When I think of any novel written by the immensely talented Debbie Macomber I think of inspiring stories of friendship, love, loss and life. These stories are the ones that I can most relate to the stories themselves are always so well written within the boundaries of the modern world, any reader can feel like they belong. Yet, "If Not For You," I did not share in the usually emotional happiness that the author's books normally brings.

There was a lot of drama in this book. In many ways, the plot was a little too much drama overkill. I personally did not like Beth's character. I thought she was childish and I supported her decision to improve her life but in many ways, Beth was like her mother, the woman she was trying to escape. As for Sam, Beth's love interest there wasn't much to be desired about him. I felt like Beth and Sam were more like high school kids finding love rather than adults. I could have lived without Sam insisting singing within the book and I feel like he could have given Beth more space in her newly established independence.

As much as I love books by the author, this story just felt wrong. It was beautifully detailed but I wanted so much more from the characters including less drama as this book was wrong for me entirely.

Reading a Debbie Macomber book is like going on a mini vacation in the springtime. You can lose yourself in the story and forget about all the stresses of life. Each book has characters that are relatable and you can always expect a happy ending. This one doesn't disappoint. Take the time to escape for awhile and enjoy this book!

Ballantine Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of If Not for You. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Beth Prudhomme, in an attempt to escape her controlling mother, moves halfway across the country to teach high school music in Portland, Oregon. Reconnecting with her successful aunt, who has made a name for herself in the art world, Beth has finally been able to spread her wings. A blind date with Sam through a mutual friend is not a success, that is, until a serious accident changes everything. Despite coming from very different worlds, will Beth and Sam allow their hearts to decide? Will Beth's well meaning meddling threaten to ruin her happiness?

If Not for You is a clean romance with some religious undertones. To be honest, I was not blown away by this one. The dialogue seemed forced in places and I found it hard to forge a connection to the characters or their story. If Not for You was not overly memorable and this average read is one I would decline to recommend.

2.5 stars - Only because of the writing. The story - I just couldn't connect to these characters. They were boring and sometimes childish. The sub-plot and characters had some good moments, but just didn't hold it for me.
I have read many DM books over the years, and have liked them, but this one was too religious for me.
Sam goes to the hospital and she makes him read from the Bible when he is clearly uncomfortable! Pushy!! She hardly even knows him yet! Not for me.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

It is a refreshing story that is easy to read. This book has a theme of forgiveness, repairing relationships, and moving forward. If I had to compare it to a movie I would probably go with While You Were Sleeping mixed with Mystic Pizza.

Warm and caring! The characters are heartwarmingly lovely. I love it. I have been a fan of Ms.Macomber for a long time. Ever since I discovered Mills and Boon. I like the fact that the characters are relatable. Thank you for letting me read it. The warmth of the characters reach out to you right out of the pages. The situations are practical and not outlandish like most books these days.

I was given a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

Review posted on Goodreads, Amazon, B & N and V's Reads. http://wp.me/p3AKEA-2aN

Beth is a 25 y/o sheltered woman, striking out on her own to build a career and life outside of her mother's stern grasp. She's relocated to Portland, Oregon to be near her dear Aunt Sunshine and take a position as high school music teacher. Her meek, but kind, physicist father has guaranteed that momma bird will stay back in Chicago for at least six months, before she's able to come and inspect Beth's new life.

Beth is a delicate-looking woman, and a new colleague offers to set her up with he husband's best friend, Sam. Sam is not delicate. He's a bearded, tattooed mechanic, and a darned good one. Still, he's not excited to meet Beth at his buddy's home and the set-up date is a awkward as can be. They develop a camaraderie about being set-up, and when the expectations of "no thanks" are realized on both sides, they part with smiles. Sam and Beth take the same route home, which is how Sam witnesses Beth's tiny car getting broadsided when a texting teen runs a red light.

Beth's in bad, bad shape, and Sam's, well, he's by her side in an instant, and holds her hand while calling 911. Beth's pain is immense, and Sam's gruff voice and tight grasp are pivotal in keeping her from fading out altogether. This unlikely couple, who could barely spend a dinner together, soon become very good friends. Sam visits Beth in the hospital, and a rapport grows. They share conversation, at first, but soon it's clear that they want more than just a friendship. They make music together--and I mean that in the literal sense. Sam brings his guitar, and Beth plays the rehab center's piano. The music solidifies their bond, and Sam longs for the day Beth will walk out of rehab and into a relationship. Which is odd, because Sam hasn't dated in more than a decade.

Beth is a cock-eyed optimist, and has her heart set on fixing everyone around her, including her never-married Aunt Sunshine and Sam, who grieves a lost child. But her well-meant efforts don't bring about the desired results. At first.

Beth is a nice gal, but she's so naive. It was good to see her grow and develop into a strong adult, now that her mom's not pulling her strings. Sam's a decent guy, and I was glad he found love--even though he was rather stubborn about it. There's a subplot regarding Beth's mom, aunt, and a man they both loved back in college. The one that got away, if you will. Well, that was a darker plotline clearly developed as a foil to Beth and Sam's romance. That said, it's nice that the family rift was healed after so many years. This book ends with an HEA, but it's a quiet romance. Don't expect more than some chaste kissing on the page.

I received a review copy on NetGalley.

Macomber delivers just as she always does. It is easy to recommend her books to readers. There are no unpleasant surprises with her..

I have been reading Debbie Macomber books for the past five years and have enjoyed them all. If Not for You is probably one of my favorites. I always enjoy an opposites attract romance and this one delivered. It was a sweet book about love, forgiveness, and what happens when you open up your heart to those possibilities. Fans of Debbie Macomber will love this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This third book in Debbie Macomber's New Beginnings, is just that, new beginnings.

Beth Prudhomme has moved from Chicago to get away from her controlling mother and found a job as a teacher in Portland, Oregon, where Beth teaches music in the local high school.

One of Beth's, Nicole friends invites her to dinner as a setup for a blind date with her husband, Rocco's best friend, Sam Carney.

As you'd expect, things did not go well between Beth and Sam and they scurry out of the dinner as soon as it is over, foregoing dessert. On the way home, Beth is involved in a serious car crash and Sam sees it and comes to her aid. Beth is hospitalized and subsequently put into rehab. Sam visits during this time and they find they actually do have a lot in common and become good friends.

From spending time together, Beth and Sam realize they want more than friendship. The problem is that they come from two different worlds. Sam is a mechanic and has long hair nad Beth comes from a wealthy family.

This is where the drama sets in and we get to watch the journey of Sam and Beth and see if they can find their HEA.

4.5-5 stars

Beth escapes her mother and moves to Portland, Oregon, where her aunt lives in order to live her own life. She gets a job as a teacher and is very excited to be independent without her mother hovering everyday. Her friend Nichole, a fellow teacher one day decides that Beth should meet up for a blind date with a guy Sam – who happens to be Nichole’s husband’s best friend. The date is a disaster, but what follows the rest is even more painful as Beth gets into a car accident in front of Sam and is badly bruised. They bond over the accident during her hospital stay and despite not liking each other at first – maybe they click after all?

Gah, I wanted to like this I really did. I am familiar with the authors writing and enjoyed her books in the past. I did not like this one at all. This was not her best for me.

I felt like Sam and Beth acted like children most of the book. If something did not go their way, they pouted, closed off and asked that maybe the other person shouldn’t call them again? Really, you have been seeing each other for a month and when one cancelled plans for a reason you think they shouldn’t call you again? Who, the hell does that?

Their entire relationship was just giving me an eye twitch. It was suppose to be all sweet and cute and it ended up being a complete failure. I never thought these two should be together and honestly in the end it would have been a better book if they went their separate ways.

I hated Beth, I really did. There is a difference between growing up sheltered and insensitive. That woman, unless it came to her, failed to count other peoples feelings, especially when she would consistently butt into their lives. What’s worse? She would dig up old wounds, ones that she had no business of sticking her nose in and not for one moment consider how that might affect the person she is screwing over.

That thing in the end with Sam. He opened up to her and shared a really painful thing from his past and she almost ruined him because not for one moment she stops and thought – oh gee, Sam will never be able to do anything about what I am just about to rub it into his face. It was like slashing open old wounds and rubbing salt into them over and over again. I was horrified that she couldn’t see what she did wrong there. I was even more annoyed that in the end, Sam took her back. No, he should, he let her walk away. Oh, and that ending with how they got back together was really so unnecessary. On second thought, someone should consider not letting this woman drive.

The only person in this book that I liked in this book was Sunshine. I thought she was the only character that did not grate my nerves, outside of Nichole and
Rocco.

I don't think you can EVER go wrong with a book by Debbie Macomber.
If Not For You is the 3rd book in the New Beginnings series.
As usual Ms. Macomber tells a clean story and still gets all the emotion across to the reader.
You will fall in love with Beth and Sam as well as the secondary characters. This was just an all around great story to read.

Debbie Macomber is a beloved author with a large fan following. Her characters are real, and her story lines keep you coming back for more. She is well-known for creating communities within her novels, and weaving stories that find you cheering the characters on.

Her newest novel, If Not for You is no exception. This is an unlikely love story, that brings confusion, uncertainty, and ultimately hope into the lives of the main characters. This story also brings tragedy, setbacks, loss, and determination as the plot unfolds with each chapter.

Macomber's writing style flows with ease, and readers are drawn into the lives of these characters, who refuse to let go until long after the novel is finished. Beth and Sam are no different in this way from the characters in many of her other novels.

This unexpected union surprises some of the characters. As you are reading this novel, you will find yourself missing the characters and the stories until you can return to its pages. THe main characters are reluctant to follow their hearts, until they are forced to stop and listen to the nudgings tucked inside.

This is a delightful read. Some novels are enjoyable ,even entertaining, but this one is fulfilling. Macomber does not disappoint in this newest release. If you enjoyed the Blossom Street series, you will find this one compelling and engaging as well!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the story with Beth and Sam and usually I find it a bit convenient that in books characters somehow fall in love with each other over a few days or maybe weeks and while I know that can happen, I don't feel like it is the norm that your average romance novel would tell us it is. In this case though it felt right and made sense. The story is written in such a way that it doesn't feel convenient to tell the story easier and actually works with the characters.

Sunshine and Peter... well I didn't love this couple as much. I didn't connect with Sunshine like I did with the other characters and I just didn't really like Peter. I didn't love this as the "b plot" of the book.

I did like seeing the characters of Rocco and Nichole from A Girl's Guide to Moving On and thought they were integrated well for new readers who haven't read the previous book as well as new ones.

Overall when I got to the end of the book I felt positive and optimistic and as always I am in awe of Macomber's ability to tell a good heartwarming story.

I read this book as part of my trying-new-authors adventure, it isn’t the kind of book I would normally be drawn to, but you don’t know if you don’t try right? Well I tried and although this book was okay, I am not in a rush to read more books by Debbie Macomber. It was cute but as we Brits like to say…not my cup of tea.

When thinking about this book, I was struck by the first thing that occurred to me and I believe contributed to why I was unimpressed with it. There was no sex, not even a hint or a fade to black. This surprises me because I hate books that are just sex and you have to read through endless scenes of it I get really bored, but I do like their to be some heat which culminates to something within my romance. When I thought more about why the no sex thing bothered me I realised it’s because without this build up of heat and tension the main characters relationship came off as a budding friendship rather than a budding romance. They had no chemistry, none of the omphf that makes you think that the couple are made for one another, they just feel into platonic like which the author told us was their romantic relationship.

I also found the heroine to be too naive, I don’t mind a sweet and innocent character but she was naive to the extent that she actually hurt the people around her. It made me wonder what the hell was wrong with her and why she would be so idiotic and once you start thinking that about a character it’s hard to claw that back.

This book was okay, sweet and cute in parts but I won’t be reading any of the other books in this series, Macomber’s style isn’t something that suits me.

This is a perfectly nice, clean romance from Macomber. Beth Prudhomme finally stands up to her overbearing mother and moves to a town on the West Coast, where her aunt lives. She lands a job teaching music and a new friend in town, Nichole, invites her to dinner. Beth's not sure about a set up, but then neither is Rocco's friend. There, she meets Sam Carney, someone who would normally seem completely unsuitable for her. After the car accident (which is detailed in the prologue, no spoiler!) Sam and Beth’s lives and ideas about each other change immeasurably. Sam Carney is one of the best characters in the book, his growing realization about his feelings were very well done. I didn’t know what to expect with Sunshine’s story, but it was fine to be included, a bit after the story was underway. She and Beth’s mother Ellie have been estranged for years. While I really enjoyed the tidbits about the players from the previous stories, Beth's impulsiveness seemed at odds with her at times and things settled rather quickly for all.

Blind dates can be dreadful or surprising. Beth and Sam weren’t looking forward to the one their friends set up. What happens on that date was life-changing!
A pleasurable clean romantic read. Loved the characters and the witty banter; especially revisiting Rocco and Nicole, Aunt Sunshine and ultimately, Peter. The story was good, though rushed. 3 1/2 stars.
Voluntarily read an ARC thru Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Nobody does realistic, down to earth, romance stories like Debbie Macomber. This is the third book in New Beginnings series and I have really enjoyed them. They are all about second chances and taking chances on life and love to have your new Beginning.

Beth Prudhomme is twenty five year old woman who has been smothered by her mother since birth. They are a well to do family and her mother thinks she knows what and who are best for Beth. Beth decides it is time to take control of her life and moves from Chicago to Portland where she will be closer to her Aunt Sunshine. She gets a job teaching music and becomes friends with Nichole, another teacher. When Nichole sets her up on a blind date with her friend, Sam, Beth gives in after her Aunt tells her that this could be the one. Beth and Sam do not hit it off. She is polished and a little uptight, Sam is rough around the edges, a mechanic with long hair, a beard and tattoos. When dinner is over, they cannot get to the door fast enough. On the way home, Beth is t-boned and Sam witnesses the accident. He jumps out of his truck to see if he can help and holds her hand until the EMS arrives. That sets the stage for their second chance. I was hooked and could not wait to see if Sam and Beth were going to get together. There are several storylines going on in this story involving Sunshine and her sister as well as a lost love, Nichole and Sam, Sam's baggage from a previous relationship as well as Beth's growing independence.

The characters are very well developed that you feel as if you know them. Beth has a huge heart and truly cares about others. She does not want to see anyone hurting and will do what she can to fix what she sees is the problem. Unfortunately, she tends to stick her nose in others people's business and sometimes the results are heart breaking. Sunshine is exactly what her name says. She is an artist who is loving, happy and wants the best for Beth. She has some regrets in her life that she wants to change. Sam is everything a male romantic hero is supposed to be. He is rough around the edges and not one to show his emotions. When he falls in love, he falls hard and will do whatever he can to make the other person happy. The book has everything. There is love, forgiveness, jealousy, unsuspecting emotions, and second chances. Yes, this is a feel good book, but it is a book that is totally believable. That is exactly what I want when I pick up a book by Debbie Macomber. If you are looking for a book to make you feel good, go through a range of emotions and root for the characters, then pick this one up. You will not be disappointed.

This book was everything I expected from Debbie Macomber. Down-to-earth characters, a believable storyline, and great writing combined to make this a quick and easy read for me. If Not for You is classic Debbie Macomber.

While the premise of this book could be seen as very cliche for romance, upper-class woman meets rough-around-the-edges guy, Debbie keeps the story fresh and real. I like her writing style and the way she writes about everyday people. She keeps the story interesting and keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

There is a great mix of characters in this book that adds to the realness of the story. All of the characters are well-developed. I liked the chemistry between the two main characters and how their relationship went from awkward to friends to more. There is a natural progression to their relationship that adds to the story and makes it that much more realistic.

Fans of Debbie Macomber are sure to enjoy this story. This would also be a great introduction to the author and her writing. I like to think of this author’s work as “comfort reads”. A nice, cozy read for a lazy afternoon.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are mine.