
I loved the characters of Sophie and Samuel so much, and their journey was a roller-coaster ride of high and lows, and near-misses that had me laughing and crying throughout the book. Samuel was so open, and charming, and Sophie was more reserved, and closed off, but as the book progressed she became more open, and it was clear to see how her past had shaped her present, and how as she began to heal from what had happened in her childhood, she became more open and honest with her feelings.
The additional cast of characters were perfect, but a special mention must be given to Samuel’s dad, Mr McLaughlin who made me giggle pretty much every time he appeared. I loved the relationship between Samuel’s parents, which I found both endearing and entertaining. I also loved how supportive Michael was.
I found myself thrown into an emotional turmoil by the highs and lows of this book, and one moment in particular made me cry out in anguish at the misunderstanding that would take Sophie and Samuel in a different direction again. This is a book that will stay with me a long time, but although we are only in the second week of January, I truly believe this will be one of the best books this year!
February 15, 2020
This book is so beautifully written. I loved the writing style. I loved Sophie and Samuel. However, the content was just a little bit much and I didn't get just how dark it would be from the description.
Probably don't read the rest of the review, many triggers.
There is domestic abuse, an accident that leaves a character with diminishing sight, a surprise pregnancy, a suicide attempt, loss of family...it's a lot to process for one book.
I didn't really feel Sophie and Samuel's connection - I don't think the book gave them enough time together at the beginning to make me believe they were meant to be. Each of their stories individually were really moving. Both in the same book was so so hard to read.
Sophie's relationship with her stepsister Helen is wonderful. They're supportive of each other given what happened to their family when they were young. Samuel's family are also really cute and supportive and help him deal with the accident that happens to him in the book.
Overall, I think you need to be in a pretty good place mentally to read this book because it is a whole lot of devastating, though the ending becomes a little more romantic and heartwarming.
Probably don't read the rest of the review, many triggers.
There is domestic abuse, an accident that leaves a character with diminishing sight, a surprise pregnancy, a suicide attempt, loss of family...it's a lot to process for one book.
I didn't really feel Sophie and Samuel's connection - I don't think the book gave them enough time together at the beginning to make me believe they were meant to be. Each of their stories individually were really moving. Both in the same book was so so hard to read.
Sophie's relationship with her stepsister Helen is wonderful. They're supportive of each other given what happened to their family when they were young. Samuel's family are also really cute and supportive and help him deal with the accident that happens to him in the book.
Overall, I think you need to be in a pretty good place mentally to read this book because it is a whole lot of devastating, though the ending becomes a little more romantic and heartwarming.
November 17, 2021
More like 2,5* I was liking it until it felt too long, but I forced myself to finish it.
September 11, 2019
I am probably not alone when I say that I always approach follow up books to ones I have loved with some trepidation. When you have loved a book as much as I loved Emma’s debut, The Songs of Us, you want the next one to be just as good, but there is always the fear that it will not live up to the heights the last one achieved. I fell so in love with the story of Melody and her family and the book had such a huge impact on me, I really could not see how The First Time I Saw You was going to match it.
Well, Emma is a clever thing because the way she did it was to make this one feel completely different, but in a way that was still compelling and affecting. At least, that is how it felt to me. I found The Songs of Us extremely funny, whilst still being heart-breaking and plumbing real emotional depth. The First Time I Saw You is a horse of a different colour, with less of a comedy element but the same complex familial relationships, the same emotional rollercoaster and the same examination of personal relationships between two flawed people, put under strain.
It took me no time at all to fall in love with Samuel (it may have has something to do with him being Irish, I may just have a little bit of a thing for Irish men). It took me a little longer to warm to Sophie. In fact, the situation was pretty much a reversal of the way I felt about the male and female characters in the last book, but this was very important for the story development. One of the most riveting parts of the plot for me was the development and softening of Sophie, the way she changes throughout the book and how she, and we, uncover the reasons she is the way she is, how her history has shaped her and how the events in the story shape her going forwards. Damaged characters, flawed characters, complicated characters – these are the things that gives books richness and depth and make them extraordinary.
Samuel’s plot arc, for me, was both devastating and uplifting. Because I fell in love with him from the first chapter and was totally on his side, what Emma did to him almost broke me, and seeing him go through his ordeal and claw his way back to where he wanted to be was excruciating. I lived every trial, every setback, every disappointment as if he were a real person I cared for deeply. I was willing him on, wanting him to get his happy ending, mentally begging Emma to help him. It is a rare gift for an author to be able to make characters come so alive and matter so much to readers in this way, and Emma totally has this. It is the thing I love most about her writing, what embeds it in my heart.
This book left me deeply affected, just as the last one did, but in a very different way. Despite the fact that this book turns out very differently (I am desperately trying to get my point across without spoiling either book for people who have not read them yet), in some ways it was a more difficult and melancholy read for me. That may not make any sense to people who have read them both, but it is how I felt. Some people may be disappointed that this book perhaps wasn’t as lighthearted as the previous novel. I say it shows bravery, diversity and a complexity of ability that makes Emma a talented author, who will continue to surprise and push her readers and I, for one, cannot wait to see what she does next.
Well, Emma is a clever thing because the way she did it was to make this one feel completely different, but in a way that was still compelling and affecting. At least, that is how it felt to me. I found The Songs of Us extremely funny, whilst still being heart-breaking and plumbing real emotional depth. The First Time I Saw You is a horse of a different colour, with less of a comedy element but the same complex familial relationships, the same emotional rollercoaster and the same examination of personal relationships between two flawed people, put under strain.
It took me no time at all to fall in love with Samuel (it may have has something to do with him being Irish, I may just have a little bit of a thing for Irish men). It took me a little longer to warm to Sophie. In fact, the situation was pretty much a reversal of the way I felt about the male and female characters in the last book, but this was very important for the story development. One of the most riveting parts of the plot for me was the development and softening of Sophie, the way she changes throughout the book and how she, and we, uncover the reasons she is the way she is, how her history has shaped her and how the events in the story shape her going forwards. Damaged characters, flawed characters, complicated characters – these are the things that gives books richness and depth and make them extraordinary.
Samuel’s plot arc, for me, was both devastating and uplifting. Because I fell in love with him from the first chapter and was totally on his side, what Emma did to him almost broke me, and seeing him go through his ordeal and claw his way back to where he wanted to be was excruciating. I lived every trial, every setback, every disappointment as if he were a real person I cared for deeply. I was willing him on, wanting him to get his happy ending, mentally begging Emma to help him. It is a rare gift for an author to be able to make characters come so alive and matter so much to readers in this way, and Emma totally has this. It is the thing I love most about her writing, what embeds it in my heart.
This book left me deeply affected, just as the last one did, but in a very different way. Despite the fact that this book turns out very differently (I am desperately trying to get my point across without spoiling either book for people who have not read them yet), in some ways it was a more difficult and melancholy read for me. That may not make any sense to people who have read them both, but it is how I felt. Some people may be disappointed that this book perhaps wasn’t as lighthearted as the previous novel. I say it shows bravery, diversity and a complexity of ability that makes Emma a talented author, who will continue to surprise and push her readers and I, for one, cannot wait to see what she does next.
July 30, 2020
✨NO spoilers✨
I don’t even think I can properly explain how much of a rollercoaster this book has been for me. There’s a strangers-to-lovers trope which is the trope I absolutely ADORE with every fibre of my being. So it’s a 2 POV storyline and let’s just say they both had something going on in their lives I was NOT prepared for AT ALL!!! I won’t say much more about it since I want to keep this spoiler free, BUT THE AMOUNT OF STRESS THAT I GOT FROM THEM WAS INSANE OKAY!!!!!
Nevertheless, it was such a cute book and there were definitely some hopeless romantic elements scattered across the pages because I have highlighted them all 👉🏻👈🏻. The main characters are both in their 30’s I believe, which is very interesting to see in my opinion because I mostly read romances with younger couples.
The families of both parties are also very much involved and I just want to say that I absolutely ADORE Samuel’s Irish family, they are just so supportive, hilarious, and caring that it makes my heart happy :). Would I recommend it? A BIG FAT YES!!! Somewhere between the middle and towards the end it gets very stressful ngl, BUT read through it please because the ending is SO worth it. I give it 5 stars because it has found a special place in my heart 💜
I don’t even think I can properly explain how much of a rollercoaster this book has been for me. There’s a strangers-to-lovers trope which is the trope I absolutely ADORE with every fibre of my being. So it’s a 2 POV storyline and let’s just say they both had something going on in their lives I was NOT prepared for AT ALL!!! I won’t say much more about it since I want to keep this spoiler free, BUT THE AMOUNT OF STRESS THAT I GOT FROM THEM WAS INSANE OKAY!!!!!
Nevertheless, it was such a cute book and there were definitely some hopeless romantic elements scattered across the pages because I have highlighted them all 👉🏻👈🏻. The main characters are both in their 30’s I believe, which is very interesting to see in my opinion because I mostly read romances with younger couples.
The families of both parties are also very much involved and I just want to say that I absolutely ADORE Samuel’s Irish family, they are just so supportive, hilarious, and caring that it makes my heart happy :). Would I recommend it? A BIG FAT YES!!! Somewhere between the middle and towards the end it gets very stressful ngl, BUT read through it please because the ending is SO worth it. I give it 5 stars because it has found a special place in my heart 💜
April 8, 2021
This book really wasn't what I was expecting. I mean it is marketed as a chick-lit and the whole synopsys makes it sound like a fun little romance read. Well, it is so much deeper than that and deals with a lot of hard hitting subjects, which I wasn't expecting at all (trigger warning for domestic abuse and suicide)
For the story, even though it was a romance it focused much more on the individual life stories of both of the main characters and out of the more than 400 pages there was only about 30 where the characters were actually together and interacting with each other. That wasn't really enough time to make me believe that this was an epic love story, felt a bit insta-love like.
Also the entire plot is based on miscommunications and missed opportunities, which seemed so unnecessary and if you take that away there's basically no plot left at all.
It wasn't a terrible read, it did make me laugh and even cry sometimes, but it was definitely not for me.
For the story, even though it was a romance it focused much more on the individual life stories of both of the main characters and out of the more than 400 pages there was only about 30 where the characters were actually together and interacting with each other. That wasn't really enough time to make me believe that this was an epic love story, felt a bit insta-love like.
Also the entire plot is based on miscommunications and missed opportunities, which seemed so unnecessary and if you take that away there's basically no plot left at all.
It wasn't a terrible read, it did make me laugh and even cry sometimes, but it was definitely not for me.
August 29, 2019
Absolutely loved this book, truly heartwarming!
January 22, 2020
I suspect we’ve all known those times when you pick up a book and know, within the first few pages, that you’re holding something rather special in your hands. This book had me smitten from the very beginning, with the chance meeting, on the streets of Washington, of the two endearing main characters, Samuel and Sophie. Their meeting is one of those lovely cinematic moments that the author does so well – but she’s also has that perfect touch with the more intimate moments as the couple grow closer.
But this is a long way from a conventional boy meets girl love story – the couple are wrenched apart, and for most of the book we share the twists and turns of their separate lives. It’s different, it’s brave – and it works quite wonderfully, as they yearn for each other but also focus on the challenges life throws at them.
The characters are just wonderful. Sophie’s perhaps the more difficult to warm to at first, but as we get to know her better we see her softer and more vulnerable side, but also the steel at her core as she faces up to her challenges. Samuel immediately won my heart – who wouldn’t love a man who belts out a tune and dances in his kitchen – and the way his personal story unspooled totally broke it.
The supporting characters are superb too. Samuel’s Irish family, particularly his father, are so beautifully drawn, with that lovely balance between mortal embarrassment and an overflowing love – I really thought no-one could portray that family relationship as well as Anna McPartlin (you might be reminded of The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes too), but I was wrong. And I really loved Sophie’s relationship with her neighbour too, with its gradual thaw, the slow unfolding of his story, and those heart-in-mouth moments. And then there’s Michael – but I’ll let you discover him for yourself.
This is a book that makes you ache inside – the writing is just glorious, moving from gentle humour to heart-stopping drama with absolute ease, and a consummate touch with every emotional moment. The dialogue is never anything but absolutely real – and the shared thoughts and feelings quite perfectly captured.
I don’t want to share too much of the story – I want everyone to experience it and live it in the same way I did. But this book was absolutely unforgettable, and just stunning – without question, one of my books of the year.
But this is a long way from a conventional boy meets girl love story – the couple are wrenched apart, and for most of the book we share the twists and turns of their separate lives. It’s different, it’s brave – and it works quite wonderfully, as they yearn for each other but also focus on the challenges life throws at them.
The characters are just wonderful. Sophie’s perhaps the more difficult to warm to at first, but as we get to know her better we see her softer and more vulnerable side, but also the steel at her core as she faces up to her challenges. Samuel immediately won my heart – who wouldn’t love a man who belts out a tune and dances in his kitchen – and the way his personal story unspooled totally broke it.
The supporting characters are superb too. Samuel’s Irish family, particularly his father, are so beautifully drawn, with that lovely balance between mortal embarrassment and an overflowing love – I really thought no-one could portray that family relationship as well as Anna McPartlin (you might be reminded of The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes too), but I was wrong. And I really loved Sophie’s relationship with her neighbour too, with its gradual thaw, the slow unfolding of his story, and those heart-in-mouth moments. And then there’s Michael – but I’ll let you discover him for yourself.
This is a book that makes you ache inside – the writing is just glorious, moving from gentle humour to heart-stopping drama with absolute ease, and a consummate touch with every emotional moment. The dialogue is never anything but absolutely real – and the shared thoughts and feelings quite perfectly captured.
I don’t want to share too much of the story – I want everyone to experience it and live it in the same way I did. But this book was absolutely unforgettable, and just stunning – without question, one of my books of the year.
February 21, 2020
This was my first book my this author and certainly won't be the last it was brilliant from the first page and I didn't want it to end at all. Captivating from the beginning to the end and full of romance and finding the love again after letting them go. It's a heartwarming read and has you in tears at times and worth far more than five stars.
Sophie has a high flying job and hasn't got time for men she pops over the America on work and while there Samuel sees her and although doesn't believe in love at first sight he sees Sophie and can see himself falling in love. They get friendly and go back to his apartment and become very close but she flees in the middle of the night when she realises it will effect her work being with him as her business plan for where he works will change everything. She comes back to England and then sadly looses her job and she heads to her sisters she also learns she pregnant and she needs to find Samuel again so he can be a part of the child's life. Problem is she learns his house had a gas explosion and he's had to leave his job and she can't find a way to contact him. He also can't get Sophie out if his head and wants to contact her but knows she's no longer working and he's also after being ill from the gas explosion is also loosing his sight. He heads to Wales to try and find the sister but he turns up at the right house but he didn't realise it to start with. He heads home and really wants to see her and when he learns where she is he heads over but he sees something through the window and gets the wrong expression so leaves with out speaking to her. She is so desperate to find him she leaves an advert in a local magazine to where he is living with his parents he then sees it and can they get together in time and be happy ever after or not.
Perfect read
Sophie has a high flying job and hasn't got time for men she pops over the America on work and while there Samuel sees her and although doesn't believe in love at first sight he sees Sophie and can see himself falling in love. They get friendly and go back to his apartment and become very close but she flees in the middle of the night when she realises it will effect her work being with him as her business plan for where he works will change everything. She comes back to England and then sadly looses her job and she heads to her sisters she also learns she pregnant and she needs to find Samuel again so he can be a part of the child's life. Problem is she learns his house had a gas explosion and he's had to leave his job and she can't find a way to contact him. He also can't get Sophie out if his head and wants to contact her but knows she's no longer working and he's also after being ill from the gas explosion is also loosing his sight. He heads to Wales to try and find the sister but he turns up at the right house but he didn't realise it to start with. He heads home and really wants to see her and when he learns where she is he heads over but he sees something through the window and gets the wrong expression so leaves with out speaking to her. She is so desperate to find him she leaves an advert in a local magazine to where he is living with his parents he then sees it and can they get together in time and be happy ever after or not.
Perfect read
July 8, 2019
The First Time I Saw You
by Emma Cooper
Totally beautiful! (says it all)
I devoured this book as quickly as I could and am now ‘hung over’. I ran through a plethora of emotions along with Sam & Sophie and their delightful families. What characters! I felt I was there with them all watching the twists and turns of the story unfold! I could see the scenes and feel the desperation, the desolation, frustrations, fears and joy! Thank you Emma Cooper - how long until the next book?
by Emma Cooper
Totally beautiful! (says it all)
I devoured this book as quickly as I could and am now ‘hung over’. I ran through a plethora of emotions along with Sam & Sophie and their delightful families. What characters! I felt I was there with them all watching the twists and turns of the story unfold! I could see the scenes and feel the desperation, the desolation, frustrations, fears and joy! Thank you Emma Cooper - how long until the next book?
June 20, 2025
Oh ho. Sometimes, I don't want to spoil people about a book. I wanted them to go into it blindly and got the same virgin reception as I did. But oh boy, with this one, I think I need to divulge the spoilers.
This book is about two people, Sophie, the workaholic type A heroine and Samuel, the cute and sweet Northern Irish man. They met in the busy city of Washington DC, and fell hard in love at first sight. The few weeks they shared were completely precious and practically intimately sweet to read about. It was so peaceful and calm of a love-at-first-sight journey. I thought to myself, where are we going from here? Things were so perfect!
How little did I know. Because shitstorms are coming.
I don't think I'm mad at the characters. I don't think they have any faults. It was just the strings of bad incidents that followed these two and the misconnections really infuriated me. I did not feel good at all while reading this book. It was just too dramatic (is that even made any sense?) for me. It reminded me of that old movie, An Affair to Remember, where shit just went sideways for our main leads. I just don't like that feeling. Maybe it's my thing and you guys would enjoy this dramatic story more than I did. Me? I need to heal from this whole ordeal. First, with a fantastic smut.
p.s. This is a clean romance btw.
This book is about two people, Sophie, the workaholic type A heroine and Samuel, the cute and sweet Northern Irish man. They met in the busy city of Washington DC, and fell hard in love at first sight. The few weeks they shared were completely precious and practically intimately sweet to read about. It was so peaceful and calm of a love-at-first-sight journey. I thought to myself, where are we going from here? Things were so perfect!
How little did I know. Because shitstorms are coming.
I don't think I'm mad at the characters. I don't think they have any faults. It was just the strings of bad incidents that followed these two and the misconnections really infuriated me. I did not feel good at all while reading this book. It was just too dramatic (is that even made any sense?) for me. It reminded me of that old movie, An Affair to Remember, where shit just went sideways for our main leads. I just don't like that feeling. Maybe it's my thing and you guys would enjoy this dramatic story more than I did. Me? I need to heal from this whole ordeal. First, with a fantastic smut.
p.s. This is a clean romance btw.
November 3, 2021
I was not initially drawn in to this story quickly. I am happy to have persisted as the story processes it is an emotional rollercoaster of life. I love how Sophie realises what matters in life and protecting her bean. I love how Samuel copes with the set backs in his life. How the two are drawn back together in a beautiful way. 4.5 Stars
February 28, 2020
This is the second of Emma Cooper novel I’ve read and oh my it is just as fabulous as her first! I’m totally bowled over by her writing! I love her description, it’s like reading the plot of your favourite romance film. Such intimacy in her words and so beautifully written. The sentences each so poetic. The first few opening chapters were exquisite!
I fell in love with the main characters instantly! As I read the story I was mesmerised by the graceful way the words were written. A real romance novel which you wish to experience in your own lifetime. The feelings of those heart beats that love has entered.
I can see this story as a well loved movie that’s watched over and over like Love Actually and Holiday. Reading this I felt all the emotions!
I don’t cry when reading books but I did at this! It broke down all the barriers and allowed me to feel the emotions physically making me cry, laugh and smile as I read the beautiful words written.
The main characters are adorable! The storyline was beautiful and the later themes were equally happy, sad, tragic, devastating and powerful all at the same time.
Emma Cooper you are a writing superstar! I can’t wait for book three!
I fell in love with the main characters instantly! As I read the story I was mesmerised by the graceful way the words were written. A real romance novel which you wish to experience in your own lifetime. The feelings of those heart beats that love has entered.
I can see this story as a well loved movie that’s watched over and over like Love Actually and Holiday. Reading this I felt all the emotions!
I don’t cry when reading books but I did at this! It broke down all the barriers and allowed me to feel the emotions physically making me cry, laugh and smile as I read the beautiful words written.
The main characters are adorable! The storyline was beautiful and the later themes were equally happy, sad, tragic, devastating and powerful all at the same time.
Emma Cooper you are a writing superstar! I can’t wait for book three!
January 13, 2020
"The First Time I Saw You" introduces us to Sophie, at the first sight a career - driven young woman who knows what she wants. And to Samuel, an Irish living in America, working in IT. They both meet when Sophie is on business in Washington, in the middle of a thunderstorm, and they're completely smitten with each other. They spent a wonderful week together and then the things get complicated.
Even though there is this wonderful sparkle between them, even though they can't live without each other, they can't be together. Or can they? Finding each other again is not easy...
I loved Emma Cooper's debut novel but guys! I might have loved "The First Time I Saw You" even more! It is always with trepidation that I start reading the authors' second book after their debut was so great, fearing that the new book won't live up to my expectations, but it's not the case with this novel. It blew my socks off, it left me in pieces and it left me feeling that there is always hope. So oh my word, please send help, because how to write a review that will do this book justice? Mission impossible, I'd say. Because this book was beautiful. It was everything. It has broken my heart, to mend it again, to break it again. It made me laugh out so loud and it made me sob - literally.
I can't even start to explain how fantastic the characters were. I immediately fell in love with all of them, with Sophie and Samuel at the beginning and then with the rest, steadily being introduced to us.
Sophie was not, as we can think at the first sight, the raw and sharp businesswoman - she hides much, much more inside her, and the more I got to know her and her background, the more I found myself pinning for her. I don't think that she has changed throughout the story - she was like this all the time, she only tried to hide this vulnerable side of herself from the world, she tried to forget about it herself, but the more life has been challenging her and her decisions, the more softer she looked for us. The events that have shaped her and made her close inside herself were truly riveting and heart - breaking.
Samuel was one and only, and his story was both tragic and uplifting but who stole the story completely were his parents, the fabulous Mrs and Mr McLaughlin - please let's give them a standing ovation! Samuel's father, with his kind heart and understanding and the best sense of humour in the world is every girl's dream father - in - law, some of the things he said made me really cry with laughter, and some of the things he said and done made me simply cry, bringing lump to my throat. Actually, his whole family was the perfect, chaotic and absolutely accepting family you could wish for. It was moving to see how they tried to support Samuel, to encourage him to get on with life.
And please don't forget Michael! Michael, that Samuel grows to rely on most of all. How can a thing make you smile so much, even in such dramatic circumstances!
The author has such a way with words! She writes about love at first sight and lost love but she also doesn't forget to put all kinds of relationships into the heart of her story. We have a romantic affair, but we also have sibling love, parental love, friendship, relationships that are complicated but at the end of the day they are everything, they're important and life is easier with people looking after each other.
Emma Cooper's writing style is absolutely perfect. Yes, the book started in a rather slow way, and in the first few chapters the same events were repeated from the characters' point of view, and I thought, oh - oh, what now? But then... But then it was like an avalanche, starting with a small snowball and gaining speed. I started to feel so invested in the story that I didn't want to put it down for a single second. It had a huge impact on me, I lived and breathed together with the characters.
Emma has perfectly balanced the poignant, incredibly sad and heart - wrenching moments with laugh - out - loud, extremely funny moments, so really, don't be surprised when you find yourself laughing through tears. Yes, altogether the story is actually not funny, it is full of misunderstanding, lost chances and opportunities, near - misses that I couldn't believe seeing, thinking, oh no, how close have they been! It is deep, moving and complex, a real emotional rollercoaster but filled with a great and fantastic dose of - especially Irish - humour.
The magic of the writing is that the author took me on every trial together with the characters. I lived through them and I felt every single feeling - their disappointments, hope, setbacks and steps forwards. I was willing them and feeling for them, I care for them as if they were real people, and believe me, it doesn't happen often, it's a rare gift to be able to write the characters in such a way, to make them so alive.
It was a beautiful, heartfelt and emotional story, superbly written, vividly describing emotions and feelings in a way that I didn't know you could describe. The characters were more than brilliantly developed and their stories were complex, multi - layered and coherent, not too sugary but also not too wishy - washy. It was a moving and inspiring tale, touching upon lost love, missed opportunities, relationships, friendships and unappreciated power of family, with sensitivity and lightness. It is full of kindness and the feeling that even when you think there is no hope, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel, you only have to believe it. 10 out of 5 stars and I can't recommend it highly enough!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Even though there is this wonderful sparkle between them, even though they can't live without each other, they can't be together. Or can they? Finding each other again is not easy...
I loved Emma Cooper's debut novel but guys! I might have loved "The First Time I Saw You" even more! It is always with trepidation that I start reading the authors' second book after their debut was so great, fearing that the new book won't live up to my expectations, but it's not the case with this novel. It blew my socks off, it left me in pieces and it left me feeling that there is always hope. So oh my word, please send help, because how to write a review that will do this book justice? Mission impossible, I'd say. Because this book was beautiful. It was everything. It has broken my heart, to mend it again, to break it again. It made me laugh out so loud and it made me sob - literally.
I can't even start to explain how fantastic the characters were. I immediately fell in love with all of them, with Sophie and Samuel at the beginning and then with the rest, steadily being introduced to us.
Sophie was not, as we can think at the first sight, the raw and sharp businesswoman - she hides much, much more inside her, and the more I got to know her and her background, the more I found myself pinning for her. I don't think that she has changed throughout the story - she was like this all the time, she only tried to hide this vulnerable side of herself from the world, she tried to forget about it herself, but the more life has been challenging her and her decisions, the more softer she looked for us. The events that have shaped her and made her close inside herself were truly riveting and heart - breaking.
Samuel was one and only, and his story was both tragic and uplifting but who stole the story completely were his parents, the fabulous Mrs and Mr McLaughlin - please let's give them a standing ovation! Samuel's father, with his kind heart and understanding and the best sense of humour in the world is every girl's dream father - in - law, some of the things he said made me really cry with laughter, and some of the things he said and done made me simply cry, bringing lump to my throat. Actually, his whole family was the perfect, chaotic and absolutely accepting family you could wish for. It was moving to see how they tried to support Samuel, to encourage him to get on with life.
And please don't forget Michael! Michael, that Samuel grows to rely on most of all. How can a thing make you smile so much, even in such dramatic circumstances!
The author has such a way with words! She writes about love at first sight and lost love but she also doesn't forget to put all kinds of relationships into the heart of her story. We have a romantic affair, but we also have sibling love, parental love, friendship, relationships that are complicated but at the end of the day they are everything, they're important and life is easier with people looking after each other.
Emma Cooper's writing style is absolutely perfect. Yes, the book started in a rather slow way, and in the first few chapters the same events were repeated from the characters' point of view, and I thought, oh - oh, what now? But then... But then it was like an avalanche, starting with a small snowball and gaining speed. I started to feel so invested in the story that I didn't want to put it down for a single second. It had a huge impact on me, I lived and breathed together with the characters.
Emma has perfectly balanced the poignant, incredibly sad and heart - wrenching moments with laugh - out - loud, extremely funny moments, so really, don't be surprised when you find yourself laughing through tears. Yes, altogether the story is actually not funny, it is full of misunderstanding, lost chances and opportunities, near - misses that I couldn't believe seeing, thinking, oh no, how close have they been! It is deep, moving and complex, a real emotional rollercoaster but filled with a great and fantastic dose of - especially Irish - humour.
The magic of the writing is that the author took me on every trial together with the characters. I lived through them and I felt every single feeling - their disappointments, hope, setbacks and steps forwards. I was willing them and feeling for them, I care for them as if they were real people, and believe me, it doesn't happen often, it's a rare gift to be able to write the characters in such a way, to make them so alive.
It was a beautiful, heartfelt and emotional story, superbly written, vividly describing emotions and feelings in a way that I didn't know you could describe. The characters were more than brilliantly developed and their stories were complex, multi - layered and coherent, not too sugary but also not too wishy - washy. It was a moving and inspiring tale, touching upon lost love, missed opportunities, relationships, friendships and unappreciated power of family, with sensitivity and lightness. It is full of kindness and the feeling that even when you think there is no hope, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel, you only have to believe it. 10 out of 5 stars and I can't recommend it highly enough!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
January 8, 2020
I’m a huge fan of this author so was incredibly excited to read this book. I thought it was a beautifully written, funny book that manages to be both heartwarming and heart breaking at the same time
This is a love story, but not necessarily the one you’d expect as it’s not just about the love between a couple but rather about all the different love that is in our lives. The main characters Sophie and Samuel have some amazing people around them and I loved the truly heartwarming, lovely scenes involving their interactions with their siblings and their parents.
As you can probably imagine the course of love doesn’t run smoothly and there is lots of mishaps or misunderstandings on the way which made up some of the funny scenes in the book. It also lead to some lovely supportive moments between the characters which was very enjoyable to read about.
There is a lovely message in this book which added to the beauty of the story and left me feeling sad that the book had ended. The idea that being kind and helping each other out would make life easier for everyone, is an important one which I wish everyone would follow. This is definitely one that will stay with me for a long time and I will be recommending to everyone.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Headline for my copy of this book.
This is a love story, but not necessarily the one you’d expect as it’s not just about the love between a couple but rather about all the different love that is in our lives. The main characters Sophie and Samuel have some amazing people around them and I loved the truly heartwarming, lovely scenes involving their interactions with their siblings and their parents.
As you can probably imagine the course of love doesn’t run smoothly and there is lots of mishaps or misunderstandings on the way which made up some of the funny scenes in the book. It also lead to some lovely supportive moments between the characters which was very enjoyable to read about.
There is a lovely message in this book which added to the beauty of the story and left me feeling sad that the book had ended. The idea that being kind and helping each other out would make life easier for everyone, is an important one which I wish everyone would follow. This is definitely one that will stay with me for a long time and I will be recommending to everyone.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Headline for my copy of this book.
August 14, 2020
Oh!
I’m struggling with this review, I don’t know what to say without giving spoilers.
Samuel is just perfect!
I’m struggling with this review, I don’t know what to say without giving spoilers.
Samuel is just perfect!
January 8, 2020
Sophie and Samuel find that mixing business with pleasure can be tricky!
I have absolutely no idea where to start in a review of Emma Cooper’s The First Time I Saw You. It’s a book that took hold of my heart, shredded it into tiny pieces and left me wrung out emotionally. In other words, I absolutely adored it!
Emma Cooper writes so emotively. Her descriptions are poetic so that they become vivid three dimensional images in the mind’s eye, giving place and setting an authenticity that transports the reader to Washington, Wales and Samuel’s family home in Ireland. The direct speech resonates with realism and warmth, bringing the characters in The First Time I Saw You alive and making them utterly human.
Indeed, there wasn’t an extraneous character, or moment with them, in this book. They elicited my empathy, my sympathy and, very often, a physical response so that I wanted to climb into the pages of The First Time I Saw You and hold them, shake them and intervene in their messy, glorious, lives.
And yet… there’s something more than skilled writing, great settings and believable characters here. Emma Cooper imbues her words with a magic that transcends competent and emotive writing so that the reader is spellbound and captivated by the love, the fear, the grief, the despair and happiness woven throughout the story. I found the iterative image of Alice in Wonderland hugely effective, and affecting, too.
The narrative itself is just fabulous. The plot is so completely believable, partly because not everything works out quite as I had expected or indeed wanted, making it much more realistic and compelling as a result. I want to say so much more about the tiny hints and details that almost go unnoticed but I can’t spoil the story for others. Let me just say that the plot of The First Time I Saw You took me through every emotion until I had no free will but had to carry on reading until I had gulped the last word through messy, sobbing tears.
This is a book I won’t forget in a hurry. It’ll be going straight on my books of the year list for 2020. I loved every single moment with The First Time I Saw You. It is wonderful and I urge you to read it for yourself.
I have absolutely no idea where to start in a review of Emma Cooper’s The First Time I Saw You. It’s a book that took hold of my heart, shredded it into tiny pieces and left me wrung out emotionally. In other words, I absolutely adored it!
Emma Cooper writes so emotively. Her descriptions are poetic so that they become vivid three dimensional images in the mind’s eye, giving place and setting an authenticity that transports the reader to Washington, Wales and Samuel’s family home in Ireland. The direct speech resonates with realism and warmth, bringing the characters in The First Time I Saw You alive and making them utterly human.
Indeed, there wasn’t an extraneous character, or moment with them, in this book. They elicited my empathy, my sympathy and, very often, a physical response so that I wanted to climb into the pages of The First Time I Saw You and hold them, shake them and intervene in their messy, glorious, lives.
And yet… there’s something more than skilled writing, great settings and believable characters here. Emma Cooper imbues her words with a magic that transcends competent and emotive writing so that the reader is spellbound and captivated by the love, the fear, the grief, the despair and happiness woven throughout the story. I found the iterative image of Alice in Wonderland hugely effective, and affecting, too.
The narrative itself is just fabulous. The plot is so completely believable, partly because not everything works out quite as I had expected or indeed wanted, making it much more realistic and compelling as a result. I want to say so much more about the tiny hints and details that almost go unnoticed but I can’t spoil the story for others. Let me just say that the plot of The First Time I Saw You took me through every emotion until I had no free will but had to carry on reading until I had gulped the last word through messy, sobbing tears.
This is a book I won’t forget in a hurry. It’ll be going straight on my books of the year list for 2020. I loved every single moment with The First Time I Saw You. It is wonderful and I urge you to read it for yourself.
August 6, 2019
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the author previous book The Song of Us, I literally couldn't wait to read her new book The First Time I Saw You. Suffice to say that I was not disappointed, it was a truly beautiful, heartfelt and emotional story from start to finish. Right from the first chapter I was pulled in tight and the book didn't let go of me until the very last page.
The story was superbly written, so detailed and perfectly told in every way possible, the characters were an absolute delight to get to know, all of whom were excellently developed and just felt so very real. I truly felt for Sophie and Samuel, all that they had to go through and the obstacles that kept getting in their way. I really loved the ending though, but won't say anymore than that as I wouldn't want to accidentally give away any spoilers.
It's books like this that will stay with you for a long time, and one that will always be recommend to family and friends.
The story was superbly written, so detailed and perfectly told in every way possible, the characters were an absolute delight to get to know, all of whom were excellently developed and just felt so very real. I truly felt for Sophie and Samuel, all that they had to go through and the obstacles that kept getting in their way. I really loved the ending though, but won't say anymore than that as I wouldn't want to accidentally give away any spoilers.
It's books like this that will stay with you for a long time, and one that will always be recommend to family and friends.
July 25, 2019
I really wanted to love this, but I found it hard to connect with , it felt so slow, I couldn’t relate to the characters , just didn’t live up to my expectations
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
January 18, 2020
✨My Thoughts✨
Let me just start by saying that this book is definitely one book you need to read. Go out and buy it today, it’s utterly fantastic. It had me bawling my eyes out and also had me in fits of giggles.
The basis of this storyline is quite simple:
Two people meet and fall in love.
An event happens to separate said two people.
The following is the classic “will-they-won’t-they” get back together.
With Samuels Irish charm, I instantly fell in love with him. It’s no wonder Sophie did. The same can’t be said about Sophie though. My first impressions of her weren’t as great, but once the Samuel effect had it’s hold on her (and the fact she was Welsh) I grew very much to like her. And, this made it easier to become invested in the story of will they get back together.
I loved the secondary characters in this story, and they were the ones that gave me the most laughter and tears if I’m to be honest. Samuels family, the McLaughlins were the type of family we all want in our lives. Ma and das relationship was so wonderful, and we can see where Samuel gets his lust for life from. I loved the connection between Samuel and his da. The scene when they were driving and chasing little Timmy, with Michael Caine obstructing the way was hilarious. And, very heart warming also, because here we see how da is really coping with the events that have occured.
Charlie, Sophie’s next door neighbour. His story had me reading most of his story through tears, I would have to stop to wipe my tears (a lot). But, without Charlie in the story we wouldn’t get to see another side of Sophie. And, obviously the confusion that follows. But, that is something you’ll just have to read about yourselves.
There are so many things and details I want to praise about this story. But, if I told you too much I’d give away too much. And, the beauty of this book is to let the story unfold and get immersed into the lives of Sophie and Samuel.
Thank you to Headline and Alara for my gifted copy. And biggest thanks goes to Emma Cooper for introducing me to Sophie Williams and Samuel McLaughlin.
Let me just start by saying that this book is definitely one book you need to read. Go out and buy it today, it’s utterly fantastic. It had me bawling my eyes out and also had me in fits of giggles.
The basis of this storyline is quite simple:
Two people meet and fall in love.
An event happens to separate said two people.
The following is the classic “will-they-won’t-they” get back together.
With Samuels Irish charm, I instantly fell in love with him. It’s no wonder Sophie did. The same can’t be said about Sophie though. My first impressions of her weren’t as great, but once the Samuel effect had it’s hold on her (and the fact she was Welsh) I grew very much to like her. And, this made it easier to become invested in the story of will they get back together.
I loved the secondary characters in this story, and they were the ones that gave me the most laughter and tears if I’m to be honest. Samuels family, the McLaughlins were the type of family we all want in our lives. Ma and das relationship was so wonderful, and we can see where Samuel gets his lust for life from. I loved the connection between Samuel and his da. The scene when they were driving and chasing little Timmy, with Michael Caine obstructing the way was hilarious. And, very heart warming also, because here we see how da is really coping with the events that have occured.
Charlie, Sophie’s next door neighbour. His story had me reading most of his story through tears, I would have to stop to wipe my tears (a lot). But, without Charlie in the story we wouldn’t get to see another side of Sophie. And, obviously the confusion that follows. But, that is something you’ll just have to read about yourselves.
There are so many things and details I want to praise about this story. But, if I told you too much I’d give away too much. And, the beauty of this book is to let the story unfold and get immersed into the lives of Sophie and Samuel.
Thank you to Headline and Alara for my gifted copy. And biggest thanks goes to Emma Cooper for introducing me to Sophie Williams and Samuel McLaughlin.
January 13, 2020
I’m binge-reading Emma Cooper’s books. I started off the year with the first book I’d ever read by her (you can read my review here) and I can’t stop! Emma’s latest book has just been published and I devoured it. Not being too well at the moment books are about the only thing that are giving me some relief and when I can concentrate I am getting stuck right in there! The Songs of Us – which I finished early in January – was incredible. You’ll see from my review how incredible I thought it was. I was worried that this book wouldn’t live up to it, because how can an author be that good more than once? Well they can, and they did and I do not doubt that Emma will pull off another incredible book in the future too – a world without Emma Cooper’s books would be desolate!
Again I was gripped, when I could, I read this book, constantly. I needed to know what happens at the end but at the same time I didn’t want it to end. I actually sent Emma a message about a third of the way through heart-broken because of something I’d read – she assured me she would make me smile again, and she did. This book will have you smiling, wailing and begging for it all to go right for the main characters.
Again I was gripped, when I could, I read this book, constantly. I needed to know what happens at the end but at the same time I didn’t want it to end. I actually sent Emma a message about a third of the way through heart-broken because of something I’d read – she assured me she would make me smile again, and she did. This book will have you smiling, wailing and begging for it all to go right for the main characters.
August 16, 2019
It took me a little while to get into the story but once I had I found it hard to put down. The chapters are called Sophie and Samuel and subtitled with the weeks since they met later on in the story.
Sophie is living with the fallout of a tragic childhood and it's affected her ability to connect in relationships. She lives for her high powered job until a business trip to New York and a charming Irishman gets under her armour. Samuel is equally smitten.
Misunderstandings are the theme of this story as they try to find their way back to each other. Great summer read or any time really. Romantic as well as thought provoking, especially the legacy that Sophie is living with. It's a bit like Brief Encounter but with single people both with baggage.
Sophie is living with the fallout of a tragic childhood and it's affected her ability to connect in relationships. She lives for her high powered job until a business trip to New York and a charming Irishman gets under her armour. Samuel is equally smitten.
Misunderstandings are the theme of this story as they try to find their way back to each other. Great summer read or any time really. Romantic as well as thought provoking, especially the legacy that Sophie is living with. It's a bit like Brief Encounter but with single people both with baggage.
March 22, 2021
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much! It's so well written. Just as I was thinking that the Sliding Doors/so close yet so far type scenes were going to get a bit repetitive, it changed up a gear and I was swept away by this gorgeous story.
The main characters Sophie and Samuel are so believable, but they have a wonderful supporting cast too. Samuel's family in particular made me smile.
The book deals with domestic abuse and sudden disability in a sensitive way.
This one is highly recommended, I'd say one of my top reads of 2021 so far.
The main characters Sophie and Samuel are so believable, but they have a wonderful supporting cast too. Samuel's family in particular made me smile.
The book deals with domestic abuse and sudden disability in a sensitive way.
This one is highly recommended, I'd say one of my top reads of 2021 so far.
September 23, 2020
Wow. I’d give this one more than five stars if I could. Such an emotional, unputdownable read. I loved accompanying the characters and couldn’t wait for them to find their way through a whole maze of complications to the ending they deserved. The writing was humorous, evocative and sensitive, and every moment beautifully realised. I’ll be following this author from now on and reading everything she ever writes, if this one is anything to go by.
November 29, 2020
Absolutely loved this book. I craved it when I was forced with the monotony of daily life. It brought a shining light to my evening reading. I loved the characters and giggled cried my way through. It’s one of those books that squeezes your heart with love, longing and frustration at times. I found myself on the edge of my seat almost shouting at the characters to contact each other and communicate! This is the first book I have read of this Author and I am already eyeing up the next.
March 31, 2020
I'm a sucker for romance novels, I love the dramatics and intense emotions they invoke. This was a fine one, nothing special of course but exactly what I expected it to be.
Near the end the 'missing each other by that much' trope wore a little thin but since you know it'll all be okay in the end you deal with it.
Near the end the 'missing each other by that much' trope wore a little thin but since you know it'll all be okay in the end you deal with it.
October 14, 2020
I had to stay up way past midnight to finish this book last night! I absolutely loved it and was attached to the characters Samuel and Sophie from the start. I loved the way the chapters alternated between Sophie and Samuel’s perspective. I laughed and cried my way through this book. It is one of those books that I couldn’t wait to finish it but didn’t want it to finish.
January 5, 2023
i just genuinely could not get myself to enjoy this no matter how hard i tried. unfortunately i wasn’t drawn to the characters and i wasn’t interested in any of the plots. i’m sorry to @lexi thank u for giving it to me tho i love u
August 11, 2019
Well, she's done it again. Made me ugly cry in the public and cost me couple of nights sleep. Pretty standard now for this author. When you connect to characters from the first page and fall in love with them, when their families become yours even if only for the duration of the book, you know you picked a book written by a talented writer. I realise this book has only just been published but I literally need another one.
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