I finished this book, because it was a short and sweet read, but I definitely wouldn't read again. Four women, three whom are neighbors, form a book club where they read various (hokey sounding) books and also Jane Eyre. Karissa, who is new to Gig Harbor, falls in love with her new boss despite any build up of backstory or anything other than the most cursory interactions. Alice learns to drive again after a scary experience. Margo develops an app because she can't get hired after a layoff. Josie falls in love with a curmudgeon. This book maybe had promise but everything seemed half-fleshed out with weird Christian undertones. There were just so many FAST plot swings - Edward was cordial but not overly so to Karissa, and by the end of the book was declaring his love for her. All of the women wrote a book together and it was immediately picked up by Karissa's publisher employer and published.

Positive points for setting - I love Gig Harbor and now want to visit again. I also enjoyed Karissa's relationship with her daughter, as her daughter grapples with the ramifications of divorce. Alice reminded me of my old neighbor, who loved the energy of being around younger folks while dealing with her own life trials and tribulations.

I truly wanted to like this, but it just felt so incomplete, plot wise.

I LOVED the title and idea for the book. This is the 1st book by this author I've read, and it didn't read quite as smoothly as the lighter reads I tend to recommend in my shop, but happy to have it on the shelf.

So good! This book was a super fun journey! I found myself smiling so much and really enjoyed the writing style. The cover drew me in and I am looking forward to seeing TikTok and all the media blowing up on this story! Excuse me while I go see the what else the author has written!

As someone who is a member of a book club that I love I was excited to read a story about a book club. There were themes of fresh starts, new friendships, overcoming grief, facing fears and people falling in love. I enjoyed how at the beginning of each chapter there were quotes from the books the club was reading. My favorite POV was Karissa and seeing how she faced life and overcame her fear of starting over after divorce. Each character had something that they needed to reconcile or fix and it was interesting seeing how the different personalities approached that.

The reason for the 4 star review instead of 5 stars was more for how confusing it was to have the point of views change in the middle of chapters. It felt abrupt and at times hard to keep track of who I was reading about. It also felt like each woman had way too much going on to juggle throughout the story. I was hoping it was mainly going to focus on Karissa but each woman could have been the main character with the amount of information and conflict they experienced.

Overall I did enjoy reading the book. It was a light and easy read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC!

This is a cute “clean” book about female friendships, love, loss and new beginnings. It’s very reminiscent of a Debbie Macomber novel. Not just because it takes place in the Pacific Northwest. There were no surprises, but just a solid friendship story following four friends of varying ages and in different situations. A book club brings them closer and it has an ending that suits the story. I’ve never read this author before and am curious if all her stories are similar - happy feel good novels. I’ll be reading a few more.
Thank you Netgalley for the digital ARC.

I really enjoyed this story of a few women who find themselves neighbors. All going through various difficulties in life, they form friendships through a love of books. It was a nice read.

Wonderful story of moving on and conquering fears! Sheila Roberts has brought a group of women together and shown the reader how each one grows to overcome a life changing event and reach for something better. I absorbed the fabulous quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and I felt that they were meant for me! Thanks for another winning story! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Although I loved the description, this book just did not work for me. The constant change in the point of view between the 4 women made it feel scattered. I felt like there were a lot of plot holes and missing details.
Some of the characters were just so unlikable, ahem Josie. And the romance all just felt weirdly forced and not organic.
I did like the book quotes at the beginning of chapters.

Karissa Newcomb is ready to start fresh in a new neighborhood- one that is far away from her cheating husband. She and her daughter move to the city of Gig Harbor and she starts a new job as a publishing assistant. Karissa quickly learns that she is not the only one who is in need of a fresh start. Her new neighbors, Alice and Margot are also going through difficult times and are in need of distraction. They decide that a book club is the best place to start (I love love love a book about books). This story follows these women, and Alice's sister (Josie), as they embark on a literary journey that might just change their lives.

Things I Loved:
- My book club has been life-changing for me- and I loved how this book focused on how the bonds of female friendship forged through book clubs can be truly transformational
- The setting and the characters are so charming and loveable
- This book made me feel al the emotions

Things I Didn't Love:
- The abrupt POV shifts were a little difficult to follow at times

This was a heartwarming story that left me smiling long after I finished reading it!

It's a very slow read with many characters introduced quickly. I lost interest and stopped reading at 27%
DNF


*************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.********************

I love books about books so I was excited about this one. I loved the relationships between the neighbors- what a great neighborhood for Karissa to move into. This definitely felt "cozy." I read LOTS of books with different points of view, but the POV in this one changed many times, and in the middle of chapters-- it felt strange and disjointed. I liked, but didn't love this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Karissa is starting over after her ex-husband moves on with her ex-best friend. Their two young daughters are besties but when Macy and Karissa move to another town, the girls are heartbroken. Karissa finds a job at a publishing company and tries to be positive. After meeting her neighbors, Alice who is mourning the loss of her beloved husband and Margot who lost her job and can't seem to find another one they decide to start a book club. Alice invites her snarky sister Josie to join the group, but Josie has an opinion on everything. She is estranged from her daughter because she can't stop her criticism of her son-in-law.
As the friends become closer, they each overcome a struggle and become a family. I really enjoyed this book. I was given an advanced copy by NetGalley and this is my honest review.

This book was cute. It was hard to follow along with all the different points of view. They changed rather abruptly. All the characters stories wrapped up nicely. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was my first book by this author and I am IN LOVE.

Karissa is a newly single mom after learning her husband has been having an affair with her best friend and neighbor, Allegra. She moves to a new town to start a new job at a regional publishing company while her daughter gets ready to start a new school without her best friend Charlotte, Allegra’s daughter.

While getting settled in her new town, Karissa develops a friendship with her neighbor, Alice. Alice’s friendships lead to meeting her other neighbor Margot along with Alice’s sister, Josie. Each woman is going through her own life struggles and with Karissa's encouragement, join together and start their own bookclub. They don’t know that the bookclub and the books they choose will change each one of their lives in ways they didn’t think were still possible.

We get to experience each woman's struggle and grieving and I felt like it was one of those stories where you feel like you really get to know each character.

FIVE BIG STARS and can’t wait to read more by this author! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this!

A book about books is almost always a hit for me! I loved Karissa’s eagerness to start fresh in a new town, and the details of her new career in publishing were fun to read about- but it felt very glossy, like some of the realistic parts of life were smoothed over.
Incorporating Karissa’s new neighbors and the addition of the book club was a great way to work in more plot points, but I just couldn’t find myself invested.

Karissa’s life is turned upside down when she learns of her husband’s affair with her neighbor and best friend, Allegra. After getting a divorce she decides to move to a new town and start a new life with her 8 year old daughter. She finds a job with a publisher, working for Edward Elliot, a dashing boss. Her new neighbors offer the kind of solace she needs in the form of a book club. The story revolves around all of these people, the books they read and the kind of impact it has on their lives.


This is a lighthearted read, with some ups and downs in between. Their struggles are very real- there’s a woman who has been laid off, another who deals with grief and anxiety. The topic of widowhood, divorce and shared custody have been tastefully handled. It’s wonderful to read about stories where characters discover their true potential, while undergoing a process of healing.

Coming to the romance part- there are multiple love stories in the book, but only one of them was truly fleshed out. I do admit that storyline had me grinning ear-to-ear. It was that cute! Karissa’s attraction towards her boss felt very flat, though. I wish he had more personality, but instead was just described as brooding, but ‘kind’ all the time. Think Darcy meets Rochester.

The book also ran a little longer than needed, but it was a fairly good read.

I recommend this to someone who is looking for a
-story about female friendships and bonding.
-story based in publishing
-lighthearted, romantic storyline, with focus being on relationships.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was really looking forward to this book but it fell a little short for me. I didn’t really relate to any of the characters and none of their stories were particularly interesting to me. Not a bad read, just not a page turner. Well written and I enjoyed the book club theme. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC of this book!

The Best Life Book Club was a DNF for me. The writing wasn't horribly bad, but the story failed to capture my interest. It just seemed so plain and boring. The title peeked my interest and reading about a book club would have been interesting but it felt like the story was dragging.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts due to be published May 7, 2024.
Karissa has just moved to Gig Harbor with nine-year-old Macy to get away from the town where her husband cheated on her with her former best friend. She has a new job with a small publishing company which is wonderful since she loves reading.
She soon meets her neighbors, Alice (who is grieving her late husband), and Margot (who recently not only got divorced, but laid off).
Needing a distraction, they decide to form a book club, along with Alice’s grouchy older sister, Josie.
I usually read thrillers, but every once in awhile stray from that genre, and I’m so glad I did.
The Best Life Book Club was a delight – I smiled a lot, laughed out loud, and cried in some places – what a fabulous book.
If you want something to make you smile long after you’ve finished reading – this book is for you – I absolutely loved it!

.#netgalley #SheilaRoberts #HarlequinTradePublishing #TheBestLifeBookClub

Four newfound friends explore life and relationships in their book club. While separately they are facing adversity, together they fuel each other to live their best lives. Filled with the author's renown charm, comedic timing and close-knit friendships, fans and first-time readers will delight in Roberts' antics.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #TheBestLifeBookClub in exchange for an honest review. I'm a Sheila Roberts fan as her books always leave me wishing for another serving. Her latest novel, is perfect for taking the bite out of winter's chill or alongside a glass of wine to wind down the evening!