Sweet story of two divorced women who find a second chance at love with men they never expected. Jenna is a nurse who falls in love with a doctor and Maureen is a librarian that falls in love with a construction worker. I liked that the women maintained a close friendship and support system for each other. I received an ARC for my honest review.

I predict that Window on the Bay will be a bestseller almost as soon as it is released. Debbie Macomber is a popular writer who has the gift of hooking her reader into the story immediately. This book is no exception. It will appeal to the baby boomers who found empty nests where once the rooms were filled with laughter and needs to be filled. Any woman might easily identify with Jenna and her best friend Maureen. Women who once had ideals and plans that were set aside to raise children and husbands. While not every woman has put aside their youthful dreams, there does come a time when there are new things to discover upon entering a new stage in life. Maureen and Jenna are still very vibrant and alive. As each approaches new relationships and family dynamics, they are there for each other in ways only the best of friends can be.

This book was a quick read, as it was easy to get into and just as easily, I recommend it to all fans of Debbie Macomber books.

Debbie Macomber is a master of the light romance and I was glad to see that the main characters in Window on the Bay, Jenna and Maureen, are middle aged, professional women dealing with empty nests. Both find romance with all the usual ensuing complications and related family dramas. The reason for the two stars? Librarian Maureen's relationship with plumber Logan. He's not a great guy.
Let me count the ways:

His idea of a hilarious joke is to call Maureen "Marian" because of her profession.
He meets her at a sports bar for their first date, not her milleu, and does next to nothing to make her feel comfortable
She is a sport about going to football games with him, but he acts like a jerk and pouts when she surprises him with ballet tickets.
Worst of all, he fails to defend her when his friends mock her (at the sports bar again where he walks in with his arm around another woman) and doesn't say a peep when his "friend" indicates that Logan said he "was finished" with Maureen.
Logan's daughter (no prize herself) warns Maureen off her father and blames her for all of the problems in the relationship.

But Maureen is the one with "issues"?!!! She is the one who must apologize to get past this impasse?!!! Logan is definitely a red light, and Maureen should have run while her head was still attached to her body, but no, no, she humbles herself and promises to change. I think in most circumstances this would have been considered an abusive relationship.

I admire Macomber's skills, but this "romance" ruined the book for me.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber

Random House/Ballentine Books
July 16, 2019
Fiction, beach read, romance
336 pages
Rating: 4/5

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an unbiased review.

Jenna and Maureen had been best friends since they met at the University of Washington many years ago. They had always planned to take a trip to Paris but it seemed that life events always got in the way.

Jenna Boltz is a divorced single mother of two children living in Seattle. She works as an ICU nurse to support her children, Paul and Allie who are in college. Kyle Boltz is her ex-husband who is a surgeon but found fidelity to be an issue and made a new life for himself. Fortunately, Jenna and her kids still had Jenna’s mother, Carol, who was spry 70-ish woman. Carol had a good friend Mrs. Torres who was checking on her friend to find that she had fallen. She immediately called for help and notified Jenna. It seems that surgery and a long rehabilitation lie ahead for Carol.

Maureen Zelinski worked as a librarian and also divorced from Peter which only lasted 5 years. They had a daughter, Victoria “Tori” who married an engineer, Jonathan. Maureen had been a support to Tori since she miscarried a year ago. She is very organized and structured which suits her career as a librarian. It seemed that new construction in the area brought a weekly visit from a construction worker. Logan worked as a plumber and during breaks would check out a book to read with Maureen’s suggestion. He was a bit rough around the edges and liked to call her “Marian the Librarian” which eventually grew on her. Over time they developed an awkward relationship given their many differences.

The two friends are a constant support to each other through all the many ups and downs over the years. Jenna had been stressing over being a newly empty nester since sending Allie to college. She worried less about Paul who worked hard at a restaurant while attending college. Maureen was confused about the attention she was receiving from Logan. The two friends were Leary when it came to getting romantically involved again.

Carol is recovering before being transferred to a rehab post hip surgery. She is pleased with her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Rowan Lancaster. Jenna didn’t know much as side from gossip that he kept to himself. When he casually flirted with her at her mother’s bedside she didn’t know what to make of it. She tries to maintain a professional relationship with him which becomes complicated since he has taken a special interest in his patient, Carol.

Both friends discover that they need to take a chance on dating and romance. Relationships can be complicated but can also provide support and comfort. This is a delightful story of friendship, family and finding love again. It reminds us that everyone has a life story and the path they take is unique.

I love all of Debbie Macomber’s books. This one doesn’t disappoint. It’s about a mom who becomes an empty nester and finds herself again, which I can relate to.
I received this copy from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The sign of a good book is when you reach the last page, your disappointed the book is over. Author Debbie Macomber makes you long for the story to continue.

Author D Macomber has written a entertaining story about realistic situations with likable and believable characters.

Can't wait for the next book by author Debbie Macomber.


Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Publications for the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

Debbie Macomber is a master at weaving a story together. She writes interesting characters that are so descriptive, you feel like you know them or want to be friends with them. The lead women, Jenna & Maureen, were a great pair to follow their stories. The concept of two divorced women that raised their children alone then started finding love after the children are grown is very hopeful for women in this situation. I highly recommend reading this book to see if they find the loves of their lives or just another step in their journey.

Another winner by Debbie! I completely enjoyed this book. I love the way Debbie can hold my attention. A happy ending for 2 single moms!

I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber’s books and this was is definitely no exception. This story had all of what I love about her books and more. Window on the Bay is a story about two old friends and their journey through life with second chances and unexpected relationships. The characters in Debbie Macomber’s stories are always very relatable and that makes the books easy to read. This is one that is not to be missed!

Ms. Macomber never disappoints. Window on the Bay is a sweet, romantic read. Excellent!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I have reviewed this book for the New York Journal of Books where it will be posted on their site the night before the publication date.

Window on the Bay By Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books
July 16, 2019
10-0399181334
Contemporary Women's Fiction
336 Pages


Many women go through the empty-nest syndrome when their children leave home. Some look forward to their newfound freedom, but some become depressed. How can they deal with an empty house, the lack of music playing, the phone ringing, or constant noise when they've been used to it for so many years?

Divorced from her cheating husband 20 years ago, Jenna Boltz dedicated her life to her two children, Paul and Allie. She envisioned a quiet home and being able to do as she wanted without one of her offspring demanding her time or anything else, but now Allie is in college as is Paul, and she's at loose ends. Alone, she doesn't know whether to be happy or to cry. Her nursing job keeps her busy, and her friend, Maureen Zelinski, also divorced, is always available, but it's not the same as knowing someone is always around.

Jenna met Maureen at the University of Washington, and they have been best friends since. Their biggest dream after graduation was to travel to Paris, which did not come about. Maureen got pregnant and married her husband, Peter, and Jenna worked as an ICU nurse with Dr. Kyle Boltz, whom she later wed.

Though the women's bond has always been close, it becomes more so when they find themselves single parents. Kyle's roving eye caused the split with Jenna, and though he paid child support he doesn't bother with his children, making Jenna sad and upset.

Maureen's ex Peter is still in contact with their daughter Tori which makes her happy, but both women still feel pangs of loneliness. They dated over the years and concocted a plan to evaluate the men they went out with:
"Maureen and I had devised our own grading system when it came to men and dating. A green light meant there was real potential. A yellow light meant we were waiting to learn more and would proceed with caution. A red light was a flat no, no questions as, not happening. No way. No how."

The two chuckle over their comparisons and often wonder if they are to be alone forever. Now they are both "free" so they make plans to take the much-wanted trip. But Jenna's mother unexpectedly takes a spill and needs surgery to repair a severely broken hip.

While visiting her, Jenna welcomes Dr. Rowan Lancaster, her mom's orthopedist, who demonstrates special concern to Jenna's mom. Jenna knows him through the hospital grapevine and is impressed by his bedside manner. The scuttlebutt about this handsome and unattached physician is that he is aloof and introverted; however, Jenna can't help but be wowed over by his compassion and caring ways. She finds different and exciting scenarios about him race through her mind, yet she vows never to date another doctor.

Meanwhile, Maureen is a long-time librarian who is somewhat straight-laced and conservative. She becomes captivated by Logan, a plumber who is working on a construction site nearby and comes to her for book recommendations. He is the complete opposite of what she normally finds attractive in a man, but she is thrilled by his attention. When he returns the novels she suggests, they converse about them in a lively and competitive manner making Maureen laugh and feel happy for a change. Their exchange continues for weeks, making Maureen anticipate his visits.

The two friends are courted by these two unlikely candidates for their affection, and when they compare notes they give them both the "green light." But will anything come of their new romances?

A quick and engaging read in true Debbie Macomber fashion, Window on the Bay accurately examines the female psyche revealing the nuances of middle-aged women with their feelings about motherhood, their sexuality, and of learning how to be truthful in their wants and needs to attain the happiness they rightfully deserve.

I have loved every Debbie Macomber book I have ever read but I truly struggled with this one. Usually I find her characters charming and relatable. I enjoyed Jenna’s part of the book. On the other hand I could not stand Maureen’s character. She truly annoyed me and it was so hard to finish the book disliking a character so much. I would have given 4-5 stars if it had just been about Jenna and her family and relationship with Rowan. The back and forth with Maureen and Logan and her indecisiveness was insufferable.

I have always enjoyed reading Debbie Macomber books and Window on the Bay is no exception. The dual love stories were a fun twist as two women, best friends since college, single moms and empty nesters meet men they would normally stay away from, and end up falling in love. Of course there are misunderstandings, and adult children involved on all sides, leading to a light enjoyable read that is sometime laugh-out-loud funny. Definitely recommend Window on the Bay!

Debbie Macomber's Window on the Bay is a book that I can relate to. She did an excellent job f making the reader understand what Jenna and Maureen were going through in their lives.

Bravo!! Debbie Macomber does it again! When two young ladies meet in college they hit it off. Their lives take similar paths as life steps in and they are married with babies of their own..

Time passes and each one is divorced and their children have grown up and left home to start their own lives now with quiet houses they cautiously meet some men who might just fill that gap.

I had to laugh out loud as I had always wondered why my orthopedic surgeon was so snarky!!

Hop on board as the rollicking adventures of Jenna and Maureen will keep you entertained.

WAIT do they ever get to visit Paris? The vacation dream of long ago? Read this book for yourself, you deserve it!

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber and have read all her books. This one did not disappoint at all. In true Debbie Macomber fashion, the book had well developed characters and plot with lots of family, friendships and love. A truly great read!
Jenna and Maureen meet in college and form a life long friendship. Each will be there for the other through all life's ups and downs. Each woman graduates college, marries, has children, and within years is divorced. Though their experiences with love were completely different, they both find themselves having a hard time trusting the new men in their lives and putting past hurts and insecurities behind them. As with any good romance, there are many obstacles each family must face and find a way to overcome in order to find their happily ever after.
This is a nice ,feel good, easy read that reminds you that while everyone may be different, love can always find a way to work.

Another awesome book by Debbie
Jenna Boltz, when your life is at almost a standstill you have a messy divorce you have children to raise but when the children are raised things start to look up and change you and your bestie make a long road trip to Paris they've been dreaming of this since College days.. will Jenna find love again will she not find love again this was a fantastic read I have read the last five books of Debbie Macomber books and I have never been disappointed I also read Cedar Cove series I'm a big fan of Debbie you won't be sorry you picked up this book it is absolutely Divine well-written story... I love every story written by this author thank you Debbie Macomber for the early read I fell in love with your book from the very first page thank you once again...

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random house publishing through NetGalley! this book is so good I had trouble putting it down as always Debbie Macomber always Deliver's! this is a incredible Heartwarming story! you will not wan to put it down!

Window on the Bay is a pretty good read. I liked this sweet and heartwarming story. I am giving it four stars. I recommend it.

I never thought I would say this about two middle-aged women, but 'Window on the Bay' was a coming of age novel. The story was entirely believable and had characters that had realistic problems relating to relationships, work, health and family. As always with Debbie Macomber there was a tender touch in the writing and I was allowed to flow along and learn with Maureen and Jenna. What a wonderful read that I can highly recommend to all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.