4.5
-
8,060 ratings
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.
Kindle
$5.99
Available instantly
Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$1.76
Paperback
$7.28
Ships from
Amazon.com
Payment
Secure transaction
ISBN-10
055339195X
ISBN-13
978-0553391954
Print length
400 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Ballantine Books
Publication date
December 30, 2019
Dimensions
5.15 x 0.82 x 7.95 inches
Item weight
9.6 ounces
Don’t allow yourself to wallow in your pain. Reach out. Volunteer. Do something you love or something to help others.
Highlighted by 197 Kindle readers
Loving myself meant eating, sleeping, and exercising—taking care of myself emotionally and physically.
Highlighted by 141 Kindle readers
I know you’re hurting, but this will pass. I promise you in time your tears will dry and your heart will heal.
Highlighted by 115 Kindle readers
ASIN :
B00ZNE17B4
File size :
5623 KB
Text-to-speech :
Enabled
Screen reader :
Supported
Enhanced typesetting :
Enabled
X-Ray :
Enabled
Word wise :
Enabled
“A Girl’s Guide to Moving On is Debbie Macomber’s finest novel. Betrayal and sorrow can happen in any stage of life and, in this wonderful story, her very nimble hands weave a spectacular kaleidoscope of courage, struggles, and finally joyous redemption and reinvention. Macomber totally understands the human heart. I absolutely loved it!”—Dorothea Benton Frank, New York Times bestselling author of All the Single Ladies
“Debbie Macomber’s beguiling new novel, A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, whispers a message of love, hope, and, yes, reinvention to every woman who has ever wondered ‘Is that all there is?’ I predict every diehard Macomber fan—as well as legions of readers new to the Macomber magic—will be cheering for Leanne and Nichole, and clamoring for more, more, more.”—Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Town, Ladies’ Night, and Summer Rental
“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
“Debbie dazzles! A wonderful story of friendship, forgiveness and the power of love. I devoured every page!”—Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Friends We Keep
“Debbie Macomber is a master at emotional, uplifting, insightful stories, and A Girl’s Guide to Moving On is one of her best novels. Her characters are well-defined, well written, and so realistic that by the end of the book the reader feels like they are intimate friends with Nichole and Leanne. . . . Macomber fans will love her latest novel. If you haven’t read Macomber before, this is a lovely book to start out with.”—Night Owl Reviews
“A Girl’s Guide to Moving On is truly a story of love, friendship, hope and a woman’s capacity to make a fresh start. Whether you are in a rock-solid relationship or have faced a break-up or divorce, you are sure to connect with the joys and trials faced by Leanne and Nichole as they support each other in their individual quests for a brighter tomorrow. Readers will find the book full of the tender moments, humor, drama and emotion for which Debbie Macomber’s novels are famous.”—Bookreporter
“A Girl’s Guide to Moving On definitely hit the right buttons on how a good, strong, and happy relationship should be. . . . Pick up this beautiful story.”—Fresh Fiction
Read more
CHAPTER 1
Nichole
The first step in our Guide to Moving On was also the most enjoyable. Every other Saturday I spent the entire day at Dress for Success, a gently-used-clothing boutique. I loved dressing these ladies, whose courage inspired and stirred me. Many had come out of abusive relationships or were looking to get off welfare and find their place in the workforce. It was a joy to fit them with a wardrobe that gave them confidence and the hope that they could succeed.
“Would you look at me?” Shawntelle Maynor said, as she studied her reflection in the mirror. She turned around and glanced over her shoulder, nodding, apparently liking what she saw. “This hides my butt good.”
Shawntelle was a good five inches taller than my own five-foot-three frame. Her hair was an untamed mass of tight black curls raining down upon her shoulders. She critically studied herself in the outfit I’d put together for her first job interview.
I found it hard to believe the difference clothes made. Shawntelle had arrived in baggy sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt. Now, dressed in black slacks and a pink Misook jacket, she looked like a million bucks.
“Wowza.” I stepped back and reviewed my handiwork. The transformation was stunning.
“I need help with this hair,” she said, frowning as she shoved it away from her face. “I should have known better than to let Charise cut it. She was all confident she could do it after watching a YouTube video. I was crazy to let her anywhere close to my hair with a pair of scissors.” Her fingers reached up and touched the uneven ends of her bangs, or what I assumed must be her bangs. “I thought it’d grow out, and it did, but now it looks even worse.”
“I’ve already made you an appointment next door.” The hairstylist in the shop next to Dress for Success volunteered to give each woman at the boutique a wash and cut before her job interview.
Shawntelle’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Get out of here. Really?”
“Really. When’s your interview?”
“Monday afternoon.”
“Your hair appointment is set for ten. Does that time work for you?”
Her smile was answer enough. Shawntelle had recently graduated from an accounting class and was looking for her first job. She had five children and her husband had deserted the family. The agency had gotten her an interview with a local car dealership. She’d gone through several practice interviews, which had given her a boost of confidence. Now, with the proper outfit, she beamed with self-assurance.
“I never thought I’d make it without LeRoy,” she whispered. “But I am and I refuse to let that cheatin’ scumbag back. He’s screwed me over for the last time.”
I smiled at the vehemence in her voice. I was walking this same rock-strewn path. In addition to my volunteer work, I was a substitute teacher for the Portland School District. My degree was in French literature with a minor in education, which qualified me for a teaching position. Unfortunately, no full-time positions were available, so I filled in as needed.
Thankfully, Leanne was available to watch Owen for me and as a backup there was a drop-in daycare center down the street from our apartment building. I eked by financially, in stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle I’d become accustomed to while married.
I had to remind myself I was still technically married. The final papers had yet to be drawn up to Jake’s satisfaction. My husband had made this divorce as difficult as possible, thinking he could change my mind. He’d been persistently begging me to reconsider. When he finally realized my determination to see this through, he’d set up every roadblock he could, dragging out the settlement hearings, arguing each point. Our attorney fees had skyrocketed.
Divorce is hard—so much harder than I’d ever imagined it would be.
“You’ll call after the interview?” I asked Shawntelle, determinedly pushing thoughts of Jake out of my mind.
“You got it.”
“You’re going to do so well.” I gave her arm a gentle squeeze.
Shawntelle turned and wrapped me in a hug. “Them Kardashian chicks ain’t got nothin’ on me.”
“You’re beautiful.” And I meant it.
By five I’d finished for the day and I was eager to get back to my son. Leanne had taken Owen to the park. At nearly four my little man was a ball of explosive energy. I imagined my mother-in-law was more than ready for a break.
I got in my car and started the engine when my phone rang. I drove a ten-year-old Toyota while my soon-to-be ex-husband was in a nearly new BMW, a car I’d bought him with the inheritance I’d gotten after my parents died. That was another story entirely, and one I had to repeatedly push out of my mind. Rule number three: Let go in order to receive.
I frantically searched through my purse until I located my phone. Checking caller ID, I saw that it was Jake. No surprise. It seemed he found an excuse to call me just about every day. I was able to remain civil, but I resented his efforts to keep me tied to him. Friends had been all too eager to tell me he hadn’t changed his womanizing ways. Now that I was out of the house my husband didn’t bother to hide the fact he was a player.
This was supposed to have been his weekend with Owen, but he had a business trip. Or so he claimed. Because of what I knew, I’d become suspicious of everything he said.
“Yes,” I said, making sure I didn’t sound overly friendly. It was difficult to maintain an emotional distance from him, especially when he worked overtime to make it hard. Jake knew all the right buttons to push with me. Through the negotiations for the divorce he’d played me like a grand piano.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“You have the wrong number,” I said forcefully. Every time he used an endearment I wondered how many other women he called “sweetheart.”
“Come on, honey, there’s no need to be bitter. I’m calling with good news.”
Sure he was. “Which is?”
He hesitated and his voice sank lower, laced with regret. “I’ve signed off on the final negotiations. You want a share in the house, then fine, it’s yours, but only when I choose to sell it. That’s what you asked for, right?”
“Right.” Which meant this bitter struggle was over and the divorce could go through. Twenty-five months after I’d filed we could sign the final papers.
“You signed off?” If that was the case I’d be hearing from my attorney shortly, probably Monday morning.
“It’s killing us both to drag this out any longer than it already has.”
From the minute I’d moved out of the house Jake had believed he could change my mind. I’d gladly given up living in the house despite the fact that my attorney had advised me to stay put. All I asked for was my fair share of the proceeds when he chose to sell it.
I wasn’t interested in living in that plush home any longer. My life there with all the expensive furnishings and designer details had been a sham. The memories were too much for me. Sleeping in our bed was torture, knowing Jake had defiled it. For all I knew he may even have made love to another woman in that very bed. Besides, holding on to the house would be a financial struggle. I needed to break away completely and start over. Jake had been surprised when I agreed to move out. I’d used the house along with the country-club membership as bargaining chips in the settlement agreement.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” Jake asked.
I wasn’t sure what to say. “I guess this is it, then,” I whispered, staggering against a wall of emotion. My attorney assured me that eventually Jake would cave. It was either that or we would be headed to a meeting with a court-appointed negotiator. I was willing, but Jake had balked. Neither one of us wanted this to go to trial. The attorneys and the divorce proceedings were expensive enough.
“Yeah. It’ll be final soon,” Jake said, his voice so low it was almost a whisper. His words were filled with regret.
“Final,” I repeated, and bit into my lower lip.
“You okay?” Jake asked.
“Yeah, of course.” But I wasn’t. After all this time one would think I’d be glad this bickering and madness were about to end. I should be over the moon, eager to put my marriage behind me. I was more than ready to move on. Instead my heart felt like it was going to melt and a huge knot blocked my throat.
“I thought you’d want to know,” Jake said, sounding as sad and miserable as I was.
“Thanks. I’ve got to go.”
“Nichole . . . Nichole . . .”
I didn’t want to hear anything more that he had to say, so I ended the call. With tears blurring my eyes, I tossed my phone back inside my expensive Michael Kors purse. A purse I’d purchased because Jake insisted I deserved beautiful things. Now I understood he’d wanted me to have it because he’d felt guilty. As best I could figure, I’d bought the purse shortly after he learned Chrissy was pregnant with his child.
Wiping the moisture from my cheek, I put the car in reverse, stepped on the accelerator, and immediately backed into a ditch.
Read more
Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
Read more
Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5
8,060 global ratings
Lynne M. Spreen
5
Another Fine Romance from a Skillful Writer
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
I thought the premise was original. In A Girl's Guide to Moving On, a woman and her daughter-in-law both divorce their spouses at the same time and for the same reason: the father and son are both cheating husbands. The women (one is around 60, the other around 30) move to a new city and rent apartments across the hall from each other. They help each other (there is a 3-year-old child involved). Both women start new lives, working and moving forward. Each falls in love, and there are the usual roadblocks and resolutions, but even though the plots (two run simultaneously) are predictable, they're very well done. I don't want to spoil it, but the older woman faces a tragedy that forces her, because she's a good person, to make a sacrifice. And I would have, too. There are some powerful themes running through this book, and the one about loyalty and family really resonated for me. Plus Macomber is a fine writer. She doesn't overwrite or underwrite, and I was in tears more than once. The characters are multidimensional (except Shawntelle was kind of a cartoon, but she was a pretty minor character) and relatable. I tagged this novel OA fiction and boomer-lit because of the older woman starting over, a theme I love. Although don't read it for that--Leanne didn't explore age-related themes other than briefly expressing dismay over her aging body. If you love contemporary romance, you'll love this story.
Read more
5 people found this helpful
Karen
5
Definitely A Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors. Her latest novel, A Girl's Guide to Moving On, is definitely one of my favorites so far. This is book two in her New Beginnings series, but can be read as a stand-alone book.
Leanne and Sean have been married for thirty-five years, and have a grown son named Jake. Jake is married to Nichole, and they have a young son named Owen. Nichole becomes more than a daughter-in-law to Leanne, and the two women have a very close friendship as well. Leanne has known throughout her marriage that her husband has had numerous affairs, but for her own reasons, she has always chosen to ignore Sean's infidelity, regardless of the pain it caused her. One day she overheard her son asking Sean for advice because he has gotten another woman pregnant. Leanne sees this as the wake-up call she has ignored for too long...her son is now following in his father's footsteps. Leanne tells Nichole about the affair, and Nichole files for a divorce. Seeing Nichole find the strength to start over, Leanne also files for divorce. Both women move to downtown Portland and into apartments across from each other. The women become each other's support through this painful process, and this is when they devise the list of ways to help get through it, and they called it A Guide to Moving On.
Nichole is trying to deal with all of the emotions that are part of a divorce, and is having a hard time with it because it has been two years since she filed, and the divorce has not been finalized yet. Jake is trying to win her back, but Nichole knows she will never be able to trust him again. Following the steps for survival through her divorce, she volunteers at Dress for Success, helping women entering the workforce to dress for the interviews and employment. In addition to this work, she also works as a substitute teacher for the Portland School District. Through her own mistake while she was upset one day, she meets Rocco, a tow truck driver. It is clear early on that there is definite chemistry between these two, but Nichole is reluctant to start a new relationship. Rocco has a fifteen-year old daughter, Kaylene, and enlists Nichole's help in finding her an appropriate dress for a school dance. Rocco is the complete opposite of Nichole's ex…he is more of the biker type than the country club type of guy, but they end up becoming involved in each other's lives. It is definitely a relationship in progress, with some unexpected twists thrown in.
Leanne has her own share of problems, as her husband has taken away what little self-esteem she had left. She is trying to move forward, and uses Nichole's courage as her own inspiration to survive. She never expected she would be starting over at this point in her life, but tries to make the best of it. She volunteers at the Community Center, teaching English as a second language. There is one student close to her own age that Leanne has a soft spot for, and his name is Nikolai. Nikolai is from the Ukraine, and has been living in the US for five years and recently became a citizen. He is a wonderful baker, and after every class, he gives her a loaf of bread that he baked. He is definitely old school, with old school values, and I thought he was so charming. He meets her at her car when she arrives for class, and walks her to her car after class. The chemistry is there, but unfortunately, Leanne doesn’t realize his true feelings for her.
I could give more detail, but don’t want to give out too much and end up spoiling the book. This is a book about betrayal and the strength and courage it takes to move on. It is also about the bond between these two women, and the friendship they share. The emotions they go through are very real, and are portrayed in a very realistic way. As much as these women wanted a guide to follow, they find out that life doesn’t always go as easy as planned. There are some definite and unexpected twists in the story, but I loved the way the author dealt with it all. This is a beautifully written story about the pain of divorce, and also the will to not let it define the women going through it. I would definitely recommend this book!
I was given an advance copy of the book from Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Girl's Guide to Moving On
Read more
10 people found this helpful
NanaCav
5
**** L O V E H U R T S ***
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
Debbie Macomber's Girl's Guide to Moving On tells us how two women deal with life after divorce. Leanne has been married for thirty-five years and always turned a blind eye to her husbands infidelities. She thought that was what wives did. She lived the good life, belonged to the country club and took care of their beautiful house.
Nichole was married to Leanne's son, Jake. Jake took after his father and also had many infidelities. He was never found out until he got the last one pregnant. Leanne did not want Nichole to go through life as she did by turning her back on her husbands indiscretions. She over heard Jake talking to his father about the pregnancy and decided to tell Nichole.
Nichole was heartbroken. No matter what he said Nichole knew she would never trust Jake again and left him and filed for divorce. Jake didn't believe she would go through with it and that after she calmed down they would be back together. For two years Jake did all he could to stall the divorce. He loved her and wanted her back. He was desperate and ended up using their three year old son to get to her. But it did not end up the way he thought it would.
When Nichole left Jake, Leanne got the strength to leave Sean, her husband. This is the story of how they move on....life after divorce. They each find someone new but have a hard time learning to trust. I really enjoyed this story. If you love a really good romance with a nice happily ever after, then this is the book for you
Read more
13 people found this helpful
4.2
-
100,022
$8.39
4.3
-
155,575
$6.33
4.6
-
140,302
$13.49
4.3
-
88,556
$9.59
4.4
-
94,890
$11.66
4.3
-
154,085
$2.99
4.3
-
143,196
$9.47
4.1
-
80,003
$13.48
4.3
-
54,062
$14.99
4.4
-
59,745
$16.19
4.2
-
107,613
$8.99
4.4
-
94,673
$8.53