Book Description:

Life has a way of changing your path–and Claire Karadec certainly didn’t plan on a fork in the road in her forties. From New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh comes a witty, warm, and uplifting novel about second chances, found family, and the courage it takes to become yourself–perfect for fans of Annabel Monaghan and Sarah Adams.

After a painfully public discovery shatters her marriage, along with her picture-perfect, country club life, Claire finds herself suddenly single and faced with a blank page for a future. On that page she writes a simple list that reads like equal parts dare and daydream–Move to a new city. Make a real friend. Get a job I love–and she vows to accomplish every single one.

Before she can talk herself out of it, she takes a step of faith, puts her old life in the rearview mirror, and leases an apartment in Chicago, the city that has always had her heart. This one step sends Claire on a journey of self-discovery, giving her the courage to conquer her fears, one checklist item at a time, and showing her that life can be a whole lot brighter than she imagined.

She rediscovers a love for baking, stumbles into new friendships, and even allows her daughter, Minnie, to create a dating profile and choose her dates for her. Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is Miles, the charming, off-limits neighbor whose kindness makes it hard to remember why he’s off-limits at all.

Between late-night journaling, disastrous first dates, great big lessons and priceless small victories, Claire learns to quiet the voice telling her she wasn’t enough and listens to the one that asks the harder question . . .

What do I really want?

As old expectations loosen their grip, Claire discovers that belonging isn’t a place you’re invited to–it’s a life you build one brave choice at a time. And the sweetest things often show up when you finally get out of your own way.

Lose yourself in a story that’s equal parts heartwarming, hopeful, and full of joy. Early readers are loving the witty humor, uplifting journey, and sweet, clean romance that makes Brighter than Before such a life-affirming escape. Grab your copy today and discover a second-chance story about courage, connection, and building a life that feels truly your own.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Brighter than Before, a low spice contemporary romcom with women’s fiction themes. The story opens with Claire making an impulsive and ridiculous decision that becomes the catalyst for her choosing to take control of her life. She leaves Colorado and rents a cute apartment in the Chicago suburbs.

Claire is on a self discovery journey and she’s seeking genuine friendships with honest people. She spent the previous twelve months in survival mode, struggling to cope with the brutal way her cheating husband of twenty-three years ended their marriage and convinced their friends to abandon her. Their young adult daughter is overseas, studying in the UK.

Miles is a business owner and landscape gardener who lives in Claire’s apartment complex. Their meet cute is hilarious, ridiculous, and embarrassing for Claire. I loved how Miles became Claire’s friend and helped her create a new life in Chicago. Despite their mutual attraction, he friend zones Claire and teams up with Claire’s daughter, using an online dating app, to set Claire up on a series of first dates.

Claire and Miles challenge each other to deal with their emotional baggage and take a risk on love. I recommend Brighter than Before to contemporary romance readers who like low spice friends-to-more romcoms with depth that include second chances, dating mishaps, and found family themes.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

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