Brighter Than Before

Title: Brighter Than Before

Author: Courtney Walsh

Narrator: Patti Murin

Source: Hoopla

My Review:

You guys, no matter what words end up in this review, I can already tell you, they will not do the book justice.

This book brought out all the feels. I laughed, I cried, I pined, and I related to so much of what was going on. This book also brought out a lot of thoughts. Even after I finished the book, I found myself thinking about different parts, or thinking about things the book provoked...in other words, don't go into this book thinking it's going to be all light and fluffy. It's not. For me, it was very thought-provoking.

This book is for anyone who has had to start over, for whatever reason. Claire is forced to start over after going through a divorce. While my circumstances are not the same as Claire's, I found this story to be highly relatable. I will say that at the beginning, Claire is a hot mess and likely to get on your nerves. I totally forgot all about that after the first few chapters (and was reminded when I saw other people's reviews). 

I loved the friendships in this book. Everyone needs a friend like Miles and Lennon. They are real and raw, again, isn't that something we all need? I also really enjoyed Claire and her daughter, Minnie's, relationship. It was obvious they were close and worked on keeping their relationship that way, even while living on different continents. This was a very emotional/touching book for me. 

I actually thought about starting this book again once I finished listening to it. It was that good. Instead, I put the book on my wishlist because I want to read it again, but this time with a physical copy, so I can make highlights. And, if you have never met me, I am not a person who highlights in their fiction books. 

Also, I really enjoyed Patti Murin's narration of the story.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):    

In her forties, newly single in the Windy City, and reeling from a major life shake-up, Claire Karadec finds a reset in the most unlikely of places--a dating profile set up by her adult daughter. From New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh comes a refreshing, lighthearted, sweet novel, perfect for fans of Annabel Monaghan and Sarah Adams.

Claire did not plan to end up mid-forties with a daughter studying in London and the unfortunate discovery that her husband is not the man she thought he was. In fact, he's the exact opposite of a faithful, loyal, kind, and good-hearted spouse. And the discovery of his real nature and lack of remorse leads her to do what she never thought she would--divorce him.

After a year of wallowing before hitting rock bottom . . . in public, unfortunately, Claire realizes she needs to finally answer the question her therapist asked her all those months "What do you really want?" It was a question she couldn't answer then, but now she knows it's time to figure it out.

It's the turning point that leads Claire to change her life. And not just a little--a lot. She sells her house in Denver and moves to the city that's always had her heart--Chicago.

With the help of nosy neighbors, new friends, and a daughter who sets her up on a dating site from across the ocean, Claire begins to answer that big, important question by figuring out what she wants and how to live life on her own terms.