Title: Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 321 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
When a single mom becomes an empty nester, she spreads her wings to rediscover herself—and her passions—in this heartwarming novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.
Jenna Boltz’s life is at a crossroads. After a messy divorce from her surgeon husband nearly twenty years ago, she raised her two children on her own, juggling motherhood with her beloved job as a Seattle intensive-care nurse. Now that Paul and Allie have gone to college and moved out, Jenna can’t help but wonder what her future holds.
Her best friend, Maureen, is excited for Jenna’s newfound independence. Now is the perfect time to finally book the trip to Paris they’ve been dreaming of since their college days. But when it comes to life’s other great adventure—dating—Jenna still isn’t sure she’s ready to let love in . . . until an unexpected encounter begins to change her mind.
When Jenna’s elderly mother breaks her hip, Dr. Rowan Lancaster saves the day. Despite his silent, stoic exterior, Rowan is immediately smitten with Jenna. And even though Jenna is hesitant about becoming involved with another surgeon, she has to admit that she’s more than a little intrigued. But when Jenna’s children approach her with shocking news, she realizes that she needs to have faith in love and embrace the unexpected—before the life she has always dreamed of passes her by.
Review:
Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber is a captivating novel of family, friendship and love.
Jenna Boltz and Maureen Zelinski have been best friends since college. Their plan to someday visit Paris is now in reach since they are empty nesters. Jenna is an ICU nurse who raised her two children, Paul and Allie, on her own following her divorce. Maureen is a librarian who is also divorced but her ex-husband remained involved in their daughter Tori’s life. Although both women have dated in the past, neither have had much success in finding Mr. Right. So Maureen and Jenna are both surprised when two men in their lives unexpectedly show interest in them. Will Maureen agree to go out with Logan, a library patron whom she looks forward to discussing books with? And when Jenna’s mom’s doctor, Rowan Lancaster asks her out, will she accept his invitation to get to know him outside the hospital?
Jenna has put her children first ever since her divorce and she is looking forward to her empty nest. But the reality of living alone is nowhere near as exciting as she thought it would be. Jenna remains close to her oldest son, Paul, but she cannot help feel uneasy about a growing distance between them. Her relationship with Allie is sometimes a minefield since her daughter is stubborn, independent and quick to become defensive. Jenna is worried about her mom’s recovery from her fall, but she is reassured by Rowan’s obvious care and compassion for his patients’ well-being. She is also quite intrigued by the taciturn surgeon, but Jenna has good reason to be wary of dating a doctor.
Despite her amicable divorce, Maureen is extremely cautious when it comes to dating. She looks forward to her weekly meeting with Logan and she puts quite bit of thought into her book recommendations to the good-natured man. Reluctantly agreeing to have a drink with him, Maureen is uncomfortably out of her comfort zone but will she give their burgeoning romance a chance?
Window on the Bay is a heartwarming novel that is fast-paced and engrossing. Jenna and Maureen are vibrantly developed characters whose respective issues are realistically portrayed. Rowan is an absolutely delightful man who never gives up Jenna even when they are at odds. Logan is a bit of a mixed bag who does not always treat Maureen with the respect she deserves. Although the romances encounter a few misunderstandings and family ties are a bit strained, Debbie Macomber brings this winsome novel to a delightfully heartfelt conclusion.
