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Eight Perfect Hours
In this romantic and heartwarming novel, two strangers meet in chance circumstances during a blizzard and spend one perfect evening together, thinking they’ll never see each other again. But fate seems to have different plans.
On a snowy evening in March, 30-something Noelle Butterby is on her way back from an event at her old college when disaster strikes. With a blizzard closing off roads, she finds herself stranded, alone in her car, without food, drink, or a working charger for her phone. All seems lost until Sam Attwood, a handsome American stranger also trapped in a nearby car, knocks on her window and offers assistance. What follows is eight perfect hours together, until morning arrives and the roads finally clear.
The two strangers part, positive they’ll never see each other again, but fate, it seems, has a different plan. As the two keep serendipitously bumping into one another, they begin to realize that perhaps there truly is no such thing as coincidence. With plenty of charming twists and turns and Lia Louis’s “bold, standout voice” (Gillian McAllister, author of The Good Sister), Eight Perfect Hours is a gorgeously crafted novel that will make you believe in the power of fate.
On a snowy evening in March, 30-something Noelle Butterby is on her way back from an event at her old college when disaster strikes. With a blizzard closing off roads, she finds herself stranded, alone in her car, without food, drink, or a working charger for her phone. All seems lost until Sam Attwood, a handsome American stranger also trapped in a nearby car, knocks on her window and offers assistance. What follows is eight perfect hours together, until morning arrives and the roads finally clear.
The two strangers part, positive they’ll never see each other again, but fate, it seems, has a different plan. As the two keep serendipitously bumping into one another, they begin to realize that perhaps there truly is no such thing as coincidence. With plenty of charming twists and turns and Lia Louis’s “bold, standout voice” (Gillian McAllister, author of The Good Sister), Eight Perfect Hours is a gorgeously crafted novel that will make you believe in the power of fate.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,562 reviews
October 23, 2021
This sweet, genuine, amazing book is finally out now!🥳
If you don’t believe in simple twists of fate or never having any belief in soul mates, or if you are skeptic about any romantic cliches and any kind of meant to be conclusions: stop reading this and start to run away: this book is not for skeptics, enemies of great romcoms or pessimist, moody, grumpy souls who cannot differentiate something heartfelt, unique, extraordinary from regular reads!
Imagine yourself becoming stranded on the side of the road during a frightening blizzard, when your phone is out of juice, feeling abandoned, all by yourself in the middle of nowhere. The sobs come out from your throat are quiet realistic expression of your emotional turmoil. But don’t worry: your knight in shiny armor is about to reach your destination to save you for 8 precious, memorable, amazing hours!
That’s what happened to Noelle Butterby’s path crosses with charming, sweet Sam: possibly her soul mate.
Of course her heart broke and she got a little disappointed because after their 8 meaningful hours long connection: he left her to fly to the states without asking her contact information and he didn’t act like he has been affected by their intimacy only a little bit.
But don’t worry: a few weeks later: they bump into each other and this happens again and again: I know you start furrowing your brows but don’t do that! This book’s magical and fairytal-ish tone can fit with the entire coincidental premise!
This is not only a soft, sweet, heartwarming, Hallmark movies kind of romance novel. I know the cover gives you that impression but it’s tricky! This book is so much more than that! When Dear Emmie Blue’s author is on the team, it’s easy to expect seeing fireworks, all those vivid emotions burst out from the pages.
As Noelle believes in soul mates, coincidence, faith’s intervention to bring people together, Sam acts more realistic guy questioning everything.
The supporting characters were portrayed so genuinely and the dialogues were so entertaining, smart, well constructed.
This book is not only about finding love of your life, it is about finding yourself, your life purpose and by recognizing your true potential pursuing your dreams.
I think each time you purchase Lia Louis’ books, you also buy yourself a pocketful of sunshine which you may carry it in your shirt pocket next to your heart and anytime you feel blue, depressed, moody, that pocket starts warming your heart as the sun keeps shining to destroy your inner darkness till that ugly mood completely dissipates. Some authors have power of using words to heal people’s souls. She’s truly one of them!
Overall: this is another book made me love it at first chapter! I loved the story’s development! I enjoyed reading the character dialogues. ( I only disliked Ed! He was the only black sheep of this amazing story! ) Ending was semi satisfying but it was still good! Definitely one of most heartwarming, well written realistic fiction/ romance I highly recommend to you!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Thank you Lia Louis for writing this remarkable story!
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If you don’t believe in simple twists of fate or never having any belief in soul mates, or if you are skeptic about any romantic cliches and any kind of meant to be conclusions: stop reading this and start to run away: this book is not for skeptics, enemies of great romcoms or pessimist, moody, grumpy souls who cannot differentiate something heartfelt, unique, extraordinary from regular reads!
Imagine yourself becoming stranded on the side of the road during a frightening blizzard, when your phone is out of juice, feeling abandoned, all by yourself in the middle of nowhere. The sobs come out from your throat are quiet realistic expression of your emotional turmoil. But don’t worry: your knight in shiny armor is about to reach your destination to save you for 8 precious, memorable, amazing hours!
That’s what happened to Noelle Butterby’s path crosses with charming, sweet Sam: possibly her soul mate.
Of course her heart broke and she got a little disappointed because after their 8 meaningful hours long connection: he left her to fly to the states without asking her contact information and he didn’t act like he has been affected by their intimacy only a little bit.
But don’t worry: a few weeks later: they bump into each other and this happens again and again: I know you start furrowing your brows but don’t do that! This book’s magical and fairytal-ish tone can fit with the entire coincidental premise!
This is not only a soft, sweet, heartwarming, Hallmark movies kind of romance novel. I know the cover gives you that impression but it’s tricky! This book is so much more than that! When Dear Emmie Blue’s author is on the team, it’s easy to expect seeing fireworks, all those vivid emotions burst out from the pages.
As Noelle believes in soul mates, coincidence, faith’s intervention to bring people together, Sam acts more realistic guy questioning everything.
The supporting characters were portrayed so genuinely and the dialogues were so entertaining, smart, well constructed.
This book is not only about finding love of your life, it is about finding yourself, your life purpose and by recognizing your true potential pursuing your dreams.
I think each time you purchase Lia Louis’ books, you also buy yourself a pocketful of sunshine which you may carry it in your shirt pocket next to your heart and anytime you feel blue, depressed, moody, that pocket starts warming your heart as the sun keeps shining to destroy your inner darkness till that ugly mood completely dissipates. Some authors have power of using words to heal people’s souls. She’s truly one of them!
Overall: this is another book made me love it at first chapter! I loved the story’s development! I enjoyed reading the character dialogues. ( I only disliked Ed! He was the only black sheep of this amazing story! ) Ending was semi satisfying but it was still good! Definitely one of most heartwarming, well written realistic fiction/ romance I highly recommend to you!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Thank you Lia Louis for writing this remarkable story!
September 11, 2021
Pardon me while I make a public service announcement to the writing community:
“Attention all authors: I regret to inform you that the ENTIRE supply of fate and fortuitous circumstances has been used by Lia Louis in her latest book. It may take some time until new ideas are in supply, so we suggest you read her book and enjoy all the ones she beat you to while you wait. We appreciate your patience.”
Sorry - I couldn’t get that silly thought out of my head after finishing this adorable little gem of a book. Honestly, I’ve never seen so many convenient circumstances at work to move a plot towards its conclusion, but that’s really the point of this book: is life just a series of happenstance circumstances or does fate lead us to our destiny?
Thirty-two-year-old Noelle Butterby’s life is basically on pause. Her dreams - past and present - have been put on the backburner as she dutifully cares for her mother, whose stroke six years prior has left her anxious about returning to a life outside her home. To make matters worse, Noelle is still reeling from her split with Ed, her boyfriend of twelve years, who’s returned to town after a two-year physician stint in America. When she’s stranded on the M4 motorway by a sudden blizzard, a tall, handsome and kind American stranger knocks on her window … Sam.
That’s the first of many aforementioned fortuitous circumstances that come into play for Sam and Noelle, which will strike some as sweet and lovely, albeit far-fetched, and probably others as eye-rollingly preposterous, depending on how willing you are to set aside believability and just enjoy the ride. For this reader - I was buckled up and there for it! A little break from reality can be a good thing, right?
This is charming, funny and well-written, with wonderful, vibrant characters and a story that will win your heart. The chemistry between Noelle and Sam is ‘turn-the-fan-on-high’ palpable, but completely closed-door, so no raging fires, but those glowing embers are still hot enough! Apart from romance, it’s also just a wonderful story about two people growing into who they’re meant to be - leaving some aspects of the past behind, while also discovering how much other aspects have determined their future.
It’s a solid 4.5 for me, and since it’s an unedited ARC, I’m forgiving the surprising number of grammatical errors. My main complaint is that it was initially difficult to buy into Noelle’s insta-attraction, but after the story got into its groove, I loved it. It’s the perfect cozy romance for the holidays or any time of year!
★★★★ ½ (rounded to 4)
Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Books, NetGalley and author Lia Louis for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It's due to be published September 28,2021.
This and all my other reviews can also be found at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
“Attention all authors: I regret to inform you that the ENTIRE supply of fate and fortuitous circumstances has been used by Lia Louis in her latest book. It may take some time until new ideas are in supply, so we suggest you read her book and enjoy all the ones she beat you to while you wait. We appreciate your patience.”
Sorry - I couldn’t get that silly thought out of my head after finishing this adorable little gem of a book. Honestly, I’ve never seen so many convenient circumstances at work to move a plot towards its conclusion, but that’s really the point of this book: is life just a series of happenstance circumstances or does fate lead us to our destiny?
Thirty-two-year-old Noelle Butterby’s life is basically on pause. Her dreams - past and present - have been put on the backburner as she dutifully cares for her mother, whose stroke six years prior has left her anxious about returning to a life outside her home. To make matters worse, Noelle is still reeling from her split with Ed, her boyfriend of twelve years, who’s returned to town after a two-year physician stint in America. When she’s stranded on the M4 motorway by a sudden blizzard, a tall, handsome and kind American stranger knocks on her window … Sam.
That’s the first of many aforementioned fortuitous circumstances that come into play for Sam and Noelle, which will strike some as sweet and lovely, albeit far-fetched, and probably others as eye-rollingly preposterous, depending on how willing you are to set aside believability and just enjoy the ride. For this reader - I was buckled up and there for it! A little break from reality can be a good thing, right?
This is charming, funny and well-written, with wonderful, vibrant characters and a story that will win your heart. The chemistry between Noelle and Sam is ‘turn-the-fan-on-high’ palpable, but completely closed-door, so no raging fires, but those glowing embers are still hot enough! Apart from romance, it’s also just a wonderful story about two people growing into who they’re meant to be - leaving some aspects of the past behind, while also discovering how much other aspects have determined their future.
It’s a solid 4.5 for me, and since it’s an unedited ARC, I’m forgiving the surprising number of grammatical errors. My main complaint is that it was initially difficult to buy into Noelle’s insta-attraction, but after the story got into its groove, I loved it. It’s the perfect cozy romance for the holidays or any time of year!
★★★★ ½ (rounded to 4)
Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Books, NetGalley and author Lia Louis for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It's due to be published September 28,2021.
This and all my other reviews can also be found at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
July 19, 2021
You know how sometimes you just need a feel-good book to reboot your heart after a long week (month…year)? Well, this fit the bill perfectly.
Noelle just left her class reunion sad and frustrated. A blizzard unexpectedly interrupted the festivities that were to include the opening and retrieval of items from a time capsule.
Leaving the party, Noelle finds herself stuck in her car on a snowy highway. With her phone dead, she has no way to contact her family.
In the next car is a handsome American named Sam. who comes to Noelle’s rescue and the two spend the next eight perfect hours together until the roads are cleared.
Will Noelle and Sam ever see each other again? Did fate bring them together? Or was this just a chance meeting… like two ships passing in the night?
This was such a sweet and heartwarming read that I just lost myself in. I loved Noelle and felt for her predicament of having to choose between her family or herself.
The author opens the book with the proverb regarding the invisible red thread. (Are you familiar with it?)
It is a beautiful adage that tugs on my heart every time I read it.❤️❤️
This was my second read by Lia Louis and I adored this book as much as her previous Dear Emmie Blue.
I cannot wait for her next.
A buddy read with Susanne
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books.
Noelle just left her class reunion sad and frustrated. A blizzard unexpectedly interrupted the festivities that were to include the opening and retrieval of items from a time capsule.
Leaving the party, Noelle finds herself stuck in her car on a snowy highway. With her phone dead, she has no way to contact her family.
In the next car is a handsome American named Sam. who comes to Noelle’s rescue and the two spend the next eight perfect hours together until the roads are cleared.
Will Noelle and Sam ever see each other again? Did fate bring them together? Or was this just a chance meeting… like two ships passing in the night?
This was such a sweet and heartwarming read that I just lost myself in. I loved Noelle and felt for her predicament of having to choose between her family or herself.
The author opens the book with the proverb regarding the invisible red thread. (Are you familiar with it?)
It is a beautiful adage that tugs on my heart every time I read it.❤️❤️
This was my second read by Lia Louis and I adored this book as much as her previous Dear Emmie Blue.
I cannot wait for her next.
A buddy read with Susanne
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books.
September 29, 2021
3.5
In last year’s breakout hit, “Dear Emmie Blue”, Emmie releases a balloon into the sky, containing her biggest secret. 🎈
This year, the secret may be on a photograph still on a camera, which has been buried in a time capsule, at her old college. The photographer was Noelle Butterby’s best friend, Daisy, who died the night the camera was buried. ⌛️📸
Noelle is returning from the class reunion that she attended despite the weather advisories which implored that you stay at home, because she was desperate to retrieve the camera and the letter that accompanied it. Although she was given the letter, it turns out that the camera remained buried for now-the earth still too solid for digging-due to the blizzard like conditions! 🌨❄️🌬
To make matters worse, those conditions close the motorway, on her way home, and traffic is at a standstill. Her phone has no charge left, and she has no way of calling home, until the stranger in the car “parked” beside her offers assistance. Sam Attwood is everything you would want in your “hero” and the two end up spending eight hours together in his car-but they did not exchange contact details, and drive off in separate directions, presumably to never see each other again. 🚗
But, author Lia Louis writes charming stories about SERENDIPITY and SOULMATES, so fate WILL end up bringing these two together-AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN!
This one didn’t quite have the same emotional punch for me, as DEAR EMMIE BLUE, maybe because I didn’t feel as much spark (it could be rated G) or maybe because much of the book takes place while the characters are apart, but the author does a fantastic job of coming full circle and returning to the secret held within the camera, much as she did, with the secret associated with the balloon in the last book.
If you are curious about what was in the photograph -you can find out today…now available !
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to watch for her wonderful review! 💕
I would like to thank Atria/Emily Bestler books for inviting me to read an early copy, provided through NetGalley.It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
In last year’s breakout hit, “Dear Emmie Blue”, Emmie releases a balloon into the sky, containing her biggest secret. 🎈
This year, the secret may be on a photograph still on a camera, which has been buried in a time capsule, at her old college. The photographer was Noelle Butterby’s best friend, Daisy, who died the night the camera was buried. ⌛️📸
Noelle is returning from the class reunion that she attended despite the weather advisories which implored that you stay at home, because she was desperate to retrieve the camera and the letter that accompanied it. Although she was given the letter, it turns out that the camera remained buried for now-the earth still too solid for digging-due to the blizzard like conditions! 🌨❄️🌬
To make matters worse, those conditions close the motorway, on her way home, and traffic is at a standstill. Her phone has no charge left, and she has no way of calling home, until the stranger in the car “parked” beside her offers assistance. Sam Attwood is everything you would want in your “hero” and the two end up spending eight hours together in his car-but they did not exchange contact details, and drive off in separate directions, presumably to never see each other again. 🚗
But, author Lia Louis writes charming stories about SERENDIPITY and SOULMATES, so fate WILL end up bringing these two together-AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN!
This one didn’t quite have the same emotional punch for me, as DEAR EMMIE BLUE, maybe because I didn’t feel as much spark (it could be rated G) or maybe because much of the book takes place while the characters are apart, but the author does a fantastic job of coming full circle and returning to the secret held within the camera, much as she did, with the secret associated with the balloon in the last book.
If you are curious about what was in the photograph -you can find out today…now available !
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to watch for her wonderful review! 💕
I would like to thank Atria/Emily Bestler books for inviting me to read an early copy, provided through NetGalley.It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
September 22, 2021
Eight Perfect Hours was not perfect for this reader.
I was hoping for a little sizzle but this one mostly fizzled.
Where's the chemistry? Where's the witty banter? I didn't find either here.
I'd be hard pressed to call this a rom-com. The romance is barely there and I don't think I laughed once.
A lot of characters and not one of them won me over. Plenty of side stories that I couldn't have cared less about. Oh, and it turns out I HATE the name Dilly. Every time he turned up in the book I was ready to chuck it across the room. Not just because of his name but because I found him beyond irritating. Silly Dilly. 🙄
So as you can see this one did not work for me at all. I am, of course, in the minority. I didn't see the charm that so many others did but that doesn't mean that you won't. Give it a try because Eight Perfect Hours may be just perfect for YOU! 2 stars!
Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for sending me a complimentary copy.
I was hoping for a little sizzle but this one mostly fizzled.
Where's the chemistry? Where's the witty banter? I didn't find either here.
I'd be hard pressed to call this a rom-com. The romance is barely there and I don't think I laughed once.
A lot of characters and not one of them won me over. Plenty of side stories that I couldn't have cared less about. Oh, and it turns out I HATE the name Dilly. Every time he turned up in the book I was ready to chuck it across the room. Not just because of his name but because I found him beyond irritating. Silly Dilly. 🙄
So as you can see this one did not work for me at all. I am, of course, in the minority. I didn't see the charm that so many others did but that doesn't mean that you won't. Give it a try because Eight Perfect Hours may be just perfect for YOU! 2 stars!
Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for sending me a complimentary copy.
November 23, 2023
Writing: punchy, solid | Plot: thumbs up | Ending: MY HEARTTTTTTT
SYNOPSIS
Noelle and Sam have quite the unique meet cute: they're both stranded on the highway. After they part ways, Noelle never expects to see him again, but turns out she can't stop seeing him.
MY OPINION
D'awwwwwww!!!!!!!! FYI this is NOT a full-on romance. No dongs. No puccis. Just vibes. A good chunk is spent on Noelle's family life, self-discovery, and breaking toxic patterns. The short scenes with Sam are cute, but there's no roast me on a spit banter or 'let me show you how to swing a golf club so I can essentially spoon you vertically'—the 'magic' between Noelle and Sam is largely based on their serendipitous meetings and him not being a Grade A dickhead. Tbh, if Ed the Ped wasn't in the story, I don't think I would've been so passionately #TeamSam. You needed that contrast with fuckhead Ed to make you stan for Sam.
Idk how to explain this but I liked that Noelle had a regular degular job. Most contemporary romances feature an FMC with a high-powered career; even if she just got fired, you know she's got a nice paycheque waiting for her on the other side. Noelle was a cleaner who dreamed of being a florist. I think it fit her character arc quite nicely, especially given her mom issues.
Other pluses: fantastic supporting characters with their own story arc that had me INVESTED. And can we talk about how that plot twist was better than 75% of thriller twists I've read??? I guess I wasn't checking for it because it's a rom-ish com, but there was a lil intrigue throughout. My jaw dropped when all the pieces were put together!!!!!
I always compare rom-ish coms to Lindsey Kelk because IMO, she's the blueprint. Kelk has been banging out funny books since 2009. Lia Louis' writing and humor is very Kelk-adjacent, which largely contributed to my overall enjoyment of this book. I'm looking forward to exploring more of her backlist and her upcoming 2024 release.
One quick niggle: I think this was dressed up like a winter romance, but the story spans a year and it starts in March, not January like the blurb says.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: legit funny, heartwarming, good use of ain't shit ex to prop up love interest, Noelle is easy to empathize with, fast-paced, great side characters, everything was nicely wrapped up which could be a con if you prefer a few jagged edges left, lil intrigue throughout with a great twist!!
Cons: wished there was more 'banter' between Sam and Noelle instead of just telling us how great their convos were, didn't understand why they didn't text more other than for the sake of the plot
___
Check out my YouTube
SYNOPSIS
Noelle and Sam have quite the unique meet cute: they're both stranded on the highway. After they part ways, Noelle never expects to see him again, but turns out she can't stop seeing him.
MY OPINION
D'awwwwwww!!!!!!!! FYI this is NOT a full-on romance. No dongs. No puccis. Just vibes. A good chunk is spent on Noelle's family life, self-discovery, and breaking toxic patterns. The short scenes with Sam are cute, but there's no roast me on a spit banter or 'let me show you how to swing a golf club so I can essentially spoon you vertically'—the 'magic' between Noelle and Sam is largely based on their serendipitous meetings and him not being a Grade A dickhead. Tbh, if Ed the Ped wasn't in the story, I don't think I would've been so passionately #TeamSam. You needed that contrast with fuckhead Ed to make you stan for Sam.
Idk how to explain this but I liked that Noelle had a regular degular job. Most contemporary romances feature an FMC with a high-powered career; even if she just got fired, you know she's got a nice paycheque waiting for her on the other side. Noelle was a cleaner who dreamed of being a florist. I think it fit her character arc quite nicely, especially given her mom issues.
Other pluses: fantastic supporting characters with their own story arc that had me INVESTED. And can we talk about how that plot twist was better than 75% of thriller twists I've read??? I guess I wasn't checking for it because it's a rom-ish com, but there was a lil intrigue throughout. My jaw dropped when all the pieces were put together!!!!!
I always compare rom-ish coms to Lindsey Kelk because IMO, she's the blueprint. Kelk has been banging out funny books since 2009. Lia Louis' writing and humor is very Kelk-adjacent, which largely contributed to my overall enjoyment of this book. I'm looking forward to exploring more of her backlist and her upcoming 2024 release.
One quick niggle: I think this was dressed up like a winter romance, but the story spans a year and it starts in March, not January like the blurb says.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: legit funny, heartwarming, good use of ain't shit ex to prop up love interest, Noelle is easy to empathize with, fast-paced, great side characters, everything was nicely wrapped up which could be a con if you prefer a few jagged edges left, lil intrigue throughout with a great twist!!
Cons: wished there was more 'banter' between Sam and Noelle instead of just telling us how great their convos were, didn't understand why they didn't text more other than for the sake of the plot
___
Check out my YouTube
September 22, 2021
3.5 Stars
A lot of coincidences leads to serendipitiy for Noelle and Sam!
If you're in the mood for a fluffy Hallmark type romance, you will surely hit it off with this cheerful read.
Chance encounters and a freak of nature blizzard help to drive the hand of fate. Who doesn't want to meet their handsome soul mate on a snowy highway?
An easy summer read, although a bit contrived. I wanted to love it more, but was frustrated by some of the characters actions and I can't say I felt the sparks.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for my review copy. OUT Sept 28, 2021
A lot of coincidences leads to serendipitiy for Noelle and Sam!
If you're in the mood for a fluffy Hallmark type romance, you will surely hit it off with this cheerful read.
Chance encounters and a freak of nature blizzard help to drive the hand of fate. Who doesn't want to meet their handsome soul mate on a snowy highway?
An easy summer read, although a bit contrived. I wanted to love it more, but was frustrated by some of the characters actions and I can't say I felt the sparks.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for my review copy. OUT Sept 28, 2021
July 17, 2023
For me, this was indeed perfect hours. Listening to this heartwarming story lifted my spirits and made me smile. What more do you need in a book when it’s raining outside? I got the same cozy feeling I have when I’m curling up inside a blanket with a cup of cocoa next to me. There was so much love, without it getting too cheesy. I don’t know if I believe in faith, but this book made me reconsider. Despite the loss both main character had faced, they soldiered on. I loved how real the characters felt, and grew to really like them. Wonderful book.
September 18, 2021
tw: death of a best friend; death of a family member; mentions of suicide; stroke
This book was one of those perfect combinations for me as it combines angsty, "fated" love story with heavier topics of grief and loss, mental health struggles, and finding your identity. The synopsis reads as two people who meet and then keep bumping into each other by "fate", but it's fated lovers in a very non-woo woo way which I love when that trope is done right! It's only told in our main characters POV, but everyone in the story felt so fleshed out and I felt for all of their experiences. Also, the depictions of mental health, particularly anxiety, were so accurate in here from the symptoms to the discussed treatment, which I love to see. A new favorite for sure.
This book was one of those perfect combinations for me as it combines angsty, "fated" love story with heavier topics of grief and loss, mental health struggles, and finding your identity. The synopsis reads as two people who meet and then keep bumping into each other by "fate", but it's fated lovers in a very non-woo woo way which I love when that trope is done right! It's only told in our main characters POV, but everyone in the story felt so fleshed out and I felt for all of their experiences. Also, the depictions of mental health, particularly anxiety, were so accurate in here from the symptoms to the discussed treatment, which I love to see. A new favorite for sure.
November 26, 2021
My favorite romance novel of 2020 was Dear Emmie Blue, so of course, I wanted to read Eight Perfect Hours.
The book starts with our heroine, Noelle Butterby, feeling down after attending her class reunion where the items of the time capsule were retrieved. She was able to get her friend Daisy's letter but not the camera/film. She also saw her ex-boyfriend, Ed who tried to avoid contact with her. Now, she is stuck in the motorway with hundreds of cars and a blizzard is upon them. She has a dead cell phone and she knows her mother is probably freaking out.
Then, someone knocks on her window. The stranger, Sam Atwood, has been watching her and he is asking if she needs help. Noelle after some hesitance agrees to move to his car to charge her cellphone. After spending eight perfect hours together, they each go their own way without exchanging their contact info.
Noelle feels like her life is at a standstill. She would like to be a florist but she cleans houses instead. After the passing of her good friend, she went into a depression and after her mother suffered a stroke, her mother developed agoraphobia and doesn't like to be alone, so Noelle has to stay with her and can't make any plans. She does have a brother but he is an aspiring artist and he is never home. She does have the emotional support of her good friend, although she feels like her friend is hiding something. Then Ed is back in town. It would be so easy to get back together but she keeps on meeting Sam in the most unexpected ways!!
I blame Sam for me not loving this book. After their initial encounter, Sam didn't give me the vibe, he was head over heels for Noelle. He was for the most part trying to avoid her. He didn't want to believe in fate. I felt bad for Noelle who seemed to have fallen hard.
Overall, Eight Perfect Hours was a pleasant experience. I just wished I had connected with Sam better.
Would I read Lia Louis's next book? You better believe it!!
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Atria/Emily Bestler Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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The book starts with our heroine, Noelle Butterby, feeling down after attending her class reunion where the items of the time capsule were retrieved. She was able to get her friend Daisy's letter but not the camera/film. She also saw her ex-boyfriend, Ed who tried to avoid contact with her. Now, she is stuck in the motorway with hundreds of cars and a blizzard is upon them. She has a dead cell phone and she knows her mother is probably freaking out.
Then, someone knocks on her window. The stranger, Sam Atwood, has been watching her and he is asking if she needs help. Noelle after some hesitance agrees to move to his car to charge her cellphone. After spending eight perfect hours together, they each go their own way without exchanging their contact info.
Noelle feels like her life is at a standstill. She would like to be a florist but she cleans houses instead. After the passing of her good friend, she went into a depression and after her mother suffered a stroke, her mother developed agoraphobia and doesn't like to be alone, so Noelle has to stay with her and can't make any plans. She does have a brother but he is an aspiring artist and he is never home. She does have the emotional support of her good friend, although she feels like her friend is hiding something. Then Ed is back in town. It would be so easy to get back together but she keeps on meeting Sam in the most unexpected ways!!
I blame Sam for me not loving this book. After their initial encounter, Sam didn't give me the vibe, he was head over heels for Noelle. He was for the most part trying to avoid her. He didn't want to believe in fate. I felt bad for Noelle who seemed to have fallen hard.
Overall, Eight Perfect Hours was a pleasant experience. I just wished I had connected with Sam better.
Would I read Lia Louis's next book? You better believe it!!
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Atria/Emily Bestler Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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September 28, 2021
"Coincidence is language of the stars, for something to happen, so many forces have to be put into action." - Paolo Coelho
Eight Perfect hours to meet someone, eight perfect hours to feel a spark, eight perfect hours then you go your separate ways....
On a snowy evening, Noelle Butterby is tuck in her car after a blizzard closes off roads. But then she hears a tap on her window. It's Sam Attwood and he is in the car next to her and offers her assistance when he sees her having a hard time. Little did they know that this was one of many instances when they would meet. Kismet, chance or are the star aligned?
This is a charming book full of coincidences and witty banter between Noelle and Sam. This is a fast, entertaining, and cute book. It is a great book to curl up on the couch with on a cold winter day (any day for that matter). It's all about the journey here and although nothing completely blew me away in this book, it held my attention and was a pleasing read. The romance is on the lighter side - not steamy scenes in this book. But what you get is two people getting to know each other and discovering that it is a small world after all.(channeling Disney here)
Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Eight Perfect hours to meet someone, eight perfect hours to feel a spark, eight perfect hours then you go your separate ways....
On a snowy evening, Noelle Butterby is tuck in her car after a blizzard closes off roads. But then she hears a tap on her window. It's Sam Attwood and he is in the car next to her and offers her assistance when he sees her having a hard time. Little did they know that this was one of many instances when they would meet. Kismet, chance or are the star aligned?
This is a charming book full of coincidences and witty banter between Noelle and Sam. This is a fast, entertaining, and cute book. It is a great book to curl up on the couch with on a cold winter day (any day for that matter). It's all about the journey here and although nothing completely blew me away in this book, it held my attention and was a pleasing read. The romance is on the lighter side - not steamy scenes in this book. But what you get is two people getting to know each other and discovering that it is a small world after all.(channeling Disney here)
Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
November 8, 2021
Noelle Butterby is 32-years old but her life isn’t what she’d once imagined it would be when as a senior in high school she had talked about her dreams of the future in a letter placed in a time capsule. She's just left the school event where the contents were opened and nothing about the whole experience lived up to her expectations, falling far short. The event ended early because of impending bad weather, which now has her stranded on the highway in the middle of a blizzard. Her phone battery dies and the heat in her car isn’t working well. At a standstill, Noelle gives in to the tears she’s been holding back until a man knocks on her window to see if she’s okay. She accepts Sam Attwood’s offer to sit with him in his car and recharge her phone. Those next eight hours will be the turning point in her life.
The word that kept popping into my head throughout this story was serendipity because it’s the only one to describe the series of encounters between Noelle and Sam that followed the one on that stranded highway. I was so enchanted by it all because I liked Noelle so much and got swept up in the possibility of Sam. These situations didn't feel contrived as I could sense there was more going on than coincidence. Mucking things up were people from their pasts that neither was ready to let go of. Noelle’s life was also on pause because of her mother’s crippling anxiety that limited her daughter’s ability to pursue her own path. She was highly devoted to her mother, rightly so, but had no vision for how to help her.
I loved this story with all its angles and serendipitous moments that just immersed me deeper into the possibility of Noelle and Sam. It’s lighthearted but tackles some serious issues along the way, effectively weaving them into the lives of these characters in a manner making it feel authentic. I also liked the narrator’s voices for Noelle and Sam, as well as her storytelling skills. This was a delightful listening experience and I definitely want to read the author’s earlier book, already waiting for me.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
The word that kept popping into my head throughout this story was serendipity because it’s the only one to describe the series of encounters between Noelle and Sam that followed the one on that stranded highway. I was so enchanted by it all because I liked Noelle so much and got swept up in the possibility of Sam. These situations didn't feel contrived as I could sense there was more going on than coincidence. Mucking things up were people from their pasts that neither was ready to let go of. Noelle’s life was also on pause because of her mother’s crippling anxiety that limited her daughter’s ability to pursue her own path. She was highly devoted to her mother, rightly so, but had no vision for how to help her.
I loved this story with all its angles and serendipitous moments that just immersed me deeper into the possibility of Noelle and Sam. It’s lighthearted but tackles some serious issues along the way, effectively weaving them into the lives of these characters in a manner making it feel authentic. I also liked the narrator’s voices for Noelle and Sam, as well as her storytelling skills. This was a delightful listening experience and I definitely want to read the author’s earlier book, already waiting for me.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
July 21, 2021
Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Do you Believe in Kismet?
I can’t really say that I do, but Eight Perfect Hours gave me pause.
The night Noelle Butterby gets stranded on the motorway her life changes in an instant. As a blizzard hits and the road closes, Noelle starts to panic. Once her phone dies things go from bad to worse, that is until someone taps on her car window.
Enter Sam Attwood. A very attractive American who is also stranded on the motorway. When Sam notices Noelle’s distress, his first instinct is to help.
With no end in sight, Sam and Noelle decide to pass the time together, talking, laughing, and sharing stories.
Once Eight Perfect hours pass, however, both think that’s it - yet neither can forget the other. The reason? Kismet.
That’s right, I said Kismet. As in FATE, Destiny.. the whole nine yards. An unbreakable connection that exists between two people regardless of where life takes them.
Believable, heartfelt, sweet, and genuine, Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis is a novel that will carry you away and give you hope, when you need it most. While I thought it was a tad unrealistic, I adored it and admit to hoping such relationships existed in real life.
4.25 Stars
A fabulously sweet buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the arc.
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
Do you Believe in Kismet?
I can’t really say that I do, but Eight Perfect Hours gave me pause.
The night Noelle Butterby gets stranded on the motorway her life changes in an instant. As a blizzard hits and the road closes, Noelle starts to panic. Once her phone dies things go from bad to worse, that is until someone taps on her car window.
Enter Sam Attwood. A very attractive American who is also stranded on the motorway. When Sam notices Noelle’s distress, his first instinct is to help.
With no end in sight, Sam and Noelle decide to pass the time together, talking, laughing, and sharing stories.
Once Eight Perfect hours pass, however, both think that’s it - yet neither can forget the other. The reason? Kismet.
That’s right, I said Kismet. As in FATE, Destiny.. the whole nine yards. An unbreakable connection that exists between two people regardless of where life takes them.
Believable, heartfelt, sweet, and genuine, Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis is a novel that will carry you away and give you hope, when you need it most. While I thought it was a tad unrealistic, I adored it and admit to hoping such relationships existed in real life.
4.25 Stars
A fabulously sweet buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the arc.
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
September 20, 2021
What a truly enjoyable journey, filled with missed chances, fateful choices and magical coincidences. Was it really Fate or just coincidence or chance that Noelle and Sam's paths kept crossing?
There are times when the narrative resembles a seesaw. One moment the plot is soaring high into the sky with possibility, then suddenly the opposite seat comes crashing down - foiled by ex lovers or partners who aren't quite completely out of the picture... yet!
Then the story started to resemble a maze toward the end. I agree with Kat (whose GR review convinced me to request an ARC of this highly entertaining novel) that the family issues were tidied up a tad too quickly at the end of the story. I also felt that the whole "Ed" mini-mystery was a major about face and changed the direction of the story.
I really enjoyed this novel. Noelle's best friends, Charlie and Theo, always had me in stitches - what a riot those two were. The world needs more Charlie Wilde's in it!
I'm rating this one a 4 out of 5 stars for the great writing (although there were a few spots that needed a bit of editing and tidying up grammatically!) and memorable characters. My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
There are times when the narrative resembles a seesaw. One moment the plot is soaring high into the sky with possibility, then suddenly the opposite seat comes crashing down - foiled by ex lovers or partners who aren't quite completely out of the picture... yet!
Then the story started to resemble a maze toward the end. I agree with Kat (whose GR review convinced me to request an ARC of this highly entertaining novel) that the family issues were tidied up a tad too quickly at the end of the story. I also felt that the whole "Ed" mini-mystery was a major about face and changed the direction of the story.
I really enjoyed this novel. Noelle's best friends, Charlie and Theo, always had me in stitches - what a riot those two were. The world needs more Charlie Wilde's in it!
I'm rating this one a 4 out of 5 stars for the great writing (although there were a few spots that needed a bit of editing and tidying up grammatically!) and memorable characters. My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is such a sweet, heartfelt book. It's about fate, about learning how to move forward with life even when things seem dark, and about overcoming obstacles.
Are there a large number of coincidences in this book, almost to the point of them being silly? Yes. However, nothing is impossible in a romance novel, and in this second book I've read by Louis, she has a way with weaving these coincidences to make them seem like fate. And that's always sigh-worthy.
Noelle is 32 years old and stuck. Her mother had a stroke a few years before and Noelle has basically become her caregiver. She's put her own dreams on hold, she longs to become a florist and makes beautiful flower arrangements for friends and clients of her cleaning business. She still aches from losing her best friend Daisy back when they were teens, and goes to a reunion in order to find the camera Daisy put into the time capsule before she died. No one is able to find the camera, and on the way home Noelle is stuck in traffic due to snow and a blocked roadway. Phone dead, she ends up connecting with Sam in the neighboring car and they spend a delightful few hours talking and laughing. They go their separate ways, never to see each other again--until they do again and again.
This book doesn't have insta-love, which I can't stand. It's insta-like which is fun, their chemistry is apparent from the beginning, at least to the reader. It has an adorable meet-cute and by the end I had a few tears of "awwwww" because it's just such a refreshingly simple, yet meaningful tale. You have to be able to put aside the large number of coincidences in order to just enjoy this sweet book, and that's usually difficult for me but wasn't too much this time.
That's not to say that there aren't a few deeper subjects included--post-partum depression, fear, grief, and aging parents all make appearances. However, it's not so much that the book becomes maudlin, just enough to give it some substance in the midst of the romance.
Lia Louis has written another winner with Eight Perfect Hours, such a delightfully satisfying novel for the end of the year.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is such a sweet, heartfelt book. It's about fate, about learning how to move forward with life even when things seem dark, and about overcoming obstacles.
Are there a large number of coincidences in this book, almost to the point of them being silly? Yes. However, nothing is impossible in a romance novel, and in this second book I've read by Louis, she has a way with weaving these coincidences to make them seem like fate. And that's always sigh-worthy.
Noelle is 32 years old and stuck. Her mother had a stroke a few years before and Noelle has basically become her caregiver. She's put her own dreams on hold, she longs to become a florist and makes beautiful flower arrangements for friends and clients of her cleaning business. She still aches from losing her best friend Daisy back when they were teens, and goes to a reunion in order to find the camera Daisy put into the time capsule before she died. No one is able to find the camera, and on the way home Noelle is stuck in traffic due to snow and a blocked roadway. Phone dead, she ends up connecting with Sam in the neighboring car and they spend a delightful few hours talking and laughing. They go their separate ways, never to see each other again--until they do again and again.
This book doesn't have insta-love, which I can't stand. It's insta-like which is fun, their chemistry is apparent from the beginning, at least to the reader. It has an adorable meet-cute and by the end I had a few tears of "awwwww" because it's just such a refreshingly simple, yet meaningful tale. You have to be able to put aside the large number of coincidences in order to just enjoy this sweet book, and that's usually difficult for me but wasn't too much this time.
That's not to say that there aren't a few deeper subjects included--post-partum depression, fear, grief, and aging parents all make appearances. However, it's not so much that the book becomes maudlin, just enough to give it some substance in the midst of the romance.
Lia Louis has written another winner with Eight Perfect Hours, such a delightfully satisfying novel for the end of the year.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 28, 2021
Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis
Contemporary chick lit romance. Clean.
Nell is doing the best she can taking care of her mother and cleaning flats to earn money. Her former beau Ed has returned home and though he still doesn’t approve of the way Nell caters to her mother, he and Nell still spend time considerable time together. Sam is one of those serendipitous encounters. They meet during a snow storm. And again when the mutual parents are in the hospital. And agin…..
Destiny. Fate. Serendipity. The red thread. Is all life prewritten? Are souls joined or fated at birth?
For every step forward, there are a dozen backwards in time. The majority of the story we are in retroactive or retrospective views by Nell.
It is a romance but very little is actual moving forward romance. There was simply too much time spent with the old boyfriend. At 60% I was still wondering who she would end up with.
I did learn quite a bit of British slag and definitions to words I didn’t know.
I liked the chance meetings between Nell and Sam and loved the final reveal.
All the retrospective in getting to know Daisy does pay off in the end.
Tears, and sadness and in the end, a love in the right time and place.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary chick lit romance. Clean.
Nell is doing the best she can taking care of her mother and cleaning flats to earn money. Her former beau Ed has returned home and though he still doesn’t approve of the way Nell caters to her mother, he and Nell still spend time considerable time together. Sam is one of those serendipitous encounters. They meet during a snow storm. And again when the mutual parents are in the hospital. And agin…..
Destiny. Fate. Serendipity. The red thread. Is all life prewritten? Are souls joined or fated at birth?
For every step forward, there are a dozen backwards in time. The majority of the story we are in retroactive or retrospective views by Nell.
It is a romance but very little is actual moving forward romance. There was simply too much time spent with the old boyfriend. At 60% I was still wondering who she would end up with.
I did learn quite a bit of British slag and definitions to words I didn’t know.
I liked the chance meetings between Nell and Sam and loved the final reveal.
All the retrospective in getting to know Daisy does pay off in the end.
Tears, and sadness and in the end, a love in the right time and place.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
November 28, 2021
Another sweet story with depth! I wrote some combined quick thoughts for Dear Emmie Blue and Eight Perfect Hours.
There’s so much depth to Emmie Blue and Noelle Butterby. You can’t help but love them.
I read somewhere they are love stories, and I agree. They feel a little different than a contemporary romance. Charming love story completely suits!
In Eight Perfect Hours, Noelle is stuck is stranded in her car during a blizzard, when Sam, also stranded in his car, offers to help her. They spend eight hours together until the weather clears, and yet that’s not the end of their story…
Love love love these books!
I received a gifted copy of both books.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
There’s so much depth to Emmie Blue and Noelle Butterby. You can’t help but love them.
I read somewhere they are love stories, and I agree. They feel a little different than a contemporary romance. Charming love story completely suits!
In Eight Perfect Hours, Noelle is stuck is stranded in her car during a blizzard, when Sam, also stranded in his car, offers to help her. They spend eight hours together until the weather clears, and yet that’s not the end of their story…
Love love love these books!
I received a gifted copy of both books.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
September 28, 2021
4 fate or coincidence stars
Our main character, Noelle Butterby, has just left her college reunion heartbroken and now she’s stranded in a snowstorm on the roadway. Her older car is unreliable, and she can’t charge her phone. A handsome stranger in a nearby car comes to the rescue and the two spend “eight perfect hours” together talking and connecting. Then the road finally clears up and they go their separate ways.
Then fate steps in (or is it coincidence?) and the two meet again at the hospital. I really enjoyed this romantic story of Noelle and Sam although it took a while for this one to really get going for me. I thought it took several realistic turns. It did make me think more about fate, love at first sight, etc. and whether you are meant to be with someone.
There are some deeper issues here too, grief and loss and caring for parents. This one was more than a romantic story, so I appreciated the character development. I really grew to like Noelle! I rooted for Noelle and Sam to be together, but I wasn’t sure it would turn out for them.
I really enjoyed this author’s previous book, so I’m putting her on my keeper list.
This one made for a great buddy read with Jayme, be sure to check out her review as well.
My thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler books for inviting me to read an early copy, provided through NetGalley.
Our main character, Noelle Butterby, has just left her college reunion heartbroken and now she’s stranded in a snowstorm on the roadway. Her older car is unreliable, and she can’t charge her phone. A handsome stranger in a nearby car comes to the rescue and the two spend “eight perfect hours” together talking and connecting. Then the road finally clears up and they go their separate ways.
Then fate steps in (or is it coincidence?) and the two meet again at the hospital. I really enjoyed this romantic story of Noelle and Sam although it took a while for this one to really get going for me. I thought it took several realistic turns. It did make me think more about fate, love at first sight, etc. and whether you are meant to be with someone.
There are some deeper issues here too, grief and loss and caring for parents. This one was more than a romantic story, so I appreciated the character development. I really grew to like Noelle! I rooted for Noelle and Sam to be together, but I wasn’t sure it would turn out for them.
I really enjoyed this author’s previous book, so I’m putting her on my keeper list.
This one made for a great buddy read with Jayme, be sure to check out her review as well.
My thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler books for inviting me to read an early copy, provided through NetGalley.
October 13, 2021
4 stars
Eight Perfect Hours is my second book by Lia Louis and she definitely has a distinct writing style. I loved the premise of this book and especially enjoyed the way that Noelle and Sam met. They had the perfect evening together amidst the bad situation they found themselves in. After that night, Sam stayed on Noelle's mind, even though the likelihood of her seeing him again was low. Or so she thought.
Noelle seemed to run into Sam time after time, almost like it was meant to be. There were a few minor twists in this story, some I saw coming, some I didn't, and overall I enjoyed it a lot. Like the first Lia Louis book I read I was frustrated that ... it's such a pet peeve of mine. But aside from that, I really enjoyed this one!
“I want you to know something,” he whispers, words barely there, his nose inches from mine. “You said nobody does but... I see you, Noelle. I do.”
Eight Perfect Hours is my second book by Lia Louis and she definitely has a distinct writing style. I loved the premise of this book and especially enjoyed the way that Noelle and Sam met. They had the perfect evening together amidst the bad situation they found themselves in. After that night, Sam stayed on Noelle's mind, even though the likelihood of her seeing him again was low. Or so she thought.
Noelle seemed to run into Sam time after time, almost like it was meant to be. There were a few minor twists in this story, some I saw coming, some I didn't, and overall I enjoyed it a lot. Like the first Lia Louis book I read I was frustrated that ... it's such a pet peeve of mine. But aside from that, I really enjoyed this one!
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Emma Powell
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women's Fiction
Length: 8h 12m
August 20, 2021
It’s so sad when your most anticipated release of the year doesn’t live up to your expectations.
I loved Dear Emmie Blue so much when I read it last year and I was so excited for Eight Perfect Hours. Especially when I saw that the e-book was already out even though the paperback isn't supposed to come out for another two months.
I really think the premise of Eight Perfect Hours sound really good and like something I would love. Two people who randomly meet and due to circumstances beyond their control spend eight hours together only to part ways afterwards without a way to contact each other again.
There was so much potential for angst and longing. To yearn for the inaccessible other. To try everything in their power to find each other or even for a second out of nowhere meeting that would just prove that their destined for each other.
Instead I just got 300 pages of pure boredom.
I really thought their initial eight hour meeting would be told way more in dept, maybe even take up a good third of the book. I mean, the title describes those eight hours as perfect so I just assumed that I as a reader would definitely feel like they are meant for each other after seeing them interact for those eight hours.
Nope.
I was wrong.
The initial eight hour meeting is only a couple of chapters long, which would have been fine, but there is just nothing in it that would make me say „Yep, those two are destined for each other.“ They have no chemistry, tbh, the hardly even talk in those hours. There is just nothing to establish any kind of mutual attraction. It’s just the main character immediately going like „what if I marry this guy someday.“. Umm, I don’t know why you would even think that, there is not a single spark between you, he literally just let you charge your phone in his car, that’s basically the extent of your falling in love montage at that point.
The zero chemistry, zero sparks, zero romantic tension then just continues for the entire book. I could not have cared less whether Noelle and Sam ended up together. I don’t even believe they are in love, because this book has given me nothing that would suggest that.
Instead I just got the most annoying ex-boyfriend imaginable, who was just the stereotype of villainous and unsupportive ex, who just wanted to get back together because it was convenient and comfortable for him. Honestly it was just laughable how Ed was portrayed to be the villain while Sam is the knight in shining armor. Ed was literally just there to make Sam look better even though Sam never did anything especially nice or good. He was just there and not constantly saying mean things like Ed.
Another thing that I got was an annoying main character that had no backbone and was also constantly going on about fate and how she and Sam are meant to be because they kept meeting even though, as I have already said, they had no chemistry and only ended up together because this is a romance novel. One time she started going on about fate and them being soulmates to Sam who was basically just having a conversation about the weather and if I were him I would have run away as fast as I could.
Mostly I was just bored though. I think that Noelle’s mum and their neighbour Ian had a much better chemistry than Noelle and Sam and I would have loved a book about them. You could just feel the love and affection between those two contrary to Noelle and Sam.
TL;DR: Don’t get excited for new releases. 2 stars.
I loved Dear Emmie Blue so much when I read it last year and I was so excited for Eight Perfect Hours. Especially when I saw that the e-book was already out even though the paperback isn't supposed to come out for another two months.
I really think the premise of Eight Perfect Hours sound really good and like something I would love. Two people who randomly meet and due to circumstances beyond their control spend eight hours together only to part ways afterwards without a way to contact each other again.
There was so much potential for angst and longing. To yearn for the inaccessible other. To try everything in their power to find each other or even for a second out of nowhere meeting that would just prove that their destined for each other.
Instead I just got 300 pages of pure boredom.
I really thought their initial eight hour meeting would be told way more in dept, maybe even take up a good third of the book. I mean, the title describes those eight hours as perfect so I just assumed that I as a reader would definitely feel like they are meant for each other after seeing them interact for those eight hours.
Nope.
I was wrong.
The initial eight hour meeting is only a couple of chapters long, which would have been fine, but there is just nothing in it that would make me say „Yep, those two are destined for each other.“ They have no chemistry, tbh, the hardly even talk in those hours. There is just nothing to establish any kind of mutual attraction. It’s just the main character immediately going like „what if I marry this guy someday.“. Umm, I don’t know why you would even think that, there is not a single spark between you, he literally just let you charge your phone in his car, that’s basically the extent of your falling in love montage at that point.
The zero chemistry, zero sparks, zero romantic tension then just continues for the entire book. I could not have cared less whether Noelle and Sam ended up together. I don’t even believe they are in love, because this book has given me nothing that would suggest that.
Instead I just got the most annoying ex-boyfriend imaginable, who was just the stereotype of villainous and unsupportive ex, who just wanted to get back together because it was convenient and comfortable for him. Honestly it was just laughable how Ed was portrayed to be the villain while Sam is the knight in shining armor. Ed was literally just there to make Sam look better even though Sam never did anything especially nice or good. He was just there and not constantly saying mean things like Ed.
Another thing that I got was an annoying main character that had no backbone and was also constantly going on about fate and how she and Sam are meant to be because they kept meeting even though, as I have already said, they had no chemistry and only ended up together because this is a romance novel. One time she started going on about fate and them being soulmates to Sam who was basically just having a conversation about the weather and if I were him I would have run away as fast as I could.
Mostly I was just bored though. I think that Noelle’s mum and their neighbour Ian had a much better chemistry than Noelle and Sam and I would have loved a book about them. You could just feel the love and affection between those two contrary to Noelle and Sam.
TL;DR: Don’t get excited for new releases. 2 stars.
December 29, 2021
3.5 stars
A charming love story about fate, happenstance, and finding your place in the world.
Noelle is a young woman who’s faced many challenges and finds herself questioning her direction in life. She loses her good friend due to a tragic accident, her father left the family when she was young, her long term relationship ended, and she currently lives with her mom who needs assistance from a stroke years prior. Noelle is stuck between her responsibilities and her dreams, her past and her hopes for the future, who she is now and who she wants to become.
Coming back from a college reunion, Noelle becomes stranded in a blizzard where she meets a handsome American stranger that’s heading to the airport. Together they spend “eight perfect hours” getting to know each other and bonding. However, when the roads are cleared, they part ways not exchanging numbers as they’re living in different countries. Soon we discover that the universe has other plans for them.
Sam and Noelle keep running into each other as their paths seem to always be crossing. Later we find out that they have a shared history. Sam and Noelle help each other heal from the grief and guilt of their painful pasts.
Noelle is on a journey of self-growth throughout the book. She learns to stand up for herself and ask for help. She begins to take charge and go after her dreams. I really liked how Noelle grew and became more confident in herself by the end.
Overall, this was a lovely romance read that ponders the topics of destiny, choice, and signs. However, I found there were one too many “coincidences” with Sam and Noelle that it didn’t seem believable. The ending was predictable but cute. Sam and Noelle end up where they’re meant to be. (:
A charming love story about fate, happenstance, and finding your place in the world.
Noelle is a young woman who’s faced many challenges and finds herself questioning her direction in life. She loses her good friend due to a tragic accident, her father left the family when she was young, her long term relationship ended, and she currently lives with her mom who needs assistance from a stroke years prior. Noelle is stuck between her responsibilities and her dreams, her past and her hopes for the future, who she is now and who she wants to become.
Coming back from a college reunion, Noelle becomes stranded in a blizzard where she meets a handsome American stranger that’s heading to the airport. Together they spend “eight perfect hours” getting to know each other and bonding. However, when the roads are cleared, they part ways not exchanging numbers as they’re living in different countries. Soon we discover that the universe has other plans for them.
Sam and Noelle keep running into each other as their paths seem to always be crossing. Later we find out that they have a shared history. Sam and Noelle help each other heal from the grief and guilt of their painful pasts.
Noelle is on a journey of self-growth throughout the book. She learns to stand up for herself and ask for help. She begins to take charge and go after her dreams. I really liked how Noelle grew and became more confident in herself by the end.
Overall, this was a lovely romance read that ponders the topics of destiny, choice, and signs. However, I found there were one too many “coincidences” with Sam and Noelle that it didn’t seem believable. The ending was predictable but cute. Sam and Noelle end up where they’re meant to be. (:
July 8, 2021
One snowy evening, a snowstorm halts traffic completely, leaving Noelle trapped with no food or water, not to mention she can’t call anyone because her phone charger is wonky. Then American Sam Attwood knocks on her window and offers assistance—she thinks she can just charge her phone, let her mum who suffered a stroke know she was late, and that will be it. Instead, their conversation is so easy, they spend the next eight hours together until the roads and weather clear.
Noelle thinks she’ll never see him again. It was bad enough seeing her ex—he’d moved to the United States for work and now is back. She keeps running into Sam, who has romantic and family complications of his own.
This is a cute, sweet novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book, which RELEASES SEPTEMBER 28, 2021.
Noelle thinks she’ll never see him again. It was bad enough seeing her ex—he’d moved to the United States for work and now is back. She keeps running into Sam, who has romantic and family complications of his own.
This is a cute, sweet novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book, which RELEASES SEPTEMBER 28, 2021.
August 30, 2021
Headlines:
Palpitations and angst
Kismet
Banter score 100
Down-to-earth relatable heroine
Eight Perfect Hours landed on my kindle from netgalley at 6pm and I opened at at 6:01pm, all other bookish plans cancelled (best decision ever). How long did it take me to get into it? One. Hot. Second.
Now that I’ve got the gushing over, here are some non-spoilery thoughts to encourage in new and those who are already Lia Louis fans. Noelle Butterby was one of the most relatable heroines I’ve ever read. Noelle would call herself boring and insignificant but this story was anything but. It started with a snowed up stationery motorway and a circumstantial meeting with Sam. Then they kept meeting one another. Now I want to say this is not some prolonged missed opportunities trope (which I do not gel with) it was something else.
Every time I’m near him, I want to stop the hands of all the world’s clocks. I never want to leave.
The characters in this book navigagted grief, ex-es, commitments and dependents. There were characters who annoyed the heck out of me (side entrance: Ed the Ped) and others that brought light and hope. All of this had me totally stuck to the page, I devoured this book, inhaled it really and I have no regrets.
Lia Louis keeps her streak for creating fantastic stories and characters but my actions on picking it up immediately showed that I never doubted it for a moment. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy.
Thank you to Orion/Trapeze Books for the review copy.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
Palpitations and angst
Kismet
Banter score 100
Down-to-earth relatable heroine
Eight Perfect Hours landed on my kindle from netgalley at 6pm and I opened at at 6:01pm, all other bookish plans cancelled (best decision ever). How long did it take me to get into it? One. Hot. Second.
Now that I’ve got the gushing over, here are some non-spoilery thoughts to encourage in new and those who are already Lia Louis fans. Noelle Butterby was one of the most relatable heroines I’ve ever read. Noelle would call herself boring and insignificant but this story was anything but. It started with a snowed up stationery motorway and a circumstantial meeting with Sam. Then they kept meeting one another. Now I want to say this is not some prolonged missed opportunities trope (which I do not gel with) it was something else.
Every time I’m near him, I want to stop the hands of all the world’s clocks. I never want to leave.
The characters in this book navigagted grief, ex-es, commitments and dependents. There were characters who annoyed the heck out of me (side entrance: Ed the Ped) and others that brought light and hope. All of this had me totally stuck to the page, I devoured this book, inhaled it really and I have no regrets.
Lia Louis keeps her streak for creating fantastic stories and characters but my actions on picking it up immediately showed that I never doubted it for a moment. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy.
Thank you to Orion/Trapeze Books for the review copy.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
December 1, 2022
Serendipity, eat your heart out! Sam and Noelle's story deserves all the stars. And the cover is so perfect. This new novel from Dear Emmie Blue author Lia Louis is more nuanced than your average chick lit story. Throughout the narrative some daunting themes are explored like anxiety, recovery, loss, chronic illness, family dynamics, and pursuing your dreams. There is much more than guy meets girl in many fortuitous places. What about family obligations? What about long-distance relationships? What about continuing past relationships? I really loved the many layers to this one and will definitely be looking forward to another new title from Lia Louis.
If you love this one, check out the latest title from Lia Louis. The Key to My Heart is coming out on December 6, 2022.
If you love this one, check out the latest title from Lia Louis. The Key to My Heart is coming out on December 6, 2022.
January 13, 2022
Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis is a contemporary romance that is for those that believe in serendipitiy and twists of fate to find ones soulmate. The story is a slower build as the couple come together time and again.
Noelle Butterby is on the way home to her mother that Noelle has been caring for when a blizzard interrupts travel trapping Noelle on the road. At first Noelle believes that the storm will pass and the traffic will more along soon but as time passes she realizes that is not the case.
Noelle is in need of a charger for her phone to be able to call home so she accepts help from a friendly American in the car next to her. After eight hours pass with the conversation flowing easily Noelle is certain she’ll never see the stranger again but fate has another thing in mind when time and again Noelle continues to run into Sam.
I went into Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis somewhat blindly thinking the whole story was going to be about the eight hours so I was nicely surprised to find this one held so much more. The story and characters immediately caught my attention and I loved the threads the author wove to pull this couple together slowly. If looking for a nice cozy and heartwarming romance this one should be added to your list!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Noelle Butterby is on the way home to her mother that Noelle has been caring for when a blizzard interrupts travel trapping Noelle on the road. At first Noelle believes that the storm will pass and the traffic will more along soon but as time passes she realizes that is not the case.
Noelle is in need of a charger for her phone to be able to call home so she accepts help from a friendly American in the car next to her. After eight hours pass with the conversation flowing easily Noelle is certain she’ll never see the stranger again but fate has another thing in mind when time and again Noelle continues to run into Sam.
I went into Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis somewhat blindly thinking the whole story was going to be about the eight hours so I was nicely surprised to find this one held so much more. The story and characters immediately caught my attention and I loved the threads the author wove to pull this couple together slowly. If looking for a nice cozy and heartwarming romance this one should be added to your list!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Want to read
April 3, 2021This is such a cute cover! It seems like a perfectly sweet story from an author who wrote one of my favorite romance novels of 2020.❤️
December 7, 2021
DONT LET THE COVER FOOL YOU LIKE ME 😂 this is not a holiday or winter/Christmas-y book at all!
but, it was a very cute romance. muuuuch deeper than your typical romance read and covered impt topics like grief, growing old, fate, finding yourself, family relationships, sacrifice and more. there was also a great twist at the end that prevented it from being totally predictable.
full review to come on my Instagram!
but, it was a very cute romance. muuuuch deeper than your typical romance read and covered impt topics like grief, growing old, fate, finding yourself, family relationships, sacrifice and more. there was also a great twist at the end that prevented it from being totally predictable.
full review to come on my Instagram!
January 14, 2022
4.5/5
I've been trying to figure out how to put my love of Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis into words, and honestly, I don't think I know how. This book was the perfect blend of romance, fate, serious topics, and humor, and I loved every dang minute of it. Louis is also the author of Dear Emmie Blue which is a fact I had completely spaced on and seeing as how I loved that book; I shouldn't be surprised that this one hit me the same way. I found myself smiling so many times as I read, but it is also a bit of a tearjerker as well, and there are plenty of emotional moments. There was even something at the end that I wasn't expecting at all and it kinda blew me away. I think this would make an absolutely wonderful movie, and even though it isn't a holiday movie, I could definitely envision it on the Hallmark channel.
I adored the audiobook narrator Emma Powell, and this is such a short read at just over 8 hours on audio. I loved Powell's voice and she did a beautiful job conveying every single emotion of the story. Her pacing was perfect for the book and Noelle's character and every part of her narration added something. There was also a nice touch to the audio with a knocking sound at one point, and it was fun to have a dash of sound effects added. I adored Noelle as a character and loved watching her and Sam bump into each other so many times, all the while wondering what his reason for keeping his distance from her was. I loved the story, plot, and almost every single one of the characters and Louis's writing always makes me happy. By the time I reached the end of Eight Perfect Hours, my heart was full, but I still longed for the story to continue. I highly recommend this one to those of you who love a good wintry read and romcoms with both depth and humor.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I've been trying to figure out how to put my love of Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis into words, and honestly, I don't think I know how. This book was the perfect blend of romance, fate, serious topics, and humor, and I loved every dang minute of it. Louis is also the author of Dear Emmie Blue which is a fact I had completely spaced on and seeing as how I loved that book; I shouldn't be surprised that this one hit me the same way. I found myself smiling so many times as I read, but it is also a bit of a tearjerker as well, and there are plenty of emotional moments. There was even something at the end that I wasn't expecting at all and it kinda blew me away. I think this would make an absolutely wonderful movie, and even though it isn't a holiday movie, I could definitely envision it on the Hallmark channel.
I adored the audiobook narrator Emma Powell, and this is such a short read at just over 8 hours on audio. I loved Powell's voice and she did a beautiful job conveying every single emotion of the story. Her pacing was perfect for the book and Noelle's character and every part of her narration added something. There was also a nice touch to the audio with a knocking sound at one point, and it was fun to have a dash of sound effects added. I adored Noelle as a character and loved watching her and Sam bump into each other so many times, all the while wondering what his reason for keeping his distance from her was. I loved the story, plot, and almost every single one of the characters and Louis's writing always makes me happy. By the time I reached the end of Eight Perfect Hours, my heart was full, but I still longed for the story to continue. I highly recommend this one to those of you who love a good wintry read and romcoms with both depth and humor.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 29, 2021
As I’m sure it has been for many, I found the past two months to be especially difficult and stressful — part of this is because of everything going on in the world right now and the resulting negativity that seems to have permeated every corner of the globe. On a personal level, having to deal with various concerns and issues related to work and family has been tremendously draining, to the point that, most days, I feel too exhausted to do anything that requires any level of sustained concentration. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, this has also started to affect my reading life in that my inability to focus has made reading certain types of books more challenging. It also didn’t help that my last couple of reads have been more on the heavy side, with a few that actually bordered on depressing.
Given all of the above, I was at the point where I was in desperate need of a “palette cleanser”-type read that would help me forget about my worries (albeit temporarily) and hopefully get my reading life back on track. It is within this context that I decided to pick up Lia Louis’s forthcoming release Eight Perfect Hours to read, even though a) I’m not usually a fan of romances, especially rom-coms, b) I’m a bit of a cynic when it comes to relationships and so I’m not too keen on sappy, cliched, angsty love stories, and c) this book was pretty low on my “priority” list to read right now due to the fact that it publishes at the end of September and I have a slew of ARCs publishing before this one that I also need to get to. But like I said earlier, I needed something that would get me out of this reading funk that I’d found myself in, and having read (and enjoyed) Louis’s previous book Dear Emmie Blue , I figured at least I’m reading a familiar-to-me author. Well, this one turned out to be a great choice!
As far as heartwarming romances go, Eight Perfect Hours definitely checks all the boxes. While the story itself wasn’t too original (and yes, the plot was absolutely predictable — everything panned out pretty much as I thought it would), I still enjoyed this one quite a lot (both from the story and characters perspectives). One thing I noticed from reading Louis’s previous book and now this one is that she has the ability to create realistic, relatable characters who are tremendously flawed and sometimes do frustrating things, yet we can’t help but love them anyway (this goes for the main characters as well as the side ones). With Noelle, the main protagonist in the story, I didn’t always agree with her every decision, but I understood her struggles — of being torn between responsibility to family versus pursuing her own dreams, of feeling like she wasn’t being seen, of living her life more for others than for herself, etc. — because I’ve experienced the same throughout my life, so I could definitely relate. This was also one of the reasons why I found myself rooting for Noelle throughout the story, even though I already knew she would most definitely find her way to a happy ending (this is a romance after all). And just like with Dear Emmie Blue , I loved all the side characters in this one nearly as much as I loved the main characters — the wonderful chemistry that all the characters had was a bonus that made this one all the more enjoyable.
Another aspect that I liked about this one was that the author was able to strike a good balance between lighthearted moments and the more serious ones, which I felt made this both a fun read as well as one with good emotional depth.
For those who enjoy rom-coms, I definitely recommend this one. Yes, the plot is predictable and there are romantic cliches galore, but the characters are endearing and the story overall is quite charming. For me, this was exactly the “pick-me-up” I needed to get me out of my reading slump during this time. I’m glad I decided to read this one!
Received ARC from Atria / Emily Bestler books via NetGalley.
Given all of the above, I was at the point where I was in desperate need of a “palette cleanser”-type read that would help me forget about my worries (albeit temporarily) and hopefully get my reading life back on track. It is within this context that I decided to pick up Lia Louis’s forthcoming release Eight Perfect Hours to read, even though a) I’m not usually a fan of romances, especially rom-coms, b) I’m a bit of a cynic when it comes to relationships and so I’m not too keen on sappy, cliched, angsty love stories, and c) this book was pretty low on my “priority” list to read right now due to the fact that it publishes at the end of September and I have a slew of ARCs publishing before this one that I also need to get to. But like I said earlier, I needed something that would get me out of this reading funk that I’d found myself in, and having read (and enjoyed) Louis’s previous book Dear Emmie Blue , I figured at least I’m reading a familiar-to-me author. Well, this one turned out to be a great choice!
As far as heartwarming romances go, Eight Perfect Hours definitely checks all the boxes. While the story itself wasn’t too original (and yes, the plot was absolutely predictable — everything panned out pretty much as I thought it would), I still enjoyed this one quite a lot (both from the story and characters perspectives). One thing I noticed from reading Louis’s previous book and now this one is that she has the ability to create realistic, relatable characters who are tremendously flawed and sometimes do frustrating things, yet we can’t help but love them anyway (this goes for the main characters as well as the side ones). With Noelle, the main protagonist in the story, I didn’t always agree with her every decision, but I understood her struggles — of being torn between responsibility to family versus pursuing her own dreams, of feeling like she wasn’t being seen, of living her life more for others than for herself, etc. — because I’ve experienced the same throughout my life, so I could definitely relate. This was also one of the reasons why I found myself rooting for Noelle throughout the story, even though I already knew she would most definitely find her way to a happy ending (this is a romance after all). And just like with Dear Emmie Blue , I loved all the side characters in this one nearly as much as I loved the main characters — the wonderful chemistry that all the characters had was a bonus that made this one all the more enjoyable.
Another aspect that I liked about this one was that the author was able to strike a good balance between lighthearted moments and the more serious ones, which I felt made this both a fun read as well as one with good emotional depth.
For those who enjoy rom-coms, I definitely recommend this one. Yes, the plot is predictable and there are romantic cliches galore, but the characters are endearing and the story overall is quite charming. For me, this was exactly the “pick-me-up” I needed to get me out of my reading slump during this time. I’m glad I decided to read this one!
Received ARC from Atria / Emily Bestler books via NetGalley.
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