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One More Day
When everything is lost, can their love survive?
Annie Madden and her husband Peter seemed to have the perfect life.
They had two beautiful children, a wonderful home and each other. That was before everything changed. Now Annie must face a different life, after a devastating event casts a shadow over her family, and their future.
When she is offered the chance to pick up her previous career as a writer, Annie is reluctant. Hollywood bad-boy, Senan Donnelly, has scared off every other ghostwriter who has tried to tell his story, so why would she be any different?
Travelling to the beautiful coast of West Cork, she discovers a very different side to the Hollywood actor. Annie can feel her heart opening up, but she is not free to follow it. Must she put her own happiness last, or can she dare to turn the page on a new chapter?
Praise for Emma Heatherington:
‘A beautiful love story’ Woman’s Way
‘Gripping’ Bella
Annie Madden and her husband Peter seemed to have the perfect life.
They had two beautiful children, a wonderful home and each other. That was before everything changed. Now Annie must face a different life, after a devastating event casts a shadow over her family, and their future.
When she is offered the chance to pick up her previous career as a writer, Annie is reluctant. Hollywood bad-boy, Senan Donnelly, has scared off every other ghostwriter who has tried to tell his story, so why would she be any different?
Travelling to the beautiful coast of West Cork, she discovers a very different side to the Hollywood actor. Annie can feel her heart opening up, but she is not free to follow it. Must she put her own happiness last, or can she dare to turn the page on a new chapter?
Praise for Emma Heatherington:
‘A beautiful love story’ Woman’s Way
‘Gripping’ Bella
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2022
About the author
Emma Heatherington
21 books271 followersEmma Heatherington is from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.
Her latest novel, THE PROMISE, is out now in Ireland (HarperFiction) and available elsewhere on Kindle and Audio.
Her latest novel, THE PROMISE, is out now in Ireland (HarperFiction) and available elsewhere on Kindle and Audio.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 19, 2023
So sad but so sweet. Really a mixed feelings. I liked it though, it’s hopeful but don’t expect this read to be light and bright happy
October 16, 2022
What a wonderful ride! About halfway through I found it nearly impossible to put down! I couldn't read fast enough to find out what would happen next! Once again, Emma has created such tangible characters. You feel like you know them. You care about them. You speculate about what will happen next. And, again, Emma has left me wanting to stay in this setting and follow the lives of the characters.
June 9, 2022
Annie Madden’s husband Peter had a terrible life altering accident. Now Annie has gone from Wife to carer overnight.
She has completely lost sight of herself and the woman she used to be. Now she’s a mother and a carer with no time for anything else.
When Peter’s nurse and his Mum stage an intervention and implore Annie to do something for herself. What’s worse the anonymous Instagram account that Annie used to vent her frustrations also comes to light. Annie begins to think maybe it is time for a change. Will she get over the guilt she’s feeling and get some help?
The opportunity of a lifetime comes up for Annie to ghost write the memoir of Senan Donnelly actor extraordinaire. However he’s holed up in West Cork and accepting the job would mean Annie is away from home for two weeks. Can she leave all her responsibilities behind and be young and free again?
Right from the get go with this book I found it to be thought provoking. The dynamic between Annie and Peter post accident was an interesting one. It’s one of loss and grief even though he was alive and physically present. I have come across this situation in real life, however not to such an extent as depicted in the book.
I loved Senan, he is your typical loveable rogue. Fallen from Grace in the acting world due to some questionable choices. He seems like a breath of fresh air for Annie, once they got past the rocky introduction.
The setting in West Cork, a beautiful part of the world. The inclusion of sea water swimming and water sports also helped to set the scene well.
I will say that the book had a slightly predictable ending which did not bother me one iota. I cherished this book so much! What a beautiful writer Heatherington really is. I look forward to reading her future work.
She has completely lost sight of herself and the woman she used to be. Now she’s a mother and a carer with no time for anything else.
When Peter’s nurse and his Mum stage an intervention and implore Annie to do something for herself. What’s worse the anonymous Instagram account that Annie used to vent her frustrations also comes to light. Annie begins to think maybe it is time for a change. Will she get over the guilt she’s feeling and get some help?
The opportunity of a lifetime comes up for Annie to ghost write the memoir of Senan Donnelly actor extraordinaire. However he’s holed up in West Cork and accepting the job would mean Annie is away from home for two weeks. Can she leave all her responsibilities behind and be young and free again?
Right from the get go with this book I found it to be thought provoking. The dynamic between Annie and Peter post accident was an interesting one. It’s one of loss and grief even though he was alive and physically present. I have come across this situation in real life, however not to such an extent as depicted in the book.
I loved Senan, he is your typical loveable rogue. Fallen from Grace in the acting world due to some questionable choices. He seems like a breath of fresh air for Annie, once they got past the rocky introduction.
The setting in West Cork, a beautiful part of the world. The inclusion of sea water swimming and water sports also helped to set the scene well.
I will say that the book had a slightly predictable ending which did not bother me one iota. I cherished this book so much! What a beautiful writer Heatherington really is. I look forward to reading her future work.
November 18, 2024
Oh my, wasn't this just an emotional joyride? If you're expecting a tropey romance, think again.
Okay... there's a bit of tropiness.
Annie Madden is a busy mum of two. In between running the household and parenting two teens, Annie is also a full-time carer to her husband, Peter. In her spare time, she enjoys putting together content for her hugely popular Instagram account, sharing her lonely thoughts with the wider community.
It's not the life that Annie imagined but needs must. But now, seven years since the tragic accident, the cracks are starting to show. Annie is on the verge of a mental health breakdown, and despite efforts to hide her pain, those close to her have noticed.
What Annie desperately needs in order to recharge and rediscover herself is a break. Which comes in the form of an opportunity of a lifetime.
Movie star Senan Donnelly has a bad boy reputation and hopes to restore it by releasing a memoir. He needs a ghost writer, and Annie has the unique skills to make it a best-seller. So off she pops to the seaside of West Cork for two weeks, intent on getting to know Senan and just... relaxing.
What she didn't expect was the rush of confusing emotions. Freedom. Joy. Hope. Guilt. Overwhelming guilt, exacerbated by the deep connection formed with Senan. Which turns to romance. How can Annie possibly act on these emotions when she is still technically married and they live worlds apart?
One More Day is a great exploration of ourselves and how we fit with society's expectations. Annie and Senan bring out the best out of each other despite their vastly different lifestyles. Watching them both grow from broken souls to full of love, and life was a joy and a pleasure.
There's a whole lot of pain and healing to go through for everyone to come out the other side here, but honestly, it's worth it in the end.
5 🌟
Okay... there's a bit of tropiness.
Annie Madden is a busy mum of two. In between running the household and parenting two teens, Annie is also a full-time carer to her husband, Peter. In her spare time, she enjoys putting together content for her hugely popular Instagram account, sharing her lonely thoughts with the wider community.
It's not the life that Annie imagined but needs must. But now, seven years since the tragic accident, the cracks are starting to show. Annie is on the verge of a mental health breakdown, and despite efforts to hide her pain, those close to her have noticed.
What Annie desperately needs in order to recharge and rediscover herself is a break. Which comes in the form of an opportunity of a lifetime.
Movie star Senan Donnelly has a bad boy reputation and hopes to restore it by releasing a memoir. He needs a ghost writer, and Annie has the unique skills to make it a best-seller. So off she pops to the seaside of West Cork for two weeks, intent on getting to know Senan and just... relaxing.
What she didn't expect was the rush of confusing emotions. Freedom. Joy. Hope. Guilt. Overwhelming guilt, exacerbated by the deep connection formed with Senan. Which turns to romance. How can Annie possibly act on these emotions when she is still technically married and they live worlds apart?
One More Day is a great exploration of ourselves and how we fit with society's expectations. Annie and Senan bring out the best out of each other despite their vastly different lifestyles. Watching them both grow from broken souls to full of love, and life was a joy and a pleasure.
There's a whole lot of pain and healing to go through for everyone to come out the other side here, but honestly, it's worth it in the end.
5 🌟
March 10, 2023
Lovely romantic story
Yet plenty of realism in it too. Annie is the mother two teenagers and the wife of of a man who was left profoundly disabled by what is only referred to at first as an “ accident”. They live on a farm in the village where they both grew up and she devotes herself to caring for him with only the help of a nurse friend who comes in for a few hours a day. We learn, through flashbacks, Instagram posts, and what may be her daughter’s journal entries which take the form of letters to her father, that Annie was once a writer and a journalist who gave it all up when her husband was injured. When she is persuaded to give herself a night out to attend her friend’s party, she’s introduced to a literary agent named Martha. This leads to the opportunity of a lifetime—the chance to ghostwrite the biography of a once popular actor who has dropped out of sight. Of course she’ll have to go to West Cork for two weeks. She can’t possibly do that…or can she? But she does, and her subject is not exactly the man she expected he’d be. He’s much more, and before long this is not just a writing project. Meanwhile, things on the farm are going better than expected too. Annie’s life is about to turn upside down.
Yet plenty of realism in it too. Annie is the mother two teenagers and the wife of of a man who was left profoundly disabled by what is only referred to at first as an “ accident”. They live on a farm in the village where they both grew up and she devotes herself to caring for him with only the help of a nurse friend who comes in for a few hours a day. We learn, through flashbacks, Instagram posts, and what may be her daughter’s journal entries which take the form of letters to her father, that Annie was once a writer and a journalist who gave it all up when her husband was injured. When she is persuaded to give herself a night out to attend her friend’s party, she’s introduced to a literary agent named Martha. This leads to the opportunity of a lifetime—the chance to ghostwrite the biography of a once popular actor who has dropped out of sight. Of course she’ll have to go to West Cork for two weeks. She can’t possibly do that…or can she? But she does, and her subject is not exactly the man she expected he’d be. He’s much more, and before long this is not just a writing project. Meanwhile, things on the farm are going better than expected too. Annie’s life is about to turn upside down.
March 31, 2023
I’ve waited so long for this to hit the U.K. bookshelves, but it was so worth the wait! A very emotional book following a wife whose husband suffered a tragic accident and needed 24 hour care, whilst knowing he had a terrible secret she wasn’t meant to know. Nevertheless, she devoted seven long years to his care, virtually giving up her own hopes and dreams to do so. Not only does the book address her own issues, but deals very realistically with her son and daughter’s issues. She finally takes on a job as ghost writer for a well known actor and finds herself at a crossroads in her life.
I was taken on an emotional journey with this book, well done to the author for making it feel so real.
I was taken on an emotional journey with this book, well done to the author for making it feel so real.
May 7, 2022
Two love stories in one from Emma Heatherington. This is a good trick to pull off without having a baddie character as such. A wonderfully fulfilling story of love in the face of tragedy, the resilience of family, a chance at escape while not wanting to leave. Beautifully told, this is a story of decisions, of memories, of a life left to live. The characters of young Danny and Meg are masterfully explored in this family story.
July 29, 2025
This was a book I picked up on vacation from books that other people have left behind in my accommodations.
It was a light read despite the serious nature of some aspects of the plot, it was really trying to be emotional, romantic and powerful but never really hit the mark and while on vacation I enjoyed how easy it was to sit back and not think too hard about what I was reading. However once back to reality I found I was struggling to get through it.
It was a light read despite the serious nature of some aspects of the plot, it was really trying to be emotional, romantic and powerful but never really hit the mark and while on vacation I enjoyed how easy it was to sit back and not think too hard about what I was reading. However once back to reality I found I was struggling to get through it.
February 16, 2023
Love is always surprising
What a great story of commitment, death, rebirth and love. I loved the setting of this book and the way the characters meet. The author is great at describing what a lot of people feel in similar situations. I caught myself sayin, “exactly!” … so many times! What a fun read!
What a great story of commitment, death, rebirth and love. I loved the setting of this book and the way the characters meet. The author is great at describing what a lot of people feel in similar situations. I caught myself sayin, “exactly!” … so many times! What a fun read!
February 23, 2023
A devastating accident results in a wife totally caring for her husband . Her life is put on hold for seven years . Knowing this type of existence is not healthy for herself and children she reconnects to her writing career and also finds love with a handsome man in a few days. Book is drawn out at times .
December 11, 2022
A beautifully written love story of two parts
Annie’s husband Peter had an accident and non responsive. It is set in Ireland , descriptive and heartfelt. She goes to west cork to ghost write a book. Her heart is conflicted
4.5*
Annie’s husband Peter had an accident and non responsive. It is set in Ireland , descriptive and heartfelt. She goes to west cork to ghost write a book. Her heart is conflicted
4.5*
April 18, 2023
A Really Good Story About love, loss, and forgiving
This novel portrays the life of a woman a
and her family dealing with the shattering accident her husband suffers and pathway to their eventual happiness and love.
This novel portrays the life of a woman a
and her family dealing with the shattering accident her husband suffers and pathway to their eventual happiness and love.
November 24, 2025
An emotional read.
What a story, it was amazing. Had a little cry a couple of times! Beautifully written, strong characters and lots of emotion. A book that gave so much, I loved it.
What a story, it was amazing. Had a little cry a couple of times! Beautifully written, strong characters and lots of emotion. A book that gave so much, I loved it.
May 24, 2022
Another amazing book by Emma, I always connect with her characters and story line. Such an easy but enjoyable read.
July 17, 2022
Beautiful story. Hard to put this book down.
November 12, 2022
Predicted ending. I felt the chapters in Cork were a bit long and dragged out, but overall a good book to read.
January 1, 2023
I enjoyed as a whole. My star rating was based on the fact that it did drag a bit. Loved the part when she went to senans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
Such a beautifully written book that will tear at your heartstrings.
May 18, 2023
Lovely humbling read
October 17, 2023
I felt this story was completely over-rated, because it was long and drawn out, along with being quite predictable.
Read
December 19, 2023Very good.
October 17, 2024
This book goes beyond a romance story, it also has heavy themes on acceptance and realising that if you're not careful you can spend your whole life 'waiting'.
July 29, 2025
What a roller coaster of emotions, wasn’t sure what to expect as 1st book read by this author. It didn’t fail, good book
May 28, 2023
Beautiful heartfelt read by a local author looking forward to reading more.
September 29, 2022
Brilliant read, so good I finished it in one day!
December 4, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and as soon as I finished it I signed up to follow her and bought more of her books. The story is far from a straightforward romance, with twists and turns as Annie's life unfolds. The plot basis - a husband / father requiring continual care due to injuries from an accident - is emotional, and details are so credible that they will resonate with readers who have been through something similar (as I have). The thoughts and emotions of all the family are realistic, and handled sensitively in this excellent book.
It is a truly superb book, one to read again, I completely recommend it.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and as soon as I finished it I signed up to follow her and bought more of her books. The story is far from a straightforward romance, with twists and turns as Annie's life unfolds. The plot basis - a husband / father requiring continual care due to injuries from an accident - is emotional, and details are so credible that they will resonate with readers who have been through something similar (as I have). The thoughts and emotions of all the family are realistic, and handled sensitively in this excellent book.
It is a truly superb book, one to read again, I completely recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews