The Best Life Book Club is a fun story of love, friendship, and personal growth. I really enjoyed all of the characters in different stages of life drawn together by their need for connection and the love of a good book. I do wish we had seen more of the relationship building between the two main characters as it felt rushed, but I do appreciate that the story focused on building friendships.

Easy to read story with well developed characters Who were very relatable. Interesting to see how friendships persisted.

3.5 stars

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a sweet and cozy read about second chances. Karissa has packed up her life and her daughter and has moved from Seattle to Gig Harbor to start over after finding her husband and her best friend had been having an affair. Karissa and Macy both have to start over with new relationships and we go along for the ride as they grow and deal with the sadness of losing their life before. But as they learn to trust and forgive, they slowly form new and lasting friendships.

I thought this book was an easy read with a mostly uplifting message. There were a lot of overly positive messages throughout the book, like the author found positive message quotes on Pinterest and inserted them in her story, but overall it was a really feel-good book. And I can't say no to a book about books, libraries, book clubs, etc!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a delightful, heartwarming read that follows a group of women who bond over their love of books and support each other through life’s ups and downs. With relatable characters, charming settings, and themes of friendship and personal growth, this novel is a celebration of community and resilience. Roberts blends humor and emotion seamlessly, making it a perfect pick for anyone who enjoys uplifting, feel-good stories. A cozy, inspiring read that reminds us how the right connections can help us navigate life’s challenges with strength and joy.

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a heartwarming tale of friendship, reinvention, and the power of community. The story follows a group of women who come together through their love of books, offering mutual support as they navigate life’s challenges. Roberts’ relatable characters and engaging storytelling create an emotional and inspiring journey that resonates deeply with readers. The themes of second chances and personal growth are beautifully explored, leaving a lasting impression. Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction, this book is a celebration of the bonds that uplift us and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

Sheila Roberts’ The Best Life Book Club is a delightful and heartwarming novel that celebrates the transformative power of friendship, the joys of community, and the beauty of starting anew. This engaging tale follows the lives of four women from different walks of life who come together in an unexpected bond, proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your own story.

The story begins with Karissa Newcomb, a newly divorced mother, as she and her young daughter settle into their new home in Gig Harbor, Washington. Along with adjusting to her new job at a publishing house, Karissa finds solace in the company of her neighbors—Alice, a kind widow; Margot, a recently unemployed divorcee; and Alice’s spirited yet prickly older sister, Josie. Together, they form a book club, which quickly evolves into a source of mutual support, healing, and inspiration as they share not only their thoughts on books but also their personal struggles and triumphs.

Roberts excels at creating relatable characters whose distinct personalities and life experiences enrich the narrative. The friendship that blossoms between these women is both believable and touching. Their interactions are filled with warmth, humor, and candid moments, highlighting how their unique perspectives help each other grow and face life’s challenges. The narrative also provides a charming glimpse into Karissa’s experiences working in the publishing industry, which adds an interesting layer to the story.

The book handles heavy themes such as infidelity, grief, betrayal, professional setbacks, and family complexities with a light touch, balancing humor and heartache in a way that keeps the tone uplifting. However, some readers might find the exploration of these themes a bit shallow, as the emotional depth could have been delved into further. Additionally, while the ending ties up neatly and predictably, it suits the overall feel-good tone of the story.

Overall, The Best Life Book Club is a comforting and inspiring read, perfect for fans of women’s fiction that highlights the power of camaraderie and personal growth.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

The Best Life Book Club” by Sheila Roberts was such a comforting and uplifting read! I loved following Karissa, Alice, Margot, and Josie as they faced life’s challenges and found strength in each other—and in their love for books. The story felt like a warm hug, reminding me of the power of friendship and fresh starts. It made me want to gather my own friends and start a book club to share stories and support. This is the perfect read for anyone looking for hope, laughter, and a little inspiration to embrace life’s next chapter.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing

Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy for my Kindle.
A quick and easy read about friends who start a book club and find romance, happiness, and some great relationships.

This story is about a group of women who form a book club, and in doing so, develop friendships that support new beginnings, reconciliation, and overcoming fears. The book contains a lot of dialogue between characters. I found this easy to read and the subplots kept me engaged. I also appreciate the questions for book clubs at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a really enjoyable read about friendship and starting life over when life plans don't go to course (with a bit of falling in love as well). Overall I really enjoyed this listen, the narration was decently done and the story was endearing. For the "main" romance of the story the "resolution" to the "why we can't be together" was pretty underwhelming and left me wishing for a grander gesture.

A sweet story about second chances and starting over. I need a book club like they had! What a great group of women friends, a variety of personalities included!

2 stars
This book just wasn’t for me
That’s not to say someone else won’t absolutely love it! There was a good message and themes I love that it follows 4 women and who doesn’t love a book club?! It was just hard for me to fully get into.

The title and cover really drew me in to being interested in reading this story and I thought it was such a cute and heartwarming read, especially if you’re a bookish girly! You will love it, it’s basically a hug in a book!! Thank you for the chance to read this early copy!

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. There wasn’t much plot and the varying disjointed view points was slightly confusing. I would have much preferred separate chapters for each character. I had high hopes as a book about bookclubs is usually my jam. Many people have enjoyed this book I just wasn’t one of them. I did enjoy how the romance element was wrapped up nicely at the end.

After moving with her daughter to start over, Karissa forms a book club with her neighbors and we observe each of their lives and how they intertwine with her's. I loved how instead of characters being on the side, we get to see inside their lives as well. This book reminds us that it is never too late to start over and create a life we want. We watch friendships form and grow as well as a romantic interest form and evolve. It was a nice, heartwarming and light read. If you enjoy a bookish read definitely pick this up!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc, and allowing me to leave a honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of Best Life Book Club. This was not my regular, go-to genre, but it was a welcome break from all the thrillers I usually read. A breath of fresh air to read about women having positive, genuine friendships.

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a heartwarming and uplifting novel about second chances, friendship, and personal growth. The story follows Karissa Newcomb, who moves to the charming town of Gig Harbor to escape the heartbreak of her past. Along with her daughter, Karissa starts fresh in a new job and a new community, but quickly finds that she’s not the only one looking for a new beginning.

Teaming up with her neighbors—Alice, who is grieving the loss of her husband, and Margot, who’s struggling after a divorce and job loss—the women form a book club to help them escape their problems and find a sense of purpose. As they bond over books and navigate their own personal challenges, they discover that sometimes the best way to heal and move forward is together.

Roberts has a knack for creating relatable characters who face real-life struggles, and her writing is filled with warmth, humor, and wisdom. The book club acts as a backdrop for each woman’s journey, giving them a supportive space to reflect, grow, and make changes in their lives. The Best Life Book Club is a perfect read for those who enjoy stories about friendship, resilience, and the power of books to transform lives. It’s a story of hope, healing, and the strength of women supporting one another.

This book engaged me immediately, and I found it hard to put down. The plot, about finding new friends, starting over, empowering yourself and embracing change, is one that would appeal to many people, particularly women. I was even able to ignore the grammatical errors and the constantly switching points of view, which sometimes got confusing and were difficult to keep up with.

After reading a few books that were serious and dramatic, it was nice to read something lighter, something with a happy ending. And there were even a few plot twists along the way to keep me entertained.

Although this book kept getting buried in my tbr pile due to unexpected life events, when I did finally start it, it went quickly for me.
This is the tale of four women who come together to form a book club, but after some unexpected inspiration from one of those books, take steps to ensure that they are each living their best life. The story of the main character, Karissa, was entertaining to read, even though I found the outcome to be mostly predictable. She has just moved to a new town with her daughter after a divorce and dreams of writing a book, although somehow she won’t even admit it to herself at first. I became much more interested in the story of Alice, a secondary character. She is a widow, and attempting to navigate some unfortunate trauma. I felt involved in whether she would find resolution. I liked prickly, bitter Josie quite a bit as well, Alice’s sister who is also a widow but bearing her loss much differently. Margot and her job search and nagging mother were my least favorite, but I still found her tale mildly compelling.
Overall, this was a fairly quick enjoyable read. I’d definitely join this book club, and I think we could all use a little bit more inspiration to live our best life. 😊
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC I received.

I always love a good story about women supporting each other. Starting over is hard and having people there to walk with you through it is always going to tug on the heartstrings.