A GIRL’S GUIDE TO MOVING ON
By Debbie Macomber
- Published: COMING SOON! Feb 23, 2016
- Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine
- Genre: Women’s Fiction, Sagas, Family Saga
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.
A DEE REVIEW
If you’re a fan of the Hallmark Channel, then you’re familiar with author Debbie Macomber. Her books are Hallmark channel royalty. They get turned into shows and movies.
I just finished reading this book, and I already miss it and its characters. It’s strange though, because this is one of the most wholesome books I’ve ever read in my entire life. And yes, that includes my tween/teen years. I genuinely loved everyone in the book. Everyone had a story, and purpose. And I really-truly enjoyed it even without the sexually graphic scenes.
Let’s get down to the book. It’s about two women, Leanne and Nichole, that share a few things in common. #1 They are/getting divorced. #2 Both their husbands cheated on them. And #3 Leanne is Nichole’s mother-in-law. Yes she’s the mother of her ex-husband.
The bond between these two ladies is incredible. Although, technically not blood related, they love each other like mother and daughter. After their failed relationships and they stick together and make a list of ways to get over their breakups:
- Don’t allow yourself to wallow in your pain. Reach out. Volunteer. Do something you love or something to help others.
- Cultivate new friendships.
- Let go in order to receive.
- Love yourself.
- (and later on added…) Be open to new experiences. Don’t let the past taint the future.
With this list in tow, they set themselves up on their journey of getting over and mourning their relationships.
It was one step at a time. One day at a time. It helped tremendously that we were in this together. -Leanne
Using her list Leanne’s decides to volunteer teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) at the local community center. In her class she meets the best character in this book, Nikolai a Ukrainian baker. Reading him just makes me smile. From his accent, to his outlook on life, he’s infectious and I love him to pieces. I choose to believe there is a Nikolia out there in the world making his Leanne happy.
Here was a mature woman starting over after 35 years of a failed dry marriage. She was not looking for love. She just wanted to find herself and there was Nikolai, front row in her class.
“I give you bread to say what I not able to say with words.” -Nikolai
Then we have Nichole, young single mom. Dealing with a divorce battle that’s gone on for two years. Could you imagine? Not only does that idiot cheat on her, he goes out of his way to delay the end of the marriage. The nerve!
On the day, Jake finally agrees to the divorce terms, she gets so upset, Nichole backs herself into a ditch. Whoops! But don’t worry, here comes the good stuff. And by good stuff, I mean Rocco. Or how Nichole describes him as a hulk of a man.
He resembled the Jolly Green Giant, except he wasn’t smiling. And he wasn’t green. -Nichole
Being a single dad of a teenage daughter himself, Rocco is at a loss on how to help his fourteen year old. So after a series of fateful events, he seeks out Nichole to help as sort of a mediator between father and daughter. And along with Nichole’s truck loving three year old son, they form a tight bond.
For a man that has never been in a relationship, or has any idea about what being part of a couple means, he does and says the sweetest things to Nichole. It’s as if for the first time he’s allowing himself to feel.
I know you’re hurting, but this will pass. I promise you in timer your tears will dry and your heart will heal. -Text from Rocco to Nichole
Because this is a wholesome book, there’s no hot sexual encounters. But how I wished Rocco let the “Hulk” loose and press Nichole against the wall and have his way with her. A girl could dream, right?
This book is about love, family, regret, and learning about the things that matter the most in life. It’s about forgiving and how to live again when you have nothing left in your heart. A book about learning to love yourself again.
I give it a solid 4 Nerd glasses. I can’t wait for Hallmark to turn it into a movie!
This is a NetGalley review.
Nerd & Lace 