The setting was beautiful and I loved the idea of a sabbatical in Bali. What didn’t work for me was Jaelee. She was unlikeable but I eventually got used to her; she’s very judgmental and self-absorbed. After a few days of struggling with the story, I started skimming and it got a little better. Recommended for those looking for a coming of age story set in an exotic location.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book, the characters were original, yet relatable and the storyline flowed easily. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I think I would enjoy the others.

I have read all of Sandy Barker's Holiday Romance series and this one is my favorite by far. I loved the Bali setting - a place I'll probably only ever dream of visiting. But this book did a good job at fulfilling my Bali wanderlust, even if just for a short time. I really enjoyed the characters and their dynamics with others in this story. And I love that the book was centered around digital nomads, which is very in nowadays. Sandy Barker's writing and stories just get better and better in my opinion, and I can't wait to read more!

My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐/ 5 stars

Jaelee Tan, a Miami native, is headed to Bali for two months on sabbatical from her fast paced PR job. Though when she arrives, her boss asks her to come back. Fed up, she quits her job and tries to continue her sabbatical in peace - until she meets Scotsman, Alistair. The attraction is immediate, but could they ever be serious living an ocean apart? Once they’re thrown back into the real world, would they be able to replicate their relationship in Edinburgh/Miami?

I loved the story’s backdrop in Bali, making me wish I was there myself. The angst between the characters was there, but it all felt very rushed too. Also I wish their romantic scenes were longer, they were too short and I felt there was a gap from when they just had a crush on each other to then suddenly being very much in love. I liked it though, but didn’t love it.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one was a super cute vacation read. I highly recommend when you're going to the beach! Highly recommend for a book club.

DNF at 25%. I just can't get into the story right now and I don't really like the main character. I love travel novels but this one isn't clicking for me right now. Maybe I'll try to read it again later. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a digital arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m officially hooked on Sandy Barker books. This book was wonderful. I love the story and Jaelee’s personal arc. The rest of the characters were great and fun. But the locations… Sandy Barker has a way of making you yearn to travel. She gives us such a wonderful and inviting picture of Bali. I want to go there so badly now.

I only wish I could find a physical copy of this book and of the other books in this series. I looked and can only find digital copies. If I was able to have physical copies at the bookstore where I work, I would 100% hand sell this book, as well as buy one for myself.

I love Sandy Barker’s holiday series and this didn’t disappoint!

Jaelee Tan goes on a sabbatical from her PR job in Miami to beautiful Bali, a bold move, she meets some lovely people that become her friends especially a very handsome Scotsman, Alistair. Jaelee becomes accustomed to the relaxing lifestyle and humidity of Bali, so much so, when her boss demands her to return early she quits her job, unsure of what to do next, how to tell her family and facing her fears she embraces some time out to find herself enjoying the company of Alistair.

Some highs and lows all set in beautiful surroundings, with friendly people drinking extortionate wine!

I absolutely adore Sandy Barker and you always know you are in for a treat when delving into a book by her.

This definitely doesn’t disappoint. We are transported to Bali with Jaelee on a journey of self discovery. This is a book that once you begin you won’t want to put down.

This is a gem from beginning to end. I have been completely caught up and unwilling to put this down. So much, I have devoured this gem in just one sitting.

This is another great book with surprises in store for the reader. Sandy Barker is a must for the TBR.

A really great story, charming, atmospheric, great characters. Filled me with warmth and spirit. Well written and flowed nicely, was romantic and funny, charming and full of fun. A great read, i really enjoyed it.

A true escapist read, this book builds wonderfully on the descriptions of Bali, giving the reader opportunity to really enjoy the story. Another one that's perfect for the holidays - light and full of romance.

Thank you #Netgalley!

When Jaelee decides to take a leave of absence from her PR job and travel to Bali, her friends and work were shocked. This was not like stable, reliable Jaelee. Jae plans to spend 2 months in Bali at c0-living hotel to regroup. Within her first few days on the island, Jaelee quits her job and decides she is going to start fresh, not knowing what that may be. She eventually connects with other residents, Alistair and Peta and Helena. Each person there for their own personal reasons, looking to hide or reassess their lives. We watch Jaelee who is first uncomfortable in her new surrounds, gets better acquainted with the help of her new friends, even a romantic interest that derails her plans. A fun beach read.

This was a brilliant escapist book which is perfect for pure enjoyment but definitely makes you want to escape to somewhere warm and idyllic.

Characters were good, story was good and overall i had a nice time reading this book.

Ohh, Bali! Isn't it the ultimate escape on a cold winter day? Beautiful beaches, tropical setting, and no snow!! Yes. But since I don't have the money--nor an extra 20 hours--to fly to Bali right now, I think I'll live vicariously through Sandy Barker's "A Sunrise Over Bali."

The story revolves around Jaelee Tan, an overworked PR rep who realizes that she isn't satisfied with her long hours and disappointing love life. She decides a trip to something exotic and different will help her set her priorities right, so heads to a digital nomad retreat center.

She discovers life is quite different in Bali, and the retreat center. There, she meets a handsome Scottish man, and makes friends with other digital nomads who hold jobs that allow them to work from anywhere in the world. She even manages to do some PR work for a couple of the nomads, and a small business in the town where the retreat center is located, which makes her realize that perhaps her passion doesn't lie in the long hours involved in being a vice president at a large PR firm. She realizes that she can be more creative, and achieve more satisfaction in her life, without the stress of climbing the corporate ladder.

And then, there's the handsome Scottish man. They spend more time together and grow closer, but there's a secret about him that she doesn't yet know.

I always enjoy Barker's books. She does an excellent job of describing exotic locales like Bali, and capturing the essence of the unique people that her characters meet in their journey of discovery. Then there's the food, the brilliant colors of a tropical island, the awe-inspiring scenery...

So although I haven't yet traveled to Bali, I've now added that destination to my bucket list!

Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I lieu of actual travel--because, life--A Sunrise over Bali was exactly what the doctor ordered. Bali. Sandy Barker knows how to choose a great setting, and she's captured this one perfectly, for better, for worse, all the beauty, all the challenges. You can tell that Barker is well-travelled, because her ability to write her settings is unmatched.

Jaelee Tan is a complex and fun character, who really shows great emotional depth and growth over the course of the book. Her 'Hot Scot' with a man bun is wildly unexpected, and I really enjoyed watching on as they came together.

A breezy, easy to fall-in-love with rom com, from the rom-com queen.

Loved the setting of this book - Bali has always been on my bucket list and Sandy Barker's descriptions of this magnificent place have only added to my longing to visit! Perfect summer setting and total escapism.

Unfortunately, I didn't like the character of Jaelee as much as I would have wanted to but this didn't detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the novel.

A light-hearted, summer read.

I've been dreaming about visiting Bali forever and quitting my job, so I can totally relate to this story. I put myself in the main characters place and lived through her. I read this book during a cold snowy day and completely let myself get lost in it. I highly recommend this as a read for a bad day, it's fun and super lighthearted and you can almost feel the beauty of Bali jump out of the pages and surround you.

I am going to have to DNF this one at 29%. I have been trying to get into it for over a week and I just can't. Which makes me really sad because the cover and the synopsis both hold so much promise. The main character, Jaelee, is one of the worst characters I've read. She is judgmental of others, condescending, childish, talks about her bitch mode that she goes into like she's proud of it, calls someone an idiot literally for no reason, she talks about how self conscious she is but then a few pages later is saying how hot she looks and needs to take a picture...I could go on...just know there is a lot going on with this character that is very unlikeable. I can't get into a story about her finding herself or loving herself when at almost a third of the book I can't connect with her enough to care that she grows. Also, the "romantic connection" she is forming with another character just doesn't feel believable either.

But please don't take my word for it if this book seems like one you would enjoy! The majority of readers on Goodreads are loving it! It's just not my cup of tea.

I have to be honest and say that as I read this, I thought hard about whether I could follow in Jaelee's footsteps, take a sabbatical, and head to Bali. Unfortunately, I can't, so living vicariously through this book is good enough for now. A Sunrise Over Bali is an adorable book about a young woman who is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life. After a bad breakup, and learning her ex is moving on, Jaelee is in need of a break. Heading to Bali seems just like the fresh start she needs in her life. In Bali, Jaelee makes new friends, discovers what she loves in live, and meets a new man. You will enjoy this book!

4/5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, One More Chapter for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Sunrise Over Bali was just what the doctor ordered! It’s been now 1267 days (not that I’m counting) since I traveled abroad so this fictional trip to Bali was the next best thing. Hopefully one day it won’t be fictional and I’ll be able to visit in real life cause, if I trust this book’s descriptions, it must be gorgeous.

After a recent break up, Jaelee decides to take a two month sabbatical in a digital nomads community in Bali (first time I hear about that). There, her priorities will take a 180º turn, in a journey of self-discovery that will change her life.

First of all, I didn’t know this character had some ties to other books from the author, but not having read them didn’t diminish my enjoyment of this story.

I’ve read some reviews saying it was a bit difficult to empathize with Jaelee, but I found it to be the exact opposite, maybe because I could see myself in her somehow. Her whole life she’s been pretty focused in her work (not me) and she’s built some barriers around herself, not letting other people in and holding her feelings (very much me) even with those closest to her. I found her journey pretty interesting, especially when it came to her relationship with her mum.

I adored every single person (and not person) she met in her retreat! Peta, Helena, Lu, the hot Scottish man (man bun and all)…They made such a tight group it felt like reading about your own group of friends.

Another thing I liked was the author didn’t limit herself to present the nice and touristy part of Bali, but she also described the not so perfect parts you won’t find out in in a travel brochure.

A Sunrise Over Bali was perfect escapism to a wonderful location in this time of restrictions, so join Jaelee in this journey of friendship, love and self-discovery. You won’t regret it!

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review and to Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour.