Review of That time everything was on fire by Kerry Downes

Sam and Daisy are in their early thirties but their lives couldn’t be more different. Newly married and ready to start a family, Sam and Marvin are desperate to have a child, but fertility struggles makes it impossible to ignore the fact that it may not happen for them. Meanwhile, Daisy is dating, being disappointed by men and wanting to find someone to share her life with. She hooks up with James, Marvin’s best man at the wedding, but he’s non committal and flaky, and it just doesn’t work out.

As the years pass, Sam’s fertility journey develops as they try IVF, but to many disappointing results. Daisy thinks she’s found a future boyfriend in Sam’s colleague Blake but he leaves New Years without saying goodbye then moves out of London. They’re both losing hope. 

A heart-warming and powerful novel on female friendship, fertility, dating and finding yourself in your thirties.

Reviewed by Victoria

Published on 22/05/25 by HQ Stories

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