**One Ordinary Day at a Time was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Random Things Tours for having me on this tour.**

Summary

TWO PEOPLE

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.

ONE LIFE

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…

ONE ORDINARY DAY AT A TIME

Review

One Ordinary Day at a Time is an uplifting and equally heart-breaking read that takes you on a journey through Simon’s and Jodie’s pasts while they work towards securing brighter futures for themselves.

Simon is a true genius who initially comes off as an annoying know-it-all. I didn’t click with his character immediately, but as his tragic and abusive past was uncovered it made sense why he was that way. He had such a traumatic childhood that as he’s grown he’s not learned the proper methods to protect his mental health. This has led to his current predicament of desperation to solve a seemingly impossible maths theory for a huge sum of money and fame beyond his wildest dreams. I truly felt so heartbroken for him the more about his story that was revealed. His father was a cruel man that only cared about his son being ‘top of the class’ and nothing else. I really despised his character for how he treated his own son. It felt like a situation where there could be no forgiveness for it.

Jodie is smart and driven, but she’s a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Her dream is to go to Cambridge to study English Literature. I really resonated with her drive and steely determination to make her dreams come true. From a substance-abusing mother to being thrown between care homes and foster homes, and ending up in an abusive relationship herself, Jodie also had a terrible childhood. She was always fearing her ex would get out of prison and return to finish the abuse he started. I rooted for her all the way as she worked so hard and never gave up. She did it all so she and her son, Zak, could have a better future and that’s admirable.

It was inspiring to read as Simon and Jodie came together as unlikely friends. I was pleased that the book focused more on this than trying to force them into a relationship. They had so much to do to help themselves first that a relationship would not have worked. I loved how they brought out the best in each other and pushed each other to their limits. By the end, I felt they both deserved the world. Their character development was so entwined with their blossoming friendship that it was heart-warming to read.

I feel that One Ordinary Day at a Time deserves 4.5/5 stars. The reason I have knocked half a star off is due to the fact I found it really difficult to see past Simon’s ‘know-it-all’ tendencies. I get why he was that way, but it was still annoying. Overall, this is a beautiful and uplifting story that shows you that finding the right person at the right time can change your life forever.