This novel was addictive, engaging and all-consuming. By the end of the first chapter, I wanted to know so much more of where things would be going and how all the stories were interconnected.

Shari Low weaves a beautiful story, filled with humor, hope and love. Over the course of the day, we learn about Caro's relationship with her father and how she has set out to determine if things are as complicated as she suspects. We go on a crazy ride with Lila as she plots how she'll get her lover all to her self, and follow Cammy as he prepares for one of the biggest moments of his life - a surpise proposal to the woman he loves. And we cheer on Bernadette as she makes a difficult decision and leaves her marriage of 40 years. 

As the drama unfolds, I couldn't help but fall more in love with the story and try and find out what was going to happen next. The stories slowly start to converge and it was amazing to see the different threads of the story slowly come together. 

I also found Shari Low's writing style and voice, similar to that of Maeve Binchy, who I loved. It was warm and comforting, and Shari Low is definitely an author who can fill the void on my bookshelf left by the late Maeve Binchy.

Take three families and one day in December. Add wit, tragedy, just a dash of farce. Pour in a large measure of excellent characters. Shake vigorously and garnish with a sprig of romance. And there my friends is the receipe for a One Day In December. And like a good cocktail this book will leave you warm, a little giggly and possibly a bit tearful!

There's a lot of characters in this book - the opening pages are actually a list of characters which I found a bit daunting. Don't get me wrong I can deal with many characters - you just don't often see them laid out this way in a book like this. But it's all good because as you read you realise it's actually not that many, really it's just 6 main characters and a lot of great support. We begin with Caro Anderson, a young woman who's been dealing her mother's illness alone since her dad walked away without a backward glance. He wasn't much of a dad but she needed him. Then she happen to see pictures of a minor social media darling Lila Anderson. And it looks as if it isn't just a surname they share for the man tagged as Lila's father looks very much like Caro's AWOL Dad. But Lila is just a bit younger than Caro. She decides to head to Glasgow to find out the truth.
In Glasgow Lila is having her cake and eating it. At home she has Cammy, a handsome and devoted boyfriend, but she also has Ken, a dashing but married surgeon who Lila is convinced will leave his wife for. For now Cammy is convenient but she's getting impatient for Ken to make his move.
Ken's wife Bernadette knows the handsome and dashing persona Kenneth shows the world is fake. She's been bullied by him for years and now she's had enough.

This was a breath of fresh air from my usual staple diet of thrillers. It's a pretty predictable story but it's nicely told. A lot of the strength lies in the supporting characters. Bernadette has Susan a loyal but no nonsense friend, Caro has Todd, he loves a drama but ultimately is her rock and best of all Cammy has Josie and Val, a pair of hilarious older ladies who can out banter the entire Friday night of customers at your local Nandos! This is the perfect book to curl up with on darkening autumn or winter evening....it'll cold outside but this will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Great book. very interesting the way the author goes for 4 strangers in one day. i enjoyed this book very much. loved the cover also. The book was unique and i loved the whole dynamic

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ONE DAY IN DECEMBER by Shari Low is an example of contemporary fiction at its finest. Engaging, addictive, and all-consuming, this story completely took over and I did not even notice the hours drift by as I was immersed in that all-important day in December when lives would change forever.

Caro is devastated at the dwindling health of her mother and the complete abandonment by her father at a time when they need him more than ever. Even though his important job had always taken him away during most of her life, Caro is angry that he would turn his back on them now. But when a little Facebook digging seems to uncover a lifelong secret that could change everything, Caro travels to Glasgow to confront the man she never really knew or understood. I loved Caro and her kind heart and she was one of my favourites in this book.

Lila is selfish and self-obsessed and has decided that she no longer wants to wait for her married lover to leave his wife, and resolves to take matters into her own hands. When Lila wants something she takes it and to hell with the consequences or gets hurt in the process. As you can tell I was not a massive fan of Lila but I was still hooked by her story and how it all would end.

Cammy is sexy, sweet, and a little heartbroken from a love that he let get away. Now in a new relationship, he is giving it his all and has planned a romantic proposal to the new lady in his life. It is time he grew up and this is the perfect next step, even if his closest friends feel it is an awful mistake. Cammy is a wonderful character who is so endearing that you just want to hug him and take him under your wing.

And then there is Bernadette, a hardworking and caring nurse, who has spent thirty years married to a calculating and controlling monster. Seeing her friend find happiness in her later years has inspired her to break free. With her plans ready to go, Bernadette only hopes that she doesn't let fear force her to retreat. Bernadette is my favourite character and I desperately wanted her to find the happiness and love that she truly deserved.

All of these characters stories converge in unexpected ways on that one fateful day in December and as the drama unfolds, you will not be able to put this book down. The day itself is split into slots and the story moves from one character to another as the narrative flows easily from beginning to end.

ONE DAY IN DECEMBER by Shari Low is a superb story of love, secrets, friendship, and heartbreak, and needs to be on everyone's reading list this year.

One thing I love about Shari Low's novels is how she creates characters with relatable circumstances. The author doesn't seem to think of a character and create its life based on an outlandish notion that would never happen in a million years - even if it is fictional. No, she creates her character with real life people in mind and, in my opinion, that makes Shari Low more relatable as an author. I get that some people read novels to escape from real life issues, but sometimes you just want to read a novel with a relatable storyline, just to see how someone else will cope in a situation similar to your own.

'One Day in December' is about four completely different people who's lives become entwined in the strangest of ways. Caro; her gut instinct fears that her childhood wasn't as it seemed. Lila; an Instagram addict who has one thing on the top of her agenda - herself. Cammy; a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and just wants to do the right thing. Bernadette; a woman who has been living in fear and resentment for far too long.

Reading 'One Day in December', my eyes were pricked with tears after the first couple of pages as the emotion that came tumbling out of such few words, was enough to melt a bit of my Ice Queen exterior. The further into the storyline I read, the clearer certain situations seemed to become. However, what I didn't expect was the high level of intensity that seemed to come out of nowhere. This wasn't a story about relationships being broken. No. It was a story about how things are not always what they seem. It was a story about learning to find true happiness and not being afraid to take that first step. 

Despite the fact that 'One Day in December' contained some quite serious topics, Shari Low still managed to incorporate her brilliant humour alongside that. Yes this book is emotional, and yes it does stop and make you think. But, seeing as Shari Low is known for writing deep and meaningful storylines which will forever be imprinted in your mind, I wouldn't expect anything less from this brilliant author.

'One Day in December' made me chuckle, whilst also opening my eyes to how social media focused we can be (if you use filters, you'll be nodding your head round about now!). Not only that, the storyline moved me so much and made me stop and think about my own life, especially as I was able to relate to Caro's situation a teeny bit. 

I adore Shari Low's novels and once again the author did not disappoint. Moving, intense, eye-opening and incredibly heart-warming; 'One Day in December' will leave you reaching for the tissues and a big bar of chocolate, whilst also warming your heart at the same time.

Thanks Aria Fiction & Netgalley.

I enjoyed this story. 

It was equal parts romance and thriller. I was actually surprised at how much drama there was. There were many parts where I held my breath, anticipating what would happen next. The last third of the book was especially thrilling, when everything unraveled. 

I was sympathetic with Caro, Cammy, and Bernadette. They faced hardships that were unavoidable. Lila was definitely an unlikeable character, but I found her realistic too. Her life was broadcast over social media, like so many people these days. But what she posted wasn't necessarily true. 

Sometimes I got the older characters mixed up. Bernadette and Kenneth, and Lila's parents led similar lives. But by the end, their lives head in separate directions. 

I really liked this book. I'm going to keep my eyes open for more Shari Low novels!

Addictive, engrossing and thought-provoking, it is absolutely impossible to put down Shari Low’s gripping new novel, One Day in December!

The lives of four people are going to be irrevocably changed one day in December. Somebody’s heart will be broken, a devastating truth will be revealed, a jaw-dropping secret shared and a love will be betrayed forever as four lives are set on a collision course with destiny one fateful day in the last month of the year.

Caro’s father had abandoned her and her mother years ago and his rejection has shaped her entire life and led her to having trust issues. When a chance post on Facebook leads her to believe that his frequent business trips were in fact a smokescreen for something else, Caro decides to take the bull by the horns and confront her father about his lies and deceit.

Cammy wants to ensure that his proposal to his girlfriend Lila goes off without a hitch! After losing the woman he had thought he was going to be spending the rest of his life with to another man, Cammy is determined not to let another woman slip through his fingers and he has worked hard to ensure that Lila gets a Hollywood marriage proposal. But unbeknownst to Cammy, the woman he is determined to marry has got a devastating secret that could ruin his happiness and all his hopes for the future: Lila has been having an affair with Ken, a married man whom she is desperate to make her own. Lila has hatched a plan to inform her lover’s wife about their affair, breaking Cammy’s heart in the process…

Ken’s wife Bernardette is also planning on changing her life on this fateful day. Sick of her husband’s controlling ways and brow-beating after thirty miserable years of marriage, Bernardette has made up her mind to leave her husband once and for all. But in order to achieve her objective, she must make her escape before Ken gets home. Will she manage to leave all this misery and sadness behind and start over?

The lives of these four individuals will change forever. But will they find the happiness they’ve been searching for? Or will there just be further disappointment round the corner?

Shari Low’s books should come with a warning: before you start reading her novels, make sure you cancel all social engagements and switch off your phone because once you start reading her books, you won’t be able to put them down. Fast-paced, compelling and hugely enjoyable, One Day in December is a fabulous read about the ties that bind, the unexpected twists of fate and second chances readers are sure to relate to. Packed with believable and richly drawn characters, One Day in December is a fantastic read that will make you laugh, cry and think.

Life-affirming, uplifting and impossible to resist, One Day in December is another winner by Shari Low!

I loved the format of this one, just as the title says it follows one day in the life of four different people. I was slightly overwhelmed initially when the first page was a full list of all the characters but as soon as I started to read more I relaxed into the read and found it was actually really easy to follow. I figured out the characters lives and dynamics rather quickly and no issues keeping it all straight. Things are broken into segments of two hour chunks and each of the four main characters have a chapter within each time period. I so love a story told from several viewpoints and I was so engrossed by this one as I knew each of them would experience something life changing but not knowing what was intriguing. I was very curious as to how their lives would intertwine or if they even actually would overlap. The structure made this a real page turner as I was always eager to see how the other characters were coming along while I was still wrapped up in the current chapter.

In typical Low fashion she crafted a cast of wholly memorable, realistic characters, some more likable than others. While I truly came to care about each of them, I was most invested in Bernadette’s life. She was such an authentic, kind person who’s been trapped in an awful marriage for thirty years and I really wanted her to be free and happy! Caro was also so sweet and loving, she definitely tugged on my heartstrings as well. Cammy was a lovely man with loads of charm and then there was Lila. Ugh she made me so angry, she’s definitely a hard one to relate to but I was still captivated by her story. (And her appalling behavior)

This was full of heart, humor and even some genuinely sad moments, a really emotional read. Low is a really fantastic storyteller and I loved how she wove all of the subplots together in the end. I’ve been a fan of Low for awhile now and this may be my favorite book so far!

Caro's mother is dying and she is bitter about the father that walked out on them as soon as he found out about her illness, but then Caro sees him on social media as the father of another girl a couple of years younger than herself - it cant be him can it..........she sets off to Glasgow to find out!

Lila is totally self obsessed and having an affair with Ken a heart surgeon while at the same time living with her lovely boyfriend Cammy.....she is determined though that Ken should leave his wife and live with her...even if she has to tell her herself!

Bernadette is married to Ken and hates him......she has decided that it is definitely her time and she is going to leave him and start a new life without his bullying ways.....but how will her children take it and is she strong enough to go through with it this time

Cammy is in love with Lila and is setting up the day for a perfect proposal....even though everyone else thinks he is doing the wrong thing!

A great book I loved that characters - even though Lila and ken were horrible - especially Josie and Val and the way the book went in two hour time slots for each character worked really well - perfect light hearted fun

Entirely surprising and awe-inspiring.

Seeing a familiar face on one of the random Facebook post, Caro started to think that the father who walked away from them years ago who had a Very Important Job was actually having a Very Important Secret. She decided to ride a train off to Glasgow to see for herself and know the truth.

Busy on schedule of preparing for his marriage proposal to his girlfriend, Lila, Cammy needs to find for the perfect ring, booked for the perfect restaurant and get the perfect suit with the help of his friends, Josie and Val.

Lila, on one hand, is having an illicit affair to cardiac surgeon, Ken for seven years. Cannot wait any longer with the promise of divorcing and leaving his wife for good, she's plotting to tell Ken's wife herself about their relationship and realised that it is the perfect time to do and act on it.

Endured a thirty years of unhappy marriage life, Bernadette plans to leave his husband, Ken (right, exactly! The same person). With the help of her best friend Sarah, she have to move out from their house, tell their kids about her decision and get a fair share of their savings before Ken returns home.

They didn’t know that somewhere out there a heart had just been crushed by the weight of broken promises. Or that someone else sighed with relief as they walked away from the past. Or that someone’s plans for a new life had turned to dust. Or that a very unexpected love was pulling two people together.

I love Bernadette's character the most. She was selfless and strong. I understand why she had stayed with her controlling husband for so long because she always thought of her children before her own. But getting her freedom and knowing her worth for the very first time was the best decision she ever made for herself.

They may have the same longing for the love and affection of a father but Caro and Lila's character were entirely opposite. Caro liked the privacy. She was confident on her own way and always care for her mom in every way possible while Lila loved the attention, the spotlight. I understand why she had to live a pretentious and full-of-masquerade kind of life. She wanted to fill a hole somewhere in her heart and that was the reason why she looked for love on somewhere else.

Cammy's character I believe was the most vulnerable from all of them. With the history he had and the story he didn't saw coming, he was exposed to an endless chain of let downs and heartaches. He never realised his own denial until it was too late

One Day in December is about four persons' lives, entwined, connected and tangled. A perfect story that delivers the message of how one single decision can cause a domino effect on someone else life. That in every promise comes a lie and in every secrets comes betrayal.

I love how the author gave so much attention on each character with an intricate well written plot and an intriguing complex narrative. This is something that feels like more than a reality — relatable and existential; Or like watching a soap opera with all the twists and dramas involve, this story was entertaining.

***Thank you NetGalley, Aria and Shari Low for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I am a big fan of Shari Low's writing and find her stories come to life in front of my eyes, everytime I read one.
One Day In December tells the story of four different people, each about to experience a event that will change their lives completely. As soon as I started reading this book, I was completely enthralled in the character's stories and how they progress as people during the book.
Caro, Lila, Cammy and Bernadette are all very unique characters and I could definitely see their individuality in the book and how much Shari wanted to make sure each of their stories was told in a specific way.
Caro has trust issues due to finding out that the truth she always thought she knew was a lie. A lie that runs deeper than she originally thought. Then there is Lila who has finally plucked up the courage to tell the wife of her boyfriend that she is having a affair with him although it doesn't go the way she planned it. Then again, nothing is easy when it comes to love and telling the truth.
Cammy is completely different, planning to propose he is trying his best to perfect it, although destiny and life had other plans which didn't involve what he wanted. Bernadette has finally had enough and has decided that she wants to live a life she wants not the life of her husband but for her it is taking that first step to break free of the control in her life.
If I had to say which character I liked the most was Bernadette's, her story and life touched me the most. Her life is not her own anymore and she doesn't know the person she has become, due to the controlling behaviour of her husband. For her to gain the strength and courage to leave is the first step but it is the determination that comes with that she is going to need to get through what happens next. That is why I was touched by her amazing story that is positive in so many ways. I couldn't believe how much I got attached to the characters during the book. I felt that One Day In December was one of those books that made you feel just like the characters in that moment.
One Day In December is a wonderfully written story that will make you realise that sometimes things change in the instant that will change your life for good. With its touching characters and dreamy locations, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a change in their life.
Three Words
Unexpected, Secrets and Brilliant.

This is one of those books where you have to set aside a bit of relaxation time so you can focus fully on all the characters. All the events take place in a very short space of time, over one day in fact.

It highlights just how much of our lives are influenced either by coincidence, karma or self infliction. It covers so many relationships, twists and turns, all outcomes based on certain decisions. Secrets are uncovered and people betrayed.

I liked the steady writing style all the characters are believable but not necessarily likeable. Some of the antics were very much in the ‘what are you doing!’ league but it makes for an entertaining story.

Of all the people involved I probably enjoyed reading about Lila the most, she wasn’t the nicest but had something to keep the reader either cheering or booing her!

One Day in December is an enjoyable story if you like a drama to get to grips with and be a fly on the wall of human dilemmas.

My thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Take one day and four strangers; by the time the clock strikes midnight, nothing will be quite the same for any of them again.

I chose this book at a time when I was beginning to appreciate the mixing up of my genres and thought that this sounded much lighter than my normal murder and mayhem, and it was, but please don’t mistake that phrase to mean that it wasn’t just as clever as the most intricate of mystery plots!

The four strangers are Caro, Lila, Cammy and Bernadette – Caro & Lila are in their early thirties, Cammy about a decade older and Bernadette is grandmother, a woman in her fifties. The plot is complex because there is a cast of if not quite thousands, many many characters, and yet at no point did I feel confused. Even better for those who like an aide memoire, the section before the prologue gives a who’s who guide.

Mel Cairney – The unrequited love of Cammy’s life, now happily married to Josie’s son, Michael, and living in Italy.
One Day in December is told over a twenty-four hour period starting on Saturday 23 December at one minute past midnight and finishing (except for epilogues parts one and two) at a minute past midnight on the same day. As you can imagine the author has lots to fit in with the four strangers present lives and to ensure that their actions make sense, their back stories and the feel of the read is fast and furious which gave rise to plenty heart in the mouth moments.

In short the story is:
Caro sets off on a train to try to track down her Dad to see if what she’s discovered could possibly be true, Lila is busy taking selfies while waiting to drop a bombshell on her married lover’s life, Cammy is planning a proposal against the advice of his closest friends and Bernadette has decided she’s had enough and is leaving her bullying husband of thirty years. 23 December is a definitely a busy day for these four whilst the rest of the world is doing their last-minute Christmas shopping.
With all of that busyness in the storyline you could be forgiven for expecting the characters to be broad brushstrokes on the page but again, Shari Low’s prowess with her pen had me amazed. I cared about several of these characters, despised a couple more and had admiration for others, I laughed with some of the characters and laughed at others and these are not the sort of emotions that can be evoked without having a real feeling of who these people were.
This book is one whose ending deserves a special mention which I alluded to earlier – as all the action happens in twenty-four hours (and two minutes) the finale can only ever take us so far and the two epilogues wrap things up whilst staying true to the book that precedes it.

I raced through this book and sometimes that means that the experience is a little like when you gobble up a sweet dessert but soon forget quite how it tasted; I haven’t forgotten this book though. How could I? It has far too much substance!

I was lucky enough to receive an advance review copy of One Day in December via the publishers, Aria, and this review is my unbiased thanks to them, and the huge talent which is Shari Low. This may be the first book I've read by this author but it definitely won't be my last.

The story takes place over one day in Glasgow. As it turns out, it’s a momentous day in the lives of four people and those close to them. The reader witnesses events unfold in two-hourly time slots with frequent switches between the different characters. As the action plays out, at times the reader is blessed with more information than the character (creating some “Uh-oh, that’s not going to happen” or “I have a bad feeling about this” moments) and at other times learns things alongside them (resulting in some “I wasn’t expecting that” moments).

Caro is setting off by train to track down the father who abandoned her and her mother years before. A post on Facebook, seen by chance, has led Caro to suspect that her father’s frequent absences on business during the years he and her mother were together may have been cover for something else entirely. Was he in fact leading a double life? Encouraged by her cousin, Todd, she’s determined to find out the truth and confront her father before it’s too late.

Cameron, known to his friends as Cammy, is planning to propose to his girlfriend, Lila. She’s the first woman he’s fallen for since he lost the love of his life to another man. Helped by pals, Josie and Val (hilarious characters, by the way), he’s chosen the perfect ring, the perfect suit, the perfect restaurant. Now he just needs everything to go to plan.

Lila is oblivious to Cammy’s intentions. She’s more interested in snaring her married lover, cardiac surgeon Ken, who she’s been having a passionate affair with for years, unbeknownst to his wife. Lila’s determined that today’s the day he will tell his wife he’s leaving her – and if not, Lila’s going to do it for him.

Bernadette knows all about leaving because after thirty years of marriage to Ken – yes, that same Ken – she’s had enough of his callous, controlling behaviour and she’s planning her departure for life as a free woman. But if she’s to make her escape, she needs to do it before Ken returns home.

The author manages the incredible feat of orchestrating the various strands of the plot and frequent changes in points of views so you never lose track of the story as the tension builds. I really liked the geographical near misses during the day as characters unknowingly pass close to each other – in shops, restaurants and streets. I found myself particularly drawn to Caro and Bernadette. They seemed fully realised characters; like people you might meet in real life. I don’t believe anyone with an ounce of humanity can read this book without rooting for Bernadette and I liked how the author had Caro grow as a character, even with the period of one day.

Other characters seemed a little less finely drawn and Ken, in particular, felt a little like pantomime villain. In this book, the men aren’t a terribly good advertisement for fatherhood! Although I couldn’t like Lila – self-obsessed, shallow and mercenary – I could admire her spirit and her ability to land on her feet (metaphorically only, as it turns out).

Even if I wasn’t totally engaged by all the characters, I was completely gripped by the complex threads of the story and intrigued to see how the author was going to pull everything together. Safe to say, she succeeded brilliantly. I’ll also admit I shed tears at one point and I’m not usually a sentimental person. I can now see why Shari Low’s books are so popular. Great storylines, clever plotting and engaging characters make One Day in December a very satisfying read.

I received an advance reader copy courtesy of publishers, Aria, in return for an honest review.

Positively addictive, delightfully mesmerizing, and absolutely brilliant!

This novel takes us on a moving journey into the lives of four strangers for one day and introduces us to their thoughts, feelings, motivations, fears, and dreams and highlights just how small the world truly is and how quickly strangers can become friends and friends can become strangers.

The writing is expressive, amusing, and effortless. The characterization is spot on with a whole slew of characters that are genuine, multi-layered, intriguing and unique. And the plot is a series of compelling subplots that are skillfully unravelled and intertwined to create an unforgettable, heartfelt, humorous story about life, love, loss, family, adultery, deception, lies, friendship, romance, and happiness.

I have to admit that Shari Low has the amazing ability to sweep me away to a place I don't want to leave and immerses me into the lives of characters I can't get enough of and this novel is no exception and Shari Low one day is definitely not enough. I can't tell you how excited and honoured I was to be asked to read, review, and kick off this blog tour, and as most of you may already know there are a few authors I love, Karen Swan, Lucinda Riley and Shari Low you're one of them.

Thank you to Aria for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

After reading so many thrillers and gripping novels, sometimes other books drag and are a chore....this book is the opposite!! It follows the plot of people interconnected and each story is told....the characters are well written and likeable (or like to hateable) and the stories kept me reading even without a twist or 'who done it'. A fantastic feel good book I loved!

This is another excellent book from Shari Low.

Lila and Cam have been together for about six months and Cam decides the time is right to propose, unbeknown to him Lila is also seeing heart surgeon Ken and this is the day she is going to tell his wife about them..

Bernadette is married to Ken, eminent surgeon and boyfriend of Lila but also a controlling husband who has made Bernadette’s life unbearable for the last 30 years. This is the day that Bernadette has decided to leave Ken.

Caro has just discovered her dad may have another family, she thinks she has a sister and this is the day that she is going to find out the truth..

The story follows the day of each one and how their expectations are met.

The book is fast paced and has plenty of twists and a touch of humour, some great characters but also some really shallow ones. I always enjoy this author’s books and this one was no different.

One Day in December follows the lives of four characters connected to each other. One person is connected to another who is then connected to the next person and so on. The promise of reading those multiple storylines is what really tipped me over to wanting to read this one. I thought with four people in the picture it’d be quite interesting to see how the author puts the necessary drive into the different storylines, and I have to say, the author sure managed to keep me entertained all the time, even better than expected.

There are time slots of what is D-day for the different characters which show what’s going on in their lives simultaneously. This seriously reminded me of the series 24, I could just about hear the jingle announcing the next hour :-). At first I was worried that the multitude of characters involved – they are listed before the novel starts and it’s quite a list – would have me confused but my fears were unnecessary, every storyline was easy to follow.

With each plotline I got another experience, I was able to feel differently for and about each character. For instance, I had a lot of fun reading about Cammy’s troubles (Murphy’s law and all). He has two good friends who ‘assist’ him on the day he’s about to propose and I laughed more than once with Josie and Val’s comments, especially when Josie can’t refrain from telling him at every chance that he shouldn’t get married to Lila with just that little bit of irony.

Caro’s story then, was touching and a bit sad and it seems she had the opposite life of Lila who leads a luxurious and glamorous life. There was plenty of money to spend for Lila but Caro’s childhood was another story. Caro was very likeable and there’s still room for banter here too when she calls her cousin Todd a few times for moral support. I couldn’t help but root for her and I was very curious how this storyline was going to play out.

Lila was the one with the most unlikeable POV. She’s beautiful but incredibly superficial. She’s got thousands of followers but nobody she knows in real life. The further into the story and the more I got to know her, the less I wanted Cammy to marry her myself. Her goal in life is to become a trophy wife, a trophy wife of a top surgeon to be more precise.

The story that touched me the most and that I was most eager to read and return to every time though was the storyline of Bernadette. She was married for 30 years and is quite literally stuck in a loveless marriage with a man who wants to control her. Her thoughts and the struggles were perfectly voiced. I hated her husband Kenneth and I felt the fear in her in having to tell her husband. How was he going to react?

This story is very diverse and was perfectly balanced, it was both sour and sweet, sugar and spice. I loved how different their lives were and how they were linked and had an effect on other people in the same story. One Day in December was a very enjoyable read that I can recommend if you like authors like Evelyn Oakwood and Carole Matthews.

This book reminded me of "Love Actually" only more on the back story of all those intersecting stories ...

Over the course of the day we follow Caro, Lila, Cammy, and Bernadette - each dealing with spectacular changes to their lives. One is about to confront a mystery that involves her father and potential half-sister. The other is about to confront her lover's wife in order to get what she wants. Then we have one who is about to propose to the love of his life ... while he keeps thinking about his unrequited love. And finally we have someone who is taking the steps to leave her miserable husband and never look back.

This is a quick read - nothing too serious, a very "feel good" kind of read reminiscent of Maeve Binchey in her later books. I did find that each character was quite repetitive at one point - re-telling the reader about (example) their unrequited love ... and then I realized that over the course of one day, if I were making a major life decision, I would probably be re-thinking about the same things over and over again, reassessing my decision. So although slightly annoying, it did keep with what the story was - which was one day in several peoples' lives.

Enjoyable read. If you read Shari Low's book "A Life Without You" - then you'll be pleased to see the return of Josie and Val.

One Day in December by Shari Low a life altering five-star read. This book was so amazing, it’s one of those books that makes you stop and think. It makes you think of how fragile the life we are living is. This is a fast-paced book, so if you like slow and sedate this won’t be for you, but if you like fast and interesting then you will love this book. I have read another couple of books from this author a few years ago, but hadn’t seen anything recently then when I saw this pop up, read the blurb and I knew I had to check it out. (it kinda reminds me of my life a few years ago)
You will love some characters more than others, and some you will want to wish bad luck on just for existing. But what I loved and hated most about this book was the way everything was wrapped up, it was great. (Apart from one, but there’s always one. Else what would I write about)
If you have ever had one of those days where you wonder what if, or have a close escape and felt relieved. This is something you will enjoy; this book has something for everyone and I am happy I gave it the chance. As even though it was fast-paced it was easy to follow and explained itself well as it went.