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This Wasn't Meant to Happen

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( 244 ratings, 52 reviews)
Brief Description
'A beautiful, brave, important book… filled with light, hope and so much love' Sunday Times Bestseller Paige Toon This Wasn't Meant to Happen. But it did. Sofie Jensen knows the safest way to live is by staying in control. And she knows that love can come... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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'A beautiful, brave, important book…filled with light, hope and so much love' Sunday Times Bestseller Paige Toon

–-

This wasn’t meant to happen. But it did.

A heartbreaking story about love and grief for 2025

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
'A beautiful, brave, important book… filled with light, hope and so much love' Sunday Times Bestseller Paige Toon

This Wasn't Meant to Happen. But it did.

Sofie Jensen knows the safest way to live is by staying in control. And she knows that love can come with a cost.

But what she doesn’t know is that one unexpected moment will change everything. Because meeting Rory and falling in love wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was becoming pregnant or losing her baby.

Sofie doesn’t know how she’ll survive this kind of grief – but she knows life will never be the same again...

Told with quiet strength and breathtaking honesty, This Wasn't Meant to Happen is a powerful portrait of love, grief and the tender, complicated path back to hope.

'Oh my heart. This is a book that lands deeply' Sunday Times Bestseller Giovanna Fletcher 💛💛💛

Readers love This Wasn't Meant to Happen:

Earth-shatteringly brilliant. Heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure’ Zoë Folbigg, author of One Note

'Tender and raw, brave and inspiring, this important, beautiful book has love woven through every line. I loved it.’ Cathy Bramley

'This was the most beautiful book. It was illuminating. It’s a gift to both those who have experienced baby loss and those who want to know how to love and support them. Most importantly, This Wasn't Meant to Happen is an incredibly compelling novel about the power of love.’ Katy Regan

'A big, sweeping novel about love and loss and the beauty that comes from both. Heartbreaking and healing in equal measure.’ Cesca Major, Reese's Book Club author of Maybe Next Time

'This beautiful book shines a much-needed light on a subject that so many are afraid of. It was such an honour to read; I held my breath, rooted for Sofie and lost myself in the pages. Thank you Ali; needed by so many, including me.’ Elle Wright, author of Ask Me His Name

'Heartfelt and uplifting – yet without ever glossing over the rougher, rawer edges of grief. Ali Harris has created a rare and special story.’ Jennie Agg, author of Life, Almost: Miscarriage, misconceptions, and a search for answers from the brink of motherhood

'I recommend getting some tissues ready because I went through two whole boxes.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An absolutely heartbreakingly, beautiful story that is impossible to put down. An absolute must-read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A beautiful and heart-wrenching read. Ali Harris handles such a sensitive topic with the utmost care and consideration.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A deeply emotional and inspiring book.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A difficult subject but beautifully written. This is a book to be read with a box of tissues on hand.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Full of emotions, courage, bravery, heartache and hope.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An absolute emotional rollercoaster of a story that will have you reaching for the tissue box multiple times but will also leave your heart full by the end. Best book I've read this year by far.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An emotional heartbreaking read… what comes shining through is the immeasurable love in the face of adversity.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'As someone who has suffered a pregnancy loss it made me feel seen.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A beautifully written, suspenseful, and emotionally charged novel that will stay with you long after the last page. Ali Harris has definitely earned a place on my list of must-read authors!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Words can’t describe how much of an impact this book has. The grief, heartbreak, love and friendships truly make it such a beautiful yet soul destroying story. This is a book I feel will stay with me for life.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008708467

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 September 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: One More Chapter

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Ali Harris lives in Cambridge with her husband and three children. She has a degree in Performing Arts and cites theatre as her third love - after her family and books. There's not a musical she's seen (and she's seen many!) that she hasn't loved. Prior to having children, Ali was a journalist and wrote for a variety of women's magazines including Glamour, Cosmo, Red, Stylist and ELLE. She is the author of three previous novels, including Sunday Times bestsellers Miracle on Regent Street and The First Last Kiss, as well as Written In The Stars. Her upcoming novel was written after a prolonged break following the loss of her baby girl, late in pregnancy.

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