Definitely Better Now : Discussion Thread

[Trisha]

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.

[Vicki]

I plan to comment here after each of these chapters:

6 (pg. 84) 25%
11 (pg. 170) 50%
17 (pg. 261) 77%
The end

I'll post other places if I feel the need. lol But these chapter breakdowns work out pretty well.

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 6

(view spoiler)[Wow, I don't know how I feel about Izzy and Maria. They're all in their 20's, I think, so what they did by putting Emma on the dating app without her permission wasn't cool. I would feel so awkward and with Mitchell popping up as her match and being in her company and ahead honcho, not cool.

Alcoholism is like anything else in life, I assume. You give it up and things change, but most things would remain the same. Going out to bars or places where there's a lot of booze would be trying, I'm sure. And I understand how she didn't want to tell her coworkers about AA etc. but I'm glad she opened it. It sounds like a possibility of a romance between Emma and Ben. He seems like a good guy too.

Her mom and dad are both adding stress to her life right now. I'm curious why her dad is coming after not doing so for two decades except one time. Hmm... (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 11

(view spoiler)[I have a feeling that Emma's dad is sick, possibly with a Fatal illness. After the situation with his pills and then her stepmom calling and saying to call him, I have a feeling. Plus, having an alcoholic father and being sober herself for just one year could spell disaster, so I hope she doesn't fall prey to that. Addictions are real.

Mitchell is a DICK all right! He sounds like a misogynist. He's definitely not respectful of women...period!

I think Emma's crush on Ben is hecka cute. He's obviously into her, too. I am rooting for them. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 17

(view spoiler)[I feel for Emma. I have no experience with what Emma's going through, living a sober life after basically only living life drunk. The way she rejected him in that moment and then reverting to lying again must've been really confusing for Ben. I think he will get over what he's feeling but she's obviously feeling awful.

I just knew her dad was sick. I'm glad they've at least talked and I hope they can make amends and draw closer in their relationship before he dies. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ I liked the slow burn between Emma and Ben. I think they were smart to take a break and come back together when they were both more ready. I'm happy that Emma grew by the end of the novel.

I wish she and her dad had more time to get to spend and mend more prior to his death. But overall it was a pretty good story. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

6 chapters

(view spoiler)[
I like how this book is about recovery but also about how it's a lifestyle and the addiction is a disease and just how tough, socially, it is to work around. I like Emma

Yeah, her co-workers thought they were helping - some people can't imagine being single. I mean, Emma did ask them to set it up and it was really easy to take it down. . .

Yeah, the boss thing is kind of gross - but I wonder if it will mess up the start she has with the other IT guy. he seems sweet and like he is also a recovering alcoholic. I love that he had seltzer too!

I don't really drink either. I can, I do, just not much - because of the motion sickness I get, I have to drive everywhere so most times, no drinks for me. I've definitely had some people get mad because they I though I thought I was better than everyone because I wasn't drinking - even though that wasn't the reason at all, I just had to drive. I hope Emma doesn't bump into jerks like that (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

11 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I agree, I think her dad is sick and I think she's going to have some guilt about not reaching out before he passes. I really hope she gets the chance before it all comes out.

I agree, Mitchell is making her work life very uncomfortable. After making it seem like they were together, talking about her in front of people like that - I'm sad she isn't going to HR but if Amy (IN HR) is spreading rumors, then I guess I know why she didn't go to them! I hope this all blows over but I worry it's going to get worse before it gets better.

I agree, Ben is adorable and I like their little moments. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

17 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I agree, I don't know how it is - to go sober after being in your addiction for so many years. This story shows just how hard it can be - to suddenly have to sort all these situations and feelings that you'd numbed away previously and how overwhelming it could be.

and Yes, I thought her dad was sick too. So sad. I'm glad she isn't drinking yet, though.

and yeah, she should have told Ben. Should have been upfront - but I think that's one of the things an addict got used to - lying to everyone, even yourself - and that this is really the last thing she has to get used to. Owning up to your own crap really sucks so I don't blame her for wanting to avoid it but I'm really glad she hasn't turned to drinking.

fingers crossed the party doesn't go sideways (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

and done!

I loved this one
(view spoiler)[ I'm so glad we didn't have to read about Emma going back and using again and again in her fight to become sober. I was so glad when it just showed she was messy and unsure and trying to figure it all out.

I agree, the slow burn with Ben was so much better than rushing into it! And, again, showed how messy Emma was but that she was working on it.

I love that she switched AA meetings to find one that felt more authentic to her. Such a great thing, to recognize what she needed and to make that tough change.

this one was so good! (hide spoiler)]