12 Hours To Say I Love You is the debut book by Olivia Poulet and Laurence Dobiesz, published in 2022.
Olivia Poulet and Laurence Dobiesz are a married couple and are writers and actors based in London. They have written together for radio and screen and now they have just released their first book.
I was excited to read this one, particularly as it was described as “life-affirming” and a “glorious love story”. I’ve read so many books recently with thoroughly unlikeable characters and I was looking forward to reading a story with heart.
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Plot
Pippa, after being in a car accident, is fighting for her life. She is unconscious in ICU and the doctors tell her husband, Steve, the next 12 hours are critical. Steve was away with work at the time of the accident and he has no idea why Pippa wasn’t at home, where she was going or why she became distracted behind the wheel.
Desperate to keep her with him, and to give her something to fight for, Steve begins to talk to Pippa about their past and the many reasons why he loves her. He doesn’t know for certain if she can hear him but he talks about the day they met, the moment he knew he loved her and all their ups and downs over the years.
Steve uses the critical 12 hours to show her how much she means to him. But is it too late?
12 Hours To Say I Love You Book Review
This was a tender, emotional read. It was romantic as you would expect, yet not schmaltzy or unrealistic. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It showed the ups and downs of falling (and staying) in love.
I liked how we heard from both perspectives throughout the book and both voices felt real and convincing. It was obviously heartbreaking reading about Steve watching the love of his life fight to survive, but the flashbacks to how they met and their lives prior to that point had moments of humour.
I found it to be a beautiful and thought-provoking book. I really enjoyed it.
What should I read after 12 Hours To Say I Love You?
If you’re looking for a love story that really packs an emotional punch, you may also be interested in reading After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Sight of You by Holly Miller.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.