This Wasn’t Meant to Happen
- Author Ali Harris
- Narrator Sarah Slimani
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date 11 September 2025
- Run Time 11 hours and 43 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Contemporary romance, Family life fiction, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: health and illness, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Romance.
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Listen to a sample
What to expect
'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.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Critics Review
n Praise for Ali Harris:n
n'Oh wow, what an incredibly emotional read. This is a book that so many people will be able to relate to.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
n'So emotional and impactful. I know this book will stay with me for a long time.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
n'One hell of a story. So moving. Read it.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
n'A beautifully written novel that shimmers with emotion. Ali Harris brings raw honesty to every page.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
n'This book broke me, and I mean that in the best way. A story that will stay with me forever.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
n'A story of immense love and emotion, whether you have been personally affected or not by a similar loss, it is a story of hope.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
n'Every person who has lost someone will relate to this book, but especially mothers and those who have also sadly lost their children or child.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐
n'An adorable, heartwarming tale of love and friendship which bubbles with tenderness. Love it' Marie Claire
n'Not since One Day's Emma and Dexter have we fallen so hard for a literary couple…The First Last Kiss will burrow deep inside your head and heart, and will stay there long after you finish reading. 5 stars.' Heat
n'A very cleverly put-together, almost cinematic novel…Hugely enjoyable.' Red
n'It's so refreshing to read a love story where we couldn't predict the end. Heartbreakingly brilliant.' Company
n'An intoxicating cocktail of heartbreak and happiness.' Easy Living
n'This nicely-written tale of first love, lost love and second chances is just the sort of thing to be made into a movie.' Star
n'A real weepy, The First Last Kiss makes you laugh too.' Daily Express
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