natalie intihar

Publication Date: June 9, 2026

Brighter than Before was such a tender story about falling in love and finding oneself again. Claire and Miles are both older characters, and that maturity was beyond refreshing. I loved seeing Claire’s grown-up daughter, Minnie, interact with Claire and with Miles on a quest to find Claire a romantic partner. There’s so much tenderness in these dynamics, and that makes their relationships extra meaningful.

Claire and Miles have such a real journey to finding love. They felt like such authentic people and their love story felt true to them and their world. This is a no spice book, but that doesn’t mean the chemistry between these characters wasn’t there!

I loved the fact that Claire is older, divorced, has a daughter, and is figuring it out. Her quest to find herself is so admirable, and it’s a wonderful example of how it’s never too late to be who you truly want to be. Her arc about opening a bakery was so inspiring, and I loved it so much.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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