Now this is a fantastic book!!!!!

This is my first book by Sandy Barker, I read it in a day, I literally didn’t want to put it down, I absolutely love the characters and the various locations in this fast paced yet leisurely story.

I was transported to Bali, I could almost feel the sun on my face.

I would recommend this absolutely fabulous book to all of my friends.

5 huge stars ⭐️ from me!!!!

I wish to be there... In the place, life slows down when I would charge my battery and take a break from reality. I wish I found a love like theirs, friendships like these ones, and the courage to move forward to a better life.

And this book was like a dream. Calm, full of happiness with a hint of the hard times, placed in heaven on Earth. Reading this was like a guilty pleasure especially when you have a lot of snow and Alps just behind your door.

This story is cozy. New beginnings, facing the old habits and taking a chance to get the life she was dreaming of. Call it a beach read? Kinda, but I liked it very much and spend a few hours in nice company.

Great book for holiday. Not only the summer ones ;)

Having a hard time with her normal life, Jaelee needed a break. She decided to go on sabbatical. She didn't know the adventure that awaited her. This was such a fun read. Very much enjoyed it!💗

You are always guaranteed an escapist read with this author, and Bali is a fascinating mix of idyllic and surprising. The references to the less desirable aspects of this paradise create an authentic world for the reader to explore.

Jaelee, who devotees of the series will remember from That Night in Paris, is still healing from a break-up. Her career is full-on, and when she feels betrayed by an old friend, she decides to take time off and spend two months in Bali at a UROP. This place of living with others, particularly favoured by digital nomads, lets her examine her life and what she wants from it.

This story balances humour and poignancy and delivers an uplifting read full of friendships, romance and self-realisation. Jaelee is a complex character. She has a self-deprecating sense of humour and succeeds to achieve the recognition that she never receives from her close family. The characterisation is vivid, and I can picture Jalee and the vibrant characters she meets and gets to know.

I received a copy of this book from One More Chapter via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A SUNRISE OVER BALI by SANDY BARKER.

If you fancy some sunny escapism to a tropical paradise this is the book for you.

This is book 4 in the Holiday Romance series. However, A Sunrise Over Bali can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone story.

Jaelee is a high achiever, but unlucky in love. A sabbatical to Bali could be just what she needs to change her life.

There are some fabulous characters in this book. Alister the Hot-Scot will raise your temperature and although Jaelee was a bit of a challenge to take to, her journey did change her into a much softer and more likeable person.

This book is beautifully written and an utterly charming, fun read.

I loved the setting, Bali has been on my wish list for years. Some mouth watering food descriptions too, really added to the ambiance of the story.

So grab your factor 50, pour yourself a Pina Colada and escape into this absolute gem of a book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ebook out 17/2/22
Paperback out 12/5/22

With thanks to #Netgalley and #HarperColinsUkOneMoreChapter for a digital arc of #ASunriseOverBali by #SandyBarker.

THE BLURB…
When Jaelee Tan leaves her high-flying PR job in Miami for a sabbatical in Bali, the last thing she expects is for it to become permanent. But when her boss demands the trip be cut short, Jae does the only thing she can think of and quits on the spot.

With two months in Bali, a new group of friends and the gorgeous scenery and beaches, Jae is determined to make the most of her new-found freedom. And when she locks eyes with hunky Scot, Alistair, Jae wonders if she’ll lose her heart to more than just a Balinese sunrise.

There was so much I enjoyed about this book that I really don’t know where to start – but I’m going to begin with location. After a few years confined to our homes, I think everyone’s probably ready for some virtual travel – and where could be more aspirational (and inspirational too) than Bali? In this book, it’s so much more than a backdrop – it’s total escapism. The author’s wonderful descriptions entirely immerse you in the island paradise, and by the book’s end I really felt like I’d been on a really good holiday.

But the author uses her intimate knowledge of the island to give much more than a postcard representation. While the sunrise that gives the book its title takes your breath away (and a tear to your eye), and there’s nothing you yearn for more than to take your turn on a paddle board on the clear blue sea or to run on the isolated tracks, it doesn’t skirt away from some of the less picture-perfect detail – I never knew about the ever-present rubbish, and the way it detracts from the perfection. And I was absolutely fascinated by the whole idea of UROP – a resort catering for digital nomads, that contemporary phenomenon of people who can work anywhere with decent wifi and mobile reception (who knew?), and a lifestyle I’d really never heard of (and certainly not read about) before.

And it’s the perfect refuge for Jaelee, who needs to escape from her high-powered job in Miami for a while – and to lick her wounds after a relationship break-up she really hasn’t got over, and that feels much worse after encountering her former partner and his beautiful new wife at a friend’s birthday party. She feels betrayed, and really needs to run and hide for a while – and when the pressure of work follows her, with a demand for her to return forthwith to handle an unforeseen problem, she resigns from her job and kicks back to contemplate her uncertain future.

If you read That Night in Paris (and you really don’t have to – this book stands alone quite perfectly) you might remember Jaelee and her friendship with Cat as they travelled round Europe. In this one, they’re still in touch and it’s good to hear how life has moved on for her – but I will admit that I was slightly worried about Jaelee being the main character in this book when she really wasn’t someone I’d particularly warmed to. But I certainly engaged with her in this book, and felt for her from the very start – her first person account takes you right inside her thoughts, feeling all her fears and uncertainties, revealing her as a far more complex character than she at first might appear, and I was never anywhere but entirely in her corner.

And, as you can always expect from a book by Sandy Barker, there’s then a lovely focus on making connections and forming firm and supportive new female friendships – although Jaelee’s closeness with model-slash-actress Helena understandably does take just a little longer to develop. The whole supporting cast is wonderfully drawn, along with the relationships between them – there’s even a superbly characterful dog, the lovely Lu, initially untouchable but becoming steadily more friendly, and her appearances nicely punctuate the story. And Jaelee slowly gains a new confidence, has the unexpected opportunity to mend some trampled fences, and feels ready to set about making plans for her future.

And I haven’t even mentioned the romance yet, and it’s a major part of the story – there’s a real chemistry between her and hot Scot Alistair from the moment they first meet, some lovely exchanges, and things steadily heat up in a way I thoroughly enjoyed. But he’s every bit as complex as I like my romantic leads to be, and their mutual attraction felt both authentic and believable – but their developing relationship doesn’t progress as smoothly as you might expect or hope for, complicated by secrets that emerge and the intrusion of family issues. And the story does takes an unexpected turn for a while, away from Bali and into a situation that might cement or irretrievably damage their relationship – and it was a diversion I really enjoyed.

This is a book that certainly has all the lightness and touches of humour that I always enjoy about the author’s writing, but there’s also a real depth of emotion that I found particularly satisfying. And it’s a great story – it certainly kept me entirely hooked, hoping that Jaelee would have the happy ending she deserved. Beautifully done, as always – and a book I’d thoroughly recommend.

Another lovely book in the holiday romance series which provided a much needed escape. Written in the beautiful setting of Bali and we could probably all do with a holiday there at the moment. This book is the next best thing.

I enjoyed reading this romance novel. The characters were enjoyable and real. I loved the location and in-depth details of Bali. I would recommend this book. I enjoyed it on the beach in Miami actually.

I love a book with a bit of a travelogue included. Having been to Ubud twice it was nice to recognise some of the places mentioned.
Jaelee is from Miami and finds herself at the UROP co-living complex after she flees her best friends birthday - party after coming face to face with her ex and his new wife. She is furious with Ali, her friend for not taking her feelings into account as she was still getting over Paco, said ex.
In Bali, she find the pace of life much slower and meets Peta, an Aussie who she bonds with immediately. There is also Alastair, a "hot" Scot and Helena, a young actress/model from Wisconsin. Slowly Jaelee finds herself reviewing her own life and the way she looks at things. When her boss interrupts her sabbatical on the first day, she makes a major life decision.
This book is mainly about people making life choices, but also about love. I really enjoyed it as a departure from my normal murder encrusted reads.

A Sunrise over Bali is the perfect escapism read - much like Sandy Barkers other books! You are guaranteed to be immersed into a beautiful story and left feeling like you have had a big hug from a friend!

I absolutely loved Jaelee and Alistair’s story - I really liked the other characters too including Kermit and Lu, but these two love birds were just perfect to me!

I enjoyed being whisked from Miami to Bali to Scotland and back to Bali and am desperately wanting to try a Lychee Martini 🍸

I definitely recommend this book that makes you want a holiday so badly, has plenty of laughs, but is an uplifting tale of friendship, romance and above all survival of anything - even being stung by a jellyfish!

A Sunrise Over Bali is the fourth novel in the Holiday Romance series, which connects standalone stories with overlapping characters. After greatly enjoying this novel, I definitely need to get my hands on the other three, One Summer in Santorini, That Night in Paris, and A Sunset in Sydney. As some of the characters were introduced in the previous novels, I did not have any prior knowledge of them, but it was extremely easy to catch up on the dynamics. This story follows 35-years-old Jaelee Tan, who has an amazing job that’s she very qualified for with her BA in Communications and Masters in Public Relations. She currently lives in Miami and is the Junior Vice President at the second-largest PR firm in Florida. Before beginning this story, I loved that she not only has a graduate degree to add to her qualifications to have the higher power job, but she has it in her mid-30s. To me, it helped add a touch of realism to the story.

After a break-up with her boyfriend, Paco, she ends up running into him at her best friend, Ali’s birthday party. Not only did Ali forget to mention his attendance to Jaelee, but Paco is in attendance with his new wife. This causes fallout between her and Ali and Jaelee is currently not speaking to Ali. This also spurs Jaelee’s idea to take a sabbatical. She ends up booking a two-month trip to Bali where she’s staying with other digital nomads at a place called UROP (“You Are Our People”) that is a co-living space. After her arrival, Jaelee ends up receiving notice from her job that they need to rescind her sabbatical and she needs to return home. Instead of leaving, she ends up quitting. Now her time in Bali is not only to heal herself emotionally but to use it as an opportunity to figure out the next steps in her career. As a character, Jaelee was initially difficult to like as she was judgmental of people and places. She came across as self-absorbed and closed-minded at first; however, over the course of her story not only does she grow as a character, but the reasons behind some of her characters are revealed. By the end, everything came together nicely, and she was very likable and enjoyable.

At the compound, Jaelee meets Alistair, a software engineer Scots man, and the two of them have an immediate attraction to the other. While they are both willing to be together, it is not simple as Jaelee is still dealing with residual feelings for Paco and Alistair is dealing with his own break-up. Their relationship develops both at a quicker rate and also as a slow burn, which fits very well into the story. As each of them is meeting in a destination away from home and living in the same place, the timeline moves differently compared to meeting on one of their home turfs. The two of them worked together nicely and I enjoyed both of them as a potential couple. While I loved the romance, I enjoyed the friendships even more. Peta, an Australian lifestyle coach, and Helena, an American model/actress were both staying at the same place and I loved the friendship that formed between them. Each character was at a different stage in their life and I loved how they all came together to form a genuine bond.

Overall, I loved the escapism and Bali made a fantastic backdrop for the story. Bali is an incredible destination, but it is not a complete paradise, so I liked that the story did not highlight only the secluded resort side and instead showed everywhere. I have heard of digital nomads and co-living situations before, so it was amazing to see it featured in a story. If my job allowed this, I would easily pack my bags to participate. The novel is an amazing emotional journey for Jaelee as she rediscovers everything that she wants out of life. The friendships she formed were amazing and I enjoyed her relationship with Alistair. I do wish that their romance was explored a little more as it did sometimes take a backseat to the internal journey of Jaelee; however, it was an enjoyable story and I cannot wait to read more from the series!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

DNF @ 25%

I loved The Dating Game from this author, but this one did not work for me. Jaelee leaves her fancy job because her ex boyfriend got married and ends up in Bali. She ends up quitting her job the first day, and that’s pretty much it. She makes friends, starts dating a guy who literally just got out of a very serious long term relationship and yea. I have a lot of complaints. The book is super easy to read, quick, but that’s because it’s all surface level. Very light read, but it wasn’t working for me, especially because Jaelee is so unlikeable and not kind, She harps too much on her weight, claiming carbs are making her chubby, I just don’t like that kind of negative talk around food, I thought we were past that in todays day and age. She’s also mean to the other characters, she says her friends say she has a mega bitch mode, as if she’s a freshman in high school. She calls a character an idiot for something so minor, and is really judgemental of Helena. Also, no connection between the two characters, they have literally two conversations and go in four runs, with no dialogue, then they’re kissing and she’s super into him. He also makes a comment about how she’s flirting with him by wearing a sports bra and showing a bit of her stomach. Like, what? Ugh. No. I don’t think I’m missing anything by not finishing this. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy Sandy Barker stories. With great characters and always a beautiful setting, she writes a wonderful romance, and A Sunrise Over Bali has hit the sweet spot again.
Bali sounded so magical- the perfect getaway from it all destination - and all of our characters needed that time away to regroup and work out what was important in their lives.
I really liked the chemistry between Jaelee and Alistair - both strong individuals, they supported eachother from the very beginning of their meeting. All of the friendships through the story were supportive and warm.

This was the perfect book for a winter day…or a summer day…spring day..,any day you fancy an escape. It features a beautiful setting, yummy food, a sweet love story and a woman’s journey to reinvent herself.

Jaelee is an overworked, super stressed PR rep who decides to take a sabbatical and figure out what she wants for the rest of her life, so she heads to a digital nomad retreat and there meets up with others from around the world who are like her and who are very much not like her in some ways, but quickly become good friends. Jaelee finds that she thrives in the unstructured setting and is able to revive her love for her work and find a new shot at happily ever after.
“Family isn’t just the flesh and blood people we’re related to-family is the people we chose to love.”

Read this if you love to travel, need a unique escape from reality or need a warm hug on a cold day.

This was the first one of Sandy Barker’s novels I have read and having really enjoyed A Sunrise Over Bali, I will be seeking out her backlist.

This was a wonderful romance novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for so kindly gifting me the ARC to read to and review.

I am rather a devotee of Sandy Barker’s travel romance novels. I know they are always going to cheer me up and whisk me away from cold, wet, dull February in Yorkshire, and all my problems, and drop me directly into some exotic location, with an array of interesting characters, add a scoop of steamy romance, and carry me along. This book was no different, and I thoroughly enjoyed it for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, it was the setting. This is the main reason I read Sandy’s books, for the armchair travelling aspect. Travel porn is what they are. This is particularly important at the moment, given the lack of travel opportunities we have had over the past two years, and I am a travel junkie. Getting my fix of other places and cultures on a regular basis feeds my insatiable curiosity and keeps me buoyant and I am missed it hugely during the pandemic. Books like Sandy’s, which allow me to experience it vicariously, have been my lifeline. Bali is a place I sent many clients when I ran my travel consultancy, but I’ve never been myself and this book brought Ubud right into my living room. I could see, hear, smell, taste and touch the place, such is her skill at bringing her locations to vivid life, and you can fully immerse yourself in the place from the comfort of your sofa. I particularly enjoyed the fact she does not shy away from portraying some of the less desirable aspects of the destination – she’s not writing copy for the tourist board here, but giving the reader a true picture of the place, which I appreciate. You will still want to book a trip as soon as you’ve finished reading it though.

Secondly, the characters. Now, Jaelee was not the easiest of characters to warm to in the beginning. She’s quite hard and brash, a little bit arrogant, quite unforgiving and hasty to judge others. However, over the course of the book, we gradually begin to realise why she is why she is, and we actively see her changing under the influence of her experiences in Bali and her new friends, and she grew on me greatly. This is the key to a great story, the transformation of the main character from beginning to end, and Jaelee in this book is one of the characters we can see this most obviously happening too. Sandy gives her some great supporting characters to help her along the way, with their own fascinating stories and journeys to go on in the book. Peta was a particular favourite. It made me wish I were in my twenties again (not almost 50!) so that I could take off travelling and have similar experiences.

Finally, I loved the theme of this book which is friendship, choosing your own family and finding your tribe. People sometimes just expect romance novels to only deal with romance, but they greatly underestimate the genre. The issues explored outside of the central romance are often equally or more important that the love story, and most readers will be able to find something or someone to relate to if they care to try. This theme certainly resonates with me, to whom friendships are the things that hold me up in life and encourage me to be my best self, and I thoroughly enjoyed Jaelee’s journey in this regard.

Sandy has knocked it out of the park again with this book. If you are already a fan of her work, I’m sure you’ll love this one too. If you are new to her books, come on, dive in..the water is lovely.

The latest book in the series from Sandy Barker and what a joy this was. I really enjoyed Jaelee’s story and fell in love with the hot Scot!!
Flirty, fun and full of romance.

Sandy does it again!

I must say, straightaway, that I absolutely loved this book. It was interesting to learn so much about Balinese sights and culture without leaving home. Sandy’s writing style makes it easy to imagine that you are laying on a sun lounger, looking out over a pool or a crystal-clear sea. As it happens, I was laying in bed in a wintry Blackpool.
Jaelee is a character who I took to straight away, she’s taken a sabbatical from her PR job where she has risen through the ranks to a more senior, less hands-on position. When asked to cut her trip short, she shocks herself by quitting, on the spot.
We learn about Jaelee’s past in bitesize pieces. She has had an argument with her best friend, over a perceived act of disloyalty, and leaves town without the chance to make their peace. Of course, that will never be resolved while Jaelee refuses to answer her calls or texts.
As I said, I immediately took to Jaelee’s character and found it easy to envisage UROP, the complex where she stays, along with a great cast of characters from across the globe. My favourites were certainly Alistair, Peta and Helena. The forged strong bonds upon which long-lasting friendships are formed. I particularly, I loved Peta; she had come to Bali to avoid celebrating a landmark birthday with her loved ones. Learning more about the reasons for that decision, I really felt for her.
A special mention must go to Alistair, having found and married, my own travelling Scot, I know how lucky she is to have made his acquaintance.
Whilst romances are explored, this is a story of self-discovery and the power of friendship. I found it to be funny and kind with a few laugh out loud moments. Perhaps I shouldn’t laugh at jellyfish stings, but it was rather funny.
A Sunrise over Bali brought a welcome escape with an uplifting story of love and friendship.

It’s snowy and cold here in Southern Ontario so I was excited for a tropical escape, even in book form. I’m happy to say that’s exactly what I got. The setting was definitely my favourite aspect of this book. Sandy is a master of scene setting with vivid descriptions of the landscapes and cityscapes. I liked that she didn’t shy away from some of the less desirable realities of Bali such as the garbage and crazy traffic. Those details helped paint a very clear picture in this reader’s head and I felt like I could really envision each scene. Of course this is balanced nicely with stunning vistas and sunrises; all the beautiful stuff my husband calls “travel porn”. I have to say it worked! I’ve never been to Bali but now I definitely want to go.

I’ll admit, I didn’t love the main character Jaelee at first. She’s a bit self-centred, judgmental, and can come off as downright rude. Over the course of the story though, Jaelee grows as a person and makes a concentrated effort to figure her stuff out and be a better friend. As the reader is let in on her backstory, we come to know a little more about why she is the way she is. By the end, I still didn’t love Jaelee, but I understood her. The story is very focused on Jaelee and moves at a nice relaxed pace. It isn’t a gripping page turner, but I think that suits the journey Jaelee is on and the setting.

Overall, A Sunrise Over Bali is a light read with stunning scenery. If you could use a little tropical escape, you might enjoy this one.

Thank you, One More Chapter for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jaelee Tan is in need of a break from her high powered job in Miami, so she takes a sabbatical to Bali. But as soon as she gets there her boss calls her up requesting that she cancel her vacation and return immediately to the States. But Jaelee is having none of it and makes the impulsive decision to quit her job and stay in Bali.

Now I have never been to Bali and it is well known as a popular tourist destination particularly for Australians. Barker does a fantastic job bringing it to life. She describes the scenery and food with precision.

There is a host of interesting characters as well all staying where Jaelee is. We meet Peta, Helena and of course; Alistair, the Hot Scot!

One thing that I have always loved about Barker’s books is the way that she describes friendships. It is not all plain sailing of course.

On her exterior, Jaelee may appear to be a tad prickly but she certainly has layers.

Loved this instalment in Barker’s travel series. It is certainly a firm favourite of mine.