Paperback. 'An assured and clever debut' Kate Kemp, author of The Grapevine'Warm, witty and deeply romantic' Lauren Bravo, author of Probably NothingHeart-warming, funny and so relatable Laura Dockrill, author of I Love You, I Love You, I Love You ***Sam and Daisy have been best friends since university. Back then Daisy was a wild, Fleetwood Mac-obsessed girl descended from the Yorkshire Moors, while Sams youth was misspent traipsing around Liverpool on shopping trips and nights out.But as they lean against each other on a wooden bench in the tired garden of their beloved local pub, gazing out at Sams wedding, they have no idea that their paths are about to truly diverge for the first time.As Sams desire to become a mother consumes her, and Daisys inability to resist temptation haunts her, these best of friends will lose sight of themselves and each other. With each misstep and unintentional betrayal the gulf widens. But can they build a bridge, or will they let it burn?***Spending time with the characters in their hope, uncertainty and banter was like being amongst friends Gabrielle Griffiths, author of Greater SinsA heartfelt kaleidoscope of female friendship Roxy Dunn, author of As Young as ThisA must-read full of heart Stephanie Steel, author of The Train from Platform 2A touching, true-to-life story of friendship, the tensions and pressures of your thirties, and proper Northern representation Sarah Handyside, author of Instructions for Heartbreak Sharp and observant, warm and touching Bonnie Burke-Patel, author of Dead as GoldWarm, witty and charming, reading That Time Everything Was on Fire feels like gossiping with your best mates in a pub garden and finally feeling the sun on your skin after a long winter Marni Appleton, author of I Hope Youre HappyA beautiful ode to the female friendships that carry us through our lives, with all their many complications Silvia Saunders, author of HomesickA heartfelt and timely debut Elspeth Wilson, author of These Mortal Bodies 'An assured and clever debut' Kate Kemp, author of The Grapevine'Warm, witty and deeply romantic' Lauren Bravo, author of Probably NothingHeart-warming, funny and so relatable Laura Dockrill, author of I Love You, I Love You, I Love You Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

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Bibliographic Details

Title: That Time Everything Was On Fire (Paperback)
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, London
Publication Date: 2026
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0008665702
ISBN 13: 9780008665708
Binding: Paperback
Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

'A wonderful book, with the beauty, warmth and solidarity of female friendship at its core'

'An excellent debut novel from a writer with a very perceptive take on modern womanhood'

'So good, so addictive, so relatable and so realistic!'

***

Sam and Daisy have been best friends since university. Back then Daisy was a wild, Fleetwood Mac-obsessed girl descended from the Yorkshire Moors, while Sam’s youth was misspent traipsing around Liverpool on shopping trips and nights out.

But as they lean against each other on a wooden bench in the tired garden of their beloved local pub, gazing out at Sam’s wedding, they have no idea that their paths are about to truly diverge for the first time.

As Sam’s desire to become a mother consumes her, and Daisy’s inability to resist temptation haunts her, these best of friends will lose sight of themselves – and each other. With each misstep and unintentional betrayal the gulf widens. But can they build a bridge, or will they let it burn?

***

'An assured and clever debut' Kate Kemp, author of The Grapevine

'Warm, witty and deeply romantic' Lauren Bravo, author of Probably Nothing

‘Heart-warming, funny and so relatable’ Laura Dockrill, author of I Love You, I Love You, I Love You

‘Spending time with the characters – in their hope, uncertainty and banter – was like being amongst friends’ Gabrielle Griffiths, author of Greater Sins

‘A heartfelt kaleidoscope of female friendship’ Roxy Dunn, author of As Young as This

‘A must-read full of heart’ Stephanie Steel, author of The Train from Platform 2

‘A touching, true-to-life story of friendship, the tensions and pressures of your thirties, and proper Northern representation’ Sarah Handyside, author of Instructions for Heartbreak

‘Sharp and observant, warm and touching’ Bonnie Burke-Patel, author of Dead as Gold

‘Warm, witty and charming, reading That Time Everything Was on Fire feels like gossiping with your best mates in a pub garden and finally feeling the sun on your skin after a long winter’ Marni Appleton, author of I Hope You’re Happy

‘A beautiful ode to the female friendships that carry us through our lives, with all their many complications’ Silvia Saunders, author of Homesick

‘A heartfelt and timely debut’ Elspeth Wilson, author of These Mortal Bodies

About the Author

Kerry Downes grew up in East Yorkshire and has spent the last decade in south London, working as an NHS specialist audiologist. Her journey through fertility treatment over the last few years inspired parts of this novel. She lives in Brighton with her husband and two children.

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