Loved it! Another hit for Ms. Macomber. Perfect second chance book. That will make you smile.

Loved it!!! I love Debbie Macomber - she has been my #1 favorite author for about 15 years and she has never let me down.

Beth and Sam were set up on a blind date by Nichole & Rocco. Neither Beth nor Sam was impressed with each other when the met for dinner at the home of their friends who set them up. I honestly thought Sam seemed like a boring prick, while Beth tried to be polite to him. After the dinner was over is when it got interesting.

Beth was involved in a nasty wreck and Sam witnessed the whole thing. When Sam ran over to be with Beth until the emergency crew showed up, he was holding her hand at her insistance. This is when I fell for the man myself!

Sam went to visit Beth in the hospital several times, and the rehab center as well. They grew closer with each visit he made. He would play his guitar and sing her to sleep and eventually she joined him by playing the piano. Their chemistry had me wishing for my very own Sam. I really liked his personality once he started developing true feelings for Beth. And Beth's attitude toward Sam when he would try to back off was admirable. She was determined to let him see how foolish his requests were on his own, without being vindictive or shallow.

Beth's mom, she was a pill. But, Beth stood up for herself several different times over different instances her mom didn't approve of. I loved how both Beth and Sam let her mom know they felt about each other even though she kept trying to interfere. She just wasn't wanting her daughter to make her own life choices and it ate her up. Beth's dad was a peach though.

I liked Sunshine's storyline as well. I was saddened by her relationship with her sister and the downfall of her relationship with her one true love. Just made me feel bad that she was as old as she was when she found love again.

I do wish I could have learned more about Lucinda and a possible connection with her father, but that would probably require a whole different book.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another new book by Debbie Macomber... and she never seems to disappoint me! Her ability to pull the reader directly into a story to really get to KNOW her characters is nothing short of amazing.

Beth Prudhomme is a twenty five year old high school music teacher who finds it necessary to move from Chicago to Portland, Oregon in order to escape the control and interference of her mother. A blind date with handsome, hunky Sam goes from bad to worse when it ends up with a car crash where Beth is seriously injured. But then things get better and a beautiful new relationship develops between the two of them. Add in the artsy Aunt Sunshine, friends Rocco and Nichole, a cute little boy named Owen who follows Sam around with his cussing jar, and numerous other characters, and you have a delightful, romantic story that flows with all the warmth, sincerity, humor and emotional drama you can muster in one novel!

This was a delightful quick read... the kind of book that could cause a sunburn if you''re reading it on the beach. You just can't stop turning those pages to apply fresh sunscreen!

I would heartily recommend this book to people looking for a clean romance with tingles.

Another great book by one of my favorite authors. I love a good clean love story that leaves me not feeling like it is just one sex scene to another, but a true love story full of respect and dignity. Being a widow and not expecting to find love make the female character real and identifiable.

If Not For You by Debbie Macomber
Glad as one of her fan ambassadors I was given this ARC prior to the release of the book.
Have read all the authors other works and love knitting inspired ones.
Beth has finally broken away from her mothers grip and moved from Chicago to Portland, OR where her aunt Sunshine lives.
She was able to get an apartment and job as a music teacher and loves her new life. Her friend Nicole has invited her to dinner with her husband Rocco and son Owen.
Sam is Rocco's friend and feels comfortable with the family. Beth and Sam are set up and can't wait to leave the dinner when they feel things didn't go well. As they each drive home Beth's car is hit and she's in really bad shape.
Sam does all he can to just be with her and even afterwards when she's in the hospital and rehab he's there for her and despite their outside appearances they find they do like one another-the inside persons they are.
Some tender moments and some bringing up events of the past to bring the whole puzzle together.
Found book was rather boring and a bit longer than it needed to be to get the story told but liked the read.
Liked new things I learned and location of OR as we are familiar with areas of it in our travels.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

If not for certain people, places and events in our lives, our lives could take entirely different turns, as the main character, Beth finds out in this book.

At the age of 25, Beth decides that it is time to take control of her life. Up to this point, her controlling mother has guided everything she has done, including picking the male companions she would date.

After moving from Chicago to Portland, Beth finds a job, makes new friends and experiences many things she would have never been able to if she would have stayed at home.

A horrible experience leads her to a very unlikely new friend in her life. Will the vast differences in their lifestyles and upbringings keep them apart, or will their friendship turn into a special gift? Will Beth’s mother undermine Beth’s attempts at a new life, or will Beth stand up to her mother to be in control of her life? Where will all of this end?

Each book that the author writes becomes my “new favorite”. I enjoyed this book so much and was able to read it in a couple of days. I highly recommend it to all lovers of Debbie Macomber books.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Penguin Random House, in exchange for my honest unbiased review.

The first thing I want to say is that if you read, A Girl's Guide to Moving On, some of the characters show up in this book. Had I known that from reading the other reviews, I would have moved this up through my TBR pile faster.

Beth left behind her gentile and privileged upbringing in Chicago, to move to Portland, Or to live with her hippyesque aunt, Sunshine. Determined to get out from under her mom's thumb, she embarks on an adventure to find herself. A teacher at a local high school, she gets set up on a blind date by a fellow teacher who thinks she'd be perfect for her husband's friend, Sam. The two are polar opposites in many ways and to say there was no love connection, is putting it mild. They both leave the dinner date before dessert and Beth gets in a nasty car accident that Sam witnesses. Feeling compelled to visit her since he was with her during the immediate aftermath, the two begin to fall in love - much to the chagrin of Beth's snobby mother who rushes to Oregon to make sure that her daughter doesn't make any mistakes. Add to that mix, the fact that Sunshine and her sister (Beth's mom) don't get along because of something that happened over 30 years ago and you have on your hands a sweet little story.

I was skeptical of this book based on the reviews that I read but was hooked once I realized that Rocco and Nichole were back. Something about characters that continue on in other books makes my heart do a little happy dance. I do wish that the characters evolved a little bit more than they did, and I found it hard to connect to Sam, but his and Beth's story was so very sweet. As I often say with Debbie Macomber books, you won't be wowed with her prose, her books won't leave you deep in thought when you've finished them but they WILL leave you warm and fuzzy. A perfect sit inside under the blanket while the rain is coming down outside kind of book.

I received this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1870438943

Beth is a music teacher who recently moved from Chicago to Portland, Oregon to live near her Aunt, Sunshine and to escape her controlling Mother. One night, her co-worker and friend, Nichole invites her to dinner with the intent of introducing her to her husband's friend, Sam.

Neither Sam not Beth want to be set up. Sam has sworn off relationships and is not looking for a girlfriend. She agrees to the diner to appease his friend, Rocco. Beth is apprehensive but is talked into going by her Aunt. Their first impressions of each other are not very promising. Sam is an auto mechanic with long hair and a beard. Sam initially sees Beth as being quiet, reserved, and not like the women he meets in bars. Both decide to go their separate ways when fate steps in.

On the way home from the uncomfortable set up, Beth is hit by a teenager who is texting and not paying attention. Sam witnesses the accident and stays with her until help arrives. He then decides to go to the hospital where their mutual friends come to find out if she will be okay. As Beth has a long healing process ahead, Sam feels compelled to visit her in the hospital and both learn there is more to the other than meets the eye. They have a mutual love of music and learn they enjoy playing together.

As Beth and Sam get closer, the reader also learns about Beths's Aunt Sunshine's lost love and her strained relationship with her sister Ellie (Beth's Mother).

Initially I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to see Nichole and Rocco again after reading their story in "A Girl's guide to Moving on". It was nice to see how their relationship had progressed and the friend's they have made. But as the book got closer to then end, I began to fall a little out of love with this book. It fell from a 4 star read to a 3 star read for me. Why? The boy with the troubled past has been done before and I felt the conflict and resolution just did not feel right. Plus, the ending felt SO RUSHED. There is CONFLICT....then BOOM...they once again kiss and make up and BAM the book abruptly ends. Is it too much to ask for an epilogue? Is it too much to ask for a little bit more after the kiss and make up. The ending was so abrupt..as in SERIOUSLY????? it's over just like that. I like these types of books. I really enjoy reading them. I hate the abrupt endings. If I could say one thing to the Author and/or Publishers it would be EPILOGUE. I'm sure these characters will show up in future books and we will get a glimpse of where they went from the end of this book but come on already.....I just wanted more..just a smidge more.

Another great book. I enjoyed reading about the kindness that Beth and Sunshine showed others. I appreciate that Debbie Macomber doesn't feel the need to lower her standards in order to write a book that her fans will enjoy.

Book three of a series and sadly, I haven’t read the first two. No problem! This book takes off and takes the reader with it. It is an easy read that doesn’t demand much of the brain other than the sit back and enjoy section. Boy meets girl is a given with Debbie Macomber books and this one is no different. Characters are interesting and easy to get to know. This is a fast paced and comfortable read that is just right for when you need a break. This would make a great beach bag addition.

When it is time to take charge of your life and step out on your own. As if dealing with a controlling mom isn’t enough, Beth gets set-up on a blind date with a guy named Sam by one of her friends. Imagine meeting someone and thinking what the hell your friend is on to set you both up. He is everything her mother never wanted. She leaves her date early and is involved a car crash and Sam comes to help her as he was driving the same direction and saw everything. Secrets will be revealed and relationships tested who know how it will turn out in the end.
As always Debbie Macomber writes another heart-warming story. When you just want to escape the day to day stresses and want to read something light I highly recommend.

A very unusual beginning to this book. It started out with a blind date that neither participant felt went well.

The date ended with Beth in the hospital and Sam by her side.

It is the classic girl breaks free from her overbearing mother to start a new life on her own. She finds a job and a place to live and is enjoying her new independence. Enter Mr. no committment guy and nothing will be the same again.

There are twists and turns along the way, some predictable, others not so much.

I loved the characters and felt like they were believable. I loved aunt Sunshine and Beth's dad. They were my favorites.

If you want a warm, feel good book that is a clean. This is the book for you. I liked the story and I think you will too.

Usually Debbie Macomber can be relied upon for a comfortable, if not especially deep, read. I was disappointed in this book. The characters were 2-dimensional and the entire story was cringe-worthy and melodramatic.

What started out as a blind date gone wrong turns into something that Beth and Sam do not see coming at all. Sam seems a bit gruff on the outside but could make any woman swoon with his gentle caring personality. Beth is trying to find her way on her own and is as surprised as anyone else to find love when she wasnt even looking. Never disappointed with Debbie Macomber!

I loved, loved, loved this! Debbie's books always make me feel happy.

This book was a fast read and I definitely got hooked. Some of the relationship was a little too sweet but I still liked the story!

You can always depend on Debbie Macomber to give you a good story to take your mind off everything else going on around you. That said, this was not my favorite story by her but it was a fun satisfying read. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

As the book begins, Beth meets Sam on a blind date. They are total opposites - Beth is a music teacher and very prim and proper. Sam is a mechanic with long hair and beard. The blind date doesn't go well and its apparent that they will never see each again. On their drives home, Sam is behind Beth's car when she is hit in an intersection and hurt very badly. He runs to the car and holds her hand and then starts to visit her in the hospital and a relationship between them develops very quickly. The big questions then becomes - will they be able to find true love despite their differences and the opposition of her controlling mother? It's a fun, quick satisfying read to find out the answer to this question.

Debbie Macomber has a huge fan following and it is understandable why. She writes about every day people and their lives and makes the reader feel they are there apart of it in the cozy small towns she creates. They are comforting books and this one is just like that. It's a good book by a good author and I recommend to anyone who appreciates women's fiction/romance.

Maybe I'm outgrowing Debbie Macomber. Either that or she's getting lazy in her success.

I found the writing in If Not for You sacchrine and the story both trite and unbelieveable. In some ways it is a typical white collar girl falls for blue collar guy story, which, while not original (but what about romance novels is?) was believeable, but then Macomber takes this girl who had to move across the country to get out from under her mother's thumb and puts her to meddling deeply in the most personal aspects of some other people's lives. Not only did I find her level of interference in the lives of others out-of-character, I found it intrusive and insulting. While Macomber gives everyone a happily ever after, in real life, I doubt things would have turned out that way.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Grade: C+ (a story I didn't care for but which you might).

Maybe I'm at the point where I've read too many Macomber novels, but this one just didn't quite sit right with me. I expect to be completely absorbed by her books, but instead I found myself rolling my eyes.

The conflicts between Sam and Beth felt really juvenile. I never had any doubt about whether they'd stay together. Sam acts like a grumpy bear and Beth takes it all in stride. And, spoiler alert, he has another woman's name tattooed across his chest. He is portrayed as kind of a playboy, but hadn't explained that to anyone until Beth. I don't buy it. He holds double standards to her and is passive aggressive when he has a problem. Sure, I'd buy their relationship longterm, but they needed to work on it and grow together.

I couldn't help agreeing with Beth's mother when she commented on how Beth's spreading her wings led her straight into the arms of another saviour. I wish we had seen more of Beth moving to start with, about her getting her own job and teaching. There was a pair of students mentioned twice that I would have loved to see more of that would have given Beth more of her own personality.

And maybe I'm not the romantic I was, but I found it terribly challenging to believe the Sunshine subplot, of two very smart and capable people holding flames for thirty years over a relationship that lasted less than a year.

I wasn't a big fan of Macomber in a city setting. Her writing thrives with small communities where everyone knows each other. Here, she writes about Portland and Chicago but it feels like it could be absolutely anywhere else. Though I appreciate her branching out, I wish she had done more research into the feel of the cities to really capture the environment.

The role of the female in this book was another issue I had. There was very much the sentiment of thinking that a woman cannot be fulfilled unless she has children or love, preferably both. And that just drives me up the wall. There's talk about the independence of having a job, but the general sentiment is that a woman must have a man to be happy, and that really bothers me.

If you generally like Macomber, you'll probably enjoy this. I absolutely adored her last book and was really excited for this one, but I found it falling into the typical tropes of her older books.