Review: It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber

After divorce shatters her family, 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 moved 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 divorcé himself, begin to grow close, their friendship blossoms into a love neither of them had expected. However, they soon realize that combining families, even with four adult children, presents inevitable challenges.

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.

Review: This was the first Debbie Macomber novel that I have read. A couple of her festive offerings have been on my radar but I think I picked a good one to start with. This book is comfortably predictable but features a meaty cast of characters that so you can find someone you can identify with somewhere in there. I do like a second chance romance especially when there are some interesting complications along the way. 

I really enjoyed the setting of this book. I have visited Seattle and the pacific north west a few rimes but this gave me a different view, from the perspective of these characters. I enjoyed getting out and about with these new friends and seeing more of what the area has to offer. 

Although I enjoyed reading about Julia and her relationship with Heath as well as her relationship with her ex and her daughters, I really loved the storyline involving Carrie. I would have loved to have learned more about here, perhaps a little more meat in her parts of the novel would have turned this from an enjoyable read to a favourite book. 

I will probably try something else from this author again though. I listened to the audiobook of It's Better This Way and I would listen to something else from that narrator again. 

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