The Brighton to London line. The 07:44 train. Carriages packed with commuters.
A woman applies her make-up. Another occupies her time observing the people around her. A husband and wife share an affectionate gesture. Further along, a woman flicks through a glossy magazine.
Then, abruptly, everything changes: a man has a heart attack, and can't be resuscitated; the train is stopped, an ambulance called.
For at least three passengers on the 07:44 on that particular morning, life will never be the same again.
Lou witnesses the man's final moments. Anna and Lou share a cab when they realise the train is going nowhere fast. Anna is Karen's best friend.
And Karen? Karen's husband is the man who dies.
Telling the story of the week following that fateful train journey, One Moment, One Morning is a stunning novel about love and loss, about family and – above all – friendship. A stark reminder that, sometimes, one moment is all it takes, it also reminds us that somehow, and despite everything, life can and does go on.
Rating: 4 Stars
Positives: I love stories where the reader gets to follow several different characters and watch how their lives all come together. This book was no different. We meet three wonderful women who all come together through the death of one man, and we see how this impacts upon all of their lives. I love how easily Sarah Rayner captured the emotional turmoil that Karen faces in the run up to Simon's funeral, especially with how the children seem to understand what is happening one minute, and how the next they just want to know where their dad is. If I had to pick a favourite story though it would be Anna's, because we see her gain so much strength over the course of the book and have the courage to chuck her alcoholic boyfriend.
Negatives: I wasn't overly fond of Lou's story. I didn't see how her coming out to her mother and trying to start up a new relationship with Sofia was central to the story. She just didn't seem to tie in with Karen and Anna as much as I'd hoped that she would.
Would I recommend this book? Yes I would, its a great read with some beautiful moments.
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