I've always been a fan of this author. This is another one of her down to earth, clean stories that readers can relate with. A great book to read when a feel good story is needed. Highly recommended.

I’ve seen Debbie Macomber’s name mentioned quite a few times as a recommended author, so I was excited to receive this book from netgalley and I couldn’t wait to read it. I really liked the concept of a woman breaking apart from her family and moving across the country to start a new life. It was great to see Beth create a life for herself and stand up to her mother. Though, I thought both Beth and Sam could be a little immature at times and it’s not what I like to see when I read adult romance books. However, I really enjoyed the way the way the author writes and I will be looking for more books from her in the future.

Debbie Macomber writes such realistic characters. One can get so caught up in the stories, it's like saying goodbye to a good friend when the book is finished. If Not For You is a lovely tale of two people who could not be more opposite and yet are really quite similar. Ms. Macomber has a knack for telling more than one story in each book giving the reader a number of characters with whom to relate. I look forward to reading many more books by Debbie Macomber..

Pretty typical Macomber fare. Girl meets boy who doesn't share her station in life, girl gets in car accident, boy doesn't leave her side, they date, they separate, they realize they can't live without each other, the end. I did like aunt Sunshine though. She reminded me of my favorite aunt.

I liked that this book got into the action right away, but was left floundering in the middle while waiting for the dramatic twist that we all knew was coming. Seems like these characters relationship went from zero to sixty in twenty seconds, but half the book is them telling us they aren't good together.

I honestly adored this book. I was so excited to visit some characters from Girls Guide to Moving On again too. Stunning and beautiful, Debbie never disappoints me. Pick up this book!

I've never read a Debbie Macomber book I didn't like and it's still true. From the first paragraph to the last I was living in Portland with Beth, Sam and Sunshine. I felt the butterflies of early love and the heartache of despair when love takes a wrong turn.

Debbie Macomber has a way with words that makes you as a reader feel emotion in a new way. A good way.

I was pleased to see that she could write about love without the unnecessary steamy sex scenes. She also mentioned faith and discussed a bible story which you don't see in mainstream fiction that often. I loved that.

Grab a hot mug of tea, a chair in a quiet corner and a box of tissues and lose yourself in love.

I adore Debbie Macomber. She writes wonderful stories focused on relationships. Nothing raunchy in the pages. This one is no exception.

In some ways, this is a coming of age story as Beth has finally flown the nest and expanded her wings. She has a job and her own apartment. And, while she is hesitant to accept her friend's invitation to meet a guy, she feels like she is finally coming into her own. They don't hit if off. Rather both make quick judgments based on appearances and make a quick escape from the couples dinner date.

Then tragedy strikes as Beth's car is struck in an intersection. Sam, her blind date, witnesses the accident and does what any decent guy would do...rush to help.

The accident helps them to forge a friendship that turns towards something more. Yet, can Beth fully escape her domineering mother and forge her own path in life?

I have never read a book by Debbie Macomber that I didn't fall in love with. The story of Beth and Sam is such a beautiful story. This is a book of two people meant to be together, but with so many hard memories from the past standing in the way. And then there is Beth's controlling mother to get past. Beth is a music teacher struggling to make a life of her own while she struggles to get out from under her mother's control. Sam is a mechanic with loads of sad memories of hurts and pains from a love in his past. But an accident brings Sam and Beth together trying to find away past there hurts and pain to a place where they can trust each other and make a future together. This is a very clean and wholesome love story. This is a great book from the beginning to the very end.

This was by far one of my favorites! I love when an author continues to follow up with characters so you continue to learn more and and and come to a great conclusion. Her novels never dissapointed me and this one is no different. We finally learn more about Mark and who he was in the past and how he needs to fix things in his past to be able to move forward with his life.

Debbie Maccomber is one of my favorite new romance authors. I know she's not new to the industry, but she's new to me and I love her books. They're sweet, funny, and shot with just the perfect punch of drama. This book is a good read for a lazy afternoon.

If Not for You is a sweet love story of two (from outward appearances) completely mismatched people. He is a scruffy, rough mechanic from the wrong side of the tracks, she is an uptight, wealthy music teacher, at least that is the impression they give each other upon first meeting. But, an accident occurs and it doesn't take long for Beth and Same to realize that they're drawn to each other and those first impressions are far from true (aside from their professions). For me, this book was extra-sweet and a surprise because characters from a previous Debbie Macomber book (The Girls Guide to Moving On) were interlaced into the story and I was so happy to be reacquainted with them and to have the update on what they're up to in life. I'd recommend this book for a vacation, cozy afternoons by the fire, or for whenever you want something light, but with twists and turns here and there, to keep you entertained.

When Beth Prudhomme and Sam Carney initially meet, there is NO chemistry between them. Beth is a gently bred, upper-class woman. No way does she have the time or desire to date an uneducated mechanic. Sam is not interested in Beth. After all, they have nothing in common and they have to struggle to have a decent conversation. But, due to a traumatic event, Beth’s life drastically changes. Sam was there for her when she initially gets hurt – and her opinion of him changes a lot.
Sam is used to dating beer-drinking gals he meets at The Dog House, the local pub. But, Beth is refreshingly different that his past girlfriends. But how can a relationship between them work? Beth has never dated seriously and all of her former beaus were chosen for her by her uppity, over-protective mom.
I loved how both Sam and Beth are musicians, and they found a common bond in their music. Both Sam and Beth are dealing with past pains, which make them hesitant to love again. This story shows that opposites really do attract. It’s a simple, sweet romance that’s highly enjoyable.

Was very disapointed in this book. Debbie is one of my favourite authors. But this was by far the book ive liked the least. really didnt enjoy it and struggled to read on as i found it rather boring and uninteresting

I so enjoy Debbie Macomber's books. They always seem to have a happily ever after. In them, people become better, learn lessons, and learn to live for each day.

This book is no different. Beth moves to Portland to get away from a controlling mother. There she meets Sam. At first, neither thinks they are a good match. But over time, they grow and see new things in each other that they love. They also learn of common interests. This is a great book!

I have been reading a lot of books lately that have a darker tone so when I chose my next book to read I wanted something that I could get lost in with a more cheerful note.  If Not For You by Debbie Macomber was the perfect escape for me.

Debbie Macomber is a New York Times best selling author and for good reason.  She has an amazing ability to give a story incredible depth.  If Not For You is a story about finding love in the most imperfect instances.  It's about fighting for love despite problematic circumstances.  It's about that crazy, messy, complicated thing we call love.  

Beth Prodomme is a music-loving piano teacher who was raised to be prim and proper.  As an only child, her overbearing mother made all of her choices for her.  After twenty five years, Beth realizes that she has had enough and moves away from her mother to be closer to her fun-loving, free-spirited aunt Sunshine.  It's time for Beth to start living her life.  

Sam Carney is the complete opposite of Beth.  He's a rough around the edges, long haired, bearded, and tattooed mechanic that has sworn off relationships for good and is perfectly content living life on his own.

After they end up on a horrible blind date together, a tragedy occurs that brings them together and before either of them know it they're falling for each other.  This romance has many twists and turns throughout the story that keep you on your toes and keep you continuously turning the pages.  The entire time I rooted for these two.  These characters have amazing hearts and as the story unfolds you see each of them blossom into amazing people who end up being perfect for each other.

The story is told through the eyes of both Beth and Sam as well as aunt Sunshine who has her own heartbreaking love story.  Despite each chapter being written from a different character's point of view, the author really knows how to flow from one scene to another seamlessly.  You can see smaller stories amiss the big story which was fascinating to read.

I could not put this book down and finished it in one day.  I had to see how the entire story played out and have to say I'm pretty pleased with the ending.  There is one part of the story line that I would've loved to see the author develop more (I won't divulge which part so as to not spoil any of the story) but other than that I was satisfied and closed the book with a smile on my face.  

Love is messy and complicated on so many levels and If Not For You shares many of those facets.  It's also a reminder that amazing things can come out of the worst circumstances and that you can overcome your past to become a better you.

One of my favorite authors has given us another classic. She combines love, reconciliation, healing and hope in a delightful and refreshing manner. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with characters from other novels.

I was so excited to read this after reading and loving A Girl's Guide To Moving On. The blurb got me excited and the beginning of it started out well. When Beth is in the hospital it started to go down hill. The characters seemed immature and I couldn't connect with them. The dialogue was not interesting or engaging. The drama and conflicts throughout just made me roll my eyes.

Once again Debbie Macomber has hit the mark with a great romance. She is an awesome storyteller but in a very gentle way. As usual her character development is wonderful. My favourite character was the bohemian aunt. She had such a wide range of personalities within the one story. I would recommend this to any patron looking for a good romantic story to read.

If you love Debbie Macomber’s books, this one will be a winner for you. Beth Prudhomme has left her stifling, controlling mother for Portland, where she landed a job as a music teacher at the local school. Beth’s aunt, Sunshine lives in Portland, which is why Beth moved there. One of her co-workers at the school, sets up a blind date for Beth with her husband’s best friend, Sam. However, Sam runs the maintenance/repair for the local car dealer, and is totally unlike anyone else Beth has ever known or dated. As can be expected, neither Beth nor Sam is into the other, and both leave the dinner early. On the way home, Beth’s car is hit by a teenager who was texting while driving. Sam, who was also on the road, runs to Beth’s car, calls 911 and waits with Beth until help arrives. What follows is a sweet romance that develops as Beth goes from the hospital to rehab and back to her normal routines. Of course, Beth’s mother is horrified that her precious daughter has taken up with a man such as Sam, and tries to break things up several times. Along with this romance between Sam and Beth is a side story about Beth’s mother and her Aunt Sunshine’s estrangement, going back years and years. As can be expected this story ends in a happily ever after mode for everyone involved.

The story is well written and flows smoothly. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Sam and Beth. There was definite chemistry between them. In addition, the side story of her aunt and her mother provided enough to keep the story interesting. I found it refreshing to read and follow as strong a woman as Beth through this difficult time of her life. It was interesting to watch her grow into her long overdue independence, while severing the controlling, overreaching tug of her mother. In addition, watching her mother grow to accept this new daughter was interesting and added a lot to the story. The story about Beth’s mother and her sister’s estrangement was fairly predictable as was the ending. In fact, the book followed through and ended just as I expected it to, with no surprises. This is a classic Debbie Macomber, brought into today’s world. It has few, if any surprises, so when you read, do not expect any. However, if you enjoy her feel-good books and stories, this one will be just what you want or need. I personally enjoyed it, but can understand why someone who is not into this sort of book or is not a big fan of Debbie would find it a tad boring and rather predictable. I recommend it anyone who is looking for a solid, feel-good story or who is a fan of the author. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.