• Starting Now

  • A Blossom Street Novel
  • By: Debbie Macomber
  • Narrated by: Abby Craden
  • Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (327 ratings)

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Starting Now  By  cover art

Starting Now

By: Debbie Macomber
Narrated by: Abby Craden
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Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Debbie Macomber returns to Seattle’s beloved Blossom Street in this heartfelt tale of friendship, renewal, and discovering what’s truly important in life.

For years Libby Morgan dreamed only of making partner in her competitive, high-pressure law firm. She sacrificed everything for her career - her friends, her marriage, her chance at creating a family. When her boss calls Libby into his office, she assumes it will finally be good news, but nothing can prepare her for the shocking reality: She’s been let go and must rebuild her entire life…starting now.

With no job prospects in sight, Libby reaches out to old friends and spends her afternoons at A Good Yarn, the local knitting store. There she forms a close bond with Lydia, the sweet-natured shop owner; Lydia’s spirited teenage daughter, Casey; and Casey’s best friend, Ava, a shy yet troubled girl who will shape Libby’s future in surprising and profound ways.

As A Good Yarn becomes a second home - and the women a new kind of family - Libby relishes the different person she’s become. She even finds time for romance with a charming and handsome doctor who seems to be her perfect match. But just as everything is coming together, Libby must make a choice that could forever change the life she holds so dear.

Warmly told and richly textured, Starting Now is filled with the promise of new beginnings and the unending delights of companionship and love.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Debbie Macomber (P)2013 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Starting Now

Average customer ratings
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Predictable & Boring

As much as I like Debbie Macomber's books, this was not one of them. I am like the previous reviiewer, I slippped off many a time listening to it. I did go back though to listen to what I missed but it wasn't much.

The Narrator - You could tell the differences in character by the narrator, but gosh she got on my nerves when that "proper" voice came out (I dislike being harsh). I will think twice if she is narrating another one that I might want to listen to.

The premise of the story was a good one if it had been pulled off by another narrator, I guess. I was ready for it to end. I can't believe I am saying this about a DM book, but I am--Disappointing!!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Story Great / Narration Horrible

First, I want to say that I am a HUGE DM fan. She is my favorite author, not just ONE of my favorites!!! She develops believable characters. Over the past two or three years I primarily "read" my books via audible books.
Unfortunately, Random House Audio has done DM an extreme disservice by choosing the narrator, Abby Craden, for "Starting Now". Up to this point, all of the books to which I've listened, the narrator has complemented DM's work. This time, however, I feel like the narrator is dragging, making Libby sound like a whining doofus. The other characters are irritating and grating, too.
I may need to give up on the audio book and actually sit down and use my eyes!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Predictable

I couldn't wait for this book to become available, but unfortunately I was disappointed by it. Very predictable. I will admit that I actually fell asleep several times listening to this book and missed hearing several chapters, but got to the end of the book without feeling like I needed to go back and listen to the chapters I slept through.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love!Love!!Love!!!

These Blossom Street stories make you feel like you could move to this city and walk into
each store and feel at home. Every time she introduces a new character, her description is
so complete that it's just a new friend, you haven't met yet.
I have read every bock she has written!
The Blossom St. Stories and the Angel Books are my favorites.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Story Hit Home

Not my favorite story line because it hit home a little too hard. However, it was a book I needed to hear.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

Where does Starting Now rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed listening to this book-the storyline was touching and made me smile, laugh and feel sad. Debbie Macomber does such a great job of incorporating real life situations that make you think, but not too hard! Very enjoyable and can't wait for the next one!

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Replace the narrator, please!

What would have made Starting Now better?

I just can't seem to get through this book due to the poor narration. Her 'percise diction' and inconsistant tone is beyond annoying. The characters are unappealing and bland due to this and I find myself angry with the main character for her 'snooty' attitude. I hope that the next Debbie Macomber novel is narrated by a more appealing individual. If it were possible, I'd ask for my money back!

What didn’t you like about Abby Craden’s performance?

Her attempt at perfect diction left the listener cold. I couldn't identify with any of the characters due to the clipped, authoritative tone she gave each character.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I just couldn't get into the story and was very disappointed with this purchase.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

The Worst Narrator, had to read it, could not list

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Did not listen after the first 20 minutes. I have to agree with many others on here, she is the worst. She is reading the book rather than performing the book. If I could have given no stars I would have. Fortunately I had borrowed the book from my eBook library and I was able to read it instead.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good not great

I liked the characters and story but didn't enjoy the readers voice. It is a very automated sounding voice, it reminded me of my old kindle voice. I wish there was a but more going on at the yarn shop.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An incredible journey

This book was an incredible journey of self discovery for the main character it was absolutely amazing. Once again Debbie has proven how real and human she can make her characters. She makes it easy to identify with them.

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