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One Summer Sunrise
As the sun rises on a hot summer’s day, four lives are about to be changed forever....
Brand new from the best-selling author of What If?, What Now? and One Day In Summer.
Today, Maisie McTeer decides to track down the ex who jilted her at the altar. Today, she’ll find out that revisiting the past can also rewrite her future.
After losing her husband, Harriet Bassett can no longer bear her lonely life. Today, a familiar face in a crowd will spark a quest to discover if there’s something and someone worth living for.
Scott and Kelly Bassett’s daughter is leaving home. Today, Scott plans to tell Kelly that he’s ending their marriage to pursue his rock and roll dreams.
However, Kelly, has a bombshell of her own. How will Scott react to the news that a new arrival is on the way to fill their empty nest?
Between sunrise and sunset, there’s love, heartbreak, laughter and tears, but who will find happiness at the end of the day?
Brand new from the best-selling author of What If?, What Now? and One Day In Summer.
Today, Maisie McTeer decides to track down the ex who jilted her at the altar. Today, she’ll find out that revisiting the past can also rewrite her future.
After losing her husband, Harriet Bassett can no longer bear her lonely life. Today, a familiar face in a crowd will spark a quest to discover if there’s something and someone worth living for.
Scott and Kelly Bassett’s daughter is leaving home. Today, Scott plans to tell Kelly that he’s ending their marriage to pursue his rock and roll dreams.
However, Kelly, has a bombshell of her own. How will Scott react to the news that a new arrival is on the way to fill their empty nest?
Between sunrise and sunset, there’s love, heartbreak, laughter and tears, but who will find happiness at the end of the day?
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2021
2747 people are currently reading
1690 people want to read
About the author
Shari Low
76 books1,450 followers*No1 Best Selling Author*
In January 2001, Shari Low's Low's first novel, What If? was published. Since then, Shari has published over 35 books, and sold three million copies around the globe, hitting the best seller charts in many countries including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. In 2023, she had three consecutive #1 best sellers - One Day With You, One Moment in Time and One Christmas Eve. Her first release of 2024, One Year After You, also hit the #1 spot.
In late 2020, her first novel, What If?, was updated and re-published, followed by the sequels What Now? and What Next?. All three novels became international best sellers.
Shari has also co-written three Hollywood thrillers, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, with LA-based TV presenter and actor Ross King.
In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.
For all the latest news, visit her on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at www.sharilow.com
In January 2001, Shari Low's Low's first novel, What If? was published. Since then, Shari has published over 35 books, and sold three million copies around the globe, hitting the best seller charts in many countries including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. In 2023, she had three consecutive #1 best sellers - One Day With You, One Moment in Time and One Christmas Eve. Her first release of 2024, One Year After You, also hit the #1 spot.
In late 2020, her first novel, What If?, was updated and re-published, followed by the sequels What Now? and What Next?. All three novels became international best sellers.
Shari has also co-written three Hollywood thrillers, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, with LA-based TV presenter and actor Ross King.
In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.
For all the latest news, visit her on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at www.sharilow.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
June 14, 2021
I am a big fan of Shari Low and her wonderful writing style. I really enjoyed her previous book One Day in Summer, so when I found out that Shari has written the next book in the same format I was overjoyed. Itwasgreat to see the familiar faces (Hope McTeer, Yvie Danton, Maisie) or hear about how the protagonists of the previous book were doing (Aggie and Aaron) and, of course, it was great to be back to the same location-Glasgow!
As in the previous book, the events unfold over 24hours, but so many things happen to our protagonists that you can rest assured their lives will never be the same. 22 year old Carny Bassett has just graduated and is organising a fundraiser for her alma mater, the drama department,which is always short on funds. The party is to take place on the grounds of Lomond Lake House, where co-incidentally Maisie McTeer‘s ex-fiance proposed to her and later left her at the altar. Of course,this is the last place she would like to return to,but her best friend goes into labour and Maisie has tosupervisethe catering at the event. In the meantime, Carny’s parents Kelly and Scott Bassett are both contemplating some dramatic changes in their livesand their marriage. They got married at16, when Kelly found out she was pregnant and have always done their best to give Carny a stable family environment, but perhaps in doing so they have been neglecting their own feelings and dreams for too long. Our last protagonist Harriet is a lonely octogenarian who starts this day on the geriatric ward supervised by Yvie Dalton who has the biggest heart in the world and… a couple tickets to Carny’s fundraiser. Harriet’s surname also happens to be Bassett- perhaps she can find a lost relative or two on this summer day?
The narrative structure is very clear and it is very easy to follow the events, even though there are also quite a few references to past events. I realy liked this format which shows how important it is to live your life to the fullest, but also be thoughtful, kind and take into consideration other people’s needs, especially, since we aren’t always aware of them, when we make plans or introduce changes in our own life.
There are some very important themes discussed in this book: doing the right thing for your children or for your friends, loyalty and honesty in relationships, dreams and ambitions that we often sacrifice for the sake of stability and other people’s happiness. What touched me the most was Harriet’s story, the moving description of her loneliness and the kindness of people around her who did appreciate Harriet and her lovely spirit.
I found myself raising my eyebrows at and arguing with some of the characters’ decisions and the epilogue, but I guess it’s a great sign when you feel so involved in the book that you want to do that. Honourable mention goes to my favourite secondary characters-Sonya (Scott’s mum), Jane and Janice (Maisie’s indomitable catering assistants)- you had me in tears with your banter!
An enjoyable summer read with plenty of family drama- fans of Shari Low are going to be delighted. Looking forward to Shari’s next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
As in the previous book, the events unfold over 24hours, but so many things happen to our protagonists that you can rest assured their lives will never be the same. 22 year old Carny Bassett has just graduated and is organising a fundraiser for her alma mater, the drama department,which is always short on funds. The party is to take place on the grounds of Lomond Lake House, where co-incidentally Maisie McTeer‘s ex-fiance proposed to her and later left her at the altar. Of course,this is the last place she would like to return to,but her best friend goes into labour and Maisie has tosupervisethe catering at the event. In the meantime, Carny’s parents Kelly and Scott Bassett are both contemplating some dramatic changes in their livesand their marriage. They got married at16, when Kelly found out she was pregnant and have always done their best to give Carny a stable family environment, but perhaps in doing so they have been neglecting their own feelings and dreams for too long. Our last protagonist Harriet is a lonely octogenarian who starts this day on the geriatric ward supervised by Yvie Dalton who has the biggest heart in the world and… a couple tickets to Carny’s fundraiser. Harriet’s surname also happens to be Bassett- perhaps she can find a lost relative or two on this summer day?
The narrative structure is very clear and it is very easy to follow the events, even though there are also quite a few references to past events. I realy liked this format which shows how important it is to live your life to the fullest, but also be thoughtful, kind and take into consideration other people’s needs, especially, since we aren’t always aware of them, when we make plans or introduce changes in our own life.
There are some very important themes discussed in this book: doing the right thing for your children or for your friends, loyalty and honesty in relationships, dreams and ambitions that we often sacrifice for the sake of stability and other people’s happiness. What touched me the most was Harriet’s story, the moving description of her loneliness and the kindness of people around her who did appreciate Harriet and her lovely spirit.
I found myself raising my eyebrows at and arguing with some of the characters’ decisions and the epilogue, but I guess it’s a great sign when you feel so involved in the book that you want to do that. Honourable mention goes to my favourite secondary characters-Sonya (Scott’s mum), Jane and Janice (Maisie’s indomitable catering assistants)- you had me in tears with your banter!
An enjoyable summer read with plenty of family drama- fans of Shari Low are going to be delighted. Looking forward to Shari’s next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
June 3, 2021
I loved this book right from the first page. It was warm and funny and I enjoyed not only the story but the characters as well. It was one of those books that I was sorry to finish it as it held me all the way through. I will certainly be reading more by this author in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
November 1, 2021
Initially, I found this novel to be intriguing. The opening was unique and immediately drew me into the eclectic cast of characters. As the story progressed, however, I found that I really just didn’t “like” any of the players. I didn’t find the underlying themes of self-sacrifice and self-discovery to be in any way noble or even particularly notable. Instead, I was troubled by the forever-changing allegiances; forgiveness offered for nearly unforgivable offenses; the stereotype of the forgotten senior citizen; the seemingly cavalier attitude toward the sanctity of marriage; and the list goes on. It just wasn’t, for me, the uplifting beach-read it professed to be. Three stars for the infused humor alone, but beyond that you can color me confused by the stellar ratings.
June 16, 2021
Although I felt incredibly daunted by the vast cast of characters, this was definitely a read worth persevering with. Over the course of a summer’s day, readers follow several characters as they experience heartache, loss and changing dynamics. This novel provoked many emotions and I thought it was a sweet, summer read with added ‘bite’.
The central characters were initially rather difficult to distinguish. It did not help that I read some of the names as too similar and felt a bit of pressure at the opening of the story to get the characters all in the right place. Helpfully (or unhelpfully?) the book begins with a breakdown of who is who: a bit of their background and which characters might be connected. It felt like I was preparing for a test! Therefore, I think it took several chapters before I felt confident with the focus switching between different individuals yet, once established, feel that they all stood out in their own way.
What I enjoyed most about this book is how all the characters felt so real and believable: their concerns and secrets were, in some way, relatable, mixed in with romantic dilemmas that you would expect from a novel of this genre. For example, Kelly is seriously concerned about ’empty nest syndrome’ with her daughter moving to London and her sister has had many failed attempts at IVF. On the other hand, Carny, Kelly’s daughter, is loving the opportunity of moving away from home with the prospect of truly starting adulthood. Across the characters, there are scenarios that readers can relate to, along with the fact that all seem rather genuine and likeable.
Yet, despite the summer setting, this book is not all warmth and romance. There are several sources of sadness and I thought Harriet’s story in particular was very emotional. Her confessions and attitude towards life were so desperate and recognisable. Having the opportunity to attend the garden party was an amazing boost for her and I was so keen to see Harriet happy with circumstances. In addition, some of the other characters also have emotional secrets, showing that, whilst the weather might be glorious, there can still be hidden sadness.
Whilst this is intended to be a light-hearted novel, I enjoyed Low’s exploration of family and relationships. The one-day period added a different dimension to books of a similar genre and, once I had got used to the different character perspectives, became intrigued with how each story would unfold. It felt very similar to an episode of 24, just without the terrorism and violence!
This is now my third read by Low and I was not disappointed. Reading this book provoked a range of emotions, both positive and negative. It was an enjoyable read and I think I will explore further of the writer’s books in future – because there are plenty that I have missed out on!
With thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The central characters were initially rather difficult to distinguish. It did not help that I read some of the names as too similar and felt a bit of pressure at the opening of the story to get the characters all in the right place. Helpfully (or unhelpfully?) the book begins with a breakdown of who is who: a bit of their background and which characters might be connected. It felt like I was preparing for a test! Therefore, I think it took several chapters before I felt confident with the focus switching between different individuals yet, once established, feel that they all stood out in their own way.
What I enjoyed most about this book is how all the characters felt so real and believable: their concerns and secrets were, in some way, relatable, mixed in with romantic dilemmas that you would expect from a novel of this genre. For example, Kelly is seriously concerned about ’empty nest syndrome’ with her daughter moving to London and her sister has had many failed attempts at IVF. On the other hand, Carny, Kelly’s daughter, is loving the opportunity of moving away from home with the prospect of truly starting adulthood. Across the characters, there are scenarios that readers can relate to, along with the fact that all seem rather genuine and likeable.
Yet, despite the summer setting, this book is not all warmth and romance. There are several sources of sadness and I thought Harriet’s story in particular was very emotional. Her confessions and attitude towards life were so desperate and recognisable. Having the opportunity to attend the garden party was an amazing boost for her and I was so keen to see Harriet happy with circumstances. In addition, some of the other characters also have emotional secrets, showing that, whilst the weather might be glorious, there can still be hidden sadness.
Whilst this is intended to be a light-hearted novel, I enjoyed Low’s exploration of family and relationships. The one-day period added a different dimension to books of a similar genre and, once I had got used to the different character perspectives, became intrigued with how each story would unfold. It felt very similar to an episode of 24, just without the terrorism and violence!
This is now my third read by Low and I was not disappointed. Reading this book provoked a range of emotions, both positive and negative. It was an enjoyable read and I think I will explore further of the writer’s books in future – because there are plenty that I have missed out on!
With thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2023
3.75 Stars ⭐️
April 23, 2021
I enjoyed this lighthearted, humorous story that focuses on love for all ages.
This book covers one day in the summer and follows the life changing events of four characters. Maisie McTeer, who was recently left at the altar and is trying to get over her heartache. Harriet Bassett, a very lonely 80 year old woman, about to get released from the hospital only to go home to an empty house and hours of loneliness. Scott and Kelly Bassett, who are about to watch their only child leave home and they are preparing themselves for life as empty nesters.
This book reminded me of the movie, Love Actually, a movie anthology, with several stories happening all at once, on the same day. The stories, at first, seem to be separate stories involving people who are not related, then at the end, you can see the intertwining relationships.
There was a lot of drama all happening on one day! But, it was also humorous and lighthearted in between all the heavy stuff. And I likes that this book examines multi-generational love, meaning that this book includes young love, middle age love, and older love.
The book was a bit difficult to get into at the beginning, but it’s so worth it once you get past the slow beginning. The book is emotional, humorous, uplifting and angsty, a nice satisfying read.
I recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted but emotional book.
About the author: Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 25 novels, including One Day In Summer and My One Month Marriage and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 28, 2023
Well this book definitely wasn’t short on drama! It was like a soap opera 🤣
I’m a big fan of Shari Low…I love her Carly Cooper series, and I loved My One Month Marriage. For me, this book wasn’t quite on the same level as those books, and I think it was the characters. The book alternates between the point of view of four characters - Maisie, Scott, Kelly and Harriet. But there are soooo many other characters that are central to the plot too. I found myself losing track of who was who and how they related to the person’s narration. Also, I can’t honestly say I warmed to any of the characters really, except maybe Harriet.
This book is set over one day, 3rd July 2021, from sunrise to sunrise, and we hear the story of four different people who end up intertwined in each other’s lives over the course of the day. I really didn’t enjoy Scott and Kelly’s story. I thought both of them, particularly Scott, were so whiny! For grown adults as well, I just wanted to give them a shake. And I’m sorry but, Garth???? 🙈🙈🙈 if you’ve read it, you’ll know! I liked Maisie a bit more but I wasn’t overly keen on her personality.
I found the epilogue to be unnecessary, and actually a bit disappointing. I don’t believe for one second that some of those characters would end up together in the way that they did!
I liked this book, it was an easy enough read and there was no shortage of drama. I just felt it fell short of Shari Low’s other books, where the standard has been so high, so this one felt a little disappointing to me because I just expected to love it like I have her others. But I would recommend it as a dramatic family saga, and I would always recommend Shari Low because I’ve loved so many of her previous books. This one just wasn’t my favourite.
I’m a big fan of Shari Low…I love her Carly Cooper series, and I loved My One Month Marriage. For me, this book wasn’t quite on the same level as those books, and I think it was the characters. The book alternates between the point of view of four characters - Maisie, Scott, Kelly and Harriet. But there are soooo many other characters that are central to the plot too. I found myself losing track of who was who and how they related to the person’s narration. Also, I can’t honestly say I warmed to any of the characters really, except maybe Harriet.
This book is set over one day, 3rd July 2021, from sunrise to sunrise, and we hear the story of four different people who end up intertwined in each other’s lives over the course of the day. I really didn’t enjoy Scott and Kelly’s story. I thought both of them, particularly Scott, were so whiny! For grown adults as well, I just wanted to give them a shake. And I’m sorry but, Garth???? 🙈🙈🙈 if you’ve read it, you’ll know! I liked Maisie a bit more but I wasn’t overly keen on her personality.
I found the epilogue to be unnecessary, and actually a bit disappointing. I don’t believe for one second that some of those characters would end up together in the way that they did!
I liked this book, it was an easy enough read and there was no shortage of drama. I just felt it fell short of Shari Low’s other books, where the standard has been so high, so this one felt a little disappointing to me because I just expected to love it like I have her others. But I would recommend it as a dramatic family saga, and I would always recommend Shari Low because I’ve loved so many of her previous books. This one just wasn’t my favourite.
December 20, 2023
This is a really lovely women's fiction book, which I found interesting since it takes place over one day. We are shown the lives of four people who are all connected somehow. As we read about each of the characters, we become close to them, and we get invested in their lives and stories. The four people that we meet are Maisie, a 25 year old singer from Glasgow, Scott, who is 38 years old, Kelly, the 38 year old wife of Scott, and Harriet, who is 80 years old. This is a great summer read, with beautiful writing, and it kept me entertained and engrossed for hours. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
November 29, 2021
One of my favorite authors, her books produce such joy in me to read. This too unfurled over 24 hours with characters seen in the earlier book. The book evoked so many emotions as I connected deeply to the characters. I loved how the author's resonated with my own belief of Carpe Diem of living life to the fullest in the now. Relationships were beautifully etched. A wonderful read, indeed
June 17, 2021
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️
The story takes place (from sunrise to sunset) over the course of a summer’s day; as the drama unfolds, we soon discover how the characters lives are inevitably intertwined.
Some likeable (a couple not so likeable) characters; I particularly warmed to Harriet, and really enjoyed her side of the story.
One summer Sunrise is fun, warm and lighthearted with a generous sprinkling of humour.
A well written, enjoyable, entertaining read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Shari Low for the eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The story takes place (from sunrise to sunset) over the course of a summer’s day; as the drama unfolds, we soon discover how the characters lives are inevitably intertwined.
Some likeable (a couple not so likeable) characters; I particularly warmed to Harriet, and really enjoyed her side of the story.
One summer Sunrise is fun, warm and lighthearted with a generous sprinkling of humour.
A well written, enjoyable, entertaining read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Shari Low for the eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
July 23, 2021
Shallow
I did actually read the whole book as I had bought it and wanted my money's worth while on holiday. It was very unbelievable, the characters were so stereotypical and I found the author took on more than she could chew with relating to characteristics and traits of different age groups. I doubt much research was carried out on issues like adoption, ivf , menopause, I could go on but I'll leave it there. I cringe when I think back. But hey, a cheesy, happy-go-lucky read with a big happy ending!
I did actually read the whole book as I had bought it and wanted my money's worth while on holiday. It was very unbelievable, the characters were so stereotypical and I found the author took on more than she could chew with relating to characteristics and traits of different age groups. I doubt much research was carried out on issues like adoption, ivf , menopause, I could go on but I'll leave it there. I cringe when I think back. But hey, a cheesy, happy-go-lucky read with a big happy ending!
June 13, 2021
The synopsis gives a quick introduction to the main characters of the story, Maisie, Harriet, Kelly Scott. Along with other family and friends, this is the story of one day in the summer.
Oh, my goodness did I love this story! I was completely wrapped up in the lives of the characters and how in one day their lives all changed dramatically. The author did such a wonderful job of introducing the characters in such a way that they became easily memorable. Even though the focus is on the main characters, the supporting ones are just as important, without them, this would be a very different story.
The supporting characters are to help interlink the main characters and bring them together and also weave an emotionally charged story. As well as this there are snippets of backgrounds, relationships, family and friends that create a much bigger picture.
This is as tory that has a whole lot going on, there are moments when grief and guilt make an appearance, but this is what happens in real life. There are also some inappropriate comments, some well-meaning comments, quite a few giggles and some wonderful heartfelt moments. The story is one that deals with family, friends and relationships. While on the outside lives can look great, you're not always aware of things that are hidden away.
The author gradually works her characters and the storyline to provide a book that is very addictive. She effortlessly glides between characters and weaves her tale. I adore this book from the very start, and then there was that final section. Oh my! what a wonderful ending, it left me with tears.
A fabulous story about family and friends, of happiness, guilt and grief all worked together to give a stunning read. One for fans of contemporary fiction and family drama. Great book and one I would definitely recommend.
Oh, my goodness did I love this story! I was completely wrapped up in the lives of the characters and how in one day their lives all changed dramatically. The author did such a wonderful job of introducing the characters in such a way that they became easily memorable. Even though the focus is on the main characters, the supporting ones are just as important, without them, this would be a very different story.
The supporting characters are to help interlink the main characters and bring them together and also weave an emotionally charged story. As well as this there are snippets of backgrounds, relationships, family and friends that create a much bigger picture.
This is as tory that has a whole lot going on, there are moments when grief and guilt make an appearance, but this is what happens in real life. There are also some inappropriate comments, some well-meaning comments, quite a few giggles and some wonderful heartfelt moments. The story is one that deals with family, friends and relationships. While on the outside lives can look great, you're not always aware of things that are hidden away.
The author gradually works her characters and the storyline to provide a book that is very addictive. She effortlessly glides between characters and weaves her tale. I adore this book from the very start, and then there was that final section. Oh my! what a wonderful ending, it left me with tears.
A fabulous story about family and friends, of happiness, guilt and grief all worked together to give a stunning read. One for fans of contemporary fiction and family drama. Great book and one I would definitely recommend.
November 13, 2024
You’re probably not even going to believe me when I say this is maybe my favourite to date, and maybe you’d be right because I’m always saying it, you may believe me even less when I tell you Val isn’t even in it.
This one had me going through all the emotions, lots of lovely new characters to meet. Best of all Celeste the slug didn’t carry over to this book. We are back with second sister Maisy, and thanks to the lovely Eve also bring in this title we meet Harriet, Harriet has been completely alone in the world for a year, 80 years old and nothing to live for, until she ends up in hospital after a fall and the window cleaner finds her.
One Summer Sunrise is Shari Low at her very best, and while I’ve mentioned that some characters do carry over, you never really need to worry as they are all so well written that you instantly feel familiar with them.
Tears were shed for sure but the ending had me smiling the biggest smile.
Helen McAlpine is an absolute star, I loved the narration as always.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Next……..
This one had me going through all the emotions, lots of lovely new characters to meet. Best of all Celeste the slug didn’t carry over to this book. We are back with second sister Maisy, and thanks to the lovely Eve also bring in this title we meet Harriet, Harriet has been completely alone in the world for a year, 80 years old and nothing to live for, until she ends up in hospital after a fall and the window cleaner finds her.
One Summer Sunrise is Shari Low at her very best, and while I’ve mentioned that some characters do carry over, you never really need to worry as they are all so well written that you instantly feel familiar with them.
Tears were shed for sure but the ending had me smiling the biggest smile.
Helen McAlpine is an absolute star, I loved the narration as always.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Next……..
May 25, 2021
It took me a while to get through this book, but I think that is more my mind being preoccupied than an insult on the book. I think if I had been wholly committed to reading, then I would have devoured this book.
As with all of Shari Low books, you find yourself laughing out loud, grinning along with the characters but on an equal measure sobbing your heart out with them also. This book has all of that; my emotions were in tatters when I’d finished it.
The characters are wonderfully eccentric, another trait of Low’s, but this nuttiness is what makes the characters so loveable.
As with some of Low’s previous books, the book is divided into two-hour segments, and we are following four protagonists throughout just one day. We have Maisie, recently jilted at the altar and putting her shattered heart and life back together. There is Harriett, an 80-year-old lady who has had it tough and has had enough. That is until one day she sees life is still worth living. The third and fourth characters are husband and wife Kelly and Scott. They have been together for 22 years since they were 16. They are both going through some personal troubles, not helped by their only daughter flying the nest the very next day.
There are lots of ups and some downs. I think Harriett’s story punched me in the gut the most. As a childless woman with an older husband, I may one day find myself looking down the barrel of Harriett’s life, and it wasn’t a pleasant thought, and I chocked up on more than one occasion reading her sections.
This was a genuinely heartwarming and wonderful book, and I just wished I’d had the right headspace to give it the attention it so deserved. It was beautifully written, and we were introduced to some fantastic characters, which I hope we may see on the periphery of future books.
As a side note, I liked that the author explained that even though it is set in 2021, the characters don’t have the pandemic that we are all bogged down with. It certainly was nice to escape this and enter an alternate reality!
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
As with all of Shari Low books, you find yourself laughing out loud, grinning along with the characters but on an equal measure sobbing your heart out with them also. This book has all of that; my emotions were in tatters when I’d finished it.
The characters are wonderfully eccentric, another trait of Low’s, but this nuttiness is what makes the characters so loveable.
As with some of Low’s previous books, the book is divided into two-hour segments, and we are following four protagonists throughout just one day. We have Maisie, recently jilted at the altar and putting her shattered heart and life back together. There is Harriett, an 80-year-old lady who has had it tough and has had enough. That is until one day she sees life is still worth living. The third and fourth characters are husband and wife Kelly and Scott. They have been together for 22 years since they were 16. They are both going through some personal troubles, not helped by their only daughter flying the nest the very next day.
There are lots of ups and some downs. I think Harriett’s story punched me in the gut the most. As a childless woman with an older husband, I may one day find myself looking down the barrel of Harriett’s life, and it wasn’t a pleasant thought, and I chocked up on more than one occasion reading her sections.
This was a genuinely heartwarming and wonderful book, and I just wished I’d had the right headspace to give it the attention it so deserved. It was beautifully written, and we were introduced to some fantastic characters, which I hope we may see on the periphery of future books.
As a side note, I liked that the author explained that even though it is set in 2021, the characters don’t have the pandemic that we are all bogged down with. It certainly was nice to escape this and enter an alternate reality!
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
June 10, 2021
Okay so I think it took me all of about 5 minutes to fall in love with this book! It is such a well written book, with a storyline that keeps you hooked on it. This is a book of heartbreak , love, friendship for all ages.
I absolutely adored the character of Maise , recently left at the altar and trying to move on , she is the type of refreshing character that I love, instead of a wallowing character just thinking of herself she is determined to get her life back on track. She is so wonderfully described by Shari that you can close your eyes and picture her , to be honest she describes all her characters this week but I just especially love Maise!
This book had me hooked from the first page and kept me until the very last word. The plot, the setting, the characters everything is just done perfectly. This was my first book I've read by Shari and it certainly won't be my last!
I absolutely adored the character of Maise , recently left at the altar and trying to move on , she is the type of refreshing character that I love, instead of a wallowing character just thinking of herself she is determined to get her life back on track. She is so wonderfully described by Shari that you can close your eyes and picture her , to be honest she describes all her characters this week but I just especially love Maise!
This book had me hooked from the first page and kept me until the very last word. The plot, the setting, the characters everything is just done perfectly. This was my first book I've read by Shari and it certainly won't be my last!
January 3, 2023
3.5 stars.
April 28, 2021
'At sunrise, from the moment you first see the tip of the Sun until it appears completely full, it takes 2 minutes' ☀️
I loved this book, it was captivating, very well written & you could quite imagine this panning out as a soap opera episode or indeed real life events. If you like the film 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 you'll love this book, told from multiple POV, it was set using the same format as the film with multiple events happening to multiple characters within a 24 hour time frame, who eventually all tie together.
This was a lighthearted, drama filled summer read & I was sad to see it finish.
Scott & Kelly are waving off their daughter as she leaves home, whilst octogenarian Harriet isn't looking forward to going home alone after her stay in hospital & Maisie has just been jilted at the altar...
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
I loved this book, it was captivating, very well written & you could quite imagine this panning out as a soap opera episode or indeed real life events. If you like the film 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 you'll love this book, told from multiple POV, it was set using the same format as the film with multiple events happening to multiple characters within a 24 hour time frame, who eventually all tie together.
This was a lighthearted, drama filled summer read & I was sad to see it finish.
Scott & Kelly are waving off their daughter as she leaves home, whilst octogenarian Harriet isn't looking forward to going home alone after her stay in hospital & Maisie has just been jilted at the altar...
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2021
I give this 3.5 stars. I can’t really put my finger on it, but it fell flat to me. I think it could have used a little more drama or something. The ending was wrapped up nicely. I liked Harriet a lot. She was my favorite character and someone I felt was very real. The lady across the street from me is at least 85 (we just moved here 6 months or so ago and I haven’t met her yet bc of the pandemic) and she sits in her garage watching the street all day, almost every day, mostly alone and it breaks my heart. She has people that check on her and sit with her a couple of times a week, but it must be very, very lonely nevertheless. Harriet, as a character, speaks for many “invisible elderly” when she says she wishes her life would just end already because she has no one and nothing to look forward to.
This was a fast read and I wanted to keep reading it, I just didn’t love it.
This was a fast read and I wanted to keep reading it, I just didn’t love it.
October 23, 2021
What a lovely, lovely read!
The story follows several character over the course of one day, from early morning to, late night and manages to change their life profoundly.
The writing is extremely funny, with laugh out loud moments, but yet emotional and moving.
I loved how the author manages to intertwine the various character to the point that by the end they're all linked in some way.
And I especially loved the fact the all the characters were so relatable, real human beings, with everyday flaws and struggles and no one seemed far fetched or not believable.
Shari Low is officially one of my favourite authors now, and I've just bought other two books by her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows several character over the course of one day, from early morning to, late night and manages to change their life profoundly.
The writing is extremely funny, with laugh out loud moments, but yet emotional and moving.
I loved how the author manages to intertwine the various character to the point that by the end they're all linked in some way.
And I especially loved the fact the all the characters were so relatable, real human beings, with everyday flaws and struggles and no one seemed far fetched or not believable.
Shari Low is officially one of my favourite authors now, and I've just bought other two books by her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2021
I’m so pleased I chose to read this one. I loved the whole concept of this book when I first saw it – one day, sunrise to sunset – and the book was an absolute delight from its beginning to its perfect end.
The book’s introduction sets out the large cast of characters with a few key facts about them – I wondered if I should maybe take notes so I could keep track, or perhaps that I really needed to have read the last book (I understand we met Maisie and Hope in One Day in Summer). But no, there was absolutely nothing to worry about, this book is entirely standalone – the events of the earlier book are there in the background, but nothing that’s unexplained – and the characters leapt into life from the book’s pages as soon as I started to read, and the wonderful story began to unfold.
Maisie finds herself responsible for running the catering at a big charity event when her friend Sissy goes into labour – and might just be a bit more enthusiastic about it if it wasn’t being held at the same venue where Nathan jilted her at the altar. It’s a graduation event largely organised by Carny Bassett, about to leave home for the bright lights of London, leaving her parents behind in their empty nest. Her father Scott is finding the courage to drop the bombshell that he’s decided to walk away from the marriage and pursue his own dreams – mother Kelly is struggling with the impending loss of her daughter, but has secrets of her own and one big bit of news that she really needs to share. And then there’s Harriet – in her 80s, being discharged from the geriatric ward of the hospital to return to her empty and lonely life, taken to the event by nurse Yvie who spots the shared surname and hopes there might be a family connection.
I was right about the large cast of characters – the various partners, friends and family members – but every single one of them plays their own significant part in the story, and is quite perfectly drawn. I loved the fact that it was a multi-generational story too, with distinct characters and situations that every reader couldn’t fail to identify with – and there’s a strong focus on complex family relationships alongside friendships that entirely warm the heart. I’ll admit to having a particularly soft spot for Yvie – her relationship with her sister, her gentle caring and ever-present humour, the perfect part she has at the heart of the story and in one of its particularly dramatic moments.
The whole plot is busy – so many unexpected twists and turns, echoes of the past fleshing out the characters, encounters that bring changes in direction – but beautifully controlled, and the writing is quite superb, the threads of the story firmly held, satisfyingly tangled (and then knotted a few times to make sure), then slowly pulled apart with a few more delicious surprises along the way.
The comedy is quite perfectly judged, ranging from the most wonderful one-liners to more sustained laugh out loud moments, with supporting characters playing their part (Janice and Jane, from the catering company, their contact with the public limited for good reason, were fantastic!). But the ever present humour is more than balanced by the strength of the emotional content – Harriet’s story is particularly heartbreaking (and did make me cry), very real and so sensitively handled, and the angst in the relationship between Scott and Kelly really makes you ache inside. But Maisie’s story line is quite wonderful too – she remains clearly in sight throughout all the other unfolding storylines, having already won your heart, and her final big triumphal moment made me want to cheer out loud.
This really was a perfect summer read – I read it in one glorious sitting and loved every moment. It’s an engaging and compelling read, made me laugh and cry, left me with a fullness around the heart and a massive smile on my face – and I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I was by the storytelling and the way the different storylines were constructed, overlapped, and brought together. I now want to read everything Shari Low has ever written – another author most definitely now added to my list of favourites.
The book’s introduction sets out the large cast of characters with a few key facts about them – I wondered if I should maybe take notes so I could keep track, or perhaps that I really needed to have read the last book (I understand we met Maisie and Hope in One Day in Summer). But no, there was absolutely nothing to worry about, this book is entirely standalone – the events of the earlier book are there in the background, but nothing that’s unexplained – and the characters leapt into life from the book’s pages as soon as I started to read, and the wonderful story began to unfold.
Maisie finds herself responsible for running the catering at a big charity event when her friend Sissy goes into labour – and might just be a bit more enthusiastic about it if it wasn’t being held at the same venue where Nathan jilted her at the altar. It’s a graduation event largely organised by Carny Bassett, about to leave home for the bright lights of London, leaving her parents behind in their empty nest. Her father Scott is finding the courage to drop the bombshell that he’s decided to walk away from the marriage and pursue his own dreams – mother Kelly is struggling with the impending loss of her daughter, but has secrets of her own and one big bit of news that she really needs to share. And then there’s Harriet – in her 80s, being discharged from the geriatric ward of the hospital to return to her empty and lonely life, taken to the event by nurse Yvie who spots the shared surname and hopes there might be a family connection.
I was right about the large cast of characters – the various partners, friends and family members – but every single one of them plays their own significant part in the story, and is quite perfectly drawn. I loved the fact that it was a multi-generational story too, with distinct characters and situations that every reader couldn’t fail to identify with – and there’s a strong focus on complex family relationships alongside friendships that entirely warm the heart. I’ll admit to having a particularly soft spot for Yvie – her relationship with her sister, her gentle caring and ever-present humour, the perfect part she has at the heart of the story and in one of its particularly dramatic moments.
The whole plot is busy – so many unexpected twists and turns, echoes of the past fleshing out the characters, encounters that bring changes in direction – but beautifully controlled, and the writing is quite superb, the threads of the story firmly held, satisfyingly tangled (and then knotted a few times to make sure), then slowly pulled apart with a few more delicious surprises along the way.
The comedy is quite perfectly judged, ranging from the most wonderful one-liners to more sustained laugh out loud moments, with supporting characters playing their part (Janice and Jane, from the catering company, their contact with the public limited for good reason, were fantastic!). But the ever present humour is more than balanced by the strength of the emotional content – Harriet’s story is particularly heartbreaking (and did make me cry), very real and so sensitively handled, and the angst in the relationship between Scott and Kelly really makes you ache inside. But Maisie’s story line is quite wonderful too – she remains clearly in sight throughout all the other unfolding storylines, having already won your heart, and her final big triumphal moment made me want to cheer out loud.
This really was a perfect summer read – I read it in one glorious sitting and loved every moment. It’s an engaging and compelling read, made me laugh and cry, left me with a fullness around the heart and a massive smile on my face – and I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I was by the storytelling and the way the different storylines were constructed, overlapped, and brought together. I now want to read everything Shari Low has ever written – another author most definitely now added to my list of favourites.
May 12, 2023
The fabulous Shari Low is back with an addictive, absorbing and insightful new novel: One Summer Sunrise.
Maisie McTeer has naturally never forgotten that fateful day she had been jilted at the altar. Still haunted by the events of that devastating day, Maisie knows that the only way she can move forward with her life is if she faces her demons and tries to put old ghosts to rest. Today is the day Maisie is going to track down the ex who had abandoned her, but is she prepared for the maelstrom of emotions she is about to uncover? Should she have left the past where it belongs? Or will facing up to the truth finally help her heal?
Since the loss of her husband, despair and anguish have become regular companions for Harriet Bassett. Every day, she finds herself struggling to get out of bed as she feels as if she has absolutely no reason to live anymore – until she spots a familiar face in a crowd that for the first time in a very long while makes her want to see whether there is more to life than grief and sorrow. Does Harriet have the courage to take a leap of faith and a chance on herself? Or will she continue to hold herself back?
Scott and Kelly’s daughter is leaving home and Scott is about to tell his wife that he is walking out in their marriage to pursue his dream of rock and roll stardom. Scott has got everything prepared until Kelly drops a bombshell of her own that could put paid to all of his plans. Is this a new beginning for Scott and Kelly? Or will Kelly’s news only succeed in pushing the two of them even further apart?
Between sunrise and sunset, Maisie, Harriet, Scott and Kelly are going to go through the entire gamut of emotions, but will happiness be within their reach? Or is disappointment and regret going to be in all of their futures?
Shari Low writes brilliant stories about love, loss, families and friendships and in One Summer Sunrise, she deftly explores the complexities of relationships, the struggles of continuing to put one foot in front of the other when wracked by grief and finding the courage to make your voice heard sure to strike a chord with readers and have them laughing and crying.
Shari Low has a superb gift for creating well-drawn characters readers will find themselves drawn to, empathizing with and sometimes angry and frustrated with as well and that is certainly the case in One Summer Sunrise.
You can never go wrong with a Shari Low novel and in One Summer Sunrise she has written one of the must-read books of the season.
Maisie McTeer has naturally never forgotten that fateful day she had been jilted at the altar. Still haunted by the events of that devastating day, Maisie knows that the only way she can move forward with her life is if she faces her demons and tries to put old ghosts to rest. Today is the day Maisie is going to track down the ex who had abandoned her, but is she prepared for the maelstrom of emotions she is about to uncover? Should she have left the past where it belongs? Or will facing up to the truth finally help her heal?
Since the loss of her husband, despair and anguish have become regular companions for Harriet Bassett. Every day, she finds herself struggling to get out of bed as she feels as if she has absolutely no reason to live anymore – until she spots a familiar face in a crowd that for the first time in a very long while makes her want to see whether there is more to life than grief and sorrow. Does Harriet have the courage to take a leap of faith and a chance on herself? Or will she continue to hold herself back?
Scott and Kelly’s daughter is leaving home and Scott is about to tell his wife that he is walking out in their marriage to pursue his dream of rock and roll stardom. Scott has got everything prepared until Kelly drops a bombshell of her own that could put paid to all of his plans. Is this a new beginning for Scott and Kelly? Or will Kelly’s news only succeed in pushing the two of them even further apart?
Between sunrise and sunset, Maisie, Harriet, Scott and Kelly are going to go through the entire gamut of emotions, but will happiness be within their reach? Or is disappointment and regret going to be in all of their futures?
Shari Low writes brilliant stories about love, loss, families and friendships and in One Summer Sunrise, she deftly explores the complexities of relationships, the struggles of continuing to put one foot in front of the other when wracked by grief and finding the courage to make your voice heard sure to strike a chord with readers and have them laughing and crying.
Shari Low has a superb gift for creating well-drawn characters readers will find themselves drawn to, empathizing with and sometimes angry and frustrated with as well and that is certainly the case in One Summer Sunrise.
You can never go wrong with a Shari Low novel and in One Summer Sunrise she has written one of the must-read books of the season.
May 28, 2021
Told over the course of one day, Maisie, Harriet, Scott, and Kelly all experience absolute life changing events. Maisie, who was very recently left at the alter on her wedding day. Harriet, who because her husband has died is the last surviving member of her family or friend circle and truly doesn't want to go on anymore. Scott, who put all his dreams aside to raise his daughter when him and Kelly were 16 and got pregnant. Now that she's 22, he's ready to step out into the unknown and try his hand at his dreams before its too late. And Kelly, who in the same day she finds out her husband wants to leave, she finds out some truly life altering news herself.
Told in each of the four characters voices, we learn that life can truly completely change in the matter of one day. The characters are so easy to keep up with and even the secondary characters add so much to the story it would be missing something without them. The truly remarkable part of the whole book to me is the characters range in ages 25 to 80 and you truly empathize and feel for each and everyone in their own way. Nothing in life is truly black and white and sometimes the hard road just might lead you right where you're supposed to be. I had never read a Sheri Low book before and I immediately added her catalog to my TBR file after this one.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Sheri Low, and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Told in each of the four characters voices, we learn that life can truly completely change in the matter of one day. The characters are so easy to keep up with and even the secondary characters add so much to the story it would be missing something without them. The truly remarkable part of the whole book to me is the characters range in ages 25 to 80 and you truly empathize and feel for each and everyone in their own way. Nothing in life is truly black and white and sometimes the hard road just might lead you right where you're supposed to be. I had never read a Sheri Low book before and I immediately added her catalog to my TBR file after this one.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Sheri Low, and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 22, 2021
4,5 Stars
The newest installment in Shari Low's "One Day" series follows a group of characters (almost all of them are "new", only very few already made an appearance in the former books) over the course of a day. For most of them it is a very special day. The day their grown-up kid is leaving the nest. The day they might meet long-lost relatives. The day they want to finally leave their spouse. The day they discover they are pregnant. The day they have to face hurtful moments from their past.
I was honestly interested in all the different stories, there was nobody that didn't interest me. I really like the way Shari Low shapes her characters and gives them a voice. Just sometimes she could be a bit less repetitive when it comes to the inner monologues of her characters.
But that is really the only thing I have to criticize. The rest was truly enjoyable to read during "one summer sunrise" (or maybe a bit later in the day, too).
The newest installment in Shari Low's "One Day" series follows a group of characters (almost all of them are "new", only very few already made an appearance in the former books) over the course of a day. For most of them it is a very special day. The day their grown-up kid is leaving the nest. The day they might meet long-lost relatives. The day they want to finally leave their spouse. The day they discover they are pregnant. The day they have to face hurtful moments from their past.
I was honestly interested in all the different stories, there was nobody that didn't interest me. I really like the way Shari Low shapes her characters and gives them a voice. Just sometimes she could be a bit less repetitive when it comes to the inner monologues of her characters.
But that is really the only thing I have to criticize. The rest was truly enjoyable to read during "one summer sunrise" (or maybe a bit later in the day, too).
August 12, 2024
I haven't had much success with this author's format of 'many people over one whole day' stories - always found them hard to follow, like being dropped into an ongoing drama during season 2-3-4 without any cliff notes. But this one was a happy surprise, in that I didn't feel lost despite the many people and storylines. There was something utterly readable about those storylines, and I wanted to see how it would all wrap up at the end (and that, too, was a pleasurable surprise, though I would've wanted to see more from after that one day). But still, found this one to be a delightful read even though I screamed a few times at Fate intervening throughout, but it was well worth the read. I was on the fence about this author, to be honest, but this one has converted me to give her more chances in the future.
October 7, 2021
This is a feel good story that covers a 24 hour period in the lives of 4 people. Maisie is going to look for an ex that left her at the alter, Harriett will find a reason to live, Scott is going to tell his wife he's leaving and Kelly is going to tell Scott they are expecting a baby. All four story lines are excellent reads. This theme of a short time span with multiple characters is Ms. Low's style and there are several characters from her previous books in this one. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 6, 2024
At first I was a little skeptical about how the multiple POVs would flow together, but this format worked so well. Emotive with good pacing.
Great main & side characters - my favourites being Yvie and Maisie - and you do end up feeling involved in all of their lives, hoping everything works out. I enjoyed this so much!
The final chapter with the flash forward felt a little unnecessary and rushed, as I personally felt it didn’t add anything to the story.
But i’m pleased to have ready this and I will definitely be checking out more books from this author.
Great main & side characters - my favourites being Yvie and Maisie - and you do end up feeling involved in all of their lives, hoping everything works out. I enjoyed this so much!
The final chapter with the flash forward felt a little unnecessary and rushed, as I personally felt it didn’t add anything to the story.
But i’m pleased to have ready this and I will definitely be checking out more books from this author.
May 22, 2021
There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this book but it all comes together at the end. A heartwarming story that I enjoyed and read it pretty quickly. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
February 18, 2025
I didn’t think this was quite as good as One Day in Summer, which this is a sequel to, but I was impressed as always with Shari Low’s writing and her ability to connect so many different types of people into a 24 hour storyline. A book like this really does get you thinking about how much life can change in just one day.
June 13, 2021
One Summer Sunrise is written predominately within a 24 hour time period as we meet Maisie McTeer who steps in at the last minute to help her best friend cater an event as she has gone into labour. This sets off a chain reaction of events that Maisie or anyone else in this story ever saw coming.
We get to meet Maisie early on as she peels her eyes open from a hangover and realises the event she is helping to cater for is being held at the very location her ex jilted her on her wedding day just months before. We also get to meet the lovely Harriet who after a fall and broken hip is getting ready to leave the hospital, however Harriet hasn't told anyone how alone she is and how she can't face returning home to continue her lonely existence.
As you read this story which is full of highs and lows your heart soars and then falters as you follow the emotional story of all the people caught within its pages. Everyone in this story is experiencing a range of emotions that all interlinked and create unexpected new relationships and discoveries for both Maisie & Harriet.
I loved this book and flew through the pages as loved the short time line for the majority of the story and how it all tied together to create a wonderful discovery. An author whose books I love, took me on another wonderful journey that I did not want to end.
We get to meet Maisie early on as she peels her eyes open from a hangover and realises the event she is helping to cater for is being held at the very location her ex jilted her on her wedding day just months before. We also get to meet the lovely Harriet who after a fall and broken hip is getting ready to leave the hospital, however Harriet hasn't told anyone how alone she is and how she can't face returning home to continue her lonely existence.
As you read this story which is full of highs and lows your heart soars and then falters as you follow the emotional story of all the people caught within its pages. Everyone in this story is experiencing a range of emotions that all interlinked and create unexpected new relationships and discoveries for both Maisie & Harriet.
I loved this book and flew through the pages as loved the short time line for the majority of the story and how it all tied together to create a wonderful discovery. An author whose books I love, took me on another wonderful journey that I did not want to end.
November 1, 2022
Leuk, hilarisch , gezellig , lief, geestig , echt weer een heerlijk boek voor een middag leesgenot
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