Something Better

by Joanna Monahan

It was only a high school reunion. What was the worst that could happen?

Corinne Fuller has regrets. Facing a stagnant marriage and an impending empty nest, she spends her days living halfway between fantasy and reality, imagining herself as the heroine in a true-love-lost fairytale. When she reluctantly agrees to accompany her best friend on a trip to their hometown, an unexpected encounter with ex-boyfriend Nick offers a tempting glimpse of what might have been (and, as Nick makes clear, what could possibly still be).

Back home, Corinne’s world is in tumult. Are the problems she’s having with her husband signs she made the wrong choice? Meanwhile, her daughter begins a serious relationship with the (literal) boy next door, and Corinne can’t help being nostalgic for the excitement and romance of first love.

Corinne must choose between pursuing “what if?” or embracing “what is” in this coming-of-(middle)-age tale of love, family, and the dangers of attending your high school reunion.

Genres: Romance

324 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2023

About the author

Joanna Monahan lives in North Carolina with her husband, their two children, and one hangry cat.

Before she began writing Women’s Fiction, Joanna worked in marketing and special events. She also spent two years as a professional organizer.

When she isn’t writing, Joanna enjoys theater, baseball, and bookmarking recipes she will never make. A child of the 80s, she regrets that she no longer receives pizza coupons in exchange for reading books.

You can find Joanna at www.joannamonahan.com where she blogs about writing and life, or on Instagram @joannamonahanauthor where she regularly torments her characters by participating in fiction-writing challenges.

Reviews

[Shail Rajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Something Better,” Joanna Monahan's emotional and beautifully written debut novel, is an absolute must-read! From the opening lines, I was drawn in by main character Corinne Fuller as she struggles to rediscover what defines her, what makes her…her. Is it the choices she makes in her “what is” or is it the choices she makes in her “what could be?”

Monahan writes Corinne with a complexity that had me at times empathizing with her and at times wanting to scream at her, but always wanting to be her friend. I felt like I had been invited into the Fuller’s home – maybe with a cup of peppermint tea at the kitchen table or a glass of wine on the back deck - to quietly observe the everyday struggles so many of us face and the choices so many of us regret.

For everyone who has wondered “what if?”

[Jackie Khalilieh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a really hard time seeing books through. My beige flag as a reader is getting to about the 75% mark of a book and then....never finishing it lol. It's a me thing. Reading is subjective. As a reader I know this. As a writer, I try and remind myself of this. But I couldn't put down Something Better. It was my escape book for the last week and a half and I'm sad it's over.

On a line level, the writing was both beautiful and accessible. I miss this kind of writing in books.

For a character driven story, it was a page turner. There was so much suspense and I never knew what would happen! It's also a very close POV with the main character. You feel as if you're inside her head. This is tricky to pull off without feeling like the pacing is off or there's too much telling, but Monahan completely nailed it!

I don't want to spoil the story but I will say that Something Better is a very real, raw and relatable tale about a wife and mother who has lost herself after loss and years of being a wife and mother. Enter high school boyfriend and high school reunion and suddenly she can't stop but ask herself "what if?"

What I appreciate about this story is that it's not preachy. While there is a journey that the main character goes on (that I suppose comes with a lesson but one that is left up to the reader to interpret) it's not approached in a way that judges the main character or readers who perhaps can relate to what the MC experiences/goes through. It humanizes people who make mistakes. It also does a good job of not romanticizing things we as humans can sometimes romanticize (like ex loves). It has left me with a lot to think about.

CW (may include spoilers):
cheating, death of a loved one, a couple instances of fat phobia.

[Donna Norman-Carbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the outside, Corrine Fuller looks like she has it all: a doting husband, a beautiful daughter, a lovely home in a good community. But, inside, she feels untethered after the loss of her mother, invisible to her husband who is wrapped up in work, and mindful of her impending empty nest because her daughter, who mostly ignores her, is graduating from high school soon. Knee-deep in a mid-life crisis, Corrine receives an invitation to her high school reunion. Her fist instinct is “No way” because she left too many painful memories there, when her no nonsense best friend, Beth (every woman needs a Beth in their lives) convinces her otherwise. It gets Corrine thinking What if? and questioning whether she’s happy in her life at all. She becomes consumed by memories of her first love, Nick Elms, and is equal parts excited and terrified she’ll meet him there. When she learns he attended for the sole purpose of seeing Corrine to rekindle what they could have had, she throws her life into a tailspin.

Something Better is a well-written, fast paced novel, that kept me hooked from beginning to end. As a reader reflecting on her own past at this stage of life, I connected to so many aspects of Corrine’s state of mind. Monahan also includes 80s nostalgia that brought me back to high school, taking me on my own trip down memory lane.

If you enjoy stories about family, the empty nest, self-exploration & evolution, friendship and attempting to go back to the past in order to move forward, Something Better is the 2023 debut you don’t want to miss.

[Shannon]

“Stringing moments together until they form a chain, a life to be looked back upon and remembered. Good moments, bad moments, and all the medium moments in between that make up a marriage”

I will start off by saying that I picked this book based on its cover not reading the description and so I did not realize that this book is largely about cheating…which is one trope that I truly dislike reading about. This is fully my fault.

I could not vibe with the MC and her desire to live in the past. I am in the same age range as her, I have kids who have graduated in the last few years and a husband that I have been with for over half of my life and I can truly understand that part. I get the part of feeling lost because I have put so much of myself into my family. But NEVER can I justify cheating - emotionally or physically. I was so mad and upset most of this book. There were several times when I wanted to DNF but I rarely do that - I try to always give a book the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to just yell at her and shake her until she realized what she was doing was wrong. Seriously…get a hobby, actually pursue the photography profession…something, anything besides cheating!

Her husband saw there were issues and yes maybe he waited a little too long to get the help that they truly needed but at least he was willing to seek the help. She was totally dismissive of him taking the last minute photography job. Even her bestie showed her the red flags and she just didn’t listen. Corinne is just so selfish! And then to act like she was the victim was icing on the cake for me. I honestly felt sorry for her husband, her daughter and even her best friend.

I did think that this book was well written…although I did not enjoy the 3rd person commentary. I really did like Sean and I can relate to the teenage angst from Audra.I would be interested in a book with Sean and the widowed neighbor. I disliked Nick with a passion - I kept imagining him as Jesse from Gilmore Girls for some reason.

I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author (just not anything with this trope).

[Shari Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Monahan’s debut novel, Something Better, answers the age-old midlife question, “Should I, or shouldn’t?”

For a quarter of a century, Corinne Fuller clung to a fantastical memory of her first love, casting a shadow over a life many women would cherish. But a sense of loss and the feeling of existing in a life less lived can send any woman around the bend.

Her 25th high school reunion is on the horizon, and thoughts of her high school sweetheart fill her mind with “what ifs.” I wanted to scream at Corrine for jeopardizing the life she shared with her husband and daughter Audra. But I didn’t, because I hoped the heroine of the story would open her eyes before her world crumbled into teeny tiny pieces.

Monahan’s writing is exquisite, as she pours Corinne Fuller’s emotions onto the page.

🗒️Disclosure: Women’s fiction and romance are not my preferred genre. I am a mystery/thriller/psychological thriller/crime fiction writer/reader.

Disclosure: Women’s fiction and romance are not my preferred genre. I am a mystery/thriller/psychological thriller/crime fiction reader.

[Lisa Alfano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Better is a wonderful story about “what if?” that anyone can relate to. The fact that Corinne and her friends are Gen Xers made the book even more enjoyable for me (class of ‘86), but you do not have to be a Gen Xer to relate to, and love, this story. Everyone, at some point in life, wonders about the “path not taken,” and the “what ifs.”

The author has crafted 3-dimensional characters that are likable, interesting, and realistic; especially when it comes to life’s challenges (parenting, marriage, jobs). It is such a pleasure to read a story that neither sugar-coats life nor pessimistically portrays its ups and downs.

Something Better is such an entertaining read that I will be recommending to all my friends. Bravo to Joanna Monaghan for bringing readers a story that makes you think, laugh, cry, and cheer.

[T.L. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Emotional Debut from Joanna Monahan

Author Joanna Monahan put her heart and soul into her first novel, “Something Better.” In a story about love, memories, and struggling to rediscover who you are, main character Corinne Fuller faces a stale marriage and an impending empty nest. Daily life consists of routine errands, cleaning, cooking, caring for family, and PTA meetings – each event framed by Corinne-as-narrator as she attempts to turn the mundane into “something better.” Right away, I was put in mind of James Thurber’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”

Further complicating things is her belief that had she traveled a different path after high school, her present might be more exciting, more rewarding. Her thoughts often wander to the high school sweetheart who broke her heart after graduation. Not ever fully recovering, Corinne wonders about Nick. Is he happy? Does he ever think about her? And his choices leading up to and after the breakup…why?

The not knowing is all-consuming, so when her 25-year high school graduation comes around, Corinne lets her best friend Beth convince her to travel back home. Will Nick be there? What will she say to him? The scenarios play out in her head, her “inner narrator” working overtime.

It’s clear to this reader that Corinne is terribly unhappy regardless of the ho-hum marriage and her melancholy over her daughter’s eventual move to college. Her visions of Nick, what could have been and what still might be, reveal a deep longing. But I submit that her longing is mostly for happiness. Nick just happens to be the convenient emotional memory that she can massage into what she believes would make her happier.

Of course, she does see Nick when she attends the reunion – readers expect this. He’s a difficult character to “get” at first blush, but you can understand the attraction. He’s unpredictable, confident. And early on, readers observe his power over Corinne. Clearly, Nick is her Pied Piper. As the story unfolds, these former teenage artists – she a photographer, he a writer – reconnect while Corinne picks up the camera again. But an uneasiness permeates this relationship. Something isn’t quite right. An unrelated earth-shattering event brings everything to a head, and Corinne finds herself fighting to regain her old life.

I found the beginning of “Something Better” lighthearted – who hasn’t thought about a high school sweetheart and maybe fantasized a bit? I believe many coming-to-midlifers will identify with Corinne and this phase of life. The novel explores deeper themes, however. At one point, I wondered if this was a cautionary tale: Do not lose yourself when you are taking care of others. When they are gone, or even worse, no longer have the same feelings for you, YOU are all you have left. So, you better invest in yourself and your individual happiness, too.

I felt great sympathy for Corinne. There were points in the second half of the book and toward the end when I wanted to shake her and shout: Don’t let them be so mean to you! Life is complicated, and no one does everything right. Yes, sometimes “tough love” is helpful, but she deserved to catch a break – more importantly (to me) she deserved to give herself a break. Thankfully friends Grace and Sheila brought not only compassion but real perspective. No one is perfect.

“Something Better” is an emotional read, and it will resonate, I believe, with many readers who find themselves at a similar point in life – in particular, married women with children on the cusp of leaving home. Joanna Monahan has been called a “writer with a Gen-X flair,” and this is certainly true! But her writing also explores the complexities of multiple relationships and the shadowy intersection of memory and desire.

Five stars to “Something Better” and Joanna Monahan on her debut novel! The writing flows effortlessly, and the storyline will surprise you as the pages turn.

(Thank you to the author and her publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.)

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
💭 are always wondering what if
🏫 went to your high school reunion
🪹 will soon be an empty nester
📸 love to take photographs

• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄

After Corinne sees Nick again at their 25th high school reunion, she can’t stop thinking about the what ifs.

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

It was only a high school reunion. What was the worst that could happen? 

Corinne Fuller has regrets. Facing a stagnant marriage and an impending empty nest, she spends her days living halfway between fantasy and reality, imagining herself as the heroine in a true-love-lost fairytale. When she reluctantly agrees to accompany her best friend on a trip to their hometown, an unexpected encounter with ex-boyfriend Nick offers a tempting glimpse of what might have been (and, as Nick makes clear, what could possibly still be).

Back home, Corinne’s world is in tumult. Are the problems she’s having with her husband signs she made the wrong choice? Meanwhile, her daughter begins a serious relationship with the (literal) boy next door, and Corinne can’t help being nostalgic for the excitement and romance of first love. Now Corinne must choose between pursuing “what if?” or embracing “what is” in this coming-of-(middle)-age tale of love, family, and the dangers of attending your high school reunion. 

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was such an emotional read. Where I expected a funny romcom, I instead got a real life look into a mother’s life that felt similar to mine! It actually made me a bit sad, but I really loved the realism of this story. It was highly relatable in so many different ways. While I’m not quite Corinne’s age yet and my boys are still very young, I often do what ifs in my own life, so I was able to completely understand her POV. This was an amazing debut, and I can’t wait to read more from Joanna!

[Joey Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me gobsmacked. Based on the synopsis, I was expecting a simple love story about a woman going back to her hometown and rediscovering her love for the one who got away. And while that is in this book, it only takes up about half of the plot.

In Something Better, we follow Corinne, a suburban mom who's become bored with suburban mom life. Her daughter's becoming more independent, her husband doesn't seem very invested in her personal life, and she finds herself wishing she pursued her passion for photography.

Also, what's her high school sweetheart Nick up to?

When she goes to her high school reunion with her best friend Beth (maybe my favorite character from anything I've read all year - Seriously, can we be friends?) she runs into ...

... Nick *GASP*

This encounter sets off a chain of events that had me questioning whether I should or should not like Corinne's character. Nothing's really black and white in this book, and I loved how so many chapters made me think, "Good for you," and, "What are you doing?!" all at the same time.

Without giving too much away, you know how the first half of Titanic is a sweeping love story and then the last half is a disaster film? That's the best analogy I can give for this series of very uncomfortable complications.

And this book IS complicated. So often, I'm used to seeing marriages depicted in binaries in popular media. Either it's rainbows and butterflies or one partner is the "bad" one and drives the other one away. Something Better presents marriage in a way that I rarely see portrayed so earnestly: a married couple in which two people still love each other but have grown distant and less passionate.

I loved it.

[Amanda Gruber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin with: I don’t think I’m the target audience for this book. I’m fairly certain middle aged women are the target, especially those who are unhappy in their marriages or life.

This is not my usual genre to read. There was no spice or action. But as her first book I figured I’d give it a shot.

Overall, I did not care for this book. The FMC is just awful. The entire time I wanted to slap her. She’s naive, self centered, and weak minded.

Spoilers below:

She’s been pining for 25 years her high school sweetheart who cheated on her and got that girl pregnant. So he broke up with her and moved away. So, she uses her high school reunion to fan that flame despite her 16 year old daughter and loving husband at home. They exchange numbers and she confides in him and defends him to her best friend. “He chose his daughter over me, he shouldn’t be vilified.” “He chose me instead of his daughters wedding, it’s so romantic.” Excuse after excuse. And then she meets him, but an emergency brings her home before she can do anything. But he’s angry she dissed him and follows her home. To which she finally realizes what she has and tells him to get lost.

I mean seriously!? 25 years of romanticizing the man who cheated on you? At some point you have to grow up and get over it!

There were several times I almost closed the book and walked away. The first 3/4 I really wanted to. But the last 1/4 was decent. The emotion the author was able to grasp was real and quite potent. That I enjoyed.

The authors writing style was easy to read, but the inner narration was just awful. I may read another book of hers if the storyline is better.

[Mary Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some first loves are forever cast in a rosy glow, the lovers wondering long after what might have happened if they'd stayed together. In Something Better, debut author Joanna Monahan dives into a deep exploration of the "what ifs" for Corinne and her high school boyfriend Nick. Through Corinne's eyes we see how Nick betrayed her all those years ago, and how she ended up in a stable but unrewarding marriage, with a daughter who, now that she's a teenager, seems to despise her. When a high school reunion leads Corinne and Nick to cross paths again, she knows it's safest to leave the past alone. But: What if Nick is sorry? What if her marriage has no future? What if she and Nick could have a second chance to be together? As Corinne navigates these questions, the answers aren't clear until she takes a close look at herself and what her life has become in the decades since Nick called her his "beautiful maiden." Told with humor and sensitivity, SOMETHING BETTER will appeal to anyone who's wondered about the road not taken, the love left behind.

[D. Howlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great introduction to Joanna Monahan. 'Something Better' was a story that unfolded one page at a time, about a mother who saw an opportunity to rekindle her past. This book hit a lot of the right notes when it comes to married life. I loved how I saw a little of myself in the situations that surrounded Corinne. The situations read realistically and hit home on so many levels. My only gripe, and I am not sure if this was setup this way on purpose, was that I did not like the main character. I understood the feelings of disconnect she was having, but as the story continued, I wanted her to fail. I wanted her life to fall apart by the choices she made and I didn't feel a shred of sympathy for her when sh!t hit the fan. I wished it ended differently (I have a dark heart, sorry) but it was a satisfying ending that I can see resonating with a lot of people. If there is any lesson to grab from this novel is that married life ain't easy. The person you married XX years ago will not be the same person 3, 5, 10+ years down the line. So don't make the same mistakes Corinne does. For a marriage to last, you need to grow together, communicate together and support each other in ways you never thought you'd need to.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book was charming to say the very least. This book will show you that holding onto the past can be very hazardous. Corinne was holding onto a past relationship for 25 years letting it affect her marriage and her life. Her 25th high school reunion has been scheduled and the invites were sent. The first thing she starts thinking about is her ex and if he will be there. What I thought was an obsessive amount of thinking about an ex when she is married to a good man and why she would bother to risk this good life to be with her ex drove my need to finish this book. This book will take you down Corinne's path to forgiveness and finally letting go of her past so she can be happy. It was well written and you will be completely satisfied by the end.

Thank you to Joanna Monahan and Kate Rock Book Tours and of course Blue Ink Press for letting me read and review this book. 😍

@JoannaMonahan @KateRockBookTours @blue_ink_press
#JoannaMonahan #KateRockBookTours
#SomethingBetterBook #debutnovel #2023debuts #weloveindiebookstores
#blueinkpress #womensfiction #genxlovestory #comingofmiddleage
#womensfictionwriter #momswhowrite #genxwriter #ncauthor

[Evelyn V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @joannamonahanauthor,@blue_ink_press and @katerockbooktours for the ARC! Whoa this book was something else! Corinne is married with a daughter and she is questioning what her life will be like as the "empty nest" time approaches.The invitation to her high school reunion brings up memories of her ex Nick. The thought of seeing him again is enough to accept the invite and makes plans for the trip with her best friend Beth. Would Nick be there too? Would he give her the answers she has waited years for? After a brief meeting that night,Corinne questions everything about her current life. Is fantasy better than real life? Will Corinne's choices be for the better? This book was so good! This story will tug at your emotions for real! Beth is an amazing best friend,the definition of ride or die. Sean is a loving husband and will break your heart! You know how you watch a movie and you want to yell"No! Don't do it!". Get ready to do that here.

[Alyssa Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has ever wondered “what if,” this book is for you! Even if your “what if” has nothing to do with first loves or the one that got away, Joanna does an impeccable job exploring the memories, emotions, and actions that go in to reminiscing about the past while pondering over the what could have been. While I personally cannot relate to the hometown ex-love, Joanna’s writing made me feel in my SOUL the depth of Corinne’s emotions. This book resonated with me as a parent simultaneously acknowledging my aging while still feeling so connected to my youth. The stressors of adulthood and marriage, aging and loss of the elders around you, while still feeling like the “good ol days” of freedom and innocent were just the other day. New to the stay at home mom life, she also delves in to the complicated identity shift that happens while giving up what you knew (and who you “were”). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be widely recommending it!!

[Rebecca Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her captivating debut, Joanna Monahan deftly explores the temptation of the road not taken and the hazards of believing in a rosy version of the past. Middle-aged Corinne, struggling with a fading marriage and a confrontational teenaged daughter, reconnects with her lost love at their high school reunion. Here, at last, is her path to something better, a rekindled relationship with the white knight she has always deserved. But is this alternative future all that she hopes for? Expertly braiding the stories of the past with the realities of the present, SOMETHING BETTER is an unforgettable story of self-discovery and redemption that tugs at the heartstrings in all the best ways. Pour a cup of hot tea and settle in for compelling characters, beautiful writing, and a wholly satisfying read.

[Monica Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, who hasn’t gotten to middle age and looked back and thought, “What if” about something? Whether it’s the one who got away or let us go or the major we opted out of or the college we didn’t pick or the job we left or didn’t. There are infinite paths in our past that beg for questions. And let’s face it, as a woman of a certain age, as a mom with kids of a certain (getting ready to leave) age, it’s natural to look back and wonder what lessons there are to learn from those choices in order to plot what’s next.

Joanna addresses this murky mid-life middle brilliantly in Something Better exploring one woman’s dilemma after reconnecting at her high school reunion with the boyfriend who abandoned her after high school. Will she choose the what if or will she always feel like she settled to stay with the right now?

[Sherry Torgent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a contemporary romance for women over 40! And ya'll, this book is so good. The writing is incredible and the story is all the things real life is. The struggle is real for Corinne Fuller. Her marriage, her life, is faltering, so she begins to wonder "what if I had made different choices?"
When she attends her high school reunion with her best friend, she comes face-to-face with her high school ex-boyfriend, Nick, who broke her heart twenty-five years ago. Now, I know you know where this is going. Corinne can't help but wonder whether life would have been better with Nick. And it appears he is thinking the same thing. But just like real life, there's more to a person than just the fantasies we paint in our heads. You'll need to read the book to see what Corinne discovers about the lasting impact her past could have on her future.

[Patti Procopi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It certainly speaks to women who find themselves suddenly stuck in the middle of their lives. Corrine's daughter is about to leave home and Corrine doesn't think she can face being an empty-nester. Her husband of 25 years is a solid decent man but Corrine finds herself fantasizing about her first love. Who doesn't wonder about the path not taken? What if I had done A instead of B.
Corrine goes to her high school reunion and bad boy Nick is there and he convinces her that he has always loved her and this is her chance to finally run off with her first and greatest love. Her best friend tells her she's an idiot but she's a moth drawn to a flame.
I won't say anymore. No spoilers here! Just read it. You'll love it.

[Rachel Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for any dreamers out there

I identified with the main character. Just like Corinne, I am a dreamer, constantly lost in a fantasy and blurring the lines between what's real and what's not. I loved following Corrine's in-depth thought processes, which led her to make some questionable choices. Her entertaining internal monologues offered an insight as to why she made those decisions and how she struggled to make peace with the consequences.

I thought her husband and daughter took her for granted given how domestically dedicated she was to maintaining an organised household. I envied how tidy her house must have been!!

Overall, this book is packed with life lessons, especially for people in long-term relationships who feel stuck and often wonder "what if...?"

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional look at the struggle, and danger of holding onto the past. I flew through this one wanting to know why Corinne was holding onto her ill-fated high-school relationship with Nick so much, and why she was willing to risk all she had now for him.

This starts out as what seems like a long-held obsession with a past boyfriend. But it soon blooms into a narrative about self-discovery, forgiveness, letting go of the past, and treasuring the people who are truly important in your life.

Thank you @KateRockBookTours @JoannaMonahan and @blue_ink_press for a tour spot and a gifted ebook.

[Lisa D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick moving, witty, and compelling, this is not a fluffy drama/ romance, it is real life - gritty and raw with a sprinkle of fairy tale. The main character would drive you nuts if she wasn't so relatable, so recognizable. Or maybe that is WHY she drives you nuts - you see TOO much of yourself in her!

Are you a couples therapist? This might be a fitting homework assignment. Do you need a couples therapist? Start here. Want a good story to sink into on your cruise, camping trip, or while swinging in a hammock? It's all right here. Joanna Monahan has a gift to share and it is especially perfect for anyone who has ever wondered "what if" about past and present loves.

[Barbara White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking debut about the path not taken.

Corinne is a stay-at-home mom trying to make sense of grief and the remnants of depression. Neither her daughter nor her husband seem to need her anymore, and she's struggling to find relevancy after years of care-taking that included nursing her dying mother. But is she her own worst enemy? Has she mislaid her passion for life as well as her love of creating art--as a photographer?

When she receives an invitation to her 25th high school reunion, Corinne gets trapped in the legacy of what-if and the lure of her lost first love. But is it all just fantasy? What truth is she really chasing?

[Ally Brehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this one to your reading list! I can’t recommend enough SOMETHING BETTER by Joanna Monahan. The story follows Corinne as her high school reunion prompts her to revisit and reconsider old life decisions. Joanna’s book hits all the right notes. Her writing has an intelligent and funny tone that will keep you thoroughly entertained. I was stuck in a reading rut for several months this year until this book helped me get back in my groove.

Don’t just believe me, though; SOMETHING BETTER recently won Chick Lit and General Fiction awards from the 2024 Next Generation Indie Books Awards!

[Jaimie Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit at first that I wanted to scream at Corinne. I could not understand why she would risk so much. By the end of the book I settled down and understood. Each stage of life changes us and we ALL get lost sometimes. The story brought home some great life lessons for the middle-aged, especially middle-aged moms. Joanna created awesome characters that gave you all the feels. As a NC girl I loved all the Raleigh and Charlotte references. Can't wait to see what she writes next!

[Joyce Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something refreshingly authentic about this thoughtful exploration of midlife romance and the roads not taken. The author crafts a compelling story that deftly navigates the complex terrain between youthful fantasy and mature reality, all while avoiding the typical clichés of the "old flame" trope. It's a reminder that coming-of-age stories don't end with youth, and that sometimes the most profound growth happens in life's middle chapters.

[Andrea Sherk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author accurately captured the life and mind of a middle-aged mom with an older teen and answered that question I’m sure we’ve all asked ourselves at one point in our life: what if we had taken a different path? The book was easy and enjoyable to read and highly relatable to this middle-aged mom.

[Consuelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot recommend enough! Such a wonderful book-you will have a love/hate relationship with Corinne, at least I did. I kept reading and felt like I was watching her drama unfold peeking through my fingers over my eyes. Can’t wait to read her next book!!

[Angela Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a debut novel that you must add to your TBR list. The characters are real and genuine. I was up late several nights because I just wanted to see what happened next. I am still trying to decide if I am Team Corrine or not. Looking forward to this author’s next book!

[Kathryn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up on a whim, and am so glad I did. This is so well written, and had me turning the page (just one more chapter!), anxiously awaiting what would happen next. Clever, funny, breath-taking, heart-wrenching and heartwarming.