I was invited to read an advanced copy of this book by the publisher - thank you

Last Time We Met is a story about Eleanor and Fin who were best friends as children and teenagers but who drifted apart. Some flashbacks to what happened back then but mostlyset in the present day. It's well written and engaging, often sad and often annoying. But that's the plot. I wanted to like Eleanor more than I did but I never warmed to her. Overall an enjoyable read,

Having enjoyed Emily’s previous book ‘Before I Saw You’ I was looking forward to reading this one and was not disappointed.

This is a story of a second chance romance for Eleanor and Fin who were best friends as teens and made a promise to each other that if they were still single at the age of 35 then they must marry each other!

Fast forward 20 years and they do indeed find themselves single but had actually lost contact in the years between. Suddenly they get reacquainted at a mutual friends wedding and it all comes flooding back.

The story takes us through their ‘will they, won’t they’ journey covering some heavy topics of alcoholism, loss and mental health all done in a well written book. Although a little predictable, the story is a satisfying read with great characters that are believable and has a great mix of happy and sad moments making for an enjoyable and solid book.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Where do I start - this book was absolutely wonderful to read, from the very first page it drew you in and the characters were so real I felt I knew them. At times I was laughing out loud and at others I was in tears and I was sad to finish the book as I could no longer spend time with the characters. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

Really enjoyed book number 2 from Emily Houghton.

Loved the will they-wont they storyline as the book progresses with some clearly marked parts going back to Fin and Eleanor's bestie friendship years from early ages to early 20s as well as the present storyline. This only happens when mentioning something in the present and then going back to the event that's mentioned.

Loveable characters to get to know and a light hearted story to help get away from crime fiction or just a bad day

I would like to thank the publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Before I Saw You, hence when Houghton's publisher reached out to me with an ARC for this book, I felt so grateful and honored. This truly is the perfect summer love story read and although the plot is hugely predictable, there are a variety of key themes explored in a deep and meaningful manner. The romance was feel good and the whole vibe of the book reminded me of one of those Sunday afternoon, summer time reads. Having read her previous work, I fell I enjoyed Before I Saw You far more than this one as the concept and emotion behind that book was unique. Having said that, I definitely recommend this one for those who love a good contemporary romance novel, it won't disappoint.

I absolutely adored Emily Houghton’s debut and have fallen in love with the characters in this beautiful second novel just as much!

Last Time We Met is told from the alternating perspectives of Eleanor and Fin, who I felt so connected to and invested in as I was reading. The prologue really made me smile and introduces us to them both aged thirteen when they are best friends and inseparable. They have so many plans and are convinced they will always be there for each other. They also make a pact that if they are both single at the age of thirty-five they will get married! Fast forward two decades and Eleanor and Fin haven’t spoken in fifteen years. They live on different continents and so much has changed since the last time they spoke. But when his mother’s ailing health draws Fin back to the UK, and their paths cross once more, will they remember their teenage promise?

I loved everything about this story and Eleanor and Fin are such incredible characters with so much warmth and depth to them. I have really enjoyed getting to see their journeys in the present and over time, learning about their past experiences and heartaches through the flashback chapters. It was clear early on that something had happened to mean they had lost touch for so many years and I enjoyed being able to wonder about this in the back of my mind as I was reading!

There were moments in the past when things could have been so different and I was so angry about one particular character’s actions (my feeling about what they had done was correct, but when it was revealed later in the story it really got to me)! I also found it hard to see just how much of herself Eleanor had lost due to her past relationship and I was so pleased to see her rediscover her own passions and learn to evaluate exactly what she (and nobody else) wants from her life! I thought it was brilliant to have so many strong female characters in this book too, from Eleanor herself, to her mother, sister and best friend. The story is also really empowering and a real reminder to be true to yourself and to listen to your heart!

I definitely felt like I went on an emotional rollercoaster with this book and it was sad to learn about the events in Fin’s past and the impact this had on the decisions he made. There were some really touching and moving scenes with his mother in the care home and also moments Fin shared with the other residents there. There was also a moment towards the end of the book when my heart was literally racing. I am so thankful one thing in particular didn’t happen; Emily Houghton got me very worried there for a moment!

I honestly cannot recommend this beautiful and heart-warming story enough and am so grateful to have been a part of Eleanor and Fin’s journeys. I have loved every moment and thought the final chapter was the perfect ending!

I was a massive fan of Before I Saw You so was pleased to be asked to read and review Emily’s newest book.

Last Time We Met depicts the story of Eleanor and Finley - childhood best friends who were closer than close, until the day Finley left Eleanor’s life. Fast forward fifteen years and Eleanor is in the process of healing from the breakup of a long-term relationship and Finley, who has lived in America for years, gets an unexpected phone call which warrants his return to the UK…

This was a sweet story and although it was largely predictable, it delivered the outcomes that I wanted. The main storyline is not uncommon but there are multiple themes covered including alcoholism, estrangement, mental health issues and dysfunctional family dynamics. I think this book will be enjoyed by many and I’m glad I was offered the opportunity to read it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book came at a perfect time for me. I recently lost someone who I was very close too and was finding it tough. This book really cheered me up and made me cry too. It is so beautifully written. I love the characters of Eleanor and Fin. I think it a gorgeous book that deals with loss, friendship and love. Cannot recommend it enough

I loved Before I Saw You, and was thrilled to be asked to review the next release from Emily Houghton, Last Time We Met.
A kinda second chance romance, but with a whole lot of other circumstances to navigate through.
Eleanor and Finley have been best friends since they were dots, then life happened, and Fin disappeared from Eleanor's life.
Fast forward to fifteen or so years later, and Eleanor is feebly trying to get over an awful break-up with her long-standing partner Oliver. No amounts of tea and sympathy from her mother, sister Freya, or even her best friend Sal are helping her get over him.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Fin is reeling from a phone call from England, telling him his mother is at the end of her life. A mother he left behind and hasn't spoken to for many years. As well as many other people who were precious to him at one point. Oh, and he's just ended his current relationship, too.
It's inevitable, isn't it, that the two former best friends end up meeting, and they haphazardly work their way through the difficulties they both faced, both at the end of their former friendship and over time they had no contact.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that when they were young and innocent, they signed a contract that if they were both singles at 35 years old, they would have to marry one another?
As it is, they are both 34, and not in relationships.
That would just segue into such a predictable ending for the story.
No. I shall not spoil it for you, and tell you that they live happily ever after, but I will say that I finished the book with a smile on my face, but not before shedding some tears, too.
So much covered, from alcoholism to estrangement, and how hiding your feelings can be the worst thing you could ever do.
I whizzed through this in a day and loved each moment of the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK and Transworld for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.