An atmospheric and sometimes humorous story that tugs at the heartstrings, While Pippa is lying unconscious

in ICU, her beloved husband Steve, tries to bring back the love of his life through his voice, An extremely

romantic, yet realistic novel. I enjoyed it very much.

Oh wow, thank you for this audiobook. I laughed and I cried it was really beautiful. It is romantic, sad and funny all at the same time. I also want to particularly note that in this audiobook version we have a number of narrators as we move between the male and female perspective. I really connected with this as I find sometimes in audiobooks it can be a very robotic but this interchanging narrator stops this.

A story of an everyday couple, how they met, their love for each other, the challenges they face and the joys they find in their companionship. This is not an edge of your seat book but it is a very sweet love story of two normal people.

Steve Gallagher stands gripping the bed frame, his gaze intent on his unconscious wife. He has no idea where Pippa was going and now she's lying in a hospital bed after a traffic accident. He knows they've been distant with each other but he also knows she is everything to him.

The medical staff all say to keep talking to her but what does he say? A nurse answers him: 'Tell her you love her. Tell her why you love her.'

Whir, beep, click, breath.

Thus commences a tour of their lives. Through all their highs and lows: jobs, parties, holidays, weddings, with laughter and tears. It's a story that explores love from both sides and is drenched in heart.

The presentation of this book leans into the humour and the romance (as being the key themes). Whilst these are certainly prevalent, they are not the sole focus. Those going into this expecting laughs galore and a neatly tied-up romance will be left wanting.

It, instead, presents two individuals, seemingly perfectly real, from the large and loud events to their whisper-quiet thoughts. From Steve's inability to remember song lyrics and Pippa's whirlwind floordrobe, you pick out so many elements that you see in those you know and love, reminding you why you care for them- it's not about the big moments, it's because of all the small ones.

There's nothing neat in this story, which could feel unfulfilling, but it's thoroughly endearing, poignant and compassionate.

Absolutely loved this audiobook. The story was engaging, full of laugh out loud moments but balanced with the heartaches and losses life throws at us all.
Starting with Pippa in a coma, her husband Steve at her bedside, the story flits between the present and the past, telling in retrospect their meeting, friendship and eventual falling in love. With the next 12 hours critical, Steve holds on and tells his wife the story of them, hoping it is enough to bring her back.
With so many moments that felt relatable (festivals with friends, meeting the parents, all the firsts in relationships etc) this book felt like a look back at life for anyone over 30, but in a way that makes you laugh while you cringe at your younger self. The narrators themselves, also the authors, really brought Pippa and Steve to life, making the book feel like you were a fly on the wall of their love story.
This was truly a story I will listen or read again. Would recommended to anyone a fan of One Day.

When Pippa is an RCA, her husband Steve is told to keep talking to her, in the hope she comes out of her coma.

Over the 12 hours, he tells the story of their lives together. Overall I enjoyed the storyline, but I found the narration to be a bit A level drama school -ish - lots of 3 word bursts, which didn't flow in my opinion. This was predominantly during Pippas chapters, so maybe that aligns with her being an actress?!

I did find the chapters on infertility and trying to conceive quite sad and upsetting.

Overall a good story with some laugh out loud moments!

Gripping, moving and beautifully observed, this is a love story told from both sides, with warmth, tenderness and heart. The narration has good pace and flow,and the narrators voices seemed right for the characters they were portraying.

Two people. One love story. Twelve hours to tell it.

Pippa and Steve’s love story begins as children. As Pippa lies in hospital, we learn of their intertwining lives from the point of view of both Pippa, Steve and a narrator for the future.

A lovely novel, with characters that felt so relatable they could have been in your life. It was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

The emotion was heightened by the fact it’s narrated by its two authors so they knew exactly how to portray their characters. It felt almost like listening to a play than an audiobook.

A great listen/read and I finished it within a day. Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette UK for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I listened to the audiobook of this from NetGalley and am so glad I did, as the story is told through three perspectives - Pippa's, Steve's and third party when Pippa is in hospital - and the different voices throughout made the different POV very clear and brought the emotions to life.

At the beginning of the book, we learn that Pippa has been in a car crash and is in an induced coma, with Steve being advised to continue to talk to her through the next critical 12 hours. The reader then starts a rollercoaster journey through their relationship, from meeting in high school to the present day, with all the missed opportunities and misunderstandings that life brings. Although deeply in love, theirs isn't a fairy tale romance, but a very real life together and that made me root for them so much.

The characters are flawed but likeable, and I loved following their story throughout, getting annoyed at them when they made stupid, human decisions and smiling to myself while driving home when fate finally got on their side.

The chapters got shorter towards the end of the book, and the pace definitely sped up, which made the reader feel like we were hurtling towards a conclusion, whether we wanted to or not, and really gave a sense of Steve's sense of hopelessness.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it on audio book as I am not sure I would have felt the same depth of feeling with the physical book.

TW- infertility and IVF treatment

I saw this book while browsing my local bookshop. I kept going back to look because I loved the cover so much and was really drawn to it and the blurb (great marketing there, by the way!). So when I saw the audio on Netgalley I couldn't pass up the opportunity to listen to it.

Interestingly, this is written by both a male and female author with varying perspectives throughout the book. We follow the story of Pippa and Steve, a couple who have been together for a long time. Pippa is currently in hospital, in a coma after a tragic accident, and Steve has 12 hours to tell her why he loves her. Each chapter goes between the present and a series of flashbacks. The past is where we learn about their relationship and life together. It's suddenly vital that Steve tells Pippa why he loves her, but he is also consumed by where she was going when she got into the car accident.

The characters are well developed, and you are drawn into the story well, especially in the audio version (which I later received from NetGalley) where the Whir, beep, click, breath. Whir, beep, click, breath really comes to life. I felt desperate to know how Pippa has ended up having her accident due to the numerous questions from the author. I was drawn into the love story as Steve relives their past, which has its moments at times but is relatable and compelling to read. They have been through several sensitive issues handled brilliantly by the author, which may upset some readers.

I felt invested in the story, willing Pippa to wake up and return to Steve. I particularly enjoyed the hospital scenes, which were so intense I could hear the noises and felt the sadness and confusion surrounding the situation.

The only read this wasn't a five-star read for me was that I felt the ending was a little too abrupt. Otherwise, it's a love story that is a fabulous, emotional and thought-provoking read with some laugh out loud funny moments at times, especially in the most awkward circumstances!

I enjoyed the narrators' voice, I think it added to the story and wouldn't hesitate to listen to another by the same narrator'.

What an interesting read. I blitzed through this book over the weekend as I just could not get enough. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My heart ❤️ a love story with all its beauty, mess and ugliness laid bare. Pippa and Steve were always meant to be together, but it is far from plain sailing as life throws many obstacles in their way. This starts as a slow read, but ultimately grips you around the heart and squeezes. It is both tender and painful. Pippa has been in an horrific car accident, and while hooked up to tubes and wires, Steve is encouraged to speak to her. He pours out their story over 12 hours, all the parts of the love. We hear about their past from initial meeting and piecing together events until the accident and present. Not quite a 5 for me as an epilogue would have given me a more concrete ending, however, it was a gripping and tense listen right until the final word. This story was beautifully narrated on audiobook, capturing the love and heartbreak so vividly as if i were in the room with the pair. With thanks to @Netgalley for the audiobook #12HoursToSayILoveYou #OliviaPoulet #LaurenceDobiesz #Netgalley

What a both heartwarming and heartbreaking listen, I absolutely loved it.

The book tells the story of Pippa and Steve, after Pippa has been seriously injured in a car crash.
It’s told in the past retelling the start of their love story from both their perspective and in the present from Steve’s perspective as he struggles with what’s happened to Pippa.

Two amazing narrators that makes this listen an absolute pleasure. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette UK for letting me review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This works fantastically well as an audiobook, the different voices keep the pace up and kept me listening. It felt very reminiscent of David Nicholls' One Day for me, which is both a negative and a positive as nothing can top One Day for me, and it feels like this book was trying to rewrite that story! But at the same time, I loved the slow unfolding of a relationship, the deep development of the characters and the way we are let into their lives spanning years.

Sad, heartwarming, emotional, funny.. the full gamut of emotions are covered. Overall, a lovely read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

12 HOURS TO SAY I LOVE YOU by OLIVIA POULET & LAURENCE DOBIESZ.

I chose this book purely on it’s title. Both authors are new to me, so I was intrigued to find out where this journey would take me.

Steve is devastated to be called to the hospital, where his beloved wife Pippa is in a coma after a car accident.
Sat at her side, all he can do is talk to her, and wonder just how on earth has she ended up in this situation. Where was she going? And why was she going there?

As Pippa lies in her coma, we are taken back to where she and Steve first met in school. As the chapters progress we follow their emotional and touching love story as it has developed over the years.

Back in the present day, will Pippa wake up? Will Steve find the answers to his questions? And can their love survive?

Oh my lordy, what can I say about this book? Pippa and Steve are so likeable and many of their struggles are relatable. Their love story is epic and quite simply beautiful.

With the inclusion of a colourful cast of friends and family, the story is full of love and humour.

I was utterly absorbed by Pippa and Steve’s story. Their journey made me laugh, nod with understanding and even broke my heart.

The whole book is beautifully written, and flows effortlessly from the past to the present day.

What made this book a 4 as opposed to a 5 star read for me, is the ending.
Although it is written as eloquently as the rest of the book, it didn’t quite tie things up as neatly as I like a story to be concluded. It’s personal choice, and other readers may well feel satisfied with how the story ends.
There is definitely scope for more, and having loved these characters and their journey, I sincerely hope this won’t be the end.

The audio version is well narrated by the authors themselves and Penny Downie. I’m always a fan of an audio book that is narrated by it’s author. They know their book better than anyone else.

This book is a well recommended, charming and delightful 4 star read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out now: audio / hardback / ebook.
Paperback release: 18/8/22

With thanks to #Netgalley and #HachetteUkAudio for an audio arc of this lovely book.

Absolutely stunning!
I loved every second of this audiobook and would happily recommend it to anyone. Beautifully written and read.

An extremely emotional journey of love and loss, moving backwards and forwards in time to replay the relationship of Pippa and Steve while Pippa lies unconscious, funny and moving. Extra treat to have the book narrated by the authors