Robyn Carr wrote a story that is full of so much emotion. There are second chances, renewed friendships, and strong women characters within this story. Emma Shay and Riley were best friends who had a falling out of a guy and never managed to reconnect until Emma comes back home after her husband kills himself. The mess Emma is left with comes as a shock and changes her entire life. I loved Emma. The strength, the power, and the ability to stand on her own two feet made her so very strong. While most women would fall apart and play the poor me card whenever they could Emma decides to come out on top and make a life for herself. She does that and so much more.

Riley is equally as strong. Growing up poor, without a father, and then becoming a single mother is not an easy life. Yet, Riley proves she has what she takes to make something of herself. She takes a house cleaning business and builds it into a successful business. I really enjoyed how she respected her employees. She catered to the working and single parents; she understood the life’s that they led and what they needed to be employed successfully. But what really stuck with me is when she started to realize what she was missing in her life. She began to understand what was important and what needed to be changed to be able to become successful and happy. I think this is a lesson for many parents’ not just single parents.

There were other relationships within this story but Emma and Riley’s is the one that I enjoyed the most. Adam and Emma were great together, Riley and Jock’s was interesting, but the best friend relationship is what really talked to me the most.

I recommend picking up your own copy of The Life She Wants.

Blogging shame is such a real thing. I've had The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr for forever. I love Robyn Carr. I have literally no excuse as for why I didn't read this book. I am SO very grateful that I did.

Right off the bat there is Emma Shay who is someone that I would never have felt sorry for in real life. Unfortunately I am one of the people who would have whispered about how she would have had to have known what was going on in her own home. Carr is a genius though and before long I knew I was wrong.

I adored watching a woman gather the tatters of her life and with an incredible backbone and the kindness of friends and strangers start to build a happy life for herself. There's an underlying story of best friends who were no longer friends. This <strong>really</strong> struck home with me. I have a best friend that I haven't talked to in a decade. Thinking about that nearly gutted me. I could relate SO much to Emma and Riley's story.

All of the characters in The Life She Wants made me dorky smiley happy. There was so much about this book that I loved. It instantly became a book to adorn the keeper shelf at home. I don't have many books like that anymore. Truly I <strong>loved</strong> this book. In fact, I'm going to make it a book that I will re-read every year. Maybe I can use it in the month of January sort of as a motivational yearly read.

I forget how much I love contemporary romance and then a book like The Life She Wants comes along and reminds me of how great it is. If, like me, you had overlooked this book, do yourself a favor and pick it up!

Although a bit predictable, I find a lot of her books are that way, yet I enjoy them anyway.

Of course a guy comes between two childhood friends who are no longer friends. Riley and Emma are childhood friends, but a guy comes between them.

Fifteen years later finds Emma back in her hometown and avoiding Riley. Riley's brother, Adam, takes an interest in Emma and she finds she has some true friends in Lyle and Penny and her friends.

Emma's dead husband was her downfall. She was too trusting and he was a fraud. Upon Emma's return, she finds out that things can still get worse for her when she is seeking employment and even when she is working.

A close family, Riley, Maddie, Adam and June help support and bolster Riley after she finds herself pregnant with Jock's baby.

Trying for a better life, Riley builds a business, Adam is a teacher and June is finally retired.

Emma has no money, but that doesn't stop those in law enforcement from attempting to see if she comes into an money.

This story is filled with love, friendship, support and a bit of a mystery.

Definitely a good read.

4.5 stars