"This is something I learned from my father. He was the one who assured me when life turned bleak and I couldn't see anything good coming out of it. He'd tell me: It's better this way."

During a pandemic, it's difficult to see the positive side of life. From old adages such as 'We make plans and God laughs' 'Carpe Diem' and 'all is well that ends well, Macomber provides a modern twist, 'it's better this way." Julia's repeated her father's mantra throughout her life. While grappling with her husband's betrayal, divorce, divided loyalties and conquering empty nest and semi-retirement syndrome, 'it's better this way' gives Julia the strength to move forward.

An exercise meet cute introduces Heath and Julia and despite their vows to remain single, they are drawn to each other. When exes spark volatile relations, their foundling relationship threatens to go up in smoke. Will love rekindle the flames or will bitter embers fuel the past?

Thank you to #NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the early edition of #ItsBetterThisWay in exchange for an honest review. Debbie Macomber pens novels that are filled with engaging characters, protagonists overcoming obstacles and at the core, love, friendship and memories.

I love anything by Debbie Macomber. But I always try to be honest in my reviews. While It's Better This Way is really really good, it's not great. The story follows a family torn apart by divorce. True to life, Macomber writes so accurately about how things can go from bad to worse, especially when people take sides. But, eventually everyone has to move on, some faster than others. This book fell short of 5 stars because of repitition. Every situation the characters faced was prefaced with the same explanation. How they got there, how they felt about it, who was at fault..... I just wanted the story to move along.
So, I still recommend It's Better This Way. And I'm still a Macomber fan. Simply skip the repetition and enjoy a really good story.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

After 31 years of marriage and raising two daughters, Julia’s husband told her he wanted a divorce. She was blindsided and tried to find a way to reconcile, but after six months, she finally decided to give up. As a little girl, whenever she faced disappointment in life, Julia’s father had always told her, “It’s better this way.” He was usually right in the end, but upon signing the divorce papers, it was very hard to believe her father’s words could ever be true this time.
Six years later, Julia found herself contented with her life. She was living in a beautiful, quaint condominium in downtown Seattle, she had just sold her very successful interior design company with the option to serve as consultant, and her daughters were well on the way into successful careers of their own. After many failed attempts at dating, Julia had settled on staying single. That is, until she happens upon an attractive man working out in the fitness room of her building.
Debbie Macomber is known for her easy-reading, feel-good, romance books and this novel does not disappoint. I found I did not want to put it down and finished it in one day. She captures the reader with her characters and the dilemmas that life throws their way. I enjoyed this book and fans of Ms Macomber’s novels are sure to love this story.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such an amazing book! Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with this one. The story development and the characters were so great and just sucked me into their lives. A must read!

A cheating husband, a cheating wife, in a story woven with hope and heartbreak. The family dynamics in this book will have your emotions reeling like a roller coaster. This was a very satisfying read even though it deals with a tough topic.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review on Kindle. This is a book about family dynamics and intense arguing. There seems to me no real plot but others may like it. This is one of my favorite authors and I hope she returns to writing her series.

Looking for a feel good book with a multi-faceted characters, an intriguing plot, and a happily-ever-after ending? Look no further than Debbie Macomber's newest novel. Julia's husband dumped her 6 years ago for another woman, though she desperately tried to save their marriage. She has had a few bad dates, and had given up on romance when she met Heath, who had also been dumped by his ex. Here's the twist: his ex is now married to her ex, and their adult children are angry, and disapprove of their new relationship. Julia's father always told her "it's better this way" when life took a different path than she wanted, and with some forgiveness (which is really difficult, since her ex is such a rock-head) and help from a surprising source, maybe the family can get along by the time her eldest daughter walks down the aisle. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A delightful look at modern life, the ravages of divorce and the chances to start over. I loved this look into what happens after the divorce both to the children and the adults who are all scarred by it. There is plenty of meat to this story and left me with many thoughts as well as the lasting idea that "it's better this way"

I always enjoy Debbie Macomber's books, and this was a lighter read than other books than I've read lately, and much appreciated! Julia Jones is back on her feet after an unexpected divorce six years before after her husband had an affair. Julia swore off dating, and has enjoyed her new life with retirement, and condo living. Eventually she gets to know a man in the condo fitness center and they bond over similar divorce experiences and develop a great friendship which has the opportunity to quickly bloom into something more. This book had some unexpected events, and warm characters.

My heart broke a few times here. In fact, my emotions were all over the place. I couldn’t put the book down. I was as invested in the story as the characters. I felt like my life was riding on the line right along with them. This author definitely knows how to make a book real. A romance that is inspiring. Book provided by NetGalley.

What can I say about this book except it was great! The characters kept me engaged and I really enjoyed the way the story flowed. I think the book was totally relatable as many families go through this same situation and aren't as smart as what Julia was to forgive and move on. That is a trait that many of us should have but don't. The characters were well developed and the story kept me interested thank you for the opportunity to read it.

I have always enjoyed Debbie Macomber's novels and "It's Better This Way" is no exception. It is a beautiful story about how two friends grow their relationship from friendship into romance. I loved reading about Julia and Heaths developing friendship after each moved into the same condo building. One thing that saddened me is how their adult children tried so hard to come between them for much of the story until surprise twists take place later on. I heartily recommend this to fans of Debbie Macomber and in general, fans of women's fiction. I truly appreciate receiving this ARC from Random House and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

What an enjoyable story. Love and heartbreak gradually leading to love and forgiveness. Julia walked the walk and found her forever. Que Sera Sera. I reccomend this book. Thank you to Random House for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

I have always loved Debbie Macomber's books and this one was no different!

Julia and Eddie were married for 31 years when she found out he was cheating on her with another woman. It was a heartbreaking divorce and she did everything she could to prevent it. Her daughters, Hillary and Marie supported her. Now it's been 6 years and Julia has finally met a man she likes named Heath. Their friendship blooms into something more but their children are against it from the beginning. Can they come together to work out the family dynamics and can they become one blended family?

Overall, I loved this book so much. It was very readable and will attract many readers. I did think the children could have been nicer to their parents at times, but hey, no one is perfect. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like sweet romance and family drama.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I felt that this book started out slow and it was hard to hold my interest but I'm glad I pushed through. While I enjoyed the story there were several instances where I thought "it wouldn't happen that way" which should of been wrote differently. I felt as if I were part of the story until those couple instances. But overall it was a good story and fast read.

I really don't know what to say about this book. I have always enjoyed Macomber's books, but this one, while it had the usual satisfactory ending, didn't really satisfy.. If two single adults find each other after the loss of a spouse - more power to them. However, letting your adult children throw a wrench - no an entire toolbox - into the works says something about the children and their relationships with their parents. The hate that was shown to their parents who had found love a second time around was disgusting and not really what I ever expected from M. Macomber. While I know the book will be loved by so many, it really left me cold.

I loved loved this book. The unexpected twists and turns this story takes are absolutely amazing.
I could not put this book down. It is a good thing I didn't have anything that needed doing today because it would not have gotten done.
I highly recommend this book you will enjoy a nice clean, enjoyable read.

Thank you netgalley and Random House for allowing me to read this title for an honest.

Years after she caught her husband cheating and divorced, Julia has forged a happy life for herself alone. She then meets Heath and they slowly begin a meaningful relationship only to find some difficult obstacles ahead of them. Written in great Macomber style this is an enjoyable book.

Six years after her divorce Julia is confident and lives a full life alone. She enjoys life. She has semi retired. She bumps into a man in the workout room of her condos one morning. She sees him daily and wished for her solitude of working out alone. Little does she know he feels the same way. One day he strikes up a conversation, and slowly a relationship blossoms. Tragedy strikes when the two realize their ex's are married. Their children hate one another. This relationship seems doomed until a plan is hatched.

It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber. Current family situations learning to blend families of divorce when Julia and Heath become involved in a relationship. Multiple members from both families are featured with past family history. A multi layered story that is pure Debbie Macomber gold.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.