Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Liane Moriarty always piques my interest with her knack for domestic drama and slow-burning suspense. The premise of Here One Moment, a reunion gone wrong and the secrets it dredges up, sounded like classic Moriarty, and I was eager to dive in.

✅ What I Liked:
The initial setup is strong: a tight-knit group of lifelong friends, a shocking event during a seemingly harmless gathering, and the emotional aftershocks that ripple through their lives. Moriarty is excellent at capturing the intricacies of relationships, particularly the unspoken tensions, old wounds, and complex dynamics within long-term friendships.

There are moments of sharp insight and flashes of humour that reminded me why she’s such a popular author. A few character moments felt genuinely moving, especially as hidden grief and long-standing regrets came to the surface.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
Unfortunately, while the setup was gripping, the execution felt muddled. There were a lot of characters to juggle, and I struggled to connect with some of them. Certain perspectives felt underdeveloped, while others dominated too much of the narrative.

The pacing was uneven, particularly in the middle, where the tension should have built, things meandered. The mystery element, while intriguing at first, ultimately felt underwhelming, and the resolution didn’t pack the emotional punch I’d hoped for.

I also found myself craving more of Moriarty’s signature cleverness and bite. this one leaned heavier on introspection than drama, which might work for some readers, but left me a bit underwhelmed.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you’re already a fan of Moriarty’s slower, character-driven stories, you might enjoy the emotional depth and subtle unraveling here. It’s a reflective read about friendship, memory, and how a single moment can echo through years of shared history.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Here One Moment had flashes of what makes Moriarty great, but didn’t quite come together for me. It’s not a bad book by any means, just one that felt more forgettable than memorable. Worth a read if you’re loyal to the author, but maybe not the best place to start if you’re new to her work.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★ – Intriguing setup, but didn’t quite stick the landing