I was deciding what book to read for my first book of the new year, and realized that I had another one from Lia Louis on my list. I will admit, as I admitted in my notes on Dear Emmie Blue
that, while I would not consider myself a "romance" reader, this pandemic has done strange things to my reading habits. I thought this book would be a great way to kick off the new year—with optimism, fun, and an unending supply of serendipity. Coincidence or fate? Noelle and Sam are locked in a debate about this, despite the evidence all around them. I, for one, believe in signs. If you do too, you will be thrilled with this story, because signs and coincidences are abundant here. I am starting to think the world would be a nicer place if we all read a few books each year that defied our expectations and even crossed the line occasionally on believability. Maybe crossing that line, with an over-the-top happy ending is not such a bad thing after all. I used to deride a neatly wrapped up story with a tidy happy ending, but three long years of chaos in the world have changed me. Maybe, what we all need, is a little more love and a few more perfect hours.

Not a holiday read but a winter read, Eight Perfect Hours follows Noelle, a cleaner and carer for her sick mum, and what happens when she gets stuck on the freeway in a winter storm on her way home from her high school reunion.

By a stroke of fate, Sam (American, tall, and a professional rock climbing guide) happens to hit traffic in the same spot, and invites Noelle to use his phone charger while they wait out the storm.

Once the storm is over, however, Sam and Noelle keep bumping into each other. Is it fate, or just a small town in England that keeps bringing them together? With both still dealing with other relationships, the reader is kept on their toes, wondering if/when the two will get together.

I loved that throughout the novel, both the characters and the readers uncovered more ways that the Noelle and Sam were linked. It didn’t feel cheesy or overwrought, but well done by the last chapters when it all comes together.

Though it was a touch of a slower burn than I would have preferred, I found Eight Perfect Hours to be a cute romance, with little enough steam that you could let your grandma borrow it and it wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

I loved the initial premise of this book, but as the story went on I found it hard to stay connected to the characters.

8 perfect hours. Stuck on a highway in a blizzard, in a car with a total stranger. That’s all it took Noelle Butterby to realize this handsome American was someone special. Too bad they didn’t exchange information and Sam, the American, was on his way to the airport to catch a flight home. Why then a few weeks later while sitting in a hospital waiting room does she run in to him again? And a few more times after that. Was it fate?

I loved this book. Although it was frustrating at times, the twists and reveals it made, made me fall head over heels for this.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you can buy into the premise of coincidences, this is a cute love story. I was not fully invested in the idea of a woman getting into a strange man's car, or that a major freeway in a huge city could be completely blocked for multiple hours at a time, but once you set that to the side, the relationship between Sam and Noelle was sweet and lovely.

A perfect beach read for the middle of winter. Eight Perfect Hours is a bit of a novel form of Serendipity. It is light and fun and adorable. It is a bit of a slow burn and the plot does have it's slow moments, but it's cute and a quick read all the same.

There are some less than shining characters in the mix, but every story needs a bad guy...or a handful...that cause the protagonist emotional and mental harm. There is a good redemption arc (though I have one character I refuse to forgive for their selfish actions) and there are good conversations about mental health and gentleness with anxiety afflictions along the way which I appreciated.

All in all, a good & comfortable read that kept me cozy on a cold winter night. My second read from Lia Louis and I was not disappointed. I will be continuing to watch for her releases.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

Eight Perfect Hours is cozy blanket on a cold snowy day of a book. It’s entirely predictable but charming, enjoyable and satisfying in the best ways. I love every single character (except Ed, forget Ed) and I loved how they treated each other. The settings were amazing, the men were perfect and it even dealt with some heavy topics (depression and mental health) in a respectful and honest way.

I loved every second of it even though I knew what eas going to happen at the end. This book will be perfect for a cozy re-read. I loved seeing everything come together.

I picked this one up thinking it would be a cute holiday rom-com. It was not. To me, the story seemed far-fetched and I had a hard time following the author’s writing style. I think there are readers out there who would love this one. It just wasn’t for me.

Cute and funny. Sweet from the start of Noelle being stranding with a stranger, Sam who is also in the wrong place at the wrong time driving in a winter storm. Although it feels like a chance meeting, the universe has other plans as their story is not complete! Fate is a funny thing and when it comes to love and love stories there is a lot of chance and much luck involved.

This was not quite the lighthearted read I was expecting, but I really enjoyed this love story of two people "fated" to be together. I loved the way this love story developed and seeing all the moments that brought our two main characters together. I was along for the ride and all the turns along the way. I appreciated the way it discussed and handled some heavier topics such as death of loved ones and mental health among other things. It was definitely not a cheesy portrayal of a fated romance. I really enjoyed this story.

Eight Perfect Hours was the perfect book to read the day after Christmas. It kept those warm, fuzzy feelings aglow. It is one of those love stories that just make you smile and feel happy. No wrench thrown into the plans. Not too much sadness. Noelle and Sam are a very sweet couple. Sure, there has to be a few bumps in the road but nothing that made me want to throw the book across the room. (You know the kind I mean) It is just a sweet, perfect little book for this time of year.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for a gifted copy.

Cute premise and a plot full of heart! This was a very sweet romance with witty banter. The characters are flawed and authentic, which I always love in a book. The plot requires a suspension of reality as coincidences take over. However, I was able to sit back and enjoy the story. I found it adorable and very heartwarming! 4⭐️

Although I had an advanced copy of this book I kept putting it off and putting it off. First, because I was waiting for a snowstorm. Then when it was still 75 degrees outside on Christmas week because I just wasn’t in the mood for another “holiday romance.” But then I saw it was by the same author who wrote Dear Emmie Blue and, welp, then it become a must read immediately.

I am soooooo happy to report this did not disappoint. The setting here is a snowstorm and travelers who are going absolutely nowhere on the highway. Add in to that Noelle having a bit of a cry and a minor panic from not being able to reach her mother who she helps care for and Sam, a kind stranger with a working phone charger in the car next door and you have what most people assume would be kismet. Orrrrrrrrrrr maybe not because after spending eight wonderful hours together traffic finally starts moving and the two part ways. Only to keep running into each other accidentally over and over again. Is it just chance? Or is it something more?????

I think my favorite romances might be the ones where the actual romance takes a back burner. I love Lia Louis’ characters. They are real and funny and dealing with actual life stuff rather than fuzzy nonsense. I could have lived without Noelle being such a doormat, but that comes with the territory sometimes so I have to give it a pass. And when the storyline is just a bit reminiscent of one of my favorite romance movies . . . . . Serendipity.

That makes for a wonderful day of reading.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

I enjoyed this book in a I-don’t-want-to-think-too-hard way. It was a great read for over the holidays, but could be read at any time, despite the snow on the cover. And I really liked that the story was well-rounded, focusing on the main character’s overall life goals and struggles, not just the potential for romance.

Also - it reminded me a little of GHOSTS by Dolly Alderton, but if GHOSTS were a rom com. This book doesn’t pack the same punch as GHOSTS, but the main characters, the setting and the feeling of early 30s stress were similar — Noelle reminded me a lot of Nina.

I’d recommend this one for anyone who enjoyed A SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES.

This is a book meant for a winter day. Noelle and Sam meet when a blizzard strands them together on the road. What seems like a one-time meeting ends up putting the two of them together when fate intervenes.

I loved Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis, and Eight Perfect Hours is missing just a bit of that book's magic and chemistry, but I'll look forward to reading more from the author.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

😭

Not tears if happiness, Fam. Tears of disappointment and betrayal. The first 8 hours were “perfect” and then it all went down a slippery slope from there.

I was hoping for Christmas cheer and all I got was this sappy snow-mance.
Giving this one 2.5 ❄️

I was annoyed with Noelle and her mom and, good gravy, Ed was a pain in the ass wasn’t he!!? And don’t get me started on Dilly (I started calling him Dicky around the 10% mark) I think Petal was my favorite character because she didn’t disappoint me or irritate me lol

I did enjoy the element of Noelle and Daisy’s relationship. Noelle’s grief and guilt was understandable and something I appreciated reading about. I also enjoyed the moment at the end where Noelle realized her dream and opened her floral shop. Thought that was a sweet moment.

Other than that 🤷🏼‍♀️ it was below meh for me!

"Eight Perfect Hours" is a cute novel about two people, Noelle and Sam, who meet during a snowstorm when their cars are left at a standstill on the roadway all evening. Noelle's life is not what she's dreamed it would be- she lives at home, talking care of her mom who is crippled by anxiety, working a job she hates (she wants to be a florist), and gave up moving to America with her boyfriend because she had to stay home with her mom. When she meets handsome American mountain-climber Sam on the roadway, asking him to use his phone charger, the two of them connect over the course of the evening, but eventually have to say goodbye to each other once the roads open back up in the morning. Noelle assumes she will never see Sam again, but she continues to run into him, including getting a job helping to clean out Sam's father's apartment so he can move into a retirement home. Noelle soon realizes she needs to take some chances to follow her dreams and live the life she's always wanted, including a relationship with Sam, and securing her dream job.

"Eight Perfect Hours" was an enjoyable read, although at times I was frustrated with the characters and just wanted things to move along. Nonetheless, it was still a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Did I miss something or was this actually a holiday book?? The cover made me think it was, but I swear it could’ve been set at any time in the year!

I wasn’t a huge fan of this bc there wasn’t enough of the “eight perfect hours” at the beginning. I didn’t get any chemistry from the characters. I liked Noelle fine, but I didn’t really care about the romance. I was actually more invested in her personal development.

I think my own expectations affected my enjoyment of this one. I was expecting more of a holiday romance, but after reading Dear Emmie Blue last year, I should’ve known this would also be a bit more focused on the MC’s personal development more than the romance.

This is not a fun read. The protagonist is not likeable, actually pathetic and has nothing going for her other than some miserable past. I cant sympathize with her at all and to begin the book with a sad story is just a downer. There’s also too many characters introduced at once that its become confusing.. Is Charlie a girl? Is Dilly a guy? Protagonist (forgot her name because she is an unforgettable character) is attracted to Sam who seems ordinary to me. I put the book down several times and tried to pick up again after several breaks but I just couldn't finish. Its unremarkable.

After a blizzard strands Noelle on the roads, she meets Sam, and spends eight perfect hours with him. Following the storm, Noelle continues to run into Sam, and begins to wonder if it is completely random, or fate drawing the two together.

Much like Josie Silver’s novel ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, Noelle and Sam continue to meet throughout the novel in a serendipitous fashion, thus causing them to wonder if they are meant to be. However, I felt that this novel moved a bit slower, and I did not get as invested in the characters as I would have hoped. I did prefer Lia Louis’ previous novel, DEAR EMMIE BLUE, and will continue to read her books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.