Romance

It's Better This Way

It's Better This Way

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  • Create Date：2021-05-06 12:31:09
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Debbie Macomber
  • ISBN：0593289692
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Summary

After her marriage ends， one woman's struggle to pick up the pieces finally leads to a new beginning but is the past truly behind her？ #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber explores the powerful intersections of love and family in this poignant novel。

It's been nearly six years since Julia Jones had her heart broken。 After her husband became involved with another woman， she did everything she could to save their marriage， to no avail。 Their two daughters continue to stand by Julia in the wake of their father's behavior--and they've had a tough time getting along with the "other woman" who became their stepmother。 Distraught after selling the family home， Julia moves into a condominium complex that offers the warmth and charm of a fresh start。 Now， having settled into her new community and sold her successful interior design business， she's embraced a fulfilling new life， one that doesn't seem to need a man in it。 Her beloved father's trusty saying is ringing truer than ever: It's better this way。

But when Julia meets a handsome new resident in the building's exercise room， she can't help but be drawn to him。 Heath Johnson is a welcome change from the men she's encountered on the occasional--mostly disastrous--dates her sister has eagerly planned for her over the years。 As she and Heath， a divorc� himself， begin to grow close， their friendship blossoms into an unexpected love。 However， they soon realize that combining families proves to be a challenge， even though their four children are adults。

When a dramatic revelation threatens the happiness they've found， Julia and Heath must reconcile their love for their children with their love for each other。 If they can't， their bright future together may be nothing but a dream。

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Reviews

Samantha ，

In true DM fashion， this book is a sweet and easy read。 While I didn't care for the brothers at all， and felt the story carried on a bit longer than it needed to， it's still well worth picking up。 Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 In true DM fashion， this book is a sweet and easy read。 While I didn't care for the brothers at all， and felt the story carried on a bit longer than it needed to， it's still well worth picking up。 Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Mary Ann ，

It's Better This Way is a story about a divorced woman who finds love after a failed marriage only to learn that her new man has serious baggage to bring along。 The drama extends to all of their children。 I don't want to give anything else about the plot away because the surprises in the book make the story more exciting and interesting。 This book felt very mature to me， almost unrealistically so。 The way the main character Julia responded to all of the drama in her life almost felt as though sh It's Better This Way is a story about a divorced woman who finds love after a failed marriage only to learn that her new man has serious baggage to bring along。 The drama extends to all of their children。 I don't want to give anything else about the plot away because the surprises in the book make the story more exciting and interesting。 This book felt very mature to me， almost unrealistically so。 The way the main character Julia responded to all of the drama in her life almost felt as though she were teaching me to proper way to deal。 I personally would have had a different reaction to the things that happened to her， and I couldn't believe the calm way Julia did things。 I don't think the characters reacted as most typically would， and it was shaming and inspirational to me in a strange way。Overall， I liked the story but didn't love it。 I just couldn't completely relate and that made it less enjoyable for me to read。 Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC。 。。。more

Alyssa ，

Debbie Macomber always writes amazing stories that leave me wanting so much more。 I have just started automatically grabbing one of her books when they come out without even bothering to see what it's about and I haven't had a bad one yet。 The characters in this book are the kind of people I wish I knew in real life。 The way they help eachother and truly care for one another is heartwarming and inspiring。 I couldn't recommend this book more。 Debbie Macomber always writes amazing stories that leave me wanting so much more。 I have just started automatically grabbing one of her books when they come out without even bothering to see what it's about and I haven't had a bad one yet。 The characters in this book are the kind of people I wish I knew in real life。 The way they help eachother and truly care for one another is heartwarming and inspiring。 I couldn't recommend this book more。 。。。more

Linda Robison ，

Loved this latest book by Debbie Macomber。 The story revolves around a divorced couple， their children and how everyone moves forward。 The ex-wife is a rock dealing with the aftermath of the divorce while the ex-husband is quite unlikeable。 The plot takes a quirky twist which makes this book truly lovable。

Lou ，

Great read for one of the best！ After a messy divorce， starting over and vowing to not get the heart involved in another。 Then comes along a great guy。 All is will until both their pasts reappear and threaten to end it all。

Karen Axnick ，

This is an emotionally intense book that is guaranteed to take the reader on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs。 The storyline reflects the contemporary reality of many families as the institution of marriage is undergoing significant change and the very definition of family undergoes a transformation。 Unfortunately， as the book suggests， most of us are ill-prepared to manage the fall-out when a marriage dissolves; we lack the emotional maturity and communication skills to navigate the inevi This is an emotionally intense book that is guaranteed to take the reader on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs。 The storyline reflects the contemporary reality of many families as the institution of marriage is undergoing significant change and the very definition of family undergoes a transformation。 Unfortunately， as the book suggests， most of us are ill-prepared to manage the fall-out when a marriage dissolves; we lack the emotional maturity and communication skills to navigate the inevitable pain。 Simultaneously， the author reveals the power of forgiveness to produce changes that seem impossible to achieve。I thought the character development was believable and， for the most part， relatable。 The role of the adult children meddling in their respective parents’ relationships seemed， at times， “over the top。” However， the author notes that she wrote the book based on her observation of her friends and their children， so perhaps the drama is more accurate than I care to admit。 The conclusion was satisfying and realistic offering insights and inspiration that may actually support others going through similar situations。The title of the book， It’s Better This Way， is derived from the philosophy of the protagonist’s father。 It offers a perspective of faith and acceptance – that whatever is occurring may， in the moment， be hard to embrace， yet the outcome contains a kernel of goodness that is revealed over time。 I thought the author handled a challenging topic with compassion and hope for the capacity for people to grow through adversity。My thanks to the author， Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine， and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent， honest review。 。。。more

Vickie ，

1st I would like to thank the publishers （Random House） and the author for my advance copy！ This is a wonderful story about how hard it can be to blend families from previous marriages。 This was a book I could hardly put down for wanting to see how it worked out。 Even though Macomber puts a twist to the story of the way things get blended it is very much how the children’s stories sometimes play out。 I cried and laughed at different parts and if anyone has been in or around families trying to bl 1st I would like to thank the publishers （Random House） and the author for my advance copy！ This is a wonderful story about how hard it can be to blend families from previous marriages。 This was a book I could hardly put down for wanting to see how it worked out。 Even though Macomber puts a twist to the story of the way things get blended it is very much how the children’s stories sometimes play out。 I cried and laughed at different parts and if anyone has been in or around families trying to blend together you can relate to this story！ Loved the book！ 。。。more

Anissa Telle ，

It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber provides the ideal balance of finding second chances， giving forgiveness， and providing hope。 Julia is finding her own way after a long standing marriage ended due to infidelity。 She has found independence and is happily single。 Heath feels the same way after his marriage ended in divorce。 Neither one has a desire to find love again， but what follows is a redemptive journey showing that you can find love again。 Unfortunately， despite their ideal beginning It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber provides the ideal balance of finding second chances， giving forgiveness， and providing hope。 Julia is finding her own way after a long standing marriage ended due to infidelity。 She has found independence and is happily single。 Heath feels the same way after his marriage ended in divorce。 Neither one has a desire to find love again， but what follows is a redemptive journey showing that you can find love again。 Unfortunately， despite their ideal beginning to a new relationship outside circumstances are very much in opposition to them finding their own happily ever after。 Health challenges， former spouses， children and more intervene， Julia and Heath have much to overcome and you wonder if the obstacles standing in their way can be addressed。Macomber has a wonderful phrase oft repeated in this book that is titled the same sentiment， “It’s better this way。” This mantra is from Julia’s father and has come to represent that often what is god’s rejection becomes his protection。 That when things seems like they are all wrong to trust the process and hope for a brighter future。 But， we are left to wonder if it will prove true for Julia and Heath as they deal with the obstacles in their way， The gyrations between them will keep you entertained and hopeful for their second chance at love。Macomber never disappoints; she engaged me fully from page one and tugged at my heartstrings！ She provides the perfect blend to keep the reading entertained and characters that will not be soon forgotten。 I was provided a free advance reader copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley。 The opinions shared in this review are my own。 。。。more

Jamie Shell ，

"It's better this way"。。。。。Julia Jones grew up wit her father telling her that when things didn't go as planned。 She's been divorced for close to six years when she meets a handsome new man who lives in her building。 Not at all looking for romance， we watch as her story develops and she shows forgiveness and opens her heart to love。 With other family dynamics involved， the book kept me wanting to read and find out how it would end。 Would she find love， would the dynamics calm down。 I always love "It's better this way"。。。。。Julia Jones grew up wit her father telling her that when things didn't go as planned。 She's been divorced for close to six years when she meets a handsome new man who lives in her building。 Not at all looking for romance， we watch as her story develops and she shows forgiveness and opens her heart to love。 With other family dynamics involved， the book kept me wanting to read and find out how it would end。 Would she find love， would the dynamics calm down。 I always love reading Debbie Macomber and thoroughly enjoyed this book。 Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Barb ，

3 stars - ireceived an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it。 This was definitely not my favorite by this author。 After being married to Eddie for 30 years and having two daughters together， he cheats on his wife， Julia， and leaves her for the other woman。 After many disastrous dates， Julia falls in love with Heath。 Without giving it away， the families do not get along。 Planning a wedding for their daughter makes things uncomfortable too。 I felt like the s 3 stars - ireceived an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it。 This was definitely not my favorite by this author。 After being married to Eddie for 30 years and having two daughters together， he cheats on his wife， Julia， and leaves her for the other woman。 After many disastrous dates， Julia falls in love with Heath。 Without giving it away， the families do not get along。 Planning a wedding for their daughter makes things uncomfortable too。 I felt like the story was really dragging on and it was so annoying that Julia was trying to constantly fix the relationships between her grown daughters and ex husband。 。。。more

Carol Deegan ，

It took me only an afternoon to read this remarkable book。 The plot of this book is very believable; the characters you should like are likable， and the ones you shouldn’t are not hard to dislike。 The interactions between the characters are plausible。 The story is about forgiveness and second chances， especially after divorce tears family apart。 Anyone who is a fan of women’s fiction， and specifically Debbie Macomber， should read this book。 I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the p It took me only an afternoon to read this remarkable book。 The plot of this book is very believable; the characters you should like are likable， and the ones you shouldn’t are not hard to dislike。 The interactions between the characters are plausible。 The story is about forgiveness and second chances， especially after divorce tears family apart。 Anyone who is a fan of women’s fiction， and specifically Debbie Macomber， should read this book。 I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher。 All opinions expressed are my own。 。。。more

Anne ，

****Coming July 13， 2021**** Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley， I was chosen as an early reviewer。 I love how this book starts out with a prologue from Julia’s past explaining her own feelings and her family’s dynamics surrounding her divorce。 The book then starts with the first chapter 6 years later。 This creates a hopeful and more upbeat story of how a late in life divorce can bring heartache ， but can also bring a new life full of love and second chances。 I lo ****Coming July 13， 2021**** Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley， I was chosen as an early reviewer。 I love how this book starts out with a prologue from Julia’s past explaining her own feelings and her family’s dynamics surrounding her divorce。 The book then starts with the first chapter 6 years later。 This creates a hopeful and more upbeat story of how a late in life divorce can bring heartache ， but can also bring a new life full of love and second chances。 I love the title “It’s Better This Way”， it was the theme of the book where Julia and her adult girls have to pick up the pieces from the shock of an affair her husband had and asked for a divorce。 The girls are heartbroken and angry with their Dad and his poor choices he made with his affair， plus the hurt he caused their mother。 Will they all continue to let the hurt rule their lives or will they be able to eventually accept his choices and move forward with their own lives？ This book will having you turning the pages to find out。 Be sure to add this book to your TBR pile。 。。。more

Sue ，

You can always depend on Debbie Macomber to bring her readers exceptional books full of real life characters facing situations that many of us face but always providing a feel good happily ever after ending。 She gives us all that and more in her new book It's Better This Way。Six years ago， Julie tried to save her marriage after her husband of over 25 years told her that he had fallen in love with another women。 Their two grown daughters side with their mother and will have nothing to do with the You can always depend on Debbie Macomber to bring her readers exceptional books full of real life characters facing situations that many of us face but always providing a feel good happily ever after ending。 She gives us all that and more in her new book It's Better This Way。Six years ago， Julie tried to save her marriage after her husband of over 25 years told her that he had fallen in love with another women。 Their two grown daughters side with their mother and will have nothing to do with their father and his new wife。 Julie meets Heath in the exercise room of her new condo。 At first they ignore each other， then they smile at each other and soon they start having coffee together。 This friendship quickly moves to another level and they fall in love。 Heath is also divorced and has two grown sons that are close to both him and his ex-wife。 When a dramatic truth comes to light， Julie and Heath realize how difficult it will be to combine both families when there is so much animosity between the four children。 Will they give up on their love and give in to their children or will they be able to have their happily ever after。 Will Julie's father's trusty saying 'It's better this way" prove to be true in Julie and Heath's future life？It was difficult to put this book down once I started it。 I loved the characters and the way that they handled their family situation。 I was hoping that their love would survive and quickly turned the pages to find the outcome。 Another fantastic book by a legendary author。Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review。 All opinions are my own 。。。more

Amy ，

"This is something I learned from my father。 He was the one who assured me when life turned bleak and I couldn't see anything good coming out of it。 He'd tell me: It's better this way。" During a pandemic， it's difficult to see the positive side of life。 From old adages such as 'We make plans and God laughs' 'Carpe Diem' and 'all is well that ends well， Macomber provides a modern twist， 'it's better this way。" Julia's repeated her father's mantra throughout her life。 While grappling with her husb "This is something I learned from my father。 He was the one who assured me when life turned bleak and I couldn't see anything good coming out of it。 He'd tell me: It's better this way。" During a pandemic， it's difficult to see the positive side of life。 From old adages such as 'We make plans and God laughs' 'Carpe Diem' and 'all is well that ends well， Macomber provides a modern twist， 'it's better this way。" Julia's repeated her father's mantra throughout her life。 While grappling with her husband's betrayal， divorce， divided loyalties and conquering empty nest and semi-retirement syndrome， 'it's better this way' gives Julia the strength to move forward。 An exercise meet cute introduces Heath and Julia and despite their vows to remain single， they are drawn to each other。 When exes spark volatile relations， their foundling relationship threatens to go up in smoke。 Will love rekindle the flames or will bitter embers fuel the past？ Thank you to #NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the early edition of #ItsBetterThisWay in exchange for an honest review。 Debbie Macomber pens novels that are filled with engaging characters， protagonists overcoming obstacles and at the core， love， friendship and memories。 。。。more

Tena ，

I love anything by Debbie Macomber。 But I always try to be honest in my reviews。 While It's Better This Way is really really good， it's not great。 The story follows a family torn apart by divorce。 True to life， Macomber writes so accurately about how things can go from bad to worse， especially when people take sides。 But， eventually everyone has to move on， some faster than others。 This book fell short of 5 stars because of repitition。 Every situation the characters faced was prefaced with the s I love anything by Debbie Macomber。 But I always try to be honest in my reviews。 While It's Better This Way is really really good， it's not great。 The story follows a family torn apart by divorce。 True to life， Macomber writes so accurately about how things can go from bad to worse， especially when people take sides。 But， eventually everyone has to move on， some faster than others。 This book fell short of 5 stars because of repitition。 Every situation the characters faced was prefaced with the same explanation。 How they got there， how they felt about it， who was at fault。。。。。 I just wanted the story to move along。 So， I still recommend It's Better This Way。 And I'm still a Macomber fan。 Simply skip the repetition and enjoy a really good story。I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley。 。。。more

Melissa ，

My favorite thing about this story was the message of forgiveness and moving forward。 Loved the interactions between the characters， very realistic， this was a heartwarming feel-good read。

Pernette ，

It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber is a very realistic and contemporary story of families。 What are the odds that this could or would happen？ Loved how they managed to overcome the obstacles。 Would definitely recommend。 It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber is a very realistic and contemporary story of families。 What are the odds that this could or would happen？ Loved how they managed to overcome the obstacles。 Would definitely recommend。 。。。more

Karen Whooley ，

I absolutely could not put this book down。 I literally read it cover to cover in 5 hours last night。I have been reading Debbie Macomber books for a very long time。 Probably more than 25 years。 This has to be one of her best ever。 I was thrilled to receive an advance copy as a result of the GoodReads giveaway。 I won’t give any spoilers but honestly if you are a Debbie Macomber fan this book won’t disappoint。 Well written， easy to read and a story that draws you so far in you’ll keep telling yours I absolutely could not put this book down。 I literally read it cover to cover in 5 hours last night。I have been reading Debbie Macomber books for a very long time。 Probably more than 25 years。 This has to be one of her best ever。 I was thrilled to receive an advance copy as a result of the GoodReads giveaway。 I won’t give any spoilers but honestly if you are a Debbie Macomber fan this book won’t disappoint。 Well written， easy to read and a story that draws you so far in you’ll keep telling yourself “one more chapter”。Thank you Debbie for another amazing book！ 。。。more

Linden ，

Looking for a feel good book with a multi-faceted characters， an intriguing plot， and a happily-ever-after ending？ Look no further than Debbie Macomber's newest novel。 Julia's husband dumped her 6 years ago for another woman， though she desperately tried to save their marriage。 She has had a few bad dates， and had given up on romance when she met Heath， who had also been dumped by his ex。 Here's the twist: his ex is now married to her ex， and their adult children are angry， and disapprove of the Looking for a feel good book with a multi-faceted characters， an intriguing plot， and a happily-ever-after ending？ Look no further than Debbie Macomber's newest novel。 Julia's husband dumped her 6 years ago for another woman， though she desperately tried to save their marriage。 She has had a few bad dates， and had given up on romance when she met Heath， who had also been dumped by his ex。 Here's the twist: his ex is now married to her ex， and their adult children are angry， and disapprove of their new relationship。 Julia's father always told her "it's better this way" when life took a different path than she wanted， and with some forgiveness （which is really difficult， since her ex is such a rock-head） and help from a surprising source， maybe the family can get along by the time her eldest daughter walks down the aisle。 Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC。 。。。more

Amy ，

Fabulous book with a satisfying ending。 The characters are so believable and the family dynamics are real。 I always enjoy a good Debbie Macomber stand-alone story。

Peggy ，

A delightful look at modern life， the ravages of divorce and the chances to start over。 I loved this look into what happens after the divorce both to the children and the adults who are all scarred by it。 There is plenty of meat to this story and left me with many thoughts as well as the lasting idea that "it's better this way" A delightful look at modern life， the ravages of divorce and the chances to start over。 I loved this look into what happens after the divorce both to the children and the adults who are all scarred by it。 There is plenty of meat to this story and left me with many thoughts as well as the lasting idea that "it's better this way" 。。。more

Diane ，

A cheating husband， a cheating wife， in a story woven with hope and heartbreak。 The family dynamics in this book will have your emotions reeling like a roller coaster。 This was a very satisfying read even though it deals with a tough topic。

Beth H ，

I received an advanced copy of this book。I always enjoy Debbie Macomber's books， and this was a lighter read than other books than I've read lately， and much appreciated！ Julia Jones is back on her feet after an unexpected divorce six years before after her husband had an affair。 Julia swore off dating， and has enjoyed her new life with retirement， and condo living。 Eventually she gets to know a man in the condo fitness center and they bond over similar divorce experiences and develop a great fr I received an advanced copy of this book。I always enjoy Debbie Macomber's books， and this was a lighter read than other books than I've read lately， and much appreciated！ Julia Jones is back on her feet after an unexpected divorce six years before after her husband had an affair。 Julia swore off dating， and has enjoyed her new life with retirement， and condo living。 Eventually she gets to know a man in the condo fitness center and they bond over similar divorce experiences and develop a great friendship which has the opportunity to quickly bloom into something more。 This book had some unexpected events， and warm characters。 。。。more

Donna Hines ，

Heartbreaking， Emotionally Riveting， Strong Female Heroine， Resilient， and Forgiving- all wrapped into one woman- Julia Jones！She's on the verge of the end of her marriage after 31 yrs to a man who cheated and left her and her two daughters pondering what's next in their lives。He's a man whose not warm but rather stuffy and not a man who's easily accepting to change。 A man whom his own daughters despise。He's also a man who has remarried and this is their story 6 months later with turmoil， displa Heartbreaking， Emotionally Riveting， Strong Female Heroine， Resilient， and Forgiving- all wrapped into one woman- Julia Jones！She's on the verge of the end of her marriage after 31 yrs to a man who cheated and left her and her two daughters pondering what's next in their lives。He's a man whose not warm but rather stuffy and not a man who's easily accepting to change。 A man whom his own daughters despise。He's also a man who has remarried and this is their story 6 months later with turmoil， displacement， and dramatic appeal to its readers。Debbie Macomber created a whirlwind of emotions on this novel that focuses not just upon friends and family but upon break-ups and the aftermath。It's a reminder that not everything that appears broken is as it claims and that there's life， love， and happiness on the horizon。A beautiful testament to another man in her world for Julia that captured the essence of what it means to not believe everything you hear on the grapevine of gossip。In fact， it appears that her new man Heath Johnson was quite the match of wits， charm， and romance。 However， his sons have heard rumors that Julia kept her daughters isolated from their father。 That she wanted to be a 'take-charge' woman and that hampered her new relationship status。As the story grows， develops， and takes shape we see just how right Julia's dad was in proclaiming -It's Better This Way- because not all step moms are evil and not all women are crazy。Surely， Julia's girls can speak for themselves as Hillary is engaged and planning a wedding to Blake。 Yet， the invite list may be one man shorter -namely their father and for good reasoning。Eddie the father is all about image。 He's a pro-golfer but he's also not a man who is inviting with lackluster character appeal。He's remarried to Lee and she's now on the receiving end of the complaints as the rumor mill makes it way around and taking victims in its place。When the dust settles we learn that Michael and Adam the two sons of Lee and Heath （yes， they too were once married） now are on the verge of the crossroads of life and maturity。Imagine if your ex remarried and the person you're now dating has some connection to your past。 How would it make you feel to know that perhaps your past relationships are front page news and you can't seem to get a fair shake in relationships because of the false accusations lodged against you by a jilted individual？ I'm in love with how this all came to be and how it ultimately came to pass。In the end， all storms pass and the sun always rises for a brand new day。It was a pleasant surprise to see Heath and Hillary grow fonder and accompany one another on the most historic day of their lives。What a beautiful way to start the new week with this lovely work by Debbie Macomber。Thank you to Debbie Macomber， the pub， NetGalley， and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review。 。。。more

Vickie Raynor ，

My heart broke a few times here。 In fact， my emotions were all over the place。 I couldn’t put the book down。 I was as invested in the story as the characters。 I felt like my life was riding on the line right along with them。 This author definitely knows how to make a book real。 A romance that is inspiring。 Book provided by NetGalley。

Julie Zimmett ，

I have always enjoyed Debbie Macomber's novels and "It's Better This Way" is no exception。 It is a beautiful story about how two friends grow their relationship from friendship into romance。 I loved reading about Julia and Heaths developing friendship after each moved into the same condo building。 One thing that saddened me is how their adult children tried so hard to come between them for much of the story until surprise twists take place later on。 I heartily recommend this to fans of Debbie Ma I have always enjoyed Debbie Macomber's novels and "It's Better This Way" is no exception。 It is a beautiful story about how two friends grow their relationship from friendship into romance。 I loved reading about Julia and Heaths developing friendship after each moved into the same condo building。 One thing that saddened me is how their adult children tried so hard to come between them for much of the story until surprise twists take place later on。 I heartily recommend this to fans of Debbie Macomber and in general， fans of women's fiction。 I truly appreciate receiving this ARC from Random House and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more

Cathy ，

After 31 years of marriage and raising two daughters， Julia’s husband told her he wanted a divorce。 She was blindsided and tried to find a way to reconcile， but after six months， she finally decided to give up。 As a little girl， whenever she faced disappointment in life， Julia’s father had always told her， “It’s better this way。” He was usually right in the end， but upon signing the divorce papers， it was very hard to believe her father’s words could ever be true this time。Six years later， Julia After 31 years of marriage and raising two daughters， Julia’s husband told her he wanted a divorce。 She was blindsided and tried to find a way to reconcile， but after six months， she finally decided to give up。 As a little girl， whenever she faced disappointment in life， Julia’s father had always told her， “It’s better this way。” He was usually right in the end， but upon signing the divorce papers， it was very hard to believe her father’s words could ever be true this time。Six years later， Julia found herself contented with her life。 She was living in a beautiful， quaint condominium in downtown Seattle， she had just sold her very successful interior design company with the option to serve as consultant， and her daughters were well on the way into successful careers of their own。 After many failed attempts at dating， Julia had settled on staying single。 That is， until she happens upon an attractive man working out in the fitness room of her building。Debbie Macomber is known for her easy-reading， feel-good， romance books and this novel does not disappoint。 I found I did not want to put it down and finished it in one day。 She captures the reader with her characters and the dilemmas that life throws their way。 I enjoyed this book and fans of Ms Macomber’s novels are sure to love this story。A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Ji ，

So this is my first book by Debbie Macomber， and I have to say I did like the book。 It’s not a book I would typically read but it is a feel-good book with an intriguing plot。 I did connect to the characters， and liked them or at least the characters that were nice。 The plot and twists were really good！ I think many people will be devouring this book when they get to read it。

Barbara Knudsen Score ，

What an enjoyable story。 Love and heartbreak gradually leading to love and forgiveness。 Julia walked the walk and found her forever。 Que Sera Sera。 I reccomend this book。 Thank you to Random House for allowing me to read an advanced copy。

Danielle B ，

I have always loved Debbie Macomber's books and this one was no different！Julia and Eddie were married for 31 years when she found out he was cheating on her with another woman。 It was a heartbreaking divorce and she did everything she could to prevent it。 Her daughters， Hillary and Marie supported her。 Now it's been 6 years and Julia has finally met a man she likes named Heath。 Their friendship blooms into something more but their children are against it from the beginning。 Can they come togeth I have always loved Debbie Macomber's books and this one was no different！Julia and Eddie were married for 31 years when she found out he was cheating on her with another woman。 It was a heartbreaking divorce and she did everything she could to prevent it。 Her daughters， Hillary and Marie supported her。 Now it's been 6 years and Julia has finally met a man she likes named Heath。 Their friendship blooms into something more but their children are against it from the beginning。 Can they come together to work out the family dynamics and can they become one blended family？Overall， I loved this book so much。 It was very readable and will attract many readers。 I did think the children could have been nicer to their parents at times， but hey， no one is perfect。 I would definitely recommend this book to those who like sweet romance and family drama。Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=It's Better This Way

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=It's Better This Way&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,It's Better This Way&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0