One Moment

Product Information

The story challenges our beliefs about what we might do when everything is stripped away from us - and where we can go if we give ourselves permission to try. It reminded me of Julietta Henderson's Sincerely Me, & Meredith Alone, both which I loved as well! The day Scarlett dies should have been one of the most important of her life. It doesn’t feel fair that she’ll never have the chance to fulfil her dreams. And now, she’s still … here – wherever here is – watching the ripple effect of her death on the lives of those she loved the most. Because of the accident, Evie meets Nate, but can she ever forgive him for the death of her beloved friend? Or forgive Scarlett, for appearing to move on without her? And does he even want a committed relationship? Evie is devastated, already having her MS to cope with then the death of her supportive best friend.

A story of friendship, loss and how one moment can change your whole life. A gorgeous debut. Sharp, funny, tear-jerking, so assured and well observed. What a debut!The story explores friendship, love, loyalty and family ties. The varying threads come together seamlessly as the narrative flows its way towards the story’s resolution – which holds surprises right up to the end. We are all a product of the choices we make. That’s so true, isn’t it? But we are also a product of the choices other people make.”

The day Scarlett dies should have been one of the most important of her life. It doesn’t feel fair that she’ll never have the chance to fulfil her dreams – all because she stopped to help a stranger. And now, she’s still … here – wherever here is – watching the ripple effect of her death on those she loved the most. I’m truly having an incredible year for books so far! I thought I’d found my favourite book of the year previously, but now this one is definitely up there alongside it. There is so much depth to the story, the characters and their feelings. A hugely accomplished debut about dying, grief and loss, but also learning to live again. It's about love in all its forms, and, despite its subject matter, it manages to be uplifting and life-affirming. It's a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Becky’s story

One Moment is filled with moments that make you emotional and also some moments that will really make you smile. The book is filled with grief, love and a strong theme of female friendships. Whilst the romance between Evie and Nate is integral to the story, there’s a much bigger love story at play here, and that’s the love between Evie and Scarlett. Their relationship might have become strained in no small part due to Evie’s MS but their shared history isn’t something that can be easily erased. There’s such a sense of sisterhood between them – they champion each other’s successes and commiserate each other’s defeats. That doesn’t just disappear when Scarlett dies. If anything, the time and distance makes their love stronger because they begin to understand each other better. This emotional read about friendship, love and loss is touching and relatable with an unexpected ending that leaves you reeling Full of heart and humour and the characters are all so well written Beautiful, hopeful, deeply emotional, incredibly wise and wonderfully romantic. One of those books I feel stronger for reading." - Cressida McLaughlin This one surprised me. Initially, I was drawn to the book because of the beautiful illustration on the cover, though it is not necessarily the sort of book I would usually go for, in terms of the genre. However, this really lived up to the cover, and surpassed any expectations I might have had.

Evie cannot contemplate her life without Scarlett, and she certainly cannot forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend's death. But Nate keeps popping up when she least expects him to, catapulting Evie's life in directions she'd never let herself imagine possible. Ways, perhaps, even those closest to her had long since given up on.

Evie cannot contemplate her life without Scarlett, and she certainly cannot forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend’s death. But Nate keeps popping up when she least expects him to, catapulting Evie’s life in directions she’d never let herself imagine possible. The concept and plot of this book was what drew me to it to begin with and after reading it, I can confirm that it was as interesting and as thought provoking as I thought it was going to be. I can also confirm that it’s a hard pass from me, I don’t think I’d like to hang around and watch my family and friends after my death, I don’t think I could cope with it. Unless I was able to skip to the part where they’re not upset anymore and can celebrate my life rather than mourn my absence. That may make this book sound really sad and depressing (it did make me cry) but I promise you it is also hopeful and joyful. While the title One Moment can be taken as Scarlett’s death for me it was also the moment your life is changed by illness. From the moment I first read the synopsis for this book I was excited, and from beginning to end, this brilliant debut had me hooked! The story is about two best friends, Scarlett and Evie. Scarlett leaves her flat one morning after an argument with Evie; it should have been the most important day of her life but in a few short hours her life will end.

One Moment is a love story, yes, but it’s also a celebration of female friendship, and of the value it can bring to our lives.

The story 

One Moment is a remarkable debut. It is a truly delightful read, a story of love, loss and friendship that will break your heart at times but I guarantee will leave you with a smile on your face.