Somewhere Between Impulsive and Ready

by Amber Laura

She may not be ready, but she’s through waiting around…

In a matter of months, Tenner Rowe finds herself being served with divorce papers, moving out of her home of eight years, and trekking across the country and into a house she purchases sight-unseen… and with little more than a few bags and one determined “New Life List” to accompany her.

A woman on a mission, Tenner knows exactly what she intends to find all the things that were missing in her previous life—independence, love, friendship. This time around, Tenner’s going to find the happiness she seeks.

Only. Almost from the word go, the carefully curated list she’s made starts to fall apart. The house turns out to be a dump; to cover the cost of repairs, and against her better judgment, she’s forced to rent out a room to a woman with an impressive amount of curmudgeonly cheek; worse, the general contractor schmoozed into helping fix up the place is far too good-looking for Tenner’s peace of mind (did he have to wear those muscle-displaying tank tops?). Soon enough, Tenner’s house is made up of more offbeat substitutions than not—all of them big and messy, the walls interspersed with laughter and arguments, heartbreak and healing, and something that almost resembles a family and—

Well, maybe her “New Life List” isn’t falling apart at all…

401 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2025

About the author

It's that twisting pinch of excitement in your stomach when the girl rounds the corner and-your fingers slip quickly to the next page-and there he is. The guy. Her guy. Leaning up against the side of a building, just as though he'd been waiting for her there all along. And, of course, he had been.

It's that chapter when, over one too many glasses of wine, she finally speaks, sharing an intimate story of loss and betrayal; her voice thickens, the words rambling, bumbling over themselves as she tries to sort through a pain she's never let herself share before-and tears swim in your eyes as you read along....

It's that passage when the world shifts before your eyes, replaced by a still, quiet lake in the middle of the Midwest, replete with tall, mossy pines and the scent of sweet-grass; or perhaps it's a bustling side-street in Paris, or powdery sand in a small, pastel-colored coastal town-and you tag along for the journey, without ever leaving home.

It's the scene when friendships are made (and they're real and they are profoundly felt), that love is found, when ordinary lives are explored for all of the extraordinary moments.

It's excavation. Perspective. And, perhaps most important of all, it's creative imagination.

That's why I write. That's what I write.

And always: I write for you.

Get her FREE short story, The Seat Beside Her, here: bit.ly/3WYGvZy

Reviews

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅My thoughts:
Main character,Tenner, has had so much thrown at her in just a matter of months. She decides to buy a house without knowing anything about it. The picture of the outside looks ok she reassures herself.
What goes wrong, does go wrong….is anything going to work out in Tenner’s favor?
I loved the humor throughout the story.
I enjoyed the friendships.
The romance was perfect.
Overall, an engaging story with sweet characters.

[Whitney Beiler Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likeable characters. A quirky woman reinventing herself with standout side characters. There was a lot of life packed into this book.

[Samantha Romine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town, women's fiction, slice of life, with a glacial paced slow burn romance, and no spice!

There's nothing wrong with this lovely story of hope and determination, it's just not quite the genre for me!

Tenner is nothing if not tenacious and determined. No longer willing to be a doormat, she cares deeply and learns valuable lessons about the person she wants to be in the aftermath of divorce. She can be a bit clueless in the best way.

The supporting cast, Ethan, Bo, Dru, and Blake are the heart of the story. The found family dynamic is the treat here, holding the reader's heart as they grow together.

[Shanna Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! I stayed up multiple nights late into the night devouring its pages!

Divorcee Tenner has left her glamorous but lonely former life behind running away to a new town and buying a new to her (but very old and worn down) house. Tenner’s journey is full of challenges and surprises as she rebuilds her house and her life.

This is the first book I’ve read by Amber Laura and I can’t wait to read more! It’s also the first book of this series and I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next one!

Thank you Amber Laura for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Dara Wasalino Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber Laura’s Somewhere Between Impulsive and Ready is a charming and heartfelt story that blends humor, self-discovery, and the thrill of a new beginning.

The novel follows the journey of Tenner, a woman freshly divorced and starting over in a new town far away from her old life. She is stepping outside her comfort zone, to put it mildly. Not knowing anyone, not having a job (or a work history), and a dilapidated house bought without seeing it in person, Tenner’s got a lot on her to do list!

Upon arriving in town and setting up in a hotel until her house is livable, she meets prickly desk clerk, Blake. Blake introduces Tenner to general contractor Ethan, and embers of a spark between Tenner and Ethan slowly (and I mean slowly) ignite.

Tenner navigates the uncertainties of love and personal growth. All while making new friends, finding her purpose, and mending old relationships along the way.

The writing is engaging, pulling readers into Tenner’s world with relatable emotions and well-developed characters. The chemistry between the protagonists feels authentic, with a mix of playful banter and deeper emotional moments that make their relationship compelling.

The story’s pacing keeps things interesting, balancing “will they, won’t they” tension with self-discovery in a way that feels fresh and natural.

Overall, Somewhere Between Impulsive and Ready is a delightful novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy heartfelt stories with a dash of humor and personal growth. Amber Laura delivers a novel that is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.

[Caits34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC and I’m terrible about reading under a deadline so I apologize to the author for not finishing sooner.

Anyway. This book made me smile and cry several times.

I loved it. No notes.

Except the very end. I just wanted to know…Who?

[Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere Between Impulsive and Ready is a beautifully written novel that pulls the reader in with its intricate storytelling and compelling characters. The writing is exceptional—rich, evocative, and immersive, making every scene feel vivid and real.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its deeply developed characters. Each one feels authentic, with distinct motivations, flaws, and growth throughout the story. Their interactions are layered with emotion, making their relationships feel genuine and complex.

Beyond the surface, this novel is filled with depth. There are so many layers to uncover. Every chapter reveals something new, making it a book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.

I received an advance review copy for free, in exchange for an honest review.

[Lee Villiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber Laura's 'Somewhere Between Impulsive and Ready' is a delightful story of fresh starts and unexpected connections. Tenner's journey from divorce to self-discovery is both funny and heartfelt, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Five stars for a charming and relatable novel!"
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many layers. I wasn't sure whether I was going to stick with it because it had kind of a slow start and what I thought was going to be a predictable storyline; however, Laura kept adding layers that left me needing to know what happened to Tenner, Blake, Ethan, Dru, and Coach Bo. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in this series to see what happens to this Breakfast Club group of ragtag misfits.

[Veronica Aleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first ARC read, and it did not disappoint! This book has so many layers and surprises, but what stood out most to me was how relatable the FMC is. Life is about finding yourself over and over again—and that’s exactly what she does. If you love a strong female lead and a super slow burn, you’ll love this book!

[Ashley Askew · Rating 4 out of 5]

So lucky to get an ARC copy of this charming book!

A sweet slice of life novel about womanhood & growing into yourself. A little bit of Gilmore Girls, a little bit of Golden Girls, with new beginnings & found family. An enjoyable, cozy read.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Received as an arc!

Somewhere Between Impulsive and Ready is a sweet, introspective read that takes its time digging into emotions and relationships. Amber Laura has a really gentle, heartfelt writing style, and the main characters feel real and relatable. Their slow-burn romance was satisfying by the end and had some lovely moments.

That said, the pacing dragged a bit in places, and parts of the plot were a little predictable. I found myself wishing for a few more twists or surprises to keep things moving.

Still, it’s a solid read overall—great if you’re in the mood for something thoughtful and emotional, even if it’s not super fast-paced or dramatic.

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story of a woman discovering her true self and finding her voice. Moving across the country after a divorce, she puts physical distance between herself and family expectations with plans to reinvent herself. Her struggles are relatable - sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes funny. Tenner, the main character, is not the only woman to evolve in the story. Blake, her cynical, sarcastic, often cranky sidekick learns the give and take of friendship while adding much humor to the story. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Hot Girl Reads Society · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this novel before it was released yesterday because I read the advanced reader copy. Honestly I almost DNF'd this one. It took me a up until chapter 8 to actually get into this story which was a bit frustrating but I am happy that I pushed through. Overall it was very beautiful to see Tenner find her voice and stop allowing herself to be walked all over. That's why she started fresh in her new life in the first place.

Tenner, Blake, Dru, and Ethan's relationships were really beautiful to witness flourish. For one Blake's aggressive banter was the wake-up call Tenner needed. She was so used to shady women who used friendship but never treated her as such. To see her finally begin to stand up for herself when interacting with her mother and ex-husband, Harry. Going from a housewife who inevitably hated her life to a woman proud of her failures that pushed her towards success brought Tenner's character to life in an almost relatable sense.

From the first day Blake and Tenner met, you could 100% see they would become friends. It was very hot and cold from the start, but you ended up realizing they both just needed love. Initally once Ethan and Tenner's characters were introduced I wanted them to fall in love so quickly but that would've been way too easy and caused the story to burn out way faster than it did. I would be lying if I said Ethan and Tenner's dynamic didn't stress me out lol. Without giving out too many details I don't know how Tenner held out for so long really expressing her emotions to Ethan. He gave her protector energy without a blink of aneye and watching him be with someone else was entirely too much for me so I commend her for staying strong and working on herself.

The pace of this story was entirely too slow and I originally wanted to rate this 3 stars but the ending honestly shattered me which made me realize I guess I enjoyed this story way more than I realized.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Rounded to 4

I was intrigued by the premise of this book and was excited to read it. The characters were all unique and likeable in their own ways, even Blake! Honestly, Blake was giving me Stevie vibes (from Schitt's Creek) and so that's who I had in my head while reading. I loved the relationships between the characters and the additional characters brought in throughout the book. The banter was fantastic and the personalities of each were clear and never wavered.

My only criticism was the amount of drama. Granted, I've never had to start over like our FMC, but I have the family issues and have done the jobs thing, and even had fallouts with a friend, but it seemed like as soon as one thing was resolved, there was another issue right away in each chapter. If you binge read the story, it kind of gives you rollercoaster whiplash. Lots of ups and downs, fighting and making up, one thing after another.

That said-- I still really enjoyed the book and cared about the characters. I wasn't expecting to have my heart treated like it was, AMBER, I did not see that coming, and I reacted along with the characters. Nice twist there, my friend.

I loved the found family trope in this book and think it was done well. I truly look forward to the next book in the series. I need some answers to the very last pages...I thought I had missed something!

I received an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Jill Pierson-Kennard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many different story lines occurring throughout the book. Not sure if the title fully matches the book.
Tenner was recently divorced and decided to move. She bought a new house in small town Oregon that needed a large amount of repairs. Tenner’s house was unlivable so she stayed at a local hotel. While there, she met Blake who was a snarky hotel employee who ended up being Tenner’s first roommate. Blake helped get Tenner set up with her brother who worked in construction to help with the house repairs. The story follows Tenner on multiple jobs that she tries and has the tendency to fail at. She ends up having a crush on Ethan who is dating another women. Dru is a college wrestler who ends up living with Tenner to get his life back on track and for some monitoring. Dru ends up driving intoxicated and dies. The end of the story focuses on everyone moving on after the crushing loss of Dru in their own ways. Thank you for an advanced e-copy of this book to read for an honest review.

[Melissa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an eARC book in exchange for my honest review.

I liked the book. It was a fast paced read. The MC is a female, fresh off divorce, and learning to find her way. She meets some fun characters on the way, and makes a new path for herself. It has tones of friendship, female friendship, and romance. There is some unexpected sadness, but from that comes growth.

I feel like this book does not need any trigger warnings.

This would make a fun pool/beach read.

[Miranda Bourassa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenner, fresh off a divorce, buys a house in a small town she used to visit as a child. She has a list of tasks to restart her life and we follow her through her journey. This story was a slow start but once it got started it played like a movie. It was funny, sad, realistic, and showed how complicated relationships can be. Had a list of characters that you will grow to care about and will want to know what happens to them.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok

Won book as part of a Good Reads giveaway. Book was ok, I’ve been reading thrillers and mysteries for a while so compared to those, this book was less drama and intensity. The protagonist’s character development is logical and growing. The characters are somewhat dynamic. Book is written well.

[Gracelyn Footit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, and it was such a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed the main character, and where it takes place make you feel like you're another member of the neighborhood! Quick read, and would recommend to anyone looking for a sweet story with fun characters!

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Tenner. I loved her "new life list" after her divorce. She is very inspiring. I really enjoyed her determination. This "new to her" house doesn't seem too good and her roommate is brutal. But over time, things seem to be getting better. This was a great, inspiring book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the characters in this story. Overall it was a good read.

I received an arc and this review is my own.

[Heather Neff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and heartwarming read! I loved the characters, the sweet romance, and the uplifting story about starting over. It left me smiling.