Portobello Book Blog

I absolutely loved Shari Low’s book One Day In December last year (read my review here) and I was delighted to hear there was to be another in her Winter Day trilogy. I should say straight away that it can totally be read as a standalone novel, with a welcome glimpse of some of the characters from last year’s novel.

Like the previous novel, Another Day in Winter is told from the points of view of several characters and takes place over 24 hours, a day which will change all their lives and bring them together in ways they could never have predicted. Knowing this restricted time scale made it quite a fast paced novel, particularly as the hours ticked by. Shauna and her friend Lulu are in Glasgow for one day only, to enjoy a day’s shopping along with a few cocktails but also to try to find the brother and sister of Shauna’s Granny Annie. She had died a few years previously but Shauna had only recently come across some letters revealing that her Granny had a brother and sister Shauna hadn’t been aware of and hinting at some major family rift.

From the beginning I really connected with Shauna and Lulu and felt their excitement at being in Glasgow for a day’s shopping. It’s just along the road for me but I would experience similar excitement with a day in York or Bath or London. The fact that there was a family mystery to be solved and secrets to be uncovered had me completely hooked! I must make a special mention for their taxi driver John who, although a relatively minor character, added something a little special to the story for me.

Tom is spending as much time as he can with his Grandad George who is the palliative care ward in hospital. His grandfather had cared more for Tom that his own father, who was a rather selfish and self-centred man.

I found the scenes told from the points of view of George and Tom particularly moving having very recently lost my dad. It was comforting to think that George, although not able to respond, was aware of what was happening and who was around him. It was also very touching to know that George, like my dad, was surrounded by love at the end of his life as he had been throughout his life.

Chrissie is a young single mum who lost touch with her son Ben’s dad through a mixture of well-intentioned and not so well-meaning interference. She has been persuaded to go on a date for the first time since Ben was born but her date is not going to turn out at all as she has planned and the day has a lot of surprises in store for her. I did so love her friends Josie and Val who made me laugh a lot. Her dedication to and love for her son was so evident and I somehow felt proud of how she had coped with what life had thrown at her. I was really keen to see her get the happy ending that she deserved.

Shari Low has written another completely absorbing book. I loved all the characters and the way the story moved smoothly from one point of view to another. I was completely caught up in their lives for this one day. Shari Low has a gift for writing about thoughts, feelings and emotions so that you are right there with her characters living each moment with them. She has woven together another enchanting story which is a really uplifting and heart-warming read for any time of year, not just winter.

Another Day in Winter is a book about missed opportunities, secrets, lies and second chances but above all a novel about love. I loved every page and raced through it. Do I really have to wait another year for the last in the trilogy?

My thanks to the publishers Aria for my review copy via Netgalley. Another Day in Winter was published on 2nd October. The kindle edition is an amazing 99p at the time of writing (but please do check before you buy). You can order your copy here: Another Day in Winter

From the back of the book

One day, four lives, and a wintery web of secrets and lies.

On a chilly morning in December forever friends Shauna and Lulu touch down at Glasgow Airport on a quest to find answers from the past.

George knows his time is nearing the end, but is it too late to come to terms with his two greatest regrets?

His grandson Tom uncovers a betrayal that rocks his world as he finally tracks down the one that got away.

And single mum Chrissie is ready to force her love-life out of hibernation, but can anyone compare to the man who broke her heart?

After the success of the No1 best seller ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, comes the second unmissable read in Shari Low’s Winter Day trilogy.

About the author

Shari Low is the No1 best-selling author of over 20 novels, including One Day In December, A Life Without You, The Story Of Our Life, With Or Without You and her latest release, Another Day In Winter. And because she likes to over-share toe-curling moments and hapless disasters, she is also the shameless mother behind a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So.

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, a labradoodle, and two teenagers who think she’s fairly embarrassing except when they need a lift.

For all the latest news, visit her on Facebook, twitter, or at www.sharilow.com