A heart tugging emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed through laughter and tears. An unlikely book club of neighbors that become fast friends even though they have nothing in common. I loved how they supported each other on their journey in their present lives. Enjoyed the relationships that developed for two of the women. So many good quotes that we can live by in our own personal lives. I highly recommend this book!!

I liked this book, it was little anticlimactic for me. I think for the right reader this book will excel. It is a bit milder than my taste.

I’m a sucker for PNW, though. I love the neighborhood that Karissa moved into. Her neighbor warmed my heart and her new job sounds like a dream. Her bosses were a perfect fit for her and it makes me feel so happy for her after all she’s been through. I loved the excerpts that start the chapters from their bookclub picks, it felt like I was apart of their bookclub.

Would be a fun bookclub pick!

The Best Life Book Club is about fresh starts, second chances, and grieving the loss of significant relationships. Each woman in the story has been wounded by someone in their pasts and they're all struggling in their own ways to cope as they try to move forward. This novel is about the friendships that develop alongside the characters' growth. There's a subtle romance (which I would've liked to see more of) and a nod to forming a book club as a path toward self-improvement. This is a sweet, feel-good story with a satisfying conclusion.

The cover is cute and I found the initial premise intriguing. I would've liked to see the novel written from deeper points-of-view. The whole book felt like I was being told what was happening, as opposed to being pulled into the story and having an emotional response to what the characters were going through.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

The premise of this book sounded so lovely, I couldn’t resist. After her husband cheats on her with her best friend, Karissa moves with her daughter to a quaint little town on the bay of Puget Sound and starts a new job in the publishing industry. How fun is that? Add in a book club with a cast of quirky neighbors and you have a delightful book full of charm and laughs.

Initially, I thought the book would focus mostly on Karissa, but soon discovered that we were learning more of the back stories of her neighbors as well. While they were enjoyable, I found myself yearning for more time with Karissa and her blossoming journey in finding herself.
It was fun to see how she handled the situation with a catty author in the office – just kill her off in a book, right?!

This would be a wonderful selection for book clubs looking for a light-hearted read full of eccentric characters and a whole lot heart.

Thank you to Sheila Roberts, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of the book for an honest review.

A cute book about found family. I love books about books, so the title drew me in, but the characters keep me reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This book releases on May 7, 2024.

This is my first Sheila Robert’s book. The story is about four women, three of which are neighbors and one is the neighbor’s sister.. We have Karissa, a young single mother whose husband left her for her best friend next door, Alice, Karissa’s neighbor, who is grieving the loss of her husband after three years, Margot who has recently lost her job, and Alice’s sister Josie. Together they decide to start a book club. A friendship begins and the women find themselves helping each other during their own life changes. If you are looking for a heavy literary read; this isn’t it however, this will provide you with a light, bright and optimistic read about starting over, taking chances and forming friendships. A perfect read for the summer! Enjoy!

Thank you to @NetGalley for letting me read the advanced ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so slow for the first 300 pages, but then everything happened at once. It felt like a rushed ending, however I did enjoy each characters HEA. The little changes and choices each character made to make a better life for themselves was inspiring. Im so happy to have my own book club amd try different genres and meet new people too, just like these women.

I am a sucker for an uplifting, women's friendship, "chick-lit" type of story and that's exactly what this was. Following 4 women each moving on with their lives in some way, you see how they come together and gather strength from each other to better themselves and their lives.

It was a little slow at times but I could relate to something in each of the characters and it was worth the read!

May is setting itself up to be one amazing month of new book releases and we are kicking off the month with 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯.
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In this heartwarming novel, Sheila Roberts shares a story of friendship, resilience, and personal growth. The story revolves around Karissa Newcomb, who is ready for a fresh start after her husband's betrayal. She moves to Gig Harbor, a peaceful city on the Puget Sound, with her nine-year-old daughter. Karissa lands a job at a small publishing company, where she hopes to meet writers and immerse herself in the world of books. ⠀
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As Karissa settles into her neighborhood, she discovers that she’s not alone in needing a change. Her neighbors, Alice and Margot, are also dealing with their own challenges. Alice is grieving her late husband and struggling to drive after a close call. Margot faces divorce and unemployment. Together along with Alice’s grumpy, older sister, they form a book club – a literary journey that becomes the catalyst for building their best lives yet. ⠀
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There is humor, relatable characters, and sweet storytelling all wrapped up in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣. As these women explore books together, they find laughter, companionship, and love. I think you’ll find this book to be a delightful read that reminds you of what can happen when we all connect through books. if you are part of a book club, get this on your group's list ASAP! ⠀
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QOTD: Are you part of a book club? Do you meet IRL or through the Internet? I'm a part of multiple book clubs, and some meet in person and some online! ⠀
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Thank you @netgalley, @uplitreads, and @_mira_books_ for the opportunity to read and review this book!
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This book deserves more than 5 stars, it was just that good. The writing, emotion, humor, heart and inspiration are a few of reasons I love reading women's fiction novels and this book had them all. The storyline and amazing characters are realistic and heartfelt. I loved the bonds of friendship these ladies formed with each other. It was entertaining and full of love, laughter and tears. You won't be able to put it down but won't want it to end either. I would definitely recommend this book. NetGalley provided an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! I'm honestly sold on any book that has books as a cover but all that aside, this book will have you exploring all your feelings!
The story starts with the main character, Karissa, who has just moved to a new city after divorcing her husband who cheated on her with her neighbor/best friend. Now that she is starting over, she meets her two neighbors, Alice and Margot. After some hesitancy on Karissa's part, she opens herself up to her neighbors and a friendship begins to develop. They end up creating a book club which Alice insists that her sister, Josie, should be a part of as well.
The story tells the ordeals that each of the friends is going through and how they process they challenges in their life. What I loved about this book is that there were many parts that made me laugh out loud or have a huge smile on my face! There were also some very serious family issues that were brought up which made the story relatable. In the end, the friends must get through their struggles and fears so that they can find their happily every after!
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

In The Best Life Book Club four women start a book club, form friendships, and find courage to better their lives.

Karissa and her nine-year-old daughter moves to Gig Harbor in the Puget Sound (Washington State) for a new start. She meets neighbors Alice and Margot who also need something new in their lives. The three along with Alice’s older sister begin a literary club. The friendships that form demonstrate the best of women supporting women as each one makes changes to live her best life.

I always appreciate a story of women supporting women and a friendship theme. Adding book talk is a bonus.

This engaging and relatable story is told from four alternating points of view. What begins as a book club becomes a source of support, compassion, and encouragement for the women. The author skillfully creates four diverse personalities. Each reader might find one character that’s more relatable than the others; however, by book’s end, you will likely love them all.

The Best Life Book Club is NOT a romance. Nevertheless, the author provides a small side of sweet romance for our reading pleasure.

Poignant themes include starting over, taking chances, personal growth, women supporting women, second chances, friendship, forgiveness, loneliness, and resilience. I love how the author integrates book content into the story line and shows how a book has the power to change lives and build authentic friendships.

If you are a fan of light women’s fiction with complicated characters, friendship themes, and book talk, you might be this book’s next reader. Book clubs might enjoy this one. Beach bag approved.

Thanks #NetGalley @HarlequinBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheBestLifeBookClub upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this book was not for me! I wasn't able to get into the characters, the overall message was good about reinventing yourself, change and new beginnings .

Starting over is just what Karissa needed and bonding with her new neighbors and creating a book club is just what they all needed. Karissa had to learn to trust again, to forgive and move on. Their first book was a self-help book which was perfect for all of them. Overall, an okay story, easy to read. I did find myself getting confused with the POV’s at times. I loved that this book was about books and book clubs and new friendships. This was a 3 star experience for me.

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a women’s fiction novel that not only focuses on romance but friendship, healing and personal growth for the characters. The story in The Best Life Book Club is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters.

Karissa Newcomb packed up her daughter and herself to move away from Seattle to a new start in Gig Harbor on the bay in Puget Sound. Karissa had caught her husband with her neighbor who she thought was a really good friend so getting out of that city was the only way she knew to cope with both losses in her life.

Upon arriving in Gig Harbor Karissa begins a new job as an assistant at a small publishing company where she enjoys getting to know the authors and her new boss. Karissa also meets new neighbors, Alice and Margot, who have their own life’s dilemmas they are dealing with but the ladies all suggest forming a book club of their own to spend getting to know one another and escape their troubles.

Sheila Roberts is another author that has many many books out there and from those that I have read I always find myself enjoying the story and character. The Best Life Book Club was no exception to that fact with really four stories to follow along with each of the ladies that all had a little humor and a lot of heart and of course this one should appeal to the readers with the story focusing around just that, reading. Definitely an author I will continue to return to in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

As someone who has met some of my dearest friends through a shared love of books, The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts found a special place in this reader's heart.

Moving to a new city, especially as an adult, can be difficult. Making new friends, even harder. For these three new neighbors, and one's very cynical sister, books will hold the key to new friendships, new opportunities, new growth, forgiveness, healing, and, in some cases, romance.

I really enjoyed how Roberts explored these characters. She gives each woman the time and attention she deserves while also weaving their individual journeys together into a fabric of friendship, support, and new beginnings. I found myself cheering them all on, even the curmudgeon.

The book quotes at the beginning of each chapter are fun additions that set the tone for what's happening with - and to - the characters at that point in the story as well as cool Easter eggs for longtime Roberts readers. Muriel Sterling, anyone?

Books, what we learn from them and how they impact our lives, is a prevalent theme throughout this book. So too, is both humor and heart-tugging emotion. One thing I'm guaranteed when I pick up a Sheila Roberts book is that she will make me laugh and also touch my heart. It's an intoxicating combination. This book did both, keeping me eagerly reading from start to finish. It's one of my favorites from an author who always entertains.

4.5 Stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

I decided to review this book because it is completely different from a book I would normally pick up and it felt relatable.. The story was a bit slow for my taste, but I was correct to it being relatible. It was a good story, but not my type.

This was an entertaining story of finding courage to change. All four women were at crossroads in their lives. With each book they were able to apply it to their own lives. Opening themselves to finding love, making changes, learning to say I’m sorry and face their fears. Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Best Life Book Club tells the journey of four women who start a book club with one another. Told from each of the women's perspectives, the reader gets a taste of loss, heartbreak, personal growth, and friendship. Set in Washington State, the main focus of the novel surrounds Karissa, a newly divorced single mother in a new town. She is working for a publishing company and is working to rebuild her life. She builds a community around her with three other women: Alice, Margot, and Josie. Each woman has her own conflict she is working through and find solace in their newly-formed book club.

I feel like the novel really picks up around 60%. Before then, I wondered often "Okay, where is this going?". I'm really glad I stuck with it because the latter half of the book bumped up my rating from three to four stars. Knocking one star because sometimes it was hard to distinguish whose perspective I was reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review. The Best Life Book Club hits shelves on May 7, 2024!

THE BEST LIFE BOOK CLUB – Sheila Roberts
Mira
ISBN: 978-0778305484
May 7, 2024
Contemporary Fiction

Gig Harbor, Washington – Present Day

Karissa Newcomb is starting a new life in Gig Harbor with her little girl, Macy, after a divorce. She could no longer live in the house in Seattle because her now ex-husband was living next door with his new girlfriend. She has found a job working at a local book publishing company. As she is moving during a rainstorm, a dog comes running into the house, dirtying the floors. An older lady is not far behind. The woman introduces herself as Alice, her next-door neighbor. Alice is still grieving her late husband and no longer drives after a car accident. Alice is nice to Karissa, and they soon strike up a friendship.

Alice introduces Karissa to Margot, and they talk about their love for books. Along with Alice’s sister, Josie, they form a book club where they read and discuss books. Meanwhile, Karissa starts her new job and is finding herself attracted to her surly boss, Edward. It turns out that he has a daughter the same age as Macy, and the two little girls hit it off. But will Karissa develop a relationship outside the office with Edward?

THE BEST LIFE BOOK CLUB follows the friendship of four women and the lives they lead on a journey of discovery. Karissa is still bitter that her husband cheated on her with their next-door neighbor. Now she has to share Macy with them every other weekend. She does find her new job enjoyable, even if some of the authors are a bit eccentric. Like Emerald, who comes in unexpectedly and demands Edward’s attention even if he is busy. Another author, Gerald, didn’t hit it off well with Karissa, but she has the perfect idea to get back on his good side. The book club will read one of his books and invite him to their meeting.

Alice has a son and daughter-in-law who are mostly self-absorbed in each other. They believe Alice is doing okay and likes what they like, but they don’t ask her what she wants. Her fear of driving has kept her mostly homebound except for when her sister Josie takes her out to the junk sales they enjoy. Josie is hard to get along with because she is opinionated and bossy. But Josie has her own family issues. Due to a fight with her daughter, she is no longer in contact with the only other family she has. Josie blames her daughter and son-in-law but maybe she is going to have to back down from her criticism of them. Meanwhile, Margot is unemployed and trying to find a new job. However, her mother is forever calling her and telling her that she isn’t trying enough. The stress proves to be hard for Margot. Then after spending money on a top online and having it not fit, someone suggests she develop an app for clothes fitting. The problem is that takes money.

As the months go on in THE BEST LIFE BOOK CLUB, the four ladies grow closer and see each other outside the book club. We learn more about Edward and Gerald. We watch as the ladies start to read self-help books and take the advice written in the books. Will Karissa get over her anger toward her ex and move on…maybe with Edward? Will Alice return to driving? How about Josie and Margot, will they achieve what they want? An uplifting and emotional tale, readers will discover that THE BEST LIFE BOOK CLUB is one that they won’t be able to put down once they start reading.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today