One Day at a Time

by Danielle Steel

Danielle Steel celebrates families of every stripe in her compelling new novel—a tale of three very different couples who struggle and survive, love, laugh, and learn to take life…

Coco Barrington was born into a legendary Hollywood family, her last name loaded with expectations. Her mother is a mega-bestselling author who writes under the name of Florence Flowers—and her sister, Jane, is one of Hollywood’s top producers. They’re not your typical family by any means.…Jane has lived with her partner, Liz, for ten years, in a solid, loving relationship. Florence, widowed but still radiant, has just begun a secret romance with a man twenty-four years her junior. And Coco, a law school dropout and the family black sheep, works as a dog walker, having fled life in the spotlight for the artsy northern California beach town of Bolinas.

But when Coco reluctantly agrees to dog-sit in Jane’s luxurious home, she soon discovers how much things can change in just a matter of days.…It turns out Jane’s house comes complete with an unexpected houseguest: Leslie Baxter, a dashing but down-to-earth British actor who’s fleeing a psycho ex-girlfriend. Their worlds couldn’t be more different. The attraction couldn’t be more immediate.

Suddenly Coco is seeing things differently: Leslie is not just a celebrity, he’s a single dad to an adorable six-year-old girl. Her mother is not just a self-centered walking advertisement for great cosmetic surgery, she’s a woman in love, with vulnerability and new insight. And Jane and Liz are about to take the bravest plunge of all—into parenthood. As Coco contemplates a future with one of Hollywood’s hottest stars, as her mother and sister settle into their lives, old wounds are healed and new familes are formed—some traditional, some not so traditional, but all bonded by love.

With wit and intelligence, Danielle Steel’s new novel explores love in all its guises, taking us into the lives of three unusual but wonderfully real couples. Funny, sexy, and wise, One Day at a Time is at once moving, thought provoking, and utterly impossible to put down.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Audiobook, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generic but interesting romance tale of Coco, a dog walker who has rejected her Hollywood heritage, having to share a house with the worlds most famous movie star. Somewhat limited characterisations and story arcs, yet still good enough to read in three sittings! A Two Star, 5 out of 12 read.

2012 read

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coco Barrington was born into a Hollywood lifestyle. Her mother was a bestselling romance novelist and her father who died from a stroke four years ago was a literary dramatic agent. And Coco's sister, Jane is a really successful film producer. Coco's had been a disappointment to her mother ever since she dropped out of law school. Coco spends her days as a dog walker until her sister offers her to house sit in her lavish San Francisco house. At first Coco doesn't want to go, but eventually she agrees to do it.

Coco was prepared for a Jane's unexpected houseguest, Leslie Baxter. He was attempting to get away from his psycho ex-girlfriend. Coco found Leslie to be an attractive and easy to get along with type of person. But in time could she begin to have feelings for Leslie?

It's been a while since I've read Danielle Steel and I must say I didn't love this book, but I did like it. A light and easy read which I'm sure will be enjoyed by most Danielle Steel fans.

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this for the most part, I found some bits were repetitive. Almost like the author had forgotten that they had already said the exact same thing a few pages back, just in different words. Despite this I did still enjoy the story and found myself relating to Coco in a few ways. Some of the characters annoyed me at times, mostly Coco's mother and sister. However they did grow through the story and I was able to appreciate them much more towards the end. All in all it was a cute story despite being a tad repetitive.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven't read a Danielle Steel novel for many years and having been given this one, decided to give it a go. I was extremely disappointed! The opportunity to make this an exciting love story was passed by and a bland, uninteresting, repetitious effort produced instead.

I won't go into the plot as other readers have done that. I don't know where Ms Steel's editor helped, but he or she certainly wasn't alert. Countless repetitions about how Coco's sister hated her and bullied her - sometimes this was re-hashed a couple of times on the one page. Coco didn't want to be entangled with a hot movie star, but she did anyway. At the first sign of something she didn't like, she bolted. The cliche "adult" Hollywood child was included. Honestly, I preferred the dogs, at least they were natural!

The writing was uninspiring - certainly no words of too many syllables were used - rendering the style simplistic and teenager-ish.

I strongly suspect that this novel was published because Ms Steel is who she is rather than on the merits of the novel.

[Jt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like this book. It was just a shallow read and I could easily predict the outcome. Wasted my money on this one.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

lRead this for ARRT genre study. Hated it. The thing that amazes me most about this book was the list of "other books by this author." Who is reading this cr*p?

The story itself could have been mildly interesting but the writing was so awful that every few paragraphs I "noticed" the writing; as in, "that's the worst sentence I've every read" or "didn't she just use the exact same words to describe the exact same thing on the prior page?"

If this book is a true representation of Danielle Steel, then I guess the old adage holds: never underestimate the taste of Americans.

[Joana’s World · Rating 4 out of 5]

A autora tem sempre um modo especial de narrar a sua história sem torná-la aborrecida ou desinteressante. Este livro diz que o amor não é improvável seja qual for a situação e, apesar de, às vezes vivermos em mundos opostos não significa que não dê certo. Fala também da família que pode ser o nosso ponto forte mas também pode ser o ponto fraco e que podem ser quem nos ajuda ou quem nos manda a baixo.

[Jeanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK, embarrassed to mention that I even read this. What happened was, I finished the book I took on holiday with me last week and I found that the hotel had a small library. Problem was, almost all the books were in Greek! This was about the only English book that I could find (other than one about child abuse, which wasn't very holiday-friendly). I didn't finish it while I was there, so brought it home with me, and will now have to send it back! I suppose that's how it got any stars at all - the fact that I thought enough of it to want to carry on reading. It was more of a fascination of the looking-at-a-car-crash kind. The entire story could have been told in about 2 lines, and saved everyone the agonizing bother of reading it. The over explaining, repetition and total dumbness of the book was quite appalling. I think I'll stop here. Oh, they all lived happily ever after - surprise!! (was that a spoiler? sorry if you weren't expecting it...)

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so surprised how much I didn't like this book! I've not read Danielle Steele before, I tried reading Rogue but couldn't finish it. I can't put my finger on why I couldn't get in to this book, it was like she was saying the same thing over and over again....

Coco is a hippie....
Coco is JUST a dog walker....
Coco dropped out of law school.....
Leslie is too good for her....
Jane is a lesbian....
Florence is perfect.....

it just kind of grated on my nerves. I'm hoping this is just a fluke and I will try to read another of her books soon.

[Dion Ribeiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danielle Steel foi uma das autoras responsáveis pelo meu gosto pela leitura há muitos anos atrás; enquanto assinante do Círculo de Leitores comprava os seus livros com a certeza de que seria uma grande leitura. Mas "Um Dia de Cada Vez"?! Que grande desilusão!!! Foi sem dúvida o pior livro que li dela, muito repetitivo, achei incrível a quantidade de vezes que ela escreve a mesma coisa; muito superficial e muito banal.
Sinceramente, se não houvesse a indicação de que o livro é dela, eu diria que era de uma escritora principiante...

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only made it about 40 pages into this one and already I felt as though I could predict the whole story....kind of a cheesy love story right from the start. Don't get me wrong, I like a good love story but this was just not my style.

[Kathy jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally made it through my last book by this author. I know she's a favorite of millions, I'm sure her stories give them give them a sense of "happily ever after" that we all like but to me her writing is nothing but literary potato chips. A big salty and crunchy with zero long term value. The jacket touts this as a story of three "real couples"-- a mega movie star and his lady love who's 13 years younger, her famous author mother and her boy toy who is over twenty years younger and finally the gay sister and her long-term partner. If this is "real," please give me more fiction. More than 300 pages of weak dialog and description, completely predictable storyline based on shallow characters and word pictures that are worse than paint-by-number efforts. I am rethinking potato chips; more like pork rinds. I hope I never have to consume another one. Sorry to be harsh but there are too many incredible authors out there writing amazing stories to waste precious time reading drivel

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my! I don't know what possessed me to read another Danielle Steel novel. Maybe I forgot how syrupy and unrealistic they are or maybe I am too realistic to enter the world of Danielle Steel. This was a book I picked up free at a book exchange and I thought I was in the mood for romance, but quickly learned this book was not for me. Since I am a finisher, I perservered (quickly) to the end. No more Danielle Steel for me--there has to be a better way to escape!

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the Danielle Steele books I have read, this by far was my favorite.
This book is about a girl different from her family and gets belitted from them bacause of this. She meets a man and falls in love a difficult step for her. She learns to finally stand up for herself and overcome her fears in relationship. Of course the ending is a happily ever after.

[Maria Jose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tengo que empezar aclarando que tengo una relación amor-odio con esta autora. Pero este libro me decepcionó mucho..... Creo que trató de poner muchos temas,en un libro corto. Por un lado la protagonista (Coco) que tenía su vida tal cual la quería y se había alejado de todo lo relacionado con la fama que tenían sus padres. Pero por ser complaciente con su hermana acepta hacer algo sin previo aviso. Además de ser ninguneada por su hermana y su madre. Y de la noche a la mañana conoce a Leslie un ACTOR FAMOSO.,y se enamora en solo 48 horas 😱y se están jurando AMOR ETERNO. Su madre y su hermana mayor son dos arpías en los primeros capítulos. Pero de acuerdo a como avanza la historia,cambian más por beneficio propio, que por darse cuenta de que estaban haciendo o actuando mal. Coco se da cuenta que no está echa para el mundo de Leslie (cuando ella sabía como era). Pero como tiene que pasar vuelven a estar juntos.,porque comprendió que había cometido un error al dejarlo. Pero lo reconoció porque ÉL fue a buscarla.

[Alex (Alex's Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Danielle Steel's novel, "One Day at a Time," readers are introduced to Coco, a woman who is navigating life after the loss of her husband. Living a simple life as a dog walker by the beach, Coco finds solace in her slow-paced routine. However, her wealthy and successful family constantly belittles her, making her feel like the black sheep. Despite its predictable nature, the book offers an enjoyable love story and explores themes of self-discovery and personal growth.


Coco is portrayed as a timid and cool character who struggles to stand up for herself. Her journey throughout the novel involves finding her voice and asserting her worth. Despite the repetitive nature of the writing, Coco's relatability and vulnerability make her a likable protagonist. Readers can empathize with her desire to find her place in a family that constantly undermines herThe novel introduces a charming and respectful lead male character who captures Coco's heart. Their love story unfolds quickly, with Coco falling in love with him within just 48 hours. While the rapid development of their relationship may seem unrealistic, it adds an element of excitement and passion to the narrative. The author's ability to create chemistry between the characters keeps readers engaged, despite the predictability of the plot.

Coco's family, particularly her mother and older sister, initially come across as unsupportive and critical. However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that their transformation is driven more by self-interest than genuine remorse. This aspect of the novel highlights the complexities of family dynamics and the potential for personal growth and change.

Throughout the book, Coco grapples with her identity and her place within her family. She realizes that she does not fit into the glamorous world of her love interest, Leslie, and questions her own worth. This journey of self-discovery allows Coco to recognize her own strengths and weaknesses, ultimately leading her to make decisions that align with her true self.

"One Day at a Time" may not be the most groundbreaking novel, but it offers an enjoyable reading experience. While the writing style may be repetitive and the plot predictable, the relatable characters and their personal growth make the story engaging. Coco's journey of self-discovery and her blossoming love story provide readers with a sense of hope and inspiration. Overall, Danielle Steel's novel reminds us of the importance of finding our own path and embracing life one day at a time.

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Colette (Coco) Barrington was growing up, she was surrounded by the Hollywood lifestyle, with her father in the movie business and her mother a mega bestselling author. It is no surprise that her older sister Jane also grows up to join the movie game as a top producer.

But Coco wants nothing to do with that life. After graduating from Princeton, she begins law school at Stanford, but drops out and creates a dog walking business. A way to enjoy life on her terms. Unfortunately, her family disapproves, and even though her father is now dead, her mother and sister miss no opportunity to show how much they cannot understand her choices.

Jane is also a bit of a bully, treating Coco like a recalcitrant child, whom she somehow wrangles into house-sitting when she and her partner Liz go to New York. Their home in San Francisco is gorgeous, and should be a treat. But Coco is still frustrated by how her sister always manages to get her way, and is then stunned to meet an unexpected houseguest; someone she recognizes from the movies. Movie star Leslie Baxter is even more handsome in person, and before she knows it, Coco and he are involved in a passionate love affair.

From this point on, the story can conceivably only go in one direction. The two will meet obstacles along the way, have a few disagreements about the lifestyle, and may even part for a bit. But there will definitely be some kind of happy ending, since this is a romance novel. Even knowing this, I did enjoy the story, with the descriptions of beautiful settings, scenes, clothing, and jewels. The glitz and glamor that Steel can present to the readers is as predictable as the plot. Because I did like the lighter fare for a change, I'm giving "One Day at a Time: A Novel" 3.5 stars.

[Rebecca Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, so Danielle Steel is what started me on my reading journey of 35+ years way back when. I had never read a "romance" novel until I was a young mother at home with several little ones and seemed to need some downtime, while everyone was napping. I have been one to take a "nap" so reading was perfect.

A friend loaned me a Danielle Steel book (current then in the 1980's) and I really enjoyed it. I was a permanent feature at the library checking out her books and liking each one.

NOW..... 30+ years later, I read one of Steele's book after reading hundreds of others from other authors (maybe a thousand), anyway, I was kind of surprised. Her writing is so redundant. I read and re-read the same "thought" or "feeling" or "portrayal" over and over in her plot line in the same book. She would state something and re-state it, like 15 times. Is is just me, or is there a lot of redundancy???

Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about plots that have been done before, but.... the same thing said over and over, in a slightly different way, in the book.

Only 2 stars from me this time, Danielle, sorry. I have "evolved" I guess. I expect more from my authors.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Danielle Steel since I was a teenager and have read every book she's written. I enjoy them because they're entertaining and fast to get through. The writing isn't great, the storylines are fairly predictable and cookie cutter and there's not much depth to the characters, but I enjoy them as a break from more serious reading.

[Ronna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was an entertaining book and it did keep my attention the entire time. I loved the story and all of tyhe characters and I loved following the emotions that the main characters felt throughout the novel. It is a book about families and their dynamics.

It wsas just a quick great novel.

[Ana Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"O que quer que aconteça, aconteceu ou venha a acontecer. Ainda acredito no Amor seja qual for a sua forma ortodoxa ou pouco ortodoxa, vulgar ou extraordinária. Nunca desisto da Esperança"

Que livro fantástico este!!
Nunca tinha lido nada desta autora, mas adorei o livro. Que romance tão bonito este de Coco e Leslie!!

[Marge · Rating 1 out of 5]

Haven't read Steel in a long time and this book is the reason why - she writes like a high school book report "she is very, very, very, very, very pretty" - 15 pages of content spread into 240 pages - it does read fast though while you're waiting to get to some content - don't bother.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I've read Danielle Steele but I was in the mood for a quick, light read. This was an enjoyable read but not nearly as good as Family Album. This would be a good beach read.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I still read Danielle's fluffy tales. I get caught up in their lives. The one thing that bugs me is that she repeats herself over and over. I say, she says the same thing over ag

[monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiempo prestado

La historia es sencilla y fácil de leer.Trata temas modernos y actuales ,no está nada mal.Siempre disfrutó de sus libros.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a lovely romantic story.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, repetitive, same story different day....

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty predictable. The ending was not as captivating as the first half of the book. Fluff read, that was overall enjoyable.

[Katarina ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une bonne lecture avec un happy end habituel. L'histoire d'amour entre Leslie et Coco, deux personnes que tous opposent, est inattendue. Entre les hauts et les bas, l'amour triomphe toujours.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coco Barrington was born into a legendary Hollywood family, her last name loaded with expectations. Her mother is a mega bestselling author who writes under the pen name of Florence Flowers and her sister, Jane, is one of Hollywood's top producers. They are not your typical family by any means...Jane has lived with her partner Liz, in a solid, loving relationship for ten years. Florence, widowed but still radiant, has just begun a secret romance with a man twenty-four years her junior. And Coco - a law school dropout, turned dog walker - is her family's black sheep, who has fled life in the spotlight for the artsy northern California beach town of Bolinas.

But when Coco reluctantly agrees to dog-sit in Jane's luxurious home, she soon discovers how much things can change in just a matter of days. It turns out Jane's house comes complete with an unexpected house guest: Leslie Baxter, a dashing but down-to-earth British actor who is fleeing a psycho ex-girlfriend. Their worlds couldn't be more different. Their attraction couldn't be more immediate.

Suddenly, Coco is seeing things totally differently: Leslie is not just a celebrity, he is a loving single father with an adorable six-year-old daughter. Her mother's not just a self-centered walking advertisement for great cosmetic surgery, she is a woman in love, with vulnerability and new insight. And Jane and Liz are about to take the bravest plunge of all - into parenthood. As Coco contemplates a future with one of Hollywood's hottest stars, as her mother and sister settle into their new lives, old wounds are healed and new families are formed - some traditional and some not so traditional.

As I have said before, I consider Danielle Steel to be my "guilty pleasure" author - the type of author that I read in order to experience my "Calgon, take me away" moment. Usually, I can count on Danielle Steel for fluffy, feel good plots and characters. Unfortunately, this particular book had no such plots or characters for me to enjoy. I found that in the 320 pages of this book, Danielle Steel concentrated almost too much on the minutest details of characters' reactions to events, and not as much as she should have on furthering the plot.

Perhaps I didn't enjoy this book as much as I usually do when I read a book by Danielle Steel, but I did end up giving this book a B+! I still enjoy Danielle Steel as my "guilty pleasure" author, I just don't think I will read another Danielle Steel book for several months.