Julia was devastated when her husband left her and their 2 daughters for another woman. Now 6 years later she’s dating a man who cherishes her. The girls like him so much more than their father who tries to make the girls like his new wife. There is a lot of drama in this story. I love Debbie Macomber and enjoyed this book immensely. I received a copy of this arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It's Better This Way may be the title to the new book by Debbie Macomber but It’s a Small World could have been the title too. Being a master storyteller, Ms. Macomber has pulled an amazing story out of her magician writer’s hat. While it is a story of new beginnings, it is also a story of cleaning up the past too. So many complications between these characters that made my heart hurt at times perhaps because it seemed so real. This book had me at the prologue, reading on to see how it would be better this way. A love story but also a family drama too, it is a heartbreaking and a heart soaring story.

Julia Jones and Heath Johnson deserved the new relationship that they had developed but faced challenges from every direction. Several times in this story I thought the ending would be different than it was. However, it ended in the positive way that shows - It is better this way. A beach or poolside read perhaps but a thinking read for sure.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

"It's Better This Way" by Debbie Macomber
An Emotional Read
Yes, this story broke my heart, a few times. And then put it back together, once again. If you like stories with "complications galore" and a whole lot of "perseverance" this just might be perfect for you.
Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher.
This review is my honest opinion.

I look forward to Debbie Macomber's new books every year. It's Better This Way did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the subject matter; I think it was timely since there are so many families going through such things right now. This may just be one of Debbie's more realistic books; sometimes you really have to suspend disbelief with her novels. The one thing I enjoy most about Debbie's books is that there's always a happy ending. I liked how everything came together at the end. Looking forward to Dear Santa in October!

It’s Better This Way is a story about Julia and Heath – two senior-citizens who reside in the same condo complex. Julia spots Heath daily at the gym. They start chatting and are drawn to one another. However, as they get to know one another, they discover a secret – a secret that could destroy their happiness.

Both of them are linked in a very unusual way.

I liked this story because it’s about two senior citizens falling in love. You don’t find many romances with elderly characters. Both of them have been hurt by their ex-spouses, and dating is the last thing that either of them wants to do. You also have the family dynamic with the reactions of the kids and their ex’s. I thought the kids reactions were realistic. I understood why they’d want to protect their parents from heartbreak.

I also enjoyed seeing Heath and Julia work through their problems. It was refreshing to see them spend time together, getting to know one another, trying to build a relationship amidst turmoil.

A wrenching domestic drama that is difficult to put down. The story is relatable and believable, the characters are engaging and complex. A great read that will appeal to a broad audience

This book has been on my shelf for a long time and I'm sorry I left it there for so long because I just finished it on one sitting. I loved the characters and of course this book had that Macomber charm. An easy, light read that I was able to escape into.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ebook copy.

Review: This is a standalone romance by Debbie Macomber that gives hope to those who are finding it hard to find love again.

Julia Jones has two adult daughters that she’s remained very close to after her marriage exploded 6 years ago after an affair her golf-pro husband had. Her daughters are protective of Julia and have a nearly non-existent relationship with their father, after several run-ins with the new wife and her sons. Julia sold the family home and finally found a place that seemed like home, a condominium complex that she loves. After selling her interior design business, she’s started to focus on herself and her new life with her father’s favorite mantra in mind, “It’s better this way.” She tells herself that after every disastrous date and is determined to remain single, even after meeting the intriguing new resident in the complex’s gym.

Heath, the new resident, has a similar background. He has 2 sons and an ex-wife who cheated on him, leaving both of them scarred and cautious about relationships. What started as a smile in the gym and an occasional shared coffee has moved into a firm friendship and something much more. Heath’s sons don’t like Julia and he struggles with living his own life, but honoring his son’s wishes. The family relationships are messy and frustrating, just like real life, and I’m sure that many readers will be able to relate. This book is a heart-warming romance with several twists along the way.

Note: I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is my own. #ItsBetterThisWay #NetGalley

Sometimes the things that happen to us that we feel is the worst possible end up being the way it should be. This is a story of a painful divorce and rebuilding. a life swearing off ever marrying again. How.Julia Jones moved on and however her adult girls struggled with forgiveness of their father. It also holds true for Health who also is divorced with two grown sons and the resentment they hold. When Julia and Heath meet years after their divorces they want only friendship no emotional commitment. Things don't go as planned and unforeseen complications keep this book interesting and a great read. Debbie Macomber knows how to tell a story that is not the same as everyone else. Her characters are interesting and relatable that you cam bond with during the read. I do recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Macomber and Ballantine Books for this eARC this is my honest opinion.

IT’S BETTER THIS WAY
DEBBIE MACOMBER

I love Debbie Macomber. I am an avid reader of Debbie Macomber: I have never been disappointed or not enthralled by her books, ever. She writes of normalcy: of how our lives really work. She doesn’t throw us cheap “bodice ripper” novels, but books of thinking woman who have a life, a career: women who have aspirations and dreams: educated women who are working out their lives in their own way and in their own comfort zones, even though (as often happens) life throws them a curve. They fall in love, or not: they live and go on with their lives. Her books are almost always rich and rewarding reads. I say “almost always” because this book left me nonplused. I don’t know if it was the fact that I could not connect to the characters, the plot or the general theme of the book, but, to me at least, this was book was just not up to her standards.
While I understand animosity and angst, I am forced to deal with it every day in my life. I must face people who gossip, misunderstand, and exaggerate every thing I do that displeases them. I have family members on both sides who do not understand me when I try to explain why I feel the way I do about some things. But I read to escape the trauma and drama of my everyday life. I suppose that, in a way, this book’s premise is very close to my daily life so, instead of it being a reprieve, an escape from the small-minded prejudice and animosity of my life, it plunged me headfirst into comparing the things going on in my life to the attitudes and prejudices (and outright misinterpretations) of the characters introduced in this novel. It disquieted me and made me anxious and agitated. When I read to escape my life, I don’t want to feel compelled to compare my tome of choice to my reality.
This book is full of misunderstandings being fed by the secondary characters to the main characters. You want to reach in the pages and grab the trouble makers by the throat and shake them, saying “THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH!! That maybe YOUR truth but it is tainted by your anger and hatred!”

When I close a book, I want to feel good: like something in that book made me a better person: helped me think another way or look at an issue in a different light. This one just hurt my heart.

As I said, I love Debbie Macomber; this book just wasn’t to my liking.

One of the delights of summer is the explosion of summer reads. Debbie Macomber releases a summer book annually and I look forward to reading it. It’s Better This Way is about acceptance, letting go, forgiveness, and being mature. Two families torn apart by divorces, come together in the most unusual way. Some members are stubborn and I honestly felt like smacking Eddie for most of the book. I enjoyed reading it and was pleased that finally all parties made efforts and reaped the benefits. Sadly, in real,life, it often doesn’t turn out that way, but that why reading fiction is so appealing.

Julie has been divorced from her husband for 6 years. She has moved on in her life but isn’t looking for another relationship, until she meets Heath. There are a few surprises along the way that could derail the budding romance. The characters in this book are relatable. Some are unpleasant but in the end they redeem themselves. I enjoyed the story and didn’t want to put it down. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Debbie Macomber is once again at her best dissecting family behavior and finding a positive outcome. It's Better This Way can be a positive factor in our lives.

It’s Better This Way by Debbie Macomber was, as usual, unputdownable for me. Once I pick up her books, I had better carve out a few hours, because I know I will be engrossed. Julia has been divorced from her husband for six years. She has vowed to never get involved with another man again. Then she meets Heath, a fellow resident in her condo building. Heath is also divorced. They have a lot of obstacles to overcome to be together. I loved the characters. The author’s characters are always so well developed that I feel like I know them. We get a brief glimpse of Willa from A Walk Along the Beach. I think, overall, this book is pretty realistic of divorces when the kids are adults and their parents have been married for twenty plus years. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House-Ballantine for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Loved this book! Always enjoy a story from Debbie. Once you start reading you don't want to stop! Thank you

Another great book by Debbie Macomber! It is a tale of the effects of adultery on each family involved. The things they go through to make peace between them is a hard and rocky road. I enjoyed reading this book as I do all of Debbies books!

Another Awww Debbie Macomber story! She does not disappoint! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Julia Jones had her heart broken six years ago when her husband of 31 years announces with tears in his eyes that he has fallen ‘out of love’ with her and is ‘in love’ with another woman. Julia wants her marriage to work and desperately tires to save it. She and Eddie have had a good life with two daughters Hillary and Marie. She asks Eddie if he will go to marriage counseling. He is agreeable. However, after five sessions, he wants to move on with Laura, the other woman.

Now nearly six years later; Julia has dated but nothing serious until she meets Heath.
Heath had also has his heart broken by wife.
Hmm it seems Julia’s ex and Heath’s ex are a couple!
Heath’s adult sons, Michael and Adam are not happy about their relationship; he appears their mother has not been truthful about Julia and her daughters. The sons hate Julia.
Hmm the title is “It’s better this way” so we are about to find out!

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for this early release granted to me for my honest professional opinion.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 13, 2021.

I’m a big fan of Debbie Macomber. I liked how this book took some unexpected turns and had lots of surprises. A good read

I received an ARC for my honest review.
This such a great heart warming story. What started out as a hard reality of life these days. Broken marriages turns into a happy ending.

So enjoyed this book.

I love a good Debbie Macomber book and this one did not disappoint. She takes me to a town I never heard of and fills it with people I grow to love. This story was no different. We follow Julia Jones after the worse time in her life where she has divorced her husband and begins a new life as a single woman. After giving up on finding again she finds it in the most unlikely place... a new fried. I loved the twists and turns that this story took me on. Meeting and falling in love with her family. I mostly loved how she showed how to work through family conflict and misunderstanding. This story will serve as a tale of family reconciliation. Julia did this beautifully. Thank you Debbie M. and NetGalley for this ARC copy that has given me hope for when times get tough.