Eight Perfect Hours

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This week, some junior employees of the US bank Goldman Sachs have had a grumble, daring to point out that they are putting in as much as 95 hours a week. If they were squeezing those hours in Monday to Friday – which I appreciate they are not – their numbers on my Former Yugoslavia Work-Life Balance Index (FYWLBI) would be an awful long way from 8-8-8. Ninety-five hours work over five days comes out at a punishing 19 hours a day. That’s some shift. I’ve got their FYWLBI at 19-2-3 – 19 hours’ work, two hours’ free, three hours’ sleep. But if the BBC drama series Industry is anything to go by, the general pattern is nearer 19-4-1, or even 19-5-0. If you spread the 95 hours over seven days, you are still averaging a gruelling daily regime of 14-5-5.

My favorite romance novel of 2020 was Dear Emmie Blue, so of course, I wanted to read Eight Perfect Hours.

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Q: This story is told as a first-person narrative from Noelle’s point of view. What made you choose this perspective rather than, say, a third-person narrative that showed multiple perspectives? Why was this structure important for the story you wanted to tell? Q: There is so much in this book about fate versus chance and the story seems to come down on the side of fate. Do you, personally, believe that fate and destiny are guiding forces in our lives? Noelle notices that if everything that went wrong that day in the snowstorm hadn’t happened, she and Sam may not have met. Do you think this is a random string of events with a happy accident? Or fate? How does the theme of chance versus destiny continue to play out over the course of the book?

Don’t miss the latest, hotly anticipated love story from Lia Louis! Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Josie Silver and Cecelia Ahern. That's not to say that there aren't a few deeper subjects included--post-partum depression, 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. Q: Your previous novel, Dear Emmie Blue, is also beloved by readers and also touches on the themes of love, friendship, and finding oneself. In what ways did your past writing help inspire this story? And, conversely, in what ways did writing this book differ in your process from writing past novels? There are some deeper issues here too, grief and loss and caring for parents. This one was more than a romantic story, so I appreciated the character development. I really grew to like Noelle! I rooted for Noelle and Sam to be together, but I wasn’t sure it would turn out for them.Sam’s character has experienced tragedy which has impacted his dreams as well. Even moving to the U.S. has not lifted the burden he feels. Noelle has inspired Sam and has a connection to him that started long before that snowy night. What I Liked About Eight Perfect Hours:

That’s what happened to Noelle Butterby’s path crosses with charming, sweet Sam: possibly her soul mate. In this romantic and heartwarming novel, two strangers meet in chance circumstances during a blizzard and spend one perfect evening together, thinking they’ll never see each other again. But fate seems to have different plans. From the acclaimed author of the “swoon-worthy…rom-com” ( The Washington Post) Dear Emmie Blue. Noelle’s old best friend who died when they were teenagers believed a Chinese proverb about an invisible red thread that connects those that are destined to meet and sure enough, Noelle and Sam now can’t help bumping into one another. I didn’t know if Lia Lous could replicate the emotional journey I had with her previous novel Dear Emmie Blue, but she did. Eight Perfect Hoursgave me all the feelings, and I relished every minute. An utterly delightful novel from one of the most charming voices in modern romance. I loved it' LOUISE O'NEILLWith no end in sight, Sam and Noelle decide to pass the time together, talking, laughing, and sharing stories.

That said, if you go into this book expecting a “rom-dram”, you’re sure to love it. I really enjoyed reading about Noelle’s struggle to balance caring for her family with having a fulfilling personal life. I loved her friendship with Charlie and especially with Charlie’s husband Theo. (I actually think Theo was my favorite character, despite him having a relatively small role.) In the next car is a handsome American named Sam. who comes to Noelle’s rescue and the two spend the next eight perfect hours together until the roads are cleared.I want you to know something,” he whispers, words barely there, his nose inches from mine. “You said nobody does but... I see you, Noelle. I do.” Pros: legit funny, heartwarming, good use of ain't shit ex to prop up love interest, Noelle is easy to empathize with, fast-paced, great side characters, everything was nicely wrapped up which could be a con if you prefer a few jagged edges left, lil intrigue throughout with a great twist!! Q: Were any of the events in the book inspired by things that happened to you or to someone else in real life? A: I think my favorite part of Emmie’s story in Dear Emmie Blue was Emmie’s own personal journey. Thinking that the strength she needed was outside of herself, and learning it was within her all along. I definitely put that into Eight Perfect Hours, and not just with Noelle, but with her mother, Charlie, and also Sam to a degree.