Have you ever met a stranger and afterwards wondered about them? This is what happened to Marianne and Ted as you take a journey on their story. You read the story of their meeting, close encounters of meeting again and everything in between.

I enjoyed the telling of their two tales and how it is similar to what happens in real life (for the most part).

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy.

Where do I begin?! This whole story was well developed. This book wasn't predicable which made it that much more enjoyable.

The Night We First Met by Clare Swatman is a charming and poignant tale that explores the serendipity of love and the impact of fleeting moments on the course of our lives. This four-star read takes readers on a journey through one fateful night in December, where Marianne Cooper and Ted Green's lives intersect in unexpected ways.

Marianne, reeling from the heartbreak of discovering her boyfriend's infidelity, is running away from a party. Meanwhile, Ted, facing a critical decision in his life, is in desperate need of someone to confide in. The stars align, and the two strangers find solace and connection in each other's company on the illuminated streets of London.

Swatman skillfully crafts a narrative that captures the essence of that unforgettable night. The lights of London provide a magical backdrop to Marianne and Ted's encounter, creating a setting that feels almost cinematic. The novel beautifully explores the idea that one night can be the catalyst for a love story that transcends time.

The regret that lingers as Ted watches Marianne leave in a black taxi adds a touch of realism to the story. The author masterfully conveys the fleeting nature of such moments and the profound impact they can have on our lives. The narrative is infused with a sense of nostalgia, making readers reflect on the significance of missed opportunities and the choices that shape our destinies.

While the story is romantic and heartwarming, it also delves into the complexities of timing and the consequences of not seizing the moment. The Night We First Met is a delightful read, perfect for those who appreciate a blend of romance and introspection. Clare Swatman's storytelling prowess shines through, earning this book a well-deserved four-star rating.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide me 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

Sadly, I did not get a chance to read this one! I was swamped with work and other priorities as well as being in a small reading slump. Since it has been published already, I am definitely going to go try and read it! Thank you NetGallery for the opportunity!

You know that thrill you get when you come across a new author? Which one inspires you to eat their whole back catalogue? Well, I can feel it now.
It's best to start reading this intelligent, very emotional work from scratch; no story summaries are required. You'll be happy that you did.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but, unfortunately, it just didn't tick any boxes for me. Neither the plot nor the characters caught my fancy and I found it hard to force myself to keep reading. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it wasn't all that good either.

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

Ohhhh what an addicting and glorious adventure The Night We First Met is!!! This was so beautifully written, so many years passed and so many missed opportunities to meet, Marianne and Ted brought me so much frustration at times, I just wanted them to find their way to eachother!!! This is a truly special story proving love always finds a way.

I really really wanted to love this book. I typically adore love stories that happen over time, as well as depressing topics, However, I just couldn't get into this book. I usually read a book every 2 or 3 days and after picking this up for 3 days in a row and just reading a couple pages at a time, I knew it wasn't for me.

Dnf at 10% (unrated)

it wasn’t bad or anything I just didn’t like the plot or the vibes it was giving. I’m sure it’s an amazing book💗

This was a beautifully-told story of love, life & loss. The story unfolds over 20 years from both MC's perspectives, where they are so close to intertwining in each other's lives without actually connecting for most of the book. It very much makes me think of Taylor Swift's Invisible String. I loved both of their individual journeys as well as the way they ultimately connected towards the end in a fateful, full-circle way, and how they both truly saved each other's lives. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Top favorite read of 2022!

Grab the tissues this story had me in my feels. I knew immediately that this would be an unforgettable story. We are starting in what feels like the end but in reality, it is a new beginning.

Ted feels like his life has not meaning and he no long can see his place in the world. He makes the untimely decision to bring his existence to an end. As luck would have fate had other plans for him when he realizes he is not along. When Marianne arrives, he knows he cannot take his life with someone watching. This is exactly what he needed to start his life over with a new beginning.

Marianne a woman who has had an unfulfilling life, stumbles upon Ted and although she has had a few to many at a party she knows she cannot let him commit the awful act. Having accomplished this not so easy feat, Marianne leaves as fast as she arrives.

At this point you realize this isn't going to be your typical love story. This novel is exactly what your heart needs because as we all know life isn't easy. Sometimes you have to take the hard road before you get to the good stuff.

Fate will always step in at the right time and you won't be able to fight it. This story of enduring love is simply amazing.

A big thanks to NetGalley, Clare Swatman, and Boldwood Books for providing me with an Arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

We begin at the end, or rather someone's potential end, only to find...a new beginning.

Ted is just a man at the end of his rope. He can no longer see his place in this world or how he positively impacts anyone's life, so he's decided to disappear in the most unobtrusive way possible. Unfortunately for him, bidding the world adieu is not in the cards, at least without an audience, and he'd never do that to another person. So, thanks to the arrival of Marianne (aka Fairy Girl), he's set upon a new path, with a second chance at life, so he best make the most of it. Too bad he didn't make the most of the opportunity, awkward though it was, and grab some information from his well-timed heroine...but then again, what's meant to be in life will be, eventually.

Marianne is just a woman suffering from a bad choice in beaus, an unfulfilling job, and a severe dash to her confidence. Upon making her escape, she stumbles upon Ted (aka Bridge Man), and though 2.5 sheets to the wind, simply can't stand by while someone takes that final step. Mission accomplished, she hightails it out of there, so fast that all that's left behind is the glitter from her party costume. Too bad she didn't make the most of the opportunity, awkward though it was, and grab some information from her well-timed wake up call...but then again...

Okay, here's the thing. The story takes you into its heart and doesn't let go. We have the initial less-than-meet-cute, a whole lot of missed opportunities and bad timing, leading to an eventually meeting that sets things to rights, at least in this readers heart. There's nary a moment that we aren't up to speed on what's happening in either of their lives, and that sort of detail takes time, as well as skill, to keep readers fully involved. There is but one catch...small though it may be...when their lives overlap and they share scenes for any given lenght of time, due to the alternating chapters in the story, you get a full view of the situation from the other person. For example, the intro sequence....he leaves the flat setting out to find his end, she leaves a party to find a new beginning, and then their lives collide. In the overlapping parts, you get the same dialogue, just from behind the other person's eyes, which adds significant length to the story, so if you're one in it only for the page count, be aware!

All in all, I feel like I really know these two, and all the struggles they survived. We're made a part of their inner circle, and though their connection is something written in the stars, we also get to see the downside of that as it affects their current relationships and interactions. I guess what I'm saying is that while these two hearts seemed to beat to different drummers, in the end, they heard the same melody which drove them forward throughout their lives, and eventually to the truth they knew all along. A great read for Women's Fiction fans, as well as those that love a good Contemporary Fiction story.

Thrilling read! I was able to connect with all of the characters and throughly enjoyed the story the author painted.

Heart-wrenching, life-affirming and uplifting, How To Save a Life is the brilliant new novel by Clare Swatman.

December should be a time for parties and celebrations, but Marianne Cooper is certainly not having the time of her life. After spotting her boyfriend in a passionate clinch with somebody who isn’t her, a heartbroken and devastated Marianne flees the party she was attending and just wants to get home. Only, along London’s South Bank, something stops her in her sights: the figure of a man about to jump off Waterloo Bridge and end his life.

Ted Cooper has had enough. At 22, he should have the world at his feet, but he feels as if he is unable to go on. Lonely, desperate and unable to take it anymore, Ted feels like the only option available to him is to end it all. Yet, Ted never imagined that he would be saved at the eleventh hour by Marianne – who might just end up changing his life forever.

As Ted and Marianne navigate life’s ups and downs, will fate ever bring the two of them together again? Or are they simply not meant to be?

Clare Swatman’s How To Save A Life is an epic love story that will give readers all the feels. A heartwarming tale about second chances, hope and love that will make readers laugh out loud and bawl their eyes out, How To Save A Life is an engaging and enjoyable page-turner full of characters it is impossible not to root for.

Perfect for Jojo Moyes and Isabelle Broom fans, Clare Swatman’s How To Save A Life is a love story to savour which will prove hard to put down and harder to forget.

This was the perfect summer read.
Easy to follow but really enjoyable and not dull as so many summer/beach reads can be.

I really enjoyed the characters of Marianne and Ted and was eager to see how their lives would turn out after their meeting at the Waterloo Bridge. The author does a good job of making you care about the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

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

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have signed up to follow her after reading this. The story starts with a chance meeting / rescue between Marianne and Ted as they reach a low point in their lives. The tale takes us through many years, with reminders of what life was like at the time (smoking in pubs, no mobile phones) as Ted and Marianne alternately tell an event from their own viewpoint. There are many times they almost meet as they move through relationships and I found myself on tenterhooks each time - 'would this be the one?'
I fully enjoyed every moment of reading this book, and completely recommend it as a lovely, romantic read with depth.