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The Only Way Is Up
WHEN LIFE HAS YOU DOWN ON LOVE, SURELY THE ONLY WAY IS UP . . . ?
__________________________
Twenty-five years in showbiz is a good run, right? Because after tonight, when her small (read: huge) wardrobe malfunction was broadcast to the nation's living rooms, Daisy's time in the spotlight might be over.
It's all about damage control now, and Daisy needs an escape route. Fast. Especially when her sporting hero boyfriend publicly announces their engagement - the one she hasn't actually agreed to tell the world about.
All she needs is space from prying eyes and time for the press to get bored and move on. But the only place she can run to at such short notice is the Cotswolds cottage she used to own with her ex-husband. Not ideal, but at least it's in the middle of nowhere and close to her teenage daughter.
Seems like a perfect plan, apart from the person selling stories to the tabloids about her and Tom, the local headmaster.
But that's just a rumour, right?
The perfect uplifting and feel-good romantic comedy that will have you snorting with laughter. If you love Sophie Ranald, Catherine Walsh, and Mhairi Macfarlane, you won't want to miss this!
__________________________
Twenty-five years in showbiz is a good run, right? Because after tonight, when her small (read: huge) wardrobe malfunction was broadcast to the nation's living rooms, Daisy's time in the spotlight might be over.
It's all about damage control now, and Daisy needs an escape route. Fast. Especially when her sporting hero boyfriend publicly announces their engagement - the one she hasn't actually agreed to tell the world about.
All she needs is space from prying eyes and time for the press to get bored and move on. But the only place she can run to at such short notice is the Cotswolds cottage she used to own with her ex-husband. Not ideal, but at least it's in the middle of nowhere and close to her teenage daughter.
Seems like a perfect plan, apart from the person selling stories to the tabloids about her and Tom, the local headmaster.
But that's just a rumour, right?
The perfect uplifting and feel-good romantic comedy that will have you snorting with laughter. If you love Sophie Ranald, Catherine Walsh, and Mhairi Macfarlane, you won't want to miss this!
352 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2023
5 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 21, 2022
This was an entertaining read. The chaos that an accidental wardrobe malfunction causes is widespread, but I thought Daisy handled it fairly well. Even though I thought Daisy & Tom were great as a couple, this book didn’t really feel like a romance book. It felt more like women’s fiction, and the focus was more on the characters, especially Daisy, finding themselves & bettering their lives. I found the side characters interesting, and enjoyed reading about what they were up to, which usually provided a laugh. However, it also was a little bland & predictable, and this stopped me from fully connecting with the story & the characters.
Thanks to Headline & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Headline & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2022
The Only Way Is Up is about Daisy who endures a wardrobe malfunction and flashes her bits at an awards show and follows her life in the months afterwards as she tries to escape the media attention.
Things I did like:
- Light hearted and easy to read
- Atmospheric descriptions of English countryside / village life
- Full cast of side characters who were entertaining
Things I didn’t connect with:
- Didn’t feel connected to the MC so wasn’t invested in the outcome of her story
- Felt long winded and didn’t really go anywhere
- Not really a romance book, felt more like women’s fiction
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for my advanced copy.
2.5 stars rounded up
Things I did like:
- Light hearted and easy to read
- Atmospheric descriptions of English countryside / village life
- Full cast of side characters who were entertaining
Things I didn’t connect with:
- Didn’t feel connected to the MC so wasn’t invested in the outcome of her story
- Felt long winded and didn’t really go anywhere
- Not really a romance book, felt more like women’s fiction
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for my advanced copy.
2.5 stars rounded up
September 30, 2024
My second book by Heidi Stephens and another 5 starer just like her first book I read!
When the nations darling, Daisy Crawford, a much loved presenter of Spotlight, the biggest talent show on TV, and fiancée to Christian Walker, a former professional tennis player, suffers a very embarrassing mishap with her dress at the NTA’s, showing much more of herself than what is decent, she needs to keep a low profile and so escapes to her ex- husbands cottage in Shipton Combe in the Cotswolds. It’s the perfect place for Daisy to hole up and let the news of her bearing all die down. What Daisy didn’t expect was to fall in love with the little rural village of Shipton Combe and get such a warm welcome from all the locals, bar one, Tom, the grumpy local school headmaster. Daisy soon makes friends with many of the locals once they see that she is as down to earth in real life as she is when she is on their televisions. She eventually finds out the heartbreaking reason why Tom seems to dislike her so much from one of the locals and it suddenly makes a lot of sense. However, in such a small village and having the same friends neither Tom or Daisy can keep away from each other and Tom’s dislike soon starts to wan. Daisy finds herself getting involved with a lot of the village’s events and starts to question her glamourised television prior life, to the fulfilling and gentle way of village life, and equally her engagement to Christian, who she finds out has been sleeping around behind her back. Daisy has difficult decisions to make, not only about Shipton Combe and Christian, but also about Tom, the grumpy headmaster who isn’t so grumpy after all. Will Shipton Combe and Tom manage to keep Daisy permanently or once the furore of “The Incident” has died down, will she go straight back to her old television life in London with Christians engagement ring still on her finger?!
Another brilliant 5 star read from the very talented Heidi Stephens! I adored Daisy from the very first page and felt that the way she conducted herself after “The Incident” was so very admirable, she was such an amazingly strong lady especially with the double blow of finding out Christian had been cheating on her as well. I laughed out loud at about 14% into the story and by 22% I was in the territory of “just one more chapter” when life was getting in the way of my reading! I also really liked the characters of Katie (Daisy’s manager) and also Justin, he was such a funny character! Nearing the end of the book one of the characters had been feeding stories about Daisy to the press and I really was so involved with the story I didn’t want to find out who the “mole” was as I liked all the characters. Thankfully once Daisy found out who it was and why they did it, she found it easy to forgive the person in question. Honestly, I didn’t want to finish this book so found myself reading a lot slower than normal as I got near the end, I just wanted to stay in Shipton Combe forever! I really don’t know how Heidi Stephens does it, but I always feel so good when I am reading her books, and they are the perfect escape from real life.
Overall, another smashing rom com book from Heidi Stephens and a really worthy rating of 5 stars. I can’t wait to read another book by her. Highly, highly recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Heidi Stephens and Headline Publishing Group for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
When the nations darling, Daisy Crawford, a much loved presenter of Spotlight, the biggest talent show on TV, and fiancée to Christian Walker, a former professional tennis player, suffers a very embarrassing mishap with her dress at the NTA’s, showing much more of herself than what is decent, she needs to keep a low profile and so escapes to her ex- husbands cottage in Shipton Combe in the Cotswolds. It’s the perfect place for Daisy to hole up and let the news of her bearing all die down. What Daisy didn’t expect was to fall in love with the little rural village of Shipton Combe and get such a warm welcome from all the locals, bar one, Tom, the grumpy local school headmaster. Daisy soon makes friends with many of the locals once they see that she is as down to earth in real life as she is when she is on their televisions. She eventually finds out the heartbreaking reason why Tom seems to dislike her so much from one of the locals and it suddenly makes a lot of sense. However, in such a small village and having the same friends neither Tom or Daisy can keep away from each other and Tom’s dislike soon starts to wan. Daisy finds herself getting involved with a lot of the village’s events and starts to question her glamourised television prior life, to the fulfilling and gentle way of village life, and equally her engagement to Christian, who she finds out has been sleeping around behind her back. Daisy has difficult decisions to make, not only about Shipton Combe and Christian, but also about Tom, the grumpy headmaster who isn’t so grumpy after all. Will Shipton Combe and Tom manage to keep Daisy permanently or once the furore of “The Incident” has died down, will she go straight back to her old television life in London with Christians engagement ring still on her finger?!
Another brilliant 5 star read from the very talented Heidi Stephens! I adored Daisy from the very first page and felt that the way she conducted herself after “The Incident” was so very admirable, she was such an amazingly strong lady especially with the double blow of finding out Christian had been cheating on her as well. I laughed out loud at about 14% into the story and by 22% I was in the territory of “just one more chapter” when life was getting in the way of my reading! I also really liked the characters of Katie (Daisy’s manager) and also Justin, he was such a funny character! Nearing the end of the book one of the characters had been feeding stories about Daisy to the press and I really was so involved with the story I didn’t want to find out who the “mole” was as I liked all the characters. Thankfully once Daisy found out who it was and why they did it, she found it easy to forgive the person in question. Honestly, I didn’t want to finish this book so found myself reading a lot slower than normal as I got near the end, I just wanted to stay in Shipton Combe forever! I really don’t know how Heidi Stephens does it, but I always feel so good when I am reading her books, and they are the perfect escape from real life.
Overall, another smashing rom com book from Heidi Stephens and a really worthy rating of 5 stars. I can’t wait to read another book by her. Highly, highly recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Heidi Stephens and Headline Publishing Group for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
October 5, 2022
The Only Way is Up
7.0⭐️
Tropes | Small Town, Celebrity & the Commoner
Heat Level | 🌤 , closed door
______________
London-based TV Celebrity Daisy seems to have it all – accolades from the public, a loving daughter, and a younger tennis star fiancé. But when her private life (and literal privates) are exposed to the world she flees to the Cotswolds for some soul searching.
____________
We Americans tend to say we’re either going for a walk, implying somewhat aimless wandering, or a hike which has a specific Point A to B trajectory. Over in the U.K., they add in “rambling” – taking a sojourn through gentler terrain – which falls somewhere in the middle.
In the US, we also tend to make novels in similar fashion. “Walks” are dialogue-heavy, exposition-light leisure reads. A love story plus fun things to distract along the way. At the other end, are the “hikes.” The love story is paramount, massive obstacles must be surmounted, and by the time we get the HEA everybody is exhausted but triumphant.
The Only Way Is Up is a bit of a ramble. Which is not a slight to this book, as I appreciate a good ramble now and then. But the flow here seems to be a common structural difference in many UK-based contemporary romances vs their American counterparts.
Tom and Daisy falling in love is not the central story. Daisy’s personal journey with her mother, daughter, ex-husband, new friends, fiancé, fans and enemies are all the core of this story before the couple. Go in expecting a lot of side characters doing random stuff and it’s a more satisfying read.
If you look for Tom and Daisy to have much on-page time together, you will be disappointed. Their physical interactions are negligible and only account for less than 10% of the book. Alone time can be tallied on one hand. This makes the love story portion feel rather unrealistic.
Tom comes across as sweet, but flat. We wonder just how well Daisy really knows the handsome headmaster and why she would fall for him so quickly. However, we know almost too much about the sex drive of Christian the ex-fiancé. In the real world, Tom would have an uphill climb to not become just a nice guy rebound after time spent with the rake about town.
For me to recommend this as a contemporary romance, a lot of editing would need to happen to make it more of a hike or a walk with a love story at the core. But if you are looking for a novel about a woman on a life journey, then this exists as a very nice, enjoyable ramble.
____________
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Accent for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication March 28th, 2023
7.0⭐️
Tropes | Small Town, Celebrity & the Commoner
Heat Level | 🌤 , closed door
______________
London-based TV Celebrity Daisy seems to have it all – accolades from the public, a loving daughter, and a younger tennis star fiancé. But when her private life (and literal privates) are exposed to the world she flees to the Cotswolds for some soul searching.
____________
We Americans tend to say we’re either going for a walk, implying somewhat aimless wandering, or a hike which has a specific Point A to B trajectory. Over in the U.K., they add in “rambling” – taking a sojourn through gentler terrain – which falls somewhere in the middle.
In the US, we also tend to make novels in similar fashion. “Walks” are dialogue-heavy, exposition-light leisure reads. A love story plus fun things to distract along the way. At the other end, are the “hikes.” The love story is paramount, massive obstacles must be surmounted, and by the time we get the HEA everybody is exhausted but triumphant.
The Only Way Is Up is a bit of a ramble. Which is not a slight to this book, as I appreciate a good ramble now and then. But the flow here seems to be a common structural difference in many UK-based contemporary romances vs their American counterparts.
Tom and Daisy falling in love is not the central story. Daisy’s personal journey with her mother, daughter, ex-husband, new friends, fiancé, fans and enemies are all the core of this story before the couple. Go in expecting a lot of side characters doing random stuff and it’s a more satisfying read.
If you look for Tom and Daisy to have much on-page time together, you will be disappointed. Their physical interactions are negligible and only account for less than 10% of the book. Alone time can be tallied on one hand. This makes the love story portion feel rather unrealistic.
Tom comes across as sweet, but flat. We wonder just how well Daisy really knows the handsome headmaster and why she would fall for him so quickly. However, we know almost too much about the sex drive of Christian the ex-fiancé. In the real world, Tom would have an uphill climb to not become just a nice guy rebound after time spent with the rake about town.
For me to recommend this as a contemporary romance, a lot of editing would need to happen to make it more of a hike or a walk with a love story at the core. But if you are looking for a novel about a woman on a life journey, then this exists as a very nice, enjoyable ramble.
____________
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Accent for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication March 28th, 2023
September 29, 2022
This book was both interesting and engaging. This is a wonderful book set in England, with a nod to Americans when the author uses “miles” instead of “kilometers” to describe distances. Daisy is a well-known British tv personality who is approaching her 40th birthday. After an embarrassing event at an awards show, she decides to go to her ex-husband’s cottage in the Cotswolds to work on a cookbook until publicity dies down. Her ex’s cottage is near their 15-yr old daughter’s school, so Daisy can also spend time with her daughter. The ex-tennis pro she has been dating unilaterally announces their engagement but is starting to appear in gossip columns. With the help of her team back in London, Daisy has to evaluate that relationship. Meanwhile, she gets to know her new neighbors. Sparks fly between Daisy and Tom, a widower and the headmaster of the local small, struggling school. Daisy also meets an outspoken former tv chef who is staying in a nearby cottage and unhappily working on a natural-foods cookbook, the village’s vicar who is trying to raise funds for an urgent renovation of the vestry, and a disgraced M.P., his brow-beaten wife and their shy, intelligent teenage son (who starts a sweet romance with her daughter). At the same time, Daisy’s complicated Mother arrives at the local inn and someone in the village appears to be leaking gossip about her to the press. While this book includes a romance and some heat, it may be more accurately labeled as women’s literature. It’s very satisfying when Daisy and many of the other characters find their HEAs. I loved this story and am happy to recommend it highly! I received an advance copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 25, 2023
This book felt a bit blergh to me. It was okay, nothing to write home about (but I also didn't hate it).
I liked some parts of this book very much:
I liked that Daisy was older than the usual female main character in romance novels. This book didn't only center around the romance between her and Tom, but also made a point of showing how Daisy struggled with her identity and used the time in the Cotswolds to "find herself". The author managed to write the relationships between Daisy and her mum, Stella, and between Daisy and her daughter, Ruby, really well. Daisy seemed to be a bit overbearing with her daughter, which made me cringe, but which is probably realistic, so I'll give Heidi Stephens that.
On the other hand, there were parts of the books I disliked:
There was a mole in Daisy's inner circle and I felt like her reaction to it was unrealistic. The author tried to get us to sympathize with the mole's motivations (and thus with the mole), but the motivation was not a good and relatable one. This particular part of the plot felt unfinished to me for that reason. . The information on Christian's sex drive was a bit much (and I expected the book to be much spicier, because of how central it was) and the fact that Tom's
I liked some parts of this book very much:
I liked that Daisy was older than the usual female main character in romance novels. This book didn't only center around the romance between her and Tom, but also made a point of showing how Daisy struggled with her identity and used the time in the Cotswolds to "find herself". The author managed to write the relationships between Daisy and her mum, Stella, and between Daisy and her daughter, Ruby, really well. Daisy seemed to be a bit overbearing with her daughter, which made me cringe, but which is probably realistic, so I'll give Heidi Stephens that.
On the other hand, there were parts of the books I disliked:
There was a mole in Daisy's inner circle and I felt like her reaction to it was unrealistic. The author tried to get us to sympathize with the mole's motivations (and thus with the mole), but the motivation was not a good and relatable one. This particular part of the plot felt unfinished to me for that reason. . The information on Christian's sex drive was a bit much (and I expected the book to be much spicier, because of how central it was) and the fact that Tom's
November 25, 2022
HEIDI STEPHENS: THE ONLY WAY IS UP.
Daisy has had a successful twenty five year tv career. Then she suffers a mortifying and very public wardrobe malfunction.
Hoping to let things die down, Daisy heads off to a small Cotswold village, where she plans to do some writing while she lies low.
Life takes some unexpected turns for Daisy and she still has many hurdles to clear. However her retreat from the limelight may be just what Daisy needs, and she may even find her happy ever after while she’s at it.
I adored this book. Daisy is a likeable main character, who I was rooting for from the start.
Tom is a man with a heartbreaking past and he deserved nothing less than a happily ever after.
The other characters in the story are a fabulous mix of colourful souls.
TheOnlyWayIsUp skips along at a good pace and kept me interested and turning those pages.
There is a very sweet love story at the heart of this book, but it is not the main focus of the story. There is so much more going on in this fun read.
I loved how inclusive this book is, without making a song and dance about it. Just the way things should be.
HeidiStephens writes beautifully. The words flow effortlessly between the pages.
If you’d like to read a light hearted, feel good story that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart, you won’t go far wrong with this charming and delightful tale.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daisy has had a successful twenty five year tv career. Then she suffers a mortifying and very public wardrobe malfunction.
Hoping to let things die down, Daisy heads off to a small Cotswold village, where she plans to do some writing while she lies low.
Life takes some unexpected turns for Daisy and she still has many hurdles to clear. However her retreat from the limelight may be just what Daisy needs, and she may even find her happy ever after while she’s at it.
I adored this book. Daisy is a likeable main character, who I was rooting for from the start.
Tom is a man with a heartbreaking past and he deserved nothing less than a happily ever after.
The other characters in the story are a fabulous mix of colourful souls.
TheOnlyWayIsUp skips along at a good pace and kept me interested and turning those pages.
There is a very sweet love story at the heart of this book, but it is not the main focus of the story. There is so much more going on in this fun read.
I loved how inclusive this book is, without making a song and dance about it. Just the way things should be.
HeidiStephens writes beautifully. The words flow effortlessly between the pages.
If you’d like to read a light hearted, feel good story that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart, you won’t go far wrong with this charming and delightful tale.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 16, 2022
3.5 stars (rounded up on a 5-star scale)!
"The Only Way is Up" by Heidi Stephens is a light, fluffy rom-com about finding what truly makes you happy in the least likely place. I adored most of the characters in this book, especially the main character Daisy, a television star who sees herself retreating to a small community in the Cotswolds to cool down and lay low after an unfortunate scandal befalls her. As I was reading, I could *totally* see Hannah Waddingham playing Daisy in my mind! She is such a great character with a terrific character arc. I also loved Daisy's maybe-possibly love interest Tom, the sweetest, ooiest-gooiest cinnamon roll hero you ever did see, and her lovable but slightly snarky daughter Ruby. As much as I hated Christian, Daisy's smarmy, sex-obsessed boyfriend, Stephens writes him so well that I just really liked to hate him. One minor critique is that there are quite a few secondary characters, and my brain's wires kept getting some of them mixed up over time. Overall, this is a detailed, mostly fun, well-written-but-slightly-overlong, sweet story with some good banter.
Thank you to NetGalley, Heidi Stephens, and Headline/Headline Accent for providing me with an ARC copy of this book! All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for my review.
"The Only Way is Up" by Heidi Stephens is a light, fluffy rom-com about finding what truly makes you happy in the least likely place. I adored most of the characters in this book, especially the main character Daisy, a television star who sees herself retreating to a small community in the Cotswolds to cool down and lay low after an unfortunate scandal befalls her. As I was reading, I could *totally* see Hannah Waddingham playing Daisy in my mind! She is such a great character with a terrific character arc. I also loved Daisy's maybe-possibly love interest Tom, the sweetest, ooiest-gooiest cinnamon roll hero you ever did see, and her lovable but slightly snarky daughter Ruby. As much as I hated Christian, Daisy's smarmy, sex-obsessed boyfriend, Stephens writes him so well that I just really liked to hate him. One minor critique is that there are quite a few secondary characters, and my brain's wires kept getting some of them mixed up over time. Overall, this is a detailed, mostly fun, well-written-but-slightly-overlong, sweet story with some good banter.
Thank you to NetGalley, Heidi Stephens, and Headline/Headline Accent for providing me with an ARC copy of this book! All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for my review.
September 28, 2022
This author was new to me, but not any more! I really enjoyed this story, and it's creativity!
Daisy is easy to relate to, connect with, and I certainly empathized with her struggles.
I wanted her to handle situations with a little more of a backbone, but overall, I liked her character.
Tom has a heartbreaking back story that made me want the best for his character.
He is designed to be the nice guy we fall in love with, and that's exactly what happened.
I didn't find the main characters super funny. Sweet, likeable, kind? Yes. But the supporting characters were (to me) where the laughs happened.
While there aren't steamy scenes here, the connection between Tom and Daisy is sweet. The "Happy ever after" for these two was exactly what I wanted.
This read kept me engaged throughout, and I finished it timely. It is easy to read, once engrossed in the language and setting. I would absolutely recommend this read, and thank Netgalley for my free ARC. I voluntarily leave my review.
Daisy is easy to relate to, connect with, and I certainly empathized with her struggles.
I wanted her to handle situations with a little more of a backbone, but overall, I liked her character.
Tom has a heartbreaking back story that made me want the best for his character.
He is designed to be the nice guy we fall in love with, and that's exactly what happened.
I didn't find the main characters super funny. Sweet, likeable, kind? Yes. But the supporting characters were (to me) where the laughs happened.
While there aren't steamy scenes here, the connection between Tom and Daisy is sweet. The "Happy ever after" for these two was exactly what I wanted.
This read kept me engaged throughout, and I finished it timely. It is easy to read, once engrossed in the language and setting. I would absolutely recommend this read, and thank Netgalley for my free ARC. I voluntarily leave my review.
October 2, 2022
This is a five-star read that will make you smile even on the days where there doesn’t seem to be anything to smile about. Its like sunshine in written form, but the sunshine that comes through on a rainy, grey day, the one that surprises you and shows you even when its dark there can still be a light humour to life. Daisy just kept me hooked all the way through, as she held her head high, despite everything, I adored her relationship with her daughter and also with her mother, even after the challenges they faced. I love how Daisy treats Ruby like an equal, that’s something I think lots of people with teenagers could do with a hint of, but it was also the interactions with everyone that made me smile and just warmed me from the inside. The skiing walk back just made me chuckle, and the way it was all handled was well done, I really enjoyed this story and am so excited to see what we will get from this author next as they just have a lovely way with words that I simply adore.
November 6, 2022
Wow, wow, wow. I loved this story and the characters in it. It was so interesting reading about media and how the news/internet etc can completely ruin people’s who are in the public eyes lives and the way they navigate the world or speak their full truth about what’s behind the photo. I also absolutely loved the grumpy x sunshine trope between Tom and Daisy, they were both so fun to read when they got past the initial meet and Tom’s poor love history with his wife. This book was fun, laugh out loud and so wholesome. Seeing a healthy relationship between mother and daughter, lots of LGBTQ+ community representation too. I loved that the author didn’t make a huge point of having the gay romances in the story, they were just there and I loved that it was the most natural timing in the world.
Big fan of the main characters, Daisy’s world, and even Stella grew on me!
I wish I could have more but know if don’t need it, however I wouldn’t be opposed to any future short stories!
Big fan of the main characters, Daisy’s world, and even Stella grew on me!
I wish I could have more but know if don’t need it, however I wouldn’t be opposed to any future short stories!
September 30, 2022
After a wardrobe malfunction sends her career and reputation into a spiral, Daisy Crawford decides it’s best to take a break off the grid. She decides to spend some time at her ex-husband‘s cottage in a small village that just so happens to be close to her daughter’s school. What was meant to be a break to let the bad publicity die down, turns into so much more… And not just for Daisy.
This is the first book I’ve read by Heidi Stephens, and I enjoyed it so much. I’m a huge fan of second chance love and this was a great story. There were so many lovable characters, and I enjoyed seeing so much growth and happily ever after‘s.
This book is a light hearted, warm read and it’s perfect for a rainy day when you’re in the mood for a wholesome happily ever after.
Thank you to Headline and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book for an honest review.I
This is the first book I’ve read by Heidi Stephens, and I enjoyed it so much. I’m a huge fan of second chance love and this was a great story. There were so many lovable characters, and I enjoyed seeing so much growth and happily ever after‘s.
This book is a light hearted, warm read and it’s perfect for a rainy day when you’re in the mood for a wholesome happily ever after.
Thank you to Headline and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book for an honest review.I
October 7, 2022
This was my first read of Heidi's but I will confidently say this definitely won't be my last! In The Only Way is Up, we meet Daisy a celeb, who's life has epically gone to chaos and decides she needs to retreat away from the spotlight to the countryside. The first trope of this book was small town, countryside vibes which were really sweet and reminded me a lot of going out to the cottage during the summer to hang out.
This story featured lighthearted cuteness, easy story line, and a budding romance that was sweet and not the complete focus of the entire book. It was really nice as a reader to see everything else that changes in Daisy's life, aside from meeting and falling in love with Tom. As readers we see her character grow and become a better person overall.
Definitely a fun and easy read!
Thank you NetGalley and Headlines for providing me with an ARC of this novel.
This story featured lighthearted cuteness, easy story line, and a budding romance that was sweet and not the complete focus of the entire book. It was really nice as a reader to see everything else that changes in Daisy's life, aside from meeting and falling in love with Tom. As readers we see her character grow and become a better person overall.
Definitely a fun and easy read!
Thank you NetGalley and Headlines for providing me with an ARC of this novel.
November 24, 2022
The blurb for this sounded really interesting and I went in with high expectations. It did feel current and I liked Daisy and the dynamics she had with her friends and her daughter. However I felt like it was far too long, by the 50% mark I was bored with everyone and just wanted to get to the conclusion. It also felt like it became less about Daisy and Tom and more just about Daisy deciding what she wanted out of life, which is fine but it doesn’t feel like a romance. I also don’t think that Tom’s POV gave that much to the story, honestly. Disappointing in the end.
November 25, 2022
The Only Way is Up was a refreshing read! I loved getting Daisy & Tom’s perspectives throughout the book. It was refreshing to read a story about two grown adults who have both been through quite a bit in their lives (divorce, loss, parenthood, etc.) and yet were both still open to change, friendship, and love. The side characters in this book were all completely captivating - Ruby & Will, Stella, Justin, Melanie (who might have been my favorite in the whole book!) – so much so that I would read their stories if they were written in the future! The romance between Daisy & Tom is not the primary storyline but it is woven seamlessly throughout the book in a way that feels realistic. Read this book if you enjoy celebrity-meets-local romance, small towns, a fun cast of characters, and a feel good book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Only Way Is Up by Heidi Stephens. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this ARC.
So, there are several tropes I don't like in romance books. Insta love that has no basis for the emotions that suddenly exist and doppelganger romances. This book throws both into the narrative, and they do not work for me. I liked the initial setup of the accidental exposure moment that caused our heroine to avoid the spotlight. Even the cheating ex and the breakup plot points were not bad. But once we got to our OTP (one true pairing) their actions stopped making sense. Even if you take the fact that his dead wife looked very similar to the leading lady, they just don't work. I give The Only Way is Up 2/5 stars. The plot might work for others, but it is a no go for me.
So, there are several tropes I don't like in romance books. Insta love that has no basis for the emotions that suddenly exist and doppelganger romances. This book throws both into the narrative, and they do not work for me. I liked the initial setup of the accidental exposure moment that caused our heroine to avoid the spotlight. Even the cheating ex and the breakup plot points were not bad. But once we got to our OTP (one true pairing) their actions stopped making sense. Even if you take the fact that his dead wife looked very similar to the leading lady, they just don't work. I give The Only Way is Up 2/5 stars. The plot might work for others, but it is a no go for me.
September 28, 2022
After years in the spotlight and one embarrassing moment Daisy needs to get away. She moves to the country side to lay low and try and figure out where she wants her life to go from here. Of course there are obstacles including her fiancée being caught in a scandal, her mother dropping in and not leaving, a disgraced chef next door living off the land, and a handsome headmaster at the local school. I enjoyed this book was a quick read and entertaining. I liked the main characters but found myself enjoying the side characters more. I would definitely read other book by Heidi Stephens in the future. I want to thank NetGalley and Headline for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2022
A fun read about fame, family and deciding what you want from life.
Daisy is nearing 40 and has been in showbusiness for 25 years, she manages well with the fame side and is loved by all, until she goes A over T and ends up flashing her bits at a TV awards show.
Daisy runs away to a small village and finds a community that's makes her change her mind about the way she lives.
I enjoyed this one, I loved Daisy as a character and the interactions she has with others as well as the main storyline. It did feel slightly long in places, but it just meant I could spend longer in the village with the crazy characters.
Daisy is nearing 40 and has been in showbusiness for 25 years, she manages well with the fame side and is loved by all, until she goes A over T and ends up flashing her bits at a TV awards show.
Daisy runs away to a small village and finds a community that's makes her change her mind about the way she lives.
I enjoyed this one, I loved Daisy as a character and the interactions she has with others as well as the main storyline. It did feel slightly long in places, but it just meant I could spend longer in the village with the crazy characters.
October 4, 2022
LOVED this book! Such a sweet and heartwarming read! Daisy and Tom were such likable and relatable. I loved their chemistry and was rooting for them the entire time! This was a quick and easy read that I couldn’t put down! This is my second book from Heidi Stephens and I really enjoy her writing style. I definitely look forward to reading more from her!
📘: The Only Way Is Up by Heidi Stephens
🗓 Pub Date: November 24, 2022
Thank you NetGalley, Heidi Stephens, and Headline for this ARC!
*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads. Will review on retail once published!
📘: The Only Way Is Up by Heidi Stephens
🗓 Pub Date: November 24, 2022
Thank you NetGalley, Heidi Stephens, and Headline for this ARC!
*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads. Will review on retail once published!
November 23, 2022
What a great first chapter! It really introduced us to Daisy and her life. This book was such a romcom, a feel good. It explored the highs and lows of fame, and the way of life in small tight-knit communities. It was such a heart-warming reading.
I'll also be posting the review of this on my Instagram account at @blondesbooknook as well as partaking in the book tour being hosted by Headline publishing.
Many thanks to NetGalley for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my opinion.
I'll also be posting the review of this on my Instagram account at @blondesbooknook as well as partaking in the book tour being hosted by Headline publishing.
Many thanks to NetGalley for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my opinion.
December 11, 2022
The Only Way is Up is a sweet and light hearted read. There are several funny, charming characters throughout. I specifically enjoyed the thorough character development of Daisy, Tom and Stella.
Daisy and Tom’s relationship is the perfect example of slow burn. I was disappointed that we didn’t get more towards the end when they finally established a relationship, or a more in-depth glimpse into their future together.
Overall, this was an interesting read and I absolutely adored the characters throughout.
November 8, 2022
Well, what an explosive start with this read! Poor Daisy!
Loved the ensemble cast from this too from her fabulous teenage daughter Ruby, a few people you distrust as stories get leaked to the press. Shows fame in a slightly different way.
Whilst we get a glimpse of romance, I would have liked a tad more reading time of Tom and Daisy together. But I really do love Daisy and how she copes with more and more being thrown at her.
Women's fiction at its very best.
Loved the ensemble cast from this too from her fabulous teenage daughter Ruby, a few people you distrust as stories get leaked to the press. Shows fame in a slightly different way.
Whilst we get a glimpse of romance, I would have liked a tad more reading time of Tom and Daisy together. But I really do love Daisy and how she copes with more and more being thrown at her.
Women's fiction at its very best.
November 28, 2022
A bit more women's fiction than romance because we follow mainly Daisy but with a village of characters and her not really connecting to anyone until later rather than sooner, or so it feels.
I like Daisy and the fact that she's nearly 40 years old. I like how she's generous with forgiveness and even at her age, a bit naive. She's no fool and gets to say her piece rather than revenge in certain schemes.
Nice characters, nice village.
I like Daisy and the fact that she's nearly 40 years old. I like how she's generous with forgiveness and even at her age, a bit naive. She's no fool and gets to say her piece rather than revenge in certain schemes.
Nice characters, nice village.
July 3, 2023
I mostly loved this, but I couldn't understand the reasoning for Daisy resembling Tom's late wife. It felt like an extra unnecessary "stumbling block" to their eventual HEA.
As always I adored the supporting cast.
As always I adored the supporting cast.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2023
Wonderful romantic book
May 8, 2024
Oh I loved this much more than I thought I would. Really enjoyed reading how daisy re found herself after being on TV for 25 years, in the last place she would expected to
October 26, 2022
The Only Way is Up is a sweet contemporary fiction novel set in the countryside of England. The book is about 39 year old celebrity Daisy who after an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction retreats to the country to lay low. She is near her daughters school and while she works out a complicated relationship with her not so loving boyfriend, she gets to know her new neighbors which includes the handsome headmaster at the local school. This is a fun read with a cast of characters that keeps you engaged. The romance is slow moving and the majority of the story is about Daisy coming to find out exactly what she wants and who she wants to be in her life. I enjoyed reading the story and escaping to this small town.
Thank you NetGalley and Headline Accent for sending this book for review considerations. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Headline Accent for sending this book for review considerations. All opinions are my own.
July 24, 2023
The title gives away the premise of this book.
Life could not get any worse for Daisy. This causes Daisy to go out into the country and stay out of the limelight for a while. During this time, she is able to connect with her mother, daughter, and the people in the village.
What this book has:
~Small Town
~Found Family
~Vacation
~Slow Burn
~Mr. Fix It
There were a couple of grammatical and spelling errors but overall this story was pretty great.
Life could not get any worse for Daisy. This causes Daisy to go out into the country and stay out of the limelight for a while. During this time, she is able to connect with her mother, daughter, and the people in the village.
What this book has:
~Small Town
~Found Family
~Vacation
~Slow Burn
~Mr. Fix It
There were a couple of grammatical and spelling errors but overall this story was pretty great.
December 26, 2022
I read this book as an advanced copy. Big thanks to NetGalley, Headline, and the author for the ARC.
This book was such a charming, cute read! I loved the character development. All of the characters were well-rounded and witty. I loved the small town setting. The banter between the characters was also really good. This book is classified as a romantic comedy, but it reads more like women's fiction. The pacing of this book was also a bit slow at times. But overall, this book was lighthearted and fun, and I really enjoyed it!
This book was such a charming, cute read! I loved the character development. All of the characters were well-rounded and witty. I loved the small town setting. The banter between the characters was also really good. This book is classified as a romantic comedy, but it reads more like women's fiction. The pacing of this book was also a bit slow at times. But overall, this book was lighthearted and fun, and I really enjoyed it!
November 27, 2022
When Daisy (think Fern Britton) torpedoes her family image by splashing her minge (accidentally) all over the tabloids, she rusticates to her ex-husband's cottage in the Cotswolds. A gay ex-husband, alcoholic mother, and sex-addict boyfriend don't make life easy.
Daisy soon discovers that her nearest neighbour is a disgraced celebrity chef who is living off the grid for a year while he writes a book, there's a disgraced Tory MP and his family living in the village, the head teacher at the local private school is surly, and the local tennis coach fancies himself as a ladies' man.
Desperately trying to keep herself out of the headlines until the fuss dies down, Daisy decides to write a cookbook for teenagers, and who better to help her test the recipes than the children at the local school?
This was like Katie Fforde on steroids (or maybe Viagra). A small-town cutesy romance with a bit of heat. Loved it, funny, sexy, fast-paced plot, what's not to love.
I received an ARC from the publisher in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Daisy soon discovers that her nearest neighbour is a disgraced celebrity chef who is living off the grid for a year while he writes a book, there's a disgraced Tory MP and his family living in the village, the head teacher at the local private school is surly, and the local tennis coach fancies himself as a ladies' man.
Desperately trying to keep herself out of the headlines until the fuss dies down, Daisy decides to write a cookbook for teenagers, and who better to help her test the recipes than the children at the local school?
This was like Katie Fforde on steroids (or maybe Viagra). A small-town cutesy romance with a bit of heat. Loved it, funny, sexy, fast-paced plot, what's not to love.
I received an ARC from the publisher in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
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