Publication Date: 02/23/2016
Publisher: Random House
Imprint: Ballantine
Genre: Women's Fiction/ Romance
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 0553391925
ISBN-13: 978-0553391923
(Received for an honest review from Ballantine Books)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes
Debbie Macomber on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Books in the series:
New Beginnings
1. Last One Home
2. A Girl's Guide to Moving On
Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from A Girl's Guide to Moving On, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature
Synopsis:
In this powerful and uplifting novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber, a mother and her daughter-in-law bravely leave their troubled marriages and face the challenge of starting over. Leaning on each other, Nichole and Leanne discover that their inner strength and capacity for love are greater than they ever imagined.
When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back—including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.
Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures—until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.
An inspiring novel of friendship, reinvention, and hope, A Girl’s Guide to Moving On affirms the ability of every woman to forge a new path, believe in love, and fearlessly find happiness.
Thoughts:
Debbie Macomber brings readers an inspiring new story of two women reinventing themselves after facing infidelity. Cheating runs in the family in this novel and readers will sympathize with Leanne and Nichole and their husbands cheating ways. Many readers will be able to relate to this novel no matter what reason they have for starting over. A great new book from a trusted author.
What I liked:
I have read so many books by this author. Debbie Macomber is one of my go to writers when it comes to heartwarming, feel good stories. She has a knack for developing characters a reader might meet on the street in their own town. They are very down to earth and accessible. These are the kind of characters readers can easily identify with and sympathize with. Macomber also excels at creating an atmosphere where her characters can grow. Readers will see a lot of growth in the ladies from Macomber's latest book, A Girl's Guide to Moving On.
Macomber's new book is somewhat of a departure from her usual style. It is the second book in Macomber's New Beginnings series. A Girl's Guide to Moving On is not as dependent on setting as was Macomber's Cedar Cove series or the Blossom Street books. This novel is more character driven and has a different feel to it. Some long time fans of the author might find that a little disconcerting, but I liked it. I thought Macomber sawed how versatile she was as a author. Proves that an author can be very successful breaking out of their comfort zone.
Macomber's characters, Leanne and Nichole are finding life outside their comfort zone as well. Both women are the victims of infidelity. Leanne has spent years with an unfaithful husband and Nichole marries Leanne's son, who also become unfaithful. I'm not going to say it... yes I am... Like father, like son. Ughh! I wasn't too sure I was going to able to sympathize with Leanne because she stayed in the marriage so long, and basically turned a blind eye to Sean's infidelity. But, I think she like a lot of women. Afraid to take that first step because of the harsh changes it might require in her life. I started to see her as a women who finally has enough. Someone who finally decides to take her life back and that was amazing.
Nichole on the other hand didn't let the grass grow under her feet when she finds out that Jake has been unfaithful and gotten another woman pregnant. What I really loved about her character was the fact that she didn't just leave Leanne to her own devices. Not many women would try to help her mother in law the way Nichole did. She hated to see her in the same situation. I loved the friendship that developed between them. Friends between women can be such a wonderful thing and Macomber just knows how to write them.
Both women have a second chance to reinvent themselves and be who they want to be. Infidelity doesn't have to be the reason for that in a woman's life. I think this would be a great book for a reader who might be like my mom. We recently lost my dad in an accident and my mom is finding herself in a position where she has to reinvent herself whether she wants to or not. For now it's hard, but I can see her eventually stepping out into the world and finding her new place in it. Any reader who is looking for a book about finding themselves or changing up their life will love this book.
What I didn't like:
This book is women's fiction. There is some romance, but that is certainly not the focus of the book. Most readers who are used to reading Debbie Macomber's books will be expecting a lot more romance than they will get with this one. It's just something they will want to remember when picking it up. Nichole meet's Rocco, a tow truck driver and Leanne meets Nikolai, a baker. Part of moving on with your life is moving on with your relationships and that was an important step for both women. But this one isn't all about the love story and I actually like it for that reason. Not really what I didn't like about the book, but what some people might not like.
Bottom Line:
If you love Debbie Macomber you are gonna love this book. It's more women's fiction than romance and for me that wasn't a bad thing, just something readers may want to consider before picking it up. I loved the friendship between the two main characters and the whole theme of reinventing themselves. There was a point where the men in their lives decided they wanted them back and I got a little worried, but I think readers will love the choices they make. A great new book by Macomber.
A Girl's Guide to Moving On is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
In 2015, Macomber's all-new hardcover novels include Last One Home (March), Silver Linings (August) and Dashing Through The Snow (October). Paperback editions will be issued in 2015 for Blossom Street Brides (March) and her Christmas novel, Mr. Miracle (October). In addition to fiction, Macomber has published cookbooks; inspirational and nonfiction works; as well as acclaimed children's books.In addition to fiction Macomber has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two acclaimed children's books.
Macomber's Cedar Cove Series became Hallmark Channel's first dramatic scripted television series, Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove, now enjoying its third season. In addition, Macomber's upcoming Christmas novel, Dashing Through the Snow, will be adapted as a Hallmark Channel movie in fall 2015.
Macomber owns the Victorian Rose Tea Room and A Good Yarn Shop, named after those she featured in her novels. She and her husband, Wayne, serve on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, and she is World Vision's international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative.
A devoted grandmother, Debbie and her husband Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington (the town on which her Cedar Cove novels are based) and winter in Florida.
3 comments:
Love Deb's books; have not read this one.
pattyb43
I like this author and this sounds like another one of her very good books with a strong theme.
I read her Blossom Street series and then just couldn't interested in her other main series. There seemed to be too much romance for me! I don't remember her tackling this subject before so this may pull me back in.
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