It's Better This Way

 Shirley J.             Adult Fiction            Divorce, heart break, step-family sibling feuds, new love

It's Better This Way: A Novel by Debbie Macomber    368 pages

Julia Jones is still reeling after 6 years from her husband's betrayal and their divorce, though Julia did everything she could to try to save her marriage.   Their grown daughters think their father is the worst and refuse to have anything to do with his new wife and they literally hate her two boys who they already had a run in with nearly turning into an altercation of profound proportions just shy of drawing first blood.   It galls the new wife if Julia has to call regarding something to do with the girls which is the only reason she ever calls him.  Both her ex and his new wifey are incredibly rude to Julia though she does not reciprocate.  Now they want the house sold and are forcing Julia out even though that has been her home all of her adult life.  New wifey is a realtor and she looks into the going price for homes in Julia's area and when they find the price is now triple what they paid for it as a newly married couple she insists they sell it and hubby goes along with it.  This makes the girls dislike her even more.  Julia finds a condo she can afford with her half of the money from the house and reluctantly rebuilds her life for her new chapter.  her father's comforting words to her growing up whenever she had a problem come back to her, "Maybe it's better this way."  She finds she likes her new digs which fortunately come with a handsome neighbor.  Love blooms again but not without a hidden bombshell!   Good story.  I really enjoyed this one.  I recommend this one to teens on up, to all who are Debbie Macomber fans, to romance readers and to older ladies who will enjoy seeing an empty nester Mom on the other side of a divorce finding her happy place again.