Charming. This book was absolutely charming. Every now and then, you need a lighthearted, feel good read and this is that book. Four women start a book club but it develops into a much deeper bond, providing support and friendship that they each really needed. It was so sweet reading about the women and their developing bond. Plus, I'm a sucker for any story that centers around books! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it to my audience/followers.

If you like super fluffy books where everything comes very easily to the characters, "problems" are resolved with very little fanfare, and all the characters get exactly what they want, then this is the book for you. This, however, is not the book for me. Nothing in this book felt earned or deserved. The main characters just decide to write a book and then, after just a few months, its instantly picked up by a publisher? And the little snippets were not even that good? The app another person makes not only takes off with ZERO advertising but she finds an app creator who doesn't even really charge her anything and then they fall in love too? I mean, come on... And the main character and the publisher boss person - I didn't feel that connection AT ALL besides the "oh he's hot in his suit". SOOOOO much telling. SOOOO little showing. This was super surface level, the writing felt rushed and juvenile, and the characters were really underdeveloped.

Just your middle of the road summery, cute, cozy vibe.

Thank you NetGalley and MIRA for the arc.

The Best Life Book Club made me feel so many emotions as I made my way through the pages. I understood how Karissa felt and how she needed something new in her life. I loved the friendships built and the adventures had. This was beautifully written, emotional, and heartwarming. One of the best books I've read this year.

This book was about Karissa and her daughter Macy. They moved to Gig Harbor to start over after her husband had an affair with her best friend and neighbor. She started a new job at a small time publishing company and became friends with her new neighbors. This was the beginning of wonderful things for her and her daughter. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling through this journey of trials and tribulations with Karissa and her new found friends

Thank you to Sheila Robert’s and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my review.

This book was so sweet and heart-warming. I love the idea that these characters are helping each other heal and becoming a found family together.

I don't remember asking for an ARC of this book, it's not something I would typically enjoy. And I did not enjoy this book a lot, to be honest.

The Best Life Book Club is a fun story of love, friendship, and personal growth. I really enjoyed all of the characters in different stages of life drawn together by their need for connection and the love of a good book. I do wish we had seen more of the relationship building between the two main characters as it felt rushed, but I do appreciate that the story focused on building friendships.

Easy to read story with well developed characters Who were very relatable. Interesting to see how friendships persisted.

3.5 stars

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a sweet and cozy read about second chances. Karissa has packed up her life and her daughter and has moved from Seattle to Gig Harbor to start over after finding her husband and her best friend had been having an affair. Karissa and Macy both have to start over with new relationships and we go along for the ride as they grow and deal with the sadness of losing their life before. But as they learn to trust and forgive, they slowly form new and lasting friendships.

I thought this book was an easy read with a mostly uplifting message. There were a lot of overly positive messages throughout the book, like the author found positive message quotes on Pinterest and inserted them in her story, but overall it was a really feel-good book. And I can't say no to a book about books, libraries, book clubs, etc!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a delightful, heartwarming read that follows a group of women who bond over their love of books and support each other through life’s ups and downs. With relatable characters, charming settings, and themes of friendship and personal growth, this novel is a celebration of community and resilience. Roberts blends humor and emotion seamlessly, making it a perfect pick for anyone who enjoys uplifting, feel-good stories. A cozy, inspiring read that reminds us how the right connections can help us navigate life’s challenges with strength and joy.

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a heartwarming tale of friendship, reinvention, and the power of community. The story follows a group of women who come together through their love of books, offering mutual support as they navigate life’s challenges. Roberts’ relatable characters and engaging storytelling create an emotional and inspiring journey that resonates deeply with readers. The themes of second chances and personal growth are beautifully explored, leaving a lasting impression. Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction, this book is a celebration of the bonds that uplift us and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

Sheila Roberts’ The Best Life Book Club is a delightful and heartwarming novel that celebrates the transformative power of friendship, the joys of community, and the beauty of starting anew. This engaging tale follows the lives of four women from different walks of life who come together in an unexpected bond, proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your own story.

The story begins with Karissa Newcomb, a newly divorced mother, as she and her young daughter settle into their new home in Gig Harbor, Washington. Along with adjusting to her new job at a publishing house, Karissa finds solace in the company of her neighbors—Alice, a kind widow; Margot, a recently unemployed divorcee; and Alice’s spirited yet prickly older sister, Josie. Together, they form a book club, which quickly evolves into a source of mutual support, healing, and inspiration as they share not only their thoughts on books but also their personal struggles and triumphs.

Roberts excels at creating relatable characters whose distinct personalities and life experiences enrich the narrative. The friendship that blossoms between these women is both believable and touching. Their interactions are filled with warmth, humor, and candid moments, highlighting how their unique perspectives help each other grow and face life’s challenges. The narrative also provides a charming glimpse into Karissa’s experiences working in the publishing industry, which adds an interesting layer to the story.

The book handles heavy themes such as infidelity, grief, betrayal, professional setbacks, and family complexities with a light touch, balancing humor and heartache in a way that keeps the tone uplifting. However, some readers might find the exploration of these themes a bit shallow, as the emotional depth could have been delved into further. Additionally, while the ending ties up neatly and predictably, it suits the overall feel-good tone of the story.

Overall, The Best Life Book Club is a comforting and inspiring read, perfect for fans of women’s fiction that highlights the power of camaraderie and personal growth.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

The Best Life Book Club” by Sheila Roberts was such a comforting and uplifting read! I loved following Karissa, Alice, Margot, and Josie as they faced life’s challenges and found strength in each other—and in their love for books. The story felt like a warm hug, reminding me of the power of friendship and fresh starts. It made me want to gather my own friends and start a book club to share stories and support. This is the perfect read for anyone looking for hope, laughter, and a little inspiration to embrace life’s next chapter.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing

Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy for my Kindle.
A quick and easy read about friends who start a book club and find romance, happiness, and some great relationships.

This story is about a group of women who form a book club, and in doing so, develop friendships that support new beginnings, reconciliation, and overcoming fears. The book contains a lot of dialogue between characters. I found this easy to read and the subplots kept me engaged. I also appreciate the questions for book clubs at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a really enjoyable read about friendship and starting life over when life plans don't go to course (with a bit of falling in love as well). Overall I really enjoyed this listen, the narration was decently done and the story was endearing. For the "main" romance of the story the "resolution" to the "why we can't be together" was pretty underwhelming and left me wishing for a grander gesture.

A sweet story about second chances and starting over. I need a book club like they had! What a great group of women friends, a variety of personalities included!

2 stars
This book just wasn’t for me
That’s not to say someone else won’t absolutely love it! There was a good message and themes I love that it follows 4 women and who doesn’t love a book club?! It was just hard for me to fully get into.

The title and cover really drew me in to being interested in reading this story and I thought it was such a cute and heartwarming read, especially if you’re a bookish girly! You will love it, it’s basically a hug in a book!! Thank you for the chance to read this early copy!