Great debut novel! Follows Emma as she navigates her relationships, work, and self-growth while just reaching her first year of sobriety.

This book made me cry, to say the least. I had a feeling I would love it, but it was so truly wonderful, so so glad I read it.

Follows a young woman as she figures out life after one year of sobriety.

Emma is struggling with sobriety as she’s been a heavy substance user since her early teens. She doesn’t know how to have fun, go out, have friends, or date without the crutch.

But she’s figured out staying sober , so she can do this right??

Honestly a pretty sweet book about humanity.

I would love to see more titles in this sort of sub-genre. Adult coming of age, backseat romance... either way, I enjoyed both the author and the narrator for the audio. I would recommend to other readers and it would do well in indie stores.

First and foremost, I think this was written very well. It was very funny at points, very heartfelt and sad at others, and you really get to know Emma as a character. My primary trouble with this was lack of being able to relate to the main character and put myself in her shoes. I think there is an audience of people that are going to absolutely LOVE this book, and it maybe even be a new favorite. This one unfortunately just wasn't for me, and that is okay!

I don’t know why, but I did not think I was going into a romance with this. I expected it just to be a contemporary fiction but I did love it! I thought it was a super cool concept in the drinking culture that we have these days. The relationships were really sweet and really realistic. And the journey was a fun one to follow!

What a stellar debut. The author takes us on an emotional journey with Emma. We meet her as she approaches her first year of sobriety tryin to navigate a sober life. It is an emotional, heartfelt, smart, honest, well researched story as she navigates a world that is foreign to her. She has complicated relationships with…everything and everyone. I was rooting for her all the way while she dealt with some very tough situations while she is figuring out who she is, wants to be and how to live her best sober life and finally finds herself. Not an easy listen due to the subject matter, but a good one.

A book filled with raw emotion and learning to make up for your past. Emma is in AA and approaching her one year anniversary of being sober. She reminisces through the novel how she has changed, but also how her life is different and she is approaching things in a different way. She mends relationships and looks at things through a different lens. A true love story, even if it is just about learning to love yourself.

Definitely Better Now is a heartfelt and darkly humorous debut novel that follows Emma Finley, a 26-year-old New Yorker celebrating one year of sobriety. As she navigates the complexities of family relationships, office politics, and the daunting prospect of dating without liquid courage, Emma's journey is both relatable and inspiring.

Ava Robinson balances humor and depth, offering insights into recovery, relationships, and self-discovery. The novel's authentic portrayal of sobriety and personal growth makes it a standout in contemporary fiction.

This book is recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with female main characters with depth, stories about personal growth and recovery, and complex family dynamics.

I really enjoyed this one. I loved the premise of the FMC being a recovering alcoholic, and trying to navigate life while sober. And I really liked the FMC Emma in general. Although I would have hated drunk Emma, so I’m glad the book starts from sober Emma’s POV.
This book is definitely more literary, concentrating on Emma’s character and development versus a lot going on with the plot. But I still enjoyed the plot, too, with the tiny bit of romance we were gifted. Overall, a sweet, comforting novel that I’d recommend to my friends who enjoy lit-fic.

𝘼 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:
Karissa Vacker is fast becoming one of my favorite narrators. She did a great job with this, and it’s probably why I liked Emma so much.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/🫑 I was lucky enough to get an ALC of Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson, and I still stand by my original ARC review. The audio was great, the narrator captured the emotional impact of this book very well.

My ARC review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/🫑 Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson spoke to me on the deepest possible level. Our FMC, Emma is navigating life through sobriety; the feelings, fears, struggles, tiny victories, relearning how to make friends and form relationships in recovery.. and still manages to be absolutely hilarious. Never have I ever seen alcoholism and recovery portrayed more accurately.

Well done, @avarson . 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 This was easily the most impactful and genuine read I've experienced yet. It will stay with me, and I will never stop recommending it. Thank you for your service! And for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC of this amazing book you've written.

☆ALC REVIEW☆
Publication date: Available now!


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I really enjoyed this audiobook of 'Definitely Better Now'. First off, the cover is adorable and intriguing. I thought Ava Robinson did a great job of conveying the seriousness and reality of tough subjects like alcoholism, recovery, AA meetings, grief, and difficult family dynamics, all the while sprinkling in some humor to make it a lighter listen or read. The narrator did an amazing job at bringing this story to life!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ava Robinson, and Harlequin Audio for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a raw, real sobriety story with lots of grit and uncomfortable moments of Emma’s drunk memories. I found some of her sponsor stuff, though, and her complete reliance on her specific program to be difficult for me personally to accept. I wanted her to have more confidence in herself and felt the whole Mitch texting storyline made her seem really naive and immature for someone who’d already lived quite a life. I also felt like her father’s visit introduce an entirely obvious plot point and I couldn’t understand her ignorance.
I was happy when she finally did start opening up to coworkers and potential love, though, and stated taking herself seriously. I’m not one to judge anyone’s story, but lack of communication in a book is one of my least favorite conflicts and this - at times - was too full of it.
Eventually, though, this has powerful and beautiful development and over this is an important work of fiction.
The audio narration is excellent too

Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is a deeply engaging and heartfelt story that follows Emma, a recovering alcoholic, as she navigates the complexities of sobriety, a strained relationship with her father, and the challenges of building new connections without alcohol and becoming a new version of herself.

The book blends humor and emotion, offering a balance of light moments and deeper reflections. It’s a moving and enjoyable read about growth, healing, and second chances. Both Emma and Ben are lovable characters, with Emma's quirky personality adding charm to the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio!

"Definitely Better Now" is an interesting--but honest--take on a modern-day romance. The dating scene is hard enough as it is right now, but Emma soon discoveres it can be made even harder when she's an alcoholic who hasn't dated in a year as she worked through her sober journey. But when she finds herself attracted to the IT Director at her office, she knows she has to be honest and give it a try.

One of the most important things for me in reading romances is that I care for the main characters and see them as real--this is very true for this book. Both Emma and Ben are flawed, authentic, and likeable. I especially appreciated the insight Emma brings to life as a (recovering) alcoholic.

Romances can be hit or miss on audiobook, but this one was great--the narrator was easy to listen to and the story lent itself well.

Book: Definitely Better Now
Author: Ava Robinson
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Romance, Self-Help/Discovery
Places Featured: New York
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a really interesting slice of life novel that functions as a hybrid between contemporary lit fic and romance. Narratively i would say it follows the structure of a modern romance, but the topics where we go deep are a. alcoholism recovery (no relapse, that is not a point of tension here) and b. Parental alcoholism/grieving death of a parent. I thought t that Emma’s anxious internal monologue was really relatable and well written, and i liked the representation of her struggles with AA, an organization that has really struggled to modernize while also remaining the most consistent and available resource for alcoholism recovery. It was a thoughtful and well written book, and the audiobook narration, which i read in tandem with the physical book, was well done.

What a wonderful debut book.

Tackling family drama, grief, sobriety, and so much more, this book was heavy at times but with a comedic undertone. Emma was real and relatable, and I absolutely adored Ben.

I felt the author represented sobriety and its journey well and with care.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you Harlequin Audio and HTP The Hive for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely Better Now was a great story about going on a new journey in life, a sober journey. Emma used to face all of her problems in life with booze and drugs. Once she realized enough was enough and she was following in her father’s footsteps, she takes the road to recovery, which is never an easy one. Emma is hesitant about making new friends, going to new places, etc, because she feels a bit ashamed of only being 26 years old, but being sober. This story teaches you that sobriety is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, it’s something to be celebrated. You can find joy and beauty in the world around you, and you don’t need to be drunk to do so! It had some heavy content about grief, but was done in a respectful way. I really enjoyed this one.

Ava Robinson’s debut novel delivers a compelling mix of humor and heart, following Emma as she navigates the messy reality of life after a year of sobriety. While she’s done all the “right” things—holding down a stable job, staying accountable in meetings, and steering clear of bad decisions—real life refuses to be as tidy as she’d hoped. Between an overbearing mother, a long-absent father, and the minefield of modern dating, Emma finds that starting over isn’t as simple as hitting reset.

Robinson balances the novel’s heavier themes—addiction, family fractures, and self-worth—with sharp wit and laugh-out-loud moments, making Emma’s journey feel deeply authentic. The romance with Ben, the IT guy who sees past her insecurities, adds warmth without overshadowing the book’s real focus: Emma’s relationship with herself.

At times, the pacing slows, particularly in the middle as Emma spirals into self-doubt, but the novel’s honest portrayal of recovery and self-acceptance keeps it engaging. Bittersweet yet hopeful, this is a strong debut that captures the complexities of healing—messy, unpredictable, and, ultimately, worth it.

Book Review: Definitely Better Now By Ava Robinson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Debut novels are my bread and butter, and Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson is a shining example of why I love exploring new authors and their “babies.” This heartfelt and messy tale had me entranced from the very first page, as it offers a raw and unfiltered look into the life of the main character, Emma. 📚💕

A Deeply Relatable Journey

Emma is one year sober, primarily from alcohol, navigating her journey through the ups and downs of life and recovery. Although I can’t relate to addiction in a traditional sense, Emma’s struggles with self-worth and the pressure to feel "good enough" resonated deeply with me. Robinson's writing is so real and poignant that it’s impossible not to feel for Emma as she battles personal demons and confronts a profound loss. 😢✨

Laughing Through The Heartache

What struck me most about Emma’s character was her messiness—the way she navigates relationships and her job while also seeking to build friendships. It was a refreshing portrayal; it’s often easy to feel like life has to be perfectly curated, but Emma’s imperfections are what make her so relatable. There were moments when I found myself laughing out loud at her situation 😂, and other times when my heart broke for her. This emotional rollercoaster showcased Robinson's incredible talent, especially impressive for a debut.

Narration That Captures The Heart

Also worth mentioning is the exceptional performance by narrator Karissa Vacker. Her voice brought an added layer to the storytelling, making each emotional moment even more meaningful. The combination of Robinson’s compelling writing and Vacker’s skillful narration made for an immersive listening experience that I savored. 🎧💖

Final Thoughts

Definitely Better Now is a powerful exploration of resilience, personal growth, and the messy business of life after addiction. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all my beautiful book besties and anyone who appreciates a story that’s both real and deeply moving. 💖📖

Thank you to NetGalley, Ava Robinson, and Harlequin Audio for providing me with the opportunity to experience this wonderful debut. I can't wait to see what Robinson writes next! 🌟