Courtney Walsh knows how to absolutely swoon a girl with the most darling love story and most previous characters. I could not put this down! Highly recommend! It’d be a really fun book club pick.

This title reached me at precisely the right time. I found myself reading Walsh's story fast and furiously. I identified with the main character and her search for a fresh start. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Courtney Walsh has delivered a stunning, heart-filled masterpiece about starting over. Watching Claire Karadec trade her shattered country-club past for a bold "daydream list" in Chicago was incredibly inspiring. Her journey of self-discovery—filled with baking, messy first dates, and the charmingly off-limits Miles—is both relatable and deeply moving. This story beautifully proves that belonging isn't something you're handed; it’s something you build one brave choice at a time. It’s an empowering, five-star reminder that our brightest chapters often start with a single step.

Claire spends a year of her life depressed and unable to move on after a painful divorce. She has spent nearly three decades pretending to be the person everyone wanted. It’s time for her to finally find out who she really is. She makes a list of what she really wants for her life and starts down a path of self discovery.
This is a beautiful, second chance at life story.
The main character is so relatable and lovable. You will absolutely fall in love with her journey and maybe be inspired to go on one of your own!
Another beautiful story from Courtney Walsh.

I don’t know how Courtney Walsh does it or what kind of magic she uses when she writes, but Brighter Than Before was amazing and beautiful and moving. I loved Claire’s journey. It was full of growth and hope and change while also being hilarious (& cringy 🫣) at the same time. There was everything I’ve come to love and expect from her novels and it’s easily why she is one of my favorite authors. Every time I read one of her books I’m touched and challenged in the best kind of way. I couldn’t put it down and I highly recommend reading it!!

I was given an advanced copy of Brighter Than Before. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Courtney Walsh has done it again! This was absolutely delightful from start to finish! The book is full of themes of second chances and redemption. The plot was well-paced and the characters were charming and witty. This is definitely one I'll read again! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

love Courtney Walsh and Better Than Before was such a cozy and uplifting read! Claire’s move to Chicago after her marriage implodes felt both scary and exciting, and I loved watching her slowly rebuild her life one brave checklist item at a time. I loved that the baking, the journaling, the awkward first dates all felt so real. This book was easy to sink into and emotionally warm without being cheesy. If you love stories about second chances, found family, and figuring yourself out in midlife, add this to your TBR!

Brighter Than Before is pure comfort in book form. It’s heartfelt, hopeful, and had me smiling and giggling more times than I can count. Claire is so real that even if you haven't gone through exactly what she has you can still easily find a way to relate to her. Miles.... whew... what a man! He was pushy without being annoying and too pushy. He was exactly what Claire needed. Lennon is the best friend we all need! I loved all of the characters I was supposed to and disliked all of the others haha. Courtney Walsh just gets how to write characters that feel real and stories that hug you right when you need it. Sweet, emotional, and impossible not to love. The life lessons in this book, I believe, are some that we all need at some point in our lives. This is a warm, comforting read that reminds you that even after hard times, brighter days really can come. Total five star read for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was the perfect combination of romance and women's fiction. I love Miles (who, for whatever reason, has a Scottish accent in my head) and Claire. I admire Claire's determination to change her life and finally change her life and make it what she wants it to be. this story is absolutely filled with character growth, embracing your dreams, and learning that it's never too late to start over.

thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for my complimentary advanced ebook copy. all opinions here are completely my own.

It's time for Claire to decide what she wants from her life. She left her husband more than a year ago, after finding out he was having an affair with a much younger woman. Now at 46, she's made a list of what she wants and she's going to get started.

First on the list, is to move to Chicago. She has enough money from the sale of her house that she can figure the rest out later. However, in her first night at her new apartment, she manages to lock herself out of it, in the middle of a spa treatment. She runs into her new neighbor, Miles, and he ends up owning the building. He offers to help her with some of her new goals and she agrees. Before she knows it, she's on a dating app and applying for jobs all over the city, with Miles at her side. This is a heartwarming book about finding yourself, friendships, and love.

This book has been such a breath of fresh air in so many way. So many women go through Claire’s experience in their 40’s, and it’s a beautiful story from beginning to end. It brings humor to the chaos of life and joy to those moments we find happiness after pain. I adored Miles from the beginning to end— and I love how Claire fights his kindness with her own assumptions. The Chicago setting, foil daughters, and even how to make friends in your 40’s shows that we can all shine through 2nd chances, taking a chance on our dreams, and our redemptive stories. And the inclusion of her journaling made it so intimate to see what we dream as we are honest with ourselves, and not knowing between the pages of life— it’s ok to not have the answers, no matter our age.

BRIGHTER THAN BEFORE by COURTNEY WALSH is the bittersweet story of Claire Karadec who moves to Chicago to start a mew life after her entitled and arrogant husband breaks her heart, and her country club friends drop her. She is armed with a list of things she wants to do, one of which is to make friends. As we follow her sometimes hilarious adventures, we see her courage and strength of character as she literally “finds herself” in Chicago.
Having beenn rejected by most people, including her mother, she is amazed at the kindness and acceptance she experiences from her handsome neighbour, Miles,, and her group of new friends, especially after having put up with her ex husband’s unkind criticism for so many years…..
The characters are beautifully portrayed and the dialogue is witty. It is altogether a lovely read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I truly enjoyed reading the book Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh. Not only did I finish this book a little under two days, it was full of laughter, soul, strong character development along with a great storyline that grasps your attention since page one. Courtney Walsh is a talented author that has a gift in providing light-hearted, soulful, sweet stories in which each character faces real life situations. Each book I have read by her has presented real characters that develop over time but are presented with issues such as divorce, marital issues, friendships and relationships, struggles one faces in life to help the reader relate and feel free to explore the world around them. It is difficult to pick which book title is my favorite by this author but Brighter Than Before and The Summer of Yes are by top favorites. I look forward to many more books to read by Courtney Walsh in the future. Thank you Netgalley and Courtney Walsh for the opportunity to read this book. I highly recommend this book to fans of romance, but clean fun no spice just good content and plot line. chick lit fiction similar to Abby Jimenez, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Mary Kay Andrews. This review are my own words, my honest opinion.

Let me first start off by saying I absolutely love anything Courtney Walsh writes so it's no surprise I would love this one too. But this one gets me in the feels as a 40 something leaning into the stage of who am I outside of a wife and mother? How can I be brave in a new city? While my experiences are not the same as Claire I can relate on so many levels which probably made me love this book all the more. I laughed as Claire embarrassed herself yet again. I cried as she recognized the love her friends had for her. I rooted for her in every aspect of her life.

Claire while writing her list, felt that some items were unlikely to happen as she had become so subservient in her relationship with John. She was told multiple times that she should be so lucky to be married into a prominent family and therefore, was instructed to behave accordingly. Even through, it was many of her ideas that led John to succeed in his marketing career, he was the one to receive all of the accolades. It was only when she hit rock bottom as evidenced by her fall from grace in the fountain, that she realized she could take her power back. She was the one in control. It was that type of magnetism that attracted her friends Lennon and Lorraine to want to be around her. She took rejections as simply that which no longer defined who she was. Her inner beauty came through and most importantly, she began to love and trust her instincts as to what she really wanted. She wanted to honor her Grandma's life through baking. That was the impetus of The Porch and subsequently The Back Porch. She let those who championed her such ad Miles, Zoey and Ava to build her social media platform as evidence that her baking skills deserved to be recognized. Lorraine posting on her channel brought her followers to become customers. That she knew her daughter Minnie always believed in her. That is how her love with Miles grew. Its because she realized that she deserved it.

Claire couldn't have been more blindsided when she caught her husband with another woman at the charity gala SHE had planned. Until she realized she was the last to know and the life she had been living was no longer her own. Her therapist asked her to consider what it is that she really wants, something Claire never had the luxury of considering before. So she made her list, starting with moving to Chicago, the city she always wanted to live in, make new friends, and try new things. The more she leans into what she wants, the more she realized what it is that her heart truly desires. And having handsome Miles in her corner doesn't hurt...

This is a beautiful tale of a woman starting over, finding her voice, and finally understanding she deserves all the good things. I absolutely LOVED this book!

Courtney Walsh has done it again—this time with Claire Karadec—a 40-year-old, recently divorced single mom to an adult daughter. I loved everything about this book—the plot, the heart, and especially the message that it’s never too late to change your life and begin again.

After a powerful journaling session, Claire decides to go on a journey of self-discovery—to figure out who she is beyond being a wife and a mom, and where she truly belongs. Armed with a checklist, encouragement from her daughter Minnie, and help from her new neighbor Miles, Claire begins to take brave steps forward. And while Claire might not see herself as brave at first, she absolutely was. I loved her heart, her determination to learn from her past rather than let it destroy her, and watching her move through betrayal, heartbreak, and the grief that followed, while still allowing herself to blossom.

Two quotes that especially stood out to me were:

“Just because I wouldn’t have chosen this outcome for my life doesn’t mean my life can’t become something beautiful,” and “Good things grow out of pain.”

The relationships in this story were such a joy to read. Claire’s bond with her daughter Minnie and the friendships she forms along the way were genuinely sweet and heartwarming. There were many moments where I found myself laughing out loud, and plenty of moments of kicking my feet in pure giddiness.

This is an uplifting, hope-filled story about second chances, self-discovery, and believing that life can still surprise you. A must-read for fans of Annabel Monaghan and character-driven contemporary romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Tropes: Second-chance at life, Self-discovery journey, Divorced FMC, Single mom (adult child), Late-in-life romance
Spice: None (kissing only)
Content Warnings: Divorce, Infidelity (off-page/past), Emotional betrayal, Grief

Publication Date: June 9, 2026

Brighter than Before was a delightful novel that made me smile throughout the story. The characters were well developed and relatable. I enjoyed the fact that the main characters were a little older and having to navigate a new chapter in their lives after years of stability. This new chapter in Claire's life seemed more daunting and challenging because of the fact that she had been in a stable relationship for so long. This really caused me to understand her fear and hesitation to jump into something new but also celebrate her moments of success when she was able to overcome the challenges. I enjoyed the awkward moments throughout the book that came due to trying new things because those moments are so authentic and relatable. The ending gave me hope and made me happy to see all of the characters find joy in their current stages. The only thing I was wishing for was for John to get a glimpse of her success and have to eat his words at telling her to quit, but it's okay, we all know it happened! I enjoyed this book, thank you for the advanced copy!

I could read a new Courtney Walsh book every week and still want for more. This book was absolutely fantastic! I loved how Minnie got along with Miles and how Miles was so comfortable with himself that he didn't feel the need to correct Claire's misunderstandings (which ended up making for an entertaining correction down the road). You can really see the growth of both Miles and Claire throughout the book. The angst they both felt, while still trying to respect the other. The moment when he got so close and she asked if anything had changed for him and he said no...she just nodded and walked away... That was maturity on her part at its absolute finest. That scene was written so perfectly. I would reread this book just for the perfection of that scene. This story is about love and friendship and most importantly, amazing growth after total brokenness. You should ABSOLUTELY read this book.

I LOVED this book. Claire was immediately super likeable and you couldn't help but feel so awful for her when she found herself humiliated in the fountain- but to then build herself up, and not only write her list of goals but actually achieve them, one by one, was inspirational. There was some great humour along the way, particularly with her foray into dating online, and I really enjoyed the side line of baking throughout. Miles was a great character- good looking, so thoughtful and friendly and obviously I was rooting for them to get together from the very beginning. A very readable and enjoyable romance with great characters and a brilliant setting- would absolutely recommend.

Courtney Walsh is a great storyteller. I feel like I have been on a streak of reading "just okay" books but I immediately like the characters in this one, the settings (her apartment complex and courtyard - perfect) and getting to explore familiar areas of Chicago. Even if you have not been unlucky in love, I think you will be able to relate to this book. 5 stars!
Thank you Net Galley for the advanced readers copy!

Brighter than Before was exactly what I was looking for! A super cute rom com based in Chicago with characters in the same phase of life as I am. I loved Claire and Miles characters and the plot was so cute, even if it was predictable. Thanks for a great read!

After 23 years of marriage, Claire’s life turned upside down and decided to not only have a fresh start but find herself. Along the way she had to push herself out of her comfort zone and truly push herself. Her new neighbor, Miles, helps her find just that.

Loved how there was no cussing! Also had no spice.

This is my first time reading a book by Courtney Walsh and i loved every second of it! Loved the story line and the message behind it. You’re never too old to do new things on your own or discover yourself.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, i received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

„It’s never too late to begin again.“

What a gorgeous read! This is not just a sweet romcom, but also a pep talk for all of us who need to hear that the world doesn’t end after a bad experience, no matter how bad.

I fell in love with Claire and her moving forward regardless of being scared and scarred badly. All (well… almost all) of the characters in this book are just so loveable, that you’d want them to be your people too. We all need people like them in our lives. Fun, loving and caring.

I’d recommend this to everyone who loves a story full of love, hope, courage, a little sadness and feeling humiliated, friendship and fulfilling your dreams.

This is not the first book written by Courtney Walsh that I’ve read and it sure won’t be the last.
Thank you to Courtney Walsh, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for this ARC!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story follows Claire, who just went through a nasty divorce and after being a stay at home mom, finds herself at a crossroads. Deciding to pick herself up by the bootstraps, she moves to a new city and begins to rediscover herself. She has an accomplice in Miles, her neighbor at her new complex. She goes on journey to find a job she loves, dating, friends and finding herself. The pacing was great and there were some funny scenes. Only some missing scenes, readers should feel comfortable reading this book. I love that the characters are in their mid-40s. This is a must read!

Thank you, Thomas Nelson Fiction, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I absolutely loved this book, it had me giggling. It’s heartfelt, relatable and definitely a comfort book. It was filled with life lessons and the idea of it’s never too late for a second chance and in Claire’s perspective it’s about reclaiming herself and making her life what she wants it to be. It’s never too late to start over.
After the divorce Claire’s life isn’t the same, now she’s trying to navigate life beyond being the ex wife and a mother. I’d love to see this as a movie adaptation!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh published by Nelson Fiction is a stand alone romance novel.
An heartwarming, second chances story that gives all the feels.
Claire is freshly divorced, deeply wounded and still hung up on old hurts. She knows she has to start over, but easier said than done. Moving, a job, a relationships and first of all, finding herself.
When I start reading a book and immediatedly it's like coming home, then I know I have a found a great read and new fav of mine - aka Brighter than Before. 5 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley, Thomas Nelson publishing and Courtney Walsh for the advanced readers copy. "I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I’ll be honest the first few chapters were hard to get through (so much second hand embarrassment) but I loved this book! Honestly, it feels like every one of her books hits me at the right time! I needed to hear the message in this book! Big fan right here of all of her books but this is a favorite for sure!

Courtney Walsh books are always an absolute-read for me, and this one was so, so good. The characters were wonderful and the story is sweet and uplifting and funny.

Claire is the type of lead protagonist that you find yourself fully invested in. She has recently divorced and in her forties, and about to discover what her true purpose in life is. I enjoyed this deep dive into a character study. I highly recommend.

I love Courtney Walsh! She has such a great writing style that really draws you in right away and has you devouring the book page by page! I loved Claire and could relate to her in so many ways. This one is great for anyone that loves to read in general, no matter your favorite genre. I loved it and would recommend this one to anyone!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

What a cute book! We meet Claire at a low point in her life – her husband of over two decades has ditched her for a newer, more sparkly model. Claire has been hold up in her house not yet ready to move on. Then, she is inspired to take a chance on herself. She moves to a new city where she doesn’t have a job, friends or connections, and embarks on creating a new life for herself. She slowly builds her new identity in this new city with the help of some new friends and neighbors, including a hunky landscaper named Miles. This book is a heartwarming tale of starting over and taking chances. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

When Claire discovers her husband tucked away in a corner of their country club kissing a much younger woman, her world shifts in an instant. The life she thought she’d built—comfortable, privileged, predictable—comes to an abrupt end. Determined to reclaim her future, she creates a list of brave new steps, starting with a move to a brand-new city. Soon she’s settling into a cozy apartment in Chicago, leaving her old life in Denver behind.
As Claire begins this next chapter, she rediscovers her love of baking, lets her daughter set up a dating-app profile, and slowly starts forming new friendships. One of those friendships is with Miles—the kind, handsome, recently divorced owner of her apartment building. Though he’s decidedly off-limits, their easy connection becomes one of the unexpected joys of her new life.
Between disastrous first dates, moments of self-doubt, and the steady encouragement of new friends, Claire learns what it means to be brave, to try again, and to believe that life can still hold beautiful surprises.
Courtney Walsh has long been one of my favorite authors, and this book is a perfect example of why. Her writing blends humor, heart, and hope with unforgettable, lovable characters. Brighter Than Before is a charming, uplifting story I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

Claire is figuring out what the second half of her life is going to look like after heartbreak. Her husband of 23 years, John, cheated on her and is now getting married to the sidepiece, Misty. She can't bear the humiliation of living in Colorado where her whole community is, and needs to find out who she is apart from a wife and mother. Her divorce newly finalized, she moves to Chicago and makes a list of things she wants to do- get a dog, get real friends, and download a dating app. Her neighbor Miles owns the apartment building she gets and apartment in, and he helps her along the way as she tries dating for the first time, kind of ever.

This book really made me feel seen. Being humiliated by John was only her first embarrassment, but later when Claire makes mistakes she learns how to pick herself back up and try again. If you like a clean/closed-door romcom with a FMC in her 40's, friends-to-lovers please pick this up. It is not the complicated and dramatic and sad plot in many lovely books. This one is a lot more like a Hallmark movie, it is perfect in its pure simplicity. The characters do have some tragic back story, but this is not the story, it is more about the every day, the inner dialogue that is perfect for a character learning who they are.

I loved the text message exchanges between Claire and her adult daughter Minnie, her quirky first dates that go nowhere, and her tiny triumphs. This book was honestly a real joy to read. I love Courtney Walsh, she is an auto-buy author for me. I love her writing style and her characters. I hope someday she will include an LGBTQ character in one of her books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. Book to be published June 8, 2026.

I loved, loved this story, Courtney Walsh has done it again, a story that I didn’t want to put down. It is beautiful, sweet, heartwarming, really all the good feels. Claire finds her husband cheating on her, it is difficult to overcome. But with journaling she creates a list of what she really wants and who she really is. The path, the real friends she makes along the way are so wonderful and real feeling. The bad dates, hilarious! Miles is absolutely the sweetest, I think he is my new favorite book boyfriend. He is kind, caring and so supportive and there for her when she needs without asking. Their daughters are delightful, there is so much to love about this book, you will want it on your list to be read!

Loved this one from Courtney Walsh! Claire is starting over after a very public divorce from her husband. She moves from Colorado to Chicago and takes some time and journaling to figure out what she wants to do next. I laughed out loud and cheered for her along the way. Super fun read and highly recommended.

Absolutely loved this book!! The story follows Claire, a middle-aged divorcee who is starting over in Chicago, as she navigates the journey of rediscovering herself. I found myself chuckling throughout - the author, Courtney Walsh, writes with a warm, lighthearted style that makes the characters feel real and relatable. It's a beautiful story about second chances, reminding us that it's never too late to figure out who you are and embrace the power of connection. I can't wait to read more from Courtney Walsh!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was certainly a joy to read! I didn't care much for the writing style but the storyline was soooooo much fun!
I can certainly relate to these characters in the book. Changes are never easy. At least not for me but having made a new friend went a long way to help adjust.
These characters are certainly flawed to be sure but that's what made this story interesting. Claire is certainly proof of that. I found myself rooting for her. She had me snicker at her in some places and others? Well, I will let you read this cool book to find out!!
I finished it in late afternoon. It grabbed my attention at the beginning and never let go. I love books like this.
I hated to see it end because I really loved this book. I can't wait to see what she writes next!!
5 stars for a job well done!
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, sweet, and romantic. The ending turned out better than I expected. I love reading the books that Courtney Walsh writes. I look forward to reading her next one. i'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I loved this one & absolutely inhaled it. I always enjoy Courtney Walsh's wonderful characters, humor and clean writing. I especially connected with this story because the FMC was in her mid-40s, which is so rare to find in a rom-com! I loved watching Claire fight back after a devastating divorce and show tremendous bravery through a fresh start in a new city. I loved her chemistry with Miles and both of their relationships with their young adult children. Other great things are the found family vibe, the fun plotline of starting a bakery and the humor of dating app mishaps. I smiled so much during this book!

Brighter Than Before is a warm, uplifting hug of a novel. It is funny, heartfelt, and deeply relatable without ever feeling heavy. Courtney Walsh beautifully captures the courage it takes to start over, with charming characters, gentle humor, and so much hope woven in. This story left me smiling and reminded me that it’s never too late to choose yourself.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh

This was a wonderful “starting over after divorce” story. I loved the new life Claire created and the emphasis on real friendships and found family. It was also fun to read about older protagonists with adult children who really rooted for them. A classic Courtney Walsh winner!

I loved this sweet book! I was rooting for Claire so much after her heartbreak. I loved the message this book gave - you’re never too old to bet on yourself and follow your dreams. Be bold and be brave and try new things! It’s never too late to make your life into something you love. I also wish The Porch was a real place so I could visit because what an adorable, unique idea!

Things I loved -
🤍 Found family
🤍 Middle aged main characters
🤍 Strangers to friends to lovers
🤍 List making
🤍 Second chances
🤍 Small business owner
🤍 No spice, only kisses
🤍 No foul language
🤍 Slow burn

Thank you NetGalley, Courtney Walsh, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC! 🫶🏻

This was such a sweet romance. I absolutely loved Claire and Miles’ dynamic! Claire, after publicly discovering her husband’s affair, decides that she needs to get a fresh start and finally do the things that she was too afraid to do alone. She moves to Chicago, a place she’s always wanted to live and makes herself a list of all the things she wants to try. As someone from the suburbs of Chicago I loved the setting! Walking along Lake Michigan, eating deep dish pizza and Michigan Avenue are a classic Chicago experience. All of the side characters were memorable without stealing too much of the spotlight and made the story come to life even more. Claire’s internal struggles were so relatable: doubting herself, lacking confidence, overthinking, and trying to live up to others' opinions. It was a joy to see her confidence grow as she (with Miles and Minnie’s encouragement) began to follow her dreams and put in the work to make it a reality.

Thanks to NetGalley, Courtney Walsh, and Thomas Nelson for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Finding yourself isn't a race with a finish line; it’s a continuous journey of the soul. This book was truly amazing, and I walked away feeling deeply inspired. It serves as a gentle reminder that finding yourself is possible no matter your age.
It’s about the courage to try again, even when that familiar flicker of fear starts to creep in

After 23 years of marriage, Claire finds out her husband has been having affair. Tired of being depressed she moves to Chicago to find herself. She moves into an apartment in a building owned by Miles. He is very helpful in getting her settled and becoming a new person. The blind dates Claire had were so interesting and her attempts at making a friend were heartwarming. It was fun seeing those around her help her start her own bakery. Great story about learning to take care of yourself first. I loved the way Miles always had her back with humor and kindness.

Thank you kindly to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Is there ever a Courtney Walsh story that isn’t absolute perfection? Feel-good, comforting reads. An auto-read author for me. Beautiful little story!

I believe I have read nearly every book written by Courtney Walsh, and enjoyed every one of them. But this one was so different than all of the others. This is about a 40 some year old woman who, after finding her husband cheating, is divorced and broken. It’s about how she finds a whole new life, finds herself, and finds joy in the midst of it — as well as a new and much more worthy love. Such a delight, and Miles is definitely a keeper! This one is highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, i received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Loved! I've never read a Courtney Walsh book before and I'm smitten with these characters! I initially requested because it's set in Chicago where I currently live so I had to read for the vibes, and she didn't disappoint! I just thought the book was very uplifting and just what I needed to start the new year. So happy I read this and will definitely have to read all her future books!