A Girl's Guide to Moving On: My Review

A Girl's Guide to Moving On: A Novel

About the Book:

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.

My Comments:

Debbie Macomber writes fluffy feel-good reads, and this is no exception.  It is a sequel to Last One Home which I found to be poorly written (see my review).  A Girl's Guide to Moving On is somewhat better.  While Nicole's sisters make appearances, the primary relationships are between Leanne and Nicole and between them and the new and old men in their lives.  Macomber explores the topics of love, trust, moving on and relationships between ex-spouses.  I found it interesting that both Leanne and Nichole found new men who were definitely beneath their former husbands on the social ladder, but of course they turned out to be great guys.  

Chapters are titled with the name of the woman whose story is told in that chapter.  Sometimes, we hear what Leanne thinks of Nicole's story and vice-versa. 

Like Macombers other recent books, characters in this one do not get beyond passionate kissing.  I liked the fact that one night Nichole almost threw herself at Rocco, who, despite his bad-boy past, refused to take advantage of the situation, and insisted they wait.  He told her she wasn't ready, however, he did not say that waiting until marriage was necessary.  

While classified as general-market fiction, it is mentioned that Leanne goes to church.  She and Nikolai visit a Russian Orthodox church to pray for her ex.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy via NetGalley.  Grade:  B.