Ava Robinson’s “Definitely Better Now” is her debut novel. When the novel begins, Emma is getting ready to celebrate one year of sobriety from alcohol. The overview is slightly misleading. The novel wasn’t quite as humorous as it was described to be.

Instead, the reader follows Emma on her journey as she navigates her sobriety, her relationship with her divorced parents, working on how she feels about her past mistakes, as well as entertaining the idea of dating as her sober self. I don’t recall having read a fictional book about a recovering alcoholic so it was interesting to learn more about that world and what it may look like.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and found it memorable. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for a eARC of this novel! This was such a lovely surprise. I was deeply touched by these flawed characters. There was depth, sadness and humor all wrapped up in Emma’s story and I felt like the author did a beautiful job of balancing the complexities and intricacies of life in your twenties - and how uncertain and uncomfortable it can feel. I really loved the writing here and I truly enjoyed Emma’s character arc. The writing really moved me. I think this one will stick with me. What a stunning debut!

If I had to pick one word for this book, I think it would be: real. I don’t have any experience with many of the things in this novel: difficult parent dynamics, addiction, living in New York, and more, but it all felt so authentic. The romance had awkwardness and never felt sugar coated, the healing wasn’t linear or full of platitudes or straightforward solutions, and the characters felt real and flawed. Sometimes you may want to shake the real and flawed MC, Emma, lol but still 😆

This book was such an amazing debut and definitely moving! I think in the end it didn’t get more stars from me just because I got a little tired of spending 352 pages with Emma and the romance was maybe a little too slow burn?

This was a great read. It shows the realness and heaviness of being an alcoholic and being in recovery. Fantastic.

Emma is navigating so many things. She's just reached 1 year of sobriety. She's trying to open herself up to letting people into her life. Making friends, working on her relationship with her family and maybe even a boyfriend. All while maintaining her sobriety.

I loved how real this book was. It showed Emma really struggling at times. Not only with her alcoholism but also with how she wants to stay sober. What does she want in her life and what doesn't she want. Great read.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a beautiful read that seamlessly blended the hard with the happy into perfect rolling hills. It was a wonderful reminder that sometimes being vulnerable isn’t as hard as we make it out to be in our minds. I especially loved Emma’s nerves and anxieties, her thought spirals and insecurities—they are all so relatable. Emma’s strained relationship with her father is well done, and captures the difficulties of someone who has a good relationship with their family members failing to understand or make space to accept that not everyone does.

3.5/5 stars

Definitely Better Now is a solid debut, and reminded me of different elements from Margot's Got Money Troubles (heart, going through struggles and family issues), Interesting Facts About Space (the writing), and I Hope This Finds You Well (workplace issues). The main character, Emma, is trying to find out who she is as a sober person. She is trying to work through all her issues with friends, work and family - and heal, while trying to maintain her sobriety. The book piqued my interest and I kept going, but did find the book ended sort of abruptly and didn't wrap aspects of the book up as much as I hoped it would. The book had a great slow burn romance and I liked the character development that Emma had.

Darkly funny, heartbreaking and awe inspiring barely scratches the surface of what lies between the first and last pages of this book.
I am familia with the AA program and found the descriptions here very accurate (though routines and vibes of each AA home group differs).

This starts on the eve of Emma's first full year sober and follows the next year of her life through the various ups and downs dating for the first time sober and trying to navigate a relationship with her estranged father.

There's so much to process her and I mean that in a good way. I absolutely love every messy thing about Emma and her journey. I'm also an ENORMOUS fan of Ben and how relatable their dating/getting to know each other plot unfolded despite some serious hiccups and personal family tragedy.

Parts of this book, especially the ones dealing with her dad's cancer, absolutely gutted me. Having lived through losing a loved one in that way, I have a great appreciation for how authentically this was conveyed.

I can't thank the publisher and author enough for the opportunity to read and review this. It was a beautiful, beautiful book. I look forward to future works by this writer for sure.

Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is an incredibly heartfelt and empowering read. The author beautifully captures the complexity of overcoming personal struggles and finding healing, all while crafting a story that is both raw and hopeful. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and Robinson’s writing offers a perfect balance of vulnerability and strength. It’s a poignant reminder that, no matter how difficult things may seem, growth and recovery are always possible. A truly inspiring book that resonates long after you turn the last page! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

*I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my opinion.*

This book is a journey. Real, addressing sobriety without being preachy and grossly positive, and often incredibly poignant and relatable to life in general not just sobriety. Pick this one up if you’re a fan of situations that read like a story your best friend might relate from their workday.

Emma’s been sober for a year, and we go into a lot of depth with her descriptions of AA meetings and her feelings about them.

I think what I appreciated most is the honesty of Emma’s navigation of her life after a year of sobriety. Her father’s cancer, a shitty coworker, and fledgling friendship and relationship—and she thinks how the old version of herself would react but she never really considered drinking in the present. She remembers some, frankly, gross things about her past but it’s from a distance and through the smudged lens of drunkenness. Emma feels very real, as do all of the characters around her. I really loved Ben, too. I think my favorite part is Emma’s finding a new meeting and having a lot of clarity in that new place.

This book feels very personal, we get so much insight to the pain alcohol has caused Emma all her life, and we get to see that the 12 steps aren’t a magical heal all spell, though she still manages to find her way through anyway.

Some heads up for content:
-a coworker who calls her crazy
-death of a parent and brief description of their decline
-loooots of prayer (and almost forced prayer) due to the Big Book used by AA

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book! It’s a bit of a departure from my usual romance reads, but I’d still recommend it to my friends who enjoy women’s fic. I know Emily Henry is often touted as romance (imo they’re women’s fic with romance aspects, at least her most recent ones) and I feel like Emily Henry readers would enjoy this one!

Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Ava Robinson for the arc!

I really enjoyed this novel! Knowing only the basic tenets of AA, I appreciated this closer look into the life of a recovering alcoholic. The reader empathizes and roots for Emma, even when she realizes she's "still an asshole." Maybe especially then! The trope of "oh there has been a misunderstanding but we're going to stew in it and not talk about it" drives me crazy. I LOVED seeing Emma take responsibility for her actions with Ben, initiate hard conversations, and ask forgiveness for her part. The characters illustrated what a real, adult relationship needs to be like. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and HTP/Mira for the advanced copy of Definitely Better Now.

What a great book this was, outside my comfort zone (I read mostly thrillers).
It's a heavy read with a touch of romance. I learned much more about AA from this novel, I can't imagine what people to through with an addiction and trying to recover.

Coming out December 17th.

Thank you once again to the publisher for this copy.

emma is one of my favorite book characters i've read this year. she's awkward, anxious, and kinda messy, but also feels very real. i loved being inside her head. the romance subplot was great too!

thank you to netgalley and harlequin trade publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

This is an emotional read. The main character has just completed one year of sobriety, and is dipping her toes back into dating. This covers the complexity of family relationships and a young woman navigating her "new normal" in the big city.
This wasn't exactly a favorite for me, but still a decent book to pick up.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This is a journey of a young woman in New York after reaching her first year of sobriety and what it’s like to navigate family work and relationships as a newly sober person. In that sense it is a very real life relatable tale. This FMC will annoy you and in a way make you proud. The romantic relationship was a little bit unbelievable for me, I didn’t quite believe it. But I suppose in a way that’s very real as well.

I loved this book! I loved the angle of her sobriety and the journey she went on throughout the book because of it. Especially since she was young. And the romance aspect was great and realistic which I always appreciate.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was perfect. Really impactful and just well-done overall. I loved that there was an overall theme of forgiveness and re-learning how to do life. I appreciated that this wasn't a typical book about someone relapsing, and that it went beyond that. I am a fan of this author from now on!

Thank you again for the ARC

I truly enjoyed this book, not just her journey and self discovery, but the tears and understanding that what works for others doesn’t work for everyone. Life isn’t a one size fits all.

This compelling novel offers a profound exploration of personal growth and healing, framed within the context of overcoming alcohol addiction. Although it features some romantic elements, it leans more towards women's fiction, providing an authentic and insightful journey that resonates deeply with readers.

The story centers around Emma, the main character, who embarks on a transformative journey to understand her relationship with alcohol and discover why she truly wants to quit. Her experiences with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are depicted authentically, highlighting how different groups approach recovery in unique ways. Emma's path is not just about sobriety but also about self-discovery and understanding her past and motivations.

Ben, a supportive and likeable character, plays a significant role in Emma's journey. His respect for her choices, even when they are challenging, adds depth to their relationship. Ben emerges as a perfect "book boyfriend," bringing warmth and stability to the narrative and demonstrating the importance of supportive relationships in personal growth.
Themes and Emotional Depth
The novel delves into various themes, including strained family relationships, the loss of a parent to cancer, and the process of grief. These elements are woven seamlessly into the story, adding layers of emotional depth. Readers can expect moments of laughter and tears as they engage with the beautifully written text.

This book is not a light-hearted read, but it is a profoundly moving one. It offers a realistic portrayal of overcoming addiction and the complexities of human relationships. The resolution is satisfying. It's a story that touches the heart and provides meaningful insights.
For those seeking a story of resilience and healing, this book is a must-read. Its touching narrative and deep meanings will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I look forward to exploring more works by this talented author.

This book was so good! It is quite heavy emotionally so know that going in! This book follows Emma as she rebuilds her life after realizing she was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Definitely read the trigger warnings. She is now one year sober which means her sponsors looses the reins a little. She's now able to date again, but does she want to and what does this look like for her?

Enter hot IT guy Ben. For the first time in a long time she's able to flirt, be free, and feel comfortable with another person. This slow burn friends to lovers romance had me from the start. Such an amazing debut novel!

Thank you to @HarperCollins and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #DefinitelyBetterNow. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

After 1 year of sobriety, 20-something Emma is ready to expand her life beyond AA meetings and her so-so job in marketing. As she starts to open herself up to co-workers, she quickly learns that being sober and vulnerable is tricky, but most definitely worth it.

The portrayal of addiction and the emotional tumult of relationships (parental, platonic & romantic) felt authentic. Light romance was sweet and earnest. Overall, an enjoyable read.