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The First Time We Met
What if you met The One on his wedding day?
Izzy doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but when Sam walks into the cafe where she works one winter’s morning, she knows without a doubt that he’s the one. Too bad Sam’s getting married. Today.
Nearly a year later, Izzy still can’t stop thinking about Sam, the one that got away, but she knows it’s time to move on: he’s a married man and probably wouldn’t recognise her if he passed her on the street.
But Sam has never forgotten Izzy, the funny, gorgeous woman who asked him out on his wedding day. If the timing had only been better, he knows they could have had something wonderful.
When Izzy and Sam’s paths finally cross again, everything has changed. But with the Atlantic Ocean and decades of baggage between them, they are about to find out whether some obstacles are too big for even true love to overcome.
An unforgettable love story about what happens when the stars finally align. Fans of One Day in December, The Day We Met and Jojo Moyes will fall head over heels for The First Time We Met.
Izzy doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but when Sam walks into the cafe where she works one winter’s morning, she knows without a doubt that he’s the one. Too bad Sam’s getting married. Today.
Nearly a year later, Izzy still can’t stop thinking about Sam, the one that got away, but she knows it’s time to move on: he’s a married man and probably wouldn’t recognise her if he passed her on the street.
But Sam has never forgotten Izzy, the funny, gorgeous woman who asked him out on his wedding day. If the timing had only been better, he knows they could have had something wonderful.
When Izzy and Sam’s paths finally cross again, everything has changed. But with the Atlantic Ocean and decades of baggage between them, they are about to find out whether some obstacles are too big for even true love to overcome.
An unforgettable love story about what happens when the stars finally align. Fans of One Day in December, The Day We Met and Jojo Moyes will fall head over heels for The First Time We Met.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2020
689 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
November 12, 2020
Soulmates find each other and fight against all the obstacles and most complex curveballs life throws at them kind of storyline always works for a truly naive romantic like me!
It’s so obvious for me to click the request button at light speed because I was craving some true romance, some sweet-swoon moments, some endurable angst and an epic, powerful ending with HEA! That’s why we yearn for reading something motivational, feel-good, right?
Well, the book’s beginning was so promising . Both MCs are also lovable. As Izzy saw Sam’s walking into the cafe she works, she knew her life would never be the same. And Sam saw the rising love sparks in the air, too. They clicked. They connected. They felt the love at first sight but they had a one particular problem. The day they met is also hero’s wedging day. Damn it! The author broke my heart from the beginning.
But the fate should play its ugly mind games to bring them back together. Don’t you agree with me?
And here comes the problematic part: there is very long time jumping! More than a decade later, ( 14 freaking years!!!!)these two guys finally meet again. ( isn’t it buzz killing? Yes, absolutely it is!)
Even though I loved the beginning of the story, characterization, smart dialogues, the big time gap and MCs’ connection via emails ( they were more than face to face interactions which also killed the romantic sparkles for me. Call me old school but I always prefer more intimate dialogues and gestures between characters. How can you know someone without spending time together and experiencing new things?)
And of course Rohan and Emma’s unnecessary subplot story made me scream: “ I want more Izzy and Sam time! We haven’t seen them together! I want more of them!”
Overall: this book has intriguing start! I don’t have problems about characters. Their flaws, up-downs, weaknesses are portrayed realistically. Nothing is disturbing or unendurable about them. But the time gap and limited interaction killed my romantic mood. So I’m giving three neutral Switzerland- neither I hate it nor I liked it stars!
I was expecting something more epic, heartwarming and soul brushing. Let’s keep our hopes up for our next romance reading.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this reviewing copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
It’s so obvious for me to click the request button at light speed because I was craving some true romance, some sweet-swoon moments, some endurable angst and an epic, powerful ending with HEA! That’s why we yearn for reading something motivational, feel-good, right?
Well, the book’s beginning was so promising . Both MCs are also lovable. As Izzy saw Sam’s walking into the cafe she works, she knew her life would never be the same. And Sam saw the rising love sparks in the air, too. They clicked. They connected. They felt the love at first sight but they had a one particular problem. The day they met is also hero’s wedging day. Damn it! The author broke my heart from the beginning.
But the fate should play its ugly mind games to bring them back together. Don’t you agree with me?
And here comes the problematic part: there is very long time jumping! More than a decade later, ( 14 freaking years!!!!)these two guys finally meet again. ( isn’t it buzz killing? Yes, absolutely it is!)
Even though I loved the beginning of the story, characterization, smart dialogues, the big time gap and MCs’ connection via emails ( they were more than face to face interactions which also killed the romantic sparkles for me. Call me old school but I always prefer more intimate dialogues and gestures between characters. How can you know someone without spending time together and experiencing new things?)
And of course Rohan and Emma’s unnecessary subplot story made me scream: “ I want more Izzy and Sam time! We haven’t seen them together! I want more of them!”
Overall: this book has intriguing start! I don’t have problems about characters. Their flaws, up-downs, weaknesses are portrayed realistically. Nothing is disturbing or unendurable about them. But the time gap and limited interaction killed my romantic mood. So I’m giving three neutral Switzerland- neither I hate it nor I liked it stars!
I was expecting something more epic, heartwarming and soul brushing. Let’s keep our hopes up for our next romance reading.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this reviewing copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
November 21, 2020
Do you believe in love at first sight? Jo Lovett will tug at your heart strings with this romantic story. Izzy and Sam first meet in December when Izzy is working as a waitress. There is an instant spark when these two meet. So why does Sam say no when Izzy asks him out? Well he has a good reason... it is his wedding day. Time passes: marriage, children, new jobs, new countries, and yet they cannot seem to forget. Over a decade has passed and Sam reaches out to Izzy ostensibly for help for his son. They begin an email correspondence, but an ocean, many yearsand relationships, separate these two. Will they be able to rekindle the spark?
Do you believe in “the one“? OK full confession- I do not necessarily believe in love at first sight or the one and yet I really enjoyed this story. Both Izzy and Sam were fabulous characters. I found them both so kind, genuine, and likable. Also found them both quite frustrating at times. I wasn’t always thrilled with some of the characters choices and didn’t like how fickle Izzy was throughout most of the book. Nevertheless, this was an engaging story that warmed my heart.
This book in emojis 🥄 🤰🏻 ☕️ 🎨 🐑 📩 ☔️
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Do you believe in “the one“? OK full confession- I do not necessarily believe in love at first sight or the one and yet I really enjoyed this story. Both Izzy and Sam were fabulous characters. I found them both so kind, genuine, and likable. Also found them both quite frustrating at times. I wasn’t always thrilled with some of the characters choices and didn’t like how fickle Izzy was throughout most of the book. Nevertheless, this was an engaging story that warmed my heart.
This book in emojis 🥄 🤰🏻 ☕️ 🎨 🐑 📩 ☔️
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
November 8, 2020
I absolutely loved this wonderful Rom-Com.
What if you met The One, your soul mate on the day of his wedding? Izzy meets Sam and it's love at first sight. She is bolder than she has ever been and asks him out only to find out he's getting married. That very day.
Over the next 13 years, Izzy and Sam run into each other a few times but after 13 years, their lives become intertwined.
This is the story of meeting your soul mate at the wrong time and the sacrifices you make for the one true love.
I loved every minute. Some might say it's predictable, some might say a bit cheesy and sappy. All the better in my book. This is an adorable light love story and I am absolutely in love with Izzy and Sam.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was truly my pleasure ❤️
What if you met The One, your soul mate on the day of his wedding? Izzy meets Sam and it's love at first sight. She is bolder than she has ever been and asks him out only to find out he's getting married. That very day.
Over the next 13 years, Izzy and Sam run into each other a few times but after 13 years, their lives become intertwined.
This is the story of meeting your soul mate at the wrong time and the sacrifices you make for the one true love.
I loved every minute. Some might say it's predictable, some might say a bit cheesy and sappy. All the better in my book. This is an adorable light love story and I am absolutely in love with Izzy and Sam.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was truly my pleasure ❤️
January 12, 2022
2,5 stars
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September 29, 2020
Izzy doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but when Sam walks into the cafe where she works one winter’s morning, she knows without a doubt that he’s the one. But unfortunately for her, it’s Sam’s wedding day.
When Izzy and Sam’s paths finally cross again, everything has changed. But neither of them has forgotten each other. With the Atlantic Ocean and decades of baggage between them, they are about to find out whether some obstacles are too big for even true love to overcome.
This was something different compared to what I have read of recent. It focuses on how if two people are soulmates then destiny always brings them together at some point in life.
It was well written with alternating chapters of Izzy and Sam. The plot was good with some decent humor included and the main characters along with their flaws were well depicted. I also enjoyed the email exchange between Izzy and Sam.
The only flaws for me was the subplot of the relationship between Rohan and Emma, which I found irrelevant to the plot and the long time gaps between the different parts in the book, which slightly affected the continuity of the narration.
Nevertheless, a good and sweet debut novel!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
When Izzy and Sam’s paths finally cross again, everything has changed. But neither of them has forgotten each other. With the Atlantic Ocean and decades of baggage between them, they are about to find out whether some obstacles are too big for even true love to overcome.
This was something different compared to what I have read of recent. It focuses on how if two people are soulmates then destiny always brings them together at some point in life.
It was well written with alternating chapters of Izzy and Sam. The plot was good with some decent humor included and the main characters along with their flaws were well depicted. I also enjoyed the email exchange between Izzy and Sam.
The only flaws for me was the subplot of the relationship between Rohan and Emma, which I found irrelevant to the plot and the long time gaps between the different parts in the book, which slightly affected the continuity of the narration.
Nevertheless, a good and sweet debut novel!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
September 24, 2020
1.5 ✫
Izzy and Sam had a gorgeous meet-cute. Fell in love at first sight—ON SAM’S WEDDING DAY.
I thought this book would be good, it started out okay, but then within the first 20% it had jumped 14 years since they met. Their lives had spiralled so far away from each other that I couldn’t grab the connection that was originally intended.
I don’t even know what else to say besides—this wasn’t very good. The majority of contact was emails back and forth and some very unexciting face-to-faces. I usually love online correspondence, but it was all incredibly boring. Except for their meeting, I felt no chemistry. I’m not really sure what this book was even supposed to do, I need so much more than this.
The cover and plot reminded me a little of One Day in December—which I hated for a number of reasons. I thought maybe this might get it right. I was looking for longing, angst and that second chance—I got two people, never being honest and losing half their lives not together. At least there was no cheating.
(ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Izzy and Sam had a gorgeous meet-cute. Fell in love at first sight—ON SAM’S WEDDING DAY.
I thought this book would be good, it started out okay, but then within the first 20% it had jumped 14 years since they met. Their lives had spiralled so far away from each other that I couldn’t grab the connection that was originally intended.
I don’t even know what else to say besides—this wasn’t very good. The majority of contact was emails back and forth and some very unexciting face-to-faces. I usually love online correspondence, but it was all incredibly boring. Except for their meeting, I felt no chemistry. I’m not really sure what this book was even supposed to do, I need so much more than this.
The cover and plot reminded me a little of One Day in December—which I hated for a number of reasons. I thought maybe this might get it right. I was looking for longing, angst and that second chance—I got two people, never being honest and losing half their lives not together. At least there was no cheating.
(ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
October 21, 2020
The premise of this book intrigued me and I was looking forward to reading it but I found The First Time We Met to be just ok. I give it 3 stars for being a light and easy to read romance but found the timeline to be unbelievable. There is a lot of time in between the characters meeting and it just didn't feel realistic they would still be on each other's mind after so many years had passed with no contact. The timeline aspect of the book bothered me but there were good parts. I enjoyed the characters and the misunderstandings along the way to them finding love. The ending was also happy, which I always enjoy. I would recommend this if you like romance books in general and don't mind some unrealistic plot lines.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review #netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review #netgalley
November 11, 2020
Truth to be told, I am not a believer of love at first sight. Still, how can one resist a romance where fate plays a decisive role? Just as the blurb promised Izzy and Sam had a lot of hurdles to overcome. Keeping your love is not as easy as finding the one.
Izzy meets Sam for the first time on his wedding day. There is a chance meeting again after a few years and neither can forget the other. But one is a widower with twins and the other is expecting a child. Finally, after fourteen long years, our story begins. One tiny glitch though; they are both at different ends of the Atlantic.
I did love the way Lovett built up the story around both families. Sam is struggling to find a work-life balance and Izzy is still confused about her feelings towards her ex-husband. Sam's family is in shambles and sometimes I just felt that his children are being a bit hard on him. Well, the novel shows how marriage is also a union of families, smoothening the rough edges and bringing happy tears.
This is my first Jo Lovett book and I am waiting for more. Without a doubt, this one goes straight to my favourite's shelf. Highly recommended!
Izzy meets Sam for the first time on his wedding day. There is a chance meeting again after a few years and neither can forget the other. But one is a widower with twins and the other is expecting a child. Finally, after fourteen long years, our story begins. One tiny glitch though; they are both at different ends of the Atlantic.
I did love the way Lovett built up the story around both families. Sam is struggling to find a work-life balance and Izzy is still confused about her feelings towards her ex-husband. Sam's family is in shambles and sometimes I just felt that his children are being a bit hard on him. Well, the novel shows how marriage is also a union of families, smoothening the rough edges and bringing happy tears.
This is my first Jo Lovett book and I am waiting for more. Without a doubt, this one goes straight to my favourite's shelf. Highly recommended!
November 22, 2020
Right place at the wrong time -- and continues through a fourteen-year-long timeline – with little facetime interaction, but a whole lot of fluffy and monosyllabic e-mails between the two protagonists – leaves a reader flustered and dissatisfied. Where's the chemistry, the spark, the eagerness and yearning?
“The One” plotline was intriguing and certainly grabbed my attention, along with the adorable book cover and blurb. The likable, but under-portrayed, main characters Izzy and Sam, whose happily-ever-after I heartily cheered for, along with a diversified cast of secondary players added both delightfully uplifting and Debbie Downer moments, as well.
With lengthy periods of time between their adorable and quirky meet-greet and several hit-and-miss encounters in between, the ending came far too quickly. There were a number of questions left unanswered – Izzy’s relationship with her mom and her partner definitely called for an extra dose of ‘splainin. Sam’s job situation after he quit his law firm in NYC was never revealed. Where'd he get all that money for a penthouse in NYC, flights back and forth across the pond every month or so, and then a home in London, as well?
Most importantly, front and center was the demand for a lot more “quality time” than was provided before I could be fully onboard with the relationship between Sam and Izzy. Though there were a lot of good parts and the potential for more, the author failed to hit her mark – and let the story slide into the deep waters of “unrealistic and unbelievable.”
A bit of an all-around disappointment.
October 5, 2020
The First Time We Met by Jo Lovett is a heartwarming read that will have you believing in destiny and, more specifically, love at first sight.
When Izzy first lays eyes on handsome Sam, she feels an instant spark. In a moment of impulsivity she asks Sam on a date, only to find out that the timing is not ideal; he is enroute to his own wedding. A year later, Izzy sees Sam again but he appears to look right through her. Alas, he has obviously moved on with his life, and it is time for Izzy to do the same. Fast forward the years, and fate will place Izzy and Sam in each other's paths yet again, but is either still feeling the spark after all of the twists and turns delivered during the intervening years?
This is a story that will have you emotionally invested in the life of each protagonist. Told in a he said/she said format, you will be rooting for destiny to run its true, though meandering, course.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
When Izzy first lays eyes on handsome Sam, she feels an instant spark. In a moment of impulsivity she asks Sam on a date, only to find out that the timing is not ideal; he is enroute to his own wedding. A year later, Izzy sees Sam again but he appears to look right through her. Alas, he has obviously moved on with his life, and it is time for Izzy to do the same. Fast forward the years, and fate will place Izzy and Sam in each other's paths yet again, but is either still feeling the spark after all of the twists and turns delivered during the intervening years?
This is a story that will have you emotionally invested in the life of each protagonist. Told in a he said/she said format, you will be rooting for destiny to run its true, though meandering, course.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
November 12, 2020
I DNFed this book. .
I felt the storyline was eh. I really doubt that 6 and 7 years later that these two would still be this infatuated.
I liked the premise. Not the execution.
I felt the storyline was eh. I really doubt that 6 and 7 years later that these two would still be this infatuated.
I liked the premise. Not the execution.
October 31, 2020
The First Time We Met is a story about finding the right person at the wrong time and how the universe sometimes fights for souls to be together. In a Hallmark movie kind of way.
It’s December in the UK and Izzy, a twenty-something speech therapist, is working her Saturday shift at a café dressed in a Christmas elf costume when Sam shows up to order breakfast and it’s love at first sight. She knows he’s The One. So when he leaves the café, she follows him and asks him out, because that’s what you do when you find The One. The catch? Turns out it’s Sam’s wedding day. Yikes.
Fast forward 11 months. Izzy has been comparing every man to Sam since she met him and fantasizing with running into him. Until she does. And he seems to recognize her when their eyes meet from across the street, but then he turns around. That’s when Izzy decides to forget about him and become a new woman.
Fast forward another 6 years. Izzy is now 8 months pregnant when she runs into Sam. Turns out he remembers her and agrees to join her for a coffee. They talk for hours and she learns that Sam is widowed with twins.
Fast forward another 7 years. Izzy is now separated and still living in the UK when she receives an email from Sam, telling her that he’s now living in New York and has hunted down her email address because he needs a speech therapist’s help for one of his kids and has run out of options. And it’s all kinda slow and predictable from then on.
The characters were fine, but mostly one-dimensional and cookie-cutter. I appreciated the fact that the kids were included in the whole story, I actually really liked Ruby and Barney, but I couldn’t stand Liv. She’s portrayed as an overly entitled, self-absorbed teenage girl, when she could’ve been a much more interesting character if given more depth.
Basically, I loved the concept for this but the execution was too Hallmark movie for me. It was cute but forgettable.
A big thank you to NetGalley an the publishers for an e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
It’s December in the UK and Izzy, a twenty-something speech therapist, is working her Saturday shift at a café dressed in a Christmas elf costume when Sam shows up to order breakfast and it’s love at first sight. She knows he’s The One. So when he leaves the café, she follows him and asks him out, because that’s what you do when you find The One. The catch? Turns out it’s Sam’s wedding day. Yikes.
Fast forward 11 months. Izzy has been comparing every man to Sam since she met him and fantasizing with running into him. Until she does. And he seems to recognize her when their eyes meet from across the street, but then he turns around. That’s when Izzy decides to forget about him and become a new woman.
Fast forward another 6 years. Izzy is now 8 months pregnant when she runs into Sam. Turns out he remembers her and agrees to join her for a coffee. They talk for hours and she learns that Sam is widowed with twins.
Fast forward another 7 years. Izzy is now separated and still living in the UK when she receives an email from Sam, telling her that he’s now living in New York and has hunted down her email address because he needs a speech therapist’s help for one of his kids and has run out of options. And it’s all kinda slow and predictable from then on.
The characters were fine, but mostly one-dimensional and cookie-cutter. I appreciated the fact that the kids were included in the whole story, I actually really liked Ruby and Barney, but I couldn’t stand Liv. She’s portrayed as an overly entitled, self-absorbed teenage girl, when she could’ve been a much more interesting character if given more depth.
Basically, I loved the concept for this but the execution was too Hallmark movie for me. It was cute but forgettable.
A big thank you to NetGalley an the publishers for an e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
October 4, 2020
Look at the cover! Oh, I love everything about it. 😍 I have no shame admitting that I picked up this book by its cover. 💁♀️ When I read the synopsis that this is a book about Izzy who meets a customer named Sam at dining she works in and falls in love from the first sight to discover that it is his wedding date, I was totally hooked. Because second chance romance is my favorite romance trope, I might have had pretty high hopes for this story.
And this book delivers everything, from super meet-cute to some random meetings through the years, up until the moment when they finally both are single at the same time and have their chance to happily ever after. However, the proportion felt off because, in the first part of the book, there are huge jumps in the timeline - a year later, six years later, and then seven years later. Unfortunately, nothing in between. Not a single glimpse of what happens in between from none of the characters. And this made it hard not only to get to know and love them but also to understand how they managed to pin for each other just meeting once per 6 years.
I liked how good was a reality check in this story about a breakup, being a single parent, and guilt that builds from within. I enjoyed reading about character individual growth in this story. Unfortunately, romance was lacking something. I am not sure I can point something specific, rather it was just missing any spark – e-mail exchange was blunt and superficial. There was not longing and hunger that would make them more irrational, which would drive them insane about obstacles that challenge their path to happiness. I think it leads back to the structure of the story that did not allow me to get to know these characters through the years. Aside from that, I found some side characters and events unnecessary for the story as they did not add any value.
Thanks, NetGalley, author, and publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. This book will be released next month.
And this book delivers everything, from super meet-cute to some random meetings through the years, up until the moment when they finally both are single at the same time and have their chance to happily ever after. However, the proportion felt off because, in the first part of the book, there are huge jumps in the timeline - a year later, six years later, and then seven years later. Unfortunately, nothing in between. Not a single glimpse of what happens in between from none of the characters. And this made it hard not only to get to know and love them but also to understand how they managed to pin for each other just meeting once per 6 years.
I liked how good was a reality check in this story about a breakup, being a single parent, and guilt that builds from within. I enjoyed reading about character individual growth in this story. Unfortunately, romance was lacking something. I am not sure I can point something specific, rather it was just missing any spark – e-mail exchange was blunt and superficial. There was not longing and hunger that would make them more irrational, which would drive them insane about obstacles that challenge their path to happiness. I think it leads back to the structure of the story that did not allow me to get to know these characters through the years. Aside from that, I found some side characters and events unnecessary for the story as they did not add any value.
Thanks, NetGalley, author, and publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. This book will be released next month.
November 14, 2020
When Izzy and Sam meet by chance it's love at first sight - at least for Izzy, even though she doesn't believe in it. However, there is a massive problem as it happens to be the day that Sam is marrying Lana. Izzy can't stop thinking about Sam, but eventually meets and marries Dominic. Years later, Sam has never forgotten Izzy - the lovely young woman who asked him for a date outside of the café where she worked on a winter's morning all those years ago. When their paths finally cross again they find out whether some obstacles are too big for true love to overcome.
A heart-warming and satisfying story, The First Time We Met was a joy to read, and I relished every moment. Izzy and Sam were both well-drawn, lovely characters and it was a pleasure to read about their respective families. Sam was so endearing and charming and Izzy was like a breath of fresh air. They made a great pairing and I was rooting for them right from the start. Jo Lovett's writing style really suited me and I loved the brand of humour she incorporated into the story. I will be looking to read more from her in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
A heart-warming and satisfying story, The First Time We Met was a joy to read, and I relished every moment. Izzy and Sam were both well-drawn, lovely characters and it was a pleasure to read about their respective families. Sam was so endearing and charming and Izzy was like a breath of fresh air. They made a great pairing and I was rooting for them right from the start. Jo Lovett's writing style really suited me and I loved the brand of humour she incorporated into the story. I will be looking to read more from her in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 23, 2020
The First Time We Met by Jo Lovett is a contemporary romance novel set in London and New York and at different intervals of time. This December has been all about Christmas and Romance reads for me.
In this story we see Izzy and Sam, who met for the first time in a coffee shop and can't say that was the best first impression for both. It was Sam's wedding day and Izzy's bad day at work. Izzy is a speech therapist and Sam is a lawyer.
After couple of years, both of their paths cross again and they meet for a coffee. Sam's children has had a accident in the past and his boy has developed a habit of stammering. So Sam finds her contact and communication starts over mails and calls.
The story and plot is too good. The writing style is perfect. But the time frame of almost a decade is kinda problematic for me as a reader. The story kinda felt stretched out to me with unnecessary information (like Rohan and Emma's). The characters felt real but the story compilation could have been much better.
____
Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher Bookouture for eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
In this story we see Izzy and Sam, who met for the first time in a coffee shop and can't say that was the best first impression for both. It was Sam's wedding day and Izzy's bad day at work. Izzy is a speech therapist and Sam is a lawyer.
After couple of years, both of their paths cross again and they meet for a coffee. Sam's children has had a accident in the past and his boy has developed a habit of stammering. So Sam finds her contact and communication starts over mails and calls.
The story and plot is too good. The writing style is perfect. But the time frame of almost a decade is kinda problematic for me as a reader. The story kinda felt stretched out to me with unnecessary information (like Rohan and Emma's). The characters felt real but the story compilation could have been much better.
____
Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher Bookouture for eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
December 23, 2020
The First Time We Met by Jo Lovett is a contemporary romance novel set in London and New York and at different intervals of time. This December has been all about Christmas and Romance reads for me.
In this story we see Izzy and Sam, who met for the first time in a coffee shop and can't say that was the best first impression for both. It was Sam's wedding day and Izzy's bad day at work. Izzy is a speech therapist and Sam is a lawyer.
After couple of years, both of their paths cross again and they meet for a coffee. Sam's children has had a accident in the past and his boy has developed a habit of stammering. So Sam finds her contact and communication starts over mails and calls.
The story and plot is too good. The writing style is perfect. But the time frame of almost a decade is kinda problematic for me as a reader. The story kinda felt stretched out to me with unnecessary information (like Rohan and Emma's). The characters felt real but the story compilation could have been much better.
____
Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher Bookouture for eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
In this story we see Izzy and Sam, who met for the first time in a coffee shop and can't say that was the best first impression for both. It was Sam's wedding day and Izzy's bad day at work. Izzy is a speech therapist and Sam is a lawyer.
After couple of years, both of their paths cross again and they meet for a coffee. Sam's children has had a accident in the past and his boy has developed a habit of stammering. So Sam finds her contact and communication starts over mails and calls.
The story and plot is too good. The writing style is perfect. But the time frame of almost a decade is kinda problematic for me as a reader. The story kinda felt stretched out to me with unnecessary information (like Rohan and Emma's). The characters felt real but the story compilation could have been much better.
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Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher Bookouture for eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
November 2, 2020
(4.5 stars)
What a sweet, slow burn romance! When Izzy met Sam she knew he was The One. Only tiny problem was... Sam was getting married that very same day. Many years later, they get in touch again.
I loved both main characters, Sam and Izzy. What I enjoyed the most was reading their emails and how they got to know each other properly.
Perfect for fans of slow romance and cute characters.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. **
What a sweet, slow burn romance! When Izzy met Sam she knew he was The One. Only tiny problem was... Sam was getting married that very same day. Many years later, they get in touch again.
I loved both main characters, Sam and Izzy. What I enjoyed the most was reading their emails and how they got to know each other properly.
Perfect for fans of slow romance and cute characters.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. **
September 29, 2020
What would you do if you met The One, but on his wedding day to another woman? That’s exactly what happened between Izzy and Sam. Now 14 years after the day they met they are both single and brought back into each other’s lives. Will they finally get their shot at a happily ever after?
I was so looking forward to this one, but unfortunately it fell a little flat. I did love the moments Izzy and Sam had together but there more with them apart than together. The beginning and the end were just perfect but I found the middle quite boring.
My one main complaint, and it’s a big one is the inability for both Sam and Izzy to make mature decisions that are best for them & their families. Sam is a hardcore workaholic, who can’t separate his time at the office to raising his tween twins. He’s constantly reminded of his faults in this area but still can’t figure it out until the very end of the book. It just became so annoying and I wanted to shake him to figure his life out. On the other hand Izzy is so sweet but she is torn between what is best for her family life and what she truly needs when it comes to her separation with her husband.
Overall, I loved Izzy and Sam when they were together it was just the time apart from each other, that was 70% of the book that I couldn’t get past. Some might totally love this one, it just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
I was so looking forward to this one, but unfortunately it fell a little flat. I did love the moments Izzy and Sam had together but there more with them apart than together. The beginning and the end were just perfect but I found the middle quite boring.
My one main complaint, and it’s a big one is the inability for both Sam and Izzy to make mature decisions that are best for them & their families. Sam is a hardcore workaholic, who can’t separate his time at the office to raising his tween twins. He’s constantly reminded of his faults in this area but still can’t figure it out until the very end of the book. It just became so annoying and I wanted to shake him to figure his life out. On the other hand Izzy is so sweet but she is torn between what is best for her family life and what she truly needs when it comes to her separation with her husband.
Overall, I loved Izzy and Sam when they were together it was just the time apart from each other, that was 70% of the book that I couldn’t get past. Some might totally love this one, it just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
January 12, 2024
Synopsis:
The First Time We Met tells the intricate story of Sam and Izzy through the years. They first met when Izzy hits on Sam on his wedding day, and part of him (most of him) wants to say yes, but it is not the right time for them. Years later, when they are both single, they find again and try to fit into each other’s lives.
Opinion (and spoilers):
This was such an interesting story about fate and destiny; about two people who were predestined to be together. I have to admit soul mates is a trope that I really enjoy in literature, along with slow burn (although it was too slow for my opinion). The best way I would describe this novel for me is a guilty pleasure, which is not a bad thing at all, quite the opposite. On a less positive note, I think the insta-love was a bit too much, considering the shortness of their first meeting and all.
Most of the plot was very predictable to me, although it was not an impediment to keep reading, as I like to guess what is about to happen, and at a certain point it the story it made me doubt if they would even end up together at all. The writing wasn’t always my cup of tea, with me being the number one supporter of academic writing, but it was not terrible.
The First Time We Met tells the intricate story of Sam and Izzy through the years. They first met when Izzy hits on Sam on his wedding day, and part of him (most of him) wants to say yes, but it is not the right time for them. Years later, when they are both single, they find again and try to fit into each other’s lives.
Opinion (and spoilers):
This was such an interesting story about fate and destiny; about two people who were predestined to be together. I have to admit soul mates is a trope that I really enjoy in literature, along with slow burn (although it was too slow for my opinion). The best way I would describe this novel for me is a guilty pleasure, which is not a bad thing at all, quite the opposite. On a less positive note, I think the insta-love was a bit too much, considering the shortness of their first meeting and all.
Most of the plot was very predictable to me, although it was not an impediment to keep reading, as I like to guess what is about to happen, and at a certain point it the story it made me doubt if they would even end up together at all. The writing wasn’t always my cup of tea, with me being the number one supporter of academic writing, but it was not terrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
This was a cute, easy read, slow burn romance. Loved the idea of the way they met. Just seemed like it took so long for them to meet again. Totally feels like a 90’s film.
Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this one.
Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this one.
May 23, 2025
rtc !
September 28, 2020
3.5-rounded-up-to-four stars for me!
Thirteen is my lucky number, too ;)
Izzy and Sam’s story was new to me, given that I haven’t read many insta-love tropes, but it was kind of endearing, too. And the cover is super cute and minimalistic! Keeping things simple!
Izzy and Sam meet on Sam’s wedding day over burned bacon and greasy breakfast food, and instantly, both of them (unbeknownst to each other) know they’ve found The One. They don’t do anything about it quite then, but it stays in the back of their minds as the years fly by and life gets more and more complicated.
This book included many of the classic rom-com tropes, had a slow-burn and felt slightly indulgent in the sense that you’d have to suspend your disbelief to thoroughly enjoy it. And for someone like me who needs book escapes, this was a perfect read! It also had quite a fairytale-type feel to it, which is always wonderful, and best of all...no cheating!
The characters were truly enjoyable. Izzy was clearly not a typical rom-com heroine 100% of the time. With how much time we spent in her head, I could pick up on all those independent-don’t-need-no-man vibes from her, and at parts, the men in her life weren’t first priorities. I enjoyed that because her plotline, while connected to Sam, didn’t revolve completely around him.
Sam was a pleasant surprise, with all those emails and the clear devotion to try to balance all parts of his life. We’ve all been there, and given that I’m working through that right now, something about that resonated with me as well. He had the right amount of vulnerability to him, and I could feel his fatigue through the pages.
One thing that made it slightly difficult for me to connect to the book were the time jumps. Part One had quite a few and it made it hard for me to keep track of how old is everyone? and what year is it? and how much time has passed? When the book’s narrative moved into more present tense, that’s when I began to enjoy it much more. I did think the ending was a little rushed as well, and somehow, I had been expecting it to be slower given the factors between them, the adjustments they would’ve had to take. Again, the epilogue gave us another time jump that had me feeling I missed a lot of important things about them!
Still, this was enjoyable! I’d recommend this to fans of rom-coms - a great, light afternoon read!
[Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review]
Thirteen is my lucky number, too ;)
Izzy and Sam’s story was new to me, given that I haven’t read many insta-love tropes, but it was kind of endearing, too. And the cover is super cute and minimalistic! Keeping things simple!
Izzy and Sam meet on Sam’s wedding day over burned bacon and greasy breakfast food, and instantly, both of them (unbeknownst to each other) know they’ve found The One. They don’t do anything about it quite then, but it stays in the back of their minds as the years fly by and life gets more and more complicated.
This book included many of the classic rom-com tropes, had a slow-burn and felt slightly indulgent in the sense that you’d have to suspend your disbelief to thoroughly enjoy it. And for someone like me who needs book escapes, this was a perfect read! It also had quite a fairytale-type feel to it, which is always wonderful, and best of all...no cheating!
The characters were truly enjoyable. Izzy was clearly not a typical rom-com heroine 100% of the time. With how much time we spent in her head, I could pick up on all those independent-don’t-need-no-man vibes from her, and at parts, the men in her life weren’t first priorities. I enjoyed that because her plotline, while connected to Sam, didn’t revolve completely around him.
Sam was a pleasant surprise, with all those emails and the clear devotion to try to balance all parts of his life. We’ve all been there, and given that I’m working through that right now, something about that resonated with me as well. He had the right amount of vulnerability to him, and I could feel his fatigue through the pages.
One thing that made it slightly difficult for me to connect to the book were the time jumps. Part One had quite a few and it made it hard for me to keep track of how old is everyone? and what year is it? and how much time has passed? When the book’s narrative moved into more present tense, that’s when I began to enjoy it much more. I did think the ending was a little rushed as well, and somehow, I had been expecting it to be slower given the factors between them, the adjustments they would’ve had to take. Again, the epilogue gave us another time jump that had me feeling I missed a lot of important things about them!
Still, this was enjoyable! I’d recommend this to fans of rom-coms - a great, light afternoon read!
[Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review]
March 23, 2021
Imagine meeting The One on his wedding day? Izzy is working Saturdays at a greasy spoon at Christmas, dodging the sexist comments and dishing out fried bread to all and sundry when she meets Sam. It's love at first sight, but when she plucks up the courage to ask him out she finds out that he is having a pre-wedding breakfast.
Sam and Izzy both move on but neither of them can ever quite forget that first meeting. Seven years later, by chance they run into each other. Izzy is heavily pregnant and they spend an innocent couple of hours in a café talking.
Fast forward another six years and things have changed. Izzy is separated from her husband Dominic, she has a six year old daughter Ruby and a thriving speech therapy practice. Sam's back living in New York with his thirteen year old twins Liv and Barney. After a terrible accident Liv has been physically injured but Barney has developed a debilitating stammer, something twelve separate speech therapists have been unable to help. In desperation, Sam reaches out to Izzy.
What follows is a cross-Atlantic, slow-burn romance, akin to You've Got Mail. Sam and Izzy email each other about Barney's progress and gradually share more and more of their personal lives, but how can they ever be more than just friends when their lives are thousands of miles apart?
I bought this on the strength of reading an ARC of a new book by Jo Lovett, then I was reluctant to start reading because, meeting the love of your life on their wedding day, sounded a bit icky. I had visions of Sam calling off the wedding, or some kind of Bridget Jones OTT behaviour. Of course it was nothing like that at all. It was a charming, thoughtful, grown-up romance and I loved it.
Sam and Izzy both move on but neither of them can ever quite forget that first meeting. Seven years later, by chance they run into each other. Izzy is heavily pregnant and they spend an innocent couple of hours in a café talking.
Fast forward another six years and things have changed. Izzy is separated from her husband Dominic, she has a six year old daughter Ruby and a thriving speech therapy practice. Sam's back living in New York with his thirteen year old twins Liv and Barney. After a terrible accident Liv has been physically injured but Barney has developed a debilitating stammer, something twelve separate speech therapists have been unable to help. In desperation, Sam reaches out to Izzy.
What follows is a cross-Atlantic, slow-burn romance, akin to You've Got Mail. Sam and Izzy email each other about Barney's progress and gradually share more and more of their personal lives, but how can they ever be more than just friends when their lives are thousands of miles apart?
I bought this on the strength of reading an ARC of a new book by Jo Lovett, then I was reluctant to start reading because, meeting the love of your life on their wedding day, sounded a bit icky. I had visions of Sam calling off the wedding, or some kind of Bridget Jones OTT behaviour. Of course it was nothing like that at all. It was a charming, thoughtful, grown-up romance and I loved it.
September 22, 2020
What if you met the one, but it was just not the right time or the right place. The concept of this trope has been handled before in books (Just think about One day in December or the day we met, but it is kind of a trope I really tend to enjoy.
And boy did I enjoy The First Time We Met. In the first chapter we meet heroine Izzy, who doesn’t believe in love at first sight. But when she serves breakfast to the hansom and charismatic Sam, she is swept of her feet. Sam is the one, Izzy is sure of it. But when she runs after him on the street and asks him out, reality hits her. Sam is about to get married in a couple of hours.
From there on, we follow Izzy and Sam trough the years. Finally almost a decade later their paths intertwine once again, but they both have a lot of baggage and are living on different continents.
Although I dived in this book for the romance aspect of it, I was surprised to quickly realize that the strongest feature of this book was not in fact the relationship between Izzy and Sam. It was the overall story-line and how very realistic it felt.
We have Izzy, a strong female character who is trying to be a good wife, a good daughter, a good friend and a good mother all at the same time. She trying to navigate a minefield of emotions and she genially cares for other people. Sometimes even a little bit to much. I loved how determined she once, but was still battling with insecurities. Izzy is the type of woman I would love to have a cup of tea with and call her my friend.
On the other hand there was Sam, with his own baggage, but also with his own insecurities. Sam’s character was crafted so well that you saw what a good guy he was, but at the same time you wanted to yell at him that he was handling life all wrong. Sam really made a mess of his family and professional life, but in a relatable way that makes you feel sorry for him.
Even the side characters were well fleshed out and had their own story to tell. Because of these well-developed characters and the overall story arc The First Time We Met felt like following real people in their day to day life instead of reading a romance story. So well crafted!
The only minor point of critique is immediately a very personal issues I had with the book. I love a adult romance book to have one or two steamy scenes. Come on, we are all adults. And when you are writing about lust and love… well, you need to show the passion and the sparks. This was one of the things I truly missed in the story. But that is just me.
An absolute recommendation and one of the better feel good novels I read this year!
And boy did I enjoy The First Time We Met. In the first chapter we meet heroine Izzy, who doesn’t believe in love at first sight. But when she serves breakfast to the hansom and charismatic Sam, she is swept of her feet. Sam is the one, Izzy is sure of it. But when she runs after him on the street and asks him out, reality hits her. Sam is about to get married in a couple of hours.
From there on, we follow Izzy and Sam trough the years. Finally almost a decade later their paths intertwine once again, but they both have a lot of baggage and are living on different continents.
Although I dived in this book for the romance aspect of it, I was surprised to quickly realize that the strongest feature of this book was not in fact the relationship between Izzy and Sam. It was the overall story-line and how very realistic it felt.
We have Izzy, a strong female character who is trying to be a good wife, a good daughter, a good friend and a good mother all at the same time. She trying to navigate a minefield of emotions and she genially cares for other people. Sometimes even a little bit to much. I loved how determined she once, but was still battling with insecurities. Izzy is the type of woman I would love to have a cup of tea with and call her my friend.
On the other hand there was Sam, with his own baggage, but also with his own insecurities. Sam’s character was crafted so well that you saw what a good guy he was, but at the same time you wanted to yell at him that he was handling life all wrong. Sam really made a mess of his family and professional life, but in a relatable way that makes you feel sorry for him.
Even the side characters were well fleshed out and had their own story to tell. Because of these well-developed characters and the overall story arc The First Time We Met felt like following real people in their day to day life instead of reading a romance story. So well crafted!
The only minor point of critique is immediately a very personal issues I had with the book. I love a adult romance book to have one or two steamy scenes. Come on, we are all adults. And when you are writing about lust and love… well, you need to show the passion and the sparks. This was one of the things I truly missed in the story. But that is just me.
An absolute recommendation and one of the better feel good novels I read this year!
November 9, 2020
That was an adorable feel-good kind of read. Hallmark movie in a book.
I was so happy to start reading this and see that the main character, Izzy, is a speech therapist who specializes in stammers (stuttering). I'm not sure that I've seen my profession in a book before and it's always nice to feel a personal connection through representation.
I really enjoyed the overall sweetness of this story - two people who met at the wrong time who carry a torch for each other for years. Izzy & Sam treat their respective partners with respect and love (and loyalty), but they just don't have the instant passion and connection they felt when meeting The One. I'm happy that this story didn't go down the path of cheating or betrayal and I liked that we got to know Izzy & Sam separately. I liked that they were able to connect through their kids and I enjoyed hearing about their different lives apart from the central love story.
I also liked hearing about different kinds of love - the kind that comes from mutual respect and partnership when raising a kid together, the kind that blooms between a parent (or grandparent) and kid when that kid needs someone to depend on, and the kind of the love that exists between good friends (Emma really pulled it out in the end).
If you're in the mood for a pallette cleanser and you just need to smile at a happy ending, this one should do the trick.
I was so happy to start reading this and see that the main character, Izzy, is a speech therapist who specializes in stammers (stuttering). I'm not sure that I've seen my profession in a book before and it's always nice to feel a personal connection through representation.
I really enjoyed the overall sweetness of this story - two people who met at the wrong time who carry a torch for each other for years. Izzy & Sam treat their respective partners with respect and love (and loyalty), but they just don't have the instant passion and connection they felt when meeting The One. I'm happy that this story didn't go down the path of cheating or betrayal and I liked that we got to know Izzy & Sam separately. I liked that they were able to connect through their kids and I enjoyed hearing about their different lives apart from the central love story.
I also liked hearing about different kinds of love - the kind that comes from mutual respect and partnership when raising a kid together, the kind that blooms between a parent (or grandparent) and kid when that kid needs someone to depend on, and the kind of the love that exists between good friends (Emma really pulled it out in the end).
If you're in the mood for a pallette cleanser and you just need to smile at a happy ending, this one should do the trick.
November 11, 2020
Thank you @netgalley and @bookouture for the arc! This title was released November 10, 2020.
This book was released at such a perfect time. I am actually American and I recently moved to England to be with my British husband. The characters of this book are the same nationalities as us but reversed! It was really fun to read a dynamic that I know so well.
I am a huge fan of slow-burn romances and romances that span for years because it is never the right timing. This story was greatly satisfying in that aspect. The circumstances were believable and the yearning was excellent. Sam was so charming and Izzy was so refreshing and smart. A gorgeous pairing I was rooting for the whole time.
Overall, this was such a delight. It was advertised for fans of One Day in December and I couldn’t agree more! Plus, there was major You’ve Got Mail vibes and then there was a reference at the end that solidified it. Definitely recommend to fans of either of those and of course, contemporary romance fans!
This book was released at such a perfect time. I am actually American and I recently moved to England to be with my British husband. The characters of this book are the same nationalities as us but reversed! It was really fun to read a dynamic that I know so well.
I am a huge fan of slow-burn romances and romances that span for years because it is never the right timing. This story was greatly satisfying in that aspect. The circumstances were believable and the yearning was excellent. Sam was so charming and Izzy was so refreshing and smart. A gorgeous pairing I was rooting for the whole time.
Overall, this was such a delight. It was advertised for fans of One Day in December and I couldn’t agree more! Plus, there was major You’ve Got Mail vibes and then there was a reference at the end that solidified it. Definitely recommend to fans of either of those and of course, contemporary romance fans!
Want to read
September 26, 2020I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley.
did-not-finish
November 12, 2020I did not finish this book.
I felt the story was drab and the writing was eh. I made it to 25% before I called it quits
I felt the story was drab and the writing was eh. I made it to 25% before I called it quits
December 10, 2020
When Izzy and Sam first met there was an instant spark. But too bad they met when he about to get married. Then they met again after a few years. They got married, have kids, move to another coutry but they still can't forget each other. It's weird right? You married someone but that someone is not your real soulmate. You met 'The Right One' but at a wrong time and that thing did happened right? Btw I don't believe in love at first sight. But I did enjoyed reading this story.
It took them 14 years to finally admitted that they love each other.
Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for The First Time We Met ARC!
It took them 14 years to finally admitted that they love each other.
Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for The First Time We Met ARC!
July 24, 2025
Cute but it’s crazy bananas that they got engaged after seeing each other in person thrice
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