Thank you Harlequin Audio and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

3.5 stars

I found this to be a heartwarming story of a girl trying to move forward and be a better version of herself, all while stumbling along the way.
It’s a story of self love, familial love, romantic love, platonic love, resilience, grief, and joy.

Read if you enjoy messy main characters just doing their best.

Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson
.
Emma has officially been sober for one year. On her one year anniversary she happens to meet Ben from IT at her work and is completely and utterly awkward. Now she is on a party committee with Ben, and it’s fine, everything is fine.
.
What I liked:
-I was able to listen to the audio and it was such a great way to read the book. The narrator really did a great job with Emma’s voice in this story. I felt like I was Emma’s bestie sitting on her couch just listening to her tell her story.
-This book was so much more emotional that I thought it would be going in! I teared up several times.
-My heart went out to Emma. It’s hard enough trying to figure out life without throwing addiction into things.
-The story with Emma’s dad was heartwrenching.
.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Emotional and hopeful, I really enjoyed Emma’s story. She had a great arc and I was really happy to see how the book ended. Trigger warnings for death of a parent.

Great debut novel! Follows Emma as she navigates her relationships, work, and self-growth while just reaching her first year of sobriety. Complex family and friend relationships/conflicts. Workplace romance. Dealing with grief. Self realizations and growth. Has some romance, but more of a women’s fiction than a contemporary romance I would say!!! Was both funny and emotional! 4 stars!

What a journey this book takes you on. A heartwarming story of family, drama, friendships, self discovery, love and finding yourself again. Emma is a recovering alcoholic with one year down and starting to embrace her new life and journey. There are so many layers to this story. I have been seeing so many of you loving this story and I can defiantly see why.

The audiobook is narrated by Karissa Vacker. I really enjoyed this audio narration and found myself getting lost listening to this story. Karissa did such a wonderful job Emma’s story and life. I can’t recommend the audiobook enough!

I honestly couldn’t finish this. DNF @ 56%.
It felt like every chapter was just the same story and attitude and we were getting nowhere. The main character is so self-conscious and embarrassed by things that aren’t even embarrassing… like she somehow reverted back into a 16 year old since being sober? For someone who dropped so much acid and partied so hard, she did not act like someone who had seen or lived through some stuff. It really made the whole story cheesy and kind of hard to believe. I had no will to keep going.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the gifted copy.

This is the book for anyone who’s ever pinned their hopes on that one thing—the belief that once I achieve [insert goal here], everything will finally make sense. For Emma, that milestone is the one-year anniversary of her sobriety. But when the day comes and goes, she’s left grappling with the realization that life doesn’t magically transform, and she’s not the flawless human she imagined she’d become.

This is a deeply relatable, somewhat dark, yet ultimately hopeful novel about the journeys we take and how they often end up being more meaningful than any specific destination. I read this at the exact right moment in time, and I just loved it.

Narration Notes: Karissa Vacker is one of the most prolific narrators out there, and for good reason. She’s phenomenal, bringing Emma’s journey to life in the way that only KV can. If this book sounds up your alley, the audiobook is a must-listen.

4.5/5

DEFINITELY BETTER NOW by Ava Robinson follows 26-year-old Emma, a recovering alcoholic living in New York who is celebrating one year of sobriety. She’s a character that you can’t help but root for. She’s real, relatable, genuine, witty, and super funny. The reader comes along for the ride as Emma navigates work, family, friendship, and even a romantic relationship as a sober individual. By the end of the novel, she felt like a close friend, and I appreciated the opportunity to tag along on her sobriety journey.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Family drama and dynamics
- Father/daughter relationships
- Sobriety success stories
- Reflections on alcoholism
- Workplace romance
- Office holiday parties
- Character-driven novels
- New York setting

With Emma’s personal hardships and the somewhat triggering subject matter, one may call this a heavy read. However, Robinson uses humor, grace, and a touch of romance to lighten the mood, so to speak. She blends dark and light moments to create a satisfyingly balanced contemporary fiction novel. I highly recommend the audiobook as one of my very favorites, Karissa Vacker narrates, and does a phenomenal job doing so—as per usual. Overall, I thought that this was a super solid debut, and I’m excited to read more from Robinson in the future. 4/5 stars for DEFINITELY BETTER NOW!

I recently had the privilege of listening to an advance reader copy of Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson, beautifully narrated by Karissa Vacker. Let me tell you, this audiobook completely captured my heart. From start to finish, it felt like a conversation with a close friend—so authentic and grounded that I could easily imagine Emma, the protagonist, as someone from my own circle.

This story tackles some incredibly heavy topics, yet it does so with an approachability and relatability that is both rare and refreshing. Emma’s vulnerability shines through in her journey, navigating personal trauma while simply trying to get through the everyday demands of life. The way Ava Robinson writes—and the way Karissa Vacker brings it to life—made me feel every emotion Emma experienced. It was raw, real, and deeply moving.

What stood out most to me was how human and imperfectly perfect the characters were. Their struggles, triumphs, and everything in between felt genuine, and that authenticity made the story hit all the harder. I found myself not just rooting for Emma but reflecting on my own relationships and the shared experiences that bind us all.

After reading and listening to the book in tandem, cannot recommend this audiobook enough. I devoured it, and by the end, I felt grateful for the journey it took me on. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, thought-provoking read that stays with you long after the final chapter, Definitely Better Now is a must. Karissa Vacker’s narration adds an extra layer of depth and warmth, making this audiobook a truly unforgettable experience.

Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Audio and The Hive for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this title.

Emma is celebrating one year of sobriety and her new life is officially about to begin. Everything will be better now that she hit this major milestone, right? Maybe not. As Emma completes her first full year of sobriety, she realizes that rejoining the world isn't exactly as easy as she had thought and hoped, especially coupled with her mom moving in with her new boyfriend and her dad looking to come back into her life in a new and meaningful way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut! I listened to the audiobook, which kept me engaged through some of the slower parts of the novel. While the description focuses heavily on the romance, I would argue that this is more so women's fiction and the romance is simply a subplot. Despite not being exactly what I thought it would be, I think keeping the romance as a subplot was a great decision.

Ava masterfully provides insight into AA and how sobriety and recovery looks different for different people. Learning about how different AA meetings and organizations run, along with watching how Emma approached sobriety in contrast to her Dad's futile attempts was my favorite aspect of the book. Having had various friends and family that have alcoholism, I appreciated the insights the novel gave to a difficult topic. Despite not directly relating to Ava in many aspects, I found her easy to like, root for and identify with.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin, and Harlequin Audio for an ALC and eARC of this debut in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Listened to this one on audio and loved it. This book is about Emma, a recovering alcoholic and how she is navigating life being sober and more aware. It's a heartwarming story of addiction, family, friendships, self discovery, and love. I like that eventhough there is a romance aspect to the book that it's only a subplot and it is still in true form, a story of Emma and her life. Emma is an easy character to root for. Her thoughts/POV shows her bravery and courage but also showed her vulnerable side. I can only imagine how hard it is to let go of something she felt comfortable and feeling good doing. Emma attending AA meetings and events, as a reader, you are pulled into that world and you sympathize more with her and others who are going through recovery. Ben, the MMC, was a great character too. He was such a green flag. Somebody Emma for sure needed. I was cheering them on and wanted them together. The other side characters were great too. I felt like their presence in the books werent wasted. All served a purpose in telling Emma's story.

I didnt score this a full 5 ⭐️ because I felt like I needed more. It ended kinda quickly and I wanted to read more about Emma's life after that big moment in her life (no spoiler). I wanted to see how she navigated after, her new AA meetings and of course, life with Ben as well.

I saw this is the author's debut novel and I cannot wait to read more of her works in the future. She has a way with words and her writing really felt personal, like a friend relaying a story to me. I loved listening to the audiobook too. The narrator did an amazing job instilling emotions through her voice and giving life to this awesome story.

Thank you NetGalley and The Hive for giving me access to the audiobook. Loved it and I highly recommend!

What a heartfelt look into the POV of someone battling with alcoholism and the different AA experiences. I loved how Emma had to come to the realization that she needs to repeatedly choose to stay sober because that is what SHE wants for herself vs. trying to prove a point. It takes work, a supportive circle, and the desire to want a better lifestyle for yourself.

I also loveeeeed Ben. He was so respectful of Emma’s boundaries, never judged her past, was patient with her anxiety, and supportive of her recovery. He couldn’t be more perfect.

Bonus: this was an excellent audiobook. Highly recommend.

I’d love to read more from this author :)

Solid 4 ⭐️ from me!

A touching general fiction debut about a woman's journey through sobriety and its impact on her work life, personal/romantic life, and family life. At times funny but overall serious and a bit heavy, this was a well crafted and told story about our main character's personal journey and growth.

I've seen so many movies with characters in Alcoholics Anonymous, but I don't think I've ever read a book with a character in AA. I do not have personal experience with alcoholism or AA, so I can't speak on the representation, but I do think the character felt authentic and that the conversations on sobriety were handled well.

It does feature a romance, although more as a secondary throughline. As someone who does not read or enjoy romance typically, I found this to be the perfect amount of romance for a general fiction story. I still think romance readers might find something to enjoy here if they are looking to branch out more into general fiction.

I'd recommend this to fans of general fiction, light romance, or fans of books that deal with heavier topics. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent.

Thank you to The Hive and Harlequin Audio for an audiobook copy of this book for review.

Novels that deal with alcoholism or addiction and are then marketed as lighthearted, bittersweet, or hilarious sometimes make me cringe, so I was a little hesitant to read this one. After seeing some favorable early reviews, I decided to snag a copy in my Book of the Month box this month, and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. Tackling the delicate subjects of addiction, sobriety, and complicated family dynamics, the author approaches these topics with a refreshing mix of candor and compassion.

The story centers on Emma, a 26-year-old navigating her second chance at life after achieving a year of sobriety. From the outside, her progress looks impeccable: twelve months without alcohol, a steady office job, and a clean slate. But beneath the surface, Emma finds herself grappling with the messy realities of life. Sobriety hasn't wiped away her struggles; instead, it has brought them into sharper focus.

One thing that has helped Emma stay so focused over the last year was the unwavering support from her mother and the fact that she kept her secret hidden from her friends at work - never going out to happy hour with them. She's terrified of admitting that she is in recovery. But then, one day, with the encouragement of her sponsor, she goes out with them and is shocked to find that no one runs screaming - in fact, they're very supportive, which gives Emma a taste of hope. When Ben, a charming IT guy from her office, catches Emma's eye, she allows herself to take the plunge, but is she ready for this? What if he leaves her? What if she is too much? What if she can't do this sober?

What really makes this book shine is Robinson's ability to capture Emma's vulnerability without resorting to clichés. Emma isn't a one-dimensional "heroine overcoming addiction." She is awkward, flawed, and sometimes painfully honest. Her mistakes are frustrating yet endearing, making her feel real and relatable. What I especially appreciated was that sobriety isn't depicted as a magical cure-all but as an ongoing process filled with triumphs and setbacks. This honest portrayal makes Emma's journey feel authentic and resonant.

Emma's budding relationship with Ben is sweet without being overly saccharine. Ben's patience and understanding stand in contrast to Emma's often chaotic inner world, creating a dynamic that is both heartwarming yet complex. I especially loved how Ben was so patient with Emma as she learned how to date while sober. Ben is the first guy she has ever dated or had sex with while not under the influence, so this was new territory for her.

Family dynamics play a significant role in the novel, adding layers of depth to Emma's story. Her mother's decision to move in with her boyfriend and her estranged father's sudden reappearance create emotional tension that forces Emma to confront unresolved issues from her past. Emma's father's drinking when she was a child is what led to her parent's divorce, and to an extent, Emma blames him for her own struggles, so reconnecting with him opens wounds in Emma that she hasn't had to face while sober.

I both read and listened to the audiobook of this one and thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Karissa Vacker. Her performance effortlessly captures Emma's vulnerability, wit, and emotional depth, making the listening experience that much more enjoyable.

Overall, this is a story that will make you laugh, cringe, and fill you with hope. I loved the characters and the journey they go on. If you're a fan of deeply moving stories that honestly but respectfully deal with sensitive subjects then this book is for you. It's a worthy read for anyone seeking a heartfelt and profoundly relatable story.

🛋️ Definitely Better Now - Ava Robinson

3.75 ⭐️ - This book is very relatable for us 30somethings trying to navigate our adult lives with friendships, relationships, jobs, and alcohol. And bonus points for a character from Albany/Troy NY!

Emma is an alcoholic, but she’s officially one year sober. It’s been 365 days of meetings, a new office job, and no dating. Emma had been voluntold she’s going to be part of the office holiday party planning committee just as her father reinserts himself into her life with devastating news. But then there’s Ben, the office IT guy, who even with Emma’s awkwardness seems to be into her. This life is far from what Emma thought sobriety would be like, but as she finds herself opening up and dealing with her past, she realizes that life is really about taking it one day at a time.

This book is really raw, emotional, and real. If you’re looking for a character driven story that’s easy to relate to, this is it. I haven’t gone through the same hardships as Emma, but she felt easy to connect with. Her problems are real, full of grief and heartbreak, but also heartfelt and funny. There are deff some trigger warnings to check on this one, but I think the hard topics (cancer, death of a parent, alcoholism) were handled and written with grace. Definitely check out this debut from Robinson!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the early audio! This one’s out now!

this might be a top read of the year for me! The audio was amazing and Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite narrators she did such an amazing job. This book hits sooo close to home and I related so much to it. I really need the physical copy because there's SO much i want to annotate.

The book starts with Emma celebrating 1 year of sobriety. We follow her as she navigates working, making new friends, and dating while sober.

This book does an amazing job representing alcoholism, being an adult child of an alcoholic, and grief. I loved Emma, and I loved the romance thread through the book.

The audio is fantastic. The narrator really brought Emma to life.

𝑩𝑶𝑶𝑲 𝑰𝑵 𝑬𝑴𝑶𝑱𝑰𝑺:
🍻🚫💻🧔🏻🤷🏻‍♀️👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼🤒🕊️😢😌

👍🏻𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬𝑫 / 💗𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑫: 💗

𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑰𝑭 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬:
♡ literary fiction
♡ mental health rep
♡ humor/romance
♡ heartfelt life events

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺:
Thank you Harlequin Audio for this ALC! This was an AMAZING debut book!! It was a book that dealt with quite a few heavy topics in a way that handled them with care and made the characters feel very real.

We see these events unfold from the POV of a recovering alcoholic who is just now a year sober and finally dipping her toes back into romance and a social life that makes her face her recovery head on. I was rooting for Emma the entire time, wanting happiness and strength through her continued recovery. She has some big hardballs thrown her way and I was so proud of how she handled them. It’s not easy to communicate what you need, especially when you feel some shame about why you need it.

I don’t typically enjoy literary fiction but this had a small romance subplot that I really loved. Even outside of the romance, I enjoyed the plot overall! I’m definitely going to keep my eye on this author 👀

Definitely Better Now is a raw, heartfelt exploration of grief, family dynamics, and the deeply personal battle with alcohol. This novel doesn’t shy away from the hard truths—it embraces them, offering an unflinching look at the complexities of loss and the resilience it takes to rebuild.

What stands out most is the honesty. The author’s reflections on navigating relationships, facing personal demons, and finding moments of hope amidst hardship feel deeply authentic. The family relationships are portrayed with nuance, showing both love and tension in a way that’s relatable and deeply human.

The audiobook elevates this story even further. The narrator captures the emotional weight of each moment perfectly, bringing a sense of intimacy and connection. The pacing is steady, and the performance enhances the memoir’s conversational tone, making it feel like you’re sitting down with a close friend sharing their story.

Despite the heavy themes, Definitely Better Now is ultimately a hopeful and empowering listen. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest times, growth and healing are possible. If you’re looking for an audiobook that’s equal parts raw and uplifting, this one is a must-listen.

Karissa Vacker did an excellent job with this narration! I recognized her voice from "When in Rome" (Sarah Adams) when she narrated Amelia's POV. She brings a steady and timidly optimistic energy to the main character Emma who has just achieved one year of sobriety. The entire story is told from her perspective. When she talks about her teenage self, I thought of the tv shows Grand Army and Gossip Girl. But her story as an adult reminded me of the tone in "Funny Story" (Emily Henry), because it's not about the romance. He's there but it's not about him.

From the very first line, I could tell this audiobook would be so easy to settle into. But the author also impressed me with how she introduced us to Emma who is writing her one year sobriety speech. Her AA group is perky and hyper-socialized and they throw a party for every first year to make sure they don't self-sabotage on day 365. Through the rest of the book you realize that this not a mold that Emma naturally fits into. But she tries, and so she shows up, and she opens up to coworkers and get wrangled into HR parties.

What I admired the most is that Emma's sobriety doesn't feel exploited to entertain us. I can count three tv shows in the last 5 years that have used a spunky woman in recovery as their plot. I loved them, but they relied on her failure, either to get sober or stay sober and used her mess to entertain audiences. This is not that. It’s hopeful and sincere without rose-tinting the experience. I think what the author has done is incredible. The religious and forced-positivity of AA prickled at my skin but the character’s own monologue helped to dull it enough that I could continue reading. I’m really glad I did.

Content Warnings for substance abuse by minors, recovery, religion, divorce, terminal illness and death, sobriety.

I don't know if I should thank netgalley for this or bill them for my therapy. Since I DID technically love this book, I guess I'll just thank them. I absolutely loved this beautiful, messy, heartwarming AND heartbreaking story. I loved Emma's transparent POV and seeing her grow throughout the story, perfectly describing the absolute storm of feelings that come with addiction and sobriety. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to slap some side characters on her behalf. On top of loving the story, the narrator did an INCREDIBLE job. Adding different tones and inflections for different characters, portraying emotion with their voice to fit the scene, putting emphasis where it made the most sense, all of it was phenomenal!