Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. It was a subpar plot and the story seemed to drag on. There was a little too much fluff too.

In true DM fashion, this book is a sweet and easy read. While I didn't care for the brothers at all, and felt the story carried on a bit longer than it needed to, it's still well worth picking up. Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3851266573

It's Better This Way is a story about a divorced woman who finds love after a failed marriage only to learn that her new man has serious baggage to bring along. The drama extends to all of their children. I don't want to give anything else about the plot away because the surprises in the book make the story more exciting and interesting.

This book felt very mature to me, almost unrealistically so. The way the main character Julia responded to all of the drama in her life almost felt as though she were teaching me to proper way to deal. I personally would have had a different reaction to the things that happened to her, and I couldn't believe the calm way Julia did things. I don't think the characters reacted as most typically would, and it was shaming and inspirational to me in a strange way.

Overall, I liked the story but didn't love it. I just couldn't completely relate and that made it less enjoyable for me to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. Another Debbie Macomber book with characters you fall in love with.
Julia and Eddie divorced six years ago, with Eddie marrying the woman he left her for. Their daughters, Hillary and Marie, have a hard time forgiving their father for all that transpired when he left. Meanwhile, Julie has moved on with her life. She loves her condo, the friends she has met , and the new man in her life, Heath. Heath is also divorced for several years with two sons. Their relationship is all they both hoped it would be, and their future together looks bright until family drama threaten to tear them apart. Overcoming the hurts and emotional walls that have been put up, could ultimately cost Julia and Heath the happily ever after they both deserve.
Could not put this book down. If you love Debbie Macomber books this one will not disappoint.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Debbie Macomber writes cozy romances and this was no exception. Julia Jones has been divorced for six years after her golf pro husband left her for one of his students and thirty years of marriage. Their adult daughters refuse to accept their new stepmother and are estranged from their father. Julia moves into a condo and meets Heath Johnson who is a divorced dad of two adult sons. Though Julia and Heath has steered clear of dating, they find they have a lot in common and their friendship turns romantic. A major twist puts their romance in jeopardy. Macomber does a great job of developing the characters even though the plot twist is a bit contrived. This would make a good beach read. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Debbie Macomber always writes amazing stories that leave me wanting so much more. I have just started automatically grabbing one of her books when they come out without even bothering to see what it's about and I haven't had a bad one yet.
The characters in this book are the kind of people I wish I knew in real life. The way they help eachother and truly care for one another is heartwarming and inspiring.
I couldn't recommend this book more.

Loved this latest book by Debbie Macomber. The story revolves around a divorced couple, their children and how everyone moves forward. The ex-wife is a rock dealing with the aftermath of the divorce while the ex-husband is quite unlikeable. The plot takes a quirky twist which makes this book truly lovable.

Great read for one of the best! After a messy divorce, starting over and vowing to not get the heart involved in another. Then comes along a great guy. All is will until both their pasts reappear and threaten to end it all.

This is an emotionally intense book that is guaranteed to take the reader on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. The storyline reflects the contemporary reality of many families as the institution of marriage is undergoing significant change and the very definition of family undergoes a transformation. Unfortunately, as the book suggests, most of us are ill-prepared to manage the fall-out when a marriage dissolves; we lack the emotional maturity and communication skills to navigate the inevitable pain. Simultaneously, the author reveals the power of forgiveness to produce changes that seem impossible to achieve.

I thought the character development was believable and, for the most part, relatable. The role of the adult children meddling in their respective parents’ relationships seemed, at times, “over the top.” However, the author notes that she wrote the book based on her observation of her friends and their children, so perhaps the drama is more accurate than I care to admit. The conclusion was satisfying and realistic offering insights and inspiration that may actually support others going through similar situations.

The title of the book, It’s Better This Way, is derived from the philosophy of the protagonist’s father. It offers a perspective of faith and acceptance – that whatever is occurring may, in the moment, be hard to embrace, yet the outcome contains a kernel of goodness that is revealed over time. I thought the author handled a challenging topic with compassion and hope for the capacity for people to grow through adversity.

My thanks to the author, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber provides the ideal balance of finding second chances, giving forgiveness, and providing hope. Julia is finding her own way after a long standing marriage ended due to infidelity. She has found independence and is happily single. Heath feels the same way after his marriage ended in divorce.

Neither one has a desire to find love again, but what follows is a redemptive journey showing that you can find love again. Unfortunately, despite their ideal beginning to a new relationship outside circumstances are very much in opposition to them finding their own happily ever after. Health challenges, former spouses, children and more intervene, Julia and Heath have much to overcome and you wonder if the obstacles standing in their way can be addressed.

Macomber has a wonderful phrase oft repeated in this book that is titled the same sentiment, “It’s better this way.” This mantra is from Julia’s father and has come to represent that often what is god’s rejection becomes his protection. That when things seems like they are all wrong to trust the process and hope for a brighter future. But, we are left to wonder if it will prove true for Julia and Heath as they deal with the obstacles in their way, The gyrations between them will keep you entertained and hopeful for their second chance at love.

Macomber never disappoints; she engaged me fully from page one and tugged at my heartstrings! She provides the perfect blend to keep the reading entertained and characters that will not be soon forgotten. I was provided a free advance reader copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

A decent story for fans of this very popular author. A bit too simplistic for my tastes. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Julia who has been divorced for several years is not interested in dating again. When she visits the health club at her condo, she meets Heath. She wants to be friends. I enjoyed this book.

Another winner for Debbie Macomber. I look forward to reading all of her books and they don't disappoint. This story certainly did have a twist, who would have thought. I don't want to give it away so I will not elaborate. So happy it turned into a happy ending for all.

Debbie Macomber shares the story of Julia and Eddie Jones. After years of marriage, Julia fights to keep her husband and family together. What started as a betrayal by her husband ended with anger coming from all sides. Six years later, Julia is comfortable with her life finding the balance of leisure and work after selling her business and working as a consultant. She meets Heath Wilson and they bond over similar life experiences as they exercise together at the gym in their building. Life gets complicated when they find out that their lives are more intertwined than they originally thought. They must maneuver around their families as they fight for the feelings that are growing between them. Will their families tear them apart or will they become stronger together and find a way to allow their love to grow?

Debbie Macomber brings us the story of two strangers who happen to share parts of their history. Once you find out their connection, you want to see how they will resolve their situation. The storyline makes you want to turn the page to see what happens next. I enjoyed reading about Julia and Heath's story and look forward to the next adventure with this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this privilege.

"It's better this way".....Julia Jones grew up wit her father telling her that when things didn't go as planned. She's been divorced for close to six years when she meets a handsome new man who lives in her building. Not at all looking for romance, we watch as her story develops and she shows forgiveness and opens her heart to love. With other family dynamics involved, the book kept me wanting to read and find out how it would end. Would she find love, would the dynamics calm down. I always love reading Debbie Macomber and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This was definitely not my favorite by this author. After being married to Eddie for 30 years and having two daughters together, he cheats on his wife, Julia, and leaves her for the other woman. After many disastrous dates, Julia falls in love with Heath. Without giving it away, the families do not get along. Planning a wedding for their daughter makes things uncomfortable too. I felt like the story was really dragging on and it was so annoying that Julia was trying to constantly fix the relationships between her grown daughters and ex husband.

Six years ago, Julia Jones' husband cheated on her, leaving her divorced and heartbroken. Her two daughters took her side, of course, but don't talk to their father. Now, Julia meets and fancies Heath Johnson, a handsome new resident in her building. Can she mend her broken heart and move on?

As always, Debbie Macomber gives us another great read. I have read her books for years and have loved them all.

Emphasis on the ravages and heartache of divorce, forgiveness, second chances and strange circumstances surrounding moving on and finding new loves, leads to a riveting novel. We always wonder if circumstances could be better, but each person learns that their current circumstances truly are better this way. I could not put this book down until the end. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

It took me only an afternoon to read this remarkable book. The plot of this book is very believable; the characters you should like are likable, and the ones you shouldn’t are not hard to dislike. The interactions between the characters are plausible. The story is about forgiveness and second chances, especially after divorce tears family apart. Anyone who is a fan of women’s fiction, and specifically Debbie Macomber, should read this book. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to read this book and give an honest opinion. I have been a long time fan of Debbie Macomber and I adored this one. Julia, a divorcee, recently semi-retired, meets a handsome man at the gym in her building named Heath. Heath, also a divorcee, falls instantly in love with Julia. It seems like magic until a chance run-in shows that they have a connection they never expected. While I enjoyed the book and some of the subplots, the book was about 100 pages too long.