Definitely Better Now is a heartfelt and darkly humorous debut novel that follows Emma Finley, a 26-year-old New Yorker celebrating one year of sobriety. As she navigates the complexities of family relationships, office politics, and the daunting prospect of dating without liquid courage, Emma's journey is both relatable and inspiring.

Ava Robinson balances humor and depth, offering insights into recovery, relationships, and self-discovery. The novel's authentic portrayal of sobriety and personal growth makes it a standout in contemporary fiction.

This book is recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with female main characters with depth, stories about personal growth and recovery, and complex family dynamics.

I really enjoyed this one. I loved the premise of the FMC being a recovering alcoholic, and trying to navigate life while sober. And I really liked the FMC Emma in general. Although I would have hated drunk Emma, so I’m glad the book starts from sober Emma’s POV.
This book is definitely more literary, concentrating on Emma’s character and development versus a lot going on with the plot. But I still enjoyed the plot, too, with the tiny bit of romance we were gifted. Overall, a sweet, comforting novel that I’d recommend to my friends who enjoy lit-fic.

𝘼 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:
Karissa Vacker is fast becoming one of my favorite narrators. She did a great job with this, and it’s probably why I liked Emma so much.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/🫑 I was lucky enough to get an ALC of Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson, and I still stand by my original ARC review. The audio was great, the narrator captured the emotional impact of this book very well.

My ARC review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/🫑 Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson spoke to me on the deepest possible level. Our FMC, Emma is navigating life through sobriety; the feelings, fears, struggles, tiny victories, relearning how to make friends and form relationships in recovery.. and still manages to be absolutely hilarious. Never have I ever seen alcoholism and recovery portrayed more accurately.

Well done, @avarson . 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 This was easily the most impactful and genuine read I've experienced yet. It will stay with me, and I will never stop recommending it. Thank you for your service! And for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC of this amazing book you've written.

☆ALC REVIEW☆
Publication date: Available now!


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I really enjoyed this audiobook of 'Definitely Better Now'. First off, the cover is adorable and intriguing. I thought Ava Robinson did a great job of conveying the seriousness and reality of tough subjects like alcoholism, recovery, AA meetings, grief, and difficult family dynamics, all the while sprinkling in some humor to make it a lighter listen or read. The narrator did an amazing job at bringing this story to life!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ava Robinson, and Harlequin Audio for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a raw, real sobriety story with lots of grit and uncomfortable moments of Emma’s drunk memories. I found some of her sponsor stuff, though, and her complete reliance on her specific program to be difficult for me personally to accept. I wanted her to have more confidence in herself and felt the whole Mitch texting storyline made her seem really naive and immature for someone who’d already lived quite a life. I also felt like her father’s visit introduce an entirely obvious plot point and I couldn’t understand her ignorance.
I was happy when she finally did start opening up to coworkers and potential love, though, and stated taking herself seriously. I’m not one to judge anyone’s story, but lack of communication in a book is one of my least favorite conflicts and this - at times - was too full of it.
Eventually, though, this has powerful and beautiful development and over this is an important work of fiction.
The audio narration is excellent too

Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is a deeply engaging and heartfelt story that follows Emma, a recovering alcoholic, as she navigates the complexities of sobriety, a strained relationship with her father, and the challenges of building new connections without alcohol and becoming a new version of herself.

The book blends humor and emotion, offering a balance of light moments and deeper reflections. It’s a moving and enjoyable read about growth, healing, and second chances. Both Emma and Ben are lovable characters, with Emma's quirky personality adding charm to the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio!

"Definitely Better Now" is an interesting--but honest--take on a modern-day romance. The dating scene is hard enough as it is right now, but Emma soon discoveres it can be made even harder when she's an alcoholic who hasn't dated in a year as she worked through her sober journey. But when she finds herself attracted to the IT Director at her office, she knows she has to be honest and give it a try.

One of the most important things for me in reading romances is that I care for the main characters and see them as real--this is very true for this book. Both Emma and Ben are flawed, authentic, and likeable. I especially appreciated the insight Emma brings to life as a (recovering) alcoholic.

Romances can be hit or miss on audiobook, but this one was great--the narrator was easy to listen to and the story lent itself well.

Book: Definitely Better Now
Author: Ava Robinson
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Romance, Self-Help/Discovery
Places Featured: New York
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a really interesting slice of life novel that functions as a hybrid between contemporary lit fic and romance. Narratively i would say it follows the structure of a modern romance, but the topics where we go deep are a. alcoholism recovery (no relapse, that is not a point of tension here) and b. Parental alcoholism/grieving death of a parent. I thought t that Emma’s anxious internal monologue was really relatable and well written, and i liked the representation of her struggles with AA, an organization that has really struggled to modernize while also remaining the most consistent and available resource for alcoholism recovery. It was a thoughtful and well written book, and the audiobook narration, which i read in tandem with the physical book, was well done.

What a wonderful debut book.

Tackling family drama, grief, sobriety, and so much more, this book was heavy at times but with a comedic undertone. Emma was real and relatable, and I absolutely adored Ben.

I felt the author represented sobriety and its journey well and with care.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you Harlequin Audio and HTP The Hive for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely Better Now was a great story about going on a new journey in life, a sober journey. Emma used to face all of her problems in life with booze and drugs. Once she realized enough was enough and she was following in her father’s footsteps, she takes the road to recovery, which is never an easy one. Emma is hesitant about making new friends, going to new places, etc, because she feels a bit ashamed of only being 26 years old, but being sober. This story teaches you that sobriety is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, it’s something to be celebrated. You can find joy and beauty in the world around you, and you don’t need to be drunk to do so! It had some heavy content about grief, but was done in a respectful way. I really enjoyed this one.

Ava Robinson’s debut novel delivers a compelling mix of humor and heart, following Emma as she navigates the messy reality of life after a year of sobriety. While she’s done all the “right” things—holding down a stable job, staying accountable in meetings, and steering clear of bad decisions—real life refuses to be as tidy as she’d hoped. Between an overbearing mother, a long-absent father, and the minefield of modern dating, Emma finds that starting over isn’t as simple as hitting reset.

Robinson balances the novel’s heavier themes—addiction, family fractures, and self-worth—with sharp wit and laugh-out-loud moments, making Emma’s journey feel deeply authentic. The romance with Ben, the IT guy who sees past her insecurities, adds warmth without overshadowing the book’s real focus: Emma’s relationship with herself.

At times, the pacing slows, particularly in the middle as Emma spirals into self-doubt, but the novel’s honest portrayal of recovery and self-acceptance keeps it engaging. Bittersweet yet hopeful, this is a strong debut that captures the complexities of healing—messy, unpredictable, and, ultimately, worth it.

Book Review: Definitely Better Now By Ava Robinson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Debut novels are my bread and butter, and Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is a shining example of why I love exploring new authors and their “babies.” This heartfelt and messy tale had me entranced from the very first page, as it offers a raw and unfiltered look into the life of the main character, Emma. 📚💕

A Deeply Relatable Journey

Emma is one year sober, primarily from alcohol, navigating her journey through the ups and downs of life and recovery. Although I can’t relate to addiction in a traditional sense, Emma’s struggles with self-worth and the pressure to feel "good enough" resonated deeply with me. Robinson's writing is so real and poignant that it’s impossible not to feel for Emma as she battles personal demons and confronts a profound loss. 😢✨

Laughing Through The Heartache

What struck me most about Emma’s character was her messiness—the way she navigates relationships and her job while also seeking to build friendships. It was a refreshing portrayal; it’s often easy to feel like life has to be perfectly curated, but Emma’s imperfections are what make her so relatable. There were moments when I found myself laughing out loud at her situation 😂, and other times when my heart broke for her. This emotional rollercoaster showcased Robinson's incredible talent, especially impressive for a debut.

Narration That Captures The Heart

Also worth mentioning is the exceptional performance by narrator Karissa Vacker. Her voice brought an added layer to the storytelling, making each emotional moment even more meaningful. The combination of Robinson’s compelling writing and Vacker’s skillful narration made for an immersive listening experience that I savored. 🎧💖

Final Thoughts

Definitely Better Now is a powerful exploration of resilience, personal growth, and the messy business of life after addiction. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all my beautiful book besties and anyone who appreciates a story that’s both real and deeply moving. 💖📖

Thank you to NetGalley, Ava Robinson, and Harlequin Audio for providing me with the opportunity to experience this wonderful debut. I can't wait to see what Robinson writes next! 🌟

Definitely Better Now
Full Review

(I received this an audio ARC for my fair and unbiased feedback)

Have you ever struggled with addiction? Perhaps you’ve had a friend or family member who’s struggles have impacted you. Definitely Better Now is about a woman in recovery for drug and alcoholism, who has just reached her one year sobriety anniversary and finds that while she prefers her life as a sober person, as she becomes more involved at work and a potential romantic interest she still has some of the same demons and struggles as she had before.

I really enjoyed this books focus on addiction and recovery and that mistakes (by and large) are recoverable if we do the work to move on from them. I enjoyed the sweet little romance with our broken protagonist, Emma, and the nerdy IT guy Ben. If I’m being frank I wish there was a little more focus on the development of the romance, and it could have used probably 10% more to the story to add to that. I enjoyed her struggles and frustrations with her recovery group and sponsor, which is a problem that I know many in recovery have while trying to find a community and method that works for them. I enjoyed the secondary characters, but I do wish there was a little more development of the characters OR there were one or two fewer characters to allow them to shine.

Overall this was a good little romance and a story about a woman struggling to find out who she is as a sober person and trying to find herself and her community. Despite the minor faults, I think this is an easy book to recommend to many readers.

Four Stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced reader copy.

3.5 stars

When Emma has celebrated a year of being sober, she's ready to step back into the world...maybe? This includes hanging out with work friends, starting to date a co-worker, and trying to connect with her estranged father (who's been an alcoholic for all of Emma's life). This is an angst-filled account of a young woman trying to reckon with the person she was (and all the people she hurt along the way) that made me have to stop listening at times, because I could so feel Emma's anxiety and dread.

this book was well done and I think the author took the material into account and portrayed it in a tasteful way. It was cute, sad, and just overall well done. I am glad I listened to this audiobook as the narrator gave this story such life.

Thank you to the publisher for this audiobook copy Definitely Better Now.

This book was a beautiful story about recovery, and finding our self after sobering up. It’s a great mix of comedic effect on an emotional topic, with a character that grows personally on every page. You could really tell the author put a lot of heart into this book and it shines through.

Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is a solid book, following a young woman navigating sobriety in her 20s. The audiobook format makes it especially easy to follow, making it a good choice for a simple yet engaging listen.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has never gone through alcoholism, but has a close family member who struggles with alcohol, this was a great mixture of triumph over addiction, the battles that still rage to fight the addiction, how it affects relationships, and the wonderful possibilities that can come from not allowing alcohol to control your life.

This book was comedic at parts, but also had times of struggles. The main character is trying to find herself in her now year established sobriety, and tries to integrate herself back into social situations along with dating. We also learn more about her past with her parents and how they affected her in the development of her addiction and how it is still affecting her relationship with them.

The characters were all interesting, and the main love interest Ben is a gem. You just felt like rooting for Emma throughout the book, and with Ben coming into the picture, it just made it even better. I am definitely interested to see what else Ava Robinson has in store for us because this debut book was a success!

This was such a heartfelt and uplifting novel, it did a great job of blending themes of self-discovery, healing, and second chances.

The Author did a great job creating some very relatable characters and some surprisingly witty dialogue, with tons of emotional depth with moments of humor and hope. The Protagonist’s sobriety journey feels so authentic, making it seem so raw and real, you really end up rooting for their growth and wishing the best for them.

I really enjoyed this story and this Author’s writing and how she expressed such deep and dark emotions with humor, I would recommend to a friend! 4.5 ⭐️‘s

Thank you to the Author for writing this story and sharing it with us.

This book was definitely out of my typical genre go to and I’m so glad I picked it up!

The book follows Emma’s story as she begins her new life in sobriety and all the obstacles and hardships and laugh out loud moments that come along with the difficult journey.

Although this book definitely as a lot of humour in it there are definitely some darker scenes with heavy subject matter, but honestly as it should be. Sobriety is hard as hell for those who struggle with addiction and although I love the light hearted fun aspects to this book I think the author did a fantastic job of bringing a touch of realism when contrasting the light with the dark.

For somebody who hasn’t had to personally experience the journey of sobriety but have people in my life who have, this book was definitely an eye opener and gave me more clarity and information of what exactly that experience can be like.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend everybody give it a try even if it’s not your usual style!

Thank you to the author and Harlequin audio for giving me an audio copy of this book. I believe this book would read well in either physical or audio formats you’d still get those laugh out loud moments delivered to you either way. Personally I enjoyed the narrator I’ve always been a fan of Karissa vacker and she did a great job here.