When I started this book I had no idea of the heart breaking journey it would take me on. Adam & Anna are a couple who have loved eachother fiercely but feel like they lost their way whilst trying for a baby. 

This book is a compelling and emotional read, it discusses how the brain can work in mysterious ways and how sometimes we see and hear what we want rather than what might be there. The characters are complex and you get a fantastic insight into the highs and lows of Adam & Anna's relationship and how sometimes the world works in mysterious ways. 

A wonderful love story that broke my heart whilst reading but left me feeling calm and restored as I reached the end. I highly recommend reading this book with a box of chocolates and tissues.

And interesting story that was full of unexpected twists. Emotional and thought provoking, it was intriguing to read.

How many times have people wished for a chance to go back and say those things unsaid to a loved one?

This book is a true love story in that the road isn’t easy.  The novel covers the painful journey of trying to achieve parenthood, the bone-crushing disappointment that it isn’t easy and the heartbreaking reality that it might not be achieved.

Anna and Adam start with a lightening strike of true love.  However, once married, they are bickering and arguing, each party misunderstanding conversations and actions because they don’t talk about the real issue between them - the stress of trying to become parents.

In a last ditch effort to rekindle their love, they go on holiday back to where it all began.  This trip starts with joy and then dissolves into disaster and heartbreak.  Here enters Oliver, a research scientist who is holding a potential solution.  Troubled with his own demons, these drive him to find an answer to what goes on in our minds.

The book was excellently written - I could understand and feel Anna’s pain and distress and not being able to fall pregnant and feeling abandoned by Adam.  However, I did sympathise with Adam and it was interesting to see everything from his perspective.  I can completely understand Anna’s need to take part in the trial, to keep going back, to focus on the life they almost had.

A devastatingly beautiful storey of love, hope and loss.

When Anna meets Adam she's on her "honeymoon" with her best friend Nell having just broken up with her fiance in the weeks before the wedding. Romance or love are the last things on her mind and she's happy to spend some time in the sun having a few drinks and making the most of the hotel catering. When her friend hooks up with Adam's friend Josh they are thrown together and they soon discover that it is more than a holiday romance. 

The story isn't linear and the timeline jumps around. The book opens with Anna reminiscing about how she met Adam and the bittersweet memories that it evokes. This is a story of life and circumstance getting in the way of what should have been a perfect partnership. Its a heart rending tale of loss and what might have been and the struggle that some people have to endure to try to become parents. Once again - it's happened a lot lately - I found myself wide awake in the middle of night with silent tears streaming down my cheeks as I immersed myself in their story. 

<em>The Life We Almost Had</em> is the first story she’s written as Amelia Henley but she also writes psychological thrillers under her real name, Louise Jensen. As Louise Jensen she has sold over a million copies of her global number one bestsellers. Her stories have been translated into twenty-five languages and optioned for TV as well as featuring on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestsellers list. Louise’s books have been nominated for multiple awards. I can appreciate why this hasn't come out under Louise's name as it is very different to her usual thrillers but a good writer does have breadth and the capacity to write in different styles and genres. 

In many ways the cute girly cover is a little misleading as this book goes beyond the fluff and romance and touches on some quite deep subjects. Its a real conversation starter - perfect for book groups - and poses some quite deep questions about sacrifice  and the nature of love. 

Supplied by Net Galley and HQ in exchange for an honest review.

It's not going to be possible to say much about the plot of The Life We Almost Had because it would spoil the read for others, but it is meticulously planned so that every tiny detail has a crucial place that is only apparent once the entire book is read. As the story progresses, it is evident that Amelia Henley has painstakingly researched aspects that contribute to both plot and theme, but again I can't be more specific as it would give too much away. However, I will say that The Life We Almost Had teaches the reader to appreciate what they have and to listen - properly listen - to those they love.

The quality of Amelia Henley's writing is gorgeous. The longer descriptive passages are perfectly balanced by shorter sentences and questions that convey such deep emotion that I had to stop reading several times just to recover because it felt as if my heart would break. These same questions make the reader feel as if they are part of the narrative too as they draw them in. The Life We Almost Had should come with a health warning. It isn't possible to read this story without being completely altered by it and without shedding copious tears. I felt shattered afterwards and it took me some while to regain my composure.

Anna and Adam are incredibly warm, human, flawed, beautiful and real. I fell for them both without reservation. The depth of their love reverberates through every syllable of the narrative and yet Amelia Henley still manages to make them totally realistic in their ability to bicker and to hurt one another, so that they make The Life We Almost Had feel like it could be about any of us. Amelia Henley paints an intimate portrait of their relationship that is exceptional. Secondary characters are equally well developed so that I finished The Life We Almost Had feeling as if I knew them all personally. I seem to be unable to stop thinking about them all.

I'm aware that this review is both vague and inadequate, but The Life We Almost Had is such an emotional and affecting book that I don't want to spoil it for others by revealing too much and I'm not sure I have access to sufficient superlatives to describe it. The Life We Almost Had ranks as one of the most emotional and affecting books I've ever read and has caused me to look at my loved ones with fresh eyes. I thought it was simply superb and defy even the most hard hearted and unemotional reader to read it and not be irrevocably changed in the process. Don't miss it.

I had to DNF this book.

I was really enjoying the first chunk and I was really excited to see how it played out. Unfortunately reading about adam and annas inferility struggle was all too close to home for me and had there have been a content warning about this i would not have picked up the book. I truly mean it when I saw its not you, its me and I will be looking out for more titles from this author!

Many thanks to NetGalley  for an advance copy of The Life We Almost Had.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book and particularly the alternate timelines.  This was definitely not a typical love story and yet it most certainly is a powerful love story.  We are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions as we live Anna and Adam's story and their quest for a second chance at first love..  A well written and thoughtful romantic holiday read that you wont be able to put down!

As always, I went in blind and was therefore thoroughly unprepared for the heartbreak this book made me feel. It hit me Right. In. The. Heart. 

For Anna and Adam it's love at first sight. A few years into their relationship, cracks begin to show. When I read this, I thought this was as sad as it was going to get. That they weren't going to make it. But I was wrong because the further I got, the more Amelia Henley continued to hurt my heart with this storyline.

I don't want to say anything else about it because I don't know what I can say without giving anything away. But I'll just say that I didn't expect it to take the route it took at all. I'm so glad that it did though because it was written so well. The characters were relatable, realistic and the tragedy so real because as clichéd as it sounds, no one knows what's round the corner.

This is a love story. But it's not your average one. Henley has made sure of that. 

Thank you @netgalley for this arc.

How this book turned out was so unexpected! The story isn’t your classic happily ever after, in this book you experience love, friendship, heartache - all the emotions. 

This book was cleverly written, you fall in love with the characters and have a sense of protection of them. Beautifully written!

A heart warming love story. Suspend your disbelief and just go with the magic. 

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A truly beautiful love story, that will capture your heart.

Wow, I don’t know where to start with saying how utterly amazing this book was. It is a beautifully written love story that will stay with me forever.

A jilted bride, Anna decides if she is going to wallow in self-pity, she may as well do it on her honeymoon. Best mate Nell tags along in the hopes she can cheer her friend up. What Anna didn’t expect was to meet someone else, in fact, it was the last thing on her mind!

Adam was nursing a drink in the hotel lobby; the first few days of his holiday had been pretty boring. Then, in walked Anna. Enraptured by her beauty, Adam knew he just had to know this woman. It is not long before their paths cross and their love story begins.

The story follows Anna and Adam, first in the initial throes of love, then later when things are not quite so perfect. Much of their relationship I could relate to, as I’m sure many others will. I even feel like I have learnt a valuable lesson in life from this wonderful tale. Never forget what you love about someone and make sure you tell them every day.

The characters completely come to life in this book and I feel sad that I have finished reading it, as I really did fall in love with Anna and Adam. This book was most certainly a page-turner, but where I would normally say I’d read a book in a few days, I deliberately took longer with this one. Not wanting it to end, I really wanted to take it all in and stay on the journey with Anna and Adam for as long as possible.

Get your tissues at the ready! This epic love story made my heart and my tear ducts burst!

This is a debut for author Amelia Henley, normally known for her fantastic thrillers under her real name Louise Jensen, she has certainly proved she is just as amazing at writing love stories.

I could definitely see this book working as a film. Perfect for fans of authors like Nicholas Sparks, this is an absolute must-read for 2020.

Thank you so much to Amelia Henley, HQ & NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book.

Enjoyable read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and writing approach. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.

I'm a huge fan of this authors other work and I admit I was slightly skeptical when she decided to venture into a more lighter genre but her writing is still as fantastic. I really enjoyed The Life We Almost Had

A successful change in genre for this writer (aka Louise Jensen). The book starts with making clear there is a real problem with the relationship between Adam & Anna but then goes back in time to explain their story from the very beginning. This sign of a good book (that it is really well-written), for me is when you are not aware you are ‘reading’ just in living the story alongside these ‘people’ -I was there watching & willing them on, totally engrossed. Adam and Anna tell the story from alternating perspectives and it gives a fully rounded picture adding their perspective. You find out about futuristic technology and meet the lovely but geeky Oliver and at one point the story becomes his, to help you understand what made him who he is. 
This is a story of love and normality of life but also tragedy and heartbreak and the ultimate decision. It demonstrates the strength of true friends (Nell and Josh) and the support of family alongside loss and heart-break. It takes you from joy and smiling along with the characters, to absolute sorrow and huge gulps and yes tears aplenty! I loved it and would highly recommend!

What a journey of emotions the story of Anna & Adam takes you on. The highs, the lows, a lovely change of direction for author Amelia Henley

This is the story about Anna and Adam. A real page turner which had all my emotions firing. I liked this character driven story. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

I have read and enjoyed all of this authors other  thriller books and was looking forward to reading a romance novel by the same author, as when I read I like to mix it up and follow a crime/thriller by a romance/ true life story on a regular basis.
This is the story of Anna and Adam, I do not want to give any of the storyline away but it took me through a range of emotions, at one point in the book, I thought to myself that I knew where the story was going, only to be totally blown away by where the story did go!
A book that will stay with me for a while, highly recommended and thank you for the opportunity of pre reading, I will still buy a copy to add to my collection.

Wow! Anna finds Adam, the love of her life on the honeymoon she takes with her best friend after being jilted two weeks before her wedding - then the emotional rollercoaster begins.
 I read it in a single sitting, 
I laughed I cried, I hoped, I sobbed. Have the tissues ready - it’s always a good sign of an enjoyable book when you care enough about the characters to cry.

Wow oh wow! I'm actually sat typing this with tears streaming down my cheeks. What an absolutely stunning and breathtaking read. 
I haven't been able to put this one down. I absolutely adore Adam and Anna. They are definitely characters who belong together and deserve the happy ever after. However, things don't always work out as you plan. Fate has other ideas.... I was extremely suspicious when the character of Oliver was introduced. I found myself resisting the urge to tweet the author to see what she was doing to me. However, his part in the story became integral and allows the reader to gain more of an insight into Adam and Anna. 
This has made me cry but it's absolutely beautiful and really has taken my breath away. I don't want to give away any spoilers in this review, one theme that emerged towards the end is something which is extremely close to my heart. Henley has covered this in a highly sensitive and compassionate way, which has filled my heart with hope. It's definitely touched me and will stay with me for a long time. 
This is such an easy rating to give, this is without a doubt a five star read. However, I wish I could give this all the stars because it is a magical read which should be added to everyone's TBR's. 
A huge thank you to HQ and Amelia Henley for this advanced copy. It has been an absolute delight to read. 
This is available from July 2020. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A love story with a difference. The difference has elevated this book to exceptional. The story itself is beautiful but  the twist gives a new level which one day is a possibility. I loved it!