Sheila Roberts never disappoints. She consistently delivers feel good stories that brighten your day. The Best Life Book Club is no different.

This is a fabulous story about friendship, women coming together from different phases in life. It's such a hopeful feel good novel.

I really wanted to enjoy The Best Life Book Club, hoping it would capture the charm and depth of "The Lonely Hearts Book Club". Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While it's a cute chick lit novel about starting over and forging friendships in the unlikeliest of crossed paths, it lacked the substance I was looking for.

The writing felt very juvenile, and the book was overflowing with clichéd tropes. The most grating aspect was the repeated toxic positivity. Instead of offering genuine insight or emotional depth, the narrative was saturated with Pinterest-worthy quotes that felt more shaming and guilt-inducing than uplifting. This "positive vibes only" mantra can be particularly grating when people are coping with situations such as financial troubles, job loss, illness, or the loss of a loved one, being told that they need to look on the bright side can seem downright cruel.

Here are some examples that highlight this issue:

“Divorce is hard, but there are worse things in life.” Yes, like war, she thought. Her own battle felt smaller as she took in the sea of grave markers where men who had lost their lives when they’d barely had a chance to live lay buried.
"Having a mother to nag you beats being an orphan, she told herself."
"No one loses all the time, Annie Wills had said in her book. Forget your losses and move forward and you’ll become a winner."

These vapid sayings kept making me cringe and really took away from any character development or growth, as they seemed hollow and overly simplistic. The narrative pushed a contradictory message that felt avoidant of genuine human emotions and prevented any real progression for the characters.

If you're looking for a light read filled with female friendships and some eye-roll-worthy tropes, you may enjoy The Best Life Book Club. However, if you prefer a more realistic, messy, and authentic story that real people can relate to, this book might not be for you. Personally, I found it lacking in the depth and realism that make a story truly resonate.

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

I read this in between two intense books and it was a perfect light, effortless, positive read. The characters were likable and the story flowed well.

This book was such a lovely read. Making new friends and each finding their own story kept me turning pages! Wonderful characters who made me like I was a part of them! Enjoyed it so much!!

I am so grateful to NetGalley for providing access to this now published book. However, it ended up not being a great fit for me. Despite feeling guilty, I am not finishing this one. There’s just so many amazing books out there that I am over spending time on books that don’t compel me.

The Pacific Northwest setting brought firefly lane vibes. The mixed age group of the protagonists was a draw. Of course, the book club concept is what really drew me. I love my book club and the relationships it has forged so I thought this story would resonate with me.

None of the characters were felt relatable to me. Between alternating timeframes and a host of ancillary figures and choices that just didn’t seem natural, I just didn’t connect.

Honestly, I might recommend this one to my mother. Nothing spicy. Nice and cozy. Valuing the support women provide one another. All good things! Just didn’t make me want to keep reading.

Thank you for providing me an ARC to read in exchange for writing a review of the book.

Karissa’s life has recently undergone significant changes. She divorced her husband, bought a new home in a new city, and started a new job. Her best friend, Allegea, had an affair with her husband, and they are now starting their new life together. Karissa couldn’t afford a home locally and wasn’t sure she wanted to stay close to watch her ex-husband begin his new life.

Karissa is settling into her new home and job, and she has become friendly with her neighbors, starting to make new friends. They form a book club together and eventually start writing a book together.

It is always enjoyable to read books about people who love books and enjoy reading them. This book was written from many different points of view. At times, I found the transitions between characters a bit tricky as they weren’t necessarily laid out clearly.
It is a cute story about second chances and new beginnings. I would rate the book 3.25/5. This is definitely a book I could take on a summer vacation or recommend as a summer read for a book club.

Title: The Best Life Book Club
Author: Sheila Roberts
Genre: Fiction
Rating:4 out of 5

It started as a book club. It became a way to build a better life together.

Karissa Newcomb is ready for a new start in a new neighborhood, as far away as she can get from Seattle, where her husband cheated on her with the neighbor who was supposed to be her best friend. She and her nine-year-old daughter are moving on to the city of Gig Harbor on the bay in Puget Sound. She even has a new job as an assistant at a small publishing company right in Gig Harbor. Her new boss seems like a bit of a curmudgeon, but a job is a job, she loves to read, and the idea of possibly meeting writers sounds fabulous.

Soon she finds she’s not the only one in need of a refresh. Her new neighbors, Alice and Margot, are dealing with their own crises. Alice is still grieving her late husband and hasn’t been able to get behind the wheel of a car since a close call after his death. Margot is floundering after getting divorced and laid off in quick succession. They could all use a distraction, and a book club seems like just the ticket. Together, the three women, along with Alice’s grumpy older sister, Josie, embark on a literary journey that just might be the kick start they need to begin building their best lives yet.

This was a sweet read about friendship. And books, of course. I enjoyed how much all the ladies grew and changed—and how they helped each other grow into who they wanted to be. These women have all been through tough times, but they learn from those experiences and don’t let it make them bitter. There’s some love and romance scattered throughout, but I wouldn’t categorize this as only a romance book. It’s about much more than that.

Sheila Roberts is a bestselling author. The Best Life Book Club is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

TITLE: THE BEST LIFE BOOK CLUB
AUTHOR: Sheila Roberts
PUB DATE: 05.07.2024

This is one of the best uplifting story I have read recently - it is a celebration of friendships, and a joyful read overall about how books help heal and unite people.

Karissa with her daughter moves to Puget Sound for a fresh start where she starts working for a publishing company. There she meets new friends and neighbors with troubles of their own, but their book club brings them solace as they support each other through their grief and loss, and through tough times and difficulties, and also the simple joys of their new found friendship and little wins.

This is the perfect palate cleanser and a great book to read on vacation or relaxing by the pool.

Overall: 3.5
Spice: 0

Divorced and trying to figure out life afterwards, leads the FMC to moving into a new house and making friends with neighbors and coworkers who decide to start a book club. Each picking a different book that relates to where they currently are in life. In the mist of this club, the FMC finds love again not looking forward and with the help of her daughter. This is a cute summer light read for those later in life trying to figure out what to do next. You have witty banter and a lot of sass.

This is a charming, second-chance, meet-cute romance about change and friendship. I loved how Alice and Margot formed a friendship with Karissa, their new neighbor, and eventually started a book club including Alice’s sister Josie who brings some spice and honesty to the group. I related most with Alice’s character because I too married the love of my life and would struggle to live without him. I also related with Karissa when she would drift into her daydreams because I have often done the same thing myself. My favorite love story was between Karissa and Edward. They had a relationship that truly demonstrated what true love is. By the end of the book, all the characters felt like dear friends. The storyline was a joy to read as each character struggled with the trials in their lives and came out victorious in the end. A Reader’s Guide is included for book clubs to use.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love a good women's fiction, second chance/starting over in midlife book. Throw in strong female friendships, a book club, insights into small press publishing/writing, single parenting and a bit of romance and this book really hit all the sweet spots for me!! Good on audio too! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: kissing only

This book has my heart! I went in to reading this book with very little knowledge of the premise of the book because I really loved the book cover. After diving in and reading, I fall in love with the characters as well as the story itself. If you are someone who loves books and loves themselves, then I definitely think you should pick up this book.

I was really excited to read this lite women’s fiction story. It was a palate cleanser in between all the romance and thrillers I’ve been reading lately. But, it fell flat for me. It had all the potential to be a great read: starting over, bouncing back from betrayal, meeting new people, new career ventures, facing fears and a fun new book club! It was just blah and dull. It started strong but I quickly lost interest in the ladies and their lives. I wanted so much more to pop off on Karissa’s end, especially with her ex-husband and fake friend. I was happy that Margo, Alice and Josie had happy-ish endings, but it was nothing exciting.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is an ode to bookclubs and their impact on individuals .The book is about Karissa and her daughter who are starting a new life away from the drama that is her ex husband in Puget and Alice who is grieving the love of her life and Margot who us dealing with the challenges of life .The book club starts as something they do and becomes a lifeline of sorts for these women birthing friendships and a support system. It is a hug in pages .

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a fun romance. Karissa’s husband cheated on her with her best friend so she packs up her daughter and they move to a new town. In her new town, Karissa and three other women form a book club. The other women have their own issues as well. Alice is still grieving from losing her husband. Margot is laid-off from her job and is having difficulty finding another one. Josie is estranged from her daughter. The four members become friends as their lives begin to change.

I truly enjoyed reading The Best Life Book Club. I was sad to finish the book. The story is full of humor, romance, and adventure along with a few plot twists!

Really cute, but a little predictable. My favorite part of the book is the neighborhood interactions, even when it was hard for Karissa to put herself out there again. I like how this is an easy and fun summer read. Love how differently the book club views their books but still keeps coming together. Even though Josie is very grouchy, I still enjoyed her (while maybe not as appreciated by Margot).

This was a nice summer read book with some great characters. Light, fun, romantic - great for a book club to discuss. Enjoyed the different characters. Really enjoy this author.

I loved this book! Very sweet and wholesome. I love reading books that are centered around books (specifically book clubs or book stores) and love a grumpy/sunshine trope.

There was nothing not to like about this one. Friendship, some romance stories, books, the beach. It was all good. The friendship carry the story here, as well as the sister relationship. I really enjoyed it!

I was not familiar with any of Sheila Roberts previous books so I was not sure what to expect. I found the premise for this story to be one that I would typically enjoy so I was excited to read The Best Life Book Club.

Karissa is ready for a fresh start to her life after she discovered her husband and next-door neighbor who was her best friend, are having an affair. Karissa along with her daughter move to a quaint town of Gig Harbor.

Karissa soon discovers that her neighbors, Alice and Margot, are also in need of a life makeover. Along with Alice's older grumpy sister, Josie, the four start a bookclub.

I felt like between each lady's life and problems, Karissa's work setting, and their bookclub that there was too much going on and not enough depth. I got to 60% and I was not enjoying this book at all.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review