It was simply terrible. I couldn't get into this at all, I just couldn't get into the story line or relate to the characters.

Another great Debbie book! This book is a romance with a lot of family drama. The main character it was 6 years since her heart was broken. Her daughters stand by her. She finds romance but they find challenges combining there family.

Debbie Macomber has a knack for writing three dimensional characters with real life issues. This book was no exception! After 30 years of marriage, Julia's husband leaves her for another woman. Thrown off balance, Julia moves into a new building and meets Heath. A single father himself, they unexpectedly begin to fall in love. But because real life isn't like the movies, they struggle blending their families.

As all of her books are, this is a beautiful realistic.portrayal of a later in life love story. I loved every single page and frankly I'm mad at myself for not digging into this sooner!

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Debbie Macomber, and Random House Ballantine. ❤️

Macomber is a good writer. Her stories are interesting and familiar because she opens the door to our families, our emotions, and our dreams - by writing about things we know, in uncommon ways.

Claire, Michael, Hilary, and Julia - and their friends - go through challenges that may end in tragedy and mistakes. But ... with the encouragement of her dad's words, ringing in her ears, Julia comes to realize, "It's better this way."

A fun read, a good story. One to tuck in your bag for the commute or read during the wait for an appointments.

It’s Debbie Macomber!!! What else can you say about her books? They’re always good and kind of like comfort food. Guaranteed satisfaction. Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this copy for review

I love Debbie Macomber books! Her books are always well written. Her characters are always very believable! I just enjoy sitting down and reading her books. This was no different.
Julia is divorced, moves in to a new building and meet a new man in the exercise room. As they fall in love they must figure out how to get their 4 children to get a long.

"It's Better This Way" by Debbie Macomber is a touching story of love, heartbreak, and the strength it takes to find happiness again. The protagonist, Julia Jones, has faced heartache and disappointment in her previous marriage but has come out the other side with newfound resilience. As she starts her life anew in a condominium complex, she finds love again in the form of Heath Wilson, a divorcé with his own set of challenges. Their love story is one that will warm your heart, and the obstacles they face will have you cheering them on.

Debbie Macomber has a way of making her characters feel like real people with real emotions, and this is particularly true of Julia and Heath. As they navigate their newfound love and the challenges of combining their families, the reader can't help but root for them to find happiness. The tension and drama in the story are balanced perfectly with moments of heartwarming love, making "It's Better This Way" a feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Whether you're a fan of Debbie Macomber or simply looking for a heartwarming love story, "It's Better This Way" is a book you won't want to miss. With relatable characters and a touching storyline, this novel is a great choice for a cozy night in or a pick-me-up on a dreary day. So, grab a blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and settle in for a delightful read!

If you have followed my blog for any time, you know how much I love Debbie Macomber. Her books are perfect for me and give me all the exact feels that I want when I’m reading. IT’S BETTER THIS WAY is exactly that. Some drama, sweet romance, and a happily ever after. What more could a reader want? Julia and her husband had been married for thirty years when he left her for another woman. Debbie Macomber has been an auto read author of mine for many many years. She has a special way of pulling her readers in and connecting with all of her characters.

IT’S BETTER THIS WAY is a story about blended families and the difficulties, pain, and drama that result when marriages end and new relationships are created. It is also about the shaky path to forgiveness and the even longer journey to fixing things. Julia and Heath are two divorced people who live in the same building. They meet one morning in the building’s gym. They are both serious when they say they are done with love and dating, but somehow a relationship grows between them and soon it becomes so crazy that they both have more in common than just being divorcees. I felt as if I could really relate to both of these strong people and having been through a few divorces of my own, Debbie nails the emotions spot on.

IT’S BETTER THIS WAY is a heart tugging story that will hold your attention from the very first page until the last. Heath has two grown boys and Julia has two adult girls. To say that they can’t stand being in the same room with the others is such a huge understatement. Neither set of children wants their parent to continue with the relationship and Julia and Heath are determined not to let their kids control their lives and who they see. Well let me tell you, here is where IT’S BETTER THIS WAY gets intense. Debbie Macomber goes straight after your heart with this wonderful story and never lets it go. I was laughing and crying and sometimes on the very same page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a must read for me. I've this author and I always look forward to a new one. The characters were relatable and the story moved quickly. Well written and enjoyable!

It's Better This Way was a great read by Debbie Macomber. Six years ago Julia Jones had her heart broken after her husband became involved with another woman. She did everything possible to save their marriage but it didn't work. Their two daughters stand by Julia and have a tough time getting along with their new stepmother. After seeing the family home, Julia moved into a condominium complex. This complex has warmth and charm that make her fresh start. She sold her successful interior design business and is embracing her new life. She doesn't feel the need to have a man in her life at the moment. Her father's favorite saying, 'It's better this way' keeps ringing more and more true. Julia met the handsome new resident in the buildings exercise room. She's drawn to Heath Johnson, who is much different than any other man she's encountered. They are both divorcees who begin to grow closer, and it blossoms into a love neither expected. Even though they have four adult children, combining families presents inevitable challenges. There is a dramatic revelation that threatens the happiness they have found. The couple must reconcile their love for their children and their love for each other. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

Such a great book about blending families and moving on after divorce. A new couple, who both divorced after their ex spouses cheated, find themselves falling in love. Their children, however are falling in hate. As someone who had the same experiences, I only wish my adult children and his adult children would tolerate each other. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I have many of Debbie Macomber's books. A quick read with so many wonderful exchanges between characters. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s Better This Way by Debbie Macomber
A special thanks to Ballantine books and NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this title all thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Julie discovers the affair her husband of 31 years is having she fights hard to keep her marriage. It just doesn’t work out. So it’s 6 years later and her life is finally settling in. She’s not interested in dating but when she retires and meets Heath that’s about to change. Much to both of their surprises Julia ex-husband is married to Heath’s ex-wife. And unfortunately their children hate each other. Can the parents get over themselves and work together to help their children heal and become a family? I really like this book finding love later in life, an interesting family dynamic totally worth the read.

I loved the main character and her beau's relationship. The families were hard to like or root for, except for the cousin -- who was always helpful and genuine.

Great story!

Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • After her marriage ends, one woman’s struggle to pick up the pieces finally leads to a new beginning—but is the past truly behind her? In this poignant novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber explores the powerful intersections of love and family.

“This deeply emotional tale proves it’s never too late for love.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

It’s been nearly six years since Julia Jones had her heart broken. After her husband became involved with another woman, she did everything she could to save their marriage, to no avail. The couple’s two daughters continue to stand by Julia in the wake of their father’s behavior—and they’ve had a tough time getting along with the other woman who’s become their stepmother. Distraught after selling the family home, Julia moves into a condominium complex that offers the warmth and charm of a fresh start. Now, having settled into her new community and sold her successful interior design business, she’s embraced a fulfilling new life, one that doesn’t seem to need a man in it. Her beloved father’s trusty saying is ringing truer than ever: It’s better this way.

But when Julia meets a handsome new resident in the building’s exercise room, she can’t help but be drawn to him. Heath Wilson is a welcome change from the men she’s encountered on the occasional—mostly disastrous—dates her sister has eagerly planned for her over the years. As she and Heath, a divorcé himself, begin to grow close, their friendship blossoms into an unexpected love. However, they soon realize that combining families proves to be a challenge, even though their four children are adults.

When a dramatic revelation threatens the happiness they’ve found, Julia and Heath must reconcile their love for their children with their love for each other. If they can’t, their bright future together may be nothing but a dream.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book was a typical read by author Macomber with great characters and storyline, nothing earth shattering.

While I generally enjoy Ms. Macomber's books, this one fell a little flat for me. I didn't connect with any of the characters and just didn't really enjoy the storyline.

It's Better This Way was a great read for me. I love reading stories where the characters have some life experience. The story was full of great characters and the emotions were all there. I enjoyed this book very much and I recommend it to all Debbie Macomber fans and those looking for a good romance that is not typical.

Loved reading this book and author. I highly recommend this book and the author. Happy reading and enjoy

It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber is heart wrenching and powerful. I don't know how she does it, but Ms. Macomber's books just seem to keep getting better and better. Somehow she perfectly delivers a book that her readers will enjoy without ever becoming formulaic in any way. This second chance at love book is so unique, with unfathomable challenges to happiness. It was so well written with emotion-packed dialogue. I loved everything about it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I enjoyed this book

Solid 3.5 stars , great book about extended families and how they work. Great romance, good variety of characters