As part of the Love at Second Sight blog tour, we have a guest post from Cathy Hopkins…

When I was a teenager, my head was full of the romantic heroes from the books I was reading. Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Mr Rochester from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Angel Clare from Tess of the D’Ubervilles (though some preferred the villain, Alec D’Uberville) It was the age of discovery of so many things and of course, boys. The topic conversation would often turn to new relationships, what we were looking for, if we believed there was a soul-mate out there somewhere for us and how would we recognise The One, if he existed. Would we meet him by chance when fate would intervene to bring us together? Or would it be choice and he’d meet all the criteria on some kind of check list? The first notion, that maybe love is destined, is what I wanted to address in my new book, Love At Second Sight. The idea that not only do we have a soul-mate but also that we may have known him time after time in previous lives.

In the story, unlucky in love, Jo, is dragged along to see a clairvoyant who tells her that she had a true love once but it was in a past life. She goes on to say that as Jo is back in this life, so is the boy and if she is ever to be happy in a relationship, she has to find him. To begin with Jo thinks it’s a load of tosh but then events begin to unfold that slowly start to make her believe that what the clairvoyant told her, might be true. However, with three very different boys in her life, she wonders how is she ever going to recognise the One?

Personally, I’m still not sure if it’s choice or chance that determines destiny. There have definitely been times in my life when I have felt that fate has had a hand, when things have happened that are beyond co-incidence. Magical times. But I also believe that the choices we make are what makes us who we are and also where we end up and who with. But then maybe it’s predetermined that we make those choices? So I believe what happens to us and who we meet along the way is a bit of both – choice and chance.

My philosophy in life has always been to make a hundred percent effort then let go and let luck or fate do the rest but always put in the effort first. In relation to boys and meeting them, the same would apply. For example, you’re never going to meet anyone if you stay at home and don’t get out there meeting new people, joining new circles. But if you make the effort to get out there, take opportunities, accept invites, then doors start to open and who knows who is on the other side. Maybe the One?

Thanks Cathy! Scroll down to read our review of Love at Second Sight.