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Once Upon a Leap Year
A gorgeous, high-concept romcom about finding love and daring to take a chance. After all, it’s all about timing. . .
29th February 2004. Lucy’s never met another leapling until she encounters Noah also spending his once-in-four-years birthday on a disappointing day trip to Calais. There’s a spark that Lucy is sure Noah must feel too, and their friends insist they have amazing chemistry, but they’re both with other people. It can never be more than platonic and that’s OK.
Over the next twenty years, they’re at each other’s side through all of life’s big moments � weddings, babies, new jobs, family illness � but Lucy can never shake the feeling that they were meant to meet. . .
If Lucy is to find a love that’s rarer than a leap year, she’s going to have to take a leap of faith.
29th February 2004. Lucy’s never met another leapling until she encounters Noah also spending his once-in-four-years birthday on a disappointing day trip to Calais. There’s a spark that Lucy is sure Noah must feel too, and their friends insist they have amazing chemistry, but they’re both with other people. It can never be more than platonic and that’s OK.
Over the next twenty years, they’re at each other’s side through all of life’s big moments � weddings, babies, new jobs, family illness � but Lucy can never shake the feeling that they were meant to meet. . .
If Lucy is to find a love that’s rarer than a leap year, she’s going to have to take a leap of faith.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2024
52 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Anna Bell
50books451followersAnna is represented by the Marsh Agency and published by Quercus. 'Don't Tell the Groom' is released in paperback 5th December 2013.
Anna also writes new adult fiction under the pen name Annabel Scott.
Anna also writes new adult fiction under the pen name Annabel Scott.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 13, 2024
4 solid stars - I found this timely story of a couple of “leaplings� and 28 years of their “big� birthdays where they stay primarily in the friend zone, was just a bit slow at the start but overall quite enjoyable & charming with very relatable characters and lots of growth there. A fun friend group of secondary characters also gave it a true “Friends� kinda feel. It was also a good mental break from some heavier reads, and I also appreciated that it was a "clean" closed door type romance.
February 1, 2024
I loved this book and was quickly absorbed into the narrative. The structure gave me goosebumps and I loved how we caught up with Lucy and her friends every four years, with text messages and emails showing the development in everyone’s lives in the space in between. Brilliantly written, I couldn’t get enough of this story.
I think it helped that I found the characters all so relatable. There are so many of my favourite places referenced in this book that I felt like I knew Lucy and her university housemates. Furthermore, reading this book with a February 29th just around the corner felt like it was meant to be and I especially loved how the book finished just a few weeks from now.
At first, it seems that Lucy is having a miserable time on a trip that her boyfriend arranged for her. Yet, the trip to Calais changes her life forever and sees her meeting Noah for the first time. There is an instant attraction but, as both are in relationships, they move into the friend-zone phase and seem to be outwardly content with their almost brother-sister connection. Except that Lucy cannot deny she has more than friendly feelings towards Noah.
This is a romantic story that shows how Lucy is keen to make that step into new territory with Noah but doesn’t want to risk her friendship or the dynamics of their friendship group. She is forever putting others before her and I admired her selfless behaviour. However, even Lucy begins to recognise that this can be at a detriment to her own happiness and it takes several leap years before we see Lucy take more ownership over her own life.
I loved how we are kept in contact with all of the characters over the twenty-odd years that this story takes place. The inter-years when there is not a leap year gave certain clues about how the characters were changing over time. Not only did it feel like I was growing up with them, but I enjoyed how Bell would refer to key events in the leap year that followed. Nothing was left ambiguous and it was a delight to read.
I felt quite sad when I had finished this book because I enjoyed it so much. There are some really poignant moments in the story and I think Bell handles them really sensitively. The relationship that Lucy has with her mother was particularly touching and seeing that change over the years added another emotional level to this aspect of the story, not to mention the reference to the pandemic and how Lucy and her friends adapt.
This was a great read and I highly enjoyed it. There is a magical touch of romance and friendship with a group of characters that I am sure many readers will be able to relate to.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think it helped that I found the characters all so relatable. There are so many of my favourite places referenced in this book that I felt like I knew Lucy and her university housemates. Furthermore, reading this book with a February 29th just around the corner felt like it was meant to be and I especially loved how the book finished just a few weeks from now.
At first, it seems that Lucy is having a miserable time on a trip that her boyfriend arranged for her. Yet, the trip to Calais changes her life forever and sees her meeting Noah for the first time. There is an instant attraction but, as both are in relationships, they move into the friend-zone phase and seem to be outwardly content with their almost brother-sister connection. Except that Lucy cannot deny she has more than friendly feelings towards Noah.
This is a romantic story that shows how Lucy is keen to make that step into new territory with Noah but doesn’t want to risk her friendship or the dynamics of their friendship group. She is forever putting others before her and I admired her selfless behaviour. However, even Lucy begins to recognise that this can be at a detriment to her own happiness and it takes several leap years before we see Lucy take more ownership over her own life.
I loved how we are kept in contact with all of the characters over the twenty-odd years that this story takes place. The inter-years when there is not a leap year gave certain clues about how the characters were changing over time. Not only did it feel like I was growing up with them, but I enjoyed how Bell would refer to key events in the leap year that followed. Nothing was left ambiguous and it was a delight to read.
I felt quite sad when I had finished this book because I enjoyed it so much. There are some really poignant moments in the story and I think Bell handles them really sensitively. The relationship that Lucy has with her mother was particularly touching and seeing that change over the years added another emotional level to this aspect of the story, not to mention the reference to the pandemic and how Lucy and her friends adapt.
This was a great read and I highly enjoyed it. There is a magical touch of romance and friendship with a group of characters that I am sure many readers will be able to relate to.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 29, 2024
This would have been a 5 star read for me, if it weren't for the part with the illness of Lucy's mother. My heart broke for both of them and it made me sad for a good portion of the book. Unnecessary in a romance novel, if you ask me 😕
Might properly review at some point.
Might properly review at some point.
Read
March 16, 2025This story was disappointing.
I was looking for something light-hearted and easy. And it was those things but also a bit more, but not in a good way.
I didn’t agree with a lot of the ideas about relationships. They were different to what I value but it opened up my eyes to some different perspectives. This helps me appreciate how different us humans can all be!
I really didn’t enjoy the amount drinking in the novel. It was a problem. Any time the characters face something mildly challenging, or want to celebrate something, the response is to always get drunk.
There’s also a fair bit of people just not talking to each other. This particular trope is pretty annoying in books, because it makes the problem seem so simple. And I don’t think it is that simple! Telling people what you think, what you feel, is just the beginning.
Anyway, unfortunately I cannot recommend this book.
I was looking for something light-hearted and easy. And it was those things but also a bit more, but not in a good way.
I didn’t agree with a lot of the ideas about relationships. They were different to what I value but it opened up my eyes to some different perspectives. This helps me appreciate how different us humans can all be!
I really didn’t enjoy the amount drinking in the novel. It was a problem. Any time the characters face something mildly challenging, or want to celebrate something, the response is to always get drunk.
There’s also a fair bit of people just not talking to each other. This particular trope is pretty annoying in books, because it makes the problem seem so simple. And I don’t think it is that simple! Telling people what you think, what you feel, is just the beginning.
Anyway, unfortunately I cannot recommend this book.
January 30, 2024
Anna bell has a way of writing that just takes hold of you and wraps you in a hug. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy and safe. Even though she does this she packs in emotion into her novels and this isn’t any exception. I was shocked when something happened that I had tears rolling down my face. I can’t say why as it’s spoilers. It was powerful, emotional and this is a book that will stay with me.
Lucy and Noah both share a birthday, and through the years we see their lives changing and in a blink of an eye everything and everyone changes.
The only thing I’d say I would’ve liked more than just a few texts at the end of each year about everyone’s life. I felt too much was missed and I felt there was things in there that could have made an amazing book perfect. I know it had to jump four years because of the leap birthdays but I would’ve liked a few chapters after the texts to convey the changes. So much happened in some years that I felt I was missing out on a big part of the story.
Thanks goes to the publishers and net galley for providing me with a copy in exchange for honest review and thank you Anna bell for writing such a beautiful book.
Out 1st February
Lucy and Noah both share a birthday, and through the years we see their lives changing and in a blink of an eye everything and everyone changes.
The only thing I’d say I would’ve liked more than just a few texts at the end of each year about everyone’s life. I felt too much was missed and I felt there was things in there that could have made an amazing book perfect. I know it had to jump four years because of the leap birthdays but I would’ve liked a few chapters after the texts to convey the changes. So much happened in some years that I felt I was missing out on a big part of the story.
Thanks goes to the publishers and net galley for providing me with a copy in exchange for honest review and thank you Anna bell for writing such a beautiful book.
Out 1st February
April 2, 2024
2024 Reads #197/250
3.75⭐️
3.75⭐️
January 2, 2024
I am a HUGE fan of Anna Bell’s writing and I have read all of her books, so I knew I was in for a treat with this one 😍 I can’t quite put my finger on what it is that makes her books so special, but she just has all the right ingredients that make for the most dreamy stories about the most likeable characters. I always come away from an Anna Bell book with a humongous smile on my face, and a few tears at the end of this one too!!
Lucy and Noah are leapling babies - born on the 29th February in the same year. They meet in 2004 on the day of their 20th (but actually only 5th 😅) birthday, when Lucy’s awful university boyfriend ‘treats� her to a booze cruise to Calais. Despite the massive lack of thought, it was probably the best thing he could ever do for Lucy, because it was how she met Noah. There’s an instant bond and connection between the two of them, although Noah does have a girlfriend at the time so nothing is acted upon. They stay in touch and their friendship groups end up merging into one. Each part of the story focuses on their leap year birthdays, with small snippets of what goes in in between in the form of texts/emails/messages.
From the reader’s point of view, it is very clear that Lucy and Noah belong together. And whilst they both have the same thoughts at some points, miscommunication and life circumstances mean that they simply don’t act on their feelings. They remain firm friends and the special connection between them never dims, but will they ever end up together? Or is it just not meant to be?
I loved the whole cast of characters in this book, they were such a great bunch. I loved that we got to see them all have their ups and downs. I thought that the Alzheimer’s storyline was particularly poignant and very well tackled. Equally, I liked how the author addressed COVID/lockdowns in a way that we could all relate to! Overall, this was such a lovely journey to be a part of - ups and downs but what is life without those?
I would 100% recommend this book and all of Anna Bell’s other books too!
Lucy and Noah are leapling babies - born on the 29th February in the same year. They meet in 2004 on the day of their 20th (but actually only 5th 😅) birthday, when Lucy’s awful university boyfriend ‘treats� her to a booze cruise to Calais. Despite the massive lack of thought, it was probably the best thing he could ever do for Lucy, because it was how she met Noah. There’s an instant bond and connection between the two of them, although Noah does have a girlfriend at the time so nothing is acted upon. They stay in touch and their friendship groups end up merging into one. Each part of the story focuses on their leap year birthdays, with small snippets of what goes in in between in the form of texts/emails/messages.
From the reader’s point of view, it is very clear that Lucy and Noah belong together. And whilst they both have the same thoughts at some points, miscommunication and life circumstances mean that they simply don’t act on their feelings. They remain firm friends and the special connection between them never dims, but will they ever end up together? Or is it just not meant to be?
I loved the whole cast of characters in this book, they were such a great bunch. I loved that we got to see them all have their ups and downs. I thought that the Alzheimer’s storyline was particularly poignant and very well tackled. Equally, I liked how the author addressed COVID/lockdowns in a way that we could all relate to! Overall, this was such a lovely journey to be a part of - ups and downs but what is life without those?
I would 100% recommend this book and all of Anna Bell’s other books too!
October 28, 2024
Really enjoyed the structure of the book and catching up with Lucy, Noah and friends every 4 years! So cute, fun and lovely. 🥰
January 21, 2024
Lucy and Noah are both Leaplings, being born on 29th February. They meet when they are both at college, and the story follows their lives over the next 20 years, picking it up every 4 years when it's their "official birthday"! They both remain best friends throughout the years, joined by their unusual birthday, but it's obvious that one (or both) would like their to be something else to their relationship.
I really enjoyed this book and connected with both Lucy and Noah's stories. The story is told from Lucy's perspective and we get to see where they are in their lives every four years. I really liked both their characters and wanted them to just get together as it was obvious that was what should have happened right from the beginning. The storyline did slow up a little through the middle of the book for me, but it was still enjoyable to read. I loved going through their lives, watching their mistakes, regrets and hopes for the future and it was well written with plenty of emotion and laughs in the right places.
The storyline does cross over into the COVID times we all went through and this and Lucy's mum's storyline left me quite tearful. The supporting characters are likeable and you get to know them well over the course of the story. I love how it is written, meeting up with the main characters every four years and found this really clever! This was a heart-warming, light hearted read which I would recommend.
I really enjoyed this book and connected with both Lucy and Noah's stories. The story is told from Lucy's perspective and we get to see where they are in their lives every four years. I really liked both their characters and wanted them to just get together as it was obvious that was what should have happened right from the beginning. The storyline did slow up a little through the middle of the book for me, but it was still enjoyable to read. I loved going through their lives, watching their mistakes, regrets and hopes for the future and it was well written with plenty of emotion and laughs in the right places.
The storyline does cross over into the COVID times we all went through and this and Lucy's mum's storyline left me quite tearful. The supporting characters are likeable and you get to know them well over the course of the story. I love how it is written, meeting up with the main characters every four years and found this really clever! This was a heart-warming, light hearted read which I would recommend.
January 6, 2024
I loved the idea of this book, I am fascinated how it is to have your birthday once in a four years, really. I don't know anybody with their birthday on 29th February, do you?
It started good, although I was already desperate with our main character and her boyfriend. Oh boy. But whatever, Lucy felt nice and her friends were simply the best.
The idea of telling the story every 4 years, on Lucy and Noah's brithday, with only rough and short updates and blick into the characters` lives in between in the form of messages was really well developed, you really got the idea of what has happened in those 4 years, however, after second birthday, it started to feel tired. And I started to feel tired with the main characters, to be honest. While at the beginning it was light - hearted, the story turned out to be filled with the feelings of negativity. I know, I know, that's life for you, but life is also good and nice sometimes. I just didn't like this overwhelming feeling of sadness in this story, you know? Sure, Anna Bell has masterfully dealed with break - ups, children, disappointment, illness, relationships coming and going, but it all felt so down, so... sad. And it started to feel repetitive, this will they/won't they.
Nevertheless, it is a well - plotted story, down to earth and true to life. Really well written, thoughtful and I liked how the characters' point of views changed and grew with them. Sadly not the perfect read for me, but for sure one that you won't like to miss!
It started good, although I was already desperate with our main character and her boyfriend. Oh boy. But whatever, Lucy felt nice and her friends were simply the best.
The idea of telling the story every 4 years, on Lucy and Noah's brithday, with only rough and short updates and blick into the characters` lives in between in the form of messages was really well developed, you really got the idea of what has happened in those 4 years, however, after second birthday, it started to feel tired. And I started to feel tired with the main characters, to be honest. While at the beginning it was light - hearted, the story turned out to be filled with the feelings of negativity. I know, I know, that's life for you, but life is also good and nice sometimes. I just didn't like this overwhelming feeling of sadness in this story, you know? Sure, Anna Bell has masterfully dealed with break - ups, children, disappointment, illness, relationships coming and going, but it all felt so down, so... sad. And it started to feel repetitive, this will they/won't they.
Nevertheless, it is a well - plotted story, down to earth and true to life. Really well written, thoughtful and I liked how the characters' point of views changed and grew with them. Sadly not the perfect read for me, but for sure one that you won't like to miss!
February 6, 2024
Lucy is a leaping (born on 29th Feb). At university she is expecting to celebrate with her boyfriend on a romantic trip to Paris, but instead they end up in Calais buying cheap booze. She storms off after an argument and by chance meets Noah, a fellow leaping. The book follows their leap year birthdays over 20 years, looking at the highs and lows of growing up.
I absolutely love the premise of this book. Watching a group of friends grow up over 20 years is a really interesting idea and the author did a really good job of capturing the changes of things like technology. We get to know the characters and their lives, and a lot of work has been put in to building back story and anecdotes of the years we aren’t shown in the book. We very much only follow a handful of days every four years but have texts, emails and calls in between to see how life has moved on which I really enjoyed.
This book is more contemporary fiction than it is a romance which I didn’t realise going in and is why it’s not a higher rating for me, but I can really see an audience for this book. It hits on some hard topics which I usually avoid, TW particularly for dementia and the pandemic. The former hit me really hard as it’s VERY real in this book. Thankfully (for me) the pandemic was skimmed over.
I think the downside is that because we only see Lucy and Noah together for a couple of days every few years it’s hard to completely be involved in their relationship. It was hard for me at first to see the development of Lucy falling for Noah, and then the development of the final birthday comes around quickly with a rushed plot point that happens in the in between years. I’d have liked a bit more Lucy and Noah time to really feel invested.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely love the premise of this book. Watching a group of friends grow up over 20 years is a really interesting idea and the author did a really good job of capturing the changes of things like technology. We get to know the characters and their lives, and a lot of work has been put in to building back story and anecdotes of the years we aren’t shown in the book. We very much only follow a handful of days every four years but have texts, emails and calls in between to see how life has moved on which I really enjoyed.
This book is more contemporary fiction than it is a romance which I didn’t realise going in and is why it’s not a higher rating for me, but I can really see an audience for this book. It hits on some hard topics which I usually avoid, TW particularly for dementia and the pandemic. The former hit me really hard as it’s VERY real in this book. Thankfully (for me) the pandemic was skimmed over.
I think the downside is that because we only see Lucy and Noah together for a couple of days every few years it’s hard to completely be involved in their relationship. It was hard for me at first to see the development of Lucy falling for Noah, and then the development of the final birthday comes around quickly with a rushed plot point that happens in the in between years. I’d have liked a bit more Lucy and Noah time to really feel invested.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 1, 2024
A great idea for a book but it didn't quite get there for me. I’m not exactly sure what missed the mark but I suspect it just wasn’t romance-y enough for this romance lover. Rather it was a story of growth and milestones and relationship woes and ups and downs for the five main characters. Which is fine, except I was there for the romance. Watching Noah and Lucy slog through twenty years of near misses, misunderstandings, and numerous relationships with other people when what I really wanted was heartwarming emotion and thoughtful relationship development became tiresome and frustrating. I know I shouldn’t complain! It’s clearly laid out in the blurb that this was the path they would follow. But still—ugh!! What’s worse, they didn’t get together until the very end of the final chapter and it’s only in the epilogue that we’re shown them having any on-page time together as a couple. Boo hiss.
I did very much admire the enduring and strong friendships between the five primary characters. There was so much growth there as well as so much care for one another. Ngl, though, it was also awfully melancholic watching those college kids grow into middle-aged adults.
The pacing was a bit slow but the writing was solid. And I can easily say that even though we got very little of Noah and Lucy as a couple, what we did get was very sweet and gratifying.
I did very much admire the enduring and strong friendships between the five primary characters. There was so much growth there as well as so much care for one another. Ngl, though, it was also awfully melancholic watching those college kids grow into middle-aged adults.
The pacing was a bit slow but the writing was solid. And I can easily say that even though we got very little of Noah and Lucy as a couple, what we did get was very sweet and gratifying.
March 20, 2024
Lucy & Noah are Leaplings and meet on their special day. A tight knit university group of friends is quickly formed.
The story follows their friendship and the lives of the friends. It takes you all the way up to 2024 so there are modern references such as the Pandemic, lockdown, etc .
As I celebrate my 40th this year, just like our 2 protagonists, the timeline is very much of my day, which I appreciate the references to growing up in the 90s.
It's the usual 'will they won't they' vibe and such an easy read. I really enjoyed it and it left me with that warm, fuzzy feeling. Although it is not all rainbows and unicorns and deals with life issues such as marital problems, divorce and a special focus on early set dementia.
I probably wouldn't have chosen this book to read had it not been for a reading challenge prompt to read a book with 'leap' in the title - but I'm really pleased that I did.
The story follows their friendship and the lives of the friends. It takes you all the way up to 2024 so there are modern references such as the Pandemic, lockdown, etc .
As I celebrate my 40th this year, just like our 2 protagonists, the timeline is very much of my day, which I appreciate the references to growing up in the 90s.
It's the usual 'will they won't they' vibe and such an easy read. I really enjoyed it and it left me with that warm, fuzzy feeling. Although it is not all rainbows and unicorns and deals with life issues such as marital problems, divorce and a special focus on early set dementia.
I probably wouldn't have chosen this book to read had it not been for a reading challenge prompt to read a book with 'leap' in the title - but I'm really pleased that I did.
October 13, 2024
Nothing about this worked for me. The leap year idea was kind of cute, but logistically really clunky. We jump (no pun intended) from leap year to leap year, watching our main characters miss their romantic opportunities over decades. As we follow the friend group through their one day together, we get to hear about 4 years of events and adventures that everyone has had - falling in love, breaking up, getting married, having kids, changing jobs. A whole lot of stuff that we never are present for as it happens between chapters. This book was 384 pages and somehow it feels like everything happened while we weren't there. As if that isn't bad enough, Noah and Lucy are supposed to be the best of friends, but somehow they never seem to consider the possibility of getting together any other time except that one day every 4 years. It was a bit ridiculous and if I hadn't been reading this for a book challenge prompt, I would have DNF'd it at the 20% mark.
March 28, 2024
I absolutely adored this book! It was such a cutesy friends to lovers trope & I was just hoping for Noah & Lucy to be together the whole time🥺 It was so cleverly written, with WhatsApp messages, emails etc intertwined within the chapters, helping to show the progression of the characters from teenagers to adults! We follow the leaplings on their special birthdays & it was just so lovely to see their journey develop� that treasure hunt at the end though🥰It’s such an easy romance book to get stuck into🙌🏻
December 27, 2023
Sometimes you need a well plotted and cute romantic story and this one of those story that makes you smile, root for the characters, and hope for a HEA.
Love it
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Love it
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
April 3, 2024
Warm, light-hearted and emotional read. The story is well-written with relatable and easy to like characters.
Anna Bell wrote a story that's easy to read but it's complex and engaging at the same time. I really enjoyed it.
Anna Bell wrote a story that's easy to read but it's complex and engaging at the same time. I really enjoyed it.
December 28, 2024
Ah, another tale about leap year loves. It was exactly what I was looking for, and I didn't even realize it. No enemies to lovers, but plenty of growth, predictability, and uniqueness to leave me satisfied. I cried at the end.
February 23, 2024
There’s very little I love more than a friends to lovers romance. Absolutely joyful.
April 4, 2024
Alexa, play "invisible string" by Taylor Swift.
April 11, 2024
so cute. slow burn done right.
November 21, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I got bored straight away, but it did get better.
It was a very predictable love story, it kind of annoyed me in that sense as I knew what was coming but had to wait soooo long to get there.
I got bored straight away, but it did get better.
It was a very predictable love story, it kind of annoyed me in that sense as I knew what was coming but had to wait soooo long to get there.
March 2, 2024
I loved this book! I usually stick with the genre of historical fiction or true crime, which I love, but this time I thought I’d go for a romance, and I’m so glad I did as it’s one of most comforting and heart warming books I’ve read in a long time. I really enjoyed the mixture of traditional chapters and text messages and emails as a way of moving the story on by a few years. This wasn’t just a standard love story for me, it had side stories that I was just as invested in as the main characters of Lucy and Noah, some which brought me to tears. The story is witty, loving, funny and emotional - I cannot recommend it enough.
March 19, 2024
Loved this book from start to finish.
December 18, 2023
This book, gosh I love the way it is formatted. The way that life changes so much between the 4 years and is based majorly around what each of the friends (specifically Lucy & Noah) are doing on each leap year really just shows how much life can change within a 4 year period. This does remind me of Love, Rosie but honestly in the best way. The way their lives move on but something just keeps pulling them back together for each leap year, I adore.
February 8, 2024
This book was so frustrating to get through and it’s not because the plot or writing was bad- just personal preference. As a 19 year old, it was eye-opening seeing Lucy start out the same age as me and seeing how her life played out and how she made decisions for herself that were frankly very poor. It made me reflect on myself and how fear can ruin precious years with someone else or a job that could make you successful if you only took the leap see what i did there?
Noah was annoying and so was Lucy with her stupid decisions. I hope to god I don’t end up like either of them with their hesitations. The waiting was too much i wish they got together earlier than they did to be honest but the end I got too frustrated and annoyed that i just skipped to the epilogue. Don’t regret reading it though book wasn’t so bad just hit a little too close to home.
Noah was annoying and so was Lucy with her stupid decisions. I hope to god I don’t end up like either of them with their hesitations. The waiting was too much i wish they got together earlier than they did to be honest but the end I got too frustrated and annoyed that i just skipped to the epilogue. Don’t regret reading it though book wasn’t so bad just hit a little too close to home.
May 26, 2024
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Sometimes you meet your "someone", but it takes twenty years to realize it.
Lucy and Noah are leaplings, people born on February 29th, and they met during a "booze cruise" on their fifth "big birthday". A friendship was born that day that would grow and morph over the years until the timing was right for them to become more.
Like most of these romances that take FOREVER to get to the HEA, it simultaneously frustrated and delighted me. I love getting the opportunity to watch the couple grow, to share so many life events with them, but those ups and downs, those missed opportunities!!! That makes me batty, but also makes the ultimate outcome that much more satisfying.
This was one of those stories where the bulk of the action takes place at certain intervals. Here, it was the main part of the story centered around the "big birthday" which was every four years for our leaplings. These birthdays were usually filled with celebrations and a reunion of the whole university gang. This was when the BIG stuff happened. What I liked was the way Bell filled the in between. The gaps between leap years was filled in with emails, texts, transcripts, and other methods to let me know what was going on with everyone. It was just enough to link the leap years, and I found it to be a rather clever way to accomplish this task.
As was previously mentioned, this book takes place over a twenty year time span. It starts in 2004, when everyone is at university. So, obviously, 2020 falls in that time span. I am still not sure how I feel about Covid being part of novels, but Bell was gentle with it. There was no talk of death or anything terrible. Mostly, it involved how the characters were in lockdown and how it affected their personal relationships. No need to fear this part.
Once Upon a Leap Year was a wonderful story of love, friendship, and family. It was lovey to see how all these relationships developed over such a long time period. Aside from a couple whose union I was rooting for, it was a nice exploration of the challenges of adult friendships, aging parents, and life in general. It was an emotional roller coaster, but I loved every second of it.
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Sometimes you meet your "someone", but it takes twenty years to realize it.
Lucy and Noah are leaplings, people born on February 29th, and they met during a "booze cruise" on their fifth "big birthday". A friendship was born that day that would grow and morph over the years until the timing was right for them to become more.
Like most of these romances that take FOREVER to get to the HEA, it simultaneously frustrated and delighted me. I love getting the opportunity to watch the couple grow, to share so many life events with them, but those ups and downs, those missed opportunities!!! That makes me batty, but also makes the ultimate outcome that much more satisfying.
This was one of those stories where the bulk of the action takes place at certain intervals. Here, it was the main part of the story centered around the "big birthday" which was every four years for our leaplings. These birthdays were usually filled with celebrations and a reunion of the whole university gang. This was when the BIG stuff happened. What I liked was the way Bell filled the in between. The gaps between leap years was filled in with emails, texts, transcripts, and other methods to let me know what was going on with everyone. It was just enough to link the leap years, and I found it to be a rather clever way to accomplish this task.
As was previously mentioned, this book takes place over a twenty year time span. It starts in 2004, when everyone is at university. So, obviously, 2020 falls in that time span. I am still not sure how I feel about Covid being part of novels, but Bell was gentle with it. There was no talk of death or anything terrible. Mostly, it involved how the characters were in lockdown and how it affected their personal relationships. No need to fear this part.
Once Upon a Leap Year was a wonderful story of love, friendship, and family. It was lovey to see how all these relationships developed over such a long time period. Aside from a couple whose union I was rooting for, it was a nice exploration of the challenges of adult friendships, aging parents, and life in general. It was an emotional roller coaster, but I loved every second of it.
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February 27, 2025
Why on earth did I leave this a year to read, although I'm very glad I have now read it.
I felt a fairly close affinity to Lucy and Noah, as I am literally only about 2 hours older than them. They are both leaplings, whereas I was born a few hours before the leap day in the same year, so each birthday they celebrated, I was the same age and have often thought about how cool it would have been had I had the 29th Feb birthday instead and how much more interesting that made me.
So as I was reading I was remembering some of my own birthdays, while completely enjoying their story.
And it all starts in 2000, with what Lucy was hoping to be a trip to Paris with Will, and turned out to be a booze cruise trip to Calais to raid the hypermarkets. And its on that trip she meets Paul and Noah who were also on the trip, and Noah and Lucy spend a bit of time having an adventure in Calais while not being too happy with who they came with (for vastly different reasons).
And that is the start of them all being in each others lives. The book is structured that we get the day before, day after and the special day itself of each leap year, and then we get texts and emails etc between all of the friends to catch us up on what is happening in the in between years.
It's a wonderful way of managing to get a book to span 20 years, and I really felt as though I knew all the characters. I also knew what I was hoping would be the end result but I wasn't completely sure I'd get it - but wow that is a truly wonderful ending!
I was absorbed into the lives of Lucy, Caz, Amy, Noah, Paul and Mags, and of course Lucy's mum (and that was a tough storyline to read) as they go from uni students, to full grown actual adults!
And I've finished reading this just hours before I turn 41, so probably the most perfectly timed I could have for a book, other than reading it in a leap year, I was just enchanted by the whole book.
Wonderful writing as I have come to expect from Anna Bell and characters that I have taken into my heart.
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I felt a fairly close affinity to Lucy and Noah, as I am literally only about 2 hours older than them. They are both leaplings, whereas I was born a few hours before the leap day in the same year, so each birthday they celebrated, I was the same age and have often thought about how cool it would have been had I had the 29th Feb birthday instead and how much more interesting that made me.
So as I was reading I was remembering some of my own birthdays, while completely enjoying their story.
And it all starts in 2000, with what Lucy was hoping to be a trip to Paris with Will, and turned out to be a booze cruise trip to Calais to raid the hypermarkets. And its on that trip she meets Paul and Noah who were also on the trip, and Noah and Lucy spend a bit of time having an adventure in Calais while not being too happy with who they came with (for vastly different reasons).
And that is the start of them all being in each others lives. The book is structured that we get the day before, day after and the special day itself of each leap year, and then we get texts and emails etc between all of the friends to catch us up on what is happening in the in between years.
It's a wonderful way of managing to get a book to span 20 years, and I really felt as though I knew all the characters. I also knew what I was hoping would be the end result but I wasn't completely sure I'd get it - but wow that is a truly wonderful ending!
I was absorbed into the lives of Lucy, Caz, Amy, Noah, Paul and Mags, and of course Lucy's mum (and that was a tough storyline to read) as they go from uni students, to full grown actual adults!
And I've finished reading this just hours before I turn 41, so probably the most perfectly timed I could have for a book, other than reading it in a leap year, I was just enchanted by the whole book.
Wonderful writing as I have come to expect from Anna Bell and characters that I have taken into my heart.
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
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February 5, 2024I found myself thinking about the characters after I had finished reading the book, a proper book hangover!
Lucy and Noah meet on their 4th birthday - well, their 20th really but they are “leaplings� born on 29th February and this is turning out to be Lucy’s worst birthday yet. After mistakenly thinking her boyfriend has a romantic trip planned, she is frustrated to find that she is a spare part on his venture to Calais to pick up a load of cheap booze. A twist of fate has Lucy and Noah spend the day together and they become fast friends. Both seeing other people, the tentative feelings they have for each other remain buried and they form a friendship group, meeting up when they can and making a point to spend their 4 yearly birthdays together. As they start to grow up and realise what they want in life, it becomes increasingly obvious (well especially to the reader) that they belong together. Nobody knows them like each other.
I found myself so frustrated that the characters wouldn’t admit how they felt for each other but they are each other’s constant and it seemingly felt like too big a risk.
I adored this book, the way the characters are written and the fleeting glances at each other had me so invested in their story.
Lucy and Noah meet on their 4th birthday - well, their 20th really but they are “leaplings� born on 29th February and this is turning out to be Lucy’s worst birthday yet. After mistakenly thinking her boyfriend has a romantic trip planned, she is frustrated to find that she is a spare part on his venture to Calais to pick up a load of cheap booze. A twist of fate has Lucy and Noah spend the day together and they become fast friends. Both seeing other people, the tentative feelings they have for each other remain buried and they form a friendship group, meeting up when they can and making a point to spend their 4 yearly birthdays together. As they start to grow up and realise what they want in life, it becomes increasingly obvious (well especially to the reader) that they belong together. Nobody knows them like each other.
I found myself so frustrated that the characters wouldn’t admit how they felt for each other but they are each other’s constant and it seemingly felt like too big a risk.
I adored this book, the way the characters are written and the fleeting glances at each other had me so invested in their story.
December 14, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by Anna Bell and I’m in shock…that I’ve never read one of her books before!
This book had me intrigued from the start. It’s divided into six parts and takes place over two decades. Lucy and Noah met whilst both in relationships and found out they share the same birthday - February 29th. They merge their friendship groups and meet up every 4 years. The group go through the various trials and tribulations that people often do in their 20’s and 30’s.
It was really lovely to read about their lives continuing over the years, they all had such happy times but some sad moments, too. One of my favourite parts of the book were the text and email exchanges at the end of every part.
One of the most important parts of this book for me, was the representation of dementia. It’s something that is rarely spoken about in romance books, and having closely worked with people suffering with dementia, I feel like the author has done a fantastic job of writing about it. I’m astonished at the compassion shown in the writing.
When this book comes out on the 1st February, please read it - it’s amazing!
This book had me intrigued from the start. It’s divided into six parts and takes place over two decades. Lucy and Noah met whilst both in relationships and found out they share the same birthday - February 29th. They merge their friendship groups and meet up every 4 years. The group go through the various trials and tribulations that people often do in their 20’s and 30’s.
It was really lovely to read about their lives continuing over the years, they all had such happy times but some sad moments, too. One of my favourite parts of the book were the text and email exchanges at the end of every part.
One of the most important parts of this book for me, was the representation of dementia. It’s something that is rarely spoken about in romance books, and having closely worked with people suffering with dementia, I feel like the author has done a fantastic job of writing about it. I’m astonished at the compassion shown in the writing.
When this book comes out on the 1st February, please read it - it’s amazing!
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