A pleasant and predictable story - the formula is followed, and both female protagonists were about my age. The variety in age of her heroines is the only demonstration of diversity that I have seen, at least in books I have read. This is women's fiction / romance. Diversity and risks are not expected. However, the main character does have to deal with issues most women my age face - misbehaving young adult children, illness of parents, juggling friendships. Thirty years ago, a romance novel heroine was thought to be old if she was thirty. Kudos to Macomber. ( )

Jenna and Maureen two best friends for years trying to organize a trip to Paris. Maureen meets and falls in love with a construction work and Jenna a surgeon and she is a nurse ( )

Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber

Random House/Ballentine Books
July 16, 2019
Fiction, beach read, romance
336 pages
Rating: 4/5

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an unbiased review.

Jenna and Maureen had been best friends since they met at the University of Washington many years ago. They had always planned to take a trip to Paris but it seemed that life events always got in the way.

Jenna Boltz is a divorced single mother of two children living in Seattle. She works as an ICU nurse to support her children, Paul and Allie who are in college. Kyle Boltz is her ex-husband who is a surgeon but found fidelity to be an issue and made a new life for himself. Fortunately, Jenna and her kids still had Jenna’s mother, Carol, who was spry 70-ish woman. Carol had a good friend Mrs. Torres who was checking on her friend to find that she had fallen. She immediately called for help and notified Jenna. It seems that surgery and a long rehabilitation lie ahead for Carol.

Maureen Zelinski worked as a librarian and also divorced from Peter which only lasted 5 years. They had a daughter, Victoria “Tori” who married an engineer, Jonathan. Maureen had been a support to Tori since she miscarried a year ago. She is very organized and structured which suits her career as a librarian. It seemed that new construction in the area brought a weekly visit from a construction worker. Logan worked as a plumber and during breaks would check out a book to read with Maureen’s suggestion. He was a bit rough around the edges and liked to call her “Marian the Librarian” which eventually grew on her. Over time they developed an awkward relationship given their many differences.

The two friends are a constant support to each other through all the many ups and downs over the years. Jenna had been stressing over being a newly empty nester since sending Allie to college. She worried less about Paul who worked hard at a restaurant while attending college. Maureen was confused about the attention she was receiving from Logan. The two friends were Leary when it came to getting romantically involved again.

Carol is recovering before being transferred to a rehab post hip surgery. She is pleased with her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Rowan Lancaster. Jenna didn’t know much as side from gossip that he kept to himself. When he casually flirted with her at her mother’s bedside she didn’t know what to make of it. She tries to maintain a professional relationship with him which becomes complicated since he has taken a special interest in his patient, Carol.

Both friends discover that they need to take a chance on dating and romance. Relationships can be complicated but can also provide support and comfort. This is a delightful story of friendship, family and finding love again. It reminds us that everyone has a life story and the path they take is unique. ( )

This is probably my least favorite debbie macomber book. I couldnt relate to any of the characters and just really couldnt get into it. ( )

Debbie Macomber does it again. Another heartwarming story that I couldn't put down. Window on the Bay starts as college students and best friends, Jenna and Maureen promise to travel to Paris once they are out of college. Then, life gets in the way.

We rejoin Jenna and Maureen as Jenna's youngest child heads off to college. After both women raised their children as single moms; they are finally planning their trip to Paris. Once again, life gets in the way. Jenna's mom falls and breaks her hip. The Paris trip is postponed again as Jenna has to care for her mother.

Enter Rowan Lancaster, the orthopedic surgeon who repaired Jenna's mom's hip. There is an immediate attraction between Jenna and Rowan. Jenna is conflicted because she vowed never to get involved with another surgeon.

Meanwhile, Maureen finds herself attracted to Logan, a plumber who comes into the library every Monday asking Maureen for book recommendations. They couldn't be more different from one another, however they find themselves spending more time together and enjoying each other's company.

Macomber does a wonderful job making the reader feel like we are part of the story. She weaves the stories together seamlessly. This is a wonderful story of two women moving on to the next chapter of their lives. They discover who they are as women after their roles as mothers change.

This is a story about family and friendship and having a second chance at love.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #WindowOnTheBay #NetGalley ( )