Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is a deeply funny and touching debut novel that explores the messy, often unexpected reality of life after sobriety. Emma, the protagonist, has been sober for one year—twelve months of healthier choices, office job stability, and avoidance of bad decisions that once defined her life. But now, at 26, she’s trying to dip her toes back into dating, only to discover that sobriety doesn’t come with a blueprint for handling life’s complications.

From her mother’s sudden relationship with a new boyfriend to the return of her estranged father with distressing news, Emma’s life is far from the neatly packaged “better” she envisioned. Add in planning her office's chaotic holiday party, and Emma is faced with layers of unexpected challenges. Enter Ben, the charming IT guy who seems to understand her, and Emma slowly realizes that she doesn’t have to have it all figured out.

Robinson balances humor and heartbreak, crafting a story that’s both witty and profoundly relatable. As Emma navigates her past, her sobriety, and her complicated family dynamics, readers are reminded that life isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning to take things one day at a time, even when it’s far messier than anticipated. Definitely Better Now is a heartfelt, honest, and enjoyable read, offering both laughs and poignant moments for anyone who has ever struggled to find balance in the midst of chaos.

I could really relate to the main character in this one. She's a trainwreck, but aren't we all? This was a quirky little book, which is something I'm always looking for more of.

I enjoyed this story. The FMC was a little messy while trying to navigate her life without mind-altering drugs. Her struggles felt realistic and had me invested in her journey. I loved the vulnerability and the growth of the FMC. This had something for every reader.

This was very different than I’ve ever read but I still enjoyed it! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read

Ava Robinson’s Definitely Better Now is an uplifting and introspective journey through the intricacies of healing, growth, and self-discovery. With an engaging narrative voice and a deep understanding of the human spirit, Robinson crafts a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

Robinson’s characters are a true highlight of the novel. From the richly drawn protagonist to the quirky and memorable supporting cast, each character feels authentic and multidimensional. The interplay between their struggles and triumphs adds a layer of realism that resonates deeply.

The prose in Definitely Better Now is fresh, vibrant, and imbued with wit. Robinson masterfully balances lighthearted moments with poignant reflections, ensuring the narrative remains engaging without shying away from its emotional core. Themes of [e.g., self-worth, relationships, mental health, or redemption] are explored with sensitivity, making this novel as meaningful as it is entertaining.

Definitely Better Now delivers a perfect blend of heartfelt storytelling and personal growth. Ava Robinson’s ability to capture the complexity of life’s challenges while maintaining a sense of hope and optimism is a testament to her skill as a writer.

Final Thoughts: Ava Robinson’s Definitely Better Now is a beautifully crafted novel that will inspire readers to embrace change and find strength in their own journeys. With its compelling characters, relatable themes, and masterful prose, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Fantastic debut! The book did a really thoughtful job of exploring alcoholism and recovery and everything in between. The main character Emma felt so relatable and I think that's what really drew me to the book.

I really enjoyed this read. It does touch on a lot of emotional topics, but I think the author did such an amazing job at giving insight as to the internal dialogue and struggles of someone sobriety, mental health and dysfunctional family dynamics. The mixed in romance was a great bonus, but I think overall from reading this especially I plan to keep in mind how it's so important to give grace to those around us and make it a point to be a good listener to those closest to us without jumping to conclusions or judging because you never know what others are going through. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I loved following Emma’s journey through sobriety. She learned that despite her original thoughts that sobriety is not a linear journey I enjoyed her developing relationship with Ben.

Admittedly I did not finish this book. Just didn't hook me in or keep me engaged. Maybe I'll try reading it again another time

This was a heartfelt, engaging read that truly resonated with me. From the very first chapter, I was drawn in by the authentic characters and the relatable emotional journey they embark on.

What I loved most was the way the story balanced personal growth and the complexities of relationships. The protagonist’s journey to finding themselves felt natural and inspiring, and the moments of vulnerability made it easy to root for them. The dialogue was sharp and witty, and there were plenty of moments that made me smile.

It left me with a feeling of hope and satisfaction. It’s one of those stories you want to share with friends and revisit when you need a little boost of positivity. If you’re looking for a read that’s heartfelt and relatable, Definitely Better Now is one I’d highly recommend!

This was a slow start for me. I enjoyed the premise right from the beginning, but felt the events didn’t move along so well at first. Definitely Better Now had many story elements that I enjoy, dysfunctional families, a main character going through a real life journey and believable events that help you related and root for the MC. There is a lot of emotion packed into this one and some of the events can get heavy but the author did a fantastic job making these life lessons relatable and believable. Overall, a fantastic debut novel and once I really got into this story I could not put it down.


Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my gifted copy.

This debut novel by @avarson is truly one of a kind, and absolutely a must read. You will laugh out loud, you will cry, and will be drawn in by the beautiful honesty and vulnerability of the FMC Emma.

This books follows a 20 something named Emma as she celebrates one year of sobriety. She believes after that this hard achievement, the many fractured pieces of her life will begin to fall into place, but learns the hard lesson that life is still messy.

This book is truly genre defying. It’s part general fiction, part romance, and part just raw and beautiful. It needs no small box to fit into. The way the author draws you in with Emma’s inner dialogue, her honest reactions to the situations around her, and the difficulties and joys of sobriety truly made this a unique must read novel.

I’m not usually a big fan of”laugh out loud” in books kind of person, but I immediately drawn in by Emma’s quirky charm, and this book had me crying both tears of laughter one minute and tears of sadness the next.

The writing was masterful and I am shocked it Ava Robinson’s first novel! Well done, and I CANNOT wait to read more from what I know will be a stand out author!!

Wow! What an incredible debut novel. Definitely Better Now is instantly compelling and emotionally investable for the reader. While I couldn't relate to the journey of sobriety - I can absolutely relate to the feelings of anxiety and overwhelm experienced by the FMC. This was a beautiful story with rich emotions and it was such an enamoring and satisfying read. I cannot wait to see what Ava Robinson writes next!

As someone who has a heart for the addict, I was really curious about this book. It did take me a bit to get through but once I got into it, it went pretty fast. I did find the beginning a bit slow and hard to get through but almost to the half way point it became much more enjoyable. I did finish the book via audio and found the audio to be much more intriguing and pleasant. I don't think this book would be for everyone but the right audience would certainly enjoy. Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and MIRA for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

I absolutely loved this book! The audiobook version is fantastic.

Definitely Better Now perfectly captures that messy, uncertain stage of life in your mid-20s, where you’re still figuring things out, baggage and all. It’s a complicated time, and this book doesn’t shy away from that.

The main character, Emma, is flawed but lovable, and I found the exploration of second chances, complicated family dynamics, and finding people who truly see you both heartwarming and emotional.

It’s a relatable, raw story about growth and self-discovery, with plenty of ups and downs along the way. There are a few content warnings, so be sure to check those, but it’s worth it! If you love character-driven stories about navigating life’s messiness, this is a must-read.

Definitely Better Now looks at year 2 of Emma’s sobriety journey - the highs and lows and how she deals with all of it. A worthy read.

The story begins with Emma celebrating one year sober. This story dives into deep topics of family trauma, addiction, and love. I enjoyed Ava Robinson's writing which gave us insight into Emma's thought process and vulnerability which was relatable.

Emma's story was heavy at times. At one point, I realized the story would wreck me, so I stopped reading for a day to mentally prepare for the damage this book would inflict. I could really empathize with her story, and the story had me in my feels for the last half of the book. Even though this is a difficult story, it is totally worth reading as long as you keep the tissues near you.

Thank you to Netgalley!

Takeaway: Vulnerability is an asset

Ava Robinson has crafted a raw, emotional and at times humorous story of struggling with sobriety and the difficulties of addiction. My heart went out to Emma as she struggles with learning who she is sober as well as family trauma/drama and day to day experiences. While not the easiest subject to write about, Robinson did a really good job at presenting a well researched and realistic account of Emma's struggles. Thanks #NetGalley

Emma is newly sober, in fact she is celebrating her 1st year of sobriety. She hasn't ever been close to the people at her job, but when she is put on the Fun Team to help plan the company office party, she feels a big shift. As this 1st year of sobriety hits, lots of other things start to change in her world. Will she be able to stay sober or will this send her back to drinking?
TY to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publication/MIRA.
This book was a slow read for me. At first I found it difficult to connect to Emma the main character. I had never been in her situation. As the story went on I found a couple of things to relate to the character.

I loved this book! I will be shouting it from the rooftops and telling all my friends. I was hooked from the very first page. Our protagonist is perfectly imperfect. Emma is a 26 year old recovering alcoholic and she is ready for the perfect, shiny, easy sober life to begin. However, Emma soon learns that, even though being sober is the best choice for her, it doesn’t mean that life will suddenly be easy. She now has to date sober and have sex sober and try to form a relationship with her alcoholic father while sober.

I thought this book was interesting on so many levels. I liked reading about Emma as a person and I loved her relationship with Ben. It felt so real. I loved learning about her journey with sobriety. I think I held a fairly common misconception of alcoholics being middle aged men but the author crushed those misconceptions with her insights into what it’s like to be a recovering alcoholic in your 20s.

I’m rambling a bit but I just really loved this. I think it will resonate with many ages and types of readers.