The Moment I Met You: A Novel

by Debbie Johnson

Overview

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?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063003705
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/08/2022
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	868,632
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

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 nine 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, and the upcoming Maybe One Day.

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

Editorial Reviews

01/31/2022

Johnson (Maybe One Day) tugs hard at the heartstrings with this emotional tale of natural disaster and its impact on a woman’s love life. Elena Godwin, 26, and her longtime boyfriend, Harry, are on vacation in Mexico and hoping to rejuvenate their weakening relationship when a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hits, killing 28 people and injuring dozens more—including Elena, who is initially trapped underground with Swedish widower Alex. After they are miraculously rescued (thanks, in part, to the ABBA playlist they play on his phone), Elena feels a connection to him like nothing she’s ever felt before. Harry, though, who has been paralyzed, asks Elena to marry him during a TV interview. Against her better judgment, she agrees—and spends nine lonely years with him. But after a fellow survivor begins filming a documentary, Elena becomes occupied with thoughts of Alex, and secrets held by both Harry and Elena regarding their extramarital affections percolate to the surface. Well-drawn characters add depth to the perfectly paced narrative. It’s not a complicated story, but it hits the spot. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

This gorgeous yet at times heartbreaking novel will challenge any stoic reader to remain dry eyed, whilst simultaneously reminding us to take nothing for granted, and to hold on tightly to everything we love.” — Harlequin Junkies on Maybe One Day

“Beautifully written, full of gorgeous prose and killer one-liners. A laugh-cry lovely book from first page to last. What a lovely, lovely book this was!”  — Milly Johnson

“This book will tug on your heartstrings ... It’s clever and wise, brimming with warmth and poignancy. For all of us who have ever harboured a ‘what might have been’ regret, this is a must-read.”  — Carmel Harrington

“A heart-warming story about what happens to a young family after they’re derailed by a tragedy. There’s humour, tears and above all, hope. Bring tissues.”  — Catherine Isaac

“Funny and poignant—a celebration of life and the enduring power of love.”  — Carys Bray

From the Publisher

Beautifully written, full of gorgeous prose and killer one-liners. A laugh-cry lovely book from first page to last. What a lovely, lovely book this was!” 

Milly Johnson

A heart-warming story about what happens to a young family after they’re derailed by a tragedy. There’s humour, tears and above all, hope. Bring tissues.” 

Catherine Isaac

This book will tug on your heartstrings ... It’s clever and wise, brimming with warmth and poignancy. For all of us who have ever harboured a ‘what might have been’ regret, this is a must-read.” 

Carmel Harrington

Funny and poignant—a celebration of life and the enduring power of love.” 

Carys Bray

This gorgeous yet at times heartbreaking novel will challenge any stoic reader to remain dry eyed, whilst simultaneously reminding us to take nothing for granted, and to hold on tightly to everything we love.

Harlequin Junkies on Maybe One Day

★ 09/01/2022

Elena and her handsome boyfriend Harry decide to fly from the UK for a relaxing trip to Mexico. They hope to reignite a spark in their lackluster relationship. After shopping and touring in a small village in Mexico, they experience a life-altering earthquake that leaves Elena trapped beneath the rubble with a man named Alex. Approaching the 10th anniversary of that horrible night, Elena is haunted by the trauma and the stranger who saved her. After discovering untold details about that night, Elena begins to question many of her life choices. Johnson and narrator Kirsty Dillon provide a moving tale about disaster encounters, the heartbreak that sometimes follows, and the difference between surviving and living afterward. Johnson's vivid descriptions of Mexico, including the sights, sounds, and smells of the village, allow listeners to feel as if they are walking along with Elena in her journey. She's so lovable that one can't help but root for her well-deserved happy ending. VERDICT Johnson's (Maybe One Day) latest is perfect for those who enjoy second-chance romances.—Lacey Webster

Library Journal - Audio