A review by allingoodtime
Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 
I really debated on how to classify this story. While I absolutely believe it is a romance (it has an HEA, I promise), I felt it really fell more into the contemporary fiction category. Romance is a very important theme, and it’s almost – but not quite – the central theme. In my opinion, the central theme is Noelle finding herself. With or without romance, Noelle has to find her happiness for this story to work.

Although it’s been quite a few years, I’ve always been a big fan of the movie Serendipity. There is a big taste of that here, these two characters crossing paths over and over. Noelle believes it’s a sign, or even fate. Sam doesn’t believe in such stuff, or at least claims that he doesn’t. Even when the coincidences of their current meetings ramp up in frequency. No matter what you or they believe, every time Sam and Noelle bump into one another there is chemistry. Sometimes they fight it and it becomes awkward, sometimes they just go with the flow and enjoy their time together. Those, of course, are the best times. But there are always, every time they are together, obstacles to them ever taking things from friends and even flirting to something more.

As well as adoring Noelle and Sam, Noelle has some amazing friends. There are some heavy themes that play out in those friendships, but they are handled with care and really add so much depth to this world. And as much as I wanted to rant and rave at Noelle’s mom and brother for how they tie her in knots without realizing the damage they’re doing, they are also wonderful characters who care deeply for her.

There are some despicable characters in this story, too. But they’re supposed to be despicable and the author does a great job at portraying them just right. This book gave me all the feels. From laughter and tears, anger and happiness, sadness and joy. I would be very interested in reading more from her.

 **I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely** 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings