Carol has overcome countless obstacles to create her firm, and she’s done it on her own. But her beautiful apartment in central London and the trappings of success offer little compensation for the many years of illness and hurt she has endured.
When disaster strikes at a critical moment for her company, all seems lost, until Carol and her feisty assistant Lila discover someone might be able to help. Unfortunately, it just happens to be Jonah, the man Carol wronged many years before.
Can she avert disaster without reopening old wounds, or might facing the demons of her memory lead to new beginnings? Is Carol beyond forgiveness or will the flames of romance be fanned, long after her hopes had gone?
D. B. Carter lives with his family on the edge of a small town nestled amongst the rolling hills of rural Devon, England.
The son of two nomadic artists, he grew up in a world of creativity, studying painting techniques under his parents' tutelage. In his 20s, he went to university and followed a career in science and later commerce, running his own business for twenty years.
A lifelong bibliophile, he is firmly of the opinion that there is no such thing as too many books, only insufficient shelf space; it was his love of classical literature, of Dickens and Brontë, that led to the creation of his first novel, "The Cherries."
His philosophy is, "If we look for the good, we will find it."
I’ve read DB Carter’s The Cherries (a romance), as well as his contribution to Winter Chills, a spooky winter holiday anthology. I enjoyed both of these works very much, and I felt the same about this short read. This book is also a romance, and the story focuses on Carol, a woman in her mid-thirties who is struggling in love and, somewhat, in business. One day, her printer breaks, which puts a large client’s business at risk. This crisis leads to Carol encountering a past love.
Will she find love? Will she save her business? These are high-stakes questions, and the book does have tension, but it’s also a comforting read if that makes sense. In other words, this would make for a great quick beach read. Highly recommended for people who enjoy short romances and people finding themselves in the process.
Carter’s contemporary romance, UPS AND DOWNS, is a delightful read. Warm characters. Believable circumstances. Desirable outcome. This is a great read-in-one-sitting novella that gives hope to your what-ifs.
Business owner Carol is about to have a Valentine's Day that she won't soon forget. Her pushy mother is nagging her. Her cat interrupts her dreams. She's successful and a hard worker, so why isn't she happy? One of her main business clients has selected her proposal, but wants to make loads of changes, pronto. She and her assistant Lila, overhaul their design--but will it be enough to secure the deal and avoid having her layoff employees? Just as they're ready to go to print, their copier is down and out--the new part required won't get there in time for them to prepare the proposals.
The company located down from them has the same copier---in a now or never move, they decide to ask if they can borrow the needed part. There's just one problem, one of the company owners is a man Carol used to have a teenage crush on--until she broke his heart. Chaos ensues as they scurry to the last minute to secure the business, but through the rush, Carol reconnects with her childhood love, Jonah, a person she thought was lost to her, forever.
A Valentine's date is made--but will fate intervene yet again for these long lost loves? Author Carter has once again crafted an endearing story of romance--one that will tug at your heart strings and lift your spirits. A great read, one that keeps you guessing 'til the very end, highly recommended!
Such a cleverly written novella! I was engaged from the first page and couldn't wait for a quiet evening to devour the rest of it. Carol's love life is non-existent. She has poured her energies into building a business, which when we meet her is in serious trouble. Thank goodness for her staff, who step in to help her solve a sticky problem with her printer. But the printer needs a part, and only another business in her office building can help. Time is ticking. That report must be delivered today. And the printer belongs to Carol's long-lost love, Jonah, whose heart she shattered many years ago. YIKES. Amazingly they seem to reconnect, yet Jonah is a bit . . . standoffish, at times. And I won't say more. The twist is brilliant and oh-so-well done. Yet there are two love stories tucked inside this fast-paced little novel. The second is a beautifully-rendered relationship between Carol and her assistant Lila, which rounds out the story magnificently. I wanted one more chapter between the ultimate and penultimate ones, and a slightly more developed explanation of a certain thing Carol endured years before. Other than that, this is a perfect, engaging, very very well-written and wonderful read. Loved it.
There were definitely a lot more downs than ups in this little story, that's for sure. If all these bad things had happened IRL to one person I don't think their mental health could survive. But this is fiction, and meant to be a romance with a HEA. In that regard this delivered.
From the first page this book captured my attention. I found the characters to be relatable and likeable. The book is cleverly titled as it reflects the ups and downs of life and of the character's fears. The love story itself is believable and still has that element of magical romance.
A comforting read for an afternoon spent curled up with a book.
DB Carter has a way of drawing you in and making you care about the characters. He doesn't shy away from difficult subjects, they are part of the story rather than the whole just like they would be in real life. Another excellent book from a multi genre author.
I approach every book I read with the intense desire to love it and give it a 5-star rating. Most times, this is not possible. I gave Ups and Downs by D. B. Carter 5 stars. This book was particularly difficult to rate. While I would’ve rated the first half only 4 stars, the second half is much more convincing, which led to my final rating.
Why I Picked Up the Book
It all began with #indieapril, a Twitter event that promotes indie authors, and my post inviting authors to share their books. Ups and Downs is one of five books I bought on this occasion.
What made me choose this book out of 300+ replies? Two reasons. In the first place, I’ve been meaning to read a romance novel for a while now (they’re not normally my cup of tea), as I’m working to improve the ‘romance’ in my own novels. The blurb made me think it was focused on the relationship, which was what I wanted to read. In the second place, this novel is rather short, so I had better chances of finishing it. Reading romance for me is similar to ripping a bandage–I want to do it as quickly as possible and move on.
Big Pluses
I already mentioned I think the second half is way better than the first. There’s a scene there I particularly enjoyed. To avoid any spoilers, I’ll just refer to it as The Staircase Incident and let you read it and figure out what it’s all about. The way the suspense was raised and maintained significantly improved my opinion of the author.
A (rather small) part of me wished the story would go in a different direction, but in the end I was glad it didn’t.
Minuses
As I already mentioned, I wasn’t all that impressed with the first part of the book, mainly for one reason. There’s a significant scene, where Carol spills out her backstory to the nosy assistant. The scene seemed to be there only because the author wanted to reveal that particular information to the reader, and it was done rather mechanically and in a way that felt out of place. Carol’s confession is followed by her assistant’s own back story, which felt just out of place as the first. I would’ve preferred for the mystery to be kept a while longer, and for it to be revealed bit by bit. But hey, maybe that’s just because I love mysteries.
The Characters
The protagonist is Carol, a woman in her late 30s with baggage consisting mostly of a failed marriage plus a few other youthful mistakes that haunted her. When it comes to love, she’s lost all hope of finding anyone, mainly because she considers herself wildly unattractive (an opinion that hasn’t been confirmed by other characters).
I disliked Carol. Every time she was at the office, which was most of the time, I kept thinking, ‘Man, life would be terrible with a boss like her!’ She’s in desperate need of some people management courses.
Lila is the aforementioned assistant. She is a great character. At times, she was even able to put her boss in check, which is impressive. Lila’s role in the story was the classic friend of the protagonist, the one who pushes Carol to live and take chances with ‘the guy’. I would’ve loved to know more about her, but I understand there wasn’t space for it.
The Guy – the protagonist’s love interest. He has a name; I just can’t remember it. (I’m smart, I swear). I rooted for him ever since he appeared on scene (which happened much later than I would’ve wanted, by the way). As I want this to be a spoiler-free review, I’m afraid I can’t share all my thoughts about this character.
The Plot
The plot of Ups and Downs revolves around Carol’s business and the danger of losing it. She runs into a string of bad luck, as unlikely events keep happening as if the Universe itself wants her to lose her business. I will let you discover what happens in the end and whether she succeeds or not.
The romance itself fell on the back-burner. Turns out the only person who can help her save her business is The Guy (still don’t remember his name…was it Jeffrey?) The only problem is, she’s hurt him in the past. Will he be willing to lend a helping hand?
Who Would Enjoy Reading Ups and Downs?
Fans of clean romance, who enjoy a story set on relationships. The book leaves readers with a ‘feel-good’ sensation. Also, people who want a quick read in a rainy afternoon.
It’s a great book to read after an exciting, all-action novel, when you need something to quiet down. (If you read Ash, you understand.)
If you are looking for a fulfilling Valentine’s Day read, look no further than this sweet, romantic and uplifting novella from D.B. Carter.
From the outside, Carol looks like a woman who has it all. She lives in a swanky apartment in London and the business that she started from scratch is showing huge potential. However, as you get to know Carol, a much different character lies beneath the professional attire, designer heels, and mask of skillfully applied makeup.
Beneath the glossy and confident exterior lies a woman full of insecurity, reliant on wine and indigestion tablets to get through the day, and with only her cat Archie for company,
I found the writing completely compelling and instantly warmed to Carol and her straight-talking assistant Lila. The book isn’t just about lost love and possible new beginnings but a wonderful companionship between two women who realise that apart from a tight professional relationship, they barely know each other. Once armed with information from each other’s past you really get the feeling that these two could take on the World.
The romantic element is charming and took me straight back to my teenage years. It shows that the naivety of youth can have resounding effects well into later life. This uplifting read wonderfully portrays that it is never too late and love might just be hiding around the next water fountain, photocopier or broken down printer!
Highly recommended for lovers of sweet, engaging romantic novellas.
So, I’ve made a discovery, as well as nonfiction and poetry books I also like reading light fiction.
In this case I’m talking about author DB Carter’s ‘Ups and Downs’. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I loved it. While this isn't a genre I gravitate towards, DB Carter’s, writing style is so engaging.
Clearly a people person, his characters are very relatable, what's even better is his style in presenting his characters. We’re given enough information to form an idea, an impression but there’s enough breathing space for the reader's imagination to take over.
I also lover the "cultural" type references he drops in from time to time.
This is a great, uplifting and most of all a fun read, what’s not to like about that in these times.
A particular favourite scene of mine in ‘Ups and Downs’ is the one where…………………….
I found the thread of tenderness running throughout this entertaining novella to be comforting. I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between the main character Carol and Jonah. I wish there would be another novella told from Jonah's point of view. I'm tickled by the relationship between Carol and her cat. This charming book for me was like a window into Carol's world - her dreams, fears, relationships, stresses, and loves. I didn't relate to her BUT I enjoyed her nevertheless. I find it refreshing that I could enjoy a character without feeling the need to have much in common.
I loved this novella!! A heart-warming romance with twists and turns in the plot and warm, believable characters.
I also liked the way the settings mirrored the ups and downs in the characters' emotional lives - throughout the novella, DB Carter mentions stairs, basements, penthouse flats etc and the characters' phobias also reflect this theme.
A perfect novella for Valentine's Day - or for any other day.
Through happenstance, Carol became a business owner and now her largest account is likely to walk. Combine that with the realization that she will be dateless for Valentine’s Day, and you know that her life is a bit stressful. Luckily, she has a fabulous assistant ready to take charge. When their expensive printer breaks down in the middle of their pitch, they get creative and Carol reconnects with an old flame. Fun romance novella; recommend.
This story was romantic and sweet, a perfect release before Valentine's Day. The main character's voice feels both authentic and relatable, with you cheering for her along the way and feeling the emotions she does. It's a feel-good read about finding love and how there's always an opportunity to turn your life, or perspective, around.
Love lost and found. I found this to be an interesting story of a young lady trying to save her business. She never expects a blast from the past to help her do it. This book is an easy read that I would not mind sharing with my mom or my teenage great-nieces. It is a romance for the times without the vulgarity common now. I loved it!!
I had the pleasure of reading DB Carter’s new novella, Ups & Downs. Once again Mr. Carter has captured every day people and drawn out the essence of what makes them interesting and engaging. Without giving away spoilers, the clever title lives up to its name. Mr. Carter also provides strong secondary characters who lend depth to the story. Well done!
Ups and Downs is a fun romance about a harried business owner who’s certain she’s missed her best chance at true love. After a mishap involving a presentation for an important client, she comes face to face with the one who got away. This is a great read for anyone who believes it’s never too late for second chances.
I've really enjoyed reading "Ups and Downs"! The pace is wonderful, so it's the language. The characters are everyday heroes with their ups and downs as it always happens in life. If you're into romance, give it a try!
After reading both The Cherries and the Wild Roses I was looking forward to this latest and Mr Carter does not disappoint. He has a knack of hooking you into characters so quickly that you cannot put the book down. Roll on his next offering.
D. B. Carter crafts a heartwarming love story, rich in backstories, smiles and tears.
“Ups and Downs” was a quick read and a wonderful comfort on a lazy weekend. A feel-good book that packs tons of emotion... and will leaving you smiling.
I love cute little romances with great prose. This book delivers the butterfly-feelings a reader should have been reading a well-designed romance with suspense and exquisite wordsmithing. I only wish it were longer!
Ups and Downs by DB Carter is a delightful read. His character development immediately endeared the fabulous cast to me. I loved that the MC was a more mature woman with all the doubts and insecurities that come with growing older. She was quirky and loveable. An unexpected turn of events kept me engaged throughout—a quick, easy read to whisk the reader away. Grab a copy now!
Carol Hill has built a successful business at the expense of her health and personal life. When a critical piece of equipment fails, jeopardizing her company's work on a major account, she has no choice but to ask for help from another firm. Little does Carol know that one of the owners is a man she treated terribly years ago. What will happen we she comes face to face with him?
I read this 100 page novella while caring for a sick relative. I was looking for something light-hearted and I didn't want a story teeming with extraneous characters and complicated plot points. Ups and Downs proved to be a great choice. It was engaging and enjoyable, and I was able to set it down as needed, then pick it up hours later and jump right back into the story without missing a beat.
This book is a little sparkly gem of wonderfulness.
DB Carter has shown again that he’s a master at writing real, believable, relatable characters. It’s a lovely story of a second chance, with a beautiful happily ever after ending. I enjoyed the interactions of the various characters, and the way they each had a unique way of thinking and behaving. I found myself urging the main characters to give each other a second chance.
I recommend anyone who needs a smile to read this book.