#BookReview: IT'S BETTER THIS WAY by Debbie Macomber

I didn’t expect to like this book. I prefer new and young romance. Julia and Heath are both advanced in age and divorced. I was drawn to Julia’s life and how she moved on. I followed their first meeting until it progressed to coffee dates. I thought that was it but I couldn’t put it down as a twist in the story came and then another. These two families have gone through a lot. One mistake can lead to a lot of consequences. I realized that we sometimes focus on the divorced couple during these hard times. But the kids, no matter the age, are always affected. I am glad things turned out well for these families but oh my they went through a lot of heartache. I laughed and cried with them. I pray for all families. If you like family drama and clean romance, this one’s for you. 4 stars

Thank you to Ballantine books and netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

It has been close to six years since Julia Jones had her heart broken, when her husband left her for another woman. She has since moved on, and has found peace, but is determined never to get involved with anyone again. Their two daughters sided with her in the divorce and when an argument turned especially ugly and a line was drawn in the sand, the girls and their father went their separate ways and haven't talked since. Now Julia has a beautiful condo, has just sold her successful interior design business, and is truly happy. Then one day in the building's exercise room she meets a handsome new resident who feels the same way about dating and relationships that she does. At first they do their best to ignore each other, but then they grudgingly strike up a friendship, only to discover how much they enjoy each other's company. Heath may be the one person to change her mind about dating. But when an unexpected and unwelcome surprise threatens their relationship, they have to make the choice between their happiness, or the happiness of their children.
I am a big fan of this author's books and this one did not disappoint, This is the perfect book if you are in the mood for a good story with a feel-good ending. There was the perfect mix of family drama and romance, and it showed how divorce affects families from both the parent's' and the children's perspective. This is a light read that I think anyone who enjoys fiction would enjoy.

A book about second chances and family. Heath and Julia are both trying to move on after their exes left them for other people. They each have grown children, which I liked that the main characters were mature, that struggle with a truth when it is revealed.
They meet in the gym of their building and become friends. Neither really wants a relationship due to their marriages ending they way they did. I appreciated the fact that they truly worked at being together and had to decide whether to fight or walk away.
A truly wonderful story about moving on after heartbreak, fighting for what you want and family. I always like Ms. Macomber’s stories and this was no different. I received an ARC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Coming from a divorced home and hating my step mom until I got to know her, I really related to this book. The characters were easy to relate to and I found myself smiling as I read page after page. Unable to put the book down, I finished it in less than a day. This book is a must have for your relaxing summer days.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I am honored to read and review this novel, and Debbie did not disappoint.

I loved the heart warming characters, the message presented in this novel and the “feel good feelings” it left me with. It’s lovely to read a novel that is natural, calming and just leaves you overall feeling relaxed and excited to turn the next page. Debbie has written beautiful words, once again.

The characters are relatable, the setting warm and inviting and the message touches my heart. This is en excellent and very relatable story of love, loss and so much more.. I will be recommending this novel to all my family members.!

Congratulations Debbie on another job well done!

What a heart felt book… geez all the feels. Love the cute cover, the blurb sucks you in but I’d really read anything by this author!

What did I like? The fear of being married thirty years only to find out your spouse has been stepping out is a harrowing experience to read about. I love what the author makes us feel as she rips our hearts out only to put it back better than ever.

Would I recommend or buy? It’s better this way is just a saying that helps you find the courage to get through anything. A stunning read that any romance lover will understand. Five huge stars!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!

Julia Jones ends her decades-old marriage after her husband became involved with another woman. She is heartbroken and does not see herself ever loving again. But it has been six years and she meets someone staying in the same condo complex as her. Heath Wilson is also recovering from a broken marriage. He and Julia strike up a conversation while working-out in the exercise room. Neither of them are looking to get involved in a relationship but soon realize that they have a lot in common and start having feelings for each other.

What neither Julia or Heath realize is that they have more in common than they realize: their exes are married to each other. Neither of their adult children are happy about these relationships and it will cause friction all around.

Is there any possibility of happiness when there is so much animosity and hurt?

I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I'd never read a book by Debbie Macomber but was anxious to try one. I'm so happy I did.

Her characters leapt off the page and felt as real as my best friends. And maybe it's because I'm only getting older, but I loved having the love interest between a couple on the cusp of retirement. There is a secondary romance with people in their 20s-mid 30s that is also satisfying.

I knew about one moment before a reveal what was going to happen - in my book (no pun intended) this is great. It means the author gave me enough background to suss it out but not until the moment before the reveal. One of the reasons I found this book so rewarding was because people made realistically bad choices. I don't know why, but it seems all people have the ability to do the worst thing for them in their relationships. The daughters' relationship with their father, their disappointments, hopes, and outcome all made sense to me. When I say all of the relationships were satisfying, I don't mean humdrum, but logical, full, and rich. I love a satisfying read!

It's Better This Way is thoroughly enjoyable. I will come back for more of Macomber's books.

This is a beautifully written story on how complicated and messy family and the dynamics woven into families can be. I became invested in Julia and her relationship with Heath - cheering when they found each other, cringing as their respective families complicated their lives, and hoping that they'd find a way to hold onto each other. I've been a Debbie Macomber fan for years and it's obvious that the stories she tells continue to be deep, heartfelt and ever-so meaningful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was a light, easy but predictable read about middle-aged romance, and family difficulties arising from that. I enjoyed all of this author’s books but found this one to be a little repetitive.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Macomber and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the copy of It's Better This Way. This is my personal review.
Julia Jones was married happily for many years and then her world fell apart when her husband wanted a divorce. Their two daughters supported their mother when their father made the decision to marry the woman he cheated on their mother with.
Julia decided she had to move on and moved into a condo after they sold the family home. Moving in to the condo changed her life and meeting a new male resident her life was going to change in ways she never imagined.
Having no idea, the man she was attracted to be the ex-husband of the woman her ex-husband had left her for.
Is it possible to make this new life a change they can all live with is a tough path for them all to be one?
Debbie Macomber has written another wonderful book. I enjoyed this book so much! She can weave a story that draws me in and keeps me hooked right to the last word.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review “It’s Better This Way”. Debbie Macomber never disappoints her readers, her stories are always engaging and heartfelt. Anytime you are in need of reading a sweet romance with a plausible plot, she is the author to go to.

I love the way Debbie writes. This book could easily turn into a series. So many lives intertwined with an interesting story. Julia is a strong inspiring woman and the backbone in this family. Her life gets turned upside down but she stays positive and looks at the bright side…..it’s better this way!

It’s Better This Way by Debbie Macomber is her newest book. The theme of people finding their way after difficult times iw well woven within the story. I found that the main characters of Julia and Heath were interesting. Julia’s husband was having an affair and no matter how hard she found for the marriage. There was no saving it. Julia moved on to find a new home and sold her business.

Heath’s wife was having an affair and he realized that he was part of the problem with their marriage and allowed them to dissolve their union. He found a new place to live and continued to work cutting down his hours and focusing on moving forward.

Neither wished to remarry. Neither believed they would ever love again. Then they met. Together they worked to circumnavigate their new relationship only to find that not everything is as easy as it seems. It seems there is a problem in their lives and how they connect and it colors everything.

I enjoy Debbie Macomber books. I like her storyline and her characters. The novel was a pleasant read and I liked the characters. Somehow though it lacked the emotional impact that some of her novels have, that moved her stories from pleasant to special. None-the-less I enjoyed It’s Better This Way by Debbie Macomber.

Thanks to Random House/Ballantine for an advanced copy of It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber.

I love Debbie Macomber and her books are perfect for the afternoon sitting outside. They are fun, feel good romances with wonderful characters and stories.

It's Better This Way is all about new beginnings for Julia, while her divorce was 6 years ago it wasn't an easy split and there is still some lingering resentment. She's ready for a new start after selling her business and moving into a new condo. While in the exercise room, she meets Heath and they start to grow close, but introducing each other to their grown children adds in some unique challenges. Will they be able to have a future together?

This was an great book and I liked the themes of starting over and the complicated family dynamics that were brought up in the book. I liked the characters and would love to see a book about Carrie and Eric!

Love Debbie Macomber and her books!

A lovely book about family, healing after a betrayal, and finding love again at a mature age. It breathes hope that even if your marriage fails, life is not over and it just might be better this way.

I enjoyed the message in this book. After an acrimonious divorce, Eddie remarries. His new wife Laura and her son's have a battle of words with Eddie's daughter's and accusations against each family are prevalent. The girls support and stand by their mother ending all contact with their dad.

Flash ahead 6 years. Julia's moved on and is enjoying a semi-retired life in her downtown condo. When she switches her workout routine to mornings, to accommodate the new schedule she meets a man. After a week he has introduces himself and the rest is history.

This s is a wonderful story of resilience, family, and forgiveness. When Heath and Julia discover their exes are married to each other, shenanigans ensue. The story dragged a bit in the middle, but all in all a good story I give 3.5 stars.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

For anyone who is already a Debbie Macomber fan then you know that every time you pick up one of her books you will have an awesome read. This book does not disappoint. From the minute I opened it and started reading I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions. The book takes you through the lives of a family after 31 years of marriage through the awful phases of divorce.

I was glued to my kindle and just could not put it down. Was a little sorry when it ended because now I feel like I have lost my new found friends. Would love to continue with these characters and see what the rest of them have in store for us.

If you are not a Debbie Macomber fan I have one question for you. Why not? I don't think I have ever read a book of hers that I did not enjoy completely. Check this book out you will be glad you did.

I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber & I enjoyed her newest one!!!!!!! It was a nice change from my usual genres. Calming & comforting as her books usually are. I highly recommend this book.

This was a wonderful story for a holiday read. When Julia gets divorced, she's heartbroken and doesn't think she'll ever want to date again. She meets Heath in the workout room of the condo complex they live in, and she starts to change her mind. As the two start to fall in love some major revelations cause that love to be in danger.

I loved the characters in this story, Julia is a strong woman who has to make major life changes after 31 years of marriage. I connect with strong women characters in books, since I see myself as a strong woman. This is a great story of forgiveness, love, family and happily ever after.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.