I loved this! It is refreshing to see the perspective of a recovering alcoholic, something that is not talked about a lot in a positive light, let alone as a struggle of the main character. Emma is very relatable and her relationship with her mom, her sponsor, and her coworkers grow and develop very nicely. I do with we had more of her and Ben, so I’d say the romance is a bit of a subplot. But we love a patient man. Thank u Ava for this great and memorable story!

I loved this book! I've never read anything like it. It's raw, beautiful, heart wrenching, and full of hope. It was heavy at times, but it was such a great read!

I really liked this.

Emma is a year sober, and she’s trying to get her life back together. She’s in AA, she’s working with her sponsor, and she has her mother’s support. But now it’s time to start standing on her own again. And Emma has to make the terrifying choice of doing it in a way that’s true to her, or doing exactly what her sponsor tells her to.

In the midst of all this, she meets the head of IT at her company and has a HUGE crush, AND her dad wants to try to reconnect with her.

Overall, I really felt like this was realistic and enjoyable.

I loved this story, a great debut on living your life sober. Not as easy as you may think, the explaining, dating and finding who you are sober. This story is so relatable it is crazy, I know it is a dark humor, but I can totally relate to the main character.

This would make a great book club read, because I feel like a lot of people could relate. Even though the nature of the story is dark, I found the pace perfect and had me laughing. Ben the IT guy was the best, loved him. The author nailed what it is like to work in office environment, sober can be dangerous waters. I can't wait to see what this author does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mira Original for copy of this story for my honest review.

Wow? Wow. This was so raw and yet so comforting? I may not be someone who has struggled with alcoholism but I'm familiar enough with AA and similar programs to feel the plight of our main character and her desire for connection and fulfillment within the program and it just not fitting quite right.

Our main character navigates hitting a year of sobriety while tackling getting dealt some major blows, opening herself up to new relationships, and struggling to find a community to support her that fits her.

Solid read, not for everyone.

I absolutely loved Definitely Better Now.

There was hilarious moments, sad moments, loving/romantic moments. It was very enjoyable!

Emma is a single woman who lives in New York. She is a recovering alcoholic and has never slept with anyone while sober. She had a complicated early life and deals with a lot of her issues from the past specifically regarding her father and their relationship.

Theres some romance drama involving Mitchell, upper management at her employer, and Ben, IT worker.

I definitely recommend!!

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

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I laughed out loud in Ch. 1 of this book and was hooked from there on… About a woman just finishing her first year of sobriety and inching back into the dating world (this time without the help of alcohol), it felt a little like a modern Bridget Jones Diary with its wit and charm and - at its core - its deeper messages about finding courage and discovering yourself despite all the curveballs life throws.

Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is a deeply funny and touching debut novel that explores the messy, often unexpected reality of life after sobriety. Emma, the protagonist, has been sober for one year—twelve months of healthier choices, office job stability, and avoidance of bad decisions that once defined her life. But now, at 26, she’s trying to dip her toes back into dating, only to discover that sobriety doesn’t come with a blueprint for handling life’s complications.

From her mother’s sudden relationship with a new boyfriend to the return of her estranged father with distressing news, Emma’s life is far from the neatly packaged “better” she envisioned. Add in planning her office's chaotic holiday party, and Emma is faced with layers of unexpected challenges. Enter Ben, the charming IT guy who seems to understand her, and Emma slowly realizes that she doesn’t have to have it all figured out.

Robinson balances humor and heartbreak, crafting a story that’s both witty and profoundly relatable. As Emma navigates her past, her sobriety, and her complicated family dynamics, readers are reminded that life isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning to take things one day at a time, even when it’s far messier than anticipated. Definitely Better Now is a heartfelt, honest, and enjoyable read, offering both laughs and poignant moments for anyone who has ever struggled to find balance in the midst of chaos.

I could really relate to the main character in this one. She's a trainwreck, but aren't we all? This was a quirky little book, which is something I'm always looking for more of.

I enjoyed this story. The FMC was a little messy while trying to navigate her life without mind-altering drugs. Her struggles felt realistic and had me invested in her journey. I loved the vulnerability and the growth of the FMC. This had something for every reader.

This was very different than I’ve ever read but I still enjoyed it! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read

Ava Robinson’s Definitely Better Now is an uplifting and introspective journey through the intricacies of healing, growth, and self-discovery. With an engaging narrative voice and a deep understanding of the human spirit, Robinson crafts a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

Robinson’s characters are a true highlight of the novel. From the richly drawn protagonist to the quirky and memorable supporting cast, each character feels authentic and multidimensional. The interplay between their struggles and triumphs adds a layer of realism that resonates deeply.

The prose in Definitely Better Now is fresh, vibrant, and imbued with wit. Robinson masterfully balances lighthearted moments with poignant reflections, ensuring the narrative remains engaging without shying away from its emotional core. Themes of [e.g., self-worth, relationships, mental health, or redemption] are explored with sensitivity, making this novel as meaningful as it is entertaining.

Definitely Better Now delivers a perfect blend of heartfelt storytelling and personal growth. Ava Robinson’s ability to capture the complexity of life’s challenges while maintaining a sense of hope and optimism is a testament to her skill as a writer.

Final Thoughts: Ava Robinson’s Definitely Better Now is a beautifully crafted novel that will inspire readers to embrace change and find strength in their own journeys. With its compelling characters, relatable themes, and masterful prose, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Fantastic debut! The book did a really thoughtful job of exploring alcoholism and recovery and everything in between. The main character Emma felt so relatable and I think that's what really drew me to the book.

I really enjoyed this read. It does touch on a lot of emotional topics, but I think the author did such an amazing job at giving insight as to the internal dialogue and struggles of someone sobriety, mental health and dysfunctional family dynamics. The mixed in romance was a great bonus, but I think overall from reading this especially I plan to keep in mind how it's so important to give grace to those around us and make it a point to be a good listener to those closest to us without jumping to conclusions or judging because you never know what others are going through. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I loved following Emma’s journey through sobriety. She learned that despite her original thoughts that sobriety is not a linear journey I enjoyed her developing relationship with Ben.

Admittedly I did not finish this book. Just didn't hook me in or keep me engaged. Maybe I'll try reading it again another time

This was a heartfelt, engaging read that truly resonated with me. From the very first chapter, I was drawn in by the authentic characters and the relatable emotional journey they embark on.

What I loved most was the way the story balanced personal growth and the complexities of relationships. The protagonist’s journey to finding themselves felt natural and inspiring, and the moments of vulnerability made it easy to root for them. The dialogue was sharp and witty, and there were plenty of moments that made me smile.

It left me with a feeling of hope and satisfaction. It’s one of those stories you want to share with friends and revisit when you need a little boost of positivity. If you’re looking for a read that’s heartfelt and relatable, Definitely Better Now is one I’d highly recommend!

This was a slow start for me. I enjoyed the premise right from the beginning, but felt the events didn’t move along so well at first. Definitely Better Now had many story elements that I enjoy, dysfunctional families, a main character going through a real life journey and believable events that help you related and root for the MC. There is a lot of emotion packed into this one and some of the events can get heavy but the author did a fantastic job making these life lessons relatable and believable. Overall, a fantastic debut novel and once I really got into this story I could not put it down.


Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my gifted copy.

This debut novel by @avarson is truly one of a kind, and absolutely a must read. You will laugh out loud, you will cry, and will be drawn in by the beautiful honesty and vulnerability of the FMC Emma.

This books follows a 20 something named Emma as she celebrates one year of sobriety. She believes after that this hard achievement, the many fractured pieces of her life will begin to fall into place, but learns the hard lesson that life is still messy.

This book is truly genre defying. It’s part general fiction, part romance, and part just raw and beautiful. It needs no small box to fit into. The way the author draws you in with Emma’s inner dialogue, her honest reactions to the situations around her, and the difficulties and joys of sobriety truly made this a unique must read novel.

I’m not usually a big fan of”laugh out loud” in books kind of person, but I immediately drawn in by Emma’s quirky charm, and this book had me crying both tears of laughter one minute and tears of sadness the next.

The writing was masterful and I am shocked it Ava Robinson’s first novel! Well done, and I CANNOT wait to read more from what I know will be a stand out author!!

Wow! What an incredible debut novel. Definitely Better Now is instantly compelling and emotionally investable for the reader. While I couldn't relate to the journey of sobriety - I can absolutely relate to the feelings of anxiety and overwhelm experienced by the FMC. This was a beautiful story with rich emotions and it was such an enamoring and satisfying read. I cannot wait to see what Ava Robinson writes next!