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The Moment I Met You

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An unmissable novel of love, disaster, heartbreak, and unexpected happy endings, by the bestselling British author of Maybe One Day.

"When I was twenty-six years old my world was literally turned upside down and inside out, like a coat pocket being excavated for loose change. It was terrible, and frightening, and it taught me a lot of things I never wanted to know."

Elena Godwin has scrimped and saved for a relaxing dream holiday in Mexico with her handsome but laddish boyfriend Harry. Life has felt a bit less exciting than she'd imagined her twenties would be, and she's hoping the trip will add some sizzle. But on a gorgeous summer evening an earthquake strikes--shattering their peaceful vacation. The trauma changes Elena's life forever.

Ten years later, Elena still can't forget the face of the stranger she met that night--the man who may have saved her life. When they're suddenly and unexpectedly thrown back together again, Elena starts to uncover the truth around that fateful night, and question whether she should have lived her life differently in the years afterwards.

What if it's not too late?

1 pages, Audio CD

Published March 8, 2022

183 people are currently reading
8500 people want to read

About the author

Debbie Johnson

31 books910 followers
Debbie Johnson is an award-winning author who lives and works in Liverpool, where she divides her time between writing, caring for a small tribe of children and animals, and not doing the housework.

She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1,000,000 books worldwide. She is published globally in many different languages, and has had two books optioned for film and TV.

Her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series, The A-Z of Everything, Maybe One Day, The Moment I Met You, Falling for You and the Starshine Cove books.

She is also the author of supernatural crime thriller, Fear No Evil, and urban fantasies Dark Vision and Dark Touch.

source: Amazon

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5 stars
1,373 (40%)
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1,237 (36%)
3 stars
596 (17%)
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142 (4%)
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47 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 415 reviews
Profile Image for Kaceey.
1,514 reviews4,532 followers
December 31, 2021
In the words of Taylor Swift, “I remember it all too well”.

There are people able to navigate all of love's hit and misses and able to move on…forever optimistic.

Then there are those destined to love once for life. Living in the present, yet desperately clutching to the past.
❤️‍🩹

Elena and Harry are on the trip of a lifetime, traveling from the UK to Mexico. Their relationship has been on rocky ground for some time, and Elena is having growing pains. They hope this trip is just what the doctor ordered to get their lives and love back on track.

Stepping out of their five-star resort they take a bus tour to a remote village. What starts at a magical evening takes a drastic turn when an earthquake rocks the town. And when the dust settles… it’s utter devastation.

A deeply emotional, beautiful story of life, love, sacrifice and courage.

I adored Elena and how she unselfishly put everyone ahead of herself and her own needs. Her story was inspiring and powerful. Her inner strength in the decisions she made was remarkable. I felt as though I was right along-side, taking this inspiring journey with her.

Of course, by the end I was reduced to a whimpering puddle of tears! Oh come on…you know what a softie I am!💁🏻‍♀️

This is one of those rare reads that touched my heart and will stay with me for a very long time.

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House
Profile Image for Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader.
2,785 reviews31.9k followers
May 31, 2022
Debbie Johnson writes some of the most charming, comforting, sweet stories with depth, too. I love how her latest two have these similarly designed covers. 😍

About the book: “An unmissable novel of love, disaster, heartbreak, and unexpected happy endings, by the bestselling British author of Maybe One Day.”

"When I was twenty-six years old my world was literally turned upside down and inside out, like a coat pocket being excavated for loose change. It was terrible, and frightening, and it taught me a lot of things I never wanted to know."

Elena has been saving for a trip to Mexico with her boyfriend Harry. She’s hoping the trip will spice up her life a little. Poor Elena. While on vacation, an earthquake hits, and it’s devastating in many ways.

It’s ten years later, and Elena still thinks of the mysterious man who saved her life. Their paths cross out of the blue, and Elena learns more about what happened. What she learns makes her question everything.

You can’t help but love Elena, and this story was so much more emotional and powerful than I expected with its super cute cover. I’ve been along for the ride with Debbie Johnson’s books as they evolved over the years. I’m loving this new direction she’s taking. Her storytelling is perfectly suited. This is beautifully told and has so much heart. I can’t wait for more.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Profile Image for Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays).
5,151 reviews3,119 followers
March 21, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
Overall I appreciated this story and liked the journey Elena went on through the tale.

This was a fast read for me. I wanted to find out what would happen in both the present and future.

Elena and her long time boyfriend Harry go on a trip to Mexico. She is reconsidering their relationship and thinks they are headed in different directions in life. While they are there, she meets a fellow traveler and they have a deep conversation. Tragedy strikes, and Elena is forced to make choices she had never considered before. Fast forward ten years, and she is looking back and wondering if she has made the correct choices or if there's a chance for her to reconsider despite all that has happened.

This book is a contemplative book that made me frustrated a bit with Elena at times. I know, I have an outsider's perspective and I am not emotionally invested like she was. That's what made this book intriguing and made me appreciate it more overall.

If you're looking for a thoughtful novel with flawed, interesting characters, then you should check this one out.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jayne.
1,033 reviews673 followers
October 20, 2022
In one brief, tumultuous moment, life can change forever.

This is a novel about love, disaster, and deeply flawed characters making wrong decisions for the right reasons.

Although the book was well-written, it was very, very, very slow-paced and tedious, especially in the middle of the book.

The book's protagonist's inability to put her own needs above her husband's needs was exasperating and difficult to stomach at times.

I listened to the 11-hour audiobook that easily could have been an 8-hour audiobook.

The book's premise was very similar to Katherine Center's "How To Walk Away".

This was my first book by author Debbie Johnson and I look forward to listening to the author's future titles.
Profile Image for Katie B.
1,728 reviews3,172 followers
March 17, 2022
I was excited to get my hands on a copy of The Moment I Met You because I absolutely loved Debbie Johnson's previous book, Maybe One Day. With both novels, you get a lead character who is on a journey to finding fulfillment in life. Love is an ongoing theme but it's incorporated in a more meaningful way than a typical fluffy romance novel. (Not that there's anything wrong with that, as I love those types of books as well.)

Elena Godwin has dated her boyfriend for years. A good way to describe their relationship is comfortable and familiar. While the two of them are on vacation in Mexico, Elena meets a fellow traveler in their tour group. Then tragedy strikes and it will impact Elena's life forever. Ten years later, Elena is reflecting back on that trip and the decisions she made in the aftermath.

What is love? That's the burning question in this story. It's hard not to think about your own romantic relationships while reading this book. Elena's thoughts and feelings really resonated with me. To put it into basic terms, I totally got her and understood her. It's a nice thing to be able to connect with a character.

My only slight issue is how we got to the ending. I liked the final destination but didn't care for the detour the author took to get there. It's a trope that is unoriginal and the writing is too good to go down that easy road. The personal growth of the main character was the strength of the author's last novel, and I felt like I got cheated out of that in this one.

With that being said, I still adore this book and highly recommend checking out this author if you haven't done so.

Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.





Profile Image for anouk♡ semi-hiatus.
381 reviews6 followers
August 25, 2022
When I started this book, I hadn't read the blurb. I thought I was starting in a fun, cute, and easy summer book… boy, was I wrong.
This book is full of drama, tragedy and heartbreak.

Elena and Harry are on vacation in Mexico when tragedy strikes. This will change the lives of them and everyone around them forever. We experience this trauma with them and then fast forward 9 years to see how they coped with everything and how their lives have turned out.

I find the premise of the story very interesting.
It is beautifully written, but very slow.
But maybe a little too slow for my taste?
It was also kind of repetitive. Some phrases were used over and over, they kept struggling with the same problems.. And I'm not talking about the emotional trauma of a tragedy, of course, but there were a lot of problems that they created themselves by not communicating.

I didn't find the ending very satisfying. I feel like one character had to be taken down a bit to make the other look better. I would also have liked to have spent a little more time with Alex. To me, the flow of the story wasn't quite right there… he's such a big part of the story, it seems weird to have so little of him actually in it.

Last but not least, let’s talk about Harry. His character is the most confusing part of this book. Throughout the book, all we hear is ‘It’s hard to not like Harry’, but then he’s portrayed towards us as a bit of a dickhead.. Very easy to dislike! So, how does that add up?
Also, some revelations and the ending really did him dirty.

All in all, not a bad book. It's an interesting storyline, but I don't think it's for me.
Profile Image for Hannah.
601 reviews118 followers
July 14, 2021
Now this one was everything I liked about a book. An interesting storyline with depth, characters who were real and a sort of happy ending but with sadness surrounding it. More finding the light through the darkness. So not soppy.

Elena was a favourite of mine she was likeable and you could follow her easily. On holiday in Mexico unsure if she wants to be with boyfriend or should we say soon to be fiancee anymore. She meets a man named Alex. I was instantly drawn to this swedish guy over Harry.

Disaster strikes and proves one second change change your life and everyone around you. Elena makes the wrong choice to me and it does not make her a bad person but a real one. One who is grieving and thinking of a man she cares about but does not love in my eyes.

Ten years later is the anniversary of the disaster. Harry has grown on me so much. He is still a little annoying but even with the actions he chooses does not irritate me so much. I can even see why. They have all come so far and in a way grow together.

The characters are so well written you can see why they do what they do.

Alex made up for one book I read hating the Alex. I can now go back to having Alex book boyfriends.

Easily 5 Stars
Profile Image for book bruin.
1,526 reviews353 followers
September 15, 2022
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 4 stars

Oof. This one hurt. It's a love story, but mainly it's a journey about living. The story is broken into 2 parts - the past and present, with a 10 year gap between. Elena, Harry, and Alex broke my heart. It seems so black and white what should have happened to everyone, but the way Debbie Johnson wove this story, it really was so layered and complex. There was no easy or clear pathway in sight. I think Harry said it best that the wrong things were done for the right reasons, which ultimately led to only more heartache. I don't agree with all the decisions these characters made, but I could certainly understand why they made the choices they did. I could have done without the reveals about Harry at the end and I felt those were mainly thrown in to make readers feel better about Elena's situation, but I can see how those served as the catalyst for Elena becoming Elena again. The narration by Kirsty Dillon was wonderful and she really did such a beautiful job with this emotional story. I could truly feel the pain and heartache of these characters, but also their joy too. Although the book concludes on a hopeful and happy note, I don't think my heart can take a re-read in the future.

CW: Catastrophic natural disaster (earthquake) resulting in death, trauma, survivor's guilt, and the partial paralysis of one of the MC's. Death of loved ones (prior to the start of the novel, cancer related), grief, anxiety/panic attacks, miscarriage, discussion/mentions of disability discrimination, the FMC and one of the MMC's kiss OW/OM when they're boyfriend & girlfriend and then have emotional affairs later when they're married (past)

*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*
Profile Image for Sarah | Kerosene.Lit.
1,140 reviews656 followers
December 28, 2022
Another heart-wrenching, bittersweet story that kept me glued to the pages! I hadn't read the synopsis since its release, so I was not expecting the adrenaline rush this brought within the first few chapters.

While on vacation with her boyfriend in Mexico, hoping to reignite the spark between them, a catastrophic earthquake drastically changes the path for Elena and Harry. This story is told in two parts: the earthquake moment itself and nine years later in Cornwall.

Somewhat trapped in a life of wrong choices for the right reasons, Elena's feelings of obligation were deeply complicated. Her internal dialogue was so honest, so hard to read at times, but impossible not to emphasize with.

And the whirlwind situation she develops with Alex, a stranger from the accident who saved her life, is equally as complicated. I was a little put off initially by their rapid romantic feelings, to be honest. But given the unique circumstances, it was also believable. From beginning to end, their interactions are limited, happening mostly off-page, but you could truly feel the longing between them in those brief moments. The last chapter had my heart clenched.

With a focus on trauma and healing, I really loved seeing the differing paths one shared event led these characters. This was a really beautiful, unique, and emotional read. I'll never forget it!

(heat level: closed door)
Profile Image for Megan Stitz.
83 reviews1,227 followers
June 20, 2022
3.5. Wish this book was paced differently. I found myself wanting to skip over some parts and then the parts that I preferred were not very long.
Profile Image for Ele (bookishnora).
190 reviews11 followers
July 2, 2022
2,5 ⭐️

Finally free! oh gosh this was a lot..

I still don’t know how this author’s writing can be so good but feel so dry at the same time.
I would have eat this story big time if only done right and if it had me made feel something but alas…
the execution was all over the place, it dragged a lot and focused on all the wrong characters/situations.

Alex deserved so much more space i mean come on, you can’t label a book as romance and then have the male character disappear after the 30% mark.
I can’t believe i got stuck with ass*ole!henry for the majority of the book just…wtf??

truly a shame it had so much potential

Profile Image for Ciera Stitz.
26 reviews1,247 followers
March 2, 2023
3.5- was going to be 4, but the author destroys any semblance of ambiguity that would have gone into the MC’s decision making, which made the ending a little too easy.
Profile Image for Sharon Goodwin.
868 reviews145 followers
June 26, 2021
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/roman...

I don’t know where to start or how to find the words. I’m still experiencing the after effects of this fabulous story … and I have to think about how I can skip around what I really want to say because no spoilers!

Elena narrates in the first person and I was drawn to her from the very first. I loved her warmth, her wit and her wisdom and wanted to be friends with this woman.

She can feel a change coming again but before we find out more (oh the suspense!), we’re taken back 9 years when Elena and Harry are on holiday. And OMG, those scenes and what happened seared onto my heart. It’s so visceral – in fact the whole story was that way for me. I felt everything so deeply. Such an array of feelings …

Life becomes complicated. She teaches herself different strategies to cope but she’s just coasting along. And then an anniversary comes around and after a lot of soul searching, she decides she’ll take part in the documentary which brings those long-buried feelings to the surface and enables her to move forward.

I loved the relationship she has with the documentary maker Em. To be honest she doesn’t have much support for her own needs throughout the story so this lifeline was well overdue!

The Moment I Met You was a page turner for me and I couldn’t put it down, reading into the early hours. It’s the most emotional love story I’ve read this year and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Profile Image for Joanne Ragona.
679 reviews30 followers
February 25, 2022
***4.5 STARS***

I was not expecting such an emotionally packed story…the cover kind of depicts a whimsy romance but this book is so much more than that.

The story backtracks ten years to a romantic holiday for Elena and Harry. Elena however is struggling with her feelings for Harry and the life she wants to lead. A meeting with a stranger has Elena pouring out her feelings when suddenly disaster strikes. Elena and Alex are forced to help each other survive, and in the process a very special relationship is formed.

The aftermath proves to be difficult for everyone, a journey shrouded with lies, heartbreak, pain and sadness. As the 10 year mark of that horrible night in Mexico approaches, Elena discovers many truths that will change her life. She learns that surviving does not mean living and that doing the wrong thing for the right reasons will never bring happiness. I really enjoyed Elena’s story and the process of discovering how our choices lead to different stops on our journey. And how moments are truly precious and life changing.

My only gripe: I wanted more. Or at least an epilogue. Elena went through so much, years of insecurities, what-ifs, and could have beens. I wanted more of her happily ever after. Which just confirms how much I loved this story and how I didn’t want it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Milly Johnson.
Author 52 books2,137 followers
July 14, 2022
Probably my favourite of all Debbie's books. I thought it was exquisite with a story line that blew me away and it's so beautifully written. I didn't think it would end how it did so that was a surprise but I was totally hooked.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,249 reviews611 followers
March 19, 2022
The Moment I Met You is my first time reading Debbie Johnson but it certainly will not be my last! This was a very emotional read, and as it had been a minute since I read the synopsis, I had totally forgotten that the story centers around an earthquake. That was quite a shock since I wasn't expecting it, and it was a very sad and tense part of the book. Part one centers around Elena's vacation and a man she meets right before the earthquake happens then goes on to describe the tragedy. Then we get to part two which jumps forward to 9 years later and focuses on what Elena's life is like now. I really liked how things ended up coming full circle from beginning to end and there is a shock at the end that I wasn't expecting at all.

There is also a great audiobook for The Moment I Met You which is narrated by Kirsty Dillon, and she is completely amazing. I loved her voice and everything about her narration was spot on, especially the emotional bits of which there were a lot. I am really shocked that she has only narrated a couple of books, and I am so glad she helped bring this story and its characters to life. The Moment I Met You falls into the women's fiction category, and even though I don't read too much of it, I am incredibly glad I got to read this one and experience Johnson's immersive writing skills. I felt like I was right in the book, and she did a great job with the characters and making them seem like real, flawed beings. I also loved the nod to Taylor Swift, and honestly, the whole story kind of felt like one of her songs and that made me love it even more.

Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Alison.
3,688 reviews145 followers
June 24, 2021
Three and a half stars.

Elena Godwin was on holiday in Mexico with her long-term boyfriend, after two weeks away she has come to the conclusion that they are no longer in love and don't have very much in common. An innocent conversation with a fellow tourist at a tour stop creates a frisson of excitement and a hint of something more, when a tragedy changes her life forever. Ten years later, her life changed irrevocably, Elena is approached to take part in a documentary about the events that took place. As Elena recalls the events of that day, she also uncovers a number of secrets that lead her to question the choices she made.

I've been deliberately vague so as not to spoil the story which unfolds through flashbacks and interviews. However, it reminded me strongly of the film Cousins and TBH I pretty much guessed all of the 'reveals' pretty early on. I have a feeling that I've read something similar before but I've looked and can't find the book(s) I'm thinking of.

Anyway, it's Debbie Johnson so the writing was good and the story drew me in, but I wouldn't say it was heart-breaking. I think Elena was just too perfect for me to truly relate, not a doormat precisely but just too nice, too good, too uncomplaining.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release
Profile Image for Jana.
280 reviews7 followers
January 29, 2022
I was excited for this one b/c it was not going to be your 1 millionth same love story it was going to be different part thriller...the author messed up by telling you the ending in the beginning and then it became a waste of time b/c it was literally a waste of lives and just depressing and you weren't even happy at the end...
Profile Image for Momma Leighellen’s Book Nook.
957 reviews284 followers
July 1, 2022
This is a tough one to review.

I try to write my reviews while everything is fresh in my mind. While my emotions are still raw and my feelings strong. But sometimes a book comes along that I have to chew on. Books that make you think or book that you need to discuss.

“Daily existence, in all its tarnished glory, is full of small miracles if we pay close enough attention.”

It’s rare that a RomCom can do that to me. Usually it’s a historical fiction book or literary fiction that makes me pause and reflect. But The Moment I Met You is special. Yes, at its base it’s a story about choosing to "do the right thing", of staying true and showing up. The story follows a young woman who suffers a horrible tragedy and stands by her man through it all.

“Change is all around us. Nothing stays the same, even when you want it to. That’s the thing about these moments that make up our lives - they all pass. Moments become memories, memories become stories, things that happened to someone else, the person we used to be.”

But it’s not just a what if story. It looks at the core of who we are. What is our why? What drives our decisions? And what does it take to make different ones? Who are we choosing to please and why? And what if we change our mind.

There was so much I loved about this book and just as much that frustrates the heck out of me. But that’s how life is, full of contradiction. So go in knowing this may not be an easy read at times. This isn’t a typical fluffy RomCom. This felt raw and real. It was just what I needed to help me process grief and tragedy of my own.


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Profile Image for Ashlee (bookswithnopictures).
1,465 reviews116 followers
February 23, 2022
I have had Maybe One Day on my TBR since the day I heard about it. I had a few great recommendations that made me instantly want to read The Moment I Met You when it became available.
This bittersweet novel revolves around a tragedy forever impacting the lives of fellow tourists Henry, Elena, and Alex. Henry and Elena are vacationing in Mexico where Elena befriends Alex, a man who saves her life. Ten years go by and the survivors are brought together again to relive the past and things aren't quite what they seemed to be.
I think fans of Lia Louis and Jenny Colgan will appreciate the way that Debbie handles Elena's experiences and reactions. Her character is well-written and relatable. While I wanted so badly for her to have a whirlwind romance with all of the hope and joy that goes along with it, I found her resolve inspiring.
I read and listened to this book over the last couple of days. The narrator, Kirsty Dilon, is positively impactful in her performance for Elena's POV. The audiobook is just under 11 hours long.
Thank you to William Morrow for the advanced copy and Harper Audio for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Emily.
741 reviews77 followers
March 6, 2022
4.5⭐️

The Moment We Met really hooks you from the opening chapter when the main characters find themselves in the midst of a natural disaster - their lives are changed forever in that one instant. The story really makes you think about the choices you make, for yourself, for others, and the reasons behind them. It is such an emotional topic, but done in a way that was light and not depressing. I truly loved Elena and found myself feeling so protective of her feelings. While love triangles are not generally my bag, the circumstances here make this an exception for sure.

If you follow me, you know that British romance/women’s fiction are my cat nip. Like most of them, this is light on the steam and heavy on the women’s fic! But, gosh it’s so worth every second of the wait!! I’m a Debbie Johnson fan for 4eva ♥️
Profile Image for thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books).
2,811 reviews117 followers
August 14, 2021
I absolutely love books by Debbie but this one was the exception, I was amazed but it, adored it and it blew me away so much more than usual. This is was one of the best books I have read by Debbie and I love all her books. Its so much more than just a romance, it’s a heartbreaking yet life affirming story covering a span of 10 years after terrible events happen , how they shape those years and how revisiting that terrible night unlocks the key to the future. As always it’s so well written so much detail and you feel so connected to the characters, they are so relatable. It shows you that even if you have plans and dreams there are lots of obstacles in life that can prevent them and it may not always go as you may think or want. I admit I was expecting a much lighter story, but this was so much more, so thought provoking and I was unable to put the book down. Overall 'The Moment I Met You' is such a beautiful book. You’ll go through so many emotions, but it’s worth every single one, highly recommended read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Profile Image for Christy Namora.
5 reviews
November 5, 2025
Haven’t had the time to finish this novel (been in a reading slump tbh), but i finally did! 😮‍💨

“…the ground we walk upon isn’t as solid as we think. It taught me that our feet skim the surface of hidden uncertainty every single day. It taught me that we can all fall, no matter how carefully we step or how strong our legs are. It taught me that we can survive so much—but at a cost always.”

“I learned about frailty, and strength, and the way that we are all made up of both. I discovered that the human body combines amazing resilience and amazing delicacy, one minute as robust and present as an ancient tree trunk, the next clinging on with the fragile tenacity of a dragonfly hovering above a sunlit pond.”

I knew I’d love this book when I read those lines within the first four pages of the novel.

This novel taught me a lot about grief, the uncertainties of life, and how hard it can be to make major life decisions when we’re scared of what the future holds.

Elena is the perfect representation of someone incredibly selfless. While some might agree that being selfless is beautiful, but I think sometimes being too selfless can become a burden. You end up prioritizing everyone else’s happiness but your own.

This novel truly made me emotional. The way the earthquake became such a huge turning point in Elena’s life, it truly broke me. The trauma, the grief, the confusion, everything felt so real. There wasn’t a single moment where I felt frustrated with her decisions, because I truly understood how it would feel to be in her shoes. I mean, for God’s sake, she has sacrificed so much.

Towards the end, I kept guessing what would actually happen, what choices Elena would make, because I genuinely wanted her to have the freedom and happiness she deserved.

My heart feels so full after finishing this novel. I haven’t read something like this since Archer’s Voice. It’s such a beautiful, emotional story, and I loved every single part of it. 10/10, highly recommend. 🥺🙌🏻🙌🏻
Profile Image for Edelweis.
12 reviews
December 14, 2025
“Some people come into your life and change it forever.”

This book was a wow…… I got this book as a recommendation from Ty, and it was a 5-star read for her, so I immediately bought it at BBW 2025. This book was EMOTIONAL. It talks about Elena’s trauma, her healing journey, her love life, her ambitions and basically her entire life, with all the ups and downs, as raw as it gets.

This is the first time I’ve read a book where I genuinely loved all the characters and their complexities. The author was able to dissect each and every character’s motives in such a beautiful way that it made me understand them and I kept on rooting for them throughout the book. Especially Elena, she was so selfless and gave everything she had to make her relationship with Harry work, even at the cost of her own life and dreams. Reading it made me want her to be happy, to choose her own happiness. And honestly, I wanted Harry to be happy too.

Another thing I loved about this book was how realistic everything felt. It felt real. Elena, Harry, and Alex felt like real human beings with their own backgrounds, intentions, and rational decision-making. That’s what made me love them even more, I could understand their traumas, and their healing processes made sense. Everything was described in the best way possible. I also can’t believe a romance book could have such great plot twists. I did not see it coming, and my jaw literally dropped when I read it.

At first, I wanted to rate this book a 4.5, mainly because in the middle of the book, some parts of Elena’s emotions felt a bit repetitive. But after thinking about it more carefully, I realized that this repetition is actually part of her healing process which makes her constantly overthinking, revisiting her feelings, and questioning her decisions. And because of that, for the first time ever, I’m rating this beautiful book a full 5 stars.

I’m so happy to finally give a book a 5-star rating (even happier that it was recommended by my beloved Christy Namora), and I’m so excited to read more books that are this good.
Profile Image for Dikshya Pattnaik.
1,061 reviews18 followers
August 13, 2021
9 years ago, Elena went to Mexico with Harry thinking that maybe their relationship will survive after a relaxed holiday.
There she meets Alex, the handsome but quiet European who makes her feel seen & brings her light back.But after a life shattering event, their lives took an unexpected turn that that neither of them had anticipated.

This one was a rollercoaster of emotions, creating a whirlwind of changes.

Elena was a total Saint. The things that she went through & the things she did for others is commendable. Putting aside her own happiness she chose to care for someone else with whatever she had. I for one wished she would've said No and Yes to the right people at the right time instead of the other way round.

Alex, the dreamy, protective, caring Architect, left an imprint on my heart. His story was equally heartbreaking & emotional but remained patient & understanding throughout.
I truly wanted to see more of him.

Whereas Harry, I loved how he turned his life around despite having certain limitations. The Harry 2.0 was better man but still his flaws couldn't be overlooked.

I loved the ending, but loved even more was there wasn't any future-years epilogue, which made it even believable.
A perfect story of grief, second chances, patience & love that will make you believe in light in the times of darkness.
Profile Image for Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff).
2,558 reviews93 followers
April 27, 2022
There is just something about how Debbie Johnson writes; it’s so intimate and close that you feel like she is telling you the story personally.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈 𝐌𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 is page after page of emotional landmines, as Elena navigates life and love after a traumatic experience and what could have been.

Elena and her long-time boyfriend Harry travel to Mexico for a dream holiday. But it is shattered by a devastating earthquake – Elena and Harry are separated during the disaster. Elena is trapped underground with a stranger who gives her the strength to stay alive.

Lives are changed forever when Harry is hurt. Decisions are made, and Elena sacrifices so much. But Elena can’t help but wonder what could have been.

My heart went out to Elena! I can’t imagine being through the experience she went through, and then she lived so many years loving out of duty and commitment, not what her heart wanted. My emotions were all over the place, especially in the end! I can’t wait to see what Debbie Johnson writes next.

Thank you to @williammorrowbooks for this gifted copy.
Profile Image for Becky • bookmarked by becky .
801 reviews42 followers
June 20, 2022
4.5 stars

Don’t be fooled by the cute cover. This book is so much more than a romance! What an incredible rollercoaster of emotions and well-written characters!

Life has been a little less than exciting for Elena. She questions her relationship, her job, and her place in life. So Elena and her boyfriend Harry plan the trip of a lifetime to Mexico, hoping to breathe life into their relationship. While in Mexico, an earthquake hits a remote town they are visiting, which changes the course of Elena’s life. Ten years later, Elena learns the truth of that life-changing day and questions if she would make different life choices.

What I Loved:
✨Bingeable writing style
✨Deep contemplation on the role of love vs. obligation
✨Layers of emotions caused by trauma
✨Realistic healing process
✨Second chance romance trope
✨Nods To Taylor Swift

This story is as much about love and sacrifice as it is about finding yourself and the courage to follow your path! A terrific read for the beach!
Profile Image for Dana.
783 reviews3 followers
Read
March 14, 2022
Thank you to BiblioLifestyle and William Morrow for the gifted copy of The Moment I Met You! All opinions in this review are my own.

SYNOPSIS

While on a Mexican vacation with her boyfriend Harry, Elena begins to question her relationship with him. They have been together so long that she feels stagnant and wants to make some changes in her life. Elena can't believe that she is voicing these thoughts to the mysterious man on their trip! When a devastating earthquake hits the small village, Elena realizes that she may have to make these decisions a lot sooner than expected.

REVIEW

I absolutely adored this book! I connected with Elena from the beginning and loved the relationship that blooms between her and Alex after their harrowing experience! I really liked that the second half of the book takes place after so much time has passed to truly see how the decisions Elena made affected her life.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,328 reviews572 followers
November 21, 2021
Such an impressively compelling story.

I could hardly put it down during the big thing that specifically connects Elena, Harry and Alex together in a multitude of ways.

I have never read such a detailed description of that specific occurrence and the best I can liken it to is a a scene in Neighbours that came to me while I was reading.

It's heart-breaking, heartwarming, incredibly addictive and just a phenomenal read.

I really couldn't guess what would happen next at any point, and it's told so sensitively and gives just a unique basis for this story.

Truly wonderful and another hit surely for the always impressive Debbie Johnson.

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
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