Definitely Better Now - by Ava Robinson

About the Book

"The very last person anyone should worry about is Emma. Yes, hi, she's an alcoholic. But she's officially been sober for one entire year--that's twelve months of better health, fifty-two whole weeks of focusing on nothing but her nine-to-five office job, group meetings, and avoiding the kind of bad decisions that previously left her awash in shame and regret. It's also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma, 26, of New York is ready to put herself back out there. Except--was dating always this complicated? And did Emma's mother really have to choose now to move in with her new boyfriend? Being assigned to plan her office's holiday party feels like icing on the suddenly very overwhelming cake until her estranged father reappears with devastating news. Icing, meet cherry on top"--

Book Synopsis

A touching and deeply funny debut about starting over sober only to discover life's biggest messes are still waiting right where you left them.

The very last person anyone should worry about is Emma. Yes, hi, she's an alcoholic. But she's officially been sober for one entire year. That's twelve months of better health. Fifty-two whole weeks of focusing on nothing but her nine-to-five office job, group meetings, and avoiding the kind of bad decisions that previously left her awash in shame and regret. It's also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma, 26, of New York is ready to put herself back out there.

Except--was dating always this complicated? And did Emma's mother really have to choose now to move in with her new boyfriend? Being assigned to plan her office's holiday party feels like icing on the suddenly very overwhelming cake until her estranged father reappears with devastating news. Icing, meet cherry on top. But then there's Ben, the charming IT guy who, despite Emma's awkwardness and shortcomings, seems to maybe actually get her? Sobriety is turning out to be far from the flawless future Emma had once envisioned for herself, but as she allows herself to open up to Ben and confront difficult past relationships, she's beginning to realize that taking things one day at a time might just be the perfectly imperfect path she's meant to be on.

Bittersweet and darkly hilarious, Ava Robinson's debut novel about navigating sobriety and complicated family dynamics is witty, heartbreaking, and profoundly relatable.

Review Quotes

"Robinson debuts with an appealing chronicle of a 20-something woman as she enters her second year of sobriety...There's raw honesty on every page, and the narrative ends with a moment of well-earned hope. Readers will find much to like."
--Publishers Weekly

"Thoughtfully presented details about alcoholism and sobriety add realism to Emma's story, and while serious issues such as addiction, trauma, and terminal illness are major plot points, there's a hopeful tone throughout, and plenty of humor. Fans of Natalie Sue's I Hope This Finds You Well (2024) will cheer for Emma as she learns to navigate her new life."
--Booklist

"Witty, funny, and full of heart, Definitely Better Now is a not-to-be-missed debut that encourages anyone, sober or not, to embrace the messy imperfections of a life worth living."
--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Ava Robinson's dazzling debut approaches big life questions with a memorable blend of grit, grace, heart, and humor. Definitely Better Now is a precise and beautifully-rendered portrait of falling in love, finding your place, and getting your act together as a twentysomething navigating the messy magic of New York City."
--Courtney Preiss, USA TODAY bestselling author of Welcome Home, Caroline Kline

"Tender, heartfelt, and all too real (in the best way!). Robinson writes with a comforting lightness, and it was immensely satisfying to follow Emma as she learned to open her heart to all the beautiful imperfections that life has to offer."
--Natalie Sue, author of I Hope This Finds You Well

"This smart, heartbreaking, and funny novel tackles the real life human frailty that we bring to our romantic relationships. It left me feeling like even our most broken parts are beautiful. I loved it."
--Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script

"Definitely Better Now is an inspiring story about finding what's meaningful in life. Ava handles navigating sobriety in your twenties with lightness, and I think it will be an important book to many readers. Touching and relatable."
--Ally Zetterberg, author of The Happiness Blueprint

"An engrossing story with an honest voice, a detailed look into recovery, and a realistic but hopeful message."
--Condé Nast Traveler

"This is an intense, character-driven novel, as we follow Emma on her journey to stay sober and create a new life for herself. You get emotionally invested in her and want her to succeed on every level."
--Red Carpet Crash

"Nuanced, hopeful and insightful...Definitely Better Now strikes a delicate balance between humor and gravity.... An endearing portrayal of a young woman redefining herself."
--BookPage

"Funny observations, sharp wit and poignant scenes combine in this memorable debut novel."
--Woman's World

"Lively writing, a compelling storyline and lots of memorable dialogue keep the narrative moving right to the very end. It is a true page-turner that is not to be missed."
--Bookreporter