Everyone remembers their first love.
Holly has learnt that life isn't about seizing the moment. She might have harboured dreams about travelling the world as a teenager, but she let go of those – just as she let go of Alex.
But what if the feelings never really went away?
Alex wants to make every moment of his new job count. It’s a fresh start in a new city, and he knows that moving to London has nothing to do with Holly. Well, probably.
How do you know if it was meant to be… or never meant to happen at all?
Review: how did it take me so long to read this book? I totally read Laura Tait and Jimmy Rice's books in the wrong order but if you end up doing that I can now confirm it doesn't matter. It was my love for The Night That Changed Everything (read it now) that gave me the shove to read this one. I actually downloaded the audiobook which mean that Holly and Alex's voices were distinct from each other and I'm really glad I shelled out for this one because that aspect made it and even more fun read. I found myself reading this is any opportunity I got, sitting in the car when I got home from work so that I could hear the end of the chapter!
I think out of the two main characters, I preferred Alexk over Holly, I know you shouldn't pick favourites and before you say anything, it's not just because he is a fellow teacher who went from teaching up north to teaching in a challenging London school (is he actually me?!) but I really liked the way he handled his life. He went for things and really made the most of what he had, whether that was a challenging class or a challenging room mate. He is a little naive when it comes to certain aspects of his life, including he friendship with Holly but I loved that about him. Best freind Kevin provides some pure comedy moments and I had some laugh out loud times in my car when he was involved. I really liked Holly too, I just felt frustrated by the choices that she made in life, as I'm sure I was meant to as a reader, she evoked real emotion in me which means she was incredible well-written as a character!
I loved the dual narrative of this book and also that fact that we have flashbacks so we get to hear from both characters and find out what has gone before in their friendship as well as where it stands now. It was a total Ross and Rachel type of relationship where you are willing things to happen between them and then Italians and Stray cats get involved (that was in Freinds not in the book but the thing they are hit with are essentially the same thing!) and you actually feel yourself getting more and more tense with each moment that passes. If you are a real romantic, you will love every moment of this love story not love story and if you are more of a cynic then you will love the missed opportunities too. Definitely definitely pick up both of these books now and read them in any order you like, I guarantee you'll have fun!
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