The story centers around a woman named Emma who has been sober for a year and now dating in NY. She is trying to find love in an impossibly hard landscape. I listened on audio and enjoyed the narration.

*many thanks to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

This book was really enjoyable and not what I expected. It’s was less Ron-com and more about overcoming generational trauma. It was very touching, and relevant especially if you come from a family in which your relationship with your parents was complicated.

This was a weird one for me. Somehow both boring and impossible to put down. I seriously considered DNFing, but I was already over halfway through, and stopping then felt like leaving a movie right before the twist.

Emma’s been sober for a year and doing everything “right,” but life clearly didn’t get the memo. Her mom’s shacking up with a new boyfriend, her estranged dad reappears with some unwelcome news, and she gets saddled with organizing the dreaded office holiday party. The one unexpected silver lining? Ben from IT, who just might actually get her.

It wasn’t mind-blowing, but it had that weird reality-show effect—you’re not even sure you like it, but somehow, you have to see how it ends.

Emma is starting life anew. She has put in the work and is one year sober. She thinks she is ready to put herself out in the dating world again, but dating sober in New York is much more complicated than it was when she drank and was carefree. Finding how to open herself up to new possibilities while confronting her difficult past relationship with her alcoholic father is a lot to take on. Throw in her mother's choice to move away from the city with her boyfriend, her dad's reappearance with devastating news, and a cute IT guy, who for some reason might like her, Emma has quite a bit on her plate.

This was a great debut novel from Ava Robinson. Emma was likeable and the story was heartfelt, funny, and charming. Emma is down to earth with her struggles to handle life sober and trying to heal for a better future. The audiobook was great and I enjoyed the journey!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the audiobook for review.

Emma is a recovering alcoholic, and she has just hit her 1st anniversary, but while this is a big achievement, she's still navigating her new life sober.

Having to face those fears and explore new challenges will be the biggest part of Emma's year, but it will take her on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, and will be just what she needs to open up to those around her.

Robinson explores several themes in this novel, such as alcoholism and death; these subjects are written in a sensitive way the reader is able to feel what the main character is going through.

I liked the conflict between the characters, such as with Ben, which we are cheering for from the start, this shows realism to the narrative and that things are not as easy as they seem.

This was a great read, with a narrative you won't want to put down.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A heartfelt and moving story about addiction, healing, and the messy, brave journey of self-discovery of 26-year-old Emma, who’s just hit one year of sobriety. With the help of her support group and sponsor, Lola, she’s doing the work—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy or that she doesn't struggle with it. Her relationship with her father, who denies his own drinking problem, is still complicated and a bleeding wound, and as always, life keeps throwing curveballs her way.

Emma has never told anyone at work about her sobriety journey and why she always avoids nights out and Friday drinks. So imagine how it will be when she is nominated to plan the office Christmas party alongside Mitchell (the office jerk), Ben (the hot IT guy she may or may not have a crush on) and a couple of others. What follows is a gentle, honest, and sometimes funny exploration of learning how to trust yourself, accept what you can’t change, and open your heart to new beginnings, all in all letting go of control, of letting go, period!

The story was realistic and very much raw. Emma's struggles with Lola and the rules of her AA chapter, with her parents, her stepparents, and her own identity—the wherewithal of who am I? What should I be doing now? How do friendships work as an adult? The slow burn on the side was so worth it! The character arc was chef's kiss!

Karrissa Vacker did a stunning job narrating this book with all the different characters, but especially Emma and her turmoil!!

This is a beautiful read for anyone who loves character-driven stories, emotional growth, and a heroine who’s trying her best to figure it all out. It’s hopeful without being too sweet or cringey, and it stays with you long after the final page. A lovely, resonant debut.

I really liked this. It felt real while still giving the reader a light heartness while navigating some serious subjects. It made it feel more relatable and that the character could be a friend.

Definitely Better Now is an honest, emotional, and deeply heartfelt debut that manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and quietly devastating. Emma’s journey through sobriety, self-discovery, and complicated family dynamics is refreshingly real and utterly compelling. I absolutely loved her—flawed, funny, and deeply human—and found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

The evolution of Emma’s relationship with Ben is sweet and authentic, unfolding naturally as she learns to trust herself and others again. Ben is charming without being too perfect, and their connection adds warmth to a story filled with tough, relatable moments. Emma’s growth—stumbling, raw, and inspiring—is the heart of this book, and I wanted nothing but good things for her.

Karissa Vacker’s narration is pitch-perfect. She captures Emma’s vulnerability, humor, and strength with nuance and heart, making the audiobook an even more immersive experience. Vacker is one of my favorite narrators, and she brings this story to life in the best way.

Definitely Better Now is a beautiful blend of wit, emotion, and healing. It’s a story about the messiness of life, love, and second chances, and it left me with that warm, fuzzy feeling that only the best stories do. Highly recommended for fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction with emotional depth and genuine laughs.

I absolutely loved Emma's story. Not only was the office life relatable, but I also really appreciated the look into what it's like to end a friendship as an adult. Emma's journey starts nearly a year into her sobriety, and I thought that this was an excellent plot device because we get to cheer for her as she creates her new normal.

Besides the swoony, office romance, there are a lot of relationships explored in this – even with herself. She has to navigate forgiveness in many ways.

I loved the banter and dialogue along with the deeply heartfelt messages in this story.

This was an easy five stars to give!

Definitely Better Now, a debut for Ava Robinson and narrated by Karissa Vacker, was a fun listen. Its starts off with Emma on her one year anniversary of being sober. Throughout the story, there were parts where Emma is put through some sticky, or stressful situations and learns that being sober means confronting your problems instead of hiding from them. But she learns to confide in new friends when she learns to open up to those who only want to be there for her. I adore Emma and her journey as it is not an easy one.

I loved this one and would like to listen to or read more from this author. I liked it and enjoyed it , thank you for the early arc!

4.5 stars.

Emma has officially been sober for one entire year. Fifty-two whole weeks of focusing on nothing but her nine-to-five office job, group meetings, and avoiding the kind of bad decisions that previously left her awash in shame and regret. With her new dating profile, she is ready to put herself back out there. Then there’s Ben, the charming IT guy who, despite Emma’s awkwardness and shortcomings, seems to maybe actually get her?

Ooh, I hadn’t expected to love this book as much as I did, so it was a pleasant surprise! I thought it was going to be a somewhat lighter rom-com about a recovering alcoholic, but it turned out to be so much more.

First of all, Emma was just likeable. I understood her struggles and what drove her to drinking in the first place. I admired her determination and strong willpower afterwards. The meet-cute with Ben was… cute, and the chemistry was so believable I felt the sizzle in the room.

I enjoyed the sweet scenes, but really appreciated the heavy, darker ones. I was close to tears in some moments, which made me realise how captivated I was with the storyline. This was a solid writing, with great audiobook performance to match. The narrator performed Emma really well, and I just really enjoyed Karissa Vacker’s crisp, clear voice with rich intonations and steady pace!

rounded up 3.5 Stars

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was okay for a debut, but it definitely tried to put way too much in one book which left me wanting to just dive deeper into ONE topic. It explored: getting sober, learning to date, romance, friendship, difficult parent relationships, grief, and more.

It still hooked me and I did want to see where it went, but it definitely needed to be pared back so I felt more invested in one or two of these aspects. I also didn’t think it was very funny, which it seemed like it was supposed to be humorous based on the intro.

The audio narrator was great and sounded good even sped up. My one complaint was that at times it was hard to tell if the FMC was talking or thinking, but I think that is because of the way it was written (you would be able to tell with quotes but it was harder when listening to it).

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and the author for sending me this ARC.

(i'd say this book was a 3.5 star read!) honestly don’t know how to describe this book. it was mostly vibes over plot, but the vibes were good? this story centers around a woman who is a recovering alcoholic, and her struggles surrounding that. she explores work, life, love, and family all through the new views of being sober.

i thought the first half of this book were very good, but the second half seemed slightly rushed to me. i enjoyed my time with this book and these characters i just wish there had been a little bit more. the idea for the plot was so interesting i personally wanted to explore it more!

i got the opportunity to listen to this book. i have to say this narrator is one of my favorites in the industry. she did such a fantastic job, and her voice is just so smooth and relaxing to listen to. i felt as though she really brought our main character to life, and i’m not sure i would’ve enjoyed this story as much without her.

anywho i would recommend this book as an easy and digestible literary fiction that honestly covered a topic i don’t see explored much in media! I also just want to say that i am so so so happy i got the chance to read and review this book for netgalley andHarlequin Audio! thank you so much for the opportunity!

The narrator was perfect for this book. As you follow Emma through her journey of sobriety, it pulls at your heart strings. At times it was a bit slow but kept me listening for sure!

Definitely Better Now is a raw, honest, and unexpectedly funny coming-of-age story set after the main character, Emma gets sober—and as a woman living alcohol-free myself, I found it deeply relatable.

Emma is one year into sobriety, trying to reenter her life while carrying the weight of shame, guilt, and uncertainty. She’s navigating a strained relationship with her alcoholic parent, new love that feels scary, and the awkward vulnerability of forming sober friendships. It’s all beautifully written—funny in parts, heart-wrenching in others, and always real.

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure why it took me so long to finish this one, but I think it’s because the beginning hit hard with the raw truth of Emma’s drinking and drug use. That level of honesty isn’t always easy to sit with—but it’s so worth it— especially when it’s sooo relatable.

The narration was a perfect match—subtle and warm, allowing Emma’s growth and story to really shine without overdoing it.

A powerful and hopeful read for anyone curious about life after alcohol, or simply looking for a beautifully human story that doesn’t shy away from the mess.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a heartfelt and emotional read. I wasn’t expecting it to hit me the way it did, but once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The characters felt real and raw, and I loved watching their journey unfold. It’s a story about healing, finding your way back to yourself, and allowing people in even when it feels scary. The writing was smooth and easy to follow, and the author did a great job of showing how complicated emotions can be without making it too heavy. There were a few moments that genuinely made me tear up, but it also left me feeling hopeful. If you enjoy emotional, character-driven stories with a touch of romance and a lot of heart, I definitely recommend picking this one up.

This was a good listen! I loved the narrator and the story’! It was a quick listen while I was working and enjoyed the book! Recommend!

I like books on sobriety and the messiness of it. this was a good listen if not just a tad boring. there are some moments that are full of heart that ultimately make me recommend this book