NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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 … 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.
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Wonderful story! Debbie Macomber did it again and excellant romance. Loved that this book was about middle age women that I can relate to. very good storyline and details. Jenna and Maureen have stayed in touch with each other over the years through family and divorce . This tells the story of both women later in life after things have changed for them. Takes us along for the ride when they each find a second chance romance with new men. So fun to read loved it!
I liked it because the subject relates to me. But I think younger women wouldn’t like it as well.
I enjoyed this book as I do all of Debbie Macomber’s book but I did not enjoy how the women acted towards the guys they were dating, I thought they jumped to conclusions way to easily. I thought the story itself was really good but it just seemed to come all together way to quickly for everything that was going on. I even thought the way Jenna over reacted to everything her kids did or didn’t do was way too much. Logan was a single guy then 3/4 of the way through you find out he had 2 grown kids that were married with kids. I just think book was too long and then the ending rushed. Sorry Debbie, like I said I usually love all your books.
This was such a good read i couldn’t put it down. The characters were so enjoyable.
She did it again. Debbie has an ability to flesh out her characters so that you can identify with them. Though I suspected the ending, I enjoyed reading every page to see how she facilitated it.
Debbie Macomber is such a gifted author. Amazing how she is able to weave two fabulous stories in the one great book. Love the depth of her writing. Hoping there is more to come with the families in Window on the Bay.
Thank you for NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read this book and give an honest review.
I am a great fan of this author but was disappointed in this particular book. It started off really interesting but then became rather predictable. Jumping from character to character got old but that may just be me as I am not a fan of books that do that.
Will continue to be a fan and read Macombers book but this particular one just didn’t do it for me.
Wow!! A heart warming story of two best friends move into the next chapter of their lives. Jenna and Maureen have been BFF, both of their marriages ended in divorce years ago and raising their children on their own. Now Jenna is an empty nester and the next chapter in her life begins. Learning to live on her own and dating again. Maureen too is facing a new boyfriend.
This book grabbed me from the beginning and did not let go until the end, plus I wanted more. Wonderful characters that I feel that many can relate too. Plenty of romance and family dynamics that will keep you engaged. I highly recommend this book.
Always live to read her book. We use to leave in Washington
Women facing an “empty nest” is the topic of Debbie Macomber’s book Window on the Bay. Jenna and Maureen who have been friends from college are divorcees facing life alone, trying to navigate dating in their 40’s. The story is told from Jenna’s point of view and chapters with Maureen’s viewpoint. It was refreshing to read a romance with older characters, with women who have experienced much in life. There is lots of character growth in Jenna and Maureen as well as Jenna’s daughter Allie and Rowan ‘s daughter Mackensie. Macomber addresses stereotypes with jobs not in the “white collar” realm such as Logan, a plumber and restaurant worker. The characters were very likeable. For those who like clean, inspirational romances Window on the Bay is an excellent choice.
Jenna and Maureen have been friends since they were teens. They have always dreamed of going to Paris. Every time they think they are getting close to being able to go, they have life events that keep them from going.
Maureen and Jenna have been friends through good times as well as bad. Their families are intertwined with each other. When ever something good or bad happens to one of them then they are their for each other to share it.
Ms Macomber takes us n an incredible journey of life’s events for both women and their children and the rest of their families. Definitely a must read. If you are a lover of great romances and incredible stories then this is a must for you.
Ms. Macomber spins the story so you feel like they are part of your family or your friends. You feel what they feel, you experience life through their eyes. Every time I finish one of her books I think this is the best one yet, then I read another one and feel the same way. This one so far is my favorite I think, but trust me, she has never written a book yet that I did not like.
There is a great cast of characters and hopefully we will hear more about them in the future.
Window on the Bay is a warm, emotionally charged story of two long time friends facing a new stage in life. Both Jenna and Maureen have craved the time where they could enjoy life without all the responsibility of family. Since college they have planned a trip to Paris. Since the last child is off to college, now is surely the time they can make it happen. Will they be able to get to Paris or will events have them postponing again? Grab a copy of this one to find out. I highly recommend it.
I thought about this review long and hard before writing it. I love Debbie Macomber books. They’re all about family and friends. This one, for me, missed the mark. I saw them as two longtime friends who were so controlling in their personal lives they drove people away. The best part was they were able, in the end, to heed advice from their children to reach their HEA.
Again this is my personal opinion, I found the story to be very slow and then wound everything up in the epilogue…the whole last 5 years where all the happiness happened.
This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
“Window on the Bay” by Debbie Macomber
I enjoyed watching the characters stretch their wings and adventure into new to them territories. Of course, the journeys were enhanced (?) by a few wrong turns, retreats, and mis-conceptions, as in most all good stories.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
I say, if you like Debbie Macomber stories… you will like this one, also.
This is a journey through life. As I read this book, I kept thinking this is life. It is about 2 best friends who met in college and planned to go to Paris after college. Life got in the way and they postponed Paris. They remained best friends all their lives, both became single Moms, then empty nesters, and finding life after becoming empty nesters. I liked that this book included mistakes made along the way and the choices that were made after. It had their children growing up while they were in college. It wasn’t always everyone agreeing and it caused rifts but eventually, they should have listened, not just the kids but the adults too. I take away by reading this book, that is how you know they love you because they had the courage to say no. Allie’s Gram told her that when she was 8 or 9 and she never forgot it and then she shared it with her best friend, Mackensie, when her father had said no to buying her a car. She figured out that if he had bought her the car, all is showed is she could manipulate him but because he said no, it showed he really did love her and I want my grandsons to learn this. When it is published, I am going to buy it for my daughter and I hope she gets as much out of it as I did. I think she will.
Window on the Bay is a captivating, emotional story following the lives of two college friends. Jenna & Maureen met in college & stayed close. After divorces, kids & careers, they are closer than ever & are again planning a trip to Paris. Two women who were both hurt in their own ways & the courage it took to open themselves up to living again. This book is their journey through empty nests, dating, misconceptions, new lives & life ever after. I laughed. I cried. I worried. I swear I felt every emotion possible. The writing was intense & down to earth. The characters were so well developed it was easy to fall in love with them. The writing enables the reader to slip into their places & just feel. Ms. Macomber has given her readers another gem of a story.
Friends since college, Jenna and Maureen have shared a lot together – marriages, births of their children, divorce and now that Jenna’s youngest is off to college they both seem to have lots of free time. Can these two friends also find love a second time around at the same time? Will simply interactions become bigger reactions? In a typical Debbie Macomber fashion, the reader instantly falls in love with the characters and are taken on an emotional journey. A great story that was a joy to read.