Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber is not one of her best books but not one of worst. I liked it but I felt like the story dragged a little. Jenna and Maureen are best friends from college and find themselves divorced, middle aged and empty nesters. Let the games begin! Or not. The story in itself is interesting and entertaining but also repetitive. As they enter the dating world both women realize their expectations and interests may have changed a little since they were in college. Learning to open up and risk their hearts is scary. Jenna is content with her life and still wants to be immersed in the world of her two college-aged children. It’s hard to put herself first and even though she tries, she isn’t sure she’s ready. And she KNOWS she isn’t ready for a relationship with another surgeon. Between her children trying to “be adults “, her career as a nurse and her mother who has recently broken her hip, Jenna is sure she will never get to Paris. She has dreamed of a trip to Paris since those long ago college days.
Then there’s Maureen. She wants to go to Paris with Jenna. She has made plans to go to Paris with Jenna and no one plans better than Maureen. So when a plumber from a construction site comes into the library where she works Maureen is not distracted from her plans. Well maybe a little. Actually, a LOT! This was my favorite storyline. Maureen deserves her own book. (Sequel maybe?)
Here’s the reason for a 3 star rating. Too much thought process. Macomber focuses a lot of the story on character thought and feelings. I understand those things are important but it became repetitive. I read over and over about first marriage problem, absentee dads, grieving mothers and fear of commitment. So many of Macomber’s books are best sellers because she puts the reader in the life of the characters. You go through each day and become invested in what happens in the story. It doesn’t take explaining the emotions because the reader seems to be part of the story. I just didn’t get this with Window on the Bay.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

Debbie Macomber's books are always a light read and this one was no different. While I found it charming, it lacked depth and seemed a bit forced or stilted. I enjoyed reading about Maureen and Jenna and how their friendship evolved as they met new partners in their later years. I feel as though Macomber writes to a certain audience and will never really branch out. That's totally fine and I am glad I can pick up her books for a quick, light-hearted read in between books with more substance.

Super cute fun beach read. Debbie Macomber is always a great author to read and she does not disappoint on her latest book. Characters are very engaging and entertaining from the very start and it will keep you reading from the first page. Loved this one!
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Once again Debbie Macomber did not disappoint. I picked this up and started reading and could not put it don't. Her characters are real and she can tell a love story without all the sex.
This story about 2 life long friends is a delight. Do not miss it.

Debbie Macomber does it again!!! She never disappoints. Absolutely a great read!!
A definite must read. Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful arc. Highly recommend!!

Another great book by Debbie Macomber. I love her storylines and characters. Single mothers and empty nest snydromes is just the beginning. I like that she can tell a love story and not make it all about sex. Good book for all ages.

Empty nesters needing and finding new adventures.
Living in Seattle, sitting in contemplation spot, looking out Window on the Bay
Daughter is settled in at college, Son is out of the house at college;
She is completing the last 16 years as a single mom.
Her mom has a medical emergency, which sets her on a new path.
The best friend, a librarian, is also ready to make changes and tries to find a new man
Knowing that books are as unique as those who read them, she needs to take a chance
(As a librarian -I loved this)
As someone experiencing first NFL Game... with the Seahawks.. GO HAWKS
The 12th WOman is invested! ...and beating the patriots == SWEET sweet
(As a NFL fangirl -I loved this)

Another top-notch book by Debbie Macomber
Everyone needs a Window on the Bay!!

This is a pleasant story of Maureen and Jenna, childhood friends, who are both facing empty nests, travel plans, and potential new love interests. This was a warm read and quick little getaway into the lives of these two ladies. It feels as if you're reading about friends, and have a great connection to the characters and their lives.

Predictably adorable. Would be a great beach read. The main characters are engaging and REAL and flawed in normal ways for people who have been through the things they've been through. I received this from NetGalley as an ARC in return for an honest review.

Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber 4 stars

Debbie Macomber has done it again! This book was very enjoyable; it focuses on two lifelong friends - Maureen and Jenna. It starts out with Jenna helping her daughter move to her college dorm room. As a new empty nester she is a bit adrift and trying to plan things that she put off because she was a single mom. Her ex-husband was a surgeon and a jerk and not much of a father to her two kids. Maureen married right out of college because she was pregnant. She and her ex-husband split early while they could still be cordial and friends. Both women have a hard time having relationships with men.

This is a romance featuring mature women in their mid life. They are women that have fulfilling careers and families. For them relationships aren't easy and filled with wounds from the past. There are also conscious and unconscious bias that show up in their relationships with the men that they are attracted to. Both women have to overcome and confront their pasts in order to reach for their future.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballentine Books for this ARC

Debbie Macomber's new novel follows best friends Jenna and Maureen as they rediscover themselves and search for love. Jenna has been a divorcee for the last 20 years, and finds herself with an empty nest as both of the children she raised as a single mother are now off at college.

When Jenna's elderly mother falls and breaks her hip, she meets Dr. Rowan Lancaster, who instantly takes a linking to her.

Maureen is a librarian with a not-so-secret admirer who jokingly calls her Marian the Librarian whenever stops by the library to see her on his lunch break.

The two women, although maintaining their own lives, support each other the way a best friend should.

Macomber's fans won't be disappointed!

Friends since college, Jenna and Maureen have shared a lot together - marriages, births of their children, divorce and now that Jenna's youngest is off to college they both seem to have lots of free time. Can these two friends also find love a second time around at the same time? Will simply interactions become bigger reactions? In a typical Debbie Macomber fashion, the reader instantly falls in love with the characters and are taken on an emotional journey. A great story that was a joy to read.

This is the story about Jenna and Maureen who have been best friends since college. Each of them have become empty-nesters and both have been divorced for years but neither of them have found a man that they can fall in love with until they both meet someone special. If you enjoy a story about middle-age romance with mature adults then this is the story for you. Debbie Macomber always bring her characters to life and gives you a great love story without sex. I enjoyed reading this story very much and I think you will too.

Jenna has decided she wants more out of life than going to work everyday. Now that her children no longer live at home she has time on her hands and begins to think about dating. She and a friend plan to go to Paris as her friend is recently divorced, too. But just before they leave, Jenna's mother breaks her hip. The good doctor , taciturn, moody and rather gruff, turns out to be "theone". Another fine book from Ms Macomber. A bit predictable but what love story isn't?

Maureen and Jenna, single moms and best friends since college, wanted to go to Paris together, but life got in the way. Both empty nesters, they consider the possibility of the long-delayed trip again, but now there are new romances and challenges with adult children. Will they ever take this dream trip? Can Maureen and Logan get past their differences and embrace their similarities? Can Jenna trust Rowan? If you are looking for a relaxing read with Debbie’s trademark relatable characters, gentle humor, and a happily ever ending, you’ll enjoy reading Window on the Bay.

Entertaining story of two friends since college now divorced with empty nests.
A bit slow in places but ultimately I think love wins in the end.

Window on the Bay was a good read. I live in the Pacific North West (Lacey Wa) and visit Seattle regularly, it was nice reading about familiar places. The plot was ok, it was easy to guess what would happen next for the most part. Rowan’s daughter was the surprise for me. Allies attitude towards her mom was never fully explained. It seemed the story was a bit chaotic in some places. But otherwise flowed well. The characters were ok. Because it bounced back and forth I could not develop an actual liking for them. I’ve read all of Debbie Macombers book. And this is my first time not giving 5 stars.

The following is scheduled to appear on my book review blog on Sunday, May 5, 2019:

Debbie Macomber books are the kinds of books that you go back to when you want something that is comfortable and consistent. Her books are "cozy" books for me because they often are about female friendship throughout the years that span time and love and loss. Window on the Bay is no different.

Female Friendship
Window on the Bay brings us Jenna and Maureen, two women who have raised families and are at a good point in their lives and in their friendship with one another. Jenna has been divorced for 20-something years and has focused her energy on raising her children. Her ex-husband has left a bad taste in her mouth and now, even years later, she still struggles with trusting someone again. With both of her children off at college, she is also struggling with being single and being a new empty nester. Maureen has also had her share of heartache as her marriage ended early as well. Together, the two women have come together over the years and have been each other's support systems as they figured out motherhood and raising their children without the help of their ex-husbands.

Maureen is happy for her friend and wants her to embrace her newfound independence despite Jenna's reservations. She pushes for them to take the trip to Paris that they had planned on taking in college together when Jenna became pregnant and canceled those plans.

A Love Affair
As Jenna is finding herself again in her new life as a mom to adult children and a single woman, her mother is in need of hip surgery after she breaks it. Dr. Rowan Lancaster is there to help save her mother and soon, Jenna finds herself being drawn to the handsome surgeon, but at the same time remains extremely guarded because of her past. As handsome as Dr. Rowan is, he is also a surgeon just like her philandering ex-husband who had broken her heart so many years ago.

Jenna must find the strength within herself through her friendship with Maureen and the love she has for her children to break free of her past in order to create her future. Jenna's children also have their own bits of drama that they come to their mother with and Jenna must find ways to manage the shocking news that they bring her without losing everything that she has newly found.

Book Information
Window on the Bay: A Novel by Debbie Macomber will be released on July 16, 2019, from Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House Publishing with ISBN 9780399181337. This review corresponds to an advanced electronic galley that was supplied by the publisher in exchange for this review.

Rowan and Jenna’s story is one of mature love; although, even mature love doesn’t always follow a smooth path. They meet when Rowan operates on Jenna’s mother’s broken hip. Jenna’s ex was also a surgeon; unfortunately, he was also a serial cheater. Even years later, Jenna is dealing with trust issues. That is one strike against Rowan in her book. The second is the fact that they work at the same hospital. Jenna’s trust issues have her constantly looking for a third strike. Despite a miserable first marriage, Rowan believes that he and Jenna have a chance at happiness, but can he convince her?

Debbie Macaomber does it again. Window on the Bay is the very sweet and endearing story of two best friends.

Jenna and Maureen have been best friends since college. They both had marriages that failed very early. They have been each other's support system for over 20 years. Their children are now grown and they are officially empty nesters. Is it possible to find love again? Do they each want to find love again?

The story alternates between Jenna, Maureen, and Allie (Jenna's daughter).

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.