A Girl's Guide to Moving On: A Novel

Debbie Macomber

Feb 2016 · Sold by Ballantine Books

About this eBook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this powerful and uplifting novel, a mother and her daughter-in-law bravely leave their troubled marriages and face the challenge of starting over.

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.

Praise for A Girl’s Guide to Moving On

“Macomber is a master at pulling heartstrings, and readers will delight in this heartwarming story of friendship, love, and second chances. Leanne, Nichole, Rocco, and Nikolai will renew your faith in love and hope. The perfect read curled up in front of the fire or on a beach, it’s as satisfying as a slice of freshly baked bread—wholesome, pleasantly filling, and delicious.”—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of Flight Patterns
 
“Beloved author Debbie Macomber reaches new heights in this wise and beautiful novel. It’s the kind of reading experience that comes along only rarely, bearing the hallmarks of a classic. With characters as warm and relatable as your best friends, it’s a novel of connection, exploring life’s unexpected twists and turns—friendship, betrayal, passion, heartbreak, and healing. The timeless wisdom in these pages will stay with you long after the book is closed.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Starlight on Willow Lake

Ratings and reviews

A story of faith and starting over. I enjoyed this story much more than I thought I would. I've read many books by Debbie Macomber and have loved most of them. This is the second book in the New Beginnings series. I read the first one and liked it OK but there were parts that I felt were a bit "preachy." I know that Ms. Macomber is very open about her faith in God but I don't recall having faith mentioned quite so strongly before in one of her stories (other than maybe her "angel" series and her Christmas stories). This book brings faith into play as well but somehow it seemed to fit better for me. You don't need to have read the first book - Last One Home - to enjoy this one but the main characters are introduced in that story. A Girl's Guide to Moving on is told in first person POV with chapters alternating between Nichole and Leanne. I can't recall reading any other book by Ms. Macomber that was written in this style. Nichole and Leanne are starting over. Nicole was married to Leanne's son, Jake. Both Jake and his father were serial cheaters. When Leanne tells Nichole that Jake has been cheating on her she does so out of love because she doesn't want Nichole to be like her and turn a blind eye to what Jake is doing. She urges Nichole to break the cycle and not stay with Jake like she stayed with his father which she felt set a bad example for Jake. Nichole vows to leave Jake and set a better example for her son. When Nichole decides to leave Jake, Leanne knows that she also needs to break with her cheating husband. These two women have a close relationship - Nichole's parents are deceased - so they become each others support system in the new life they are creating. They develop a list of things to do and not do and that list becomes their "Guide to Moving On." I've never been divorced but people close to me have so I can sympathize with what these two are going through. I was really surprised by how this book made me feel; I was in tears many times while reading this. Because this is a story of hope and love I was pretty sure that these two would find new loves during the book. The men they meet and fall for are so different from their former husbands but they are good men. Nichole and Leanne's path to happiness is not smooth - both are faced with very difficult life-changing decisions - but reading the story of how they get there was inspiring. Once I got past the first couple of chapters I couldn't put this one down. *****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions***** I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber is a novel about women getting on with their life after divorce. Nichole Patterson and her mother-in-law Leanne Patterson have just divorced their husbands. They have moved into apartments next door to each other in Portland, Oregon. They have come up with what they call “A Guide to Letting Go and Moving On”. It is easier to say than to do. Nichole was married to Jake. They have a son, Owen. But then Jake (just like his father) cheated on Nichole with another woman and the other woman became pregnant. Jake has done everything possible to delay the divorce. They are still working out the details almost two years later. Nichole just wants to get on with her life. She is a substitute teacher and also volunteers at a dress shop that helps woman gets clothes who are going into the work force for the first time. Nichole meets Rocco Nyquist on day when her car goes into a ditch. Rocco is kind, hardworking, and a good man. Can the new relationship survive the interfering ex-husband? Leanne Patterson was married to her husband, Sean for thirty-five years and he cheated for the majority of the marriage. Leanne always looked the other way. Now she sees that it gave her son, Jake the wrong idea (that his wife would put up with it). Nichole gave her the courage to file for divorce (they did it together on the same day). Leanne is now living on her own (a first) and teaches English as a second language at the community center. It is in the class that Leanne meets Nikolai Janchenko from the Ukraine. He is a wonderful baker with a great personality. He cares very much for Leanne, but then Sean needs assistance. Will Leanne ever get happiness? She will need to have faith that everything will work out according to God’s will. A Girl’s Guide to Moving On was a sweet (though predictable) book. It was a beautifully, crafted novel. My interest was held throughout the whole book. It is easy to read with entertaining characters (especially Nikolai). The ending was just wonderful. Fans of Debbie Macomber will love A Girl’s Guide to Moving On. I give A Girl’s Guide to Moving On 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it, but I knew how it would end). There is just the right amount of faith and God in this novel (it is not pushy or in your in face). I received a complimentary copy of A Girl’s Guide to Moving On from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Girl's Guide to moving on was a very thoughtful, emotional, and empowering book. Debbie Macomber's characters were very genuine and easy to connect with. It was wonderful to experience their relationships, successes, and their not so happy moments too. There were times when I was laughing, times that had me crying, and times that had me holding my breath. All of them were very well written, and it was difficult to see this book end. I feel as if Nichole and Leanne are my friends, and I would love to know them forever, but the ending to the book was perfect. While it was difficult to see it end, I'm glad it ended the way it did. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

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 list, 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.