Something Better

by Diane Parrish

It arose not from desire or even interest, but from what would happen . . . if she just let it?

The bubble in which Ruth and David live their tidy suburban lives is about to burst. A tragic automobile accident shatters their insular world and sends David into an emotional tailspin. An unexpected job opportunity sends Ruth to the West Coast, waylaying her desire to become a mother and making her increasingly unavailable for David’s needs.

Thrown off balance and alone, David develops a fixation on Annabeth Brady, the daughter of the friends lost that fateful night. As he and Ruth drift further apart, each must decide if they will remain true to their vows, or what it might mean to search for something better.

Told in gorgeous, descriptive prose with flashes of humor and insight, this debut novel by Diane Parrish quietly questions our notions of forgiveness and faith. Something Better heralds the introduction of a sparkling new talent.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

314 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Something Better, by Diane Parrish, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ruth and David are married, an accident shakes their life, and then more trauma follows. Ruth goes away for work, and absence does not make the heart grow fonder, at least with this couple. I did not care for this book, are the characters at all.

[Farda Hus · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Thanks you for the publisher and author for sending over the ARC!

I’ve got mixed feelings about the book. I read it in one sitting, but the ending left me a bit torn. I wanted to see the conflicts resolved face-to-face, but at the same time, the ending felt complete and realistic. It was intense and raw, especially in how the characters reflected on their actions and leaned on their faith. The final third of the book was particularly powerful. What really struck me was how David realized he’d been hiding his guilt behind a mask of self-assuredness. Isn’t all of us like that?

On the flip side, the book felt a bit draggy to me. It felt like nothing much happened until about 75% through, but I guess the last 25% made up for it.

The book really resonated with me through its take on forgiveness and self-reflection. Watching the characters deal with their guilt and seek redemption felt really real, humane and relatable. I think i haven’t always been good at forgiving others, but it’s making me think I should try harder in the future, right?

Lastly, here are two quotes from the book that really left an impression on me:

"And maybe, when he finally sees his true self, he will find the strength to ask for forgiveness."


"But without trying, forgiving is impossible. It requires both human effort and divine help."

[Gloria ~ mzglorybe · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my humble opinion the genre for this novel should’ve been categorized in the Christian Fiction category. There’s a lot of praying going on throughout the novel and religious references. I did not mind that as I am a Christian woman myself, but It is not for everyone. Readers should know that upfront. It is a clean book, no foul language or descriptive sex scenes.

Halfway in I was wondering what the subject matter was for the plot. It seemed vague and commonplace for it to be primarily about the relationship between one happily married but childless couple, David and Ruth. The other major storyline was about a single college age student Annabeth who has come to this Connecticut community to look after her parents house after their sudden demise in an auto accident. She goes to work for David, Ruth’s husband who owns a landscaping business. She meets a college age guy and they get interested in each other, we see a world of possibilities for Annabeth to help her get over her grief.

But… circumstances cause a twist in this story making it seem unrealistic to me that Annabeth would react as she did. There was no indication she would make such a mistake and lose so much because of it. She was in a good place with her new beau. The main message is about forgiveness - of oneself and of hurting others in the process, with a lot of emphasis on religious support for it.

The ending disappointed as it doesn’t really resolve any issues, just kind of stops. This is a debut novel made to have the reader think through some possibilities of the choices we make and the consequences that result. I do think the author has a talent and wish her all the best in future endeavors.

Release date for this is Oct. 8, 2024
#NetGalley #MerylMossMediaGroup

[bookedbyxitchlali_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something Better by Diane Parrish is a poignant and introspective debut novel that explores love, loss, and the delicate process of healing. With rich character development and an emotionally resonant narrative, Parrish crafts a story that touches on universal themes of forgiveness, faith, and personal growth.

The novel is centered around the aftermath of a tragic car accident that leaves Annabeth Brady orphaned. While the story initially hints at focusing on Annabeth, Parrish shifts the narrative to explore the emotional turmoil of those closest to her parents, particularly their friends David and Ruth Crawford. This shift allows for a deep dive into the complexity of human relationships and the lingering effects of grief. ✨

My final thoughts…..
For those who enjoy character-driven fiction, Something Better is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking book. The strength of the writing and the complexity of the characters make it a rewarding read, even though the storyline and pacing may feel predictable at points and sluggish at others. With this debut, Diane Parrish has undoubtedly shown a lot of promise, and I'm forward to see what she will produce in the future.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a crazy twisted book that I had trouble getting into until I took notes to help me understand all the characters messy relationships with each other. The opening scene is a car crash in the snow that leaves a couple--injured? Dead? Or did they walk away? Then we meet the cast of characters: Ruth and husband David, college student Annabeth who lives with dog, Chip, and David who hires Annabeth to do some work for him in his trailer/office. And then things get dicey....You have to read this one slowly even as it screams for you to read it quickly as you can't wait to see how all of these characters are really connected!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Jessica Brusven · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a debut! Something Better is a rare novel that creates intrigue and depth on a multitude of complex topics (grief, ambition, marriage, faith, forgiveness, commitment, etc!). To start, Parrish creates such dynamic characters. The three primary protagonists felt like people I knew personally. Relevant and realistic, I found myself rooting for all of them for different reasons.Even tertiary figures like Aunt Janet, Brian and Sid are so well developed (Janet’s comment on tomato quality made me laugh out loud and we all know a Sid!).

This book also dives into faith and explores how religious upbringing shapes the lives of each of the protagonists. It’s done in a way that is accessible and adds to the dimension of each character, without ever being preachy. I especially enjoyed the scene where Annabeth is surprised by a theological conversation at dinner with her love interest’s family. That awkward invitation into a meaningful conversation with someone you’re trying to impress was so relatable! The spiritually aspect added layers to the story.

Lastly, I loved how this book depicted marriage and forgiveness to ideals as an underlying theme. Parrish does a wonderful job capturing how two deeply different individuals navigate their independence while also working towards a shared life. Ruth and David are good and decent people, but not without the flaws that make marriage complex. So much is alluded to and yet left unsaid, something that feels so familiar in those relationships we seek to protect.

This book will captivate you from start to finish and leave you pondering a lot of themes. I typically read several books at once, but this was one of those special books you can’t wait to pick back up and find yourself sneaking pages during a break to get through. The writing style is filled with wit, humor, insight…and will delight fans of Ann Patchett and Louise Erdrich. I’m eager to read more from Parrish!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something Better is a novel about navigating grief and trauma, loss of the family member, marriage crisis, problems with conceiving a child, adulting and... finding your own self all over again.

I thought: "it's too much for a short novel." Later, I found myself thinking that it's all life -- we face not one but 99 problems at once and we demonstrate our strength and patience in overcoming them. If we lack these characteristics, we fail. The main three characters of Something Better's showcase it. We have teenager Annabeth whose parents died in a car accident. Her parents' friends Ruth and David, a married couple, help her and enter a long-distance relationship.

In one of her interviews, Diane Parrish shared that she was inspired by her own family for this novel; how some of her family members find each other again while others lose the connection and become estranged. This trajectory in the book has surprised me as I was expecting a different character being able to solve the issues and move on with life (no spoilers intended!)

I recommend this book to anyone who has suffered from grief/trauma, or who knows these people. It will help you move on, or get a better peek at how grieving/traumatized people perceive the world.

I'm grateful to Diane ParrishDiane Parrish writing this book, Meryl Moss Media Group and NetGalley for providing a copy of it.

[Yvonne G · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It arose not from desire or even interest, but from what would happen . . . if she just let it?”


Barely out of high school Annabeth is left reeling when her parents are killed in an accident, leaving her to the tender mercies of overbearing, though well-meaning, Aunt Janet, who lives in Kansas. After a suitable mourning period, although still unable to grieve properly for her loss, Annabeth decides to return to her family home in Connecticut, where she hides herself away from people, surrounds herself with her parents things, and life comes to a standstill.

One of her father's friends was landscape gardener David and his lawyer wife Ruth and it is he who eventually reaches out to Annabeth. At first David is there and attentive, but never pushy or demanding of her thoughts and feelings. However, very quickly things change and David becomes besotted and fixated on the emotionally vulnerable teenager, who displays mixed messaging to the much older man, despite her budding relationship with Theo, with whom she shares a passion for running and who is similar in age.

David and Ruth are sharing a common grief of their own at once again not conceiving a much longed for baby, so when Ruth's firm sends her to work directly, for an indefinite period, with an important client in California, their lives are turned upside down at just the wrong time, especially as David has serious problems with an angry client and both his business and his mental well-being are adversely affected.

David and Ruth only exchange one visit each in the other's direction and on both occasions you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. David turns more and more to Annabeth and Ruth discovers that her temporary boss and divorcee Brian, isn't as much of a slave-driver as she had at first thought.

Temptation consumes both parties and although only one of them is unfaithful to the other, their marriage is very much on the rocks. Ruth takes the decision that she needs to go home and confront David and their problems face to face, if there is to be any chance of a future together for them...
…

Contemporary, Christian Fiction, is probably the way I would best sum up this book, with it having great potential for being optioned as one of those afternoon, made-for-television, Hallmark films. There was no earth shattering storyline, no bad language, several references to the church and prayer, and no explicit sexual scenes; everything was left to my imagination and the wonderfully documented thought processes of the characters.

Christian Fiction is another of those genres which I would probably never actively search out at a book retailer, as I am an individual of no faith, although I can appreciate the calming and reflective influences of a Christian place of worship. I was therefore pleased that the religious references which liberally peppered this storyline, were never preachy or overwhelming, only serving to focus individual thought processes, and ultimately never heavily influenced the decisions made by the characters.

Set in a single, present day timeline, with a short flashback as backstory reference, written from several viewpoints in the third person, the narrative was clearly defined by concise and well structured chapters.

This slow-burning, raw and brutally realistic storyline, was definitely all about the cast of characters and their interactions with one another. Well-rounded, although flawed, and beautifully drawn and developed as they undoubtedly were, I found it quite difficult to relate to many of them, or invest in their struggles quite as much as I would have hoped to. The weakest character for me, was David, who really needed a darned good shake, to get him out of his state of apathy, self-pity and constantly feeling sorry for himself. The strongest character was slightly more difficult to pin down between Brian's wife Maeve and teenager Annabeth, who had both chosen to take themselves out of the impossible situations they had found themselves in, but who had dealt with the aftermath and fallout in very different ways.

I may have perhaps preferred the ending to be a little more definitive, or at least for Ruth and David to have discussed their issues and possible ways forward towards forgiveness and moving on together, rather then the silent acceptance of the wrongs they had wrought against each other and the 'let's not talk about it any more', non confrontational attitude they both seemed to adopt. I guess that might be some folks way of dealing with such a monumental breach of trust in someone you thought you knew inside out - definitely not an option I would take if I found myself in similar circumstances, but then I don't have any faith to fall back on or use as an emotional crutch.

Perhaps if they had individually paid more attention to their respective sermons about the perils of covet and temptation, then they might not have even noticed that the grass may have been slightly greener on the other side, although it seldom is, eliminating the need for so much forgiveness and redemption!

As a confirmed 'armchair traveller', the author totally absorbed me in some wonderfully descriptive narrative around the multi locational settings for the story, which immersed me in the sights, smells and cultures beautifully.

Overall, a totally enjoyable, easy to read story.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Something Better” is a charming story about love and forgiveness, making a splash in the contemporary literary field as the debut novel of author Diane Parrish.

The aftermath of a tragic accident that claims the lives of Annabeth’s parents brings her into the lives of David and Ruth, a couple who befriends her as she starts to rebuild her life in a strange house and new town. Annabeth’s father, Jack Brady, had been David’s close friend, so the couple are more than happy to help Annabeth during her time of need. David and Ruth also have their own issues. Ruth’s dream of starting a family clashes with the demands of her career when she’s given an opportunity with a catch – she’ll be working across the country with little time (if any) to travel home on the weekends.

Meanwhile, David faces challenges with his professional landscaping company as he struggles to meet growing demands. When he hires Annabeth to work in the office with him, David and Annabeth bond through their shared experiences. Relationships are tested, leaving all of them to question what sacrifices they are willing to make to achieve that which they truly desire.

I enjoyed “Something Better” by Diane Parrish. It’s a wonderful debut that will be enjoyed by a large audience. The author writes in a relatable and elegant style, blending vivid descriptions with sharp, emotionally charged dialogue that brings the characters and settings to life.

Parrish does a nice job of creating flawed, if slightly exaggerated, characters. Annabeth is young and naïve, and at times her reliance on others feels overly idealized. But I haven’t lost my parents, so perhaps her vulnerability is more authentic than I can fully appreciate. Regardless, her resilience and eventual growth make her journey rewarding to witness.

Ruth also portrays issues with naivety. Her tendency to trust others to handle situations in ways she expects, particularly her husband David and her boss James, sometimes leaves her vulnerable or blindsided. This makes her struggles feel personal and relatable as she traverses the demands of her professional and personal lives. David is thoughtful and kind, but he struggles with setting boundaries. His reluctance to confront hard truths causes tension in his relationships and you just want to root for him on his journey of self-awareness.

Now, where I totally get on board with extreme characters are the antagonists. The more excessive the better and this is where Parrish excels. Aunt Janet, Annabeth’s domineering, opinionated, and completely intolerable aunt, is so well-written that I wanted to jump into the pages just to argue with her. Not that anyone has ever successfully argued with her. Still, I wanted to try. The bottom line is that her over-the-top meddling makes you want to root even harder for Annabeth. Likewise, Sid Snyder, David’s irate customer who turned into a violent threat, brings a completely different kind of chaos to the story. His entitlement and utter refusal to take accountability make him one of those characters you love to hate. I think my blood pressure just went up while writing about him! Nicely done!

The richly described settings add another layer of finesse to the story. The lush gardens and historic homes of Connecticut reflect the characters’ personal growth and healing, while Annabeth’s memories of Kansas evoke nostalgia. The tension created by Ruth’s career in California and her travels to Beijing broadens the scope of the story. In Beijing, Parrish captures the city through a Western business lens by incorporating minor glimpses of local cuisine and traditional sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. The complexities of the international business culture contrast sharply with Ruth’s quiet domestic life in Connecticut.

Faith is also an important part of the story, especially for Ruth, who frequently turns to prayer for strength and clarity in moments of doubt. Her faith provides her with the strength and clarity she needs. Fans of Christian fiction will appreciate this spiritual dimension. Readers less accustomed to this genre might find the emphasis on prayer a bit heavy, but it is presented in a way that feels true to the character.

“Something Better” is a strong debut by Diane Parrish. While the introspective tone occasionally slows the pacing, it deepens the characters’ journeys, making it a rewarding read for fans of character-driven contemporary fiction.

[thewanderingjew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Better, Diane Parrish
Nineteen-year-old Annabeth Brady is suddenly an orphan. How did such a thing happen? Well, on a snowy night, traveling home after a party, her parents were distracted and involved in an animated conversation. Annabeth’s dad lost control of the car. That is how it happened. Already disappointed at college, because she was not a top member of her track team, devastated and suddenly alone, she left school and traveled to her parents home in Connecticut, to an uncertain future. When she left for college her parents moved there from Kansas, believing that they were all moving on into their own happy future lives. Now, unbelievably, only Annabeth had a future.
David Crawford, a neighbor, had spied the wreck containing the bodies of her parents. He had called for help, but it had come too late. Although it was impossible to know, he was tortured by the idea that if he had seen their car sooner, they might still be alive. He offered to help Annabeth around the house and to fix the garden her parents had tended. It was overgrown, and he could make the necessary repairs. He was a self-trained landscape artist. This was the beginning of a tortured existence for David, as he experienced previously unknown emotions. At this same time, his wife Ruth was offered a wonderful job opportunity, too good to turn down, and so she was forced to leave him and travel to California for undetermined lengths of time. All of these changes consumed them and led to unforeseen consequences.
It is true that trauma is unplanned. Tragedy strikes everyone unawares. Violence is totally unexpected. Change is often unexplained, even positive change, and adjusting to it is difficult. How we react to all of the above is subtly and almost effortlessly explored by this author. The sudden shock, the disbelief, the grief, the excitement, the hidden emotions kept secret, the feelings of helplessness and weakness, joy or sadness, the need to understand what happened, good or bad and the need to forgive or appreciate all involved are some of the themes raised. Why did it happen, do we need strength, faith, power, self confidence, independence, or all of the above? With tragedy, how do we deal with the uncontrollable personality changes, the explosion of sudden tears when least expected or wanted, the feeling of being loved and unloved, worthy and worthless, useful and useless, and finally the ability to let go of the pain, in order to accept change and the challenge of going forward into uncertainty? With positive change, how do we deal with our success when it causes someone else’s failure or loneliness? Does there always seem to be something better waiting for us? Is that something always better? These are some of the questions that this book opens up for discussion.
With a light hand, using both a serious and humorous tone, merging both sides of the coin deftly, Diana Parish has written a book that is so very readable, yet it does not exploit politics, woke theory or erotic sex. How unusual today, and yet how marvelous! We watch each character deal with some kind of loss, pressure, change, or trauma. Some deal with their challenges better than others. Janet, Bernard, Sarah, Maeve, Brian, Sid and Theo, minor characters, use different ways to deal with life, but each approach is important and adds to the novel. Even toddler Hannah and the dog Chip, with their unconditional love, draw us happily into this book.
Although each character takes a different approach and each moves ahead in a different direction, the reader will see the results of their choices and determine whether or not they believe it was the right choice. The reader will be sad when the book ends and will hope for a sequel to follow them into the future. They feel real and authentic. So, what might have seemed, at first sight, to be a book that was simply a beach read, with contrived romantic themes, is so much more. It deserves a broad audience as it explores and illustrates the depth of human reactions, and the real issues of life. Would some characters rise to the occasion or would some sink to the depths of despair and become part of the problem and not the solution? Which characters had the better approach? I highly recommend this book for anyone, but especially for book groups that engage in the meaningful discussions that this book will inspire.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Literary Review: Something Better by Diane Parrish

🌟 Overview
Diane Parrish’s debut novel, Something Better, is a contemplative exploration of forgiveness, faith, and fractured relationships. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s fog-draped streets and the quiet tensions of suburban Connecticut, the story follows Annabeth and David, a couple drifting apart due to distance, obsession, and unspoken regrets. Parrish’s prose is lyrical yet grounded, weaving themes of loss, guilt, and redemption with flashes of humor and keen insight.

🔍 Structural & Stylistic Analysis

📖 Narrative Structure

-Nonlinear Timeline: Parrish employs fragmented storytelling, shifting between past and present to reveal secrets gradually. This mirrors the characters’ emotional disorientation but may challenge readers seeking linear cohesion.

-Dual Perspectives: Alternating between Annabeth and David’s viewpoints deepens empathy but occasionally dilutes tension when their voices overlap tonally.

🖋️ Writing Style

-Strengths: Parrish’s descriptive prose shines in atmospheric scenes (e.g., San Francisco’s “salt-stained piers,” Connecticut’s “autumn-chilled kitchens”). Her dialogue crackles with subtext, particularly in marital spats.

-Weaknesses: Some philosophical musings on faith feel underexplored, leaning more on platitudes than fresh revelations.

👥 Character Development
-Annabeth: A nuanced protagonist—her grief over infertility and guilt about a drunk-driving incident are visceral, though her passive reactions to conflict may frustrate readers.

-David: His emotional detachment is well-rendered, but his late-stage redemption arc feels rushed.

-Secondary Characters: The “office assistant” whose obsession strains the marriage is underdeveloped, verging on trope.

🎯 Ideal Audience vs. Misfires

✅ Perfect For: Readers who enjoy introspective, character-driven dramas (e.g., fans of Olive Kitteridge or Commonwealth). Ideal for book clubs debating moral ambiguity.

❌ Not For: Those seeking fast-paced plots or tidy resolutions. The novel’s heavy themes (gun violence, addiction) may deter readers preferring lighter fare.

⭐ Star-Rated Breakdown (0-5)
Element Rating Notes
Originality ⭐⭐⭐ Familiar themes, but Parrish’s voice feels fresh.
Character Depth ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Annabeth’s complexity elevates the narrative.
Prose/Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lyrical yet accessible; occasional vagueness.
Emotional Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quietly devastating in its quieter moments.
Pacing ⭐⭐ Sags in the middle; rushed climax.
Overall ⭐⭐⭐½ A promising debut with room to refine.

📢 Reviewer Remarks
-Parrish writes like a poet of heartbreak—every sentence aches with truth.
-A meditation on marriage that’s as unflinching as it is tender.
-Fans of Elizabeth Strout will find a kindred spirit in Parrish’s layered storytelling.

🙏 Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. My critiques aim to highlight Parrish’s potential while honoring the novel’s emotional core.

💬 Final Thought
Like a half-remembered prayer, Something Better lingers—its questions about grace and guilt echoing long after the last page. Parrish doesn’t offer easy answers, but she makes the asking beautiful.

🔍 Literary Verdict: 3.5/5 — A poignant, if uneven, debut that marks Parrish as a writer to watch.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Parrish’s Something Better is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and redemption told through the entwined lives of Ruth, Annabeth, and David. The story opens with a tragic accident that irrevocably alters the characters�� paths. As they grapple with grief, guilt, and the search for forgiveness, their narratives weave together in a tale that is both intimate and universal. Parrish’s deft touch reveals the beauty of resilience and the quiet strength of human connection.

What immediately struck me about this book was its vivid sense of place and the intricate details Parrish uses to set each scene. For example, the opening’s snowstorm sets the tone with haunting beauty, drawing me into the foreboding moment that changes everything. It felt cinematic yet intimate like I was right there, bracing against the cold alongside the characters. Throughout the book, the lush descriptions of gardens, cozy kitchens, and bustling towns create a grounding contrast to the emotional storms the characters endure.

I think the characters themselves are where Parrish truly shines. Ruth’s yearning for motherhood and the tension it brings to her marriage are depicted with raw honesty. Her internal dialogue about balancing professional ambition with personal desires resonated with me. Annabeth’s struggles with grief and identity, amplified by the loss of her parents, are equally compelling. Her journey from isolation to finding a fragile but meaningful connection with David unfolds with poignant authenticity. David’s quiet strength and self-doubt round out a trio of flawed yet achingly real individuals. One moment that stood out to me was David’s tender interaction with Annabeth in the overgrown garden. It symbolized hope and renewal in the most understated and beautiful way.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt that some sections, particularly those detailing Ruth’s work dilemmas, repeated certain ideas and slightly shifted focus away from the more emotionally charged storylines. That said, the writing’s sincerity carried me through even the slower parts. Parrish’s prose is simple yet evocative, and her insights into the human condition, particularly the messy, complicated nature of forgiveness, are deep.

What I loved most about Something Better was how it quietly insists that healing is not linear, nor is it solitary. Each character’s growth is supported by the presence of others, be it through Ruth’s church community, Annabeth’s rekindled friendships, or David’s steadfastness. The novel’s emotional honesty brought me to tears more than once, especially during Annabeth’s recollections of her parents and Ruth’s late-night reflections about her struggles with infertility.

I would recommend Something Better to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with a focus on emotional growth and relationships. Fans of Kristin Hannah or Jodi Picoult will find much to love here. It’s a book for those who appreciate the bittersweet beauty of life’s imperfect moments and the resilience of the human spirit.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Something Better by Diane Parrish is a third person multi-POV contemporary novel centering around why a happy marriage could fall apart. Ruth and David have been trying for a child for years but are no closer to achieving their dream of being parents. When Ruth gets sent out of town more and more for work and David spends more time with the daughter of mutual friends, Annabeth, their marriage starts showing cracks neither realized were there before.

What I appreciated the most was that we got chapters from Annabeth’s POV and her parents’ deaths have impacted her and continue to do so. She’s home from college, on the verge of dropping out, and spending time with her boyfriend, Theo. David gives her a job as his assistant at his landscaping business and a new path could be opening up to Annabeth. But one of David’s clients comes to the office and threatens both David and Annabeth, traumatizing them and pulling Annabeth further away from everyone and yet pushing her a bit more towards David at the same time.

The affair plotline isn’t a large part of the plot as the story is a lot more about how a marriage could start breaking down. We don’t get many details of what happened between Annabeth and David but we know something happened that spooked David and convinced Annabeth to leave town but not really in shame. It’s interesting because I think, when we consume things that deal with this subject matter, we get a lot of the affair, emotional or physical, and here, we just don’t and I think that’s why this felt so different to me. It’s not that David doesn’t love Ruth, he very clearly does, and it’s not that he’s spending all his time lusting after Annabeth, because he’s not, but something shifted when Ruth and David were apart and Annabeth was there with David during a traumatic event.

On Ruth’s end, she spends more and more time with her boss and we can see how her boss’ former marriage reflects Ruth and David’s, right down to work taking priority. It’s not a perfect one-to-one, but it’s enough where you can start drawing parallels to where Ruth and David could end up. Should they be together or get a divorce? Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to say as, like the book says, sometimes affairs are forgiven and sometimes a marriage can survive infidelity and heartache. And sometimes it can’t. Am I rooting for David and Ruth to make it? I don’t know because I think the separation revealed something there that the two need to overcome and I’m not sure if they would be happier for it.

Content warnings for implications of infidelity

I would recommend this to fans of contemporary fiction exploring how a marriage could break down

[Charlene Roberson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

When Annabeth's parents are killed in an accident on their way home from a winter party. her life comes undone. She is not really happy at her college, even her running is not as fun as it once was, and now she has lost her anchor. Her parents had only recently moved to Connecticut, so she doesn't even have a childhood home in which to mourn them. So when she goes to the house to try and say goodbye to them and figure out where her life is headed, she finds herself completely alone. She doesn't know anyone in this small town and doesn't have a clue where to begin to settle anything. The house itself is perfect, as her mother always maintained it, but her father's garden needs a lot of work. When a friend of her father's, a landscape architect who helped her father design his garden, offers to help she sees it as a godsend. And when he mentions that he is looking for an assistant for his business she is happy to have something to do with her days.

One day on a run she gets lost and finally stops at a house to find out where she is and how to get home and she meets a young man her age who is home from college for the summer. Their shared love of running soon turns into a friendship and romance and she is welcomed by his family.

But David, the landscaper, and his wife, Ruth, are looking at a huge upheaval in their tranquil life. Ruth has been chosen by her lawfirm to go to San Francisco to work with a new client who is looking to expand his business to Connecticut and needs a local attorney to help him navigate the legal necessities of setting up a new business in a different state. While there, she also gets involved in an intricate deal with investors in China and ends up going there for an extended stay. While she is away and unreachable a deranged man attacks David and his small office and all but destroys his business.

There is LOT going on in this book, and it goes off in a lot of directions and, in the end, I wasn't sure what IS better? The ending is not satisfying, with everyone just barely hanging on and wondering if they, in fact, SHOULD hang on. Ruth's awakening to the power of prayer was a good sign and I was left hoping she continues to follow where that seemed to be leading her.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘The house sits inside a snow globe.’

The story opens with a tragic accident in Connecticut. Jack Brady and his wife lose their lives: their college-aged daughter Annabeth tries to pick up the pieces. David, a much younger friend of Jack’s, wants to help Annabeth. David and his wife Ruth are happily married, hoping for children but as yet childless. David is a landscape designer and gardener; Ruth is a lawyer. Annabeth accepts a job working for David. Life seems good until Ruth is offered an unexpected job opportunity on the West
Coast. She accepts reluctantly at first but plans to return home to David at every opportunity.

And then the wheels fall off. An attack at David’s workplace by a disgruntled client traumatises Annabeth and disrupts David’s business and life. And, although Annabeth seems interested in Theo, a fellow college student, she and David are (momentarily, at least) attracted to each other. Meanwhile, Ruth is attracted to Brian, with whom she works on the West Coast.

How does it end? Not very satisfactorily, from my perspective. The writing is good, but the characters annoyed me especially when some of them (occasionally) seem to take refuge in Christianity. I am afraid I really had difficulty accepting that an ostensibly happily married couple could so easily be distracted by others. Clearly, I’ve missed something. Yes, I understand forgiveness, even if I don’t accept (religious) faith.

‘For now, this is how they exist. Watching their words and guarding their hearts, they tiptoe cautiously, separately, through the altered landscape of their lives.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and the Meryl Moss Media Group for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Gila]

I was lucky to get an ARC for Something Better by Diane Parrish (thank you Meryl Moss Media Group). It comes out this week, October 8. 2024 to be exact. It was a really interesting book which had moments that ran the gamut of emotions. The novel opens with a tragic car accident and what transpires is the aftermath of people left behind. Ironically, only one of the characters is significantly impacted and that is the daughter of the couple killed. However, her life becomes intertwined with others and the lives they all lead, in relationship with each other and apart.

How each person reacts to events out of their control and within their control are depicted in this book and it raised questions for me about what it means to "take control" or even to "take BACK control." It was very poignant for me to see each of the characters struggle as they navigated questions like these about their lives and their relationships.

This was a touching story with very likeable characters. Even the more annoying ones were somewhat likeable, which underscores the complexity of people. None of us are perfect, or wholly likable - we all have flaws or things that irritate other people. What was the mark of success for me about this book is that I was left wanting to know how each of the characters was doing - what the future held for them. To me this is always a sign that I enjoyed the book. Now, go and read!

[Vicki (MayhemBoundBookshelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a step outside of my typical reading material, and at times for me it felt pretty removed from what I read for leisure. Here’s the thing about this book - and many books for me… it was very well written. From an artistic perspective it was wonderful but from a purely subjective perspective it wasn’t my favorite.

I think it’s human nature to wonder “what if” and to think the grass will be greener somewhere else. This book was wrought with loss, grief and the journey it takes people on, loss of parents, infidelity, infertility struggles, struggles with prioritizing work vs family and conscious and unconscious decisions that create chaos. This was a good debut novel, though not my particular cup of tea. Despite solid character development… they were all complex, just not particularly likable (which is okay!!). I was angry at each and every one of the characters... I got weird “are they swingers” vibes from the Californians and I was so offput by David and Ruth - they SAID they were in love, but I felt absolutely no chemistry between them and David was such a (maybe unintentional?) gross predator of a human that I just wanted to kick his teeth in. Theo seemed great, but he was pretty much the only redeeming character for me and I felt like the emphasis on prayer was forced into the story and didn’t feel relevant but then at the end (spoiler) when they decided to stay together and pretend the infidelity never happened, it also felt too much like “til death do us part...” and for me religious obligation just shouldn’t trump what FEELS right so it felt more like entrapment than happily ever after. But again, that’s just one reader’s take on things. I really do think this was a well written book worth the read, not every book has to give you warm and fuzzies!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

David and Ruth have a happy marriage, punctuated by their sadness dealing with infertility. Ruth indulges herself by spoiling her niece and David loses himself in work. He’s a successful landscape designer and has had a stream of satisfied customers except for one slightly crazed investor. Ruth is a lawyer and is surprised by her director’s request that she work with a new client, Brian Bishop, in San Francisco. She begins her new assignment with a promise to come home as often as possible. While she is away, David hires Annabeth, the young, rudderless daughter of a late friend, to be his office manager. (I think you can see where this is going). David becomes infatuated with Annabeth while Ruth and Brian deal with a slow burning attraction to each other. What happens next will put their marriage to the test.

Something Better, a debut family drama by the talented Diane Parrish, weaves love, frustration, anger and forgiveness together with threads of Christianity. I enjoyed all the characters, especially David, Ruth and Maeve. What I didn’t like was the final chapter. Without spoilers, I found it sad and depressing. Love does not win. So 4 stars and I will definitely read whatever Parrish writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Meryl Moss Media Group and Diane Parrish for this ARC.

[Irma Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book for many reasons, including the beautiful flow of the writing and the philosophy that moves the story forward. The pull to return to this book is as strong as any thriller, but the motivation is different. The reader wants to reenter the world of the characters that Parrish creates not to solve a mystery but to experience that world. Picking up the book again is a pleasure, not for drama but for the atmosphere. The atmosphere that permeates the story is contemplative; it brings a sense that things will work out, that the author has compassion for the characters in the story.

Forgiveness and faith undergird the story and draw on the larger theme of the uncertainty of life. The prompt for the action is a fatal car accident, which shatters Annabeth’s life and sends reverberations through the lives of those who care about her. Among those who care about Annabeth are David and Ruth, a couple with challenges of their own. Seeing the challenges ahead for the characters in the story made me think of the pervasive uncertainty in all our lives. The uncertainty hovering over the lives of those in the story is the same uncertainty that permeates our own. Something Better presents faith and forgiveness as ways to understand and accept uncertainty as we move forward on icy roads.

[Hailey Honea · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Something Better" by Diane Parrish is a captivating exploration of growth, resilience, and the search for true happiness. The story revolves around relatable characters navigating complex emotions and life choices. Parrish's writing shines through vivid descriptions and authentic dialogues, immersing readers in the characters' journeys.

The plot unfolds with a perfect balance of tension and tenderness, allowing you to feel the weight of the characters' struggles and triumphs. Themes of love, loss, and self-discovery are intricately woven into the narrative, prompting reflection on one's own life and choices.

Parrish's ability to create multi-dimensional characters adds depth to the story. You will find themselves invested in the characters' lives, rooting for their successes and empathizing with their failures.

Overall, "Something Better" is a poignant and thought-provoking read that encourages you to pursue their dreams and seek fulfillment. Diane Parrish has crafted a narrative that resonates long after the last page is turned, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates a heartfelt journey of transformation.

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not keen on this book. The plot is vague, though mainly about Annabeth and a couple living locally, David and Ruth. The setting is Conneticut, but it could be anywhere. Annabeth has recently lost both parents in a car accident and has now moved to their house with the dog . She meets David & Ruth who were friendly with her parents and later starts to work for David in his landscaping business. Ruth is a lawyer who goes off to work in San Francisco and China.
Annabeth is naive to the point of being totally out of touch with modern life. David & Ruth are having fertility problems . The book bumbles on without very much happening until David's workplace is trashed by a customer. This is a tipping point in the book which results in contact being broken between David & Annabeth and between David and Ruth to some extent.
My problem with the book is that although events/ interactions between characters are inferred, there is no description as such . I also miss the depth of description of what is happening and also found the ending a little unsatisfying.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC. This one was not for me

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Something Better” introduces Ruth and David, safely cocooned in their suburban life, when things began to get shaky.

-SPOILER ALERT-

Overall Impact: Although this book was a good read, and beautifully written, I felt slightly mislead by the back of the cover. “Each must decide if they will remain true to their vows, or what it might mean to search for something better;” this makes me think of love triangles, aching for someone you shouldn’t love, and secretive, passionate nights. It turns out that both of those in the marriage are interested in someone else, and David does sleep with someone else once without planning it - but then the book ends. There is no marriage up in flames, no conversation about it, and no angry lovers. Perhaps it’s my distaste for monogamy or my love for chaos that makes me feel slighted by the story itself, but either way it was well written and I still enjoyed the read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 by Diane Parrish

I am grateful to @meryl_moss @booktrib & @dianeparrishauthor for sharing this moving novel with me along with these pieces of the story.

Ruth and David are in a good marriage with solid jobs, but trying for a family that won't come. Ruth is moving forward in her career which takes her out of town more than she likes. David is struggling after an auto accident that disrupts his stability and begins an unhealthy attachment to Annabeth, the daughter of their friends, who is also searching for her path.

This is a deep dive into some of the little moments that pull a couple apart. This is a moving story of the ways internal insecurities manifest in outward ways that can threaten even the good things we have. I appreciated the way faith was interwoven without becoming the joke, but rather a source of strength. I also liked how this book ended, but I will hold back why.

[Jodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the cover and title of this book.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't settle into the story.
The characters fell flat for me.

While the writing style was good, and I would read more by this author, I found the characters unlikeable, under developed and unbelievable. I couldn't wrap my brain around how a couple so in love and committed to each other could be so easily swayed as to give in to temptation with very little prompting. On both sides.
Things that were well within there control were presented as huge hurdles and reasons for betrayal.

I finished the book but it took some effort.

I didn't hate the book.
It just fell short for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Meryl Moss Media Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Better is a novel in the style of Ann Patchett or Elizabeth Strout - one in which the ambiguity, subtlety and contradictions we see in real life are at the heart of the characters' decisions. Parrish's writing also has in common with these writers the elegant sentence structure and thoughtful restraint that defines some of my favorite literary fiction.

The novel explores questions of forgiveness, shame, grief, and longing (of all kinds - for a child, for a parent, for understanding, and also the more traditional sexual longing we see in so many novels about marriage).

The beautiful writing, complex characters, and resistance to overly simplistic answers make this novel beautiful.

[Charlie Helton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This literary fiction/women’s fiction novel offers a glimpse into the seemingly perfect lives of David and Ruth, whose world is shaken by forces beyond their control, causing their paths to diverge as they struggle to hold onto their marriage. The writing is beautiful, with a subtle yet profound message about self-love and forgiveness that I really appreciated. It captures the reality of life’s unexpected challenges and how different personalities cope with them. I especially loved Ruth’s reliance on her faith during difficult times, and the honesty of how even that can sometimes feel insufficient. The story kept me engaged, and while the ending left me with a few lingering questions, it felt true to the unpredictability of life. It’s definitely worth picking up—a thoughtful read that isn’t too heavy but carries enough emotional weight to keep you invested in the characters’ journeys.

[Marie Woodbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven’t we all made mistakes. Figuring out what to do after the mistake is always the challenge, especially if the mistake hurts someone else.

In Something Better, each of the main characters confronts grief and loss. They each struggle – alone - to process their pain and in so doing, they err. Their errors, if known, would disrupt the most essential relationships in their lives. What to do? How to solve these problems? That is the essence of this novel.

This debut novel is a delight to read – the prose is fluid and descriptive, the scenes are fully drawn, the characters are authentic and the story telling is well-paced and captivating. I hope this is the first in a long line of books from this author.

[tif flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

I started this book not really knowing anything about it. I quickly came to develop a deep affection for Ruth, one of the main characters. I enjoyed the character development and the relationships but there was just a little too much god stuff for me to rate this 5 stars or to recommend it to my friends. I appreciate that it's very important in some people's lives but not really my cup of tea.

The book was well written though and I enjoyed it.

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me completely involved and caring about how life was going to
be for David and Ruth. While they each made choices that would seem to NOT
be in the best interest of a harmonious marriage and family life, they each did
come to some personal realizations of who they want to be and to what degree
they are willing to sacrifice to meet their mate in their new emotional place.
I must thank Deb Zipf for recommending the book, and I received the book from
Meryl Mass media, via download from NetGalley, for review purposes.

[Francis M. Prensa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of this book is so different as it takes us into the lives of a young married couple trying to conceive, Ruth and David and David’s need to help a young woman who just lost her family. I loved his dedication and wanting to be there for her, and somehow redeem himself. I adore Ruth and her resilience, because this woman STRUGGLES, sadly. The turn of events and David’s “wanting to be there for Annabeth” becomes unsettling to me, and the roll that Ruth has in this and how she goes about it is admirable. I got lost in the book at times, but it was a quick book to read.