This book was really enjoyable. A book about books is always one I'll be interested in! The FMC, Karissa and her daughter Macy move to Gig Harbor, WA from Seattle after finding out her husband cheated on her. There she meets Alice, Margot, and Josie, and they all begin a book club! Each character is dealing with their own internal pain, but the bookclub becomes somewhat of a healing oasis for the women.

The friendships are so sweet, and the references to other books are fabulous! I love my own book club, so it was fun reading about another one. I'm not one to balk from multiple POV's, however, this one felt like a lot. It was hard to keep track of everyone in the beginning. But it was still a book I very much enjoyed!

This is all about friendship and helping one another to personal growth. Karissa, who has moved to Gig Harbor with her young daughter Macy, is struggling a bit in the wake of her husband's betrayal but she finds solace in books so why not form a book club? Alice, Margot and Josie each have troubles of their own. This works through the POVs of all four women. While the plot might seem familiar (women bonding through books), I liked the references to other books, the atmospherics, and the women themselves. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. There aren't any big surprises but sometimes that's just what you need at the end of the day.

Four women facing their own personal trials and tribulations form a book club. A simple act that brings comfort and connection.Heartwarming and an excellent reminder about the power of friendship and community

In this charming novel, "The Best Life Book Club" by Sheila Roberts invites readers to embark on a delightful literary journey that transcends mere pages and touches the very fabric of life. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Gig Harbor in Puget Sound, this heartwarming tale introduces us to a cast of endearing characters who discover that books have the power to heal, inspire, and transform.

Meet Karissa Newcomb, our resilient protagonist who seeks solace in her new neighbourhood after a painful betrayal. Her husband's infidelity with their supposed best friend leaves her wounded, but she's determined to start anew. As she settles into her role as an assistant at a small publishing company, Karissa stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: a book club. Little does she know that this seemingly ordinary gathering will become a catalyst for change.

Joining Karissa are her neighbours, Alice and Margot. Alice, still grieving her late husband, grapples with the fear of driving after a close call. Margot, recently divorced and laid off, faces uncertainty. Together, they form an unlikely sisterhood, bound by their shared love for literature. And when Alice's grumpy older sister, Josie, reluctantly joins the club, the dynamics shift, adding humour and depth to their discussions.

Roberts weaves a tapestry of friendship, resilience, and hope. As the women delve into various books, they find solace, inspiration, and practical wisdom. Each novel becomes a stepping stone toward building their best lives. Through laughter, tears, and heartfelt conversations, they discover that stories have the power to mend broken hearts, ignite passions, and forge connections.

The author's prose is warm and inviting, drawing readers into the cozy world of the book club. We witness the characters' growth, their vulnerabilities, and their shared triumphs. Roberts deftly explores themes of second chances, forgiveness, and the magic of community. The picturesque descriptions of Gig Harbor evoke a sense of place, making it feel like a haven for both the characters and the reader.

"The Best Life Book Club" is more than a novel; it's an invitation to reflect on our own lives. It reminds us that sometimes, the answers we seek lie within the pages of a well-loved book. Roberts has crafted a novel of pure delight and one that celebrates the transformative magic of literature. As the characters navigate their challenges, we're reminded of our own resilience and the power of human connection. Whether you're a book lover or simply seeking inspiration, this book club is open to all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5
The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is sure to entertain anyone who loves book related plots. Whether it's about book clubs, libraries, publishing or books about books; readers love it!

This book was comforting and an ode to newly found friendships. Each of the four women were portrayed with individual demons that haunted them moving forward but this book allowed them all to find hope and trust through their book club.

Often predictable, but still a nice read!

Thank you for the ARC!

I wasn't the biggest fan of this one, unfortunately. It was enjoyable but hard to follow with all the jumps from character to character. I liked it well enough but it just didn't really stand out to me.

Thank you for the opportunity to read!

This is an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, story of four women at transition periods in their lives, coming together for support, encouragement and inspiration. The characters were sympathetic and it was nice seeing how they were able to open up and trust once again, after each having experienced a difficult time in life. Thanks to Netgalley and MIRA for the advance digital copy!

I found this piece to be exceptionally well-crafted, and I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into more works by this author. Given its potential popularity among our library patrons, we're certainly looking forward to adding it to our collection

Karissa and her young child are relocating to a new town after a recent divorce. After being deceived by her former best friend and ex-husband, she is trying to regain her confidence in her new position at a local publishing company. She gradually creates a network of dependable neighbors and friends, including Josie, Alice's sister, Margot, who was recently laid off, and Alice, a heartbroken widow. Through their book club, the women become closer, and each of them experiences a new phase of life opening up.

This book had just the right amount of humor and ups and downs. Grab your copy May 7th!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc of this book.

For me, this was a book about the power of connection, friendship and how human beings need each other. I thought this was a great book and I will be recommending it.

Friendships, personal growth, and relationships woven together around a book club.
What a pleasure to read the journey of four women who start a book club. As they take turns choosing books to read, they share experiences and form a tight bond. I loved the varied personalities and how they support each other. They learn to move on with life, trust others, and forgive. A delightful read that will leave you with a smile. A great read for book clubs as well any reader!
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (April 22, 2024)
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
Purchased copy via Brenda Novak Monthly Book Box (May)

#TheBestLifeBookClub #SheilaRoberts @sheilarobertswriter #MIRA #Netgalley #mirabooks

There is never a better way to escape reality than to escape into a book. The four main characters of this book find camaraderie, some peace, friendship and go on a journey of self-discovery, individually and as a group as they lift each other up.

Karissa needed a fresh start. She has moved from Seattle with her daughter to get away from her cheating husband and her best friend who had an affair with her husband. The best friend was also her next door neighbor. She definitely needed to get away from this toxic environment. She is working at a small publishing house, which is how she comes up with the idea of a book club for her new friends/neighbors. These four ladies are all hurting and need healing in one way or the other.

Alice lost the love of her life at a very young age, and she is mentally incapable of driving after an accident. She just cannot get behind the wheel of a car now. Margot is recently divorced and lost her job soon thereafter. Then you have my favorite character, Josie. Josie is the older sister of Alice. She is also recently widowed, and she has some other issues. Grumpy does not even begin to describe this woman. She is mad at the world, but as you dig a little deeper into her character, you realize that some of that grumpiness if a defense mechanism. Even though she was a negative Nancy, I just could not help but like her. She was hurting, and did not know how to express her feelings. These ladies are so different, but yet so alike.

I enjoyed going on their journey to find themselves again and put some love and laughter back in their lives. A book club is just what the doctor ordered for these four women. They needed each other to lean on, and some of their chosen books were helpful in guiding them along their journey. There is nothing really exciting about this book. It is just a good solid book about friendship and rebuilding your life after loss. This would make a great book for a book club to delve into together.

Thank you to Harlequin Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a miss for me.
I felt like I had to force my way through to the end; I'm not sure if it was entirely the style or the writing that missed the mark for me with this one but I struggled through it and was just not able to really connect.

There were interesting characters, but none that really stood out enough, or that I connected with fully enough to be invested.

The premise of a book club of women in the neighborhood and them supporting each other and being there was great, I just feel like overall the plot missed for me.

Four women, each at a difficult time or crossroads in their lives, decide to form a book club. We learn about each of their lives, and truly hope for a happy ending for all of them. This is a heartwarming, and even romantic story about the power of friendship and community.

I’m used to reading mysteries and thrillers so this was a bit different for me. But I’m so glad I read it! I’ve been in a bookclub that was a great support system so that resonated with me. Karissa moves to a new town after her marriage blows up. She meets some wonderful women who help her rebuild her life and reclaim her belief in herself. A diverse and interesting group that was fun to read about!

I always dance a happy jig when I get to read the newest Sheila Roberts’ book because I know it will be entertaining, endearing, and enchanting.
This one is so good! Four women form a book club: Karissa the betrayed, Josie the Harper, Margot the unemployed, and Alice the scared. Each has issues they have to work through but they offer support and friendship as they navigate life. I thought Josie made the most progress character wise. She was a nagger but she had a big heart. I love Margot’s entrepreneurial spirit and Alice’s conquering of her fear. I loved how Karissa commenced with the group,project to deal with her frustration concerning a certain book client. I thought that was the best part of the book!
Of course, there are multiple happy endings. I also loved how Roberts inserted famous authors’ names like Susan Wiggs and Brenda Novak.
Splendid book!

I so wanted to like "The Best Life Book Club." I usually enjoy novels about book clubs. I was also looking for a palate cleanser from mysteries and thrillers when I decided to read this book. It was the first book I had ever read from this author.

The writing style was a little too saccharine for me. Additionally, the dialogue, at times, did not seem realistic to me. Especially the conversations Karissa had with her mom. I also struggled with some of the plot points that were used.

Overall, this book did not quite work for me. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

This was just a meh of a book. The characters were cute enough but everything was so surface level that I didn't really care one way or another, and despite everyone's very real problems, they all seem to magically go away in the end. This wasn't enough to make me want to keep picking this book up, and more I felt I had to force my way through it. However, if you're looking for a feel-good, brain break, this will entertain you.

In' The Best Life Book Club, Sheila Roberts delivers a heartwarming tale of friendship, healing, and second chances. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Gig Harbor, Puget Sound, Roberts introduces us to Karissa Newcomb, a woman determined to start fresh after her divorce and forge a new path for herself and her daughter.

Karissa settles into her new life and encounters her neighbors, Alice and Margot, who also grapple with their struggles. Together with Alice's sister, Josie, the four women form an unlikely bond through a book club.

Roberts' storytelling introduces the reader to richly drawn characters and heartfelt dialogue, exploring themes of loss, forgiveness, and learning to embrace the future. As the women delve into their reading selections, they find solace, inspiration, and the courage to confront their fears and embrace new beginnings.

With its blend of wit, warmth, and wisdom, Sheila Roberts' latest novel is a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the transformative magic of literature.

My thanks for the ARC goes the NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction, Book about Books
Spice Level: Sweet
Language: I don't remember any swearing
Format: Multiple-POV

THE BEST LIFE BOOK CLUB draws us into four women's lives. They're different ages and at different stages of life except that they're all single. The book club brings them together, and they learn from the books they read. (There's a bit more to that, but I don't want to spoil it for you.)

Karissa is the first woman introduced, and I felt like she is the primary protagonist. A single mom who has just moved, and her trust is shattered. She's rebuilding for herself and her child. I felt like her kiddo was almost always at her dad's because she wasn't on the page much.

Alice, Karissa's neighbor, lost the love of her life and has somewhat shut down her life. She is sweet and demure.

Josie is Alice's sister, and also a widow, though she doesn't miss her husband. She is brusque.

Margot is another neighbor, but she and her husband divorced equitably. She's managing her life and figuring out her relationship with her mom.

I wanted to feel more deeply connected to the characters. Mind you, I knew how each one felt, but it didn't seem as interior as I expected. I cheered for the women as they made strides to improve their lives. This was a fun book that centers around self-improvement and change, and I recommend it. The literary bent of it is fun.

Happy reading!