Another great read from Shari Low.
This book draws together a cast of four main characters and links their stories together seamlessly. His is a story of family, love, loss, and sacrifice. This book follows these characters over three days but gives us a glimpse into their lives which leaves the reader feeling fully invested into each character. (Lovers of Shari Low will recognize some familiar characters.)
Good read. Highly recommend especially for fans of Low.

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for my honest review

It took me no time at all to get into the swing of this really gorgeous book. Once again, Shari Low has compiled a wonderful cast of characters, some drawn from previous books, but all incredibly welcome to this delightful story.
Val never fails to bring joy to Shari’s books, but it was a treat to see her return as a central character for this one. Sadly, Val is grieving and clinging to the memories of the special times and people in her life. Fulfilling a promise, she heads to London to visit another couple of familiar faces. After a dreadful taxi ride, she discovers that her collection of special memories is not in her bag.
Sophie is a gentle and lovely character, and she is impossible not to be drawn to. Her arrival in Glasgow is the start of her mission to rediscover her ‘one that got away’. She soon finds herself in the midst of another dreadful taxi ride and fears for her life.
Alice and Rory, mother and son, are estranged because of her husband’s unforgivable behaviour. Alice is determined to walk away from her marriage, but she also wants to repair the damage to her relationship with Rory.
Don’t worry if this is your first book from Shari Low. She soon weaves her magic and draws you into her stories. Names that are familiar to other readers are equally enjoyable when met for the first time. Low excels at creating new characters and mixing them with the more familiar ones. If you are new to her books, you may struggle to spot who’s new and who’s a familiar voice.
The twists and turns of this story kept me gripped, so I read it in a single sitting. I didn't speed read, as I’m scared of missing any details; I just stayed up far too late! It was absolutely worth it, and I’m sure I’ll do it again.

I always enjoy a book from Shari Low. She writes such relatable characters. This story shares the points of view of the four main characters and I loved how, as we learnt more about them, the links between their stories flowed and came to life-reconnecting with Val from previous books was especially nice.
I thought the idea of the instagram stories and podcast to try and track down the precious momentoes for Val was a clever one and gave us the opportunity to see Val, and her family
laughing and remembering together.
With the stories told over just a few days, a long weekend, the story is fast paced and full emotion.

I like the way Shari Low begins her books- with the characters. We know who is who from the onset and it certainly helps make for easier reading.

This is a very emotional story about the power of family, friendship, sacrifice, love, loss and social media.

One Long Weekend is the story of how strangers meet in a way only designed by the universe and lives are intertwined and friendship born.

Even though events in this book take place over three days, there was no denying the emotional roller coaster we were taken on and every twist and turn were dealt with without any loose ends.

I love all of the characters, very relatable, down to earth and they all feel like friends. It was interesting to catch up with old characters from previous books.

If you love emotional reads with relatable characters then you will enjoy this. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

EXCERPT: 'Och bugger, I've lost my hairbrush.'
"I've got one in my bag, if you want to risk potential botulism by diving in there. I'm sure there's a Coronation chicken sandwich from last week lurking in the bottom.'
'I'll take my chances,' I laughed and was about to close my bag when a wrecking ball of realisation slammed into the picture and hit me right in the stomach. Oh, dear God, no.
My eyes searched as my hands frantically began to pull every single thing from the bag. Phone. Purse. Perfume. Lipstick. Electricity bill. I had no idea why that was there, because I was sure I'd paid it. Make-up compact. Boarding pass. Hair bobbles. Don's comb. A plastic spoon I always carried in case little Buddy needed an emergency yoghurt. Assorted tissues. A packet of mints. Some loose change.
No brush.
The wound in my chest burst wide open yet again.
And no little pouch.
My precious rings were gone.

ABOUT 'ONE LONG WEEKEND': When all seems lost, hope remains... Val Murray has mislaid her most precious mementoes 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 McLenn 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: This is a stunning multi-generational drama cum romance. Val pops up regularly in Shari Low's novels, and she is an absolute darling, and a hoot!

There is an author's note at the beginning, talking about how this book came to be and, at the end, another with the outcome of her own experience. Don't skip these. There's also a precis of the characters at the beginning, but the four we need to concern ourselves most with are the four whose points of view narrate the story: Val Murray, mother, grandmother, friend and widow who has a love of caramel wafers; Alice McLenn, a cleaner who is tied to a man she despises and mother of Rory; Rory Brookes McLenn, Alice's son, married to the glamorous Julia, and currently weathering yet another personal storm; and Sophie Smith, a primary school teacher in search of the ex she has never forgotten.

One Long Weekend is a book that had my anxiety levels soaring through the roof. I am paranoid about losing my rings! So I felt every bit of and empathised with Val's panic and stress. After reading this I am going to be even more vigilant!

The bulk of the story takes place over a four-day weekend, so the pacing and emotions are intense. I don't want to say anything more about the plot because there's nothing I can say that isn't going to act as a spoiler. Suffice it to say that this is classic Shari Low fare - it's amusing, entertaining and utterly heart-wrenching as the various characters come together in search of Val's rings. If you haven't read a Shari Low book before, what are you waiting for? - now is a great time to start!

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#OneLongWeekend #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Once upon a time Shari met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.

DISCLSOURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of One Long Weekend by Shari Low for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Another delightful read from Shari Low, who never disappoints. Val Murray returns, this time as one of the main characters in a story that reminds us that things have a way of working out. If you’ve read Shari’s previous books, you’ll love the fact that some of the characters from previous books make a very welcome comeback here. However, this is a fully standalone book, and gives full background info so that you won’t feel like you’ve missed anything if this is the first of this author’s books that you’re reading. (The only thing you’ll have missed is the fab books that came before this, so you’ll want to run and get those!)
I’ve loved all of Shari’s previous books. They all work well as standalones, but the familiarity that comes from recognising characters you’ve met before is like a wonderful, warm and friendly reunion!

The story is very character based and told in alternating chapters from different points of view. There’s the lovely Val, who’s lost some of her previous spark, having suffered some crippling losses in her life … most recently her beloved husband Don. She’s really feeling fragile and in need of a boost, but isn’t sure if she’s ready to leave the stability of the home she shared with Don in Glasgow to travel to her close family in London for that support that she needs.

Sophie is also emerging from the fog of losing her mother, and realising that she really lost out on someone who could have been the man of her dreams. But now she’s feeling ready to face the world again and wonders if she can find her lost love and re-kindle what they once had.

Alice has spent far too many years with a man who she no longer loves – actually she’s not sure if she ever really loved him. She’s stood by him through a terrible time, which has cost her everything: their home, friends and even her only son. But now she’s had enough. She has a plan. Is she strong enough to see it through?

Rory isn’t sure if things can get worse that they are right now. He’s given up so much, and now it’s all come crashing down around him – through absolutely no fault of his own. The only person he needs right now is someone who he hasn’t been able to lean on for a while. Will she be there for him?

But how are these four people connected? Well, I’m not going to give anything away – you’ll have to read the book! The way that Shari Low connects her characters is just gorgeous. It allows us to see that there is a possibility that we’re all somehow connected. We just need to go about things in the right way, and look in the right places. Yes, I know that when you don’t go looking for what you want, it tends to pop up right in front of you when you least expect it, but sometimes we need to do a bit of work to get there, or get those who are in your corner to pitch in when we’re feeling like there’s no hope.

This is a story about connection, family and friends who become like family. It’s unputdownable!

"One Long Weekend" by Shari Low is a heartwarming tale that intricately weaves together the lives of four individuals facing personal struggles. As they navigate love, loss, and second chances over the course of three days, the story beautifully captures the essence of hope, healing, and the enduring power of family and love. With engaging storytelling and relatable characters, Shari Low crafts a poignant narrative that resonates long after the final page.

4 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming!

My Thoughts:

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, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Another amazing emotional and entertaining story from this awesome author!
Instantly I was hooked into the intertwined stories of all the various characters in this book.
Over the course of the long weekend we are introduced to several characters who have some dramatic things occurring to them. With each character I was emotionally invested and desperately wanted to find out what was happening with them. I loved how the chapters were evenly shared out between them, making their stories more suspenseful by doing so.
Val’s story was so heartbreaking and really made you feel for her. It was fantastic to see the level of support that she received.
Sophie was an interesting character too and her own backstory was filled with sadness but her determination to find her lost love was inspiring.
Alice was a character I could identify with and I was willing her on every step of the way.
Rory was another lovely character who was estranged from his mother and was living a difficult life due to his narcissistic father, I so wanted him to be happy and to be back with his devoted mother.
All their stories were tied up together so beautifully and I was incredibly moved by their situations. Such a wonderful book that was heartwarming and exciting to read.

I happened to be reading this book over the recent long weekend which seemed very appropriate as we followed four characters over the course of one eventful weekend. I love Shari Low’s way of writing books from the points of view of several characters in turn. If you have read any of her books before you will be delighted to see some main characters from previous novels pop up in more minor roles in this book. But don’t worry if you haven’t read it, don’t worry as this book is completely standalone.

Val has been a recurring character in many of Shari Low’s books and it was great to see her step into the spotlight in this one. Val has recently lost her beloved husband, Don, and naturally is finding life difficult. When she is persuaded to visit her nieces Carly and Carol in London, in her flustered rush to leave the house, she manages to lose four precious rings.

Sophie is visiting Glasgow to see if she can reconnect with the man who proposed to her two year previously and have a second chance at love. She has plans to revisit the same spot on the same day but fate intervenes to prevent her getting there. Alice’s husband used to be an MP but after a scandal, he is now a taxi driver and she is a cleaner with dreams of leaving him. They are estranged from their son Rory whose life has also fallen apart,

I really enjoyed following the lives of these four characters over the weekend and discovering the connections between their stories. I particularly enjoyed finding out the reasons why Val’s lost rings were so important to her and was desperately hoping she’d get them back. It was so moving to read about how precious they were to her even if they didn’t necessarily have a lot of monetary value. As everyone knows, sentimental value really is priceless. It was good to see social media being used in such a positive way in the search for the rings. Of course, social media does have lots of problems but it can also be a powerful force for good.

A common feature in Shari Low’s books is that women stick together and support each other whether as friends or family, or even sometimes as passing acquaintances. We certainly see that in Val’s part of the story with her nieces Carol and Carly and also hearing about her own friendship with her pal Josie. I must just give a passing mention to lovely nurse Bernadette who featured in One Day in Winter. Although she’s not a main character in this one, she was understanding and a sympathetic ear for Alice. Incidentally, I know that Carly was the main character in the author’s first novel, What If? I haven’t read that one but I really want to now after Carly’s adventures were mentioned

I found this book to be a really fast-paced read that I didn’t want to put down. I was always so eager to find out what would happen next for each character. It was particularly poignant to read in the author’s notes before and at the end of the novel that the main drama in the book was inspired by something which happened to her, and also that Val was inspired by her own lovely grandmothers. One Long Weekend is another fantastic, compelling read from Shari Low, a natural storyteller. She really has a gift for writing about thoughts and emotions so that you feel you are right there experiencing everything along with her characters. I loved it.

Shari Low is one of my favorite contemporary authors. She writes such beautiful characters that are so relatable, and this was all true in this story. I also loved the personal note at the beginning of this book and couldn’t wait to see how it played out. I was a little confused at the beginning of this book while things were getting set up and the characters were getting introduced. For me its hard when a story is broken up in a way such as this one, to really get to know everyone, when I really just want to know what they all mean to each other. Patience has never been my strong suit as anyone who knows me can tell you. But as the story goes on, it becomes clear how things are going to intersect, and it begins to make sense. Once the connections were made clear I was fully invested and on board. The story was lovely, and each character had something to offer.

If you’re looking for a truly beautiful read, then you need to read this book.

Four POVs all impacted by one accident. It’s was both heart wrenching and heart warming. I loved how this one incident brought them together and inspired hope.

So much happens and so much character development over one long weekend. The author does such a good job bringing all the characters to life and making me care about them all. I usually find when there are a lot of characters, some of them become uninteresting. But that wasn’t the case here.

Such a diverse group and they all fit together in this story.

I loved the authors note at both the beginning and continued at the end, that explains how the story came about and the relevance to her.

A really good womens feel good fiction book.

Shari is an author who knows how to pull at your heart strings then seconds later have you chuckling to yourself! Val is quite possibly my favourite character than I have read of Shari’s,you can feel the devastation as Val talks about the loss of her rings and why they mean so much to her. I loved all the characters (bar one, you know which one!) how their stories all intertwine together!

#boldwoodblogtourreview

In this novel, we meet Val (one of our regular favourites), Sophie, Alice and Rory.

The characters of Alice, Rory and Sophie have had to make life-changing decisions which lead them on a specific path.

However Val loses some precious possessions and it is this incident which will lead her on a journey to meet our three other characters, and while these items are lost friends will be found.

As always, I love this author's unique writing style! The way different lives become intertwined and connected so elegantly is a talent in writing I wish I had.

These unique characters are also believable and I like how the chapters alternate switching points of view so we get different thoughts and feelings between each one and see different sides to the narrative.

I felt a different emotion for each character in every chapter, scared for Sophie, heartbreak for Val, determination for Alice and anger for Rory, this truly talented author will bring out a range of emotions in a wonderful narrative with incredible characters. Another novel not to miss.

I also loved the top and tale of this novel where this author gives us an insight into their personal life and how this story came about, and I'm grateful the novel had a different outcome but want to send an apology to the author and truly hope that one day their rings will turn up and they will be reunited.

One Long Weekend is an engaging and moving story, not least because it was inspired by a very unfortunate incident experienced by the author, explained in the notes before and after the story.
Four people with individual lives and problems who don’t know each other are brought together by one person’s misfortune.

Val Murray, despite some reservations, was going to London to spend the weekend with her nieces, Carly and Carol. She wasn’t coping very well since her husband died…the third devastating loss she’d suffered over the years. Unable to motivate herself, she was running late and the taxi was already waiting outside. When Val arrives at her niece’s house she realises her prize possessions that go everywhere with her, memories of those she loved and lost, are missing.

Alice McLenn’s husband had once been a powerful, sought after man but a scandal brought him crashing down and now he’s an obnoxious bully. McLenn’s fall from grace cost Alice her son. She’s had more than enough and has an escape plan. She just needs to squirrel enough money away from her cleaning jobs and she’ll be off.

Sophie Smith was on a mission to find the man whose proposal of marriage she’d turned down two years ago.

Due to his father being in the news again for the wrong reasons, Rory Brookes loses both his job and his wife.

This was a very memorable weekend for all concerned, unfolding in alternating and nicely balanced chapters from each perspective, which keeps up the momentum perfectly. Strangers who, before the weekend, had nothing in common, meet through a string of coincidences, intricacies and a willingness to help each other. Social media plays a big part, in a good way.

The characters are extremely well crafted, all relevant and, apart from one or two, very likeable, their stories touching and intertwined believably, with humour and warmth, and brought to a very satisfying conclusion. Feel good fiction at its best. This is my second book by Shari Low and I’ll definitely be seeking out more.

This was such a heart warming book, I really enjoyed the ups and downs throughout the story.

I loved how everyone became intertwined in the same story In search of the missing rings.

There was some unexpected relationship building and some coming together after having been through a lot.

I particularly loved the relationship between Val and her Niece, it was a really beautiful relationship.

May 6th: As always in Shari’s novels, female friendship and women supporting women are core themes. Which relationships did you enjoy or connect with most?
May 6th: Val is a recurring character in many of Shari’s books. Shari has said that Val was inspired by her late grandmothers, and writing Val is the author’s way of honouring those women and the others of that generation. Which of the characters would you like to see again in a future novel and why?

I found a strong connection with the portrayal of female friendships in Shari's novels, especially with Alice's relationships. Val, a character inspired by Shari's grandmothers, adds depth to the stories. I hope to see more of these characters in future novels. #SharisNovels #FemaleFriendship #WomenSupportingWomen #CharacterDevelopment #FutureNovels

Review
I thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with all four characters in this book and found myself unable to put it down during this long weekend. The story revolves around Alice, Rory, Val, and Sophie. What really stood out to me was the common thread that ties them all together - Val's unfortunate loss of her rings, which sets off a chain of events leading to a deep connection among them. The multiple points of view offered in the narrative allow readers to empathize with each character in unique ways. I particularly loved the dynamic between Val, Carly, and Carol, as well as the positive portrayal of social media and its helpful impact. Overall, this novel is a heartwarming and uplifting read that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

#uplifting #onelongweekend #SharisNovels #FemaleFriendship #WomenSupportingWomen #CharacterDevelopment #FutureNovels #boldwoodbooks

Shari Low always manages to craft a story that weaves wonderful characters and engaging storylines that all intertwine seamlessly. I always look forward to her books and this was no exception.
Four people-Val, Rory, Alice and Sophie-four very difficult situations in their lives-missing valuables, broken marriage, lost love and public humiliation are all on the cards in this story for these characters and yet the author manages to make you want to be friends with all of them.
Set mainly is Glasgow and taking place, you guessed it, over the span of three days, this is yet another great heart wrenching read by Ms Low. The closeness of the friends, the devastation of losing precious valuables, the good side of social media and idea of never giving up hope. This book was roughly based on an even in the authors life and it was a pleasure for me to read. Definitely recommend this and all the other books in her “One” series.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Shari Low books are incredibly special! It happens nearly every time, when I am reading a Shari Low book and someone asks me what I am reading, I get so excited that I end up giving them a full recap of the story or at least as far as I have gotten and why the book is so amazing and basically why I need to stop telling them about it and just go back to reading it. It happened with this book too and of course I sent my friend all the links for buying this book as soon as I was done telling her about it. I can't wait to spread the word!

One Long Weekend is really just that, one long weekend where we mainly follow Val's story, she tells her's in first person, but it is also Sophie's story and Alice and her son Rory, but slightly less so, so those are told in third person. Val is a BIG character. I have met her many times before and always thought she was larger than life, but her light seems to have been dimmed since losing her husband. I still loved her and wished I had a Val in my life. She has such big heart and can easily make others laugh, even now, she is still a joy to be around. Both Sophie and Rory were sweet characters so it was easy to care about them and root for them. I loved how Val, Carol & Carly welcomed Sophie into their fold and later also Alice. I definitely went through all sorts of emotions reading this book and stayed up way past my bedtime.

A wonderful story with the normal mixture of characters all individually personalized and interesting. Some of the characters have appeared in previous books but thet can all be read as standalone. Personally I have loved following their lives through the different novels.
Laughter, tears, love and friendship are all the ingredients that this talented author puts into her books. One of my favourite contemporary authors of this genre. Always feel like I have travelled the journey with them.
Highly recommended read. I cannot wait to read her next book.
Please make sure you read the note from author at start and end of the book. It’s what inspired Shari Low to write this wonderful book and which I really liked.