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Excess All Areas #1

One Day Like This

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"A heart wrenching forbidden romance. A rockstar you can’t help but love. A strong heroine to admire. And a love meant to be. Scarlett Cole takes you apart and puts you back together again." ~ Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author

Matt
Loving Izabel Bryson should be the easiest thing in the world. Heck, she’s been the inspiration for at least half a dozen of the songs he’s written for his rock band, Sad Fridays.
He’s loved her for a decade.
But she’s his best friend and fellow-band mate’s little sister, and he promised a decade ago that he’d never put his hands on her.
She can never be his, no matter how much he craves her.

Izabel
Loving Matt Palmer is the most hopeless thing in the world.
The hours she spends working at the Manchester homeless shelter only go so far in distracting her from the painful truth.
He doesn’t want her.
Because she screwed up that awful night two years before when she slept with Matt’s brother. He will never be hers, no matter how much she yearns for him.

When a good deed leads to one bed, and one night of ruthless honesty, everything is laid bare. They belong together, but acting on it will cost them everything.

337 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2021

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About the author

Scarlett Cole

36 books1,954 followers
Four-time RITA finalist, Scarlett Cole, is a contemporary romantic suspense / contemporary romance author (represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency) who calls both Toronto, Canada and Manchester, England home. A born city dweller, she periodically quashes the urge to live in the country by hiking up a mountain to remind herself that living away from people would terrify the pants off her.

She believes everybody deserves their love story to be told and loves her heroes on the rough and rugged side…and usually tall (because she married one of those 6ft 6” men you read about in romance!). She’s an A-type personality and Scorpio star sign, so good luck getting her to do anything she doesn’t want to.

When she isn’t writing, she’s happy to talk hot men and expensive shoes while drinking a cold gin and tonic. Don’t bring up olives. As far as Scarlett is concerned, they are the devil’s food. As long as you don’t bring up olives, she’s happy to hear from any time.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarlettcole/
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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/scarl...
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If you want to know more about Scarlett's books, visit her at:
www.scarlettcole.com



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5 stars
117 (32%)
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136 (37%)
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80 (22%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
Profile Image for AJ.
3,015 reviews1,007 followers
September 14, 2021
“When the stars aligned to show us what’s in our hearts, how could we ignore it?”

5 forbidden stars!


The start of a brand new rockstar series from Scarlett Cole, this is a beautifully emotional brother’s-best-friend, forbidden romance with fantastic chemistry and just the right amount of angst and drama. It sucked me in, and I read it in one sitting, unable to put it down, and I loved it!

Matt Palmer is a man with a dream. Together with his best friend, his brother, and his two cousins, they formed a band call Sad Fridays, and Matt is the songwriter and bass player. He has put everything he has into making the band a success, and that includes keeping the hotheads together and out of trouble – including the promise he made to keep his hands off the woman he can’t stop thinking about, his best friend’s younger sister.

Izabel is the sister of Luke, who is the band’s drummer. She has loved Matt since she was a teenager, and despite their once-close friendship, he never looked at her that way she wanted. Things got worse when, lonely, sad and desperate for connection, she slept with his brother. It was the biggest mistake of her life and the fallout almost tore the band apart, and her overly protective brother has demanded that she stay away from his bandmates ever since.

When Izabel’s long term relationship breaks down and she ends up moving in with her brother again, she can’t help but be around the boys. And when Matt comes to her rescue during a nasty encounter, the two of them end up faking a relationship for a weekend away. One room, one bed, and nobody to stand between them, truths are finally revealed and they lay their hearts wide open for each other. It’s absolutely beautiful, and for one perfect day, they explore each other in all the ways they always wanted to.

His hand cupped her cheek and he moved closer to her. “I don’t want an audience the first time I kiss you, Iz. Even if it’s pretend.”

“If I only get a single day of this, I want to be sober and lucid enough to remember every fucking tragically glorious moment of it.”

They promised themselves their one day, but when they get back to real life, they both realise that it will never be enough. They’ve opened themselves up, and now there’s no turning back.

“I want you, Iz. I want this. The timing sucks, but we are bigger than the timing.”

Their romance is emotional, intense, sweet and fun, and so, so passionate. They gel perfectly, and their connection is soul deep. They absolutely belong together, and I loved seeing these two so effortlessly in love.

“You deserve someone who can walk outside with you and show the world just how fucking proud he is to be your man. Because I am, Iz. Even if I can’t do that.”
“Does that make you my boyfriend?”
“Too right, I’m your boyfriend. I’m your fucking everything, Iz. Just like you’re mine.”

But they need to keep their romance a secret. The band is on the cusp of getting everything they’ve ever dreamed of, and they both know that their coming together is going to destroy their brothers and blow the band apart. So we get this delicious angst as Matt and Izabel revel in their newly-declared love, but have to keep it a secret from everybody else in their lives. It’s a heartwrenching situation, and I could absolutely understand the situation, and why they made the decisions they did, and it builds to a dramatic ending that had me madly flipping pages.

“I’ll love you when the stars align and even when they don’t.”

It’s such an engaging, emotional story. I loved Matt and Izabel as characters, I loved their journey as a couple, I loved seeing their interactions with the other characters, and I loved watching everything change for the band as they got their first taste of success. The stage is now set for the rest of the series, and I’m so excited to continue on. The rest of the boys in the band are a fantastic bunch, there are some very unique personalities there, and they have a gritty, complex dynamic that I can’t wait to explore further. And OMG, the boys’ take-no-crap, foul-mouthed Nan is an absolute scene-stealer, I love her! There’s a hint of future stories, and I am here for all of it!

This was such a great read, full of heart, drama, intriguing and explosive family dynamics, a wonderfully intense love story and all the feels. I absolutely loved it!

5 stars!

An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,185 reviews320 followers
Read
September 22, 2021
Not for me.
A tangled web.
He is on the cusp of success with his music career.
The Hero is best friends with the heroine's brother, not my favourite troupe.
The Hero's brother is also in the band.
The Hero has been with the heroine's brother when he has a rotating door of women.
The heroine has witnessed make out scenes with the latest woman.

The heroine has been in love with him since 15.
The Hero stays away when she is old enough due to a promise to her brother.
The heroine can't have the Hero, as he's busy playing tonsil hockey with one of the rotating door of women so she has sex with his brother, who is in love with her.
She cries out the Hero's name so he's a bit miffed.
The heroine's brother finds out and makes the Hero swear he will never touch her....
This is a bit insulting, does the the brother thinks so badly of the heroine that he thinks she will have sex with all his mates, jumping from brother to brother...
That would be ew.
Hmmmm.

Then we have the cliche relationship in secret, huge fight when everyone finds out.

The Hero hadn't been with anyone in 2 weeks before he starts things with the heroine.
He refuses offers to go out trawling with the brother during and after this time.
The heroine has suffered a recent breakup.

HEA for the couple.
Leading last chapter to next book about the heroine's brother.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Aly is so frigging bored.
1,651 reviews272 followers
September 23, 2021
This first book of Scarlett Cole was amazing! It has drama and angst and hidden relationships and, like, a LOT of drama.

The whole series centers around a Manchester band on the brink of making it big. It's also about family, the one you're born into and the one you make. I actually never thought about reading a book/series that was about a band making it big. I read about one about to splinter, one that is dealing with the drama of being famous, about the fight with alcoholism and drugs, but never about how it all was before they made it big. It was fascinating!

Matt and Izabel are lovely together and I am glad they realized it pretty fast. Them hiding it was the big problem for them. I absolutely loved that we didn't have the big misunderstanding trope here. They are good people apart and together they are even better. They push each other to be better, to dream bigger to be the best they can be. It's all you can ever one in a relationship.

I can't wait to see where we go from this book and I am beyond grateful that Scarlett has book 2 already on preorder for in about 2 months.
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews842 followers
September 21, 2021
I am super excited about another rock star series by author Scarlett Cole! One Day Like This is the first book in the Excess All Areas series and it was a good start to the series. Two people, who have had feelings for one another for years, finally give in knowing that it could blow both their worlds apart. There was a lot of emotion in this book and a quite a bit of angst but not between the couple, between the band most of whom are related and the one that’s not is just as close as a brother to them all. As this is the first book in the series, I felt the couple got a bit lost in all the drama of the band which often happens. That being said One Day Like This was engaging and exciting and I am so looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

Matt Palmer spends his day working for his uncle painting homes and hanging wallpaper and his evenings and weekends working gigs for his band Sad Fridays who are garnering more and more attention. He feels they are on the brink of being “discovered” and after a decade of paying their dues he is so ready, what he’s not ready for is the intense connection he feels for his best friend and band mate’s sister Izabel Bryson when he agrees to escort her to her best friend’s wedding where her ex is the best man. He knows he shouldn’t have offered given his feelings for her and the fact Luke has told all of the band to keep their hands off of her especially after Matt’s brother went there years ago, but he can’t let her go on her own and he wants to spend the time with her, but that one weekend changes everything.

Living with her brother after finding her ex-boyfriend cheating, Izabel is working hard and saving enough to get her own place. While she knows she could be making more one with her degree, working for the homeless shelter rewards her in ways most people will never know. She loves her job and the people she helps on a daily basis but with the shelter losing its space, she has no idea what will happen. First she must get through her friend’s wedding and being close to Matt, the man of her dreams, for an entire weekend.

There was so much I admired about both of these characters. Matt went above and beyond to make sure the band had gigs to play, he wrote music for the band, and handled all the business end in addition to being their bassist. He’s a good friend and tries to be a good brother but he and Jase have issues they’ve never seemed to overcome including Jase’s one night with Izabel knowing how Matt felt about her. He dotes on his Nan who mostly raised him and Jase and will do anything for her. He’s really just a good guy so seeing Izabel behind his best friend’s back is one of the hardest things he’s ever done. Izabel is sweet, caring, and while she lacks some confidence we see that change throughout this book. It’s obvious she has scars from her father’s death and her mom basically ditching her to run off and marry someone else leaving her at 17 with her brother, but she has become a bright and beautiful spirit with the help of her brother Luke.

I loved these two together and felt they gave each other the validation they needed to keep going for their dreams. It was obvious that while they lusted after one another their connection was much deeper from years of friendship. I would have loved more time with them as a couple together not sneaking around but hopefully we’ll see them again in upcoming books. I do feel that their romance got a bit lost in this book, but considering how quickly things began happening with the band that wasn’t too surprising, just a bit of a disappointment.

I love watching bands finally getting their big chance, so I am really excited about this series and can wait for them all to find their perfect someone.

An intense love story years in the making, crazy band infighting, family drama and more; One Day Like This was a fine start to what promises to be a very entertaining series.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Author 4 books43 followers
September 23, 2021
Scarlett Cole returns with a new series in the world of rock n'roll, a series about the members of a rock band on the road to success but whose excesses and arguments create obstacles to this promising future.
The first volume is starring Matt Palmer, bassist and songwriter of the group Sad Fridays. His reluctant house painter work has helped him pay the bills, but his dreams and free time are devoted to music.
The other members of the group are his family: his brother, his two cousins ​​and his best friend. Matt isn't just a bass player, he's the manager, the accountant, the miracle worker.
Relations within the Sad Fridays group are strained. Matt and his brother Jace do not get along at all, we discover why over the pages. The rivalry between them is partly in Jace's imagination but only partly. At times you may think that Jace is capricious and selfish, but he has surprises in store for you. At the end of this novel, I understood better this character flayed by life, I better understood his resentments. And I can't wait to read the second book that's on him !
The other complicated relationship is the one with Luke. Luke has a little sister who is his only blood family. He forbade his friends to approach her, to seduce her. Except ... A night of error between Izabel and Jace created tension and Matt knows he runs the risk of shattering his friendship with Luke and the future of the group if he gives in to his long-standing feelings for her. Matt and Izabel love each other and find themselves in a complicated situation.
Izabel has major degrees but decides to follow a path that pays less, a more humane and generous path. She helps the homeless, for her it is a vocation and a passion. I really found her admirable for this choice and for her relentless fight.
She has always loved Matt but she thought she was just the best friend's little sister and that her night with Jace had ruined everything.
Several aspects of this novel are ideal for having a good time. Forbidden love, secret love, the false relationship in front of Izabel's ex, rival brothers, rockstars and their escapades ...
Although initially Sad Fridays is not a very well known group, the members already live like stars with alcohol, drugs and sex. I'm not particularly drawn to heroes who take drugs and drink too much, luckily Matt improves on contact with his sweetheart. I hope Jace and Luke will do the same.
Between Izabel and Matt, the love is sensual, deep, intense, real. If you are a fan of hot intimate scenes, you will be delighted.
Lies never do good, you have to be able to take responsibility for the consequences. I understand those who were saddened by their secret relationship, but I also understand the reasons of our couple. Throughout the book, we wait for the truth and its repercussions to unfold. The repercussions will continue in the second book and I can't wait !
The secondary characters make us want to know more. I adored Nan, the grandmother of the Palmer brothers with her outspokenness and her big heart. The cousins ​​are particularly interesting too and their books are promising.
Of course, Sad Fridays is reminiscent of the band Oasis with their famous Gallagher brothers and their explosive relationship. Oasis which is one of the groups that marked my teenage years, and maybe yours if you are old like me lol.
In short, Scarlett Cole brilliantly exploited her idea !

Thank you Scarlett Cole for the ARC.
Profile Image for Jenn Amy.
894 reviews80 followers
September 24, 2021
One Day Like This is the first book in a new rockstar romance series by Scarlett Cole. Matt and Izabel have loved each from afar but neither acted on their feelings. Izabel is his best friend and band mates little sister, making her forbidden and off limits. Matt is the bass guitarist and songwriter for his band, Sad Fridays. He is talented and passionate about his music.

This story is full of drama and put my heart through a gamut of emotions. I was captivated from beginning to end and found it difficult to put down once I started reading.

Scarlett Cole has an incredible talent in writing a commonly themed trope and putting her unique stamp on it. This is not your typical rockstar romance. Sad Fridays has yet to make it big and reading the struggles and hardships and all the band had to go through to make their dream come true made the story feel more authentic and real.

As Matt and Izabel give into their feelings their is some secrecy to navigate but their love, passion and intense chemistry is undeniable.

This is the just the beginning and was a great start to the series. I cannot wait to read the next one.

Thank you to Scarlett Cole and Wildfire Marketing for providing an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange of my honest review.
Profile Image for Peggy M.
744 reviews8 followers
January 2, 2022
‘One day like this’ is the first story in the ‘Excess all areas’ series. The story takes place in Manchester, England and the main characters in this story are Matt Palmer and Izabel Bryson. Matt’s greatest passion in life is making music. Together with his younger brother Jase, his best friend Luke Bryson and his two cousins Ben and Alex, they form the music band ‘The sad Fridays’. But to their frustration and disappointment the guys still haven’t find the success they were dreaming of as young children. To pay the bills, they all work a ‘normal’ job during the week and play music on the weekends. Just when Matt is almost ready to give up on their big dream, success is coming their way but that’s not the only dream coming true for Matt. For many years, Matt was secretly in love with his best friend little sister Izabel but a promise to her brother to never touch her and a one night stand of Izabel with his younger brother Jase two years ago crushed that dream. But now because of certain circumstances they are forced to spend some time together and Izabel honesty about that one night stand and the chemistry between them is too hard to resist. So Izabel and Matt start a secret relationship but what will happen when it comes out? Will Matt and Luke’s friendship survive all the lies and high emotions? Can Matt keep their music band together? And will this news break the fragile bond between the two Palmer brothers forever or can it still be fixed? Only time can tell.

I really enjoyed this story. Just like this writer’s other series ‘Preload’ this series is so much more than just a story about rockstars. It’s also a story about a difficult childhood, family, friendship, real life worries and struggles and working hard to make dreams come true but mostly it’s a story about love.

I’m so happy that the writer Scarlett Cole decided to let the story take place in Manchester, England. That gave the story an English vibe and for me, that gave the story something special (but then I love all things English!). The story was told in both POV’s. It’s a bit emotional but nothing dark and it had a few steamy scenes in it.

Matt was a great character, he had his own struggles but he was a good guy, always there to support his younger brother, his best friend, his cousins, his nan and Izabel when they needed him. And yes, he may have been a playboy but once he decided to start something with Izabel, his only focus was on her. It was wonderful to see the love blossom between them. The way that they supported and encouraged each other to give it their all. Izabel was a great main character too, she was caring, kind, sensitive and sweet. She really cared for the shelter where she worked for.

The secondary characters were interesting too. Matt’s grandmother was an impressive, energetic old lady, who really cared about Matt and Jase. Luke, Ben and Alex were good guys too but just like Matt they had their own personal demons they struggled with. But they all care for each other. Jase, Matt’s younger brother had the most demons of the guys and that showed in his behaviour. I’m very curious about his story, that is next in this series. ‘One day like this’ is a great start of a new series. I’m looking forward to reading the other stories in this series.
Profile Image for Sarah~ Book Obsession Confessions.
1,070 reviews73 followers
September 21, 2021
❤️🎸4.5 STARS 🎸❤️
Forbidden romance ✔️
Best friends little sister✔️
Rockstar romance ✔️
Matt is best friends and band mates with Izabel’s older brother. After Matt’s younger brother(who’s also in the band)had a one night stand with her it caused major issues for the long time friends. Izabel’s brother made everyone promise his sister was off limits.
Matt and Izabel have had feelings for each other since childhood. I loved that they had that history together. They know each other well and that made me feel their connection was deep and the real deal.
The writing is different for a forbidden/rockstar romance and I liked it. It’s more mature, less unnecessary drama and misunderstandings. It’s not gritty(which I actually do like to read, but it works in this case that’s it not) it’s more of an emotional journey for the characters.
There’s drugs, sex and rock n roll mentioned, but that’s not the story.
I loved the way the characters got together, it’s the cute and fun part. I loved their interactions together, they are #couplegoals
I loved the nerves that hiding their romance causes. It gave me the excited butterflies and it made my taboo loving heart happy.

The characters have heart and depth. They are genuinely good people trying hard to make something of their talents and lives.
Matt and Izabel’s romance has so much heart and soul. It’s also very sexy and hot. It’s very well balanced.
There are so many tender moments that I adored.
And their chemistry is incredible!
The characters have big decisions to make about their futures and the way they get to their decisions is a wonderful journey.
The friends and family play a huge part in this story, it adds to the high stakes and it gives some of the most raw, emotional scenes.
Matt’s brother Jace is angry, reactionary and I believe he’s a bit of a tortured soul. I look forward to his book very much!
Matt and Jace’s Nan raised them most of their life, she’s a fun and important secondary character.
The other band mates are cousins and one is a life long friend. I liked the closeness they had and it added higher stakes to the secret nature of the romance.
Things blow up of course. It gets messy and emotional. The whole band’s affected, including a big opportunity.
I was happy with the way the end played out. I look forward to the next book in the series. I want all the characters stories!
I really enjoyed the writing style, I was invested in the characters and story.
I absolutely recommend this book!
Profile Image for Rachel.
643 reviews12 followers
September 6, 2021
Readers have been clamoring for more rock stars from Scarlett Cole and with One Day Like This she delivers more than we expected, hoped for and does it with a book that was absolutely amazingly unputdownable. 5 Stars is not high enough for this book.

To say I loved this book would not cover it. I went into it knowing I would have a great read. What I got was a book that sucked me in from the opening pages, dragged me through all the feels willingly, had me melting over the hero and cheering for the heroine and left me turning the last page with a satisfied sigh and an itch to go back and start it all over again.

THIS is why I love this author's writing. It was a raw, gritty and no holds barred love letter to Manchester and it’s people that has stayed with me long after I closed the book.

The central love story of Matt and Izabel is epic. That’s the best way I can describe it and it certainly lives up to that title. The chemistry between Matt and Iz is not only eclectic, it’s scorching. Add in the complications of them being together and its possible impacts and the story rapidly becomes addictive as it draws you in word by word.

The world building in this book is done so beautifully, it feels like you’ve known Sad Friday’s forever and are finally getting their true story and that is what for me, makes this book and the series to come, like crack. I’m already hooked and can’t for more.

If you were a fan of the author’s previous rock star series Preload, don’t expect a tale in the same vein. The two series can’t be compared other than to say you will be instantly addicted to both.

I’m officially a groupie of Sad Friday’s and would follow them anywhere and read anything about them. I can’t wait for more to see how events in this book play out and to get to know the other band members even better.
Profile Image for Carly Rushforth.
422 reviews25 followers
August 17, 2022
Matt & Isabel what can I say other than I was totally gripped by the love they had for each other, I didn’t put this book down until I’d read every last page!.

I also loved all the other band mates and can’t wait to read all about the relationships they get.

I especially loved Nan and can’t believe her antics at the end 😅.

I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series by this great author.
Profile Image for thenerdybookworm_.
1,485 reviews57 followers
September 22, 2021
Matt and Izabel have had feelings for each other for years. Unfortunately, Izabel is also the little sister of one of Matt’s band mates and completely offlimits. When they get a chance to have “one day,” the lines blur. What happens when reality sets in?

One Day Like This is a rockstar forbidden romance. Full of angst, drama, and rocking chemistry.
Profile Image for Jezabel Nightingale.
Author 5 books28 followers
August 9, 2022
Gritty seems to be an understatement! A story that is so much more than the sum of its parts. Spicy and extremely well paced. A great lead in to the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Kristiej.
1,328 reviews88 followers
February 10, 2022
This is really hard. I love Scarlet Coles books. Her first series about rock stars is a real keeper and I’ve read them a number of times but this one, the first in her newest series just didn’t really work for me.

First off it was a best friend and sister trope. This one I don’t generally read, only if I know and trust the author. I just don’t really get it. The heroes best friend must already trust the hero seeing they are besties. And sure, they may have been horn dogs together but if hero tells friend, look, I know what I’ve done in the past but this is your sister and I respect both of you and would truly respect her. These feelings are real man. Surely the brother should be good with it.

Another issue I had is I felt the author sacrificed story and building characters for more sex. As a result, I got impatient with the numerous sex scenes as I didn’t have a real sense of the hero/heroine and I ended up skimming quite a bit through the hotter stuff.

At this point it would help if I gave some of the story wouldn’t it?

Matt Palmer is a working class guy in Manchester England. He and his younger brother and some friends have a band and their dream is to make it big in music. Luke, his friend for years has a younger sister Izabelle and she and Matt have had feelings on each other for years. But because Matt and Luke are best friends, Matt has never acted on them. And Matt, being a rockstar and all has never had problems getting women and Izabelle has seen him with them over time and it’s gutted her. In fact one time to the point she hooked up. With his younger brother Jace. And didn’t that nearly tear the band apart and Jace and Matt are very hostile to each other.

But when Izabelle is invited to a wedding that will be attended by her ex who dumped her for another woman, Matt says he’ll go with her so it will look like the ex has been replaced. Well the wedding includes an overnight stay and since these two have been hot for each other for years, you can guess what happens. Now they deal with the fallout.

There’s a lot more going on of course. Towards the end of the book, Matt and the rest get a lucky break and there’s a chance they can break out and get noticed worldwide. To be continued in next book.

Now despite not really caring for this book, I’m ending on a positive. The next book is out and is Jace, his younger brother’s story. Now Jase has a real chip on his shoulder and was more interesting to me than Matt so I was really looking forward to his story. I’ve now read it, review to come, and love it. It’s a well deserved five.

And even though this book didn’t work for me I’m still ending on a positive and recommending it since what bothered me may not bother other readers and you get the groundwork for the series. The third book, out vey soon, also looks good. I just read the first chapter on her newsletter and glad I preordered it. And I know Scarlett Coles writing and it’s very good. She’s one of my autobuy authors. And while I haven’t read other reviews yet, most are higher than mine and I’m so glad for that. So I urge you to read more than just this review.
Profile Image for Susan (susayq ~).
2,246 reviews128 followers
September 21, 2021
One of my all time favorite series is Preload by Scarlett Cole, so when I heard she was doing another rock band series, I COULD NOT WAIT! And this lived up to all my expectations. Matt and Izabel had me pulling for them from the start, both as individuals and as a couple. This was a great start to what will be a fantastic series.
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
1,361 reviews60 followers
September 19, 2021
4.5 stars

Excited to read this new rockstar series from this author! As her previous series, Preload, is a must read. No disappointments here, and my heart is almost back to normal. In a story of complicated relationships, forbidden love, and big hearts. I was pulled in immediately.

A lot is going on, but the author has set us up, and I am wanting more of the characters who make up the band Sad Fridays.

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog).
5,355 reviews200 followers
September 22, 2021




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Izabel and Matt have a long-standing history. She’s made bad decisions and so has he. But now they’re in each other’s orbits again and their attraction hasn’t died down, at all. The obstacles in the past still exist, though, so if they want to be together, they’ll have to figure out a way to overcome those obstacles.



Rockstar romances are one of my favorite kinds of romance, combined with brother's friend, and it makes for an angsty, emotional read. Izabel and Matt are really likable, and I loved reading as they found their way back to each other. The fact that the band is on the cusp of becoming big added a layer of more complications, but it didn't deter the band from behaving like full on veteran rockstars with their various vices and in-fighting. This is a good setup to what I can already tell is going to be a sexy, emotionally complicated series.



ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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Profile Image for B. C. Booklover.
722 reviews47 followers
September 23, 2021
I was so excited when the opportunity came my way to read an early copy of new to me author, Scarlett Cole's latest book- her rockstar romance- One Day Like This. Finding a new author in this genre I love most was like receiving an exciting and unexpected gift.

These characters jumped in and let me know who they were right from the start- funny, talented, hard working friends and family, trying to make ends meet until their big break hopefully came. They'd been at this for 10 long years, juggling the drudgery of daytime jobs while playing low paying gigs at night, every chance they got.

Matt Palmer was the driving force and soul of their band, Sad Fridays. He was the songwriter, guitarist and often put himself last on the list as he pushed hard to get the word out about their music.  He wanted this future so badly, was waiting for that break to finally come, but there was something, someone else he wanted just as much, forbidden though she was to him.

Izabel Bryson, the younger sister of his friend and bandmate Luke, was free again, as if Matt could do anything about the lifelong crush he had on this sweet, beautiful girl. The series of events had sealed their fate as 'friends only' had also rocked the entire band when Matt's out of control brother and lead singer had taken things too far with her.  The ripple effect from this betrayal kept Izabel out of the loop with the band when her overprotective brother declared her off limits. Matt's feeling for his own brother were volatile on a good day and now they are coming to a boiling point. 

An wedding invitation opens an opportunity for Matt and Izabel to be together for what was to be one weekend only.
With these mutual feelings of desperation, they take their chance but if it becomes known, the ramifications are too risky to consider.  What a sticky situation they find themselves in... continued loyalty to someone else or to stop denying themselves what they've wanted for so many years and damn the consequences?

I loved the vividly descriptive style this author's writing gave to these characters- their ever present emotional struggles and the gritty world they all lived in. 
Scarlett Cole has written a heartwrenching, satisfying and beautiful story of love so strong that it couldn't stay unrequited anymore.  The brotherhood of friends that needed to grow and change in order to step up to the next level of success in the world of music where their band, Sad Fridays, could finally shine. Would they end up together when the last of the dust finally settled?  That's a question best answered in the next book in this series.  One problem is resolved and another pops up to challenge them. It's a given now that I'll be reading the work of Scarlett Cole again!!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
792 reviews22 followers
September 27, 2021
The start of Scarlett Cole's new Excess All Areas series showcases what this author does best, digging deep and revealing simmering pain and vulnerability. Using her hometown roots as a backdrop she gives a loving tribute to Manchester even while the personal touches she added to this work brought it to the next level. It was clear from the start of One Day Like This how invested this author was in this project.

Matt Palmer and Izabel Bryson grew up together, part of an intimate working class friend group that included their siblings and cousins. An attraction that remained ignored because of the influence of others seemed doomed from the start for this pair. In the end their attraction was too powerful to overlook setting off a series of events that would shake up everything they had come to accept and change their priorities.

Beginning a clandestine relationship it was soon apparent to Matt and Izabel that their love could no longer be contained or walked away from, despite putting the status of Matt's band Sad Sunday's and various friendships and relationships in jeopardy. The angst that came from this couple reaching for something true, good and unavoidable was heartbreaking. Matt's sensitivity and concern for what was best for everyone else, to the detriment of his own happiness, was so sad to watch. His devastation when faced with his choices was written superbly by Ms.Cole. Izabel's devotion to her brother was equally agonizing to see when she was forced to make impossible choices by him. The connection between Matt and Izabel was as emotion driven as it was physical and that made for some really intense and hot interactions.

This work had an amazing secondary cast, waiting to tell their stories even while supporting the story being told. Nan was a driving force that kept the characters and readers on their toes. Each band member was given enough recognition to intrigue readers with the potential of their own stories without taking over Matt and Izabel's story.

Scarlett Cole's portrayals are loaded down with burdens and far older than their years in their life experiences. She sees their sadness and finds a way to reach for happiness, never neglecting all the underlying and painful layers. Cole gives detailed and multifaceted portrayals as she guides them through difficult and emotional journeys. There is no doubt that readers will be excited to see where this series will go, but for now meet your new favorite band the Sad Fridays in One Day Like This for a fantastic read!

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,457 reviews30 followers
September 15, 2021
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is a fabulous start to a new series by a favourite author. Where the Preload books were about successful band whose members were household names, this series starts with a band whose members are nearing 30 and still gigging around their day jobs. Matt and his bandmates are killing themselves and still barely breaking even.

Matt and Izobel are both really engaging characters. I always love that Cole’s female characters are engaging and likeable. Izobel’s work in the shelter is inspiring. Matt’s determination, talent and hard graft are equally engaging. Both characters have complicated family relationships that feel real and relatable.

While I really enjoyed Matt ad Izobel, I didn’t quite buy into the reasons they felt they had to hide their feelings from each other and stay apart for so many years. The conflict felt conflated and improbable. The result is a story that lacks some of the build up of sexual tension I want from a romance. I like the friends to lovers element of the story but not the unbelievable conflict.

I absolutely love the Manchester setting for this book. In recent years, I’ve followed Cole from the Second Circle Tattoo books set in the USA to the Preload books set in Canada and now to this series set in the UK. I love the way Matt’s band fits into Manchester’s fabulous music scene. With Izobel’s shelter, Cole captures the tension between Manchester’s gritty industrial heart and its rapid gentrification beautifully.

I love the structure Cole sets up for the series at the end of this book. While we get a strong HFN for Isobel and Matt, the author leaves some threads open and the last chapter is the first chapter of the next character’s book. I love that the band’s story will be told across the series.
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,668 reviews38 followers
September 18, 2021
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the first book in a new series, and I can tell you, I am definitely hooked.

Set in Manchester, a thriving place for successful music bands, we meet a band who have most definitely not hit the big time ... yet! They are doing well enough to have regular gigs, enough music to record an album, and collectively a bad rockstar lifestyle habit of drink, drugs and sex.

As we get to know the guys, some of who work together painting and decorating to make ends meet, we soon see that there is a very down to earth vibe amongst them, even though they are keen to break into the scene. How much longer they can stay together when things are not working out, well that's the question.

Then of course, there is the younger sister of Luke, who has crushed on the band's songwriter, Matt forever. There is a lot of history there, and bro' code issues, as Matt too really likes her. Throw in the fact that Matt's brother, and band singer, Jase, did hook up with her, and you have the set up for some really complicated romantic possibilities.

You will not be disappointed, and as we follow the potential success, or otherwise of the band, we also watch the two leads work out what is and isn't allowed, and how much they will play by the rules.

Left on a sort of cliffhanger, I am very keen to get my hands on the next installment very soon (hint hint!)


Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Lynsey A.
1,826 reviews
April 10, 2022
Well, I read this book because I wanted to read the 3rd book in the series. I had avoided this book before because the heroine slept with the heroes brother, an act she deeply regrets as she knows it ruined any chance between her and Matt. But, I dived into it and really ended up loving it.

Matt had made a promise to his best friend Luke that he wouldn't make a move on his younger sister, Izabel. All the bandmates had. But Jase broke that rule (we'll get to Jase, later) and slept with her. He didn't manipulate her, didn't coerce her, she went into it willingly but realized the next morning she had made a huge mistake. For Matt, it wasn't anything he could accept and it hurt him to look at Izabel. But he also knows, he should never have thought Iz would wait for him. It was wrong and not fair to Iz.

Anyway, we basically get the only one bed trope in this one, when they pretend to be a couple at her best friend's wedding, where her douchebag ex is the best man to her maid of honor. Iz and Matt are able to work through what happened with Jase. She told him that she had always loved him and that she knew she had made a mistake and she was hurting. They agreed to spend the weekend together and that's it.

Of course, we all know that wasn't the end of things for them. We get a super hot moment in Luke and Iz's apartment where they are almost caught. Plus lots of other hot and sweet moments.

There a some bothersome things in the book for sure but they just had such a sweet love story.

Random Thoughts:

♫ Luke was such a jerk to have his friends make that promise.

♫ He could also be a bit of an ass.

♫ Jase was an absolute dick through most of the book but he has his reasons (which you have to wait until the 2nd book to learn)

♫ He actually did believe he loved Izabel and it wasn't done as a way to hurt his brother

♫ The hiding the relationship wasn't the best idea and it led to quite the showdown.

💙 Matt protecting her and being the alpha male to her douche of an ex, is the best and one of my fave romance tropes.

💙 The way these two love each other that the first time they say "I love you" it's said so offhand but is the cutest scene.

💙 He got her the most swoonworthy birthday gift.

💙I Love You in 3 different languages

💙 Swoon
Profile Image for Brianna at Renee Entress's Blog.
3,796 reviews116 followers
September 22, 2021
5 Stars!

Brand new release. Brand new series. Brand spanking new to me author. What a way to pop my cherry.

Y'all, I'm a huge, huge fan of the rock star + brother's best friend romance tropes (together and I'm practically foaming at the mouth) and throw in that blurb from Scarlett and I was a goner before I started.

One Day Like This by Scarlett Cole is the first book in the steamy Excess All Areas series and it was all hands in deck folks when it came to this beauty. So, so good from start to finish and unforgettable on basically every page.

Whew. Matt and Izabel. Matt and Izabel. These two were all kinds of addicting in every single way and in all the moments they have me. The emotions.. intensity.. passion.. forbidden desires.. the temptation.. the giving in.. and the heat and steam and chemistry that fogged up my glasses the whole time. I couldn't get enough of them and whew, my heart.

I'm crazy excited for the next in this series and see where we go.

I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
Profile Image for Mycoton32.
4,820 reviews73 followers
September 22, 2021
16/20 - https://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/2...

Izabel et Matt n'ont pas le droit d'être ensemble pour plusieurs raisons et ils prennent cette décision à coeur jusqu'au moment où tout va exploser dans leurs vies et où leurs sentiments deviennent impossibles à cacher. J'ai aimé ces deux personnages, la façon dont on va vivre chaque instant avec eux mais je n'ai pas totalement vibré ni été prise par les rebondissements que j'avais très facilement vu venir. Et pour une fois, ça a freiné un peu mes ardeurs même si dans l'ensemble j'ai eu le sourire tout le long et j'ai passé un très bon moment avec eux. J'ai eu une petite préférence pour Matt et son envie de faire plaisir aux autres et de s'oublier un peu au passage. Iz est agréable mais elle a certains traits de caractère qui m'agacent parfois. Le final est vraiment chouette et on referme ce roman avec le sourire aux lèvres ! Vivement le suivant !
Profile Image for Hopelessly Addicted To Books .
3,459 reviews140 followers
September 20, 2021
The first book in a new series can be tricky as you have to strike that balance between setting up a new world and group of characters with giving a couple the time and space to shine. On the whole I felt Scarlett achieved that balance pretty well.

This is not about an established group who have achieved huge success but one who are still waiting for that big break. I like that the author took time to let us see the struggles behind the scenes, we see them trying to find gigs, time for band practice whilst also working to pay for it all. We also get insight into the friction between the bandmates and I love all that conflict it's the drama that keeps me invested in them. I am not a big fan of the big brother says she's off limits scenario but it works here because of past actions.

I enjoyed reading about the couple although I wish it hadn't taken so long for them to get together but that is the compromise you make for book one. There is an interesting bunch of characters who will be getting their own books so I am hopeful we get more of Matt and Izabel along the way.
Profile Image for World Of Books 65.
2,477 reviews46 followers
September 20, 2021
I love the anticipation of a new series and none my so than a Rock Band. Scarlett Cole took this story by the horns and delivered a spellbinding, couldn't put down introduction to the Sad Fridays rock group. There is nothing sweet about the start of this series, there is drama, twists, turns and bumps in the road, but wonderfully moulded around the attraction of founder and leader of the group, Matt and his best friend Lukes little sister, Izabel who has always had a crush on Matt, but when she thought it was never going to go anywhere, as young girls do she made some silly decisions. Now things are different but the past is now set to make the future nearly unachievable.

I loved how Scarlett Cole got right into the depth of a new band on the cusp of stardom, the in house arguments, the push and pull, all came together perfectly.

Can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Ptiteaurel.
3,316 reviews54 followers
September 21, 2021
Scarlett Cole est de retour avec une saga dans le domaine de la musique mais ne vous attendez pas à une redite de la saga Preload car cette fois ci les Sad Fridays ne connaissent pas encore le succès. Chaque membre de ce groupe aura le droit à sa propre histoire et on a déjà hâte de lire la suite . Cette romance sera sensuelle à souhait et on sera sur des braises ardentes le temps que tout explose au vue de l'intrigue

un premier tome qui est addictif à souhait et où la sensualité va vite faire monter la température. La musique, les concerts, les amitiés, le soutien mais aussi les tensions seront les ingrédients parfaits pour une première romance attirante et le final nous donne encore plus envie de retrouver en novembre Jase pour de sacrées aventures.

Chronique complète à lire sur : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
Profile Image for Kylee.
2,705 reviews50 followers
September 20, 2021
One Day Like This gives you a romance that has you on the edge of your seat with anticipation, angst and drama. Two people who had loved each other from afar for what seemed like forever. Mistakes are made and a promise between friends is agreed upon changing what their hearts crave. However as Matt and Izabel discover what one day like this could be it will be hard to walk away. Their story is surrounded by sex, drugs and rock and roll and intertwined with friendships and sibling relationships. It will have your heart pounding and your pulse racing as you are tossed from side to side with an upheaval of emotions and passion. Their story will at times frustrate you as words are left unspoken and secrets have an unbalance stirring. It was passionate, heartfelt, captivating and overflowing with chemistry and heat. This first book in this new series draws you in with a connection to the characters that you can’t pull away from.
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