Synopsis:
Life has a way of changing your path–and Claire Karadec certainly didn’t plan on a fork in the road in her forties.
After a painfully public discovery shatters her marriage, along with her picture-perfect, country club life, Claire finds herself suddenly single and faced with a blank page for a future. On that page she writes a simple list that reads like equal parts dare and daydream–Move to a new city. Make a real friend. Get a job I love–and she vows to accomplish every single one.
Before she can talk herself out of it, she takes a step of faith, puts her old life in the rearview mirror, and leases an apartment in Chicago, the city that has always had her heart. This one step sends Claire on a journey of self-discovery, giving her the courage to conquer her fears, one checklist item at a time, and showing her that life can be a whole lot brighter than she imagined.
She rediscovers a love for baking, stumbles into new friendships, and even allows her daughter, Minnie, to create a dating profile and choose her dates for her. Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is Miles, the charming, off-limits neighbor whose kindness makes it hard to remember why he’s off-limits at all.
Between late-night journaling, disastrous first dates, great big lessons and priceless small victories, Claire learns to quiet the voice telling her she wasn’t enough and listens to the one that asks the harder question . . .
What do I really want?
As old expectations loosen their grip, Claire discovers that belonging isn’t a place you’re invited to–it’s a life you build one brave choice at a time. And the sweetest things often show up when you finally get out of your own way.
Review:
Claire caught her husband cheating, and after being stuck in limbo following the divorce, she is finally moving forward. Moving to a new city – one she always had on her radar – is only the beginning of a story about putting yourself first, trying new things, and making new friends.
Claire is a character I instantly connected with. She is a woman in her forties (I can resonate with that) who thought she had it all figured out. Starting fresh is never easy, and when she met Miles, I was so happy for her in finding someone who had her back from day one.
What had me laughing out loud was him and her daughter taking over her dating life and how some of the dates turned out. This was hilarious and is probably a very good representation of the dating scene today.
It was an easy read that had me rooting for Claire from page one, and I applauded her for taking risks and becoming the person she was always meant to be. This is a story about growing up, accepting help when needed, and not giving up on your goals. A feel-good book that did exactly what I was hoping for – and more.
🌙 Recension: Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh
📚 Genre: Fiction, Romance
📅 Release Date: June 8, 2026
📖 Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction
📗 available in various formats
📱 Read as: Kindle
💸 I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 346
⭐️ 4/5
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