Shy Margy Shannon leaves school at age 17 to help support the family. She lives with her bitter mother and disappointed father, dreaming of a better life for herself. Margy wants what all girls wanted in the early 20th century, a husband, children, and a home of her own. But she married a man who home life was just as dysfunctional as her own, and her dreams of a picture perfect life seemed doomed to failure. But Margy is optimistic and has a strong will and is determined to find happiness.

This coming of age story give the reader an intimate look at growing up, working, marriage and parenting in 1940s America. There are wonderful details of the smallest things. The different narrators give the reader insight into their actions, hopes, fears, and dreams. The characters are complex and are the best part of the story, especially Margy as she moves from shy teenager to mature woman. It's not a happy story but still engaging.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Though originally published in 1948, this atmospheric classic is still timely in portraying the intergenerational challenges of dealing with dire poverty.

It's set in 1900s Brooklyn, New York, where Margy Shannon grows up the only child of parents who struggle to pay the bills. Margy learns 'to make the best of things.' She leaves school at 16 to work as a mail reader. Irish Frankie is one of the few boys Margy knows and she rather likes him. As readers expect, they end up married.

Margy tries to make it work, but ultimately fails. After all that happens, though, she still yearns - and works - for a better tomorrow.

Tomorrow Will Be Better was originally published in 1948 by Betty Smith, best known for her novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Recently republished as "A Rediscovered Classic," Tomorrow Will Be Better returns to Brooklyn with another look at the poverty in the 1920s. Readers meet Margy Shannon as she leaves high school and embarks on her journey into the workplace and adulthood. However, in order to understand the Shannon family dynamics, Smith uses flashbacks to share a time when Margy was lost as a child and how her mother reacted. This specific episode is referenced throughout the book. While Margy Shannon is the main character throughout the book, several other prominent characters and their stories are also told as the individuals interact with Margy.

In Tomorrow Will Be Better, Smith uses rich, descriptive writing to tell the story of the hard-scrabble life endured by the families portrayed and their efforts to improve their lives. As the title indicates, the main theme in the book is a hope for the future in the midst of being held back by family and community expectations. This book is highly recommended for those who enjoy literary fiction and coming of age stories.

Margy and Frankie. They both grew up in Brooklyn. They both have hopes and dreams for the future. Their parents also have plans for them. Betty Smith tells their coming of age story, then their courtship, and marriage. The American Dream is out there. After watching their parents fall short of their hopes, can Margy and Frankie continue a forward trajectory? Is there hope for them in the future? This intimate portrait of life in 1920's Brooklyn will evoke memories of our own upbringings while firmly anchoring us in that time and place. Smith takes the time to invite us into the minds and hearts of multiple characters--brief interludes at times--making this a character-driven slice-of-life that is timeless.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Tomorrow Will Be Better tells the story of Margy Shannon, a young woman growing up in Brooklyn in the 1920s. We learn of her early years in a small cramped apartment the only child of a hard-working yet stoic father and a mother, his complete opposite. Margy has found new friendships in a recently acquired job she enjoys and yearns for a husband and children of her own. The book begins with a young woman striving for independence and ends with a woman who has found everything she was ever wanted, but realizes it is not what she anticipated.

I hate to admit it, but I have never read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943), but the descriptions I have read seem very similar to Margy's story. I truly enjoyed seeing the development of Margy from a young child playing with a clothespin in the corner of the cramped kitchen, to the good wife she desperately wants to be to her Franky. The setting, New York - specifically the Williamsburg and Bushwich sections of Brooklyn, in the 1920s, provides the reader historical context for which most readers will not have an understanding of the time frame or the area.

I loved "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and was excited to read another book by Betty Smith. This did not fail my expectations. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this wonderful novel.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my all-time favorite books because it reminds me of my Irish grandmother who grew up in poverty in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. Was thrilled to see the re-release of one of Betty Smiths other titles and was not disappointed. At first I thought the story was just another coming into womanhood of a poor young girl in 1940s NY. But the story explored some themes that I found surprising for the times. The writing was of course beautiful and heartbreaking coming from such a distinguished author. It transports you to the physical and mind of a young lady of the time who faces some struggles and tough decisions. Thank you for the opportunity to explore this time and place by this hugely talented and surprisingly progressive author.

Deja Vu here! I remember reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" a million years ago and absolutely loving it.
I began this book nostalgically and came to the realization that, even though, it may be perceived as a bit dated, there were so many themes that readers would be able to identify with today. The hardships and disappointments in life that the author realistically portrayed was balanced with the hope and strength that Margy exhibited.
I listened to this book on audio and was so impressed with the narrator's rendition of the various characters' voices. She created an atmosphere that evoked the era and sounds of 1920's Brooklyn. Hearing the sadness and joy of the characters' added to an overall wonderful reading of this book.

I read this novel years ago and remember loving it, so I was excited to revisit Margy's world. I still love Tomorrow Will Be Better, but I feel it won’t appeal to many of today’s young people. I will definitely recommend it to certain readers and also book groups interested in historical reading.

I must admit this book warmed my heart and made me long for a simpler time.

As a fan of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I was drawn into reading this title. I found Marge to be an honest and believable character who had basic dreams of getting married, having children and making a better life for herself. She was an only child; her mother was fearful of having more children because of their poverty. Her father worked hard, but his limited work experience prevented him from improving his family's financial situation. When Marge turned seventeen, she found an office job in which she excelled at. Upon meeting Frankie and deciding to get married, she left her job to be a housewife. She did not find much joy in that and realized her marriage was not what she'd envisioned. Still, she had hope that tomorrow would be better and didn't give up on seeking a better life for herself.
Although the plot is rather simplistic, the characters prove to have many layers to their personalities which keeps readers speculating about the story's completion.

I cant believe I didn't read this before now. A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN changed my life. Betty Smith was not a one hit wonder that I believed she was. this story gave me hope and lived up to its title. I only wish she was alive so I could meet her

Tomorrow may be better but right now it seems just like today - grinding poverty, highly restricted attitudes toward anyone's aspirations if dying better or personal choices, and pretty much no escape from crushing family responsibility and expectations for the young people. If a book could be a color this would be gray or possibly sepia-toned. Life for these immigrants was very hard, full of drudgery for the females, and very little to look forward to for all the adults. I am still trying to finish this ARC but I really want to just shelve it. 2.5 stars re: interesting read, 3.5 for historical research aspects.

It's hard to believe this book was written in 1948! I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Tomorrow Will Be Better was also very good. I will be looking for Betty Smith's other books.

Tree Grows in Brooklyn Betty Smiths classic novel is close to my heart.I grew up in Brooklyn and always felt proud of the title, This novel is also a wonderful read a book that peopke living through today’s isolation will love.A cwobderful novel the authors special voice drew me right in, #netgalley#harpercollins

Everyone needs to read this book during quarantine - Betty Smith's voice is just the balm we all need right now. Even the title made me happier every time I returned to this book. The story was so rich and beautifully told, it made a perfect read during these crazy times, I can't wait to share it.

This is a book that takes us back to long ago into the lives of ordinary people. That might sound simplistic, but it isn’t. The protagonist is likeable and the reader wants to know more about her. Sadly, her life is not all she expected, but she does not complain that much. I like this story-this author- and will reread her books. Don’t miss this one.

My ALL TIME favorite book is A a Tree Grows In Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. I enjoyed this book, but not to the same degree as Tree. But for other readers I think it shows a good rendition of that time of American life.