What Tomorrow Will Be

by Julianne MacLean

From USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean comes a captivating tale of a life caught between the past and the present…and a true love unbound by space and time.

Some loves never die. But only one will shape her future…

At nineteen, Sienna MacKay believed she had it all—a promising career ahead of her and a young love destined to last forever. But a tragic accident shatters that idyllic existence, leaving her with a heartbreaking loss.

Years later, Sienna has rebuilt her life. She’s a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again—with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds—her near-perfect past and her more complicated present—where she must ask What is the price of true love…and is she willing to pay?

Set on the majestic, rugged coastline of Nova Scotia, What Tomorrow Will Be is a magical, emotional novel about first love, second chances, and finding the courage to stay…or the will to go.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Grief, Canada, Contemporary, Family Drama, Audiobook

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.

For more information about Julianne and her writing life, please visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub to be notified whenever her ebooks are offered for FREE or 99 cents. (www.bookbub.com/authors/julianne-maclean) and chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulianneMacLeanRoman...), Twitter (@JulianneMacLean), and Instagram (@JulianneMaclean).

Reviews

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.25 ⭐️ Grief is a natural way love honors what it misses. This is a story about complexities of life, loss, forgiveness and growth that happens during healing. MacLean wrote a tale that can resonate with many women, mothers especially. There is beauty in tragedy but that is not to say it comes to us pain-free. There are lessons to be learned, perhaps even hope after forgiveness.

In 1990s Nova Scotia, a 19 year old Sienna loses her soulmate to a freak accident while hiking. Years later, she meets Nate, a law student who has completely given up because it’s not his calling. Together, they pursue their dreams, build a house, have two children and are very happy. Like all marriages, they run into a period of uncertainty and find the distance growing between themselves. They try to reconnect but an unforeseen moment leads to a tragedy that will change the course of their relationship. Can they finally overcome their differences? What would it take to find themselves back to each other?

What makes this novel so compelling is the words of forgiveness that MacLean uses throughout her grieving and healing journey. She added “turbulence” to the novel to help us feel a range of emotions for all the characters. Nate, the man that he was back then and the man he is now—showed us all the changes that we go through as individuals and as couples. Sometimes these changes can have a lasting impact not just on self but others as well.

While it did feel a bit soapy at one point, I think the point MacLean was trying to make was of the “lessons that are learned” throughout life, especially during traumatic events. I would highly recommend this contemporary fiction/women’s fiction for anyone who enjoys emotional reads that focus on the dilemmas of life.


Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Julianne Maclean for sending me this eARC!

Publication date: February 3, 2026

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think there was anything fundamentally wrong with this story, but the main issue for me was the lack of emotional connection between our main characters, Sienna and Nate. The writing felt pretty shallow and I didn't believe them. The beginning of the story shot out like a bang and really had me hooked, but as the story went on, I found myself really just not caring anymore. Sprinkle in a weird magical realism moment of reflection, my attention flattened out and I was mentally out.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean gives us a captivating tale of first love, second chances, finding yourself and where you were meant to be.
The novel is set in beautiful Nova Scotia.
When Sienna was 19 she lost her first love in a terrible accident and almost lost her life as well.
Many years later Sienna found love again and is married to a loving husband Nate and has two beautiful children. She is living her dream.
Nate sets out to prove something to his father and starts to focus solely on his career as a chef, owning his own restaurant. Sienna feels their marriage and family life together is being pushed aside and coming to an end when disaster strikes once again. Another tragedy occurs and Sienna is fighting for her life. Will true love help her to survive this?
A captivating story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sienna. We start the book in 1998. Sienna is 19 and happily in love with Jacob. He's her besties older brother. They just adopted a puppy and the future looks bright and wonderful.
But then they go on a hike one day and life changes completely.
Then we follow Sienna's life for a bit until she meets Nate. And life happens and now it's 2025 and life should be amazing. Sienna sold her business and is taking care of the house and her two teenagers. But Nate. He's been super focused on making his restaurant a success and it's killing their marriage.
Until another accident happens ...

I liked reading this. I cried a lot! Most of the dog moments made me sob!
It was a tiny bit too religious for my tastes with all that afterlife and praying stuff - but that's my fault - the blurb already told me what it was about. At least it wasn't too preachy or anything.
It was sweet and super heartbreaking and hopeful and so full of love and friendship and dogs and beautiful scenery ... it was just a beautiful life and love story. READ IT

click ► HERE to buy the book!

[Karen Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn into this novel immediately by the compelling prologue. This is a story that is brutally honest about the complexities of love, loss, and family relationships…yet these topics are addressed with sensitivity and compassion.

Over a twenty-plus year period, Sienna McKay experiences horrific physical and emotional trauma with strength and grace. After losing her first “perfect” love, she moves on to marry and have a family with Nate, who becomes obsessed with his restaurant at the expense of everything he holds dear. The dynamics of their marriage lay the groundwork for a tragedy as well as an opportunity for redemption.

Overall, this is a well-crafted novel that ended a little too abruptly. The descriptions of the Nova Scotia coast provide an added dimension to the drama. This is my first exposure to this popular author and I intend to read more of her work.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was something inexplicably different about this book compared to several others I have read and liked by this author. It’s very character driven, as we follow Sienna through her life, her struggles and victories. Trauma bookends the story. But some things didn’t entirely work for me. A lot felt very unrealistic and too dramatic. Going into detail would create major spoilers. Suffice to say, it wasn’t a favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Releases February 3, 2026.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I finished this book in 24 hours as I could not put it down. To me, this was such a good book about life and what it will throw at you and how we handle our trauma. Sometimes we idolize others when we shouldn’t and sometimes we don’t value people we should.

I also loved how their marriage was portrayed because marriage is not always easy and this really dug into the many nuances of that whole exploring forgiveness in light of a spouses selfishness. Loved the ending! A definite must read!

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second read by MacLean and I'm happy to say it's a winner! I love her books!  A heartbreaking read that deals with marriage, love, and loss, and finding love again. It shows how life doesn't always go as planned. Taking place over 20 years, We read about Sienna MacKay, who when she is 19, she is creating her future with the love of her life. When a tragic accident happens, she's left with a heartbreaking loss, and having to start over. In time, she falls in love again and becomes a mother. But her husband becomes very involved in his job and career as a chef and their marriage starts to fail and Sienna faces new choices. This was such a well written book. So emotional. I can't wait to read more books by Julianne MacLean. I was quite impressed with this story. 


Thank you to the publisher, author, netgalley, and Suzy approved book tours. All opinions are my own.

[Dani Boise · Rating 4 out of 5]

OHEMGEE I GOT A BRILLIANCE APPROVAL!

I read the blurb but didn't know what to expect going into this story. It was a story with many of themes: family, tragedy, love, loss, growth.

I liked the way the story progressed; it's told in several parts with different time frames following Sienna's relationships. The writing was beautiful and easy to read. I liked the setting as well. The part that fell flat for me was the "mystery" at the end (did he do it?) because the way the characters were written made it a hard to believe story/ direction of the storyline. Like, we all knew how that would go, right?

Overall I do recommend this to readers that want a drama heavy with very-well-done themes of family and love, among others.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another twisty drama from Julianne MacLean! Her writing is so smooth and tells a great story. I had no idea where this one was going as it kept jumping time periods. It came together in the end and I ate it up! I liked Sienna and wanted to find out where her journey was going. Sienna's daughter turned out to be a great character as well. Both very likable. And I'm a sucker for dogs in the story! Thank you for the eARC!

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tugged at my heart. I loved the setting and loved Sienna as a main character. She’s so relatable! This a love story for the current times. Packed with emotion, drama, and tough decisions, I was so emotional as I read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joy Bellotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy to read for my honest review. I LOVED LOVED LOVED it!! I won’t give any spoilers but it was an amazing book. Full of such love that it touches your heart. It will make you cry and laugh and smile. You’ll wish everyone had a love like this. It was so very good and it just makes you want a true love like this. 💜💜💜💜

[Amanda Alviz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read one other book by this author and it was a favorite of mine for the year I read it, so I was excited to dive into another. This book did not disappoint! I was chuckling because the meet cute story very similarly reflects mine and my husband's story, which made the characters extremely relatable and I was fully invested in their story. MacLean has a way of drawing you into the pages, and capturing every emotion possible.


Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! What a great love story!

[Nancy L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shallow character development. Not a favorite of her books.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚What Tomorrow Will Be
✍🏻Julianne MacLean
Blurb:
From USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean comes a captivating tale of a life caught between the past and the present…and a true love unbound by space and time.

Some loves never die. But only one will shape her future…

At nineteen, Sienna MacKay believed she had it all—a promising career ahead of her and a young love destined to last forever. But a tragic accident shatters that idyllic existence, leaving her with a heartbreaking loss.

Years later, Sienna has rebuilt her life. She’s a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again—with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds—her near-perfect past and her more complicated present—where she must ask What is the price of true love…and is she willing to pay?

Set on the majestic, rugged coastline of Nova Scotia, What Tomorrow Will Be is a magical, emotional novel about first love, second chances, and finding the courage to stay…or the will to go.
My Thoughts:
At 19, Sienna MacKay believed she had it all―a promising career ahead of her and a young love destined to last forever. But a tragic accident shatters that idyllic existence, leaving her with a heartbreaking loss.⁣. Sienna lost her real first love and nineteen in a tragic accident left her physically and mentally scarred as well. She has rebuilt her life but has had no interest in finding romance again, she knows one day she will see Jacob again in heaven, but for now she is just getting through life. When she meets Nate, things are different. There's a spark again, curiosity, feelings she didn't think she would ever feel again. She will always love Jacob, but this is a different kind of love with Nate and she decides maybe she can find another type of love.Grief and all that surrounds it, guilt, loss, missing someone, is at the center of the story.And how someone changes over a lifetime is encompassed amid the grief. Both as an individual and as part of a couple and family. What you take away from traumatic events and how it becomes part of your core being.Sienna feels a loss when her husband is always working at his career as a chef. He isn’t emotionally available to her, and never there for her children. Again, tragedy occurs, and Sienna finds herself between both worlds, the past and present, and has to make the courageous decision to live or die, or to stay or go? Years later, Sienna has rebuilt her life. She’s a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again―with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds―her near-perfect past and her more complicated present―where she must ask herself: What is the price of true love…and is she willing to pay?⁣I loved Sienna’s character and her best friend Becky. This book tugged at my heart strings and kept me engaged
Thanks NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Author Julianne MacLean for the complimentary copy of "What Tomorrow Will Be" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#LakeUnionPublishing
#JuliannaMacLean
#WhatTomorrowWillBe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proof That The Greatest Romances Don't Always Involve HEA. Oh that title is sure to roil up oh so many in booklandia, but this tale really is, at least in some ways, proof of something I've personally long held, that the greatest *romance* stories known to humanity don't always involve a happily ever after.

Like Tom Clancy's Without Remorse, we get an all too brief but oh so epic romance tale for the absolute *ages*... before we see it shattered in an instant. The love - and the tragedy - are far *too* real in MacLean's words, and the room will get quite dusty indeed through this section of our tale.

And then, like Without Remorse again, we get a new romance at some time period after the initial one, and this is where we spend the majority of the tale (unlike Without Remorse, which is as much military thriller as it is romance... indeed, Clancy *set out* to write a military thriller, he just also included one of the best romance tales I've ever read even now).

This one too is divided - we see the couple coming together, and again here MacLean truly makes us *feel* it. Unless you have a block of solid granite in your chest, you're going to be swooning through this section. It really is one of those truly epic love stories that really makes you feel what these characters are feeling.

But then we flash forward several years again, and this time reality has set in. We're beyond the honeymoon period, and life is taking its toll. Here we get to the real drama of the book, and again MacLean does a superb job. Various conflicts are happening, and MacLean does a great job of making them all too real. Some of the drama is unfortunately plucked from so many peoples' experiences, some of it is more reminiscent of the chronically underrated Hundred Foot Journey - but with a twist more familiar to many romance novels and indeed all too familiar to far too many people's real lives. Here, MacLean does a superb job of making each character - at least those at the heart of these conflicts - feel like they could be sitting there reading these words over our shoulder - they feel *that* real.

And then that back third or so. Simply stupendous. Just. Wow. I've read a few of MacLean's books in recent years, and I do believe this one to possibly be her most powerful yet, certainly among those I've read. And yes, it is in this back third that we really see the true power of what I said in the title of this review - sometimes the greatest romances don't involve a happily ever after. Sometimes the greatest romances of all are the ones that change us forever.

But that isn't actually a spoiler of anything here. You're just going to have to read this book to find out exactly what MacLean did here to make me say that. ;)

Very much recommended.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very touching story. A story of love and loss. Of new beginnings and possible endings. Of marriage with all it's ups and downs. Children. The hardships of being a single mother while married to the man you thought loved you above all else. A story of so much hope.

When Sienna was nineteen years old she thought she had it all. The love of her life. A wonderful life. Parents who loved her. A best friend. Then she fell....

Sienna survived that fall in many ways. But in one way she lost everything. You get to follow her life after the fall. Meet her husband and children. See what her life was all about. How it turned out. All the ups and downs of Sienna's life. Then she falls again...

This book was very good. A very emotional one. This author obviously has strong religious feelings. It's obvious as you follow what happened to Sienna and Jacob. You'll meet Jacob's sister Becky who is also Sienna's best friend. And then there is Nate, Amanda, and Connor. Each of these characters play such a huge role in this book. All are very likable. I adored Jacob but fell hard for Nate until Nate let Sienna down. Then I got angry at him and I got angry at her too. She literally tells him to go. Go to the restaurant. That place was part of the reason they got where they were. And she said go.

Amanda was Sienna's oldest child. She was actually very smart. At times beyond her years smart. I thought she handled herself so well in the hospital. And in life. I'm not so sure many sixteen years olds are that reseilant these days.

And don't forget the dogs. They play a fairly big part in this book. And each sounds adorable. Just as a pup should...

This book was well written and very heartbreaking while at the same time heartwarming. There was one scene that I found to be quite silly but that is me. I don't believe any surgeon would talk to children with the medical terms the one in this story did. It would just blow their young minds...

I listened to the audio and it was pretty good. Kept great pace and did keep my interest.

Thank you Lake Union Publishers and Brillance Audio for the ARC.

4 stars

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy. I was definitely NOT prepared to face this one head on…

But, on we went…

Sienna is in college. Jacob is her love. They have everything. They are hopelessly in love and planning their forevers…
Because they are Young and In Love.
But sometimes fate is just. Plain. Cruel.
And things don’t turn out as planned.

Sienna HAS to move on. Life continues even with and through grief. But how? And why? She just doesn’t understand…

Years go by. She’s out with Becky, her best friend. And surprisingly, she meets a guy under the strangest of circumstances. And she feels… butterflies!

Nate is a nice guy. Like… really nice. But, just like everyone else in this world, he has his own problems…
But maybe, Sienna can help to see him through them. 🤞🏼

Again, years go by. Life goes on. Families grow. Bonds are formed. Families fall apart, too…
Dreams are dreamt. Promises are made… Some are broken…

Life is not always rainbows and butterflies… but, can they make it through?

And just then, tragedy strikes… AGAIN! Like seriously? How can this be?????

And somehow, lives are lingering between the here and now, and what was once a perfect life. 😮😇
Is there really a Heaven? Do dogs go to Heaven? Can we keep this precious time????

OMG. My heart was breaking. My eyes were brimming with tears… really? Is this how it’s going to be??

I’ll leave it here. If his piques your interest, please keep your eyes 👀 open for this one. Coming out very soon! 2/3/26!!

5 big, bright, sweet, sad, happy, mad, trembling, shaky, Heaven-sent stars for me! ⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

#WhatTomorrowWillBe by @JulianneMaclean and narrated breathtakingly by @DevonSorvari; @GrahamHalstead; and @AndreaEmmes.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BrillianceAudio and @BrilliancePublishing for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25stars--WHAT TOMORROW WILL BE by Julianne MacLean is a contemporary, adult, women’s fictional story line focusing on interior designer Sienna MacKay and chef Nate Palmer.

Told from three first person perspectives (Sienna, Nate and their daughter Amanda) focusing on several timelines, WHAT TOMORROW WILL BE follows Sienna MacKay in the aftermath of the loss of the love of her life. At nineteen years of age, Sienna MacKay had her whole life before her but a devastating accident left our heroine fighting for her life, and the man whom she loved, gone. Several years later, Sienna will meet law student and aspiring chef Nate Palmer, giving Sienna a second chance at her own happily ever after. Fast forward to present day, the relationship between our couple is deteriorating, and Sienna is reconsidering her future with the man whom she loves. Life, once again, is about to spiral out of control, and this time the spiral will go viral in a world of social medi, consequences and aggressive interference.

The world building follows several timelines, covering approximately twenty-five years in the life of our story line couple. From Nate’s dysfunctional family and his need to prove his worth, to Sienna’s grief, and yearning for the love and attention from the man whose tunnel vision no longer includes the people at home, WHAT TOMORROW WILL BE focuses on the fall out of unrealized expectations, trauma, grief and loss.

The relationship between Nate and Sienna is one of immediate attraction but Sienna continues to battle with the heartbreak of loss, as Nate struggles with his future going forward.
We are introduced to Nate and Sienna’s children Connor and Amanda; Nate’s uncompromising parents Bill and Joan Palmer, his brother Arthur, and Sienna’s friend Becky.

WHAT TOMORROW WILL BE is a story of grief and loss, trauma and shock, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is thought provoking, dramatic and edgy-there are some slight but limited paranormal plot points ; the romance is tender ; the characters are desperate, determined and conflicted.

copy supplied for review

[amaareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, aka “I cried, but I also rolled my eyes a couple times and that’s called balance.”

This book is basically: what if your grief, your first love, your messy marriage, AND the rugged Nova Scotia coastline all conspired to emotionally body‑slam you across time? We follow Sienna, who at nineteen is living her best life with first love + big dreams, and then tragedy yeets that whole future off a cliff. Years later she’s a successful designer, a tired mum, and married to Nate, a chef whose main personality trait is “I love you but I also love my career more, sorry babe,” and the simmering resentment in that marriage is… uncomfortably well done.

The scenes that really got me: the early days with first-love boy are disgustingly soft.... the kind of swoony, golden-hour romance that has “this can’t last” stamped all over it, and you still fall for it like a clown. I loved the domestic tension bits too, where Sienna is basically a single parent while Nate is off chasing chef glory; it’s so mundanely painful that it hits harder than the big dramatic accidents. And then that whole “caught between two worlds, past vs present” stretch after the stormy confrontation? It’s giving emotional limbo, metaphysical waiting room, choose-your-life-core-memory; melodramatic in concept but weirdly intimate in execution.

Why it’s 4 stars and not full 5?? sometimes the angst is laid on THICK, like “okay we get it, life is pain and men are disappointing,” and a few side characters feel like they walked in just to deliver a theme and leave. But Sienna is so flawed and earnest that I kept rooting for her even when I wanted to shake her, and the whole “some loves change you even if they don’t last forever” vibe absolutely punched me in the throat. So yeah, I closed my Kindle feeling wrung out, a little manipulated, but also staring at the ceiling like, “Cool, guess I’ll rethink all my life choices now.”

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC!!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Tomorrow Will Be by Julianne Maclean is an enticing book about second chances, death, and loving someone long term. It is nicely done and unfolds gently. Sienna and Jacob were in love. They came from the same town and were now in university together. Becky was Jacob’s sister and Sienna’s best friend. One day the weather was so gorgeous that the couple decided to to skip the library and take a hike with their dog, Scooter. All was well until the edge of the trail gave way and Jacob and Scooter fell down the side of the mountain. Scooter almost made it up, scrabbling at Sienna, scratching up her arms. Next thing, Sienna’s spot let loose and she fell as well. All she felt was pain and then she passed out, holding Jacob’s hand. She woke in the hospital, still in pain. Jacob was dead. Years pass and Sienna has opened her own interior decorating business and was doing well. She had employees and clients and knew she would never love anyone the way she had loved Jacob.

Of course, things changed. Sienna finally met someone and married then we skip forward twenty years and take a look at a seasoned marriage. So much, so heart-breaking. Two children who don’t know how to handle all that was happening to them, so fast. Becky was still there, almost like family. Sienna was an exemplary character who was mature and thought things through before she acted. She had been mother and father to her kids as her husband was a workaholic. He had something to prove. Totally sympathetic and someone the reader would like to know. Good story, as always with Maclean, taking us to heaven and back, exploring what happens at, and after, death. She also examines what happens to survivors. A gently and calm book looking at mature people still navigating the world. So worth the read.

I was invited to read What Tomorrow Will Be by Lake Union Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LakeUnionPublishing #JulianneMaclean #WhatTomorrowWillBe

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Tomorrow Will Be by Julianne MacLean follows Sienna as she navigates first love, loss, and later on, complicated family relationships while trying to make peace with the circumstances that shaped her life.

Having read several of Julianne MacLean’s previous novels, I went into this one with high expectations. Her last book felt so rich in setting and description that it practically jumped off the pages, whereas this story is much more subdued and heavily character-driven. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it — it’s simply very different in tone and structure from what I was expecting.

The opening of the novel serves an important purpose in shaping Sienna into who she becomes, but beyond that, it didn’t always feel as connected to the larger story. It’s difficult to explain in detail without spoiling anything, but the book overall felt different from the author’s previous work. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that — parts of the story are deeply heartfelt and offer a realistic look at relationship struggles, grief, and family drama. I appreciated that it explored these very real life issues, even if the narrative sometimes felt a bit disjointed.

I also found myself wishing for more relationship development between Nate and Sienna. I didn’t fully feel the emotional connection between them, and I wanted more moments that showed their bond growing. Interestingly, I think I enjoyed the animal characters the most — they added warmth and charm to the story.

While this wasn’t my favorite of MacLean’s books, I still genuinely admire her writing. I absolutely love her historical fiction, and it may simply be that her non-historical stories aren’t as closely aligned with my personal tastes. Even so, I’m very much looking forward to seeing what she writes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those novels that I could not put down! I was so invested in the characters and what was going to happen next, how was it all going to play out from the insight we get in the prologue. Sienna lost her real first love and nineteen in a tragic accident left her physically and mentally scarred as well. She has rebuilt her life but has had no interest in finding romance again, she knows one day she will see Jacob again in heaven, but for now she is just getting through life. When she meets Nate, things are different. There's a spark again, curiosity, feelings she didn't think she would ever feel again. She will always love Jacob, but this is a different kind of love with Nate and she decides maybe she can find another type of love. As life seems to go for so many; they date, they get engaged, marry, have kids and before they know it, the kids are teenagers and life has just gotten away from them. Sienna is frustrating by carrying the family constantly while giving Nate everything for the restaurant that has become his new love, his everything. His only focus is getting that Michelin review. But Sienna knows there is an underlying reason to his drive even though he's prove himself over and over already. So when Sierra gives Nate an ultimatum, he takes a day off for them to be together and start again but when another horrific accident happens, Sienna once again finds herself fighting for her life and Nate has really become the center of attention now. There was so much emotion in this novel and you just really connect with Sienna. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for another your invite of hers. I just love her books!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one of those stories that quietly pulls you in and then refuses to let go, blending love, loss, and second chances in the most emotional way. I loved how the past and present were woven together, it made everything feel deeper and more meaningful. If you love emotional, time-spanning stories that stay with you after the last page, this one is a must. 💔📖

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @juliannemaclean for my early gifted copy!


Synopsis: From USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean comes a captivating tale of a life caught between the past and the present...and a true love unbound by space and time. Some loves never die. But only one will shape her future... At nineteen, Sienna Mackay believed she had it all—a promising career ahead of her and a young love destined to last forever. But a tragic accident shatters that idyllic existence, leaving her with a heartbreaking loss. Years later, Sienna has rebuilt her life. She's a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again —with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds-her near-perfect past and her more complicated present-where she must ask What is the price of true love...and is she willing to pay? Set on the majestic, rugged coastline of Nova Scotia, What Tomorrow Will Be is a magical, emotional novel about first love, second chances, and finding the courage to stay...or the will to go.

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

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🇨🇦 have ever visited Nova Scotia
📖 enjoy books with a religious overlay
💔 ever lost the love of your life
🧍 love character driven novels

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

At nineteen, Sienna MacKay believed she had it all—a promising career ahead of her and a young love destined to last forever. But a tragic accident shatters that idyllic existence, leaving her with a heartbreaking loss.

Years later, Sienna has rebuilt her life. She’s a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again—with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds—her near-perfect past and her more complicated present—where she must ask herself: What is the price of true love…and is she willing to pay?

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

What a beautiful and heartbreaking novel all wrapped up into one! The story follows Sienna as she loses the love of her life at just 19 years old in a freak accident. When she meets Nate later in life, she believes she’s gotten a second chance at true love. I loved watching her grow and flourish, and felt all of her emotions as her marriage starts to crumble. The emotions and tension runs high in this book, especially when another horrible event occurs. I enjoyed the religious aspect of this book. It was a nice touch, and really added to the story. If you enjoy character driven novels, you’ll really enjoy this novel.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ A sweeping, heart-tugging story about love that refuses to fade ✨
What Tomorrow Will Be by Julianne MacLean is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that lingers long after the final page. Set against the breathtaking coastline of Nova Scotia, this story blends romance, loss, and a touch of the magical into an unforgettable reading experience.
Sienna MacKay’s journey is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Her first love is torn away in a devastating tragedy, and years later she’s built a new life—one that looks successful on the surface but feels increasingly fragile. When a shocking event leaves her suspended between past and present, MacLean explores a powerful question: can true love survive time, loss, and the choices we make to move forward?
The emotional depth of this novel is stunning. The contrast between young, pure first love and the complicated realities of adult relationships feels achingly real. Sienna’s struggle is raw, relatable, and deeply human, making it impossible not to root for her as she faces an impossible choice.
Romantic, atmospheric, and quietly magical, What Tomorrow Will Be is a moving meditation on soul-deep love, second chances, and the courage it takes to choose your future—even when your heart is torn between two worlds. A must-read for fans of emotional romance and time-slip fiction. 🌊💫

[Chanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHAT TOMORROW WILL BE is a story that follows Sienna (FMC) as she navigates tragically losing love as a young adult, finding it again some years later, only to have it balancing by a thread when real life and its challenges set in.

Let’s start with what I liked. The setting of Nova Scotia provided a beautiful backdrop for the story. I also enjoyed that this was a story about flaws and redemption.

But that’s where many of my positives come to an end. Overall, I felt the writing was disjointed and came across as far too much telling and not enough showing with character actions and emotions. In my opinion, neither of Sienna’s main romantic relationships were well crafted or developed and lacked any sort of emotional connection. There was far too much written about the dogs. Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs, I just disliked more work and development went into their relationship with the main character compared to everyone else. The storyline with Nate’s ‘motives’ in the later part of the book was weird and was put there only to create some sort of tension that didn’t fit the overall feel of the book.

I do usually like a well-done marriage in trouble trope, but this wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Linda Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

What Tomorrow Will Be
Author: Julianne Maclean
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: February 3, 2026
 
ROMANCE LITERATURE
FICTION
MAGICAL REALISM

“What Tomorrow Will Be” is a love story that evokes the nostalgia of my grandma’s romance books. The story follows Sienna, the lead female character, who experiences a series of life-altering events that instill fear in her heart, leading her to harbor reservations about love and loss. Despite these challenges, her marriage faces adversity, but a subsequent tragedy brings about a transformative (ghostly) change that ultimately brings her happiness.

The narrative is characterized by its simplicity, accessibility, and formulaic storytelling, which creates a comforting reading experience. The author’s skillful handling of the themes of love, loss, and redemption ensures that the story resonates with readers.

Overall, “What Tomorrow Will Be” is an enjoyable and easy read that offers a poignant exploration of the human heart. Its relatable characters and uplifting message make it a compelling choice for readers seeking a heartwarming and cozy literary experience.

#WhatTomorrowWillBe
#lakeunionauthors
#romance
@netgalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.

[Shelagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianne Maclean writes emotional stories so well and that talent shines through in What Tomorrow Will Be. This is a complex story of love, loss and new beginnings and it captivated me from the start. Central to the story is Siera, who loses her first love, Jacob, in a cliffside slippage, which nearly takes her own life and that of Jacob’s exuberant Labrador puppy Scooter. With Jacob gone, Siera struggles emotionally and shuts herself off from the possibility of a new relationship for seven years while building her successful interior design business. As her success peaks, she meets Nate, a law student who loathes studying law and dreams instead of becoming a Michelin starred chef. While Nate and Siera are instantly attracted to each other and eventually marry and have children, the shadow of Jacob hovers in the background. I was intrigued by the constant shifts in the relationship as viewed through both their eyes and later through the eyes of their daughter Amanda. The characters in this story are exquisitely crafted and seemed completely real to me. I loved watching them moving through their lives, felt for them as trauma, grief and mourning cropped up along the way and cheered when love and emotional completion finally rewarded them. This book is a keeper and one I will definitely read again and again, no doubt discovering different aspects each time. I loved it.