Book lovers are going to enjoy the literary references woven into this story about a book club being just what these women need! Karissa, Alice, Margot & Josie start a book club. Initially bonded over reading, the group quickly falls into the friendship category. Their first book club selection is a self-help book, setting the tone of personal growth. Each woman embarks on a personal journey towards a fresh start.

I wanted to love this much more than I did. My favorite parts were the book club and references to other books. I enjoyed the characters, but it switched point of view at unexpected times so it was hard to keep all straight. There were so many characters because you were reading about four women’s lives all on a self journey unrelated to any of the other women. I liked Karissa’s storyline the most.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.
Releases on May 7, 2024.

“The Best Life Book Club” is a combination romance and women’s fiction book by Sheila Roberts. This book focuses on new beginnings, friendships, some romance, parenting, and dealing with all that life throws you - death, relationships, divorce, and trying to find strength in yourself. This book follows four women - Karissa (the main character), Alice (her neighbor), Margot (another neighbor), and Josie (Alice’s sister who lives near-by). With so many characters, the focus wasn’t evenly balanced amongst the characters, but each one got some time to “shine” in this book. The endings are a bit too nicely wrapped up (and I feel that Margot’s story mostly happened off-page once the app took center-stage), but I think the overall message was enjoyable. Each chapter begins with a quote from a book - which I found interesting. My one complaint is that with so many storylines, it was difficult (at least in the eARC I received) dealing with the POV switches - hopefully this will be addressed in the final edition as often there wasn’t a notation (or symbol) that the main character had switched. I did like seeing the maturity and growth of some of the characters in this book. I also liked the idea of the four of them working on their mystery book [that one I might actually read!].

This is such a cozy, light read focused on female friendships and leaning on community when times are hard. It's an easy read that feels comforting and enjoyable. Well done!

This reminded me a lot of the book The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore purely because of the heartwarming vibes and the book club elements.

Shelia Roberts is always a go to author for me and she once again doesn’t disappoint. While this wasn’t my favorite by her it still brought in all the elements that I love about her books. Book clubs always have their own personality and this one was a fun one to be a part of! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy!

The following review was posted to my Goodreads account.

"The Best Life Book Club" takes readers on a delightful journey through the lives of four women in all different life stages. You get to enjoy evolving relationships, romantic entanglements and unexpected twists.

Despite navigating difficult themes such as grief, divorce, and adultery, the book manages to infuse humor into the narrative through the quirky dynamics between the characters. The humor serves as a refreshing element, offering moments of levity even in the face of challenging circumstances.

Each woman is at a different stage of motherhood and each story line will pull at your heart strings. One mom is moving her young daughter to a new elementary school post-divorce, another hasn’t talked to her daughter or seen grandchild for year, while another is continuing to deal with an judgmental mother still questioning all her 40 year old choices. If you are a mom or a daughter, odds are that one of these characters will resonate with you.

The books jumps between each women’s point of view, often times even within the same chapter. So if you are a fan of multiple viewpoints you’ll enjoy that part of the book.

Thank you NetGalley, the Harlequin Trade Publishing and Sheila Roberts for the ARC. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this!

I nominate this boo for your next bookclub. Funny, book exploring friendships, personal growth and relationships. I enjoyed the quotes with each chapter as well.

Sheila Roberts is a treasure and I absolutely love her books. The latest installment of her Moonlight Harbor series is wonderful.

I enjoyed this book! I love reading books about books and the book club was so fun. Also love a good second chance romance so that really drew me in. It took me a little while to get connected to the characters - I am not always a fan of multiple POV in these types of books as it can be harder to connect but I did get use to it. I enjoyed this and would recommend for the right person! It isn’t anything I will like think about for a long time but it was a fun pleasant read.

Sheila Roberts wrote quite a fun book with The Best Life Book Club.
Larissa - after being done wrong by her no good husband and former best friend-after finding a job at a small publishing house, meets and become friends with her new neighbors. The ladies of different generations and personalities decide to form a book club. As their friendships develop they also decide to try to write a revenge book. How fun? How many times have avid readers had an idea we thought would make a good book?
I enjoyed the characters as they each discover the next stage of their life.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #Mira publishers for giving me the opportunity to early read The Best Life Book Club.

Five starts from me!

“The Best Life Book Cub” by Sheila Roberts is a second chance type of novel, drawing on the popular theme of female bonding that takes place in a book club. I love this type of story and I was really looking forward to reading this. The story centers around Karissa (reeling from her husband deserting her for her best friend), Alice (a grieving widow who has developed a fear of driving), Alice’s sister Jo (a not-so-grieving widow who is on bad terms with her daughter) and Margot (recently laid off and trying to get her life back on track). Karissa moves to a charming new town, makes new friends, begins working for a small publishing house, and is immediately attracted to her boss.

The story was charming and as comforting as a nice cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. Yes, the outcomes for all these women’s troubles seemed to have been produced by effortless magic. Only in a fairy tale could someone experience such success with so little efforts and so little time. But that’s not to be unexpected in this type of novel.

However, there were some things that made it rather difficult to love this novel. First, the point of view shift between the four characters was abrupt and made it difficult to follow. Perhaps making a new chapter with each POV shift and labelling the chapter with the character’s name could solve the problem. I had to constantly go back to double check who was the character in focus, which was rather disrupting. The second issue (which is not the author’s fault, but probably due to it being an un-proofed digital ARC) was that in numerous places the paragraph spacing was off, which again disrupted the flow of reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this novel. My opinions are my own.

I could not stop reading. What proposes to be a light romance ends up being a book of realistic fiction. The characters keep the story moving quickly, so quickly that there is no real stopping place...just keep reading. The protagonist starts a book club...this starts the intermingling of the main characters who become quick friends...romance and friendship...careers...divorce...children...hope and wishful thinking...love...the recipe for a fun book. Although there are a few tear jerker moments, relating to adult children, the story is a light fun read. Who does not like reading about a book club? Book club "books" are some of my favorites, and this talented author does not disappoint. Curl up in a comfy chair. Grab a warm, cozy blanket. Enjoy a cup of steaming herbal tea with a delicious scone...be whisked away for an afternoon with THE BEST LIFE BOOK CLUB...thanks Netgalley.

I struggled with this book unfortunatley. It just did not hook me in like I thought it was going too. I could see how some people would enjoy this but it just was not for me.

Very nice, very fun, the characters were cool although at times it was a bit weaker. Thanks so much for the arc! And book people make for fantastic booksx

I struggled to get into this book. There was no separation between the multiple points of view. The conversations between the many different characters became very confusing to distinguish who was who. I agree with another reviewer who stated that the character development was a bit bland as well as they spoke the same way so it was hard to tell the characters apart.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read The Best Life Book Club.

Positive Aspects:

• “The Best Life Book Club” offers a touching narrative centered around a newly single mother guiding her daughter through rejection, mirroring her own struggles with marital dissolution.
• The story is an uplifting portrayal of camaraderie and solace found in books and friendships during life’s challenging phases.

Areas for Improvement:

• The book’s chapters could benefit from clear character labels to ease transitions between perspectives. This is particularly noticeable in instances like Chapter 2, where Margot’s sudden appearance in the narrative feels abrupt.
• The cultural references used by Karissa, such as Audrey Hepburn and Lucy Ricardo, seem mismatched for her age group. Integrating more contemporary or age-appropriate references would enhance the character’s relatability.
• Diversifying the characters’ speech patterns would add depth to their individuality. Currently, their similar modes of expression dilute the distinctiveness of their personalities.
• Enriching the dialogue with unique characteristics reflecting each woman’s background and experiences would bring more authenticity to their interactions.

Ideal Reading Context:

• This book is a comforting read for anyone navigating difficult times. It’s a testament to the power of female friendship and shared love of literature in overcoming life’s hurdles and rediscovering joy and purpose.

I recently had the pleasure of diving into the captivating world created by Sheila Roberts in her latest work, The Best Life Book Club. I found the narrative to be a delightful exploration of establishing a new life, forging meaningful friendships, and experiencing profound personal growth.

Sheila Roberts masterfully weaves a story that resonates with anyone who has ever sought a fresh start. The protagonist's journey is not only relatable but also inspiring, as she navigates the challenges of reinvention with the support and camaraderie of her fellow book club members.

One of the standout elements of the book is Roberts' ability to seamlessly integrate the transformative power of literature into the characters' lives. The book club becomes more than just a gathering; it becomes a catalyst for change, a source of solace, and a platform for shared experiences. The way the author intertwines the characters' growth with the books they read adds depth and nuance to the overall narrative.

The exploration of new friendships is another heartwarming aspect of The Best Life Book Club. Roberts skillfully develops the connections between characters, showing that true companionship can emerge even in the most unexpected circumstances. The diverse personalities within the book club create a rich tapestry of relationships, highlighting the beauty of human connection.

Moreover, the theme of personal growth is expertly portrayed throughout the novel. Each character undergoes a transformative journey, and as a reader, you can't help but feel a sense of kinship with their struggles and triumphs. Roberts navigates the complexities of self-discovery with a delicate touch, offering readers a mirror to reflect on their own paths toward a better life.

In conclusion, Sheila Roberts has crafted a gem with The Best Life Book Club. It's a celebration of new beginnings, the power of literature, and the significance of authentic friendships. I found myself immersed in a world where every page turned felt like a step closer to realizing one's fullest potential. This book is not just a story; it's an invitation to embark on a transformative journey, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a heartening and uplifting read.

I will read any and all books about book clubs. Book clubs are all so different. Some of the differences are amusing. I don’t enjoy books with multiple points of view. I understand why authors do it but it gets annoying after awhile. Plus you’re bound not to like at least one of the points of view so it’s a struggle to read those parts. I almost laughed until I cried at a few part in this book. It does also have some very serious parts. Overall I did enjoy this book and I will recommend it at work. It’s just not my new favorite book.