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Monday, May 6, 2024

One Long Weekend by Shari Low - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 01st May 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/OneLongWeekendsocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203098329-one-long-weekend

 4 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming! 

Book Blurb:

When all seems lost, hope remains...

Val Murray has mislaid her most precious mementos of the people she’s loved and lost. Can her family, the wonders of technology, and a little divine intervention somehow mend her shattered heart?

Sophie Smith had to take a rain check on a marriage proposal. Will her bid to turn back the clock lead her to her greatest love or yet another heartbreak?

Alice McLean stood by her husband, Larry, when a scandal cost them everything. When he hits the headlines again, Alice has an opportunity to leave – but can she find the strength to finally walk away?

Rory Brookes was forced to turn his back on his parents to save his career and marriage. Now, he’s lost his job and wife on the same day. Is it too late to make amends with the one person who never let him down?

Three days. Four broken hearts. Just one weekend to make them whole again.

My Thoughts: 

The story comes in Val’s first-person POV, and the third-person POV of Sophie, Alice, and Rory. The book follows the same template as the author’s previous works. The story takes place on a weekend when seemingly unrelated characters come together and help each other. 

This one is a little different as the content is more personal to the author. We have a note at the beginning and another at the end to explain certain things. Moreover, we also have a list of main characters with brief descriptions about them. It is quite helpful in tracking who is who. 

The individual POVs of the main characters allow the reader to understand their backstories and actions. Each of them is facing a battle and finds support in different ways. Rory’s POV was really helpful and enhanced the narrative. 

The story is on the heavier side and deals with themes like mourning, grief, parental death, domestic abuse, failed relationships, etc. It can be overwhelming if the reader has faced something similar in real life. However, the pacing is steady and keeps the story moving. 

We know how a book in this genre would end, but I much enjoyed the journey, watching the characters step out of their comfort zones, making tough decisions, and being kind to others. Naturally, you will also find a few lucky coincidences, but that’s done well too. 

There is some infodump, which is okay I don’t need a book to show me everything. The details are enough to get the picture. 

There are references to characters from other books (it is set in the same location and has the same Glasgow Hospital). It won’t affect your reading experience even if you don’t know the characters. 

To Summarize, One Long Weekend is a heartwarming story with warm characters. It can be read in a couple of sittings. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

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Author Bio – Shari Low 

In January 2021, Shari Low celebrated 20 years as a bestselling novelist. In that time, she has published over 25 books, including A Life Without You, The Story Of Our Life, Temptation Street, My One Month Marriage, One Day In Summer, and her non-fiction collection of parenthood memories, Because Mummy Said So.

In late 2020, her first novel, What If? (originally published in 2001) was updated and re-released and became a best seller. In January 2021, the sequel, What Now? was released and joined What If? on the best-seller charts. 

In real life, once upon a time, she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later, she lives near Glasgow with her husband and a labradoodle. Her two teenagers have now left home, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls checking if they're eating well and keeping up to date with their laundry. 

For all the latest news, follow the author on her socials. 

Social Media Links – 

Website: www.sharilow.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharilowbooks

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/sharilow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharilowbooks/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ShariLownews

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shari-low

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This has been a stop on the #OneLongWeekend blog tour conducted by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!

  


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