Beth has moved away from all the family she knows in Chicago to move to Portland to be near her aunt and away from her controlling mother. Beth is an only child and has been controlled and under her mother's radar all her life. In order to get a break from her she takes a teacher's position in a high school as a music teacher.She meet Nichole(the main character from last year's moving on) and they both become great friends. One day Nichole decides to set up Beth with her husband's Rocco best friend Sam. As with moving on both of this charcters are total opposites Beth is from an upscale family and is a trained Pianist and Sam is mechanic. As the dinner becomes real both individual are uncomfortable and are aware the other person is too. As they leave Nichole and Rocco's home confirming to their host they were not a good match they head for their cars and as they are driving along a car runs straight into Beth's car. As faith would have it Sam is near the intersection and sees what happens and runs to her side. So start this relationship where a friendship is started while Beth is in the hospital. As with Debbie's previous guide to moving on, there are other sub-stories going on. Beth's aunt Sunshine who is a famous artist who never found love again after losing her first love over thirty years ago. Beth's mom Ellie who had something to do with her sister Sunshine past love and Sam who has a secret that could tear him and Beth apart. Great story as usual Ms. Macomber cannot do any wrong. My only gripe is I would have loved an epilogue.

Beth & Sam's relationship started with a bang - literally. Although the story as fairly predictable, it included all of the warm fuzzy feelings that you would expect from a Macomber novel. I loved losing myself in the story, in the what-if's, and the butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling that comes along with new relationships and letting someone into your life in the most intimate way. A happy story for me to read on a cold winter day.

Great story for a chill winter day. Typical Macomber. It allows escape into an almost fairy tale world which isn't too bad!

As always Debbie Macomber has given us another beautiful story. It was a quick and easy read.

I was provided with a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I liked Sam and Beth, they're two very different characters with completely different paths that get set up on a blind date by very good friends. While the blind date doesn't go well, after the date Beth is in a car accident, which Sam witnesses, and the two build a very close relationship while she rehabs.
There are some predictable ups and downs, but I almost enjoy the secondary stories better - Beth's family dynamics, Sunshine and Peter, Ellie and everyone else. I also enjoyed how, while it appeared Sam was so together, he had significant issues that threaten their relationship in the end.

This was only my second book by Debbie Macomber but I've found that I really do enjoy her stories and characters. I loved how sweet Sam was even though just looking at him it might not have been expected. And while it was probably quite disrespectful I really did like how Beth stood up for herself numerous times in this book. My favorite part of this book was how good Sam was with kids! Another part of his character that was unexpected. I like reading books where characters don't feed into the status quo.

This book had great romance! I loved watching the love between Beth and Sam. But I also loved that the book was pretty clean. I like when a book can have a great story line, good romance, real-life characters but not be full of trash.

However, I wasn't thrilled with how fast everything concluded. A lot of it seemed to happen a little too easily but I guess that is fiction.

NetGalley and the publisher provided me with an advanced copy of this book. This is my completely honest review.

I like these kind of books for the simple fact that sometimes you just want something to pass the time and allow your brain to 'turn off'. It's prototypical stuff for this genre: boy meets girl, they date, fall in love, happy ever after, lots of drama in between.

Thankfully the book started with a bang, quite literally as it began with the car accident that would lead to the dating otherwise the 2 main characters would have no reason to date. I felt their relationship and became serious awfully quickly but then it wouldn't be the first time a relationship was created out of trauma - reminded me a bit of the movie Speed starring Keanu Reeves.

One of the things I most enjoyed was the author wrote the chapters from various perspectives of her characters so you get to learn more details than you probably otherwise would have as well as the emotional impact of decisions made by themselves and those around them. Definitely provided a more balanced view.

I did have a little trouble with the credibility in how some of the characters were portrayed such as Beth and her car accident. The accident totaled her car, put her in a hospital, she nearly dies, ends up needing life altering rehab yet somehow she can forgive the teen who was texting while driving and ran the red light which nearly destroyed her life? No further mention is ever made of how that turns out because the focus becomes all on her relationship with the guy from that point on. Beth's mom is portrayed as being seriously angry with her sister (beth's aunt) to the point they haven't spoken in years and she wants nothing to do with her. You would think this is because her sister must've done something seriously heinous but later you find out it was Beth's mom, not her aunt, who was the witch and should've been begging her sister for forgiveness instead of being the witchy one - it didn't make a whole lot of sense especially as Beth's aunt was portrayed as being the forgiving one.

Overall if you are a Macomber fan you'll like this book because let's face it, people don't read her romance novels for accurate plot lines, to find life changing stories or quotes they'll put on their social media accounts. You read the books because reality can suck and you need the break.

Beth and Sam meet at a friend's house, as a "blind date." The only thing they seem to have in common is the desire to end the evening and get out the front door! Like Keystone cops, they collide at the door. Once in their vehicles, they reach an intersection together as well. Beth goes to make a turn, and sees a vehicle bearing down on her, too quickly. A nasty collision leaves Beth hanging to life -- and the face of Sam as he rushes to her aid. She almost chooses to give up, but as Sam makes eye contact, she decides to fight for her life. A bond with Sam is formed as she recovers, but will they be able to trust in each other enough to make things work?

History and past mistakes entangle us, especially when family and love are involved. Each character struggles with a history but none more than Beth and Sam. First impressions may rob us of deeper relationships and joy. What might happen with another chance?

Interesting, quirky characters and situation added up to a satisfying read. I enjoyed If Not for You, even though it was quite predictable.

Debbie Macomber has always been one of my go-to authors when I need a heartfelt, take some time to fall in love, sweet happily ever after story. My fondness for Macomber's books started with the Cedar Cove series and had remained through many other of her titles. If Not For You checked every box. A great story about Beth moving across the country to make a life of her own and learning that you can't judge a person by first impressions alone. A parallel story for Beth's Aunt Sunshine tells a tale of lost love, and un-mended fences between two sisters and a bit of meddling that just might make it right. Beautiful stories. Always so very well written.

If Not For You by Debbie Macomber
What is not to love about Debbie Macomber's books? I was so excited to see this in Net Galley. This book didn't disappoint. I enjoy reading her books that are part of a series. Beth is attempting to grow up and live her own life. An accident occurs and her life will never be the same. Beth wants everyone to be happy and attempts to make it happen for the ones she loves. You can't help but want everything to turn out ok. Five stars to Ms. Macomber for writing another winner.

This is not my favorite book by Debbie Macomber. Had a hard time liking some of the characters. Did not like that he could not have anything to do with his own child

WOW! Debbie Macomber knows how to touch the heart. It was so nice to catch up with Nichole and Rocco again too, knowing that they have their own lives in order. When they say that opposites attract it is definitely true. Beth and Sam are truly complete opposites, except for the fact that inside they are tender and full of love. I especially loved the part where she played the piano along with his guitar in the rehab center. It touched my heartstrings. Beth and Sam make beautiful music together as a couple, and in all forms. Also, Aunt Sunshine was a pure joy - reminds me of an earlier era. At times the mother evoked emotions that I just wanted to shake her. But, that is a sign of good writing when you can actually feel the characters and you feel part of the story. This book is a must-read for all romance and Macomber fans. I'm buying this book as birthday gifts for my family members!

It has been a while since I read one of Debbie Macomber's books, yet I always enjoy her writing immensely. If Not For you is another example of her fine writing. In a classic story of "opposites attract", Beth and Sam meet on a blind date set up by mutual friends. What is at first awkward silence turns in to kindness and then gradual friendship as Sam witnesses Beth's injuries in a horrible accident, and then provides constant TLC while she is recuperating. I was very touched by how each wrestled within themselves about growing closer to the other. And by the way they bonded through their love for music. Sam and Beth do face obstacles in her mother's expectations, and in Sam's past and his deep reluctance to be in a committed relationship. This is a beautiful story that has great depth. I highly recommend If Not For You!

A delightful read of family, friendships, and forgiveness. I loved the characters and the resolution that they eventually came to.

Debbie Macomber is the top of the top for me. I have read all of her books. I have met her at signings- she is as amazing in person in person as her books are. I liked her when she was hard to find and I had to do special requests for her. So when I got a chance to read this, I was overwhelmingly excited!!

This is the third book in the New Beginnings Series.
A move from Chicago to Portland begins this story. Beth and Sam meet with no fireworks- then a car crash gives a second chance. Admiration grows with each new day and with each conversation.
Throwing in some Seahawks Love is icing on my cake. I am all about the twelfth man...GO HAWKS!
You will root for them all along the interruptions.
You will become immersed in their lives and feel like their friends.
I highly recommend this book!!

I was so excited to receive this advance copy of a forthcoming title by Debbie Macomber. I was so totally engrossed and could not put the book down from the minute I received until the last word. A beautifully written book reminding us all that visual appearances do not make or define a person's character or emotional being. We should always look beneath the exterior to make a true discovery of the layers of a person. This was truly a beautiful and loving story---nothing less than what Debbie Macomber excels at! Thank you again for the opportunity to read this title prior to publication....I just *L*-O*-V*-E*-D* it!!!

Truly an inspirational love story that will make you believe that good things can happen even when you are surrounded by bad. The love between Sam and Beth started out rocky and had its own twists and turned but in the end it was heartwarming. Beth helped Sam take off his armor and let love in. A great read that I highly recommend.