great read and easy to follow story line. look forward to reading more from this author.

Jo proves you can change your life significantly, if you only put your mind it. But a new haircut and a makeover of the hallway can only do that much to boost your confidence. In the end you need to live up to the expectations that come with writing down your bucket-list. How more can she tick off?

A Change for the Better is a light-hearted and entertaining read about a woman named Jo Farrell and her sudden realization that she wants to change her life. After a miserable marriage and suffering through plenty of drama with her adult son, Jo decides that she wants to change herself inside and out. When her “scruffy looking” neighbor Greg knocks on her door one night, she finds herself engaged in long conversation as Greg helps Jo create her list. Soon Greg starts his own list and they become very close friends as they change their looks, their clothes, and try out new things that they have always wanted to do. Jo finds herself with a new friend, a new romance and also a visitor from the past that is unwanted. Although faced with personal and family challenges, Jo’s new confidence helps her through trying times as she learns how special some relationships really are.

Not judging a character by appearance, but Jo seemed quite unkempt and almost homely looking in the beginning of the novel. Based on the author’s physical description of Jo it was apparent that she had neglected her appearance for quite some time – as had Greg. But soon these two friends start taking the time for different clothes, new haircuts and new experiences bringing them both out of their shells and developing their confidence. Jo is a very devoted mother and a caring person from the beginning, just as Greg is incredibly selfless and generous. Then there is Max, whom Jo’s friend Denise had tried to set her up with. Before Jo’s transformation/makeover, Max wanted nothing to do with her. But when he accidentally meets her a second time he doesn’t recognize her but definitely wants to get to know her better. He does have some charming moments, but I couldn’t get over their first meeting when he ignored her like some wounded animal.

I loved watching Jo blossom throughout this novel, especially emotionally. She finally put herself first and decided to look at the world differently. The compliments and sudden looks from men didn’t go to her head, but slowly this happy confidence emerged as she checked things off of her list. Although this journey was not about finding a man to complete her, there were times found myself frustrated because she couldn’t imagine Greg as more than a friend. Several times I wanted to yell at her to snatch him up before another woman got him first, but then calmly reminded myself that this was her own journey to self-discovery and to remain patient and hopeful! I also found the ending rather rushed with everything coming to a resolution on one page and the story suddenly being over, but I still loved the novel.

Pamela Fudge has a very no-nonsense easy to read writing style that I enjoyed. Her characters were very relatable in various situations that anyone could identify with regardless of age or experience. I highly recommend A Change for the Better to lovers of women’s fiction and contemporary romance looking for a quick and fun read. Even better – this is a great novel to curl up with to escape for a few hours when you’re experiencing any dark or heavy circumstances of your own. There’s no way you could still feel down after reading Jo’s story!

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

A really lovely heart warming story about getting a second chance in life. For me it was also about the power of believing in yourself. I loved Pamela's writing style as well as her characters, some that I could picture quite vividly in my minds eye.
A great read that I would recommend to readers of woman's fiction.
Thank you to Endeavour Press and Netgalley for the copy

I did not finish this book as I did not engage with the characters or their story.