Window on the Bay is the latest novel by Debbie Macomber. I thought the story was well-written with steady pacing. I enjoy Debbie Macomber’s writing style. She manages draw the reader into her world and hold their attention. I like that the main characters are two women in their forties who now have empty households. Jenna and Maureen are likeable and relatable women (which Ms. Macomber is known for creating). It is great that the two women are close friends and are there for each other. Both women are divorced and have spent the last twenty years taking care of their kids. Now is a chance for the two women to “spread their wings”. Jenna wants them to finally take the trip to Paris that they had to postpone after college plus she is thinking about taking a painting class. We also get to see a different perspective with Jenna’s eighteen year old daughter, Allie. Jenna is making changes at home, which upsets Allie. Allie may want to live on her own and discover who she is, but she does not want things to change at home. This provides balance to the story and a different outlook. Maureen and Jenna have dated sporadically over the years. But they have been burned by their husbands, and it is hard to open themselves up to love and to trust another man. Dating is not easy as we see with Jenna and Maureen. Each person learns something about themselves through the process. It is never too late to grow and change. The path to happily ever after is bumpy, but well worth the effort. I admit that I related more to Maureen with her love of books and dislike of sports. I enjoyed the light humor sprinkled throughout the story and I appreciated that is a clean story (no foul language or intimate relations). Jenna’s favorite spot in her home is her window seat with the view of Elliott Bay. I could understand how she finds peace from looking out at the water. It was nice there was an epilogue to wrap up the book. Window on the Bay is a heartwarming book with a happily-ever-after that will please readers and reading it is a lovely way to spend a leisurely afternoon.

I've been a fan of Debbie Macomber's books for years and this one didn't disappoint. Jenna and Maureen have been friends since college and have always wanted to go to Paris together. They are both now empty nesters and feel like they can start planning their trip. Jenna has also wondered what was next for her, but wasn't quite sure she was ready to start dating. Naturally she meets someone before she decides to start looking. Maureen also meets someone. It was fun seeing both relationships progress and how different they were. #WindowOnTheBay #NetGalley

My Review: If you have taken a peek at my reviews at all you will find out that I am a big Debbie Macomber fan, I generally read her new releases right away and am obsessed with her Christmas stories. So, of course, I jumped at the chance to read this newest release. I was thinking this might be a continuation of Cottage by the Sea, her release from last year, but it doesn't seem to be, they both seem to be standalone books which I am 100% happy with reading. I love how this book follows two middle aged moms with recent empty nests, I am not quite there yet but getting close (other than the single parent part) and was really able to relate to them and their struggles to find their new definitions now that Mom wasn't the main focus anymore. The friendship between Jenna and Maureen was so inspiring, we should all have a friendship like that in our lives, someone who just gets us, supports us and guides us. The romances are slow burn, clean and realistic with all the baggage that comes with dating later in life. Macomber really pushed her characters outside their comfort zones and made them look past their preconceived notions of what the perfect partner should be. The romance also didn't completely take over the story, so much of the story is focused on friendships and family dynamics as well. I really appreciated the little peek into the struggles of letting your adult child make their own decisions and how the relationships shift as they grow up.


My Rating: I really appreciated how this story was so full of various plot lines and that it wasn't solely focused on the romance. It was a nice reminder of what a great friendship looks like. I thoroughly enjoyed it and give it a rating of Four Paws!

Best friends Jenna and Maureen have been doing just fine. Sure, their children have finally left their respective nests, and Jenna’s especially bristling at the thought of an empty house. But now they’ll finally have time to do things they’ve always wanted— like taking the trip to Paris they originally planned in college. However, after Jenna’s mother, Carol, falls and breaks her hip, Jenna meets the charming Dr. Rowan Lancaster. And with Maureen open to seeing someone of her own … well, it might be time for these two friends to finally live their dreams and find love.

Author Debbie Macomber dishes out books like others dole out hugs, and usually with the same heartwarming effect.

Part of this is because she’s perfected the formula for ideal friendships. Jenna and Maureen share a natural bond, partially because of their shared experiences— they attended college together, they’re divorced and devoted to their children, yet they’re each open to changing things up in their lives. Because of this, there’s a certain reliance on each other emotionally. However, one also understands the importance of the other’s happiness and they effectively push each other into situations that make them better. It’s a special bond on the page, and Macomber expertly molds it.

All of this is not to suggest that romance takes a backseat to friendship. Rather, each of these women ends up drifting to two special dates. Early on, Jenna’s meetings with Rowan do feel a bit stilted— and there’s an odd dynamic to him dating her while treating her mother. However, Macomber gradually and effectively explains away their awkward encounters. Maureen and Logan, on the other hand, do have a more natural-feeling progression. Logan patronizes the library Maureen works at, looking for book recommendations, before finally asking her out for a drink. While there’s something to be said about bothering a woman while she’s working, it’s ultimately a cutely developed relationship.

Through this all, there’s a heavy emphasis on growing older and dealing with a changing family dynamic. Really, these are the strongest points. Maureen has to pull herself out of a mostly settled life. At the same time, Jenna has to take care of her recovering mother while accepting that her children are finally out of the house. What these women show is that, in these moments of isolation, it’s never too late to embrace change and chase true happiness.

A heartfelt depiction of life after loss. While I admired Jenna's strength in being a single mom, it left her a little too jaded towards men, in my opinion. If you can fight the occasional desire to shake the book (or her neck), then it's another wonderful story by Debbie Macomber. The connections between Jenna and Maureen are very real and emotional. The story was cute, with plenty of laughter and tender moments. Window on the Bay is definitely one to read this summer.

Window on the Bay is a warm, emotionally charged story of two long time friends facing a new stage in life. Both Jenna and Maureen have craved the time where they could enjoy life without all the responsibility of family. Since college they have planned a trip to Paris. Since the last child is off to college, now is surely the time they can make it happen. Will they be able to get to Paris or will events have them postponing again? Grab a copy of this one to find out. I highly recommend it.

First, thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an e-galley of this book.

Jenna and Maureen have been best friends since college. They have both gone through marriages, divorces and now, they are both empty nesters. Perfect time to pick up the idea of traveling to Paris that they had to set aside so many years ago.

Until, Jenna's mom falls and breaks her hip. Dr. Rowan Lancaster performs surgery on her mom's hip, and makes his way into Jenna's heart, all while Maureen has met and started seeing a new man in her life.

Will they ever get to Paris?
#NetGalley #WindowontheBay

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

Another wonderful story by Debbie Macomber who has been writing great stories for years! This story revolves around Jenna and Maureen, lifelong best friends, both divorced with grown children and learning to navigate the “Empty Nest” and trying to find the courage to love! I so enjoyed this book and of course glad they got their HEA. As all good stories do, this one weaves you in and out of both their lives, the pitfalls of letting adult children go,nand trying to find love and trust in another person again. A truly lovely story.

Jenna's is trying to figure out how to deal with the changes that have entered her life. She has been divorced for a lo g time but her two children have always been her main priority. Now that her youngest is off to college she has become an empty nester and wants to make some changes. The problem is she doesn't know where to begin, her dating life has been non-existent and while raising her children she hasn't had time for much else. Her best friend Maureen is happy for her friend a d looks forward to planning a trip that they never got to take in college. They both have always dreamed of going to Paris and it looks like it might actually happen. When Jenna's mother breaks her hip the trip gets pushed back but the two still both want to put themselves out there. They both end up meeting new people but life has A way of mucking things up. Will the two ladies find love with the men they have met or will they have to continue to look for their special someone? Will they ever make that trip to Paris or will something always get in the way? Follow along as these women look for love and manage the minefield that shows you that love might not be easy but it's worth it in the end.

If you are a fan of well written stories with relatable characters that will tug at your heartstrings then Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber is definately the book for you.

Maureen and Jenna have been through thick and thin together as best friends. They are now facing a new chapter of their lives together. Will they both be able to embrace this stage of life and find their green light in love?

This is the story of two women who are starting over in life as middle age approaches.

Jenna is an intensive care nurse who divorced her surgeon husband decades earlier. She has spent her life, since then, focusing on raising her two children, Paul and Allie. Now, both children are off to college, though her ties to both are still deep.

Maureen is a librarian and married while still in college when she she became pregnant with her daughter, Tori. The marriage didn’t work out and she has been single ever since.

The women dreamed of going to Paris when they were in college but life got in the way and so it got postponed. They are thinking of going again but life reared its head once again.

The women haven’t dated that much but developed a code for dates called green light/red light. This is exactly what it sounds like, green go, red stop, and even yellow, proceed with caution.

Both women meet new men whom they would never have expected to date. They have to decide whether it is time for a green light even though the new men in their lives are completely different from what they expected to find at this point in their lives.

Life, by way of their grown children, steps in to divert their attention either from or to these new men (depending on which Jenna or Maureen is involved.)

The two confront new facets of themselves during this journey. The window on the bay is a place where Jenna goes to seek comfort and solace and to unwind.

Debbie Macomber has written another lovely tale. It speaks of life with its ups and downs. Her books are always a lovely adventure and one that is believable and uplifting.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Another great read from Debbie Macomber! I really loved Jenna and Rowan's story. It was very heartwarming and engaging. I just didn't want to stop reading! Highly recommended!

I look forward to books by this author, and this one sure didn’t disappoint.
Two young women meet in college and form a bond and lifelong friendship, they also have plans to travel to Paris in spring time, but life’s challenges seem to have gotten in the way.
Fast forward twenty plus years and our girls are now empty nesters and both have been long divorced. They have dated through the years, but have been scared and so far, neither have found the right guy, and they have a traffic light signal for their appraisals of these possible romances.
Now with plans to finally go to Paris, we get to see how things work out, and there are possible romances in these woman’s lives.
I also love that we are given an epilogue, although I wish I could continue in their lives!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Random House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Frustration ... That's what I'm feeling after finishing this book. I'm a fan of Debbie Macomber's writing but this time I'm wondering what happened to the writer.
I started the book super excited to meet Jenna's story and find out a bit about Maureen as well. I liked the friendship of them two. For the first time, I was not anxious about a romance, but about waiting their travel to Paris.
Gradually I was connecting to them and their pains, insecurities and searches. The way each one reacted to a new possibility of love. The way each one had to face the new stage of life.
I fell in love with Rowan, he is a very well built character and perfectly inserted into the story however Logan in no time made me cheer for him. Prejudiced, selfish, he did nothing to really demonstrate that he was willing to step out of his comfort zone to conquer the woman he supposedly loved. He spoiled the book and, along with it, Jenna and her petty and stubborn attitude at the crucial moment of the story, spoiling everything with another character.
Anyway, I was devastated by the ending chosen, I waited too long for the friends to go to Paris even if they were with their respective loves and I did not like Logan's behavior at all, he is the one who needed to change and not Maureen, at the very most, he need to apologize for being a fool when it was expected of him a firmer attitude with his friends.

A lovely story of the lives of two best friends and their journeys through the seasons of life.
Jenna and Maureen have been besties since college and have supported each other through divorces and raising children. Now both are empty nesters and ready to take on changes. First step, Paris... But life gets in the way yet again.
And what an unexpected interruption in the form of one Dr. Rowen Lancaster and Logan. Dating seems like a good idea, yet neither Jenna or Maureen have ever had much luck in that department. Maybe it's time to try a new tactic, someone completely unexpected for both of them.

A tale of 2 best friends and the opportunities for them as they become empty nesters. A sweet book that doesn’t disappoint!

This book was told from multiple points of view, which I really enjoyed. It started out with Jenna and her life. She is a single mom of two college aged children. She has dated since the divorce years ago, but has tried to keep any prospective men from her children until it was a green light. Her ex ended up being a jerk who had no time for his children, only paying what was required and nothing else, after the divorce. She is extremely happy and content with her life. When her mother falls and gets injured, the doctor that operates is attractive and even asks her out, which she declines.
Another point of view is Maureen, Jenna's best friend since college. They have been planning a trip to Paris for years, but when she found herself pregnant in college, the plans changed. She is also a single mom to a girl who she is extremely close to. When Logan comes into the library, where she works, she is attracted but pushes him away.
Allie is the third point of view in this book, and while she doesn't have too many chapters, they are very important to the story,
Throughout the couse of the book, you see both Jenna and Maureen trying to navigate the dating world as adults who have an empty nest. Rowan is probably one of the sweetest men, and appears to good to be true. He is extremely patient and understanding with Jenna. He doesn't suffer fools, but he has a hard time talking about himself. She opens up and tell him about her and her children, yet he is very closed off. When his daughter is finally seen in the book it changed their relationship.
This is where Allie ended up being important. Her connection to Rowan's daughter is evident early on, but the reader doesn't know all of the details and neither does Jenna. She is so scared of being let down again, that she shuts Rowan out. Allie has noticed a difference in her mom since Rowan came into her life and won't let the situation drop until she finds out the truth-and it is a doozy.
Maureen also pushes Logan away, time and again. He is also a patient man, because I don't think I would have given her as many chances as he did. But then, love does strange things to people. Some of the things he did were definite head scratchers and I understood why she was upset, but I didn't like how she closed down and wouldn't talk to him. I also enjoyed how her daughter and his daughter were the voices of reason for Maureen.
A great book about two women finding themselves and how to trust in men after heartbreak. Some issues with the main female characters acting younger than what they were and not communicating with the men in their life. Overall, I would recommend this book to others.
I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Debbie Macomber never fails to bring tears to my eyes - whether they be happy or sad OR both. This is a fabulous story of renewal of one's life and love. Continue to dream......
Enjoy! 📚

I received this book from ARC Net Galley in exchange for and honest review. This is another winner from Debbie Macomber. Maureen and her friend Jenna are both approaching middle age, and both being divorcées they seem to have no luck in the dating pool. The friends have both been burned often when they looked for Mr Right Meanwhile on the back burner is a promise they made to each other in high school to visit Paris together. Jenna faces the empty nest as both children have left home for college, and Maureen is one of town’s librarians. When a local construction worker comes in for recommendations for books to read, Maureen doubts his intentions. Meanwhile nurse Jenna meets a surgeon from the hospital when her mother falls and breaks her hip. Will Jenna remain steadfast to her rule not to date anyone from the hospital?