The Best Is Yet to Come: A Novel

Written by Debbie Macomber

Narrated by Thérèse Plummer

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • When a woman alone in the world bravely chooses to open her heart, two lost souls have a new chance at belonging, in this intimate novel from Debbie Macomber.

A new beginning in charming Oceanside, Washington, is exactly what Hope Godwin needs after the death of her twin brother. There are plenty of distractions, like her cozy cottage with the slightly nosy landlords next door, and a brewing drama among her students at the local high school.

Even having settled quickly into the community, Hope still feels something is still missing. That is, until her landlords convince her to volunteer at their animal shelter. There she meets Shadow, a rescue dog that everyone has given up on. But true to her name, Hope believes he’s worth saving.

Like Shadow, shelter volunteer Cade Lincoln Jr. is suffering with injuries most can’t see. A wounded ex-marine, Cade identifies with Shadow, assuming they are both beyond help. Hope senses that what they each need is someone to believe in them, and she has a lot of love to give. As she gains Shadow’s trust, Hope notices Cade begins to open up as well. Finding the courage to be vulnerable again, Cade and Hope take steps toward a relationship, and Hope finally begins to feel at peace in her new home.

But Hope’s happiness is put to the test when Cade’s past conflicts resurface, and Hope becomes embroiled in the escalating situation at the high school. Love and compassion are supposed to heal all wounds, but are they enough to help Hope and Cade overcome the pain of their past and the obstacles in the way of a better future?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9780593289761

Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author and a leading voice in women’s fiction today. She is a multiple award winner with more than 200 million copies of her books in print. Five of her Christmas titles have been made into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, as well as a series based on her bestselling Cedar Cove stories. For more information, visit her website: www.DebbieMacomber.com.

Reviews for The Best Is Yet to Come

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you would have told me that I'd rate a Macomber book 5 stars, I would have been doubtful. I've had issues with past books by this author where I felt she let her characters go a bit too far in the romance department before reeling themselves in. (Thankfully that does not apply to this book.) In fact, I was a bit sad to read that Macomber intended this to be her last book--though she does say that she got an idea for another one, so I suspect we will see more from her, just maybe not at the same pace she was publishing in the past.

Both main characters (Cade and Hope) are hurting, as is Shadow (the dog). Though I am not alone in the same sense that Hope is (without relatives), there are times that I do feel alone even when I'm with a group of people. So I can relate. I can also relate to Shadow having been hurt in the past and being defensive so as not to get hurt again. I did kind of wonder if there was an issue in Shadow's past with a male or males which was why he was so different with Hope than he was with the others who tried to approach him.

Cade has a bit of survivor's guilt and the military mindset of "there's nothing wrong with me, I don't need help". I'm glad the judge tried to help him rather than condemning him. I'm glad Cade saw the value in the PT and counseling eventually, even if he only went at first because it was court ordered and the only way to avoid spending a year in jail.

I felt for Spencer. I know what it's like to love someone when they don't love you back--or at least don't love you in the same way you love them. I also know what it's like to have had a friend and then the relationship changes as you age--and missing what you had. Sometimes you can reconnect--but also remember that the real world isn't fiction so it may or may not happen the way Spencer and Callie reconnected.

I guessed what was going on with Ben and Scott before the author revealed it--though I didn't guess who was the main person in that.

There are some life lessons:
1. Watch what you promise someone, as if you don't or can't, keep that promise you may hurt the other person.
2. Communicate--don't assume you know what someone else is feeling or know their motive for doing something. Yes, you may need to take a cooling off period if you feel your emotions are running too high for a rational discussion, but you need to communicate that as well, not just cut off contact.
3. Be patient and give others a chance--even a snarly or prickly disposition may change if you're patient enough.
4. Be careful what you wish for. Or as Mr. Spock said (paraphrased), you may find that the having is not what you thought it would be when you were in the wanting stage.

[ethel55_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It took me a few minutes to remember why some of these people seemed familiar--they populate the cute small town of Oceanside where Macomber's recent stories have been set. Schoolteacher Hope and a recovering soldier named Cade have different reasons for volunteering at the local animal shelter, but a friendship ensues. The side story involving some of Hope's students at the high school rounds out the book.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Best is Yet to Come by Debbie Macomber is a 2022 Ballantine publication.

I can’t get enough stories like this one!

Hope lost her twin brother in Afghanistan and is still working through her grief. She’s moved to Oceanside for a fresh start, taking a job as a high school teacher. She gets an invitation to help out at the animal shelter, which is where she meets Cade.

Cade is working at the shelter as a part of his community service duties. Like Shadow, one of the most challenging dogs at the shelter, Cade is a bit gruff and unfriendly, sending off definite vibes that he does not want to be social.

But before long, he and Hope develop a tentative friendship that eventually leads to deeper feelings- but Cade is still a work in progress…

Meanwhile, Hope is concerned about a special student who is setting himself up for a major heartbreak, while also fending off a star football player who is trying to intimidate him- but who always gets away with his antics…

This is a lovely story, with a sweet love story, but also has a little bit of a mystery and some suspense, as well. I was immediately invested in the characters, and had a hard time putting the book aside, reading it all in one sitting! While there is a lot of drama in the story, the pacing is brisk, but still manages to give each thread, and each character, the time and depth needed to develop.

It’s so nice to lose oneself in a Debbie Macomber novel. The topics are emotional, but the tone is not overly heavy. The characters are flawed but I cheered them on as they worked hard to overcome the issues holding them back.

Overall, I enjoyed spending the afternoon with these characters and realize now that over the years I often overlooked this author- completely misunderstanding her style. At least I have plenty of books from her back-list to enjoy- if Macomber follows through with her hints of retirement- but I think- and hope- we’ll keep hearing from her for a while to come… And I for one, am looking forward to it!

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Best is Yet to Come by Debbie Macomber is a story about second chances and new beginnings. I was immediately drawn into this story. I like Debbie Macomber’s writing style. It has such an ease to it. I started reading and did not want to stop. The story moved along at a quick pace. I enjoyed getting to know Hope, Cade, Spencer, and Callie. There are three storylines that play out from three points-of-view (Hope, Cade, and Spencer). I like that the characters were realistic and relatable. The characters also had real life problems. Hope lost her twin brother who died a hero in the Afghan desert. She misses him terribly and is looking for a new start. She wanted a small town and Oceanside was the right choice. Cade was wounded in Afghanistan plus he lost his two best friends. He is estranged from his parents since he did not follow in his father’s footsteps to become a lawyer. Spencer is a high school student who is also an uber geek. He who cares for Callie, a popular girl who is dating the star of the football team. Spencer wants to take Callie to homecoming. When Callie needs help, a deal is struck. Cade and Hope meet at an animal shelter. Hope works to help a dog, Shadow who was severely traumatized (it is heart wrenching). We see that there are different types of trauma. Kindness, patience, love, and hope go a long way towards healing it along with therapy. There are good life lessons in this story. I like how everything came together into one heartwarming story. The Best is Yet to Come shows the importance of hope, healing, friendship, and faith. The Best is Yet to Come is an uplifting tale with an irate soldier, a compassionate teacher, a computer geek with a crush, a football player with a temper, a suffering Shadow, an understanding judge, a selfish old friend, and a thoughtful therapist.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I open a Debbie Macomber book, I always know that I have several hours of a great story, a romance and characters that are very relatable. She started her career writing romance novels and has developed to writing books that have some romance but they are also about struggles that people have in life and character growth toward understanding their lives and challenges.

Hope moved to a small town in Washington State after her brother was killed in action. She is distraught but knows that she needs to learn to live a life without her brother in it. She teaches at the local high school and starts to get involved in the community. Her landlord suggests that she volunteer at the animal shelter. While there, she bonds with Shadow, a dog that has been mistreated and doesn't trust anyone. As she begins to spend more time with Shadow, she meets Cade, another volunteer. He is brusque and unfriendly but as they begin to spend more time together, they become friends...just friends. Cade is hiding that he is a wounded vet from the rest of the world but as he and Hope become friends, he begins to share his past with her. Can their friendship turn into love or do they both have too much baggage to be able to trust each other and help each other heal? This is a beautifully written book about two lost people who try to heal their hearts while helping someone else. It's a story of love and forgiveness and learning to look toward the future instead of the past.

[mrsmommybooknerd7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Best Is Yet to Come by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ "All rise," the bailiff announced, as the judge stepped into the courtroom.

This book is another hit! I loved it. I loved the setting and the characters, and the story kept me interested from cover to cover. Macomber is a master of creating a world that plays out in your mind like a movie while you read. You see the story coming to life, you watch the characters through their ups and downs and want nothing but the best for them. This book has everything and you will adored it too. I promise! I highly recommend it! So grab it now, as it released today!

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this read and read it in one sitting, and the pages flew.
There are several stories here, as with everyday life, and the answers come as we begin to care for the characters that are presented!
Grief, yes, we move on, but it somehow always has a hold on our hearts, and add to this the trauma of war, and the reliving of events! We meet these people, and how they find each other!
We are so see the healing that dogs offer, with their unconditional love, even with abuse to the point of death, a rescued soul.
We also have high school students, dealing with peer pressure, among other things, and surprises and answers come here!
As you can see we are offered a lot in this quick read, and also a little bit of sweet romance, along with healing!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballentine,Books and was not required to give a positive review.