It's Better This Way: A Novel

Debbie Macomber

Jul 2021 · Sold by Ballantine Books

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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? In this poignant novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber explores the powerful intersections of love and family.

“This deeply emotional tale proves it’s never too late for love.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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. The couple’s 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’s become 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 Wilson 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 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.

Ratings and reviews

It’s Better This Way by Debbie Macomber has Julia Jones meeting Heath Wilson in the exercise room of her building six years after her divorce. They start out as friends since both have had disastrous dates since their marriages ended. As time passes, Julia and Heath fall in love. An astonishing discovery threatens to ruin their bright future. It’s Better This Way is well-written (as always) with realistic characters. The story moves along at a good pace. I liked that the Heath and Julia are older protagonists. I thought they were realistic characters especially with regard to their emotions. A family situation has emotions running high as well as tension. The situations were representative of real-life, but I did find it to be predictable. I loved the side story involving Julia’s niece, Carrie and building resident, Eric. I would have liked that to be its own separate story (maybe a short e-book). Carrie was a great character and I wanted to get to know her more along with Eric. I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up It’s Better This Way. You get to see why when things work out a certain way that “It’s better this way”. I was surprised to discover that there is some mild foul language in the story. This is something that I never thought I would see in a book by Debbie Macomber. I enjoyed the descriptions of Seattle especially of the building where Julia and Heath resided. It’s Better This Way is a sweet, feel good tale. It is perfect for summer when you are looking for lighter fare to read.

This is a wonderful story that took me along on a journey to despair, hope and ultimately love. Julia had been married for over thirty years when Eddie decided that he had found a new true love and left her. At first, Julia is consumed with anger and bitterness but soon picks herself up and forms a new life for herself. Unfortunately, her grown daughters are left to pick up the pieces, too. At her new condo, Julia meets Heath, also divorced and the predictable outcome is that the two are attracted to each other. I don’t want to write too much in my review about details, but I will say that there were some real surprises within the pages of this book. The characters were spot-on realistic with some of the same emotions and reactions that I would feel in the same situations. I did not like the character of Eddie at all because of his innate selfishness and lack of concern for his marriage vows. I did enjoy getting to know Julia and Heath and Julia’s daughters Hilary and Marie. There were wise characters, like Carrie their cousin, and foolish characters, like Michael, Heath’s son. All in all the book was a delight to read with lessons to learn about forgiveness and letting go of the past. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I checked a copy of this book out from my local library using the Libby App. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I felt for Julia, she had to swallow a bitter pill. I commend her on being the bigger person. Poor Eddie should realize that he lost a wonderful, strong, compassionate person. What she did brought the two families finally together., when she really didn't have to. I would of expected her to be bitter toward Laura. Overall, worth the read!!

About the author

Debbie Macomber, the author of It’s Better This Way, A Walk Along the Beach, Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Thirteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller lists, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is as well the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.