One Ordinary Day At A Time’ is the latest book by Sarah J. Harris.

Simon Sparks is the man you know from behind the counter at the local Prince Burger (‘hold the gherkin!’), fry shovelling, shelf stacking, hiding away from the world. And Jodie Brook is the single mum you see crossing the street with her son Zak – always chasing a dream she can’t reach. What if life could be so much more? When Simon and Jodie’s worlds collide, it upends everything they know. But in chaos comes opportunity. And for every person who’s ever doubted them, they find someone who’ll finally believe…

If you want a story that will warm your heart and lift your spirits, then pick up a copy of the this uplifting book.

The story is seen through alternating chapters between Simon and Jodie who are both at crossroads in the world but find an unlikely connection with each other when they begin working with each other at Prince Burger. Simon was a child prodigy but ended up working in a fast food outlet whilst his twin brother is a top surgeon in New York. Jodie is a struggling single mother who aspires to become a teacher and be able to provide a better quality life for herself and her adorable little boy called Zak.

From the beginning, this story was easy to get absorbed in. It’s beautifully written with relatable characters that not only connect with each other but also with the reader. Simon is a fascinating character, although extremely intelligent, he lacks proper social skills and makes people feel awkward and uncomfortable around him, which in turn has the same effect on him. Jodie was a teenage mum, who’s trying to move on from her past but regularly finds it reappearing in her life and fearing for the safety of herself and her sweet little boy.

I loved the interactions between Simon and Jodie, initially it’s awkward but it’s lovely to see it progress towards friendship and develop confidence and support to each other.

This story is a warm one, but also has some tender and witty moments that add to the charm of the story.

A gorgeous and inspirational story about unlikely friendships and following your dreams, ‘One Ordinary Day at a Time’ is a heartwarming story that will bring a smile to your day.

You can buy ‘One Ordinary Day At A Time’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

There's so much to love in this life-affirming, heartwarming and well written story.
You cannot help loving Jodie and Simon, their friendship and their struggles. They are underdogs and Jodie fight for something better.
Great characters and I couldn't help rooting for them.
There are dark issues but there's also love, humour and hope.
It's an excellent read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a beautifully written and truly original novel.

One Ordinary Day at a Time is a lovely heartstring-tugging tale. Jodie Brook is a struggling single mum who has a son, seven-year-old Zak. Jodie, brought up in a dysfunctional family, is always chasing dreams and applies to study English Literature at Cambridge University. Former child maths genius Simon Sparks also went to Cambridge at 15 but now spends his days working in a fast-food restaurant, "Prince Burger". He spends his spare time fine-tuning his quizzing skills among other things. One Ordinary Day at a Time is all about what happens when their worlds collide.

The story was characterised by a cast of terrific people. The book cleverly weaves together the present-day tale of Jodie and Simon with a gradual introduction to the backstories of them both, and the reader learns more about them as the tale progresses. Intriguingly and delightfully told by the author, Sarah J Harris, it was a remarkable book on many levels. Her incredible writing totally brought this amusing and emotional tale of friendship to life and the ending was fitting and satisfying. This is a brilliant novel not to be missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request, from HarperCollins UK/ HarperFiction via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

A story of two unusual disparate characters who meet while they are both working in a hamburger joint. One is a young autistic young man lost in a world of mathematics that helps him escape the realities of life. The other after being abandoned as a child by a drug addict mother.is the product of care homes and foster parents. Who is now a single parent, having escaped from a physically abusive husband. When she discovers that the young man has a maths degree from Cambridge, she as an English student aspiring to get into Cambridge, tries to befriend him to gain his help to prepare her for her entrance interview. After various events and with persistent they agree on a deal, she to help him in human engagement and he to coach her for Cambridge entrance. As they get to know each other they find that they each need to help each other to admit to their dark secrets and to overcome their individual nemesis and how with love and support from colleagues and friends after some dramatic events they manage to repair their lives with hope for the future.

I really liked The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder, but Sarah J Harris's second novel is even better - I loved the characters and the story.

For single mum Jodie, who grew up in care and has suffered past domestic violence and present poverty, life has never not been a struggle, but she dreams of a better life for herself and son Zak, applying to study English Literature at Cambridge.

Former child maths genius Simon Sparks also went to Cambridge - at the age of fifteen - but now spends his days frying chips in a fast food restaurant ("Prince Burger") and the rest of his time trying to crack the Riemann hypothesis and honing his quizzing skills. Unlike his successful brother William, Simon has never fulfilled the childhood potential, despite his bullying father's efforts.

When Jodie and Simon meet at work, things don't get off to the best of starts (he throws a brick at her) but they somehow forge a connection which will be important to both. I loved both of these characters, and there are lots of great subsidiary characters too, including Jodie's son Zak, the staff at Prince Burger, the Three Wise Men quiz team, among others.

A very enjoyable and satisfying read.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘One Ordinary Day at a Time’ by Sarah J. Harris in exchange for an honest review.

This was a gentle comedy-drama that explores the friendship between two lonely people who have both had difficult lives.

As a child Simon Sparks took part in a popular contest, ‘Little Einsteins: Britain’s Brainiest Kids’ where he was nicknamed ‘Memory Boy’. Yet despite his high IQ and aspirations to study mathematics at Cambridge, he is now shovelling fries, stacking shelves, and manning the counter at Prince Burger. In his spare time he still hopes to be the first mathematician to solve the Riemann Hypothesis.

Jodie Brook is a single mum, who grew up in foster care. As a result she is seeking to give her seven-year-old son Zak the best life possible. She also is chasing her own dreams of studying English Literature at a Cambridge College. Jodie takes a job at Prince Burger where she meets Simon.

I found this an uplifting and heartwarming novel that wasn’t afraid to also explore darker themes such as mental illness and domestic and psychological abuse. Aside from its appealing leads, there are a number of quirky supporting characters. I loved that the focus was on friendship rather than a conventional romance.

It is also a novel infused with an appreciation of literature. Harris’ Epigraph quotes the famous ‘Teach Facts’ passage by Thomas Gradgrind in Charles Dickens’ ‘Hard Times’. This quote highlights the tension between the fact-based study of science and mathematics and the more interpretive study of literature. In the pub quiz that features throughout the novel, participants are called on to have knowledge of both.

I had previously enjoyed Harris’ 2018 debut, ‘The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder’, and felt that this was an exceptional second novel. It is the kind of novel that I would expect to appeal to a wide readership and also be a popular choice for reading groups.

A really different book.

Enjoyable and quirky I liked the characters even though I couldn’t always relate to them.

The story is different a little slow to get into but once I did o really enjoyed it.

I really loved the colour of bee larkhams murder and was excited to read one ordinary day at a time.

I did enjoy reading the book, struggled at times, but I'm glad I kept on. I preferred the colour of bee larkhams murder to be honest. However this book was a heartwarming but also thought provoking read!

Follows the story of the 2 main characters Simon and jodie. Lots of feels!

Thank you netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A pleasant read of a generally feel good kind of story. There are some very serious issues too but we’ll handled in this quirky book. I liked Simon and Jodie but overall probably not blown away. I would still recommend it as it’s at least original.

I just couldn’t get into this book. I would like to try it again though!

The writing was great, I don’t know what the issue was. Perhaps it was the case of ‘not the right time’ ?

This is one of those novels which is thought provoking, at times, comical and at others, poignant. I loved all the characters, from Simon and Jodie through to their friends and neighbours. Even the cat at the burger bar emerges as a force to be reckoned with. Jodie's story is one of courage and determination. Despite her difficult childhood when she was a Looked After Child, she has retained a drive to succeed and a determination to make her own luck and to aim high. There are times in the story when her confidence wavers but you are always rooting for her to succeed.

Simon is a complicated young man who is the product of an abusive childhood. Both Jodie and Simon have been the victims of bullying and coercive behaviour. Whereas Jodie has been overlooked by the system, Simon has been hot housed. However, the results of both experiences were not positive. There are some unlikely friendships formed in the story. The message which comes through loud and clear, however, is that kindness and friendship are the key to a happy life. Emotional intelligence is so much more important than rote learning of facts. This is at times an emotional read but full of humour and humanity.

In short: A tale of lost potential and new beginnings

I struggled a bit at the beginning of this story as it was very sad and cruel, but keep going because it turns into an amazing story. with detailed descriptions of mental traumas due to family influences and the survival of the human spirit against the odds. Great characters with a strong feel good factor. The brilliant conclusion renews your faith in human nature..

I really enjoyed The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder, so was delighted to get a copy of One Ordinary Day at a Time.

The novel centres around Simon Sparks, a guy in his 30s with a very high IQ. His social skills are lacking and he’s very much a loner. He works in a fast food restaurant, and this is how he meets Jodie.
Jodie is a single mum in her 20s, living in poverty and trying to do the best for her son.

At first they don’t get on and Jodie thinks Simon is weird. They learn more about each other and strike up an unlikely friendship. Jodie and her son bring some fun into Simon’s regimented and lonely life.
Both of them have had very difficult pasts and more is revealed about this as the story goes on.

This is such a readable book and I loved the characters. The way the friendship between Jodie and Simon develops is lovely and they bring some much needed kindness to each other.

This book tackles a lot of issues, such as poverty, domestic abuse and mental illness, to name a few. All these issues are dealt with sensitively.
It’s clear the author has put a lot of effort into researching for the book and I thought it was authentic.

The book is at times funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming.

I’m sad to have finished it as I enjoyed the characters and the story so much.

I can’t wait for more books from this author and highly recommend this!

Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an advance copy for review.

I've been in a reading slump. I didn't actually fully comprehend how much of a slump I was in until I picked up this book and just inhaled it. What an absolutely fabulous book. I couldn't put it down, I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with all of the characters. On her second outing, Sarah J Harris lived up to all my expectations after I loved The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder, and what I loved was how different it was, but equally brilliant.

The book focuses on our two protaginists, Simon, the Prof, who is a quiz master genuis, but maybe less of a genius in other ways, and Jodie, the girl who takes you by surprise with her wit and her intelligence after having a lifetime of people writing her off. These two characters are fantastic, but all of the other characters really help bring this book to life too. Even the whispers of characters that you never really get the chance to know fill this book with life. Underlying this, it's a good social commentary not only on the care system and the obstacles that people may have to take to overcome predujice. But also the prejudice of mental health and how being honest with ourselves is often the first step towards recovery.

There were so many glorious aspects about this book, and I could gush all over it, but doing so would ruin it for everyone else. The small twists that I didn't see coming, the gasps, the tears the happiness. Please read this. It will brighten your day and I hope you find it as touching as I found it.

The story begins with Simon as a young boy, he is taking part in Little Einstein’s and is tasked with answering all of the English Literature questions correctly in the sudden death round in order to win. When he gets distracted by his mother crying in the audience he loses his focus and answers incorrectly.

Then we fast forward to the present day where Simon, the previous child genius is now working as a Fry Cook at Prince Burger and is still having some lapses in concentration – which results in some burnt foo incidents. When single mum Jodie starts working in Prince Burger after being told for many years that she will never amount to anything, she aspires more than anything to study English at Cambridge University.

What happens from this point onwards is truly heartwarming. Simon takes Jodie under his wing as they begin working alongside one another, and before long the pair become inseparable. Whilst enjoying one another’s company, Simon begins to help Jodie train in order to achieve her educational dreams.

This is one of those utterly delightful stories that you become invested in from the very beginning. The leading characters Simon and Jodie are wonderfully developed and have realistic, human qualities and flaws which make them all the more relatable to the reader. I loved the dynamics between them, and the dialogue that the author creates between them is captivating.

The story flows wonderfully and keeps you engaged to the very end. The plot is utterly unique and you find yourself fully immersed in the world in which the author has created. This is a fantastic book that I would urge you all to read!.

4.5 stars
One Ordinary Day is a beautifully written, uplifting and heartwarming read with characters you’ll just fall in love with!

Firstly Simon and Jodie are two fantastic main characters who were a joy to follow throughout the book. Both of them have some heartbreak in their past which makes them a bit vulnerable and cautious with each other at first. A beautiful friendship soon develops though which was wonderful to see! The author has cleverly written the characters so they seem very real and I felt like I really got to know them throughout the book. I was cheering for them every step of the way and kept hoping they’d get the happy ending I felt they deserved.

This is a book that draws you into the story from the first page and soon has you in its grip. I think I went through every emotion whilst reading crying one moment and then smiling the next as something really beautiful happened. As you can probably imagine things don’t go according to plan and there’s lots of twists along the way which kept me guessing as to what would happen. The ending was perfect though I felt very sad to have finished the story and leave the characters behind.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper for my copy of this book via netgalley.

I loved this book. It's the story of a strange friendship between a withdrawn (almost autistic) young man and a single mother who, despite a poor start in life, struggles to improve her circumstances. There is both humour and pathos in this book and smiles and tears from the reader may be expected. I'm not particularly sentimental but even my emotions were aroused.
Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found myself hooked from the first chapter, The characters were grounded and easy to connect with.

A heartwarming and charming story.

Sarah's writing had me in so many different emotions.
First there is Simon that just wants to be left alone dealing with the abuse from his father, and not really knowing how to fit into the World. Growing up having been prevented from exploring or enjoying so much but yet eing expected to achieve great things.
Then comes along Jodie, from the moment she was born she has been rejected, thrown away, pushed around, used and yet she is still standing, still fighting, still hoping and still thinking of others.
Both characters in this story have received some form of abuse and trauma and both dealing with it in different ways, yet they recognise the pain in each other.
You can not read this book and not be touched or inspired in some way.
Sarah has done a wonderful job of creating so many twists and turns that caught me out every time.
This is a deep, thought provoking book that will leave you with a sense of love and power in human strength.

There is nothing ordinary about this book. It begins with Simon as a young boy taking part in Little Einsteins and he has to answer all the English literature questions correctly in the sudden death round to win. After spotting his mum in the audience crying he has a lapse of concentration and answers incorrectly.

Fast forward to present day and child genius Simon is now a fry cook at Prince Burger and still having lapses in concentration (resulting in burnt french fries). Single mum Jodie starts working at Prince Burger and after years of being told she will never amount to anything she aspires to study English at Cambridge.

What happens next is magical. I don’t think I have ever wanted two fictional characters to succeed so much. Neither of them have had it easy and they have closed themselves off and are just going through the motions of life.

They aren’t slushy characters that you instantly fall in love with. They are real fully fleshed human beings with flaws and it’s all down to the talents of the author that she brings them completely to life and melds them into your heart.

In my opinion the cover portrayed this as a feel good book and don’t get me wrong in many ways it is, but it also has some darkness. The best way I can describe this book is that when life gives you both rain and sun it creates a beautiful rainbow, that’s how I feel about Simon and Jodie. They are the blend, their friendship is the rainbow and the author has created the pot of gold to be found at the end of this story.