The Best is Yet to Come
Debbie Macomber
July 12, 2022


Cade Lincoln left home six year ago after a dispute with his parents about his future. He had just graduated his first four years in college. His father, John, wanted him to go on to become a lawyer. John felt that Cade could join his practice. Although his mother knew that was not what Cade wanted she followed her husband’s wishes and encouraged him to continue. Instead Cade entered the service, returning to the states after he and his buddies were shot down in Afghanistan. Although his injuries were serious with damage to his brain and legs he made it home, his buddies were killed in action. He was angry, upset. He carried the loss wondering why he was allowed to return and not them. He started drinking and with drinking came anger.
Hope Godwin left her teaching position in LA after her grandparents died. She decided to try to start over with a new job and a new location. Hope applied for several positions in small towns in Washington. She loved the ocean and wanted to be near a beach location. She ended up in Oceanside teaching computer science and US History. Additionally she was slated to use her degree in counseling. She was lonely, sometimes feeling lost but she loved her new position and wanted to find a life in Oceanside.
Macomber’s latest novel gives us a look at the lives of characters who suffer depression, angst, and loneliness. It made me feel somewhat sad reading it but gave me a clue that life could get better for them, yet that river would not be an easy one to cross. I very much enjoy her writing whether the storyline is happy go lucky or in this case isolated and much in need of camaraderie.
The Best is Yet to Come will be published on July 12, 2022 by Ballantine Books of Random House. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Debbie Macomber’s novel via NetGalley. As always I am enthralled by her writing. I never hesitate to read one of her books. Be certain to pick this one up and enjoy!

Debbie Macomber really knows how to pull me in to a novel. I'm a sucker for books that deal with rescue dogs and military veterans. I loved this beautiful story of pain, loss, hope, forgiveness and healing. It paid a heartwarming tribute to veterans that brought me to tears. I recommend it to those who love romance mixed with a little bit of mystery, young adults since half of the story involves high school kids and a drug related topic, and most importantly to those dealing with military injuries or PTSD, or even somebody who loves someone dealing with these matters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this DRC.

Debbie Macomber fans will enjoy this new book " The Best is Yet to Come". In it Hope and Cade find their way to building a new life individually and together as they heal from the hurts of their lives. Macomber throws in a. good subplot with Spencer and Callie, two of her students. Macomber is always good for a read where the people are kind, the town is friendly, and people find their way through their challenges.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A heartwarming story about new beginnings, second chances and healing/forgiveness. It also had a bit of a mystey too. This one can easily be read in one sitting. I highly recommend to everyone.
I am never disappointed when I pick up one of Debbie's books.


My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think I’ve read every book by this author, and every time I think it’s the best so far, she keeps outdoing herself!

Hope is still grieving the loss of her brother, killed in battle. To escape the memories she leaves California and takes a job in a small town called Oceanside. New job, new friends and a volunteer job lead her to meet Cade. Cade is battling demons of his own and is hesitant to act on their attraction.

I really enjoyed this story, and it’s sub plot with Spencer and Callie, two of Hope’s students. Hope and Cade each had to heal individually before they could even consider a future, and they put in the work. I don’t write spoilers, so I won’t go any further with the story, other than to say it was encouraging and heartwarming.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Oh wow! What can I say? You can never go wrong with anything written by Debbie Macomber, and this book is no exception. The story takes place in Oceanside, Washington where two souls are destined to meet because they need each other, but they do not know it yet. Hope Godwin is still reeling from the death of her twin brother. Cade Lincoln, Jr. is a wounded soldier who served in Afghanistan with injuries that are visible and injuries that are not visible. He has a lot of anger which has to be released. This is how he ends up in an animal shelter working with dogs. Hope just loves to volunteer. Cold shoulder does not even begin to describe his reaction to Hope and others around him. A dog named Shadow's days are numbered in the shelter because of his aggressiveness. However, Hope sees something in him that no one else sees, and she is determined to socialize him. Hope also sees a vulnerability in Cade beneath the rough exterior. Just like with Shadow, she sees a need for someone just to love him and believe in him.

You also have another storyline going on with Hope at the school where she teaches. Once again her heart for helping others, whether they have two legs or four legs, causes her to connect with students who need to talk. Spencer is a highly intelligent young man who has a tremendous crush on Callie, but Spencer does not run with the same crowd. Hope wants to help them both as their story develops more fully. The character's name Hope was aptly named as I am sure Mrs. Macomber intended. Hope is a ray of sunshine to everyone around her. Although this book is fictional, it will restore your faith in humanity, as there are people who truly care about the wants and needs of others. I always feel full of hope and joy after reading one of Debbie's books, and this one was just as special. She knows how to draw the reader into the story so that you actually have feelings for the characters and their dilemmas, as if you actually know them. The title of the book was aptly named as well as The Best Is Yet To Come when you look at the future with hope and appreciation for life. There is also a little mystery worked into this story, which took a wicked twist at the end.

Finally, the way the veterans in this story were portrayed and given such reverence and appreciation was sweet and honorable. There are several more side characters who are veterans who help Cade along in his journey and their stories are well written.

Debbie Macomber fans will rejoice in her new book The Best Is Yet To Come. Her books are known for their hope, compassion, and strength, and this book is right on target with those same elements. Cade is an angry and lonely former soldier who finds ways to heal through a judge's compassion. His court-ordered community service and therapy bring him face-to-face with his better self, ..and be the person that he has denied himself to be and accept. It also allows him to meet Hope, a high school teacher and counselor who is struggling with levels of grief she isn't ready to share with others ....yet. Hope and Cade struggle through loss and loneliness but become stronger as a couple. They face harassment, growth and a few surprise twists at the end. This book was hard to put down, as I was engaged in the story and in the characters. We all need the lessons this story provides: faith in others, and more importantly, faith in ourselves and the untapped strength inside. I will be recommending this book. Thanks to NetGalley, Debbie Macomber and the publisher for the ARC.

I just love Debbie Macomber! She is one of my “comfort authors!” I was so excited to get this eARC!

This was a cute book! I thought it got a little slow about 2/3 through, but it picked back up and had a storybook ending!

Being a dog lover (having 3) love that a dog is part of this love story. Hope is still mourning the loss of her twin and volunteers at the animal shelter. Not only does she meet Cade there but also a door who likes no one and who doesn't interact with anyone, except hope. a story about overcoming the hard things in life--for humans and the dogs. I love Debbie Macomber books and this one was as good as I expected. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for a review.

I love when a story includes an animal, and this one does! Shadow, is a rescue who has been severely abused & is so aggressive, that they are ready to put him down. Hope visits the animal shelter, at the request of her neighbor, & is drawn to this poor animal. She decides to volunteer at the shelter, where she forms a bond with Shadow & decides to work with him to gain his trust. Cade is doing court mandated community service hours at the shelter. The 2 meet & feel a connection, but both have "issues" that they need to overcome, so that they can move forward with their lives & build relationships. I enjoyed this book & give it 5 stars!

3.5 stars

As expected, the characters are relatable with realistic struggles, and the descriptive prose easily draws the reader in. Difficult topics are addressed tactfully (including grief, PTSD, drug use, and loss). There's more of a focus on teen characters than I'm used to in books by this author, but it was an enjoyable read overall.

What a nice story! I always enjoy Debbie Macomber stories and this one is no different. Great story about veterans and what they have to deal with when they come home from the service, set in Oceanside, WA where we have visited before and those characters all make small appearances in this story. Not only does Hope need to heal but so do Cade and Shadow and through some issues they do heal together. Loved the story and can't wait to see if there are more stories coming from Oceanside, WA!

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

I have read almost all of Debbie Macomber's novels and every one has been satisfying. The Best is Yet to Come is right on the money. The story is about 2 people who are in a lost place and how they find each other through volunteering at a animal shelter. Hope is alone in life after losing her twin brother in war. She leaves California and moves to Washington to become a teacher. Cade has injuries from the war and he is suffering survivor guilt and had closed himself off so he will not have to feel pain again. Through Shadow (the dog at the animal shelter) who also is suffering from abuse and he will trust anyone until Hope comes along. Cade sees Hope tenderly help Shadow trust her and he sees that he also wants to trust others and let them in. The two of them become friends and later they become a item. I love Debbie's books as they are easy to believe that happy ever after can happen.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
#quickread #feelgood #youngadult
Debbie Macomber’s books are comforting to the heart. Her readings are easy and relaxing. I did enjoy The Best Is Yet To Come but wasn’t WOWWED by it. There were no twists or turn paging moments. Classic troubled boy (Cade) meets girl/Hope. They have their courting…misunderstandings…tearing down walls… losing trust…ups and downs. Typical HallMark style. Also, Hope is a teacher and counselor. She gave advise to her star pupil. Only to get mixed up in high school drama. I enjoyed Shadow, the dog, he is a rescue from the animal shelter that both Cade and Hope volunteer. 💕 🐾. If you want an easy romance with no tears and rated PG-13 then this is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Pub Group - Ballantine for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Best is Yet to Come is such a warm and tender story. It stole my heart! I love the idea of helping lost and abused animals and the connections and healing that happen while working with them. This story has it all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Reading a Debbie Macomber book is like getting a warm hug from a good friend. This book was a great story about overcoming grief & trauma & becoming whole again. I loved it from beginning to end. Highly recommend!

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Hope and Cade meet at the animal shelter in Oceanside where they both volunteer. Hope, a teacher at the high school, moved to town after the death of her twin brother. Cade's back after serving as a Marine. He's struggling with PTSD and is at the shelter as part of his sentence after a bar fight. These two slowly bond, brought together in part by Shadow, a previously abused and hostile dog who comes to trust first Hope and then Cade. It's their love story but it's also the story of Hope's students Callie, Spencer, and Ben. Macomber always writes delightful tales of small towns where the residents will pull together to help one another and this is no exception. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's good clean romance with (not a spoiler) happy endings.

Cade and Hope come together in this sweet book. They both suffer loss in different ways. Cade lost his friends in ear and Hope lost her twin brother. They find each other through community service at an animal shelter. A very cute love story.

The Best Is Yet to Come by Debbie Macomber
I loved this heart warming story of two people overcoming great losses in their lives. They are both in Oceanside, Washington working on a new beginning. There is angst, family drama, deep loss and trauma, second chances, animals, teen angst, a little violence, some laughs and tears and a very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Page-turner Tragic Entertaining Romantic Easy-to-read Tear-jerker Wonderful characters Funny Happily Ever After
I was happy to review this ARC

I love this book! Everything that Debbie Macomber does is great! I love how they work together to solve their problems. I love all the characters and all the different personalities. I can not wait to read more from her! Read this today! You will not be disappointed!