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Book Review | Maybe One Day by Debbie Johnson

I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts about Maybe One Day by Debbie Johnson.

Debbie Johnson is one of my favourite ‘go to’ authors (for those uplifting and warm, zingy feelings) and Maybe One Day ticks all the boxes.

Maybe One Day by Debbie Johnson is published by Orion and available to purchase in digital and audiobook formats.

What if you had the chance to find a lost love?

Jess still thinks about the man who disappeared from her life seventeen years ago, and the tragedy that tore them apart. So when she discovers a hidden box of letters in her mother’s attic, Jess realises that the truth about why he walked away has been kept from her all this time.

Jess sets out to follow the faded postmarks across the country, determined that her journey will bring her closer to him. As each clue falls into place, Jess discovers new things about herself – and the man who once broke her heart. Maybe she can find him. Maybe their love story isn’t over.

Maybe one day, they will be together again…

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Book Review

Jess has (mostly) lived her life by her parent’s rules.  She’s stayed within the routines and doing what ‘should’ be done.  

Her life after Joe feels very saturnine and predictable, not engaging with life or emotions (for obvious reasons)… until her mother’s death and the finding of the hidden box of letters and postcards in the attic. 

This opens up a gateway for Jess to start remembering and opening herself up to opportunities and emotions.  But she doesn’t do it alone, she has Belinda and Michael by her side. 

They’re both fabulous characters and bring so many emotions to the story.

From Jess’ reflections/flashbacks we meet her as she starts rebelling at the age of 16 and other key points in her life. 

From Joe’s letters and the people Jess meets on her quest to find out more about his life, a picture builds of the type of person he is. 

His messages to Jess (how to be brave and more!) are heart-warming.  I loved them both!  

Jess learning to break those parental expectations is a slow process and I cheered her on every step of the way. 

I didn’t know if we would ever get to meet Joe – I loved the suspense – and thoroughly enjoyed walking beside Jess, Michael and Belinda as they follow in his footsteps.  Those footsteps take us to Ireland, Cornwall, London and New York. 

Debbie Johnson’s writing brings these places to life with their sights, sounds, smells and tastes. 

I applauded and whooped at the incident in school when Jess takes her first stand. I cried big, ugly tears when Belinda shared with Michael.  I also cried when Jess finally reads her mother’s letter.  And more big, ugly tears at the ending.  I really didn’t expect that! 

There are so many positives as Jess powers through obstacles and questions her habitual responses.  Belinda and Michael brought amusement and laughter (loved their banter!). 

I can guarantee you won’t be able to hold your emotions in check.

Maybe One Day by Debbie Johnson is more than a quest to find a lost love. 

It’s about family and friendships and putting others before yourself. 

It’s about overcoming childhood issues to be the best that you can be. 

Highly recommended!


Debbie Johnson is an award-winning author who lives and works in Liverpool, where she divides her time between writing, caring for a small tribe of children and animals, and not doing the housework.

She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1,000,000 books worldwide. She is published globally in nine different languages, and has had two books optioned for film and TV.

Her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series,The A-Z of Everything, and the upcoming Maybe One Day.

She is also the author of supernatural crime thriller, Fear No Evil, and urban fantasies Dark Vision and Dark Touch.

You can find out more at www.debbiejohnsonauthor.com, www.facebook.com/debbiejohnsonauthor or Twitter @debbiemjohnson

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