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Counting Down to You
From the bestselling author of Meet Me on the Bridge comes a moving, feel-good novel that shows it’s never too late to look for happiness.
Sophie can see how long people have left to live. Her first love Adam is back. And he has just 24 days to go.
Ever since the accident that changed Sophie’s life, she sees numbers everywhere. From the leaves on a tree to the volume of a puddle, everything has its number. And every person she meets? Their number is counting down the number of days they have left.
Despite being lonely, Sophie has decided she’s not dating anyone with a number smaller than 20,000 days: 55 years together should be plenty. Which is fine, until Adam—her first love and most definitely the one that got away—suddenly reappears. And his number? Just 24 days…
Sophie has tried and failed to save lots of people in the past; she thought she couldn’t alter fate, no matter how hard she tried. But the way Adam looks at her makes her feel alive again for the first time in years. She questions everything, and a spark is lit. Could true love be powerful enough to rewrite the future? Maybe some rules are meant to be broken, and perhaps Adam is the one who will show her that not every ending is set in stone…
Sophie can see how long people have left to live. Her first love Adam is back. And he has just 24 days to go.
Ever since the accident that changed Sophie’s life, she sees numbers everywhere. From the leaves on a tree to the volume of a puddle, everything has its number. And every person she meets? Their number is counting down the number of days they have left.
Despite being lonely, Sophie has decided she’s not dating anyone with a number smaller than 20,000 days: 55 years together should be plenty. Which is fine, until Adam—her first love and most definitely the one that got away—suddenly reappears. And his number? Just 24 days…
Sophie has tried and failed to save lots of people in the past; she thought she couldn’t alter fate, no matter how hard she tried. But the way Adam looks at her makes her feel alive again for the first time in years. She questions everything, and a spark is lit. Could true love be powerful enough to rewrite the future? Maybe some rules are meant to be broken, and perhaps Adam is the one who will show her that not every ending is set in stone…
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2025
577 people are currently reading
5792 people want to read
About the author
Sarah J. Harris
4 books222 followersSarah J. Harris is the author of Meet Me On The Bridge published by Lake Union in June 2024.
Her debut adult novel, The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder, won the Books Are My Bag Breakthrough Author Award in 2018 and was a Richard and Judy pick. It was published by HarperCollins.
One Ordinary Day At A Time, her second adult novel, was published by HarperCollins in June 2021.
Her debut adult novel, The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder, won the Books Are My Bag Breakthrough Author Award in 2018 and was a Richard and Judy pick. It was published by HarperCollins.
One Ordinary Day At A Time, her second adult novel, was published by HarperCollins in June 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
July 15, 2025
Happy publication day 🥳🎉🎧
This was actually really lovely. Aged 18, Sophie was involved in a horrific accident which left her with an irreversible brain injury. Along with the brain injury Sophie has a new talent that is both a gift and a curse. She has developed the ability to see numbers everywhere, the curse is to see people s numbers, as in how many days they’ll live. For years Sophie has been trying to intervene, to alter the numbers, but has never had any success. Where she has found huge personal success is in her memory quilt making - I can’t tell you how much I’ve always wanted one of these.
When Sophie’s first love reenters her life with his daughter. Sophie is shocked to see how low his number is, and she realises that the relationship between father and daughter is strained. With time against her Sophie is determined that she helps repair the relationship before time is up.
The start of the story was a bit choppy and I think I was around a third of the way in before I was wholly immersed hence the slightly low rating. It did gather momentum though and I was soon desperate to see what would happen.
The audio narration aswell took a bit of getting used to in the outset.
3.75 🌟
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
This was actually really lovely. Aged 18, Sophie was involved in a horrific accident which left her with an irreversible brain injury. Along with the brain injury Sophie has a new talent that is both a gift and a curse. She has developed the ability to see numbers everywhere, the curse is to see people s numbers, as in how many days they’ll live. For years Sophie has been trying to intervene, to alter the numbers, but has never had any success. Where she has found huge personal success is in her memory quilt making - I can’t tell you how much I’ve always wanted one of these.
When Sophie’s first love reenters her life with his daughter. Sophie is shocked to see how low his number is, and she realises that the relationship between father and daughter is strained. With time against her Sophie is determined that she helps repair the relationship before time is up.
The start of the story was a bit choppy and I think I was around a third of the way in before I was wholly immersed hence the slightly low rating. It did gather momentum though and I was soon desperate to see what would happen.
The audio narration aswell took a bit of getting used to in the outset.
3.75 🌟
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
May 13, 2025
I received this as an ARC. if you liked They Both Die At The End you’ll love this book - it has a similar plot with the main character Sophie being able to see everyone’s death dates. To be honest I was a bit lost in the beginning with the dual POVs and dual timelines but I caught on fairly quickly. I sped through the second half of the book because I was dying to see how things would end with Sophie and Adam. I kept going back on forth on how I thought the book would end and was pleasantly surprised when I finished. It’s a quick read with a wholesome story!
July 21, 2025
After a accident changes Sophie's life, she gains a haunting ability. she can see how many days a person has left to live. Numbers are everywhere, on trees, puddles, tiles and on people. Traumatized, Sophie avoids relationships with anyone whose number is less than 20,000.
Then Adam, her high school boyfriend, re-enters her life, but this time, his number is 24 days. Sophie scarred by her past inability to save someone she loved, needs to decide to follow her heart or cling to fear.
Then Adam, her high school boyfriend, re-enters her life, but this time, his number is 24 days. Sophie scarred by her past inability to save someone she loved, needs to decide to follow her heart or cling to fear.
August 16, 2025
…I wish I could see the star ratings above books before I read them
June 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this arc.
Sophie tragically had an accident that left her with a bizarre new trait... she can now see numbers everywhere. More importantly, she can now see the amount of days that someone has left to live!
I feel like this had a really promising plot, one that I personally have seen before, but I'm not sure it quite hit the mark for me.
When I started this book, I really enjoyed it and it captivated me to read more and find out more about our main characters. I really enjoyed the side characters that Sophie interacts with, perhaps even a little bit more than our MMC. I found our MMC a little bit tiresome after a while, and wasn't a fan of his personality traits.
That being said, I really enjoyed the relationship being portrayed with our FMC and MMC. This is a second chance romance and I could really feel their bond returning throughout the book.
I think the one big thing I couldn't get over, was how the book was written. I wasn't a fan of the overly used exclamation points (that being a personality trait of our MMC) and also the dialogue between a number of characters. Personally, I felt that the dialogue in some scenarios were a little bit juvenile.
I do think this would be a nice and easy read, especially for summer. I feel like a lot of people would enjoy this book a lot more, especially if you do not have a preferred writing style.
Sophie tragically had an accident that left her with a bizarre new trait... she can now see numbers everywhere. More importantly, she can now see the amount of days that someone has left to live!
I feel like this had a really promising plot, one that I personally have seen before, but I'm not sure it quite hit the mark for me.
When I started this book, I really enjoyed it and it captivated me to read more and find out more about our main characters. I really enjoyed the side characters that Sophie interacts with, perhaps even a little bit more than our MMC. I found our MMC a little bit tiresome after a while, and wasn't a fan of his personality traits.
That being said, I really enjoyed the relationship being portrayed with our FMC and MMC. This is a second chance romance and I could really feel their bond returning throughout the book.
I think the one big thing I couldn't get over, was how the book was written. I wasn't a fan of the overly used exclamation points (that being a personality trait of our MMC) and also the dialogue between a number of characters. Personally, I felt that the dialogue in some scenarios were a little bit juvenile.
I do think this would be a nice and easy read, especially for summer. I feel like a lot of people would enjoy this book a lot more, especially if you do not have a preferred writing style.
May 16, 2025
Review of ‘Counting Down to You’ by Sarah J Harris due to be published on 15 July 2025 by Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing.
Sophie had an accident on her prom night that changed her life forever, a brain injury that left her with the ability to see numbers everywhere - the number of leaves on a tree, the dimensions of a table, and the amount of days people had left to live.
When Sophie reconnects with her first love, Adam, she is devastated to learn his number is 24 - and sets about trying to prolong his life in any way she can, despite having failed to help people in the past.
This is a very profound, thought provoking, emotional and moving story about the power of love, family, friendships and forgiveness. A tearjerker to the very end.
I loved it and highly recommend the book.
Sophie had an accident on her prom night that changed her life forever, a brain injury that left her with the ability to see numbers everywhere - the number of leaves on a tree, the dimensions of a table, and the amount of days people had left to live.
When Sophie reconnects with her first love, Adam, she is devastated to learn his number is 24 - and sets about trying to prolong his life in any way she can, despite having failed to help people in the past.
This is a very profound, thought provoking, emotional and moving story about the power of love, family, friendships and forgiveness. A tearjerker to the very end.
I loved it and highly recommend the book.
July 16, 2025
i really enjoyed meet me on the bridge so i was excited to read this. this did not disappoint but omg the last few chapters had me in tears until i read the epilogue lol you really had me there. don't worry, it's always a happy ending 💞
July 14, 2025
His wrist tattoo, their shared way of signing notes to one and other, her necklace (long enough to rest underneath the hollow in her neck, his favorite place to kiss her)... Each one of these snippets of memory adorned with the mathematical Möbius Strip symbol. For teenagers Adam and Sophie, the Möbius Strip represented their love story: how interconnected they are for life, never truly apart. But tragic circumstances break them up, with neither one of them ever truly able to get over the other: regardless of their separation, that one symbol elevated them from having puppy love to being the enduring love of each other's lives. Achingly so, through distance and time.
One day, Adam walks into a dry-cleaners having spotted a mathematically patterned quilt in the front window, wondering who made it. Shop keeper Bernard helps him connect the dots: it's Sophie... his Sophie. The love of his life, the girl he hasn't gotten over, the girl he hasn't seen in 10 years.
Sophie, having heard everything from the back of the store, escapes the moment she realizes Adam's here... her Adam. She can't bear to see him, because seeing him means she'll see His Number. Like she sees every possible number, ever since she got into a horrible car accident 10 years ago. How many tiles there are in a floor. How wide your bathtub is. The number of hairs on your head. The number of days you have left to live. But through his persistence, they reunite, and she's confronted with the awful truth: Adam, a now 28 year-old single father, has 24 days left to live. And there is absolutely nothing Sophie can do about it; she's tried to intervene before with other people, and fate always Final Destinationed them.
Oh, this book hurts in the best way. I felt a welcome array of emotions as I read this, cover to cover. It never stopped. I was very nervous, a little on edge, about how the story would unfold. I could only hope, hope and hope. Counting Down to You is a romance novel, but that's not always a guarantee... I was legitimately feeling quite a bit of despair, forcing myself not to skip to the end. I was so invested in these characters and their love story, in sweet Adam and his family. Books with this amount of emotional impact are so special, especially when it was balanced, gentle enough not to feel overdone or sentimental. There is so much hope in all of this, so much value placed on the smaller moments of togetherness. Despite the heavy subject matter, this book was very comforting at times.
Sophie's experience as she's sort of grieving Adam while he is alive is superbly written. Her feelings are always full of conflict: her wish to avoid him, avoid the pain of having to likely lose him all over again, is tenderly human. And when she finds the strength to take steps in his direction again, to make the most of her time with him AND help him live his last days with meaning... there is so much love in that. She cycles through this course of inaction versus action a few times, but bravely finds her way back to Adam every single time - like their Möbius Strip symbol. From her perspective alone, this book is a stunning love story.
Adam, having no idea about what is going on, is going through his own series of emotions: his yearning for Sophie - of what they had, and what they could still have - is achingly beautiful. The sweet, nostalgic moments they experienced as teenagers, the significance of their mathematical symbol, regarding her now...
Both characters feel a sort of grief for the years they've missed out on, coming to terms with being adults who have changed. They are forced to confront the fatal accident that changed their entire lives, flashbacks of which play out on page in both Sophie's and Adam's PoVs. These chapters are graphic and quite hard to read, but I think it's necessary to show the impact not only on Sophie as the sole survivor, but on Adam and their friend Tom as well, as powerless bystanders (a position Sophie now finds herself in as well). Their survivor's guilt is collective. Harris doesn't shy away from writing more of these kinds of hard scenes, but it's never overly sensationalized. They help the story.
Sophie and Adam as individuals and as a pairing definitely can carry this entire book, but oh, how I loved the side characters Harris brings in. Adam's daughter Wren is as 8 years old as she can be, and had me cringing on Adam's behalf several times. She's... not making it easy on him. The story of her and Adam navigating life without her mother Carley in the picture is very realistic. This isn't instant-love for the girl. And Adam messes up a lot. It's perfectly imperfect.
Some people from their shared past appear in the story with various amounts of impact on the whole. But the person who stole my heart and had me weeping (think UP levels of tear drainage) was Walter, an elderly man who's dying of cancer, and is the catalyst for Sophie to rethink the meaning of all of those numbers. That man is responsible for about half a jam jar full of my tears and for many of the good lessons that this book left the main characters and myself with.
Counting Down to You is a unique magical realism story about big heartaches, demonstrating the immeasurable, infinite value of enjoying whatever moment you can with those you love.
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.
One day, Adam walks into a dry-cleaners having spotted a mathematically patterned quilt in the front window, wondering who made it. Shop keeper Bernard helps him connect the dots: it's Sophie... his Sophie. The love of his life, the girl he hasn't gotten over, the girl he hasn't seen in 10 years.
Sophie, having heard everything from the back of the store, escapes the moment she realizes Adam's here... her Adam. She can't bear to see him, because seeing him means she'll see His Number. Like she sees every possible number, ever since she got into a horrible car accident 10 years ago. How many tiles there are in a floor. How wide your bathtub is. The number of hairs on your head. The number of days you have left to live. But through his persistence, they reunite, and she's confronted with the awful truth: Adam, a now 28 year-old single father, has 24 days left to live. And there is absolutely nothing Sophie can do about it; she's tried to intervene before with other people, and fate always Final Destinationed them.
Oh, this book hurts in the best way. I felt a welcome array of emotions as I read this, cover to cover. It never stopped. I was very nervous, a little on edge, about how the story would unfold. I could only hope, hope and hope. Counting Down to You is a romance novel, but that's not always a guarantee... I was legitimately feeling quite a bit of despair, forcing myself not to skip to the end. I was so invested in these characters and their love story, in sweet Adam and his family. Books with this amount of emotional impact are so special, especially when it was balanced, gentle enough not to feel overdone or sentimental. There is so much hope in all of this, so much value placed on the smaller moments of togetherness. Despite the heavy subject matter, this book was very comforting at times.
Sophie's experience as she's sort of grieving Adam while he is alive is superbly written. Her feelings are always full of conflict: her wish to avoid him, avoid the pain of having to likely lose him all over again, is tenderly human. And when she finds the strength to take steps in his direction again, to make the most of her time with him AND help him live his last days with meaning... there is so much love in that. She cycles through this course of inaction versus action a few times, but bravely finds her way back to Adam every single time - like their Möbius Strip symbol. From her perspective alone, this book is a stunning love story.
Adam, having no idea about what is going on, is going through his own series of emotions: his yearning for Sophie - of what they had, and what they could still have - is achingly beautiful. The sweet, nostalgic moments they experienced as teenagers, the significance of their mathematical symbol, regarding her now...
Both characters feel a sort of grief for the years they've missed out on, coming to terms with being adults who have changed. They are forced to confront the fatal accident that changed their entire lives, flashbacks of which play out on page in both Sophie's and Adam's PoVs. These chapters are graphic and quite hard to read, but I think it's necessary to show the impact not only on Sophie as the sole survivor, but on Adam and their friend Tom as well, as powerless bystanders (a position Sophie now finds herself in as well). Their survivor's guilt is collective. Harris doesn't shy away from writing more of these kinds of hard scenes, but it's never overly sensationalized. They help the story.
Sophie and Adam as individuals and as a pairing definitely can carry this entire book, but oh, how I loved the side characters Harris brings in. Adam's daughter Wren is as 8 years old as she can be, and had me cringing on Adam's behalf several times. She's... not making it easy on him. The story of her and Adam navigating life without her mother Carley in the picture is very realistic. This isn't instant-love for the girl. And Adam messes up a lot. It's perfectly imperfect.
Some people from their shared past appear in the story with various amounts of impact on the whole. But the person who stole my heart and had me weeping (think UP levels of tear drainage) was Walter, an elderly man who's dying of cancer, and is the catalyst for Sophie to rethink the meaning of all of those numbers. That man is responsible for about half a jam jar full of my tears and for many of the good lessons that this book left the main characters and myself with.
Counting Down to You is a unique magical realism story about big heartaches, demonstrating the immeasurable, infinite value of enjoying whatever moment you can with those you love.
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.
August 3, 2025
Wow! Where to even begin with this book? I’ve taken some time to reflect and I’m still utterly shocked by the affect this had on me. It’s been a while since a book had me openly sobbing like this one did.
Counting Down To You is a gripping, strongly narrated story with elements I’ve never seen before. I struggle to know what to class this as, whether it be fantasy realism, contemporary romance or something entirely different. But I truly loved every second of it.
There were a range of complex characters to fall in love with, and fall I definitely did. Adam is an anxious single dad, coming to terms with a plethora of wild changes to his life and was an extremely easy character to love. Sophie, on the other hand, was a deeply troubled girl, struggling to cope with the condition/power she possesses to see the date in which everyone around her will die. I initially struggled to connect with her, mainly due to the way she treated those around her, but as her re-introduction with Adam progressed, I did begin to better understand and connect with her story.
As someone around the same age as these characters, also not living far from Bristol, it felt especially relatable and real to me. I deeply resonated with Adam, and his pressure to pick up the pieces when his life and career didn’t end up how he expected.
There were a few phrases that were repeated endlessly throughout this book - “100 per cent” being the one that stuck out to me. I do appreciate this very well may be a quirk of the character, (mathematician Adam and his love for numbers) but it very became repetitive and drew away from the personality of the character. I went back and searched the phrase to find it was used a whopping 30 times in the book, absolute madness.
The ending, though should have been entirely expected, was cleverly and almost evilly written. I may be facing ridicule from my partner for weeks to come for how explosively I cried for these characters, so thank you for that Sarah.
But overall, I’m really glad to have read this book, definitely recommend it, and thank all involved for the opportunity to read this book ahead of release.
Counting Down To You is a gripping, strongly narrated story with elements I’ve never seen before. I struggle to know what to class this as, whether it be fantasy realism, contemporary romance or something entirely different. But I truly loved every second of it.
There were a range of complex characters to fall in love with, and fall I definitely did. Adam is an anxious single dad, coming to terms with a plethora of wild changes to his life and was an extremely easy character to love. Sophie, on the other hand, was a deeply troubled girl, struggling to cope with the condition/power she possesses to see the date in which everyone around her will die. I initially struggled to connect with her, mainly due to the way she treated those around her, but as her re-introduction with Adam progressed, I did begin to better understand and connect with her story.
As someone around the same age as these characters, also not living far from Bristol, it felt especially relatable and real to me. I deeply resonated with Adam, and his pressure to pick up the pieces when his life and career didn’t end up how he expected.
There were a few phrases that were repeated endlessly throughout this book - “100 per cent” being the one that stuck out to me. I do appreciate this very well may be a quirk of the character, (mathematician Adam and his love for numbers) but it very became repetitive and drew away from the personality of the character. I went back and searched the phrase to find it was used a whopping 30 times in the book, absolute madness.
The ending, though should have been entirely expected, was cleverly and almost evilly written. I may be facing ridicule from my partner for weeks to come for how explosively I cried for these characters, so thank you for that Sarah.
But overall, I’m really glad to have read this book, definitely recommend it, and thank all involved for the opportunity to read this book ahead of release.
July 10, 2025
I was really excited to get this as an ARC as it's something I feel I would genuinely pick up from the blurb.
Sophie and Adam were high school sweethearts until a fateful car accident at their high school prom killed Sophie's best friend and left Sophie with significant head injuries. A side effect of this head injury is she now sees numbers EVERYWHERE - how many leaves are in a tree, how high the bench is, how many days everyone has left to live...
She feels responsible for the accident and starts pulling away from everyone she's known. She tries hard to help people avoid their fates but has been unsuccessful in altering anyone's number yet. One day, 10 years later Adam walks into her workplace, she runs away, she doesn't want to see him or know his number. But eventually agrees to meet up with him and his number is LOW, 24 days low. All the feelings from their dating days come rushing back, can this finally be the person she can help? Is there any possibility of happily ever after for these 2?
The premise was cool, not necessarily unique but I did enjoy it. I didn't love the way it was written, there was something that felt a little clunky with the timelines and dates. I also found the number talk in the beginning a bit overwhelming and it dragged in the middle. The last quarter or so picked back up and I genuinely wanted to know if she could save him. And yes, my eyes welled a little, it was a bit of an emotional ride. I think this will appeal to readers who enjoy a second chance romance with lots of mathematical data.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Sophie and Adam were high school sweethearts until a fateful car accident at their high school prom killed Sophie's best friend and left Sophie with significant head injuries. A side effect of this head injury is she now sees numbers EVERYWHERE - how many leaves are in a tree, how high the bench is, how many days everyone has left to live...
She feels responsible for the accident and starts pulling away from everyone she's known. She tries hard to help people avoid their fates but has been unsuccessful in altering anyone's number yet. One day, 10 years later Adam walks into her workplace, she runs away, she doesn't want to see him or know his number. But eventually agrees to meet up with him and his number is LOW, 24 days low. All the feelings from their dating days come rushing back, can this finally be the person she can help? Is there any possibility of happily ever after for these 2?
The premise was cool, not necessarily unique but I did enjoy it. I didn't love the way it was written, there was something that felt a little clunky with the timelines and dates. I also found the number talk in the beginning a bit overwhelming and it dragged in the middle. The last quarter or so picked back up and I genuinely wanted to know if she could save him. And yes, my eyes welled a little, it was a bit of an emotional ride. I think this will appeal to readers who enjoy a second chance romance with lots of mathematical data.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this novel.
If you could know the exact date of your death, would you want to know? This is the question explored within the pages of this second chance romance. After a tragic accident as a teenager, Sophie now sees numbers everywhere. At a glance, she knows the height of a building, the pieces of gravel on a driveway, the number of leaves on a tree, and the amount of days each person has left to live. Knowing when her loved ones will perish and being able to do nothing to stop it has caused Sophie to push everyone away until she stumbles upon her first true love, the one thay got away, and is unable to walk away again, especially when he has less than a month to live.
This is so much more than just a contemporary romance. This novel explores grief, trauma, and parental relationships with a cast of characters you can't help but fall in love with. The author reminds us to cherish the small joys in life and be in each moment while we still have them.
The character work within this was excellent, and the pacing never lulled. Despite the ending being a tad predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed this work and look forward to reading more by this author.
4.5 ⭐️
Tissue count= 1/2 a box
Spice 🌶
If you could know the exact date of your death, would you want to know? This is the question explored within the pages of this second chance romance. After a tragic accident as a teenager, Sophie now sees numbers everywhere. At a glance, she knows the height of a building, the pieces of gravel on a driveway, the number of leaves on a tree, and the amount of days each person has left to live. Knowing when her loved ones will perish and being able to do nothing to stop it has caused Sophie to push everyone away until she stumbles upon her first true love, the one thay got away, and is unable to walk away again, especially when he has less than a month to live.
This is so much more than just a contemporary romance. This novel explores grief, trauma, and parental relationships with a cast of characters you can't help but fall in love with. The author reminds us to cherish the small joys in life and be in each moment while we still have them.
The character work within this was excellent, and the pacing never lulled. Despite the ending being a tad predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed this work and look forward to reading more by this author.
4.5 ⭐️
Tissue count= 1/2 a box
Spice 🌶
July 15, 2025
This was a cute second chance, dual POV, star crossed lovers type British romance with a touch of magical realism in which Adam and Sophie, two former high school lovers, are reunited after a bad break up and several years apart.
The catch is that while Adam never stopped loving Sophie, she now has a condition in which she is able to see numbers after suffering a traumatic head injury in a car crash. She can see the volume and size of things as well as the number of days a person has left to live and she doesn't want to take a chance on sharing her heart with Adam again, especially when she sees he only has three weeks left to live.
This was good on audio and had lots of emotional depth (Adam is a widowed single dad and Sophie is still grieving the loss of her childhood best friend). I did find it a bit predictable since it had a similar kind of vibe to books like All the perfect days by Michael Thompson.
Recommended for fans of authors like Paige Toon or Emily Stone/Becky Hunt. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review. Overall a somewhat sad but hopeful kissing only romance but not one that will with me too long afterwards.
The catch is that while Adam never stopped loving Sophie, she now has a condition in which she is able to see numbers after suffering a traumatic head injury in a car crash. She can see the volume and size of things as well as the number of days a person has left to live and she doesn't want to take a chance on sharing her heart with Adam again, especially when she sees he only has three weeks left to live.
This was good on audio and had lots of emotional depth (Adam is a widowed single dad and Sophie is still grieving the loss of her childhood best friend). I did find it a bit predictable since it had a similar kind of vibe to books like All the perfect days by Michael Thompson.
Recommended for fans of authors like Paige Toon or Emily Stone/Becky Hunt. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review. Overall a somewhat sad but hopeful kissing only romance but not one that will with me too long afterwards.
June 6, 2025
thank you netgalley for the arc!
this book has a very good and promising premise, and i think it was quite original. we follow sophie and see how she sees the world after a car accident, changing her life forever. it was very interesting to be able to see from her perspective. exploring her relationships with other people was lovely, i loved the little time we spend with joan and the friendship between her and walter. the romance was good but not remarkable, in my opinion. i liked the addition of wren (though i'm not gonna say who she is as to avoid spoilers!).
i do think the book was a little bit too long. i found myself somehow forcing myself to continue in some parts, mostly around the middle. but the pace picked up by the end, and i read through that in a breeze. also, in the adam chapters sometimes i did not vibe with the writing style and words/sentences used, though i understand is to portray adam's personality (which, to be honest, i did not really like. indecisive people make me nervous).
overall, this was a nice read. nothing out of this world, but enjoyable and different to other romance stories i've read. if you enjoy the genre, i recommend this book!
this book has a very good and promising premise, and i think it was quite original. we follow sophie and see how she sees the world after a car accident, changing her life forever. it was very interesting to be able to see from her perspective. exploring her relationships with other people was lovely, i loved the little time we spend with joan and the friendship between her and walter. the romance was good but not remarkable, in my opinion. i liked the addition of wren (though i'm not gonna say who she is as to avoid spoilers!).
i do think the book was a little bit too long. i found myself somehow forcing myself to continue in some parts, mostly around the middle. but the pace picked up by the end, and i read through that in a breeze. also, in the adam chapters sometimes i did not vibe with the writing style and words/sentences used, though i understand is to portray adam's personality (which, to be honest, i did not really like. indecisive people make me nervous).
overall, this was a nice read. nothing out of this world, but enjoyable and different to other romance stories i've read. if you enjoy the genre, i recommend this book!
July 17, 2025
Just finished Counting Down to You by @sarahjharriswrites — a heartfelt, beautifully written story with a really unique concept at its core. It’s an easy, emotional read that is perfect for my evening bath and book ritual. It has a dual POV that lets you connect deeply with both characters as their stories unfold.
After being in a serious accident, Sophie starts seeing the world in numbers — decisions, moments, even relationships are suddenly ruled by probability and risk. It’s such an interesting lens to see the story through, and it adds a quiet tension to every choice she makes.
I found Sophie such a compelling character — thoughtful, uncertain, and trying her best to navigate a world that no longer feels safe or predictable. The dual POV adds even more depth, especially as a slow, tender romance begins to build.
Beautifully layered, gently emotional, and surprisingly hopeful — perfect for readers who love character-driven stories with a twist.
After being in a serious accident, Sophie starts seeing the world in numbers — decisions, moments, even relationships are suddenly ruled by probability and risk. It’s such an interesting lens to see the story through, and it adds a quiet tension to every choice she makes.
I found Sophie such a compelling character — thoughtful, uncertain, and trying her best to navigate a world that no longer feels safe or predictable. The dual POV adds even more depth, especially as a slow, tender romance begins to build.
Beautifully layered, gently emotional, and surprisingly hopeful — perfect for readers who love character-driven stories with a twist.
August 16, 2025
My Initial Thoughts
This had me sobbing just from the first chapter! I knew from the blurb this one going to be a book that kept my heart in an hourglass and I was still not prepared to be crying in shock so early on! The cover is also beautiful!
Plot
The plot of this is so captivating, it truly brings you on the ride alongside Sophie. I felt like I could fell the time falling away as the story went on and each day making me more anxious of what was to come. I absolutely love a book that can make me feel all the emotions and pull me in so intensively!
Characters
I honestly loved the characters in this book, but the one that truly caught my heart unexpectedly was Walter. I felt raw just reading his story and then joy and then pure heartbreak. I guess the elderly characters always win a special place in my heart. Then there was Wren, that poor darling, my heart hurt for her throughout the book. Adam is so loveable and it has you constantly thinking how are his days numbers, never expected what could happen and its not guessable until it is. I enjoyed the fact that with Sophie we got to go back at times to 2015 to find out exactly what happened to her and why her world is now dictated by numbers everywhere she looks.
Recommend
If your looking for an emotional powerful read then this is for you! Don’t forget your tissues you’ll need them.
Favourite Quote
“Good and bad things happen; we’re all made of the light and dark. Somehow, they manage to co-exist and make us who we are.”
Favourite Chapter/s
My favourite chapters were 25, 31, 44, 47, 49 and 51.
Summed up in one sentence
The emotional turmoil I didn’t expect my heart to need, but it did.
Overall Wrap up
I loved everything about this book, including when I was sobbing my heart out. To the point my 13 year old commented on it asking what was wrong as they are just fictional characters. Oh I can’t wait until she actually reads enough to cry over “just fictional” characters. This is the perfect mix of romance, learning to live with grief and the mural that shouts so clearly throughout all the numbers… To live everyday as if its your last as you never know when your number hits 0.. Do the scary things and live. Shed the tears and laugh. Honestly this book has left a huge imprint on my heart!
Stars & Spice – 5 stars and 1 bell pepper.
Book Information – Counting Down To You by Sarah J Harris.
Genre – Romance.
Pages – 410 pages.
Tropes –
Childhood sweetheart.
Second chance romance.
Numbers… lots of numbers!
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Counting Down To You is available on kindle unlimited!
Available Formats – Available on kindle, audiobook and in paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 15th July 2025 by Lake Unison Publishing.
Format in Which I Read – I read this on Kindle.
Where my copy come From – My copy came from Netgallery.
POVs – This is written in dual POVs both Sophie and Adam.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – This is written on a dual timeline as we go back to the past and Sophie and Adams history.
1st, 2nd or 3rd person – This is written in first person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – HEA!
Series or Standalone – This is a standalone.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
This had me sobbing just from the first chapter! I knew from the blurb this one going to be a book that kept my heart in an hourglass and I was still not prepared to be crying in shock so early on! The cover is also beautiful!
Plot
The plot of this is so captivating, it truly brings you on the ride alongside Sophie. I felt like I could fell the time falling away as the story went on and each day making me more anxious of what was to come. I absolutely love a book that can make me feel all the emotions and pull me in so intensively!
Characters
I honestly loved the characters in this book, but the one that truly caught my heart unexpectedly was Walter. I felt raw just reading his story and then joy and then pure heartbreak. I guess the elderly characters always win a special place in my heart. Then there was Wren, that poor darling, my heart hurt for her throughout the book. Adam is so loveable and it has you constantly thinking how are his days numbers, never expected what could happen and its not guessable until it is. I enjoyed the fact that with Sophie we got to go back at times to 2015 to find out exactly what happened to her and why her world is now dictated by numbers everywhere she looks.
Recommend
If your looking for an emotional powerful read then this is for you! Don’t forget your tissues you’ll need them.
Favourite Quote
“Good and bad things happen; we’re all made of the light and dark. Somehow, they manage to co-exist and make us who we are.”
Favourite Chapter/s
My favourite chapters were 25, 31, 44, 47, 49 and 51.
Summed up in one sentence
The emotional turmoil I didn’t expect my heart to need, but it did.
Overall Wrap up
I loved everything about this book, including when I was sobbing my heart out. To the point my 13 year old commented on it asking what was wrong as they are just fictional characters. Oh I can’t wait until she actually reads enough to cry over “just fictional” characters. This is the perfect mix of romance, learning to live with grief and the mural that shouts so clearly throughout all the numbers… To live everyday as if its your last as you never know when your number hits 0.. Do the scary things and live. Shed the tears and laugh. Honestly this book has left a huge imprint on my heart!
Stars & Spice – 5 stars and 1 bell pepper.
Book Information – Counting Down To You by Sarah J Harris.
Genre – Romance.
Pages – 410 pages.
Tropes –
Childhood sweetheart.
Second chance romance.
Numbers… lots of numbers!
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Counting Down To You is available on kindle unlimited!
Available Formats – Available on kindle, audiobook and in paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 15th July 2025 by Lake Unison Publishing.
Format in Which I Read – I read this on Kindle.
Where my copy come From – My copy came from Netgallery.
POVs – This is written in dual POVs both Sophie and Adam.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – This is written on a dual timeline as we go back to the past and Sophie and Adams history.
1st, 2nd or 3rd person – This is written in first person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – HEA!
Series or Standalone – This is a standalone.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
May 29, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
The storyline of this one was really interesting. It reminded me of a K-drama I watched a long while ago called About Time, so I was instantly drawn!
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style of this book. It made it a bit difficult to get through. There was an excessive amount of exclamation points, which the MMC does mention for some odd reason, and apostrophes being used rather than quotation marks really threw me off. I don’t usually include anything about the writing in reviews, but I am including it here because it affected my reading experience.
Sophie and Adam’s story was a lovely one to follow. Second chances aren’t easy to write, but I feel like it fit so well in this story. I also loved seeing Wren open up to Adam. It was a very wholesome story.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read this!
The storyline of this one was really interesting. It reminded me of a K-drama I watched a long while ago called About Time, so I was instantly drawn!
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style of this book. It made it a bit difficult to get through. There was an excessive amount of exclamation points, which the MMC does mention for some odd reason, and apostrophes being used rather than quotation marks really threw me off. I don’t usually include anything about the writing in reviews, but I am including it here because it affected my reading experience.
Sophie and Adam’s story was a lovely one to follow. Second chances aren’t easy to write, but I feel like it fit so well in this story. I also loved seeing Wren open up to Adam. It was a very wholesome story.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read this!
July 18, 2025
I don’t cry easily. But stories about abandonment and rejection? They get me every time. This book with those themes AND the concept of processing grief hit me so hard I would’ve bawled—had I not been at work. And yes, I absolutely still recommend it. (I’m a sadist like that.)
This was my first book by the author, and while I could’ve reread the blurb before diving in, my ADHD brain gifted me the best experience: going in blind. What do you mean she can see how many days people have left to live—and her childhood sweetheart only has 24 days when they reunite 10 years later????
Gut-wrenching. Absolutely gut-wrenching.
The story alternates between past and present with dual POVs, which can feel a little disorienting at first, but I found my rhythm quickly and couldn’t put it down! The emotional bond between Sophie and Adam in their youth was so tender, and watching them rebuild that connection later felt incredibly earned.
The concept of numbers was also especially fascinating—possibly autistic-coded in the best way. Plus, even without any background in math or quilting, I found those details beautifully woven into the story without being overwhelming.
In the end, this was a deeply emotional read that kept me at the edge of my seat. The side characters may not have been fully fleshed out, but each played a meaningful role. And that was more than enough.
Heartbreaking, moving, and unforgettable. 10/10 will not read again because I don’t like to cry 😭
This was my first book by the author, and while I could’ve reread the blurb before diving in, my ADHD brain gifted me the best experience: going in blind. What do you mean she can see how many days people have left to live—and her childhood sweetheart only has 24 days when they reunite 10 years later????
Gut-wrenching. Absolutely gut-wrenching.
The story alternates between past and present with dual POVs, which can feel a little disorienting at first, but I found my rhythm quickly and couldn’t put it down! The emotional bond between Sophie and Adam in their youth was so tender, and watching them rebuild that connection later felt incredibly earned.
The concept of numbers was also especially fascinating—possibly autistic-coded in the best way. Plus, even without any background in math or quilting, I found those details beautifully woven into the story without being overwhelming.
In the end, this was a deeply emotional read that kept me at the edge of my seat. The side characters may not have been fully fleshed out, but each played a meaningful role. And that was more than enough.
Heartbreaking, moving, and unforgettable. 10/10 will not read again because I don’t like to cry 😭
June 24, 2025
Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
I guess main characters that can see death dates or the numbers of days people have left to live is a whole trope now because I keep reading/listening to and loving these books.
After an accident on her prom night, Sophie can see numbers everywhere, including the number of days people have left to live. What happens when the man she loves, and has loved many years, has a number in the double digits?
This one was heart wrenching and heart warming. I loved the depth of the characters, both the main characters and the side characters. It is a story of growth, family, friendship, forgiveness and love. Get your tissues ready!
I guess main characters that can see death dates or the numbers of days people have left to live is a whole trope now because I keep reading/listening to and loving these books.
After an accident on her prom night, Sophie can see numbers everywhere, including the number of days people have left to live. What happens when the man she loves, and has loved many years, has a number in the double digits?
This one was heart wrenching and heart warming. I loved the depth of the characters, both the main characters and the side characters. It is a story of growth, family, friendship, forgiveness and love. Get your tissues ready!
July 2, 2025
3.5🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! The premise felt unique (at least to me), and it took me on quite an emotional journey. The story was gripping, and I found myself quickly invested in Sophie, the female main character — I really liked her. I also loved the dual POV format and honestly just wish the book had been a little longer!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! The premise felt unique (at least to me), and it took me on quite an emotional journey. The story was gripping, and I found myself quickly invested in Sophie, the female main character — I really liked her. I also loved the dual POV format and honestly just wish the book had been a little longer!
July 29, 2025
This was a lovely book about Sophie who after an accident at age 18, has crazy maths skills and can see everyone's death date apart from her own.
I really enjoyed Meet me at the bridge by the same author a short while ago so was keen to read her other books and I loved this book just as much.
It was a nice easy read with plenty of emotion and very likeable characters.
I read this book very quickly as it was very engaging. Loved it.
I really enjoyed Meet me at the bridge by the same author a short while ago so was keen to read her other books and I loved this book just as much.
It was a nice easy read with plenty of emotion and very likeable characters.
I read this book very quickly as it was very engaging. Loved it.
July 30, 2025
This book was so beautifully written, I loved it! Definitely one of my top reads of 2025!
August 11, 2025
What an emotional roller coaster 🥲
August 11, 2025
I’ve never sobbed from a book but this one got me 🥹
September 2, 2025
Perfect for a holiday read. Interesting premise of how different people would live their lives if they knew what time they had left, but also a very cliche love story
August 8, 2025
I really thought this book was gonna be more predictable than it was, definitely makes you think about your life and loved ones a little more
May 18, 2025
Review: Counting Down to You by Sarah J. Harris
⏳ Overview
Sarah J. Harris’s Counting Down to You is a poignant, emotionally charged novel that masterfully intertwines love, loss, and the relentless passage of time. When a young woman discovers a mysterious countdown clock in her childhood home, she embarks on a journey to uncover its meaning—only to confront buried family secrets, unresolved grief, and the fragile beauty of second chances. Harris crafts a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, blending lyrical prose with a gripping, mystery-infused plot.
✨ Key Strengths
💔 Emotional Depth – Harris delves into grief, forgiveness, and the weight of the past with remarkable sensitivity and nuance.
⏰ Unique Premise – The countdown device adds urgency and intrigue, transforming a family drama into a page-turning emotional puzzle.
🎭 Complex Characters – The protagonist’s journey is deeply relatable, and the supporting cast is richly drawn, each with their own hidden layers.
🌿 Themes of Healing – A powerful exploration of how confronting the past can lead to unexpected renewal.
⚠️ Considerations
⏳ Pacing – The introspective middle section may slow the momentum slightly before the climactic revelations.
🔍 Tonal Shifts – The blend of mystery and family drama might feel uneven for readers expecting a purely literary or purely suspenseful experience.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
💞 Emotional Impact → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🔄 Plot Structure → ★★★★ (4/5)
🎭 Character Development → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A ticking clock of the heart—equal parts mystery and melody, with a finale that lingers like a whispered secret.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📖 The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’s timeless melancholy meets Everything I Never Told You’s family secrets
⏳ Stories that blend emotional depth with a touch of suspense
💌 Narratives about love, loss, and the moments that define us
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah J. Harris for the advance review copy. Counting Down to You is a hauntingly beautiful reminder that even in our darkest moments, time can be both a thief and a gift.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
⏳ Overview
Sarah J. Harris’s Counting Down to You is a poignant, emotionally charged novel that masterfully intertwines love, loss, and the relentless passage of time. When a young woman discovers a mysterious countdown clock in her childhood home, she embarks on a journey to uncover its meaning—only to confront buried family secrets, unresolved grief, and the fragile beauty of second chances. Harris crafts a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, blending lyrical prose with a gripping, mystery-infused plot.
✨ Key Strengths
💔 Emotional Depth – Harris delves into grief, forgiveness, and the weight of the past with remarkable sensitivity and nuance.
⏰ Unique Premise – The countdown device adds urgency and intrigue, transforming a family drama into a page-turning emotional puzzle.
🎭 Complex Characters – The protagonist’s journey is deeply relatable, and the supporting cast is richly drawn, each with their own hidden layers.
🌿 Themes of Healing – A powerful exploration of how confronting the past can lead to unexpected renewal.
⚠️ Considerations
⏳ Pacing – The introspective middle section may slow the momentum slightly before the climactic revelations.
🔍 Tonal Shifts – The blend of mystery and family drama might feel uneven for readers expecting a purely literary or purely suspenseful experience.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
💞 Emotional Impact → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🔄 Plot Structure → ★★★★ (4/5)
🎭 Character Development → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A ticking clock of the heart—equal parts mystery and melody, with a finale that lingers like a whispered secret.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📖 The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’s timeless melancholy meets Everything I Never Told You’s family secrets
⏳ Stories that blend emotional depth with a touch of suspense
💌 Narratives about love, loss, and the moments that define us
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah J. Harris for the advance review copy. Counting Down to You is a hauntingly beautiful reminder that even in our darkest moments, time can be both a thief and a gift.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
August 16, 2025
My Initial Thoughts
This had me sobbing just from the first chapter! I knew from the blurb this one going to be a book that kept my heart in an hourglass and I was still not prepared to be crying in shock so early on! The cover is also beautiful!
Plot
The plot of this is so captivating, it truly brings you on the ride alongside Sophie. I felt like I could fell the time falling away as the story went on and each day making me more anxious of what was to come. I absolutely love a book that can make me feel all the emotions and pull me in so intensively!
Characters
I honestly loved the characters in this book, but the one that truly caught my heart unexpectedly was Walter. I felt raw just reading his story and then joy and then pure heartbreak. I guess the elderly characters always win a special place in my heart. Then there was Wren, that poor darling, my heart hurt for her throughout the book. Adam is so loveable and it has you constantly thinking how are his days numbers, never expected what could happen and its not guessable until it is. I enjoyed the fact that with Sophie we got to go back at times to 2015 to find out exactly what happened to her and why her world is now dictated by numbers everywhere she looks.
Recommend
If your looking for an emotional powerful read then this is for you! Don’t forget your tissues you’ll need them.
Favourite Quote
“Good and bad things happen; we’re all made of the light and dark. Somehow, they manage to co-exist and make us who we are.”
Favourite Chapter/s
My favourite chapters were 25, 31, 44, 47, 49 and 51.
Summed up in one sentence
The emotional turmoil I didn’t expect my heart to need, but it did.
Overall Wrap up
I loved everything about this book, including when I was sobbing my heart out. To the point my 13 year old commented on it asking what was wrong as they are just fictional characters. Oh I can’t wait until she actually reads enough to cry over “just fictional” characters. This is the perfect mix of romance, learning to live with grief and the mural that shouts so clearly throughout all the numbers… To live everyday as if its your last as you never know when your number hits 0.. Do the scary things and live. Shed the tears and laugh. Honestly this book has left a huge imprint on my heart!
Stars & Spice – 5 stars and 1 bell pepper.
Book Information – Counting Down To You by Sarah J Harris.
Genre – Romance.
Pages – 410 pages.
Tropes –
Childhood sweetheart.
Second chance romance.
Numbers… lots of numbers!
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Counting Down To You is available on kindle unlimited!
Available Formats – Available on kindle, audiobook and in paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 15th July 2025 by Lake Unison Publishing.
Format in Which I Read – I read this on Kindle.
Where my copy come From – My copy came from Netgallery.
POVs – This is written in dual POVs both Sophie and Adam.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – This is written on a dual timeline as we go back to the past and Sophie and Adams history.
1st, 2nd or 3rd person – This is written in first person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – HEA!
Series or Standalone – This is a standalone.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
This had me sobbing just from the first chapter! I knew from the blurb this one going to be a book that kept my heart in an hourglass and I was still not prepared to be crying in shock so early on! The cover is also beautiful!
Plot
The plot of this is so captivating, it truly brings you on the ride alongside Sophie. I felt like I could fell the time falling away as the story went on and each day making me more anxious of what was to come. I absolutely love a book that can make me feel all the emotions and pull me in so intensively!
Characters
I honestly loved the characters in this book, but the one that truly caught my heart unexpectedly was Walter. I felt raw just reading his story and then joy and then pure heartbreak. I guess the elderly characters always win a special place in my heart. Then there was Wren, that poor darling, my heart hurt for her throughout the book. Adam is so loveable and it has you constantly thinking how are his days numbers, never expected what could happen and its not guessable until it is. I enjoyed the fact that with Sophie we got to go back at times to 2015 to find out exactly what happened to her and why her world is now dictated by numbers everywhere she looks.
Recommend
If your looking for an emotional powerful read then this is for you! Don’t forget your tissues you’ll need them.
Favourite Quote
“Good and bad things happen; we’re all made of the light and dark. Somehow, they manage to co-exist and make us who we are.”
Favourite Chapter/s
My favourite chapters were 25, 31, 44, 47, 49 and 51.
Summed up in one sentence
The emotional turmoil I didn’t expect my heart to need, but it did.
Overall Wrap up
I loved everything about this book, including when I was sobbing my heart out. To the point my 13 year old commented on it asking what was wrong as they are just fictional characters. Oh I can’t wait until she actually reads enough to cry over “just fictional” characters. This is the perfect mix of romance, learning to live with grief and the mural that shouts so clearly throughout all the numbers… To live everyday as if its your last as you never know when your number hits 0.. Do the scary things and live. Shed the tears and laugh. Honestly this book has left a huge imprint on my heart!
Stars & Spice – 5 stars and 1 bell pepper.
Book Information – Counting Down To You by Sarah J Harris.
Genre – Romance.
Pages – 410 pages.
Tropes –
Childhood sweetheart.
Second chance romance.
Numbers… lots of numbers!
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Counting Down To You is available on kindle unlimited!
Available Formats – Available on kindle, audiobook and in paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 15th July 2025 by Lake Unison Publishing.
Format in Which I Read – I read this on Kindle.
Where my copy come From – My copy came from Netgallery.
POVs – This is written in dual POVs both Sophie and Adam.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – This is written on a dual timeline as we go back to the past and Sophie and Adams history.
1st, 2nd or 3rd person – This is written in first person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – HEA!
Series or Standalone – This is a standalone.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
August 16, 2025
The premise drew me in but I wasn't sure if I would actually enjoy this book. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.
I really like dual pov narrations where each character's thoughts are laid out almost to the point of exhaustion. It helps me really get to know how their brain thinks, what they prioritize, and which action they decide to take. I'm learning that I prefer this because that's how I am. Although both Sophie and Adam's minds were overflowing with numbers, I liked that Sophie was detail oriented and neatly organized while Adam was drowning in unfinished tasks that he didn't even know he had because he was constantly forgetting things. That contrast made me root for both of them and wished for the best. I enjoy found family and as annoying as Wren was in the beginning, her attitude was completely justified in my opinion.
Which brings me to... The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because of Adam. He was insufferable. Completely self-absorbed and self-pitying. Incompetent. I can't stand people who are just words and no action. When he dropped the ball on finishing up the sewing right when Wren was 80% open to accepting him as a dad, I was so mad and disappointed. Then he goes to Sophie to have comfort sex(?) and run away from his problem (although that's not exactly what happened, that's exactly how it felt), I almost didn't care for what happened to him at the end. I felt like he wasn't worth Sophie anymore and all that love he received was unworthy. I know, I do feel terrible saying this but I really didn't like him towards the end.
The writing was captivating. The characters were well written. There were many moments where I was guessing who was blackmailing Sophie and I was pleasantly thrown off. All the memories were sweet and lovely. Nothing felt too cheesy except maybe Adam saying ditto and 100 per cent 10 too many times. This was a heartwarming summer read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I really like dual pov narrations where each character's thoughts are laid out almost to the point of exhaustion. It helps me really get to know how their brain thinks, what they prioritize, and which action they decide to take. I'm learning that I prefer this because that's how I am. Although both Sophie and Adam's minds were overflowing with numbers, I liked that Sophie was detail oriented and neatly organized while Adam was drowning in unfinished tasks that he didn't even know he had because he was constantly forgetting things. That contrast made me root for both of them and wished for the best. I enjoy found family and as annoying as Wren was in the beginning, her attitude was completely justified in my opinion.
Which brings me to... The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because of Adam. He was insufferable. Completely self-absorbed and self-pitying. Incompetent. I can't stand people who are just words and no action. When he dropped the ball on finishing up the sewing right when Wren was 80% open to accepting him as a dad, I was so mad and disappointed. Then he goes to Sophie to have comfort sex(?) and run away from his problem (although that's not exactly what happened, that's exactly how it felt), I almost didn't care for what happened to him at the end. I felt like he wasn't worth Sophie anymore and all that love he received was unworthy. I know, I do feel terrible saying this but I really didn't like him towards the end.
The writing was captivating. The characters were well written. There were many moments where I was guessing who was blackmailing Sophie and I was pleasantly thrown off. All the memories were sweet and lovely. Nothing felt too cheesy except maybe Adam saying ditto and 100 per cent 10 too many times. This was a heartwarming summer read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
July 13, 2025
I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down! I genuinely had no idea how it was going to end — whether it would be happy or sad — and that kept me completely hooked.
At 18, Sophie and Adam were in love. But Adam was under intense pressure from his father to attend Cambridge or Stanford and earn a PhD in Mathematics — a dream his dad had for himself. Sophie helped calm Adam when things got overwhelming, and their connection felt so real.
After their A-levels, Sophie, Adam, Lily, and Tom — all best friends — had their prom night. But something happened that night that changed all of their lives forever. Sophie shut herself off from everyone, feeling guilty and to blame. Then something strange happened — she started seeing numbers everywhere. Numbers that told her how long someone had left to live. An incredible, painful gift.
Adam, meanwhile, went to Stanford and later discovered he had a daughter, Wren, from a brief relationship. After her mother passed away, Wren came to live with Adam — angry, grieving, and not easy to connect with. Adam had no idea how to be a dad.
Ten years later, Sophie and Adam cross paths again by chance. The feelings are still there, but Sophie is scared — especially after she sees Adam’s numbers.
The story switches between their perspectives, both now and back on the night that changed everything. I adored all the characters — the emotional depth, the complicated relationships, Sophie’s bond with Wren, Adam’s relationship with his mum. It all felt so honest and heartfelt.
The first few chapters were a bit slow, but once I got to know the characters, I was completely drawn in. The last third of the book had me gripped. I didn’t know what would happen — and that made it even more powerful. It’s a story about love, guilt, fate, and how important it is to tell the people you love just how much you love them.
At 18, Sophie and Adam were in love. But Adam was under intense pressure from his father to attend Cambridge or Stanford and earn a PhD in Mathematics — a dream his dad had for himself. Sophie helped calm Adam when things got overwhelming, and their connection felt so real.
After their A-levels, Sophie, Adam, Lily, and Tom — all best friends — had their prom night. But something happened that night that changed all of their lives forever. Sophie shut herself off from everyone, feeling guilty and to blame. Then something strange happened — she started seeing numbers everywhere. Numbers that told her how long someone had left to live. An incredible, painful gift.
Adam, meanwhile, went to Stanford and later discovered he had a daughter, Wren, from a brief relationship. After her mother passed away, Wren came to live with Adam — angry, grieving, and not easy to connect with. Adam had no idea how to be a dad.
Ten years later, Sophie and Adam cross paths again by chance. The feelings are still there, but Sophie is scared — especially after she sees Adam’s numbers.
The story switches between their perspectives, both now and back on the night that changed everything. I adored all the characters — the emotional depth, the complicated relationships, Sophie’s bond with Wren, Adam’s relationship with his mum. It all felt so honest and heartfelt.
The first few chapters were a bit slow, but once I got to know the characters, I was completely drawn in. The last third of the book had me gripped. I didn’t know what would happen — and that made it even more powerful. It’s a story about love, guilt, fate, and how important it is to tell the people you love just how much you love them.
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