Brighter than Before

by Courtney Walsh

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.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 1, 2026

About the author

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes low spice romance and women's fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns and runs with her husband. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists. She is also a Carol award winner and Christy award finalist.

A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.

Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.

Reviews

[Denise Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Courtney Walsh and i loved every second of it! Loved the story line and the message behind it. You’re never too old to do new things on your own or discover yourself.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, i received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh published by Nelson Fiction is a stand alone romance novel.
An heartwarming, second chances story that gives all the feels.
Claire is freshly divorced, deeply wounded and still hung up on old hurts. She knows she has to start over, but easier said than done. Moving, a job, a relationships and first of all, finding herself.
When I start reading a book and immediatedly it's like coming home, then I know I have a found a great read and new fav of mine - aka Brighter than Before. 5 stars.

[Jana Kitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me first start off by saying I absolutely love anything Courtney Walsh writes so it's no surprise I would love this one too. But this one gets me in the feels as a 40 something leaning into the stage of who am I outside of a wife and mother? How can I be brave in a new city? While my experiences are not the same as Claire I can relate on so many levels which probably made me love this book all the more. I laughed as Claire embarrassed herself yet again. I cried as she recognized the love her friends had for her. I rooted for her in every aspect of her life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[jordan εїз · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars 🌟 this was just too good! i sped through this because the writing and the characters were so engaging 🫂 i absolutely adored claire and have so much admiration for the journey she went through 👩‍🍳🚕📋 i also really loved miles and how he always saw just how amazing claire really was 🥹 the way their families meshed together was so sweet and i loved how their community came together for The Porch! this was especially good and i’m so glad i picked it up 💖

a special thank you to netgalley and thomas nelson for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Amy Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I loved this one & absolutely inhaled it. I always enjoy Courtney Walsh's wonderful characters, humor and clean writing. I especially connected with this story because the FMC was in her mid-40s, which is so rare to find in a rom-com! I loved watching Claire fight back after a devastating divorce and show tremendous bravery through a fresh start in a new city. I loved her chemistry with Miles and both of their relationships with their young adult children. Other great things are the found family vibe, the fun plotline of starting a bakery and the humor of dating app mishaps. I smiled so much during this book!

[Lucia Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley: Kindle - THIS WAS THE PERFECT ROMCOM. Full transparency, I thought this was a different author and that I recognized the name. But it was someone completely different who I’d actually seen on Instagram and had wondered about and WOW she did not disappoint.

This book was INCREDIBLE. The writing style was so fun. I laughed, I gasped, I got emotional, I swooned. I loved the growth of the characters throughout the book. I loved the friendships and the community and how her daughter felt like a main character just through texting (which is SO real when you live long distances from family). I feel so attached to the characters in this book- the way they showed up, rallied, and gave love was just incredible. Love love love. I will be picking up another Courtney Walsh and soon.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read anything Courtney Walsh writes, but this one felt special. The banter reminded me of the Gilmore Girls, and the fierce friendships absolutely had me tearing up at the end.

At its core, this is a story about second chances and figuring out who you are when life doesn’t go the way you planned. The later-in-life romance was so refreshing, and I absolutely loved Claire. Her throwback humor and references were perfection.

The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars is that some of the self-reflection lingered a bit too long, but overall this was heartfelt and charming.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Casey Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Courtney, and I am immediately a fan. I adored this book; our leading lady, her daughter, and all the supporting people she meets in her life. I really enjoyed the premise and the lessons throughout the book and found myself giddy for more. I’d recommend this one to anyone that wants a sweet story with a happily ever after.

This felt like a book by Abby Jimenez, Katherine Center, or Christina Lauren. I’m excited to read more of her books. Big thank you to NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction for this ARC! I’m so grateful!

[Maj Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtney Walsh can always be defended upon to provide an uplifting, heartfelt, comedic story while keeping all her content clean! The cover design on this one was SO CUTE!

I loved Walsh’s last novel, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie and was looking forward to diving into this one. Though there were parts of the novel that didn’t hold my attention as much as I would’ve liked and some pretty boring / predictable spots, overall I enjoyed the story! Lennon was my favorite character and I liked the community-oriented apartment complex. I loved the growth and resilience Claire displayed and really liked the whole supporting casts—her friends!

After a relational crisis in her 40s, Claire sets off on a new adventure to declare change in her own life by taking action to discover what truly makes her happy. She makes a list of goals comprised to find out who she is apart from being a
wife / mom and starts a new life for herself. And what she discovers along the way teaches her life can be a whole lot brighter than before. A story of friendship and rediscovery set against the backdrop of Chicago and a friendly,
community-oriented apartment complex.

read if you like adventure, boy-next-door trope, baking, Chicago & pickleball!

fave quotes:
“bravery isn’t the absence of fear. It’s doing the thing anyway despite the feeling or fear.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Sara Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming closer to release date!!!

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh

Courtney Walsh does it again and honestly, at this point I’m convinced I’d give her grocery list five stars 🤷🏼‍♀️. Brighter Than Before was everything I wanted and didn’t even realize I needed.

I absolutely loved Claire and Miles. Their story felt real, emotional, and deeply relatable. As a 42-year-old reader, this book spoke straight to my heart the second chances, the self-reflection, the quiet hope that life can still surprise you in the best ways. It’s one of those stories that reminds you it’s never too late to start over or choose yourself.

Courtney’s writing is warm, honest, and effortlessly engaging. She has such a gift for creating characters that feel like real people and moments that linger long after you turn the last page. This book made me smile, made me feel, and left me with that cozy, content feeling only a truly great read can give.

Five stars without hesitation. 💫 If you love emotional, meaningful romance with depth and heart, don’t miss this one.

[Lindy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect combination of romance and women's fiction. I love Miles (who, for whatever reason, has a Scottish accent in my head) and Claire. I admire Claire's determination to change her life and finally change her life and make it what she wants it to be. this story is absolutely filled with character growth, embracing your dreams, and learning that it's never too late to start over.

thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for my complimentary advanced ebook copy. all opinions here are completely my own.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Courtney Walsh, and I really enjoyed it! After she publicly discovers her husband cheating, Claire decides she is going to start over (after a grieving period). She moves to a new city with the goal of discovering who she is and what she wants to do. Along the way she makes new friends, takes chances, makes mistakes, and opens herself to new experiences with the support and encouragement of her daughter (from abroad in London). This was a feel-good & wholesome second chance at life + love story.

Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas Nelson publishing for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Amie Kunze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading one of Courtney Walsh’s books, and I genuinely enjoyed it so much that I’ll definitely be picking up more of her work in the future.

This story follows the Claire as she navigates life after a divorce and figures out who she is beyond being a wife or a mother. I really appreciated how honest and gentle that journey felt. It explored change, identity, and starting over in a way that never felt heavy or overwhelming.

The book was quite funny overall, and Miles was an absolute standout for me. He had me laughing more than once and brought so much charm and warmth to the story. The connection between the two main characters was very cute, light-hearted, and easy to root for. Their dynamic felt natural and sweet, making the romance feel comforting rather than rushed.

This was an emotional yet uplifting read that balanced humor with heart beautifully.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with meaningful character growth and plenty of laughs along the way, I’d definitely recommend Brighter Than Before.

☀️ I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Tiffany Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brighter Than Before is pure comfort in book form. It’s heartfelt, hopeful, and had me smiling and giggling more times than I can count. Claire is so real that even if you haven't gone through exactly what she has you can still easily find a way to relate to her. Miles.... whew... what a man! He was pushy without being annoying and too pushy. He was exactly what Claire needed. Lennon is the best friend we all need! I loved all of the characters I was supposed to and disliked all of the others haha. Courtney Walsh just gets how to write characters that feel real and stories that hug you right when you need it. Sweet, emotional, and impossible not to love. The life lessons in this book, I believe, are some that we all need at some point in our lives. This is a warm, comforting read that reminds you that even after hard times, brighter days really can come. Total five star read for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Anna Grace Paulovkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! Really cute! She writes really cute and funny romance stories. I enjoyed Claire’s character development and how solid Miles was throughout her journey. The book was a bit long for what it was as it was pretty predictable from the beginning but I still loved it.

Claire’s relationship with her daughter was one of my favorites and I loved how close they were even though they lived countries away from each other. John was a jerk and I was glad she found a beautiful life without him. A wonderful clean rom-com!

"You walk up to a table with an empty seat and ask whoever's sitting there if you can join them. Maybe ask if they want to be friends. Ask what they like. It's all about listening to other people. People like to talk about themselves. The only way to have a friend is to be a friend, sweetheart. Remember that."

“Sometimes I think if we chose to focus on the things that made us similar more than the things that make us different, the world would be a much kinder place.”

"If you rush, Claire, you defeat the purpose of baking. If you go slow, it'll calm you down. And all the noise of the world will just... fall away."

“Just because I wouldn't have chosen this outcome for my life doesn't mean my life can't become something beautiful.”

[Cassie Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book so much. Courtney Walsh has a gift for creating characters you can’t help but adore, and Claire and Miles were no exception. Claire’s growth after her ugly divorce was one of my favorite comeback stories—flawed, honest, and deeply relatable. She’s such a beautiful example of what it looks like to pick yourself up again, one day at a time.

Walsh is also an expert at writing older characters, and this book proves it once again. There’s an elderly neighbor who absolutely stole my heart and will quickly become a favorite for readers.

This story left me misty-eyed by the end, cheering for Claire the whole way through. A truly feel-good read that lingers with you long after you turn the last page.

[Katelyn Valeski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the general prose, the self discovery journey Claire went on, and where she ended up towards the end of the book. My issues came with the specifics/details, both story-wise and writing-wise. Starting with the beginning of the book, I had a hard time believing a 40-year old who spends her time planning and throwing fancy events would act out in the way she did, even if it was in response to cheating/mental breakdown. Even with her dating fiascos later on, I had a hard time believing that one person could experience that many extremely bad dates, especially all in a row. It just isn't realistic.

Regarding the MMC Miles, I strongly dislike the miscommunication trope and there was really no justifiable basis for it. It was incredibly frustrating and it felt like it was only included to add further conflict to the plot and didn't feel organic to the story. It is the same with the baking mishap for the bakery pre-opening. I had a very hard time believing that a seasoned baker (even just a home baker) would make that monumental of a mistake without her or literally anyone else catching it until the items are sold to customers. Again it just seemed like this was added in to add drama. This addition of so many unnecessary conflicts just felt very superficial and took me out of the story.

The writing itself also felt somewhat juvenile. Especially towards the beginning, we experienced a lot of internal monologue that was one sentence per line and very short sentences. This is another issue that takes me out of books. Also, no adult says words like "ope" and "oof" that often. She just didn't come off as a woman in her thirties.

Despite these criticisms, I did largely enjoy the book! I love a book that includes baking/bakeries. I just think it could benefit with some edits/trimming down. I think it would be a better story without all of the unnecessary conflicts and dating drama. Focus more on the friendships she made and the self-discovery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney Walsh has done it again—this time with Claire Karadec—a 40-year-old, recently divorced single mom to an adult daughter. I loved everything about this book—the plot, the heart, and especially the message that it’s never too late to change your life and begin again.

After a powerful journaling session, Claire decides to go on a journey of self-discovery—to figure out who she is beyond being a wife and a mom, and where she truly belongs. Armed with a checklist, encouragement from her daughter Minnie, and help from her new neighbor Miles, Claire begins to take brave steps forward. And while Claire might not see herself as brave at first, she absolutely was. I loved her heart, her determination to learn from her past rather than let it destroy her, and watching her move through betrayal, heartbreak, and the grief that followed, while still allowing herself to blossom.

Two quotes that especially stood out to me were:

“Just because I wouldn’t have chosen this outcome for my life doesn’t mean my life can’t become something beautiful,” and “Good things grow out of pain.”

The relationships in this story were such a joy to read. Claire’s bond with her daughter Minnie and the friendships she forms along the way were genuinely sweet and heartwarming. There were many moments where I found myself laughing out loud, and plenty of moments of kicking my feet in pure giddiness.

This is an uplifting, hope-filled story about second chances, self-discovery, and believing that life can still surprise you. A must-read for fans of Annabel Monaghan and character-driven contemporary romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Publication Date: June 9, 2026

Tropes: Second-chance at life, Self-discovery journey, Divorced FMC, Single mom (adult child), Late-in-life romance

Spice: none (kissing only)

Content Warnings: Divorce, Infidelity (off-page/past), Emotional betrayal, Grief

[Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends. This is UNEQUIVOCALLY the best Courtney Walsh book ever, and I refuse to accept any evidence or conjecture to the contrary.

First of all, it’s so refreshing to read a romance where the main characters are in their forties. I’m 46 (as is Claire, our heroine!), and I routinely read romances where the leads are in their 20s or 30s and honestly? Sometimes it’s hard to relate.

Claire is SO relatable. She’s in her 40s, experiencing divorce, and finding herself again. Her daughter is grown and flown (but they have such a strong connection and is still a main character!), and Claire is ready for change. She moves from Denver to Chicago and creates a whole new world for herself. And I LOVED her journey.

Her new friends? Amazing. I love every single one of them.
Her new venture? I won’t spoil it, but it’s perfection.
Her love? Absolutely my favorite MMC Courtney has ever written.

One of my favorite things in this book are the food descriptions. From the amazing foods Claire tries (Indian food is my absolute favorite!) to the delicious baked goods she makes, I spent half this book salivating.

Miles is such an amazing lead character; I adored him. So, so much.

And the nod to Comic Con for all us super nerds? Perfection.

From the first page to the last, this book brought me pure joy and a lot of tears. I highlighted 100 quotable lines and a few passages that hit me in the heart (Courtney, you truly understand infertility and miscarriage!).

Despite the fact that I got this as an ARC, I just ordered the paperback because it’s officially a top favorite now and needs a special place on my shelf. Love, love, love. 5 huge stars.

Thank you, Courtney, for this absolute perfection! You’ve always been an auto-buy, top-favorite author, but you outdid yourself this time!

Preorder it now! Closed door, sweet, second-chance-style romance - and a story for us “middle aged” women. 🫶

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the eARC of Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh in exchange for an honest review.

Brighter Than Before follows Claire, a middle-aged mother whose life unravels when she learns of her husband’s affair—publicly—at a charity event in front of hundreds of people. Humiliated and reeling, Claire struggles to redefine herself after divorce and ultimately decides to take a chance on a fresh start in a new city. Chicago welcomes her with open arms, along with new friendships that encourage her to do things that scare her. Slowly, Claire begins to heal and rediscover who she is.

This story is incredibly sweet, and Courtney Walsh continues to be an author I genuinely enjoy. She has a gift for creating characters you can’t help but root for. Claire devoted her life to raising her daughter and being the version of a wife she believed her husband wanted—at the expense of her own self-worth and identity. This is a beautiful, heartfelt story about rediscovering what you want once your children are grown and life looks different than you expected. I especially admired Claire’s bravery in starting over, moving to a new city, and even opening herself up to dating again.

My only small criticism is that Claire’s backstory involving being born to an incarcerated mother felt unnecessary to the overall narrative. She still could have been raised by her grandparents without that element, but this is a minor issue.

Overall, Courtney Walsh delivers exactly what her readers expect: heartfelt romance, relatable characters, and true comfort-read vibes. I would recommend Brighter Than Before to fans of romantic comedies who enjoy sweet, feel-good stories with no spice.

[Melissa Widener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brigher than Before by Courtney Walsh
4.6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.2/5
Cursing: none
Format/Source: ebook from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing
Genres/Tropes: romance, second chance, found family
Audience: Adult
Setting: Denver; Chicago
Quotes:
Characters: Claire, John, Minnie, Miles, Lennon, Duffy, Zoey, Ava, Lorraine
👍 short chapters, humor, so sweet and cute, no cursing, MCs in their 40s, palette cleanser
👎 none

Description:
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.

I enjoyed this novel, especially the sweet story and absolutely no cursing. I recommend this novel to those who enjoys cute romance books.
#bookstagram #booklovers #romancebooks #sweet

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is about a woman who is finding herself again after being tied to a man who held her back and suppressed her opinions and dreams. She decides to start over, moves to a new city, makes new friends, and finally begins to go after the life she actually wants. I really enjoyed reading about this journey.
One of my favourite parts was how she built friendships in her new city. The friend group and their dynamics were fun, warm, and added so much to the story. I also really liked the family aspects that were woven throughout the book. Everything felt supportive and comforting.
The romance was another highlight for me. I really liked the male love interest, especially how their dynamic started out. I loved watching their relationship grow naturally from friendship into something more. The way that transition was handled felt very thoughtful and well done, and I genuinely enjoyed them as a couple.
I also found her journey of pursuing her dreams very inspiring and hopeful. It made the story feel uplifting and motivating without being unrealistic.
There was one small thing about the ending that I didn’t completely love, but I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers. It wasn’t a major issue and didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it. I don’t think this book is necessarily aimed at younger readers, but I can easily see it appealing to people in their mid-twenties as well as readers in their forties.

[Angie Miale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire is figuring out what the second half of her life is going to look like after heartbreak. Her husband of 23 years, John, cheated on her and is now getting married to the sidepiece, Misty. She can't bear the humiliation of living in Colorado where her whole community is, and needs to find out who she is apart from a wife and mother. Her divorce newly finalized, she moves to Chicago and makes a list of things she wants to do- get a dog, get real friends, and download a dating app. Her neighbor Miles owns the apartment building she gets and apartment in, and he helps her along the way as she tries dating for the first time, kind of ever.

This book really made me feel seen. Being humiliated by John was only her first embarrassment, but later when Claire makes mistakes she learns how to pick herself back up and try again. If you like a clean/closed-door romcom with a FMC in her 40's, friends-to-lovers please pick this up. It is not the complicated and dramatic and sad plot in many lovely books. This one is a lot more like a Hallmark movie, it is perfect in its pure simplicity. The characters do have some tragic back story, but this is not the story, it is more about the every day, the inner dialogue that is perfect for a character learning who they are.

I loved the text message exchanges between Claire and her adult daughter Minnie, her quirky first dates that go nowhere, and her tiny triumphs. This book was honestly a real joy to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. Book to be published June 8, 2026.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. At first I wasn't sure I was going to have much in common with Claire since she's recently divorced, a bit older than I am, and has an adult daughter; but I shouldn't have been surprised because Courtney Walsh always does a great job creating realistic and relatable characters. Claire's list of things she wants to accomplish are things we can all relate to!

You couldn't help but like this story! Claire was so easy to root for. She had such a great attitude despite her circumstances. Starting over for anyone is difficult, but this was written in such a hopeful and encouraging way.

I know a lot of other reviews seem to really like Miles but for me there was just something about him I couldn't quite get on board with. He was okay. Maybe it was because Claire was so open with him and he seemed kind of secretive about things? I don't know, he just wasn't my favorite.

That said, I really appreciated the focus on friendships as well as the romantic relationship. Lennon and Lorraine were great characters and I like the friendships that developed with them.

While I first mentioned that I wasn't sure I would relate to the story because Claire was older (certainly not because of age itself but just the life circumstances that went along with that), I will say that I think it was refreshing to read about an "older" character. I think we need more books like this. You're never too old to start over or go after your dreams. Or even just try something new!

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

Claire Karadec falls apart after she discovers her husband John has been having an affair ... and all their friends knew. Twenty years of marriage, supporting his career, just gone in a puff of smoke. After a particularly humiliating episode a year later, she decides enough is enough and things have to change. Rather recklessly she sells the house and moves to Chicago, a city she always wanted to live, with a dream of finding a career and a new life.

Navigating living alone for the first time in her life, trying to get a job, and being dragged kicking and screaming into the dating scene by her daughter Minnie (at college in Oxford), Claire notices a sexy male neighbour seems to have a revolving door of beautiful young women leaving his apartment - who turns out to be the owner of the apartment block, which she only finds out after yet another embarrassing incident, this time involving a face pack, a dressing gown and an automatically locking apartment door. Anyway, her landlord Miles turns out to be a nice guy, albeit with an aversion to commitment, and he is soon conspiring with Minnie to get Claire some non-serial killer dates.

I did enjoy this and it was easy beach reading material but honestly I felt Claire was a totally unrealistic person. Her background, the fact that she had never eaten any foreign food of any description (like even Mediterranean), the multiple Goldie Hawn-esque kooky catastrophes, they all just felt like plot devices.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
While at first I felt like this was a bit of a departure for Courtney Walsh having a leading lady who was in her 40’s and divorced, I couldn’t have been more wrong, it still has all the charm and sweetness you would expect from one of her books. I think it’s my new favorite of hers. Claire and Miles were so cute, and had the best supporting cast of characters. Also possibly one of the funniest character introductions ever, chapter one had me laughing so hard.

Claire looking to start fresh after her divorce moves across the country to a new city. She is set on crossing things off her list, things she’s always wanted to do and things that will help her reclaim her life. Miles, her neighbor seems to have a revolving door of ladies (much younger) definitely not Claire’s type, but he takes it upon himself to help her transition back into dating. He works with Claire’s daughter in London to set up Claire on a series of not boring dates with men from a dating app. But it’s one miss after another, none of the guys make Claire excited like Miles does, but he says he will never do relationships again.

It was a very sweet slow burn, watching them become friends and then fall in love while also recovering from past relationship hurts. I loved the sweet relationships both Miles and Claire had with their daughters. This book made me smile and made me laugh, I was so sad to see it end, I could have read so much more from them. 😊 Thank you NetGalley and for the advance copy of this book, all opinions in this review are completely my own.

[Julie Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Starting over. Looking to make new friends and explore my new city.
One rule: no boring dates!”

I gotta say…the opening act to Claire’s life was simply epic! Not necessarily relatable but super descriptive and provided me with actual chills imagining someone steeping that low in life.

After her initial rock bottom, she pulls herself together and basically starts a new life. Again, not necessarily relatable but Courtney Walsh has done an amazing job developing both Claire’s character and the story itself impeccably with so many important nuances that it almost felt it was based on a true story.

It’s both heartbreaking and encouraging, sad and hilarious (not at the same time), and filled with delicious irony - of course, a woman dumped by a cheating husband ends up living right next door to what she initially sees as a real ladies’ man. Though Miles later turns out to be someone every divorced woman wishes to find across her new courtyard (read that literally AND as a metaphor!).

Brighter than Before truly lives up to its title - it’s an uplifting book for everyone who’s looking to start over in this new year. It’s not a binge read book, it’s a calm and steady book buddy for when you need support and a little bit of a brighter side to life’s darkness.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[Lethina Mirkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtney Walsh does it again—Brighter Than Before is heartfelt, funny, and quietly powerful in the way it explores starting over when life doesn’t look anything like you planned.

Claire is newly single, in her 40s, and completely untethered after a major betrayal. Her move from Denver to Chicago feels less like a fresh start and more like survival at first, and I loved how honest that season of “rock bottom” felt. This story doesn’t rush her healing or tie it up with a neat bow—it lets her sit in the mess, ask hard questions, and slowly figure out what she actually wants.

The cast of side characters truly shines here. The nosy neighbors and new friendships bring so much warmth and humor, while Claire’s adult daughter—cheering her on and setting her up on a dating site from across the ocean—adds some of my favorite moments. There were scenes that made me laugh out loud and others that absolutely hit me in the feelings.

What I loved most is how this book isn’t really about romance—it’s about reclaiming your life, your voice, and your joy on your own terms. Romance is part of the journey, sure, but the real love story is Claire learning to choose herself.

A feel-good, emotional read about second chances, self-discovery, and the beautiful possibility of becoming brighter than before. I’ll definitely be recommending this one when it releases on June 9, 2026. 💛📖

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the eARC.

[Mal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced reader copy

Claire has hit rock bottom: after finding out that her husband has been having an affair with a much younger woman, she's pushed out of the life she made with him (her friends disappear, she has no job to speak of, etc.). In a desperate bid to find some happiness in her life, she sells her house and moves to Chicago, a city she'd always wanted to live in. Once there she makes it her mission to do many things she never thought to do or put off doing because of her husband: she eats lots of new foods, joins a dating app, starts a business, and makes friends with some of her neighbors, including the very attractive Miles. As Claire and Miles spend more time together, she realizes that falling in love again is also something she wants and maybe Miles is her solution.

This was a sweet romance about a middle-aged woman looking to start her life over again. Claire is a nice character, as is Miles, and makes you want to root for her to have a happy ending. Overall, this is a solid novel, though it does telegraph pretty obviously how things are going to end (while I know romance guarantees an HEA, I like my fiction to have a little more precariousness to it). For those who don't usually choose open-door, spicy romance, this is a good option, as there's no sex and two kissing scenes that are passionate but still wholesome.

Brighter than Before is out June 9, 2026