Eight Perfect Hours

Eight Perfect Hours is a sweet and charming romance where two strangers meet in chance circumstances during a blizzard and spend one perfect evening together thinking they will never see each other again.

Synopsis: On a snowy evening in March, thirty-something Noelle Butterby is on her way back from an event at her old college when disaster strikes. With a blizzard closing off roads, she finds herself stranded, alone in her car, without food, drink, or a working charger for her phone.

All seems lost until Sam Attwood, a handsome American stranger also trapped in a nearby car, knocks on her window and offers assistance. What follows is eight perfect hours together, until morning arrives and the roads finally clear. The two strangers part, positive they’ll never see each other again but fate, it seems, has a different plan. As the two keep serendipitously bumping into one another, they begin to realize that perhaps there truly is no such thing as coincidence.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

I was really surprised by how real and deep this story got, since I was expecting a fluffy romcom. There are a few deeper subjects included--post-partum depression, chronic illness, fear, grief, and aging parents all make appearances. However, it's not so much that the book becomes maudlin, just enough to give it some substance in the midst of the romance.

Were there layers to the characters?

With strong characters, this story was about more than just finding romance, it was also about finding yourself and your own destiny.

With Noelle, the main protagonist in the story, I didn’t always agree with her every decision, but I understood her struggles — of being torn between responsibility to family versus pursuing her own dreams, and I was able to cheer for her through the whole story.

Was the romance realistic?

There a large number of coincidences in this book almost to the point of them being silly. BUT, nothing is impossible in a romance novel, and in this second book I've read by Louis, she has a way with weaving these coincidences to make them seem like destiny has a hand in everything.

What is the steam level?

This is a G-Rated romance. I enjoyed watching the romance build as the book progressed.

How was the pace?

Steady - I read this book in less than 24 hours

Do you recommend this book?

If you are looking for a kismet story where destiny has a guiding hand with genuine characters, then grab this book and get cozy.

Thank you Atria Books for this gifted copy.