The Moment - Claire Dyer

The Moment by Claire Dyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"Paddington station, nine a.m., rush hour. As the crowds ebb and flow, time suddenly
stands still for two people: Fern and Elliott, ex-lovers who parted twenty-five years before and never expected to see each other again.

But here they are, face to face, and the connection is as powerful as it was the day they first met. Their lives have moved on – to marriage, children and divorce – yet neither has stopped regretting the day that drove them apart.

Fern gives Elliott her number and they tentatively arrange to meet again that
evening when both will be travelling back through the station. And, as the day ticks on, and the memories resurface, both Fern and Elliott relect on the past. As
their emotions go round in circles, so does the Paddington clock, counting down the minutes to eight p.m. – and the moment the future is in their hands."



I was sent this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Moment is a story that is about Fern and Elliot. They were once lovers at university, their relationship never lasted and they went their desperate ways. Both have families of their own and have long moved on. 25 years later they by chance meet each other at the train station on their way to continue their busy lives. Fern going to meet her friend for her birthday and Elliott on the way to his father's house in Wales for day.

I thought that the initial idea for this story was a good one, unfortunately I didn't really find it to be my type of book. I found it very slow and the falling into the past I found confusing at times. I also found the story to b a bit repetitive and this I found I was skipping to get to a part that was a little more interesting. I thought that this would be a quick read, it was but not for the reasons I originally thought.

The story is all set during one day and most of this day is thoughts about what if? Elliot has lost a few things in his life and contemplates these during the day, hid angle I found a bit depressing as he swallowing in self pitty. Fern is more upbeat and remembers all the firsts and good parts of her life, such as the first time she took her children abroad. I prefered reading her part during the story for this reason.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me the book, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.