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Emma has been a substance abuser for many years. But at the start of the book, she has just completed 1 year of sobriety. She has leaned on her sponsor and on the AA program. Now she's starting to think about where she wants her life, including her love life to go.

Emma has been fanaticizing about Ben, an IT director in her company. She can't read the signs, but it appears that he may be interested in her. Yet another co-worker is also hitting on her. As she contemplates starting a real relationship, life continues to buffet her and she's considering how her life is evolving now and whether her struggles are worth it. Can she remain sober while dealing with tragedy and stress?

It's certainly not a happy story, but it is one of perseverance, hope, and determination.

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Ava Robinson delivers a heartwarming and uplifting tale in Definitely Better Now. This story beautifully captures the messy, imperfect journey of healing and self-discovery. The characters feel authentic, their struggles relatable, and their triumphs deeply satisfying. With witty dialogue, tender moments, and a dash of romance, this book will leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page.

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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!

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I absolutely love love this book! This was a heartfelt, poignant, and engaging debut. Karissa Vacker is also one of my all time favorite narrators and she killed his performance as usual!

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A best selling author that writes under a pseudonym decides to reveal herself. This is the story of how she came to be. I was engaged immediately. Loved the unfolding of this story and the details of her relationships.

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(4.25 stars)
Definitely Better Now was a touching and funny read. We follow 20-something Emma, in her recovery from alcoholism. As the book opens, she’s trying to write a short speech to mark her one year of sobriety. But she’s at her office and her ancient computer locks up on her. She has to call on IT for help and her instinct is to protect/hide what she was working on when the computer went kaput from Ben, the cute IT guy who showed up to help her.

Emma is trying to figure out how to deal with life. (After a year of sobriety, some “rules” are loosened a bit.) When she finally agrees to go out with her coworkers for “drinks” for the first time, the reader cannot help but feel for her. When her well-meaning coworkers help her set up an online dating profile, Mitchell, the office jerk borderline stalks her and starts rumors about their non-existent relationship. I couldn’t stand this guy but recognized the type: quite full of himself. Ben, on the other hand, was a lovely character, and I was so glad that Emma gravitated toward him and not Mitchell.

Emma’s family background is a difficult one. Her father, also an alcoholic, but one who mainly denies it, left her mother when Emma was young and lives a hippie lifestyle with his long-term partner in the Catskills. He and Emma don’t have much of a relationship but toward the end of the book, they get closer.

Most of the book takes place in various locations in New York City and I enjoyed reading about the reality of city life. I was pulled in by the inside look at different kinds of AA meetings and the struggles Emma faces in trying to live her new life.

The writing was terrific and I had no idea that this was a debut novel. Despite my busy schedule, I sped through the book, mostly on audio, wanting to see how things would work out for Emma.

Karissa Vacker did a great job with the audiobook narration, with different voices for different characters.

Thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

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One year sober, Emma has transformed much of her life. She has a steady office job, attends AA meetings regularly, and is in frequent contact with her sponsor.

But, even with all the effort she’s put in, life still isn’t easy. She hasn’t spent time developing friendships and relationships with the people in her everyday life. And she wants to put herself out there to try dating again, but doing that sober is so scary.

Any book is better with Karissa Vacker narrating it, but I fell in love with the story of Emma, the changes she’s undergone, her emotional growth, her learning to be openly vulnerable, and her search for connection and where she truly fits.

And, goodness, I sure did adore steadfast and steady Ben. Honestly, is there anything better than a quiet love interest blushing to the tips of his ears due to banter? I don’t think so.

I laughed; I cried; and I cheered Emma on.

As I previously mentioned, this one is narrated by Karissa Vacker. She does a fantastic job capturing the humor, awkwardness, vulnerability, and heartbreak of the story.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Harlequin Audio. All review opinions are my own.

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Emma is one year sober and sets out to take the lead in her own life. She addresses her feelings towards her father, steps out of her comfort zone, and accepts that sometimes life just happens and you can't control it. While organizes an office Christmas party, she confronts a lot of challenges in her life and reflects on all her past mistakes. Emma's journey felt authentic from beginning to end, which really drew me in to this book. It was an inspiring read in so many ways and I'm excited to read more from this author.

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I LOVED this book. I enjoyed her character and reading about her experiences pre AA, but also learning about her parents/childhood. The end was really emotional. I was rooting for Emma the whole time.

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4.5 stars

Emma has just reached her 1-year sober mark, and the sobriety training wheels are coming off. She doesn't know if she's ready for everything that being one-year sober grants her (dating, less intense supervision from her sponsor, datING, being encouraged to go to social outings at bars, DATING), but she's certainly going to try and put herself out there. Enter Ben. The super attractive IT guy at her job who she's never noticed before, and who is suddenly noticing her. He's definitely interested, but she hasn't been with anyone in over a year, and she's never dated anyone sober. As Emma navigates the life of someone one-year sober, she relearns how to trust people and discovers who she really is without the alcohol and drugs.

I REALLY enjoyed this book. The sobriety element, while essentially the entire plot of the book, didn't feel like it was overwhelming or took over every aspect. It felt relatable and humanizing. It felt raw and honest. The characters were so loveable (most of them, one or two I wanted to throat punch) and their interactions felt authentic. The pacing was great, the conflicts were believable, and the MMC was swoon worthy.

The audiobook narrator was INCREDIBLE. Karissa Vacker really embraced the character, and it felt like she was putting all of herself into reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

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Thank you Harlequin Audio and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

3.5 stars

I found this to be a heartwarming story of a girl trying to move forward and be a better version of herself, all while stumbling along the way.
It’s a story of self love, familial love, romantic love, platonic love, resilience, grief, and joy.

Read if you enjoy messy main characters just doing their best.

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Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson
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Emma has officially been sober for one year. On her one year anniversary she happens to meet Ben from IT at her work and is completely and utterly awkward. Now she is on a party committee with Ben, and it’s fine, everything is fine.
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What I liked:
-I was able to listen to the audio and it was such a great way to read the book. The narrator really did a great job with Emma’s voice in this story. I felt like I was Emma’s bestie sitting on her couch just listening to her tell her story.
-This book was so much more emotional that I thought it would be going in! I teared up several times.
-My heart went out to Emma. It’s hard enough trying to figure out life without throwing addiction into things.
-The story with Emma’s dad was heartwrenching.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Emotional and hopeful, I really enjoyed Emma’s story. She had a great arc and I was really happy to see how the book ended. Trigger warnings for death of a parent.

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Great debut novel! Follows Emma as she navigates her relationships, work, and self-growth while just reaching her first year of sobriety. Complex family and friend relationships/conflicts. Workplace romance. Dealing with grief. Self realizations and growth. Has some romance, but more of a women’s fiction than a contemporary romance I would say!!! Was both funny and emotional! 4 stars!

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What a journey this book takes you on. A heartwarming story of family, drama, friendships, self discovery, love and finding yourself again. Emma is a recovering alcoholic with one year down and starting to embrace her new life and journey. There are so many layers to this story. I have been seeing so many of you loving this story and I can defiantly see why.

The audiobook is narrated by Karissa Vacker. I really enjoyed this audio narration and found myself getting lost listening to this story. Karissa did such a wonderful job Emma’s story and life. I can’t recommend the audiobook enough!

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I honestly couldn’t finish this. DNF @ 56%.
It felt like every chapter was just the same story and attitude and we were getting nowhere. The main character is so self-conscious and embarrassed by things that aren’t even embarrassing… like she somehow reverted back into a 16 year old since being sober? For someone who dropped so much acid and partied so hard, she did not act like someone who had seen or lived through some stuff. It really made the whole story cheesy and kind of hard to believe. I had no will to keep going.

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Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the gifted copy.

This is the book for anyone who’s ever pinned their hopes on that one thing—the belief that once I achieve [insert goal here], everything will finally make sense. For Emma, that milestone is the one-year anniversary of her sobriety. But when the day comes and goes, she’s left grappling with the realization that life doesn’t magically transform, and she’s not the flawless human she imagined she’d become.

This is a deeply relatable, somewhat dark, yet ultimately hopeful novel about the journeys we take and how they often end up being more meaningful than any specific destination. I read this at the exact right moment in time, and I just loved it.

Narration Notes: Karissa Vacker is one of the most prolific narrators out there, and for good reason. She’s phenomenal, bringing Emma’s journey to life in the way that only KV can. If this book sounds up your alley, the audiobook is a must-listen.

4.5/5

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DEFINITELY BETTER NOW by Ava Robinson follows 26-year-old Emma, a recovering alcoholic living in New York who is celebrating one year of sobriety. She’s a character that you can’t help but root for. She’s real, relatable, genuine, witty, and super funny. The reader comes along for the ride as Emma navigates work, family, friendship, and even a romantic relationship as a sober individual. By the end of the novel, she felt like a close friend, and I appreciated the opportunity to tag along on her sobriety journey.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Family drama and dynamics
- Father/daughter relationships
- Sobriety success stories
- Reflections on alcoholism
- Workplace romance
- Office holiday parties
- Character-driven novels
- New York setting

With Emma’s personal hardships and the somewhat triggering subject matter, one may call this a heavy read. However, Robinson uses humor, grace, and a touch of romance to lighten the mood, so to speak. She blends dark and light moments to create a satisfyingly balanced contemporary fiction novel. I highly recommend the audiobook as one of my very favorites, Karissa Vacker narrates, and does a phenomenal job doing so—as per usual. Overall, I thought that this was a super solid debut, and I’m excited to read more from Robinson in the future. 4/5 stars for DEFINITELY BETTER NOW!

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I recently had the privilege of listening to an advance reader copy of Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson, beautifully narrated by Karissa Vacker. Let me tell you, this audiobook completely captured my heart. From start to finish, it felt like a conversation with a close friend—so authentic and grounded that I could easily imagine Emma, the protagonist, as someone from my own circle.

This story tackles some incredibly heavy topics, yet it does so with an approachability and relatability that is both rare and refreshing. Emma’s vulnerability shines through in her journey, navigating personal trauma while simply trying to get through the everyday demands of life. The way Ava Robinson writes—and the way Karissa Vacker brings it to life—made me feel every emotion Emma experienced. It was raw, real, and deeply moving.

What stood out most to me was how human and imperfectly perfect the characters were. Their struggles, triumphs, and everything in between felt genuine, and that authenticity made the story hit all the harder. I found myself not just rooting for Emma but reflecting on my own relationships and the shared experiences that bind us all.

After reading and listening to the book in tandem, cannot recommend this audiobook enough. I devoured it, and by the end, I felt grateful for the journey it took me on. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, thought-provoking read that stays with you long after the final chapter, Definitely Better Now is a must. Karissa Vacker’s narration adds an extra layer of depth and warmth, making this audiobook a truly unforgettable experience.

Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Audio and The Hive for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this title.

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Emma is celebrating one year of sobriety and her new life is officially about to begin. Everything will be better now that she hit this major milestone, right? Maybe not. As Emma completes her first full year of sobriety, she realizes that rejoining the world isn't exactly as easy as she had thought and hoped, especially coupled with her mom moving in with her new boyfriend and her dad looking to come back into her life in a new and meaningful way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut! I listened to the audiobook, which kept me engaged through some of the slower parts of the novel. While the description focuses heavily on the romance, I would argue that this is more so women's fiction and the romance is simply a subplot. Despite not being exactly what I thought it would be, I think keeping the romance as a subplot was a great decision.

Ava masterfully provides insight into AA and how sobriety and recovery looks different for different people. Learning about how different AA meetings and organizations run, along with watching how Emma approached sobriety in contrast to her Dad's futile attempts was my favorite aspect of the book. Having had various friends and family that have alcoholism, I appreciated the insights the novel gave to a difficult topic. Despite not directly relating to Ava in many aspects, I found her easy to like, root for and identify with.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin, and Harlequin Audio for an ALC and eARC of this debut in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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Listened to this one on audio and loved it. This book is about Emma, a recovering alcoholic and how she is navigating life being sober and more aware. It's a heartwarming story of addiction, family, friendships, self discovery, and love. I like that eventhough there is a romance aspect to the book that it's only a subplot and it is still in true form, a story of Emma and her life. Emma is an easy character to root for. Her thoughts/POV shows her bravery and courage but also showed her vulnerable side. I can only imagine how hard it is to let go of something she felt comfortable and feeling good doing. Emma attending AA meetings and events, as a reader, you are pulled into that world and you sympathize more with her and others who are going through recovery. Ben, the MMC, was a great character too. He was such a green flag. Somebody Emma for sure needed. I was cheering them on and wanted them together. The other side characters were great too. I felt like their presence in the books werent wasted. All served a purpose in telling Emma's story.

I didnt score this a full 5 ⭐️ because I felt like I needed more. It ended kinda quickly and I wanted to read more about Emma's life after that big moment in her life (no spoiler). I wanted to see how she navigated after, her new AA meetings and of course, life with Ben as well.

I saw this is the author's debut novel and I cannot wait to read more of her works in the future. She has a way with words and her writing really felt personal, like a friend relaying a story to me. I loved listening to the audiobook too. The narrator did an amazing job instilling emotions through her voice and giving life to this awesome story.

Thank you NetGalley and The Hive for giving me access to the audiobook. Loved it and I highly recommend!

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