Not the story, or even the romantic tale, I was expecting... The whole thing is very sad, very tragic, if it can go worse it will, and every time I started to cling to some hope, it was dashed...which got tedious and a little revolting after a while. The writing is excellent, but maybe a little too much as the trapped underground scene had me feeling claustrophobic, and the loss of the pregnancy might prove terribly triggering for someone who's been there (aka there should've been way more trigger warnings for this one)
A very good tale of tragedy and sadness - just, not a romance or lighter fare as the cover seems to imply

I think this is probably the best book Debbie Johnson has ever written. The terrifying earthquake that came out of nowhere had me with my heart in my mouth. Who would survive? What injuries were people going to be left with? What did it mean for the relationships of all involved? The tension was ramped right up to 11. Then there was the hospital with the lovely but doomed romance which had me in tears. And finally the reunion in the very spot where it all began. If I could I'd give it an infinite number of stars, 5 doesn't even come close.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Wow be prepared to go on an emotional rollercoaster when reading this beautifully written story. I felt the romance together with the grief, the happiness and the sadness.
Mexico and Cornwall both equally beautiful places to set the scene and the tragic consequences of an earthquake.
Beautiful characters of Elena and Harry and the kind and calming stranger.
Well worth a read!

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

As ever from this author, a great story and characters.
The book was well written and certainly one where you have that dilemma - read on and finish it quickly or try to slow down so it just last longer!
I recommend this book and this author.

This was a really fantastic book. It was one of those stories that you think about long after you close the last page.

Elena goes on a trip with her long term boyfriend. They head to Mexico, and while they are there Elena has serious doubts about their relationship. As she is contemplalting making this huge decsion she meets another traveller. When tragedy strikes, Elena finds herself, 10 years later, reflecing on this very trip.

The characters of this book are well written. I found myself genuinely caring for Elena as the story progressed. She has a lot to deal with and at times makes the wrong decisions. It is such a bittersweet book and not your typical romance. A book I would recommend.

This was my first Debbie Johnson book, and it definitely will not be my final one. I have fallen in love with her storytelling.

I expected a light romance here but there is a lot more at stake in this book. I really enjoyed the ending and that Elena and Harry parted ways. I think Elena went through a lot of growth through the book and I loved to see it of her.

Loved, love, loved this book.
What an incredible story that has been so brilliantly written. Once started I didn’t want to put it down as I just wanted to just absorb the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me for this arc!

This book isn’t what I thought it would be as I had requested it a long time ago! This story line was heartbreaking as as much as Elena could’ve said no to the proposal I feel like Harry should never have asked her.

In the end it is good that they didn’t stay together and that they could finally be happy.

The book was very enjoyable and there is sadness and romance in this book. The characters were really interesting and strong.

Elena is on holiday with her partner Harry in Mexico she meets Alex who is travelling alone and there is speculation about him. Things happen in Mexico and this changes life for Elena and Harry. Alex is there for Elena at this hard time and we see a friendship develop between them,

Over the years Elena sacrifices what she wants to do and then she starts looking at all the events that happened on that holiday making her question things.

It was a well written book and would recommend this book.

Such an impressively compelling story.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elena is on the cusp of some big life changes. On her trip to Mexico with her partner Harry she decides she wants more from life and is preparing to leave him when an earthquake hits and her entire world is changed forever. Whilst trapped underground, she has company as a kind stranger does his best to protect her from any falling debris and to keep her talking in the hope that they will be rescued.
The story continues 10 years later and the reader discovers the life-altering changes that took place and the decisions that were made in light of them. There are some very “sliding doors” moments as we consider what might have been and what should have been when Elena is asked to take part in a documentary about the disaster.
This story was a complex and emotionally charged one with plenty of heartache and hope along the way.

I really liked this book, I enjoy Debbie Johnson's writing. It was a brilliant story with really good characters and character stories. Definitely recommend.

I was sent this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

I absolutely love books by Debbie but this one was the exception, I was amazed but it, adored it and it blew me away so much more than usual. This is was one of the best books I have read by Debbie and I love all her books. Its so much more than just a romance, it’s a heartbreaking yet life affirming story covering a span of 10 years after terrible events happen , how they shape those years and how revisiting that terrible night unlocks the key to the future. As always it’s so well written so much detail and you feel so connected to the characters, they are so relatable. It shows you that even if you have plans and dreams there are lots of obstacles in life that can prevent them and it may not always go as you may think or want. I admit I was expecting a much lighter story, but this was so much more, so thought provoking and I was unable to put the book down. Overall 'The Moment I Met You' is such a beautiful book. You’ll go through so many emotions, but it’s worth every single one, highly recommended read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

What a wonderful book this was. It was nothing like I thought it was going to be, it was so much more! I expected a romantic boy meets girl, and whilst it did have all that, it was also a heart-warming story of discovery, life choices and acceptance spread out over 10 years. We first meet Elena when she is on holiday in Mexico with her boyfriend Harry. She’s not sure if life is going the way she wants, and not even sure that she wants to be with Harry. When a disaster happens, Elena finds not just her life changing forever but also those of the people around her. As the book continues, we pick up Elena’s story 10 years later, to make our decision on whether she made the right choice with what path she chose.

I loved Elena’s character and felt for her right from the beginning. Harry is definitely a character where my opinion of him changes from chapter to chapter, and whilst it seems he loves Elena, did he make his choices for the right reasons following the disaster. I loved all the other characters within the story equally. Travelling on his own and choosing to keep himself to himself, Alex’s story was a sad one which brought me to tears. The disaster and its aftermath were heart-stopping and breath-taking, portraying the emotions and sadness perfectly.

This was a beautiful love story which had me captivated from the first page. I connected with the characters immediately and found myself willing them to do the right thing and make the right choices. There are some trigger points within the book, and the disaster is quite difficult to read about, but everything is written so sensitively. I found myself so caught up in the story that before I knew it chapters and chapters had passed in the blink of an eye. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster which just kept going round until the end of the book where it finally let me off! Would definitely recommend!

I absolutely love this authors books and this one was no exception is was one of the best books I have read this year. It was a totally unexpected read as was so much more than just a romance. It was a heartbreaking yet heartwarming poignant and life affirming read of how the terrible events that happened to elena and Harry on holiday ten years ago have shaped the last decade and how what happens now revisiting that terrible night unlocks the key to future happiness.

I was hooked into this book from the very first page and read it in one day. The disaster was written so vividly it almost felt like I was there and the characters were well written and relatable in this rollercoaster of emotions read which shows you that life is too short and you never know what is going to happen as it only takes a second for it to change so live for the moment.

This book will stay with me for a long time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Sheer escapism, beautifully written, I will look for more of this author’s work. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve read quite a few of Debbie’s books and have enjoyed every one of them. I went into this knowing not much more than I reckoned I’d enjoy it so I was completely surprised by the turn the plot took right from the start.

This is definitely a unique book for me and was so unexpected! I don’t want to say too much about the plot because I don’t want to give away the surprise I felt and the truly emotive and at the same time harrowing narrative throughout the first half of this book.

The book is in two parts, essentially the main event and then the after. The characters are so strong in this book and are such a central focus throughout given the situation and circumstances in the first half of the book.

I laughed and cried throughout this book and there were so many tender and sweet moments alongside some really difficult to deal with emotions and situations. It’s definitely an imagine yourself in their shoes - what would you do - type of read and it really makes you think!

If you’ve enjoyed Debbie’s writing before I definitely think you’ll enjoy this and it just has this extra something to it too.

I have read a lot of Debbie Johnson's books and this one was quite different as the majority of the story dealt with the aftermath of relationships after the key characters had been through an earthquake so some serious issues were tackled and dealt with very well. The development of the characters was excellent and it was easy to feel the many emotions such as grief and guilt that lots of them suffered in the aftermath of the disaster. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading Debbie's next!